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

In spite of all the rhetoric from politicians and political pundits calling for less government regulations, it seems that there is one area where Americans agree more laws and regulations are needed. According to the results of a recently released survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Americans seem to agree on the need for more laws and regulations to make America’s roads safer.

Released in conjunction with the “Decade of Action on Road Safety”, an initiative designed to reduce highway deaths and injuries worldwide by the year 2020, the survey shows some surprising results. According to the AAA Foundation press release:

Specific survey results include:

• 62 percent of Americans agree the U.S. needs more laws to prevent people from doing dangerous things while driving (17 percent disagree)
• 57 percent of Americans agree their respective state government needs to do more to make their roads safer (11 percent disagree)
• 86 percent of Americans agree all new drivers should be required to complete a driver education course before they can get a driver’s license (3% disagree)
• A majority of Americans agree that both auto manufacturers (60 percent) and the federal government (41 percent) need to do more to make cars safer (9 and 21 percent, respectively, disagree)
• 70 percent of Americans agree that driving safety laws should be enforced more strictly (6 percent disagree)
  

For global context, separate information provided by the "Make Roads Safe" global campaign shows:

• 1.3 million people are killed on the world’s roads each year
• 3. 5 million people globally are injured, many disabled as a result
• Annual road deaths globally are forecast to rise to 1.9 million by 2020
• Road deaths are the #1 cause of death for young people worldwide (including in the U.S.)
• By 2015, road deaths will be the leading health burden for children

This survey comes on the heels of a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released in February that shows that red light cameras save lives. The study compared cities (with and without red light cameras) with populations of more than 200,000 and determined that:

• 159 lives were saved in the 14 biggest cities with red light cameras
• An additional 815 lives could have been saved during the same period had red light cameras been installed.
• 676 people were killed and approximately 113,000 were injured by red light runners in 2009. Two-thirds of the victims were people other than the red light runners.

If you agree that more needs to be done to make the roads safer, contact your local and state representatives and let them know how you feel.

Labels: driver education, driving safety, red light, red light camera, red light runners, road safety, vehicle safety

There is a growing concern for street racing in Florida. Various groups, including the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles are saying: "Keep it off the streets!"

Street racing is now considered a first-degree misdemeanor that could cause a driver the loss of his/her Florida driver's license for a year, along with fines that range from $500 to $1000. Last year, Florida legislature increased the fines for repeat street-racing offenses, as a deterrent for people who keep committing the same mistake of street racing.

This increase is substantial: it could cost second-time offenders from $1000 to $3000. For a third offense, street racers will lose their driving privileges for up to four years and face fines between $2000 to $5000.

Currently, Florida has two flyers to address street racing. One simply states: “Keep Racing on the Track. Not on the Street.” The other one addresses motorcycle street racing. It lists down several consequences of being caught street racing on motorcycles. At the very least, the bike would be seized and the driver will lose driving privileges. At the most, these street racers are putting their friends and family in serious danger.

There is also a group that one might approach for more information: FLorida AGainst STreet Racing, also known as FLAGSTRA. In their site, information and various events are posted to help increase awareness on street driving, and how to stop it.

Labels: driver's license, driving privileges, driving safety, FLAGSTRA, florida against street racing, street racers, street racing

The start of June may mean many things to many people, like prom and graduation for teens, or the start of vacation, but it is also known as the start of hurricane season. Hurricanes, as we all know, cause strong winds and heavy rains, which may lead to flooding. In case of floods and hurricanes, preparedness and patience go hand-in-hand for survival.

Here are a set of guidelines when facing a hurricane/flood:

Stay tuned – Natural disasters like these are usually the time to fire up the radio. If it hasn't rained yet, or there are no warnings in your area, stay updated by listening to the radio.

Specifically, a radio that is battery operated and doesn't need to be plugged in. During heavy rain and strong winds, it is a good idea to turn off the power in your home, so a battery/crank-operated radio will be your lifeline to the situation.

Stock up – If you're one of those families who stock up groceries every week, find out what other supplies are needed. These might include: clean water, medicine, candles and batteries. Make sure the food supply will last for the family for a couple of days, supposing you'd be staying at home.

