A deputy sheriff in St. Johns County, Florida was acting as a motor cycle escort for a group of motorcyclists riding in support of the charity Rides for Smiles, an organization that provides medical treatment for children. He had just stopped a motorist who failed to heed the directions of another deputy escort and, with lights and siren activated was attempting to catch up to the main group of motorcyclists; he never made it. Before he could catch up to the other group he was struck and severely injured by a motorist entering the roadway.

Motorcyclists face a lot of safety issues on the road. While collisions with other vehicles are a major issue, motorcyclists contribute to their own problems as well. Let's look at how bad the problems are.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2009 Motorcycle Traffic Safety Facts:

• 4,462 motorcyclists were killed in 2009
• Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2009 was 6 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants.
• Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 25 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.

The states with the highest death rate for motorcyclists are:

• Texas – 393 fatalities
• Florida – 386 fatalities
• California – 385 fatalities

Florida comes in second despite the fact that it is the fourth largest state in population. Texas, which leads the nation in motorcycle deaths is the second most populous state.

Problems with other motorists:

• 48% of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle.
• In two-vehicle crashes, 78 percent of the motorcycles involved were struck in the front. Only 7 percent were struck in the rear.
• In 40 percent of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight passing, or overtaking another vehicle.

Motorcycles are sometimes hard to see. In most collisions involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle often said "I never saw the motorcycle." Often it's not the fact that the driver of the car didn't see the motorcycle but rather the fact that they didn't anticipate a motorcycle's presence and failed to look for it. As the bumper sticker says, drivers need to "look twice for motorcycles." When turning left or crossing an intersection, drivers should look to the left for oncoming traffic, then to the right, then once again to the left just in case a small, hard to see motorcycle is approaching. Remember that their small size may make them appear to be farther away than they actually are.

Drivers should also remember that a motorcycle should be given the same respect and space that would be given to another car or truck. Never try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane. Motorcycles are light and can stop much more quickly than a car can so, when following a motorcycle, allow a greater following distance of four seconds behind the motorcycle.

Problems caused by motorcyclists:

• In 2009, 35 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 23 percent for passenger car drivers.
• From 2000 to 2009, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 54 percent
• The fatality rate for the age 40 and older group increased from 41% of motorcyclists killed in 2000, to 54% of motorcyclists killed in 2009. Within this motorcyclist age group fatalities increased by 106 percent over a 10-year period.
• In 2009, a higher percentage of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes had BAC levels of .08 g/dL or higher than any other type of driver.
• Forty-two percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2009 had BAC levels of .08 g/dL or higher.
• Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists in 2009 were 57 percent for riders and 43 percent for passengers, compared with 59 percent and 49 percent, respectively, in 2008.
• NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,483 motorcyclists in 2009. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 732 lives could have been saved.
• For every 100 motorcycle riders killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.

Motorcyclists can't blame all of their troubles on other drivers. Speeding, not wearing a helmet, and alcohol use are all the fault of the motorcyclist. The problem among riders over the age of 40 can be attributed to the fact that a lot of baby boomers, who can now afford that dream bike they always wanted as a youngster, are hitting the road without taking the time to get the proper training. Before hitting the road, motorcyclists should take the time to attend a training course sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The lessons learned could save your life.

Labels: motorcycle, motorcycle rider safety, motorcyclists, vehicle crash, vehicle safety

If you suffer a tire blowout while driving, the type of vehicle you are driving will play a major part in your ability to maintain control. Vehicles such as SUVs and vans are much more prone to flipping over after suffering a blowout because of their high center of gravity. Vehicles such as sedans are less prone to flip because their center of gravity is much lower. Imagine a block of wood laid out on its broad face versus the same block lying on its narrow side. The block lying on its narrow side is much easier to tip over than the one laying on its broad face. The same principle is true with cars and SUVs. A tire blowout can be an especially scary emergency but, if you know how to handle it, it doesn't have to mean a complete loss of control.

