Electronics marketing experts reported that sales of tablets and smart phones dominated sales of electronics during the recent Christmas season. A lot of people found an iPad, Android tablet, or smart phone under their tree. The primary appeal of these devices is all of the apps that are available. Along with all the game, news and self help apps, there are a few apps that can be very useful when a driver faces a roadside emergency.

Most of the apps are for the iPhone and iPad but there are a few Android apps as well. This is not an endorsement of any app but a list of apps that, hopefully, you will never have to use but it never hurts to have just in case. Best of all, most are free!

Vehicle breakdowns

• About Emergency Car Care Guide - Web App for iPhone only
  Learn how to deal with common car care emergencies such as blowouts, overheating, accident procedure and many more common emergencies in this concise guide while you are on the road. You won't want to leave home without the pocket car care emergency guide! (More topics to be added weekly)
http://www.apple.com/webapps/travel/emergencycarcareguide.html


• Car Care & Roadside Emergencies (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  Breakdowns happen. Tires go flat, car batteries die, and engines overheat. But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about it. Car Care & Roadside Emergencies is a quick-reference guide that shows you how to handle the most common types of breakdowns so you won't have to wait on the side of the road hoping for the kindness of strangers. Car Care & Roadside Emergencies shows you how to:
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/car-care-roadside-emergencies/id322017537?mt=8

Roadside Assistance

• AAA Roadside (Free) - Android
  AAA's legendary roadside assistance is available easily through this app. Avoid waiting on the phone and receive confirmation that the information sent to AAA is correct. Using the location of your iPhone a roadside assistance request is a few simple steps away. Select the type of breakdown and AAA assures your information is delivered to a local roadside problem-solving technician for quick response.
  https://market.android.com/details?id=com.apps.aaa.roadside&feature=related_apps



• Good Hands Roadside Assistance (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  You don’t have to be an Allstate customer to get unlimited access to Allstate’s 24/7 Nationwide Roadside Network with Good Hands Roadside Assistance. This must-have application delivers pay-as-you-go roadside help to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app//id400267333?mt=8



• Emergency Flasher HD ($0.99) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  Stranded? Dead battery? Flat tire? Accident? Every second counts when you need help. Whether on the road or at home, make yourself more visible to police, EMS, fire trucks, and tow trucks.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emergency-flasher-hd/id481472840

Collisions

• MotorSafe (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  If you have a traffic accident you need to keep calm and collect the right information. MotorSafe helps you:




• Make written and record audio notes


• Take time-stamped photos


• Pinpoint the location on a map using the phone's GPS


Capture details about

• other vehicles


• other driver insurance


• witness and other people's contact details




MotorSafe highlights any missing information, and lets you send a full, structured incident report by email from your phone.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motorsafe/id408403050

Medical Emergencies

• Every Day First Aid HD Lite (Free) - iPad
  People do not seek emergencies but emergencies find them! Are you adequately prepared to care for a family member or stranger? Arriving on the scene of an emergency is both time sensitive and stressful. Whether you are home, on vacation, or in transit, Everyday First Aid HD LITE offers clear, concise and well-organized information wherever you are!


Medical information is based on guidelines provided by the American Red Cross and other health organizations with topics including allergic reactions, snakebites, blisters and more.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/everyday-first-aid-hd-lite/id410782928?mt=8


• GotoAID First Aid Lite (Free) – Android
  https://market.android.com/details?id=com.gotoaidlite



• Emergency Data (People & Pets) ($2.99) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  Emergency Data (People & Pets) is a simple and intuitive app that allows you to store all of the necessary personal and medical information on your iPhone, iPad and iPod.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emergency-data-people-pets/id474634156



• ICE (In Case of Emergency) - Full Functionality ($1.99) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  ICE is an app for organizing your emergency medical and contact information. ICE uses the information you already have about your emergency contacts in your device's Contacts app so you don't have to store separate
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ice-in-case-emergency-full/id408361952

Weather

• Winter Survival Kit (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  The Winter Survival Kit app can be as critical as a physical winter survival kit if you find yourself stuck or stranded in severe winter weather conditions. This app will help you find your current location, call 911, notify your friends and family, calculate how long you can run your engine to keep warm and stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/winter-survival-kit/id482127435



• Winter Survival Kit (Free) - Android
  https://market.android.com/details?id=md.apps.Blizzard



• FloodWatch (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  FloodWatch allows users to monitor rivers and streams throughout the United States.
  By leveraging data from the US Geological Survey and National Weather Service, FloodWatch presents the most recent and historical river heights, precipitation totals, and flood stage data. Graphs are available to help yo
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/floodwatch/id386505889