Check your house – Make sure that there are no damages to the house that might compromise its structural integrity during heavy winds. A cracked window may make for a potential accident waiting to happen. Keep away from windows during a hurricane. Turn off the power if there's a potential for flooding in the home. If you'll be staying in the house, it's a good idea to keep away from electrical equipment, as they pose threats for lightning.

If you need to drive – If there is an absolute need to drive, consider first the importance of driving. If it's to survey the surroundings, then don't. Next, consider the weight of the car. The lightest of cars are usually the first ones to lose control on the road. Make sure the gas tank is full, the engine is well-maintained and that the tires still have enough traction to keep on the road. As little as an inch of water is capable of making a vehicle lose control, so if you have to drive, slow down. If you have to drive for supplies, there's no need to bring the whole family along. If the family needs to evacuate, know the exact roads you'll be traveling in, bring cash that will last for several days and bring cell phones. Keep the phones in a higher part of the car, so as to avoid flood damage.

After the storm – There are typically more casualties after a hurricane than during one. Stay indoors until the news updates say that it is all clear. Do not attempt to use electrical equipment. Do not wander around. Keep away from fallen wires and puddles near them. Survey the damage in the house (if any) and find out what needs to be fixed/done to make sure that you and your family is a little safer.

To help you prepare for this season read more about how to deal with flooded roads.

Labels: driver safety, driving safety, flood waters, flooded roads, hurricane preparedness, hurricane safety

Most everyone knows that you can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal controlled substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines however it is less well known that use of common over-the-counter and prescription medications could also result in a DUI. In the midst of flu season and with hay fever season just around the corner it is good time to remind drivers that commonly prescribed or over-the-counter medications can have just as great an impact on your driving abilities as alcohol. Driving under the influence means just that; any drug, legal or illegal, that causes side effects such as dizziness, incoherence, drowsiness, and loss of muscle coordination, can impair your driving to the point that you could possibly be charged with DUI.

Since the officer on the scene can't possibly test for every type of drug, the officer’s basic responsibility is to determine whether or not the driver has the physical capabilities to safely control a motor vehicle. If, in the opinion of the officer, the driver is impaired for whatever reason, the officer will make an arrest for DUI and let the courts sort out the details later on. The impact on the driver can be disastrous.

It isn't possible to list all the drugs in one article but a list of some of the most commonly used drugs and their side effects may alert you to the dangers involved.

Cold/allergy medications – Side effects of cold and allergy medications such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, and Dimetapp can cause:

Drowsiness

Inability to concentrate

Disturbed coordination

Increased anxiety

Dizziness

These medications should only be taken at night or when you know you will not be driving. Even medications that are advertised as non-drowsy formulas such as Claritin can, in rare instances, cause dizziness and vertigo.

Pain medications – Side effects of common pain medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve) can include:

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Tranquilizers/Sedatives/Anti-depressants – Even though prescribed, these drugs present a danger to drivers who use them. 10 mg. of Valium causes effects that are roughly equal to a blood alcohol content of 0.10 (0.08 is legally drunk in all states). The popular sleep medication Ambien has caused users to drive and perform other tasks with no memory of those actions after the effects of the drug have worn off.

Other Drugs - Medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and ulcers can also cause drowsiness and dizziness in some instances.

All of these drugs serve a legitimate medical purpose and, in most instances, have little adverse effect on the user but, even though a drug has not had an adverse effect in the past, the severity of a condition and other factors may combine to cause a severe impact on a driver. Medications combined with even a small amount of alcohol can have a dramatic effect. When taking a new medication, ask your doctor to explain the side effects and wait until you know how the drug will affect you before you attempt to drive.

Labels: driving safety, dui, prescription medication

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 10:55 AM

Could your driving behavior help your state meet its budget shortfalls? With the US economy going down the tubes, state and local governments are looking for ways to pay for government services without raising taxes. One thing that many are looking at as a revenue source is traffic fines.