First, you should never allow your tires to become so worn that they are on the verge of blowing out. An easy method to see of your tires have enough tread remaining is the penny check. Using a penny, stick it into the tread. If you can still see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, your tires are too worn and they need to be replaced immediately. However, even with good tires, a blowout is still possible.

Here are a few Tire Safety Tips from the National Safety Commission.

When your tire blows, the car will want to veer toward the side with the blown out tire. This makes losing a front tire especially treacherous. Losing a rear tire will be similar to skidding on ice whereas losing a front tire will be similar to a skid combined with sluggish steering control. If your tire blows out, here is what you need to know.

• Don't apply the brakes. The lack of a tire on one side will make your braking uneven or "asymmetrical" and can cause your car to veer off even more.


• Concentrate on steering. No matter what type of emergency you are experiencing, whether it is skidding, hydroplaning, or a blowout, the first thing you want to do is concentrate on steering the car in the direction you want it to go. Fight the urge to over steer. Small adjustments, to keep the car centered in your lane, are what is needed. Don't worry about the hazards on either side, just look at where you need the car to go and steer toward that point.


• Allow the car to slow down gradually. Again, you don’t want to apply the brakes and take the chance of veering off. With a blown tire, the car will slow down on its own pretty quickly.


• Softly apply the brakes only when you have fully regained control of your vehicle.


• Steer the car off the road. Once you are completely off the road, turn on your hazard lights and get out of the car. If you are going to try to change the tire yourself, don’t attempt to change it unless you are far enough off the roadway that you can work around the car without getting close to the roadway. If you can’t change the tire, call for a tow truck. Never attempt to drive the vehicle on the steel rims. That will cause a lot more damage.

Always keep these procedures in the back of your mind. If you are mentally prepared to deal with a vehicle emergency, chances are you will respond to the emergency correctly rather than panicking and making things worse.

Labels: tire blowout, tire safety, vehicle emergency, vehicle safety

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

A recently published article by CNBC listed the 15 most dangerous cities for driving in the US. Using the "most recent motor vehicle crash data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and General Estimates System", the article's authors looked at cities with a population of 150,000 or more and ranked the cities based on the greatest number of vehicular deaths. The results were somewhat surprising but they also seemed to support other studies conducted over the last couple of years.

The 15 deadliest cities, ranked from bottom to top, were:

15. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
14. Birmingham, Alabama
13. Tulsa, Oklahoma
12. St. Petersburg, Florida
11. Jacksonville, Florida
10. Lubbock, Texas
9. Memphis, Tennessee
8. Jackson, Mississippi
7. Chattanooga, Tennessee
6. Salt Lake City, Utah
5. San Bernardino, California
4. Little Rock, Arkansas
3. Augusta-Richmond Co., Georgia
2. Orlando, Florida
1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida


The surprising results were that major cities, such as Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, and Miami that are normally associated with high volumes of traffic weren’t on the list. In fact, none of the cities listed in a 2009 study listing the top ten cities for aggressive driving and road rage made this list.

However, another study by "The Daily Beast" published in May of 2010, listed the top 100 deadliest Interstates in the US and that is where the two studies begin to merge. Most of the cities on this list are located on or near one of those deadly interstates.

Florida had the greatest proportion of the cities with a total of four on the list. Two of the cities, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville are located on either end of I-95, considered the deadliest stretch of Interstate in the nation based on the number of highway fatalities per mile. Jacksonville is also the terminus of I-10, the 57th most deadly interstate in the US. The second deadliest city, Orlando, is located astride I-4 which was listed as the third deadliest stretch of interstate in the country.

Florida is the fourth largest state in the US in terms of population but it comes in third in the overall number of traffic deaths and is second only to Texas in the number of teenage traffic fatalities. The authors of this study speculated that Florida's over-representation on the list was due to "the high proportion of New York City expats—some driving for the first time in their lives - foreigners, tourists driving in unfamiliar territory, and senior citizens, not to mention spring breakers, who may have compromised vision or reflexes."

Blaming "New York City expats" may be a little harsh. Florida has a diverse population with newly arrived citizens not only from the Northeastern US but from every country in the Caribbean basin. Tourists drive to Florida from all over the US and Canada; more than doubling Florida's permanent population every year. Tourists from other nations, unfamiliar with American driving laws and habits rent cars and try to navigate their way around to all of the tourist spots. Add to that, the number of people who include alcohol as part of their vacation experience and the total combined effect can be quite deadly.

Labels: Highway Safety, vehicle safety

The school year is beginning in many school districts across the country and more will be opening over the next several weeks. That means school buses will be returning to the roads. It also means that the lives of the children who ride those buses will be put at risk by motorists who illegally pass school buses while they are loading and unloading. The most dangerous time for students who ride school buses is while they are boarding or exiting the bus. In an average year, about 15 school age children will be killed while loading and unloading and approximately 500 will be injured.

The National Association of State Directors of Student Transportation Services (NASDPTS) conducted a single day survey earlier this year involving school buses in 28 states. According to the survey, almost 112,000 school bus drivers reported being illegally passed by 37,756 vehicles while the school bus was stopped with the lights flashing and the stop arm extended. Surprisingly, more than three percent of the vehicles passed the bus on the right side where students were loading and unloading. The NASDPTS reports that the 37,356 vehicles in those 28 states, on that single day, represent a total of more than thirteen million violations nationwide.

The problem with enforcing laws against passing school stopped buses is that, in most states, a law enforcement officer must actually witness the act before a citation can be issued. Some states have allowed the bus driver to record the license number of an offending vehicle but that only results in a warning letter sent to the driver. Now some states are looking at new methods for catching and convicting motorists who illegally pass school buses.

This year, four states (GA, VA, CT, and WA) have passed laws allowing school districts to install “Stop Arm Cameras” on the buses that will create a video record when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus. The vehicle’s license number will be recorded and a citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. Georgia's law, which went into effect on July 1st, calls for a fine of $300 for the first offense, $750 for the second, and $1,000 for a third offense within a five year period.

Other states including North Carolina, Maryland, are considering similar laws and Massachusetts and Ohio are conducting pilot programs to study the effectiveness of stop arm cameras.

As the children return to school, remember that all vehicles must slow and prepare to stop when the school bus is flashing its amber lights and they must stop once the red lights start flashing and the stop arm is extended. All vehicles must remain stopped until the bus driver has turned off the red lights and withdrawn the stop arm. In most states, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway do not need to stop but they should slow and be prepared to stop in case a child darts across the highway. Children are always unpredictable, watch out for them.

Labels: child safety, school bus safety, stop arm cameras, stopped school bus, vehicle safety

Does it seem like your headlights are getting dimmer; that you just can't see as far as you used to? They probably are but it’s not the fault of the bulb.

Over the past ten years or so, headlights started to change. Older drivers may remember when it came time to change the headlights, having to get a large headlight fitting that included a new glass lens. Nowadays, when it comes time for a change, you just swap out the bulb by itself. It is much cheaper and there is no longer any need to adjust the headlights so that they are aimed properly.

The problem with this new system though is that the lens doesn't get changed and, over time, it tends to get scratched up and very dirty. It's not the bulb that is growing dim; it's the scratched and cloudy lens that is making it hard for the light to penetrate through. To correct the problem, you need to clean the lens. Cleaning the lens however isn’t as easy as running some soap and water over it. You need to remove the scratches that are holding the dirt.

There are several products on the market designed for cleaning headlight lenses. Most of these products are easily available at auto parts or big box department stores and they don’t cost much. Some are rub-on, rub-off type products similar to car wax in their application. Some products include a small buffer that can be used with an electric drill to polish the lens. All promise ease of use but some are easier than others. You'll have to experiment to see which one is best for you. Regardless of the type you use, the chore doesn’t take long and the results can be dramatic.

Remember, that driving safety rules say you should never drive so fast that you "over-drive your headlights". In other words, you need to be able to stop within the distance covered by your headlights. As your headlights become scratched and cloudy, that distance becomes shorter and shorter. Don't take a chance on over-driving your headlights; clean your lenses. You’ll be pleased with the results.

Labels: driver safety, headlights, thanksgiving traffic safety, vehicle safety

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

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.

Labels: crash avoidance, driver safety, driver safety tips, highway, Highway Safety, safety, safety tips, vehicle crash, vehicle safety

A pick-up truck is a vehicle that's specifically designed to carry heavy loads of cargo. As a passenger transport vehicle however, it doesn't do so well. There are dangers in riding in pick-up truck beds, and as fun as riding in the back of a truck with a bunch of buddies sounds, it's dangerous.

Here are some of the dangers of riding in the bed of a pick-up truck:

No seat belts – There are no seat belts in a pick-up truck bed. In most states, it is illegal for passengers of a vehicle to ride without seat belts. There's actually a law in some states that prohibit passengers under the age of 18 to ride in truck beds unrestrained. While persons 18 years and older are allowed to ride unrestrained in pick-up truck beds, the likelihood of a minor accident turning fatal for them is doubled.

High chance of being ejected – Without seat belts, minor bumps and other obstacles on the road may prove fatal. Riding in the bed of a pick-up truck raises the chance for passengers to be ejected, turning a minor collision into a fatal collision. In Florida alone, there have been a lot of cases of passenger deaths due to ejection from a pick-up truck, and the truck driver may be charged with vehicular homicide.

Designed for cargo, not passengers – The very existence of a pick-up truck bed is solely for carrying cargo, not passengers. Even cargo should be securely secured to the pick-up bed. Imagine what damage an unrestrained 2X4 piece of wood could do if it were to fly through the rear window in a crash.

Any vehicle should be driven and used only for its intended purpose. The bed of a pick-up truck is NOT for transporting passengers. Pick-up truck operators should always observe safety when it comes to driving and interacting with other motorists.

Labels: driver safety, seat belt law, seat belt safety, truck safety, vehicle safety

In November, the New York State Senate unanimously passed the Child Passenger Protection Act which outlined stricter penalties for people convicted of drunk driving with a child in the vehicle. New York Governor David Patterson, a strong supporter of the measure, signed the bill on November 18. The Child Passenger Protection Act, more commonly known as Leandra's Law, went into effect on December 18, 2009.

Leandra's Law, which was named for an 11-year-old-girl who died in an accident by a drunk driver last fall, makes driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs a first-time felony offense when a child under the age of 15 is present in the vehicle. Additionally, those who are convicted are required to outfit their vehicles with ignition interlock systems.

The ignition lock is a device that requires the driver to blow into before he or she can start the car. The device has the ability to detect if the driver has consumed alcohol. If the device detects alcohol on the driver's breath it prevents the driver from being able to start the car. This mandatory ignition interlocking system is does not only pertain to driver’s with children under the age of 15 in the vehicle. Under New York state law any person convicted of DUI or DWI is required to out their vehicle with the device.

Driving impaired, or with a BAC above the .08 legal limit, with a child present is now considered a Class E felony for both first-time and repeat offenders. A Class E felony is punishable by 1 to 4 years in a New York state prison and $1,000 - $5,000 in fines, in addition to the mandatory ignition interlock.

Under Leandra’s Law the charges a person faces have increasing penalties in the event of serious injury or death to a child. The penalties are outlined as follows:

Serious Injury

• Class D felony


• 1 – 7 years in prison

Serious Injury & Reckless Driving

• Class C felony


• Maximum 15 years in prison

Death

• Class C felony


• Maximum 15 years in prison

Death & Reckless Driving

• Class B felony


• Maximum 25 years in prison

Read more about New York defensive driving and other drivers safety tips at http://safety.newyorkdefensivedrivingnow.com/.

Labels: alcohol, blood alcohol level, child passenger protection act, child safety, drunk driving, dui, new york driving laws, underage alcohol use, vehicle safety

Did you know that according to available statistics, less than one-half of 1 percent of all automobile crashes involves a vehicle being submerged? Would you know what to do to survive if this frightening situation happened to you?

The first and most important thing to remember, if your vehicle is submerged, is to remain CALM-easier said than done-but it's the most important thing you can do to stay alive. Staying focused on the situation is a necessary part of surviving a water crash.

In most water crashes, a vehicle will float for a period of 3 or 4 minutes before the weight of the engine pulls the vehicle under. This precious time may allow you to unbuckle your seat belt, roll down your window and get out. Don't waste time trying to open the door because the water's pressure will be pushing against the door preventing it from opening.

If the vehicle is immediately pulled under water, you will need to wait until the water level inside the vehicle completely fills the vehicle. This will equalize the pressure and you will be able to open the door. However, if you don’t have the old-time hand operated roll down windows and manual door locks, you will have a problem since once the electric windows and door locks get wet, they won’t work.

Many experts recommend that if you cannot immediately get out of the vehicle before it sinks, keep your seatbelt in the locked position. This is important since if you cannot open the door you will now have to break the window to get out. Remember you can only break the driver or passenger's side windows as the front and rear windshields are made of tempered glass and are very difficult to break.

It is a good idea to have something in your vehicle that can break the window. A spring-loaded center punch available at any hardware store is one item or an escape hammer available in most auto parts stores is recommended. Whichever you decide, it must be attached securely to the dashboard or driver's side door where you can easily reach it. Once you break the window and if the interior of the vehicle is not completely filled with water, the water will rush in. That is why it's suggested you keep your seatbelt in the locked position so the rush of water doesn't push and trap you underneath the dashboard.

Now is the time to unlock your seatbelt and get out of the vehicle. Swim up to the surface, get your bearings and only go back down to the submerged vehicle if there is another person trapped in the vehicle and you have the necessary swimming and rescue skills to do so.

Although the need to escape from a submerged vehicle is rare, you now have a plan to help you escape if you are ever involved in a water crash.

Labels: driver emotions, driver safety, vehicle accidents, vehicle safety

Breaking down on the highway can be a scary thought, but it can happen to all of us, so if it ever happens to you, it's important that you know exactly what to do. Highway shoulders are only for emergency use and you should only stop on them if you have no other choice, if possible, you should always try to find a safer place to stop off the highway. You shouldn't stop on the shoulder to use a cell phone or check a route or a map; the shoulders are only for emergency use. If an emergency does force you to stop, then there are a few things you should do in order to make sure you, and any passengers, are safe.

First of all, if you think you are about to break down, then you need to safely make your way onto the shoulder. Stop as far away from the highway as you can. Once you have stopped, turn your wheel as far to the right, or in the opposite direction of the road. Leave your vehicle head lights on and turn on your hazard lights to increase your vehicles visibility. If for any reason you cannot make it to the shoulder, switch on your hazard warning lights, and only leave your vehicle when you can clear the highway easily. Do not attempt to place any warning devices on the highway.

When exiting the vehicle exit through the passenger side. This should be the side facing away from the highway. If not, get out the side that is furthest from the road, in order to ensure you are not getting out onto the highway or the shoulder itself, to avoid oncoming vehicles(e.g. the emergency services or other vehicles who may have broken down). You may think you're far from the road, but doing this will ensure you and your passenger's safety.

Next you need to get to a safe place; this would be up the bank or behind a barrier if possible. Once you're in a safe place, use a cell phone to call for help, it's best to call emergency help or road side assistance first. Notify immediate family members so that they know where you are and know that you are safe. Be prepared to describe to someone where you are, it can help to pinpoint your exact location, and allow road side assistance to reach you more promptly.

Breaking down on the highway can be scary, but that doesn't mean you can't do it safely. By following these tips and being responsible, you'll be back on the road in no time, safe and sound.

Labels: break downs, emergency, Highway Safety, vehicle safety

Most drivers are familiar with the concept of careless driving tickets, but few stop to think about what careless driving really is or how it causes crashes. Careless driving is an umbrella term for a number of violations, including lane drifting, which can lead to head-on or sideswipe crashes. About 10,000 deaths occur annually when vehicles leave the roadway.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drifting is defined as “when a vehicle is moving in a generally straight line, but at a slight angle to the lane. The driver might correct his or her course as the vehicle approaches a lane line or other boundary, or fail to correct until after a boundary has been crossed. In extreme cases, the driver fails to correct in time to avoid a collision.” Whether the collision that occurs is head-on or sideswipe depends on the position of the vehicles and the orientation of the road, among other factors.

Lane drifting occurs due to driver error. Specific causes of lane drifting include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  
• Drowsiness or falling asleep
  
• Speeding, especially around a curve
  
• Lack of alertness, including daydreaming, reaching for something in the vehicle, or looking at something outside of the vehicle
  

For drivers, remaining sober and alert and maintaining a speed appropriate for conditions help prevent lane drifting. Roadway engineering and in-vehicle technology offer support to drivers who do drift and increased protection for all road users.

NHTSA says that about 90% of all rural crashes with fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Two-lane roads in rural areas usually do not have medians to separate two-way traffic; with vehicles in opposing directions traveling in such close proximity to one another, the margin of error is small and the potential for tragedy is enormous. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), sideswipe or head-on crashes that occur when vehicles cross the centerline comprise approximately 20% of fatal crashes on rural two-lane roads and cause approximately 4,500 deaths every year. Many drivers are familiar with rumble strips along the right side of long stretches of highway; the rumble is both felt and heard when the vehicle’s tires drift onto the shoulder of the road. The IIHS advocates the addition of rumble strips along the centerlines of undivided rural two-lane roads.

In a report released on July 1, NHTSA said will determine whether or not lane-departure warning systems will be required on new vehicles beginning in 2011. Lane-departure warning systems alert drivers when their vehicle is leaving the lane; in some instances, the system has the capability of moving the vehicle back into the lane. IIHS says lane-departure systems could impact up to 483,000 crashes annually by helping vehicles stay on the road.

Labels: careless driving, careless driving ticket, vehicle safety

Hyperthermia is Leading Cause of Non-crash Child Vehicle Deaths

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned parents that the risk of a serious injury or death during hot weather is greater for children left alone in vehicles. Recently released research shows that hyperthermia (heat-stroke) is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths for children.

"Even with the windows rolled down two inches, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures on a hot summer day," said Ronald Medford, Acting Deputy Administrator of NHTSA. "Children should never be left alone in or around a motor vehicle, not even for a quick errand. Any number of things can go critically wrong in the blink of an eye."

According to a new NHTSA study, 262 children under the age of 14 are killed and 115,000 are injured in non-crash incidents on private roads, driveways and in parking lots each year. Of that number, 44 fatalities and 105,000 injuries are the results of non-crash incidents such hyperthermia, strangulation by power windows, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Many of the remaining deaths and injuries in non-crash incidents are the result of a child being backed over by a vehicle where the driver did not see the child.

The NHTSA's safety tips to prevent hyperthermia include:

• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.

• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Make sure they understand that a vehicle is not a play area.

• Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open or if the engine is running and the air conditioning is on.

• Always inspect the front and back seats of the vehicle before locking the door and walking away.

• If your spouse or partner is taking your child to daycare, and normally it's your responsibility, call your spouse or partner to make sure everything went according to plan.

• Ask your childcare provider to phone you immediately if your child does not show up for childcare. To remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle:

—Write a note and put it on the steering wheel or anywhere you will see it when you leave the vehicle.
—Place your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle.
—Keep an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy, to remind you that a child is in the vehicle. When the child is buckled in, place the object where you will see it when exiting the vehicle.

• Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of the reach of children. If a child is missing, inspect your vehicle first, including the trunk.

• Call 911 if you see a child alone in a hot vehicle. Get them out as quickly as possible if they are in distress due from the heat. Cool the child as quickly as possible.

Labels: car seats, child safety, driver education, driver safety, driver safety tips, seat belt safety, summer driving, summer vacation, vehicle safety

The shock of $4.00 gas prices last summer and the state of the economy has a lot of new car buyers looking at the so called micro or mini cars such as the Mercedes Smart Car, Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit as a way to save on gas during long commutes. Long available in Europe, the popularity of these cars in the US is growing with more and more of them appearing on America's roads. While very fuel efficient, it appears that the micro cars may not be safe enough for American-style traffic and driving conditions.

Recently, the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted crash tests on the Smart Car, the Yaris and the Fit. Instead of testing them against large trucks or SUVs, the IIHS chose to test their crash worthiness by crashing them at 40 mph into a mid-sized sedan made by the same manufacturer. The test results showed that the micro cars performed poorly in protecting the vehicle occupants in a crash.

In a crash with a Honda Accord against the Fit, injuries to the test dummies indicated that there was a high probability of major injury to both legs. The dummy's head also went through the airbag, striking the steering column. Intrusion into the passenger compartment rated this vehicle a poor rating.

The testers crashed the Toyota Yaris against a Camry. While the Camry performed well, the Yaris suffered significant intrusion into the passenger compartment and the door was almost torn off. The dummy’s head struck the steering wheel through the airbag and there was evidence of extensive injury to the neck and legs.

In a crash against a Mercedes C class, the Smart Fortwo went airborne and spun 450 degrees, leading to possible multiple injuries due to rebound. There was significant intrusion and both the dashboard and steering wheel were displaced and moved upward toward the dummy. There were measures of multiple injuries to the head and legs of the dummy.

While the mid-sized counterparts all fared in the acceptable range, all three of the micro cars were rated as poor. The physics involved in a crash like this are relatively easy for anyone to understand. The larger and faster an object is, the more damage it will impart on a smaller, lighter object.

Micro cars have been around a long time in Europe and their popularity there is a result of the different driving styles between Europe and the US. In Europe, there are fewer cars on the road, with people depending instead on the excellent public transportation systems available there. Most cars in Europe also tend to be smaller, leveling the playing field in crashes between vehicles. Europeans also tend to live in cities and, on average, have much shorter commuting distances than their American cousins who tend to live far out in the suburbs and depend on high speed limited access highways for their daily commute. Fewer miles traveled at slower speeds leads to fewer and less severe crashes.

While these vehicles may contain all the latest safety options such as electric stability control, air bags and improved seat belts, they are still at greater risk due to their light construction and less room between the driver and the front of the vehicle in a crash. Advocates say that more of these vehicles would lead to fewer injuries as larger cars are removed from the road. However, almost half of the deaths in these types of cars were in single vehicle crashes off the road or against a barrier and their light construction does little to protect vehicle occupants in this type of crash.

If you want to save money on gas and especially if you are purchasing a car for a teen or college bound child, there are vehicles available that get reasonably good mileage while offering better protection to the vehicle occupants. You can view videos of the crash tests performed on the micro vehicles and, if you are shopping for a particular car, you can search for crash worthiness results by vehicle year, model, or size at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's web site.

Labels: micro cars, mini cars, suv safety, traffic safety, vehicle safety

In my last article I mentioned that aggressive drivers seem to concentrate on what they feel are unreasonable and unfair traffic laws passed by the state but forget that there are physical laws that come into play when they are driving that they can’t break no matter how hard they try. In this article we are going to take a closer look at those laws and how they come into play in a car crash.

Now this article involves a little math and I flunked high school algebra (twice) so instead of trying to do the math myself, I found a calculator online that I will share with you so you can check the figures yourself.

Let's take the scenario of an aggressive driver driving at 40 mph (in a 30 mph zone) who chooses to run a red light (he will try to say the light was yellow and he didn’t have time to stop). Meanwhile another driver traveling at the posted speed limit enters the intersection on the green light.

Now the first thing we have to consider is how many feet per second the two cars are traveling. The aggressive driver going at 40 mph is covering 58.8 feet per second (fps). The other driver going 30 mph is covering 44 fps. That means that the speed at which they are approaching each other is 70 mph or 102.9 fps.

The average driver’s reaction time is 3/4 of a second. That is how long it takes for them to realize there is a problem ahead. They still have to decide what to do and then act on their decision so, taking the aggressive driver’s lightning fast reactions into account, we will assume that it takes him 1.25 seconds before his foot actually hits the brake. In that time he has traveled 73.5 feet.

Now Newton’s laws of motion come into effect. The first law says that an object in motion tends to remain in motion. Simply put, you can’