• FloridaEvacuates Mobile (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  The FloridaEvacuates.com mobile app will provide an easy way to get to the FloridaEvacuates.com mobile website.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/floridaevacuates-mobile/id333632060


Note: Other states have similar Apps

• US Fires (Free) - iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
  US Fires is designed to provide current data about wild fires for the different States in the USA. It takes information from both Inciweb.org and from USDA web sites to provide as much comprehensive information as possible.
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/us-fires/id430139400
  

Labels: android apps, emergency apps, emergency safety, ipad, iphone apps, ipod, vehicle breakdowns, vehicle safety

As the New Year approaches and parties are being planned, hosts should be aware of their liabilities and responsibilities when it comes to serving alcohol.

Every state has some form of a little known law known as the "Social Host Liability Law". Most of these laws are sub-chapters of "Dram Shop" laws. Dram shop laws are those laws that set out the responsibilities and liabilities for businesses such as bars and restaurants that regularly serve alcohol. Social Host laws however refer to the responsibilities and liabilities for a home owner or party host.

In most states the Social Host laws refer primarily to a homeowner who knowingly serves alcohol to a minor. While most responsible adults would never consider serving alcohol to a minor, a surprising number of adults either actively serve alcohol at parties attended by minors or turn a blind eye when their teens are hosting a party where alcohol is served. A recent article in the Brockton, MA Enterprise cited a survey conducted by Hingham High School where students were asked if they had attended parties where parents allowed teens to drink. More than 25 percent of freshmen and juniors at the school answered that they had attended such parties – an increase of 30 percent since 2008. A similar study at seven schools in Concord MA revealed that 27 percent of the students had attended parties where parents allowed teens to drink.

Social Host laws also hold parents criminally responsible even if they were unaware that the teens had sneaked the alcohol in. A Stanford professor who recently hosted a party for his son and friends specifically stated that no alcohol was allowed. Apparently, without the professor's knowledge, some of the teens brought alcohol to the party and police showed up around 11:00 pm to investigate. The professor was charged with 44 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor - one for each teen at the party.

While there are separate laws concerning supplying alcohol to a minor, Social Host laws go further and hold the host both criminally and civilly liable if one of their guests causes injury to a third party. Some Social Host laws also prohibit serving alcohol to someone – teen or adult – who has a known drinking problem. Other states hold the host liable if they provide keys to an intoxicated adult who went on to injure a third party in a collision.

Parents who have the idea that they would rather have their kids drinking “safely” at home rather than out on the street need to remember their responsibility to be “Be A Parent, Not A Pal.” For hosts of adults, they should also be aware of their responsibilities and remember that old adage: "Friends Don"t Let Friends Drive Drunk."

To prevent one of your guests from leaving a party while intoxicated, a host has several options:

• Take the car keys from your guests as they enter and plan on them spending the night.


• Call a cab for your guests.


• Be aware of services provided by cab and towing companies or public transportation agencies that provide free or low cost rides on New Year's Eve.


• Be a really good host, remain sober and be the designated driver for your guests.

For more information on Social Host laws in your state, visit: http://www.socialhostliability.org/

Have a safe and a happy New Year.

Labels: driving under the influence, dui, parent responsibility, social hosting, teens, underage alcohol use

Cheer is in the air as the holiday season approaches. Just don't overlook increased risks of being out on the road! As you head to Aunt Judy's Christmas dinner or Bob's Ugly Sweater Party, it is increasingly important to drive safely.

This time around, take a safe trip with Santa's elves as they follow the cement road to his workshop. You'll learn how (and why!) to stay away from dangerous driving practices, and hopefully keep these facts and more in mind while you're behind the wheel this holiday season. Here are just a few statistics from the infographic:

• 17,000 people die per year in the U.S. in motor vehicle accidents because they weren't wearing a seat belt.


• In December 2009 alone there were 2,387 fatal crashes.


• Pedestrian deaths account for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Sure, these facts are serious, but don't think of RoadTrafficSigns as the Christmas Grinch. Turn to these signs as a support system to help you drive safe this holiday season. Cheers, from RoadTrafficSigns.com.

Labels: driver safety, holiday driving, road rules and road signs

The National Safety Commission has launched OfficialDMV.com, a new website created to prepare new drivers in all fifty states to successfully pass their driving exams. The website is designed with practice written exams and a simulated behind-the-wheel driving test to prepare first time drivers and to give them the confidence to successfully pass the driving exams the first time.

The DMV written tests, created by curriculum developers certified to teach driving schools in both Florida and Texas, are based on a proven training concept originally designed by the military. Each state's test, consisting of both a road rules exam and a road signs exam, were created using the latest version of the state's driving manual. When taking the exam, the student will see a test made up of forty questions randomly drawn from a data base made up of hundreds of questions. The new driver can take the exam as often as desired; each time gaining more knowledge and confidence.


The simulated behind-the-wheel road test exam was designed by a certified curriculum developer and former driver's license examiner for the State of Florida. The computerized exam was created by Applied Simulation Technologies of Murray, Utah, a company well known for its expertise in designing educational online safety courses.

The developers of the course have so much confidence in the material that they offer a money back guarantee to anyone who successfully passes the online course but subsequently fails their actual driving exam.

OfficialDMV.com is also an excellent source for information for anyone seeking information on the steps needed to get a learner's permit or operator's license in their state. At OfficialDMV.com, the new driver can find information on:

• Rules and age requirements to obtain a license


• Road test requirements


• Road test maneuvers


• Driver's license documentation requirements


• How to schedule a test with links to the state DMV


• Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws

For more information, visit: http://www.officialdmv.com

Labels: behind the wheel, dmv, dmv practice test, dmv written test, driving test, road rules and road signs

As part of the National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention month, a lot of state highway patrol and local law enforcement agencies will be joining together this holiday season in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to remove drunk and drugged drivers from America’s roads. Drunk and drugged driving is especially prevalent during the holidays; leading to a tragic holiday season for many American families. During the month of December, 2009, 753 people were killed in crashes that involved drivers or motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

One of the problems stems from all of the holiday parties during this period where participants have just a few drinks – an amount that they don’t feel will impact their driving abilities – and hit the road. However, even a small amount of alcohol from just a drink or two can impair your ability to drive. Drivers sometimes tend to forget that buzzed driving is still drunk driving.

Don't allow yourself to be pulled into that trap. There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season without the danger of drinking and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

· Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;

· Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;

· If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;

· Use your community’s sober ride program

· If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; and

· And remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. If you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, take the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

If you are hosting a party, you should remember that you can be held liable if a guest leaves your party and is involved in an alcohol or drug related collision. As a host, consider serving non-alcoholic "cocktails" and drinks. Recipes for a variety of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks are easily available online at this time of year.

December is the most dangerous driving month of the year. Don’t add to the danger by adding alcohol or other drugs to the mix. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Labels: buzzed driving, drunk driving, dui, holiday driving

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for young people in the US with more than fourteen deaths per day on America's roads. That is more than the number of teen deaths by murder, suicide, and cancer combined. It is a tragic issue that driving safety experts have been working a long time to try to solve. While there have been some gains, mainly through Graduated Driving License (GDL) and mandatory seat belt laws, the death and injury rate remains too high.

One way to solve the problem is to look to the teenage drivers themselves for a solution. The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) is an organization that is trying to make a difference. Made up of more than 70 national nonprofit organizations, business and industry partners, and federal government agencies, NOYS has developed some innovative ways to get teens involved to get the word out to other teens about driving safety.

As sponsors of the National Youth Traffic Safety Month® (NYTSM), NOYS is sponsoring a nationwide contest to involve teens in spreading the traffic safety message. Act Out Loud is a competition to get teams from high schools throughout the nation to spread the word among their peers about the dangers of teen driving. The contest will run from October 14, 2011 – January 13, 2012. There are more than $90,000 in cash and prizes with a $10,000 grand prize going to the winning team along with a private concert from musical star Skyler.
The rules are simple but it will take a lot of team-work and creativity to win the grand prize. To win, the team must complete three projects:

• Create a T-shirt with an awareness message that focuses on preventing the use of mobile communication devices behind the wheel


• Create a billboard message that promotes awareness for passenger restrictions


• Create a Facebook "Yearbook" and send letters to national and state legislators to push for stronger GDL laws

For more information about entering the contest or partnering with NOYS, visit: http://www.actoutloud.org/

Labels: driving safety, gdl laws, Graduated Driver Licensing, graduated licensing

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted an interesting experiment in 2009 that tested the effectiveness of various in-vehicle monitoring systems on teen drivers. The study monitored the driving habits of 84 teen drivers with different types of in-vehicle technology to determine which ones had the greatest effect on both the teen drivers and their parents.

IIHS installed their own monitoring equipment in the study vehicles that recorded when drivers braked sharply or accelerated suddenly, didn’t use belts, and exceeded speed limits. The monitors used GPS and a satellite modem to transmit the data to a central processing facility and the data was made available for parents to review. In addition to its own monitoring systems, IIHS also installed different types of in-vehicle monitoring that are commercially available to parents of teen drivers. The 84 subjects were randomly assigned into four groups:

"Drivers in groups 1 and 2 heard audible alerts for risky maneuvers. A short, low-pitched buzz sounded for sudden braking and acceleration. A continuous low-pitched buzz sounded when the belt wasn’t buckled and stopped only when it was fastened. Speeding triggered a single beep at 2.5 mph over the posted limit, followed by continuous beeps at increasing pitch and frequency when the teenage drivers exceeded the limit by more than 10 mph.” For drivers in group 1, the information was immediately recorded and transmitted to the parents for review. The drivers in group 2 had the opportunity to correct their behavior and, if corrected within 20 seconds, prevent a report from being sent to their parents.

There were no in-vehicle alerts for drivers in group 3, just website notification. Group 4, the control group, was monitored but had no alerts or web notification.

The different types of monitoring systems included:

• Basic systems: CarChip Pro – http://www.carchip.com/Products/8226.asp, CarChipPro is essentially a black box that plugs into the car’s diagnostic recorder. The system can record speed, mileage, and other data. Once the information is downloaded, it provides parents with a history of the teen's driving. The system may also be set to turn into an alarm if certain speeds are reached or if the driver is braking too hard. The system is a tool to help discuss a teen's driving habits by allowing parents to show them the facts, and how to correct their driving behavior.



• GPS-based systems: Inthinc’s Tiwi - http://www.inthinc.com/products/tiwifamily This system monitors drivers in real-time by providing in-vehicle, verbal feedback to the driver when they are speeding, not wearing their seat belt or driving aggressively. Also, parents can be notified immediately of unsafe driving behavior (through text, voicemail or email) and all info is reported through an Internet-based portal for later review and discussion between parent and teen. This system gives teens a chance to correct their behavior before their parents are notified.



• Video systems: DriveCam: Teen Safe Driver Program package – http://www.drivecam.com/, This in-car camera system records "risky driving behavior" and sends them to DriveCam for third-party assessment of a teen driver's skills. The reports are then sent to parents, who can discuss the driving behavior with their teen.



• Smart keys: MyKey – http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=29172, First seen on the 2010 Ford Focus, the MyKey system is designed to help parents set certain limitations on their Ford vehicles for when their teens are driving. With the configurable key, this system is designed for parents who share their cars with teen drivers. Ford has announced that this technology will be available in all Ford vehicles beginning in 2012. The key features are:
  
  
  
  • Do Not Disturb, prevents use of cell phone and texting while the car is in motion.
  
  
  • Speed Control, limiting the top speed of the Ford vehicle to 80 mph.
  
  
  • Volume control, which allows parents to set a maximum volume level for the car's radio.
  
  
  • Beltminder, an alarm system that mutes the radio and plays a chime every 6 seconds, every minute or every 5 minutes when the seatbelt is unbuckled.
  
  
  • Fuel reminder: alerts the teen that they need to refuel, when fuel is low.
  
  
  
  

The results of the study were as follows:

• Seat belts – Seat belt use was already at a 94% level when the study began but increased among all four groups when the drivers were faced with a continuous buzzing or chiming noise. This has been found to be effective among all age groups.



• Stops and starts – Sudden braking and rapid starts can indicate aggressive driving or inattention to the driving environment. Sudden stops and starts fell in all groups relative to the control group but was especially significant group 1 with immediate web notification to their parents. The effects were even greater among those whose parents received periodic report cards.



• Speeding – Speeding was the most prevalent risky behavior noted among all groups. Speeding up to ten mph over the posted speed limit fell among the groups with alerts in their vehicles but then started to rise over time. Speeding was only significantly reduced among the groups whose parents were notified or those who had a chance to correct the problem before parental notification.



• All risky behaviors – Risky behaviors declined most among the two groups with parental notification but were most noticeable among group 2, the ones who had a chance to correct their behavior before parental notification. Risky behavior was somewhat higher in group 1, apparently because it was too late to correct the behavior and their parents were going to be notified anyway.

Parents will want to consider the results of this study when choosing an in-vehicle monitoring device for their teen driver. More information on the study can be found at: http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4405.pdf

Labels: gps devices, in-vehicle technology, safe teen drivers, teen driver