Recent news reports show that a state Senate committee approved a new bill to increase all Florida traffic fines by $10.00 and to raise some speeding fines by $25.00. For example, the fine for 15-19 miles per hour above the limit would increase from $125 to $150. The same committee also voted to end the 18% break that Florida drivers get on their traffic fines when they attend driving school. In addition to the state fines, local governments can also tack on their own fees making their cost even higher. The state of Florida anticipates raising up to $16 million to meet budget shortfalls. If approved by the full legislature, these new fines could go into effect as early as February 1st.

A quick search of news articles shows that local governments in San Jose California, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Richmond Hill Georgia have already or are considering raising traffic fines to pay for various government programs. The small community of Richmond Hill anticipates that the added fees will generate around $20,000 to pay for internet service inside their police cars. In California, speeding drivers who request a driving school to keep their insurance rates down saw that fee rise from $24 to $94 after January 1st.

Two years ago, to pay for roads and highway expenses, Virginia increased their traffic fines astronomically. In addition to traffic fines, Virginia has imposed “civil penalties” on Virginia residents who break certain traffic laws. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit is $1,050; this is in addition to $61 in court costs and a fine of approximately $200. Violators must pay these penalties within three installments or risk suspension of their driver’s license.

The old saying goes that the only thing you can depend on in life is death and taxes but apparently some taxes can be avoided. Unlike income or property taxes that we can’t avoid paying, it is relatively easy to avoid paying these new taxes; just obey the traffic laws. Drivers who choose to disobey the traffic laws aren’t going to get a whole lot of sympathy when faced with these increased fines. And it isn’t like these are really obscure traffic laws that no one knows about. Speed limit signs are posted in clear sight. Traffic lights aren’t rocket science; you either have a green light or you don’t. So, if you are being hit hard by the economy, it doesn’t make much sense to add to the problem by choosing to break the traffic laws.

For more information on driving safety and avoiding traffic fines visit our website at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com/

Labels: driving safety, speeding ticket, traffic fines, traffic laws, traffic ticket

In the first article of this series we discussed the difference between aggressive drivers and drivers who have been somehow pushed over a psychological tipping point into a fit of rage so great that they try to harm another driver. In this article we are going to look at aggressive driving by itself.

Every state has recognized that aggressive driving is a major problem and has taken steps to deal with it. While state laws may differ slightly, the following is a generic list of traffic infractions that will lead to a driver being labeled as an aggressive driver if he or she commits two or more of them at the same time or close together:
• Exceeding the posted speed.
• Unsafely or improperly changing lanes.
• Following another vehicle too closely.
• Failing to yield the right-of-way.
• Improperly passing.
• Violating traffic control and signal devices.
Obviously each of these offenses by themselves can be dangerous and two or more combined increase the danger.

It looks like someone who is doing all of that might be in a fit of rage but these actions by themselves are not road rage; they are just bad driving. The problem with aggressive drivers is that most aggressive drivers feel their driving behaviors are perfectly reasonable. They feel they are good drivers with lightning fast reflexes who are in complete control of their vehicles at all times. It’s just that the laws are written too strictly so the state can make extra money and other “bad” drivers don’t understand how to drive properly and get in the way.

The problem is that they concentrate on the laws passed by the state and seem to forget the laws of physics that have an even greater impact on their driving. They forget that their vehicle is traveling so many feet per second for every mile per hour that they drive (for example: at 40 mph you are covering more than 58 feet per second). In the 1.5 seconds it takes for them to react and move their foot to the brake they have traveled 87 feet before their car even begins to slow. Driving at a high rate of speed reduces the time a driver has to react to a situation.

The other laws they seem to forget are the laws of motion. Newton’s first law of motion (inertia) says that an object in motion tends to remain in motion. No matter how fast they imagine their reflexes are, it takes time to bring a 3,000 pound car to a stop. On average, at 40 mph, it takes up to 120 feet to bring a car to a complete stop.

Another problem common to aggressive drivers is that they assume too much about other drivers. They don’t expect the driver they are tailgating to stop for no reason or they hope that they can get through that red light before another driver legally enters the intersection. When lane weaving, they don’t expect another car to enter the lane at the same time. Assumptions can be deadly.

In the next article, we’ll take a more in depth look at the physics involved in a car crash.

To learn more about driver safety and education please visit our Driver Safety Alerts at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com.

Be careful out there and drive safe.

Labels: aggressive driving, driving safety, road rage