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Safety is No Accident. Visit the National Safety Commission - America's Safety Headquarters for driver safety information, auto recalls and teen safe driver tips.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Driver Safety for the Most Dangerous Highways in Florida
According to the NHSA, Florida's Interstate-95 is the most dangerous road in America today. Which is a paradox when you compare that data with public transportation, namely buses and trains to Florida.
Which tells us two things:
1.) accidents on these Florida roads are most likely caused by people who aren't familiar with the road, namely, tourists, and
2.) summer is a key factor to these accidents, as most happen during summertime, when thousands of tourists are going on roadtrips to Florida, driving in unfamiliar roads and being potential risks to traffic safety.
Here are three of the most dangerous roads in Florida today, some facts about them and how to keep safe while driving on them.
Interstate-95 – Being the longest north-south Interstate Highway in America, I-95 passes through 15 states in its length. It connects to several states such as Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Parts of the road carries at least 250,000 cars every day, on a normal day. Imagine if tourists were added to that number. The problem lies in not knowing the proper merging areas and exits on this road. A car might try to back down from the wrong exit and that might cause accidents. Also, there are parts of this road that are long stretches to drive on, making some new drivers feel comfortable in trying to speed through them. There are speed limits to this road, and following them will keep a driver safe. Also, mapping out on a GPS exactly which exits to take can make for a safer ride through I-95.
Interstate-4 – I-4, the way to most of Florida's theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios is the one bound to be the most accident-prone for tourists. As residents drive too fast, tourists are driving too slow, trying to figure out how to get to where they are going. Hotspots here to consider are the Maui curve, where drivers drive too fast and flip over and Kirkman road, where tourists usually can't figure out which way to go (right or left).
Interstate-75 – With major constructions currently ongoing on I-75, every turn has the potential for danger. The kicker is, lane shutdowns also happen after accidents. I-75 provides routes to Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Alabama and Georgia, among other places, and potholes on the road may go by unseen and cause accidents. Having full attention to the road while driving on the I-75 may provide increased safety.
Thousands of drivers go through these roads on a daily basis and each come home without an accident. Knowing the way to go and exits is a big plus, while maintaining full attention to driving and speed limits adds to safety.
Have a fun summer, and be careful of these roads!
Other related articles: Driver safety tips for a Safe Fourth of July weekend.
Which tells us two things:
1.) accidents on these Florida roads are most likely caused by people who aren't familiar with the road, namely, tourists, and
2.) summer is a key factor to these accidents, as most happen during summertime, when thousands of tourists are going on roadtrips to Florida, driving in unfamiliar roads and being potential risks to traffic safety.
Here are three of the most dangerous roads in Florida today, some facts about them and how to keep safe while driving on them.
Interstate-95 – Being the longest north-south Interstate Highway in America, I-95 passes through 15 states in its length. It connects to several states such as Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Parts of the road carries at least 250,000 cars every day, on a normal day. Imagine if tourists were added to that number. The problem lies in not knowing the proper merging areas and exits on this road. A car might try to back down from the wrong exit and that might cause accidents. Also, there are parts of this road that are long stretches to drive on, making some new drivers feel comfortable in trying to speed through them. There are speed limits to this road, and following them will keep a driver safe. Also, mapping out on a GPS exactly which exits to take can make for a safer ride through I-95.
Interstate-4 – I-4, the way to most of Florida's theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios is the one bound to be the most accident-prone for tourists. As residents drive too fast, tourists are driving too slow, trying to figure out how to get to where they are going. Hotspots here to consider are the Maui curve, where drivers drive too fast and flip over and Kirkman road, where tourists usually can't figure out which way to go (right or left).
Interstate-75 – With major constructions currently ongoing on I-75, every turn has the potential for danger. The kicker is, lane shutdowns also happen after accidents. I-75 provides routes to Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Alabama and Georgia, among other places, and potholes on the road may go by unseen and cause accidents. Having full attention to the road while driving on the I-75 may provide increased safety.
Thousands of drivers go through these roads on a daily basis and each come home without an accident. Knowing the way to go and exits is a big plus, while maintaining full attention to driving and speed limits adds to safety.
Have a fun summer, and be careful of these roads!
Other related articles: Driver safety tips for a Safe Fourth of July weekend.
Labels: crash avoidance, driver safety, driver safety tips, highway, Highway Safety, safety, safety tips, vehicle crash, vehicle safety
Monday, January 05, 2009
New Data Reveals Record Low Annual Highway Fatalities
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters Says Nation’s Roads Safer Than Ever
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters recently reported that the number of people killed in automobile crashes is expected to reach a new record low in 2008. The first 10 months of this year show a nearly 10 percent drop in highway traffic deaths.
Secretary Peters made the announcement in Kansas City where she also outlined important safety standards that have been achieved across all areas of transportation.
“Our focus on safety – from our highways, railways, seaways and airways – has led to one of the safest periods in our nation’s transportation history,” said Secretary Peters. “Every American can be more confident than ever they will arrive at their destination safe and sound.”
According to Secretary Peters, the new fatality data marks the first time the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can project fatality figures before the end of the calendar year. Using new electronic data gathering methods, the Department is making projections in almost real time to “give safety professionals the data they need to keep motorists safe,” the Secretary said.
Early 2008 estimates show that 31,110 people perished on U.S. roads from January through October, compared to 34,502 in 2007 during that same 10-month time period. What’s more, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicles miles traveled for the first nine months of 2008 is 1.28, compared to 1.37 for 2007.
“For the second year in a row we are seeing historic lows in deaths on our nation’s roads,” said Secretary Peters. “While we are encouraged by these declines, our work is not nearly complete in making our safe transportation network even safer.”
NHTSA collects annual crash statistics from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to create annual reports on traffic fatality trends. The agency will be updating 2008 estimates regularly as more data becomes available. The final counts for 2008 will be made available in the summer of 2009. To view the preliminary fatality statistics visit: http://nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/RNotes/2008/811054.pdf
For more information on important transportation safety benchmarks in the United States, please visit: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/SafetyFactSheet.htm
Is your teen a safe driver? The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has developed a new Teen Injury Prevention course to emphasize driving safety for teenagers. For more information, including a Driver Education a Driver Education Book for Parents, visit www.safedriver.com.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters recently reported that the number of people killed in automobile crashes is expected to reach a new record low in 2008. The first 10 months of this year show a nearly 10 percent drop in highway traffic deaths.
Secretary Peters made the announcement in Kansas City where she also outlined important safety standards that have been achieved across all areas of transportation.
“Our focus on safety – from our highways, railways, seaways and airways – has led to one of the safest periods in our nation’s transportation history,” said Secretary Peters. “Every American can be more confident than ever they will arrive at their destination safe and sound.”
According to Secretary Peters, the new fatality data marks the first time the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can project fatality figures before the end of the calendar year. Using new electronic data gathering methods, the Department is making projections in almost real time to “give safety professionals the data they need to keep motorists safe,” the Secretary said.
Early 2008 estimates show that 31,110 people perished on U.S. roads from January through October, compared to 34,502 in 2007 during that same 10-month time period. What’s more, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicles miles traveled for the first nine months of 2008 is 1.28, compared to 1.37 for 2007.
“For the second year in a row we are seeing historic lows in deaths on our nation’s roads,” said Secretary Peters. “While we are encouraged by these declines, our work is not nearly complete in making our safe transportation network even safer.”
NHTSA collects annual crash statistics from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to create annual reports on traffic fatality trends. The agency will be updating 2008 estimates regularly as more data becomes available. The final counts for 2008 will be made available in the summer of 2009. To view the preliminary fatality statistics visit: http://nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NCSA/Content/RNotes/2008/811054.pdf
For more information on important transportation safety benchmarks in the United States, please visit: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/SafetyFactSheet.htm
Is your teen a safe driver? The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has developed a new Teen Injury Prevention course to emphasize driving safety for teenagers. For more information, including a Driver Education a Driver Education Book for Parents, visit www.safedriver.com.
Labels: auto fatalities, highway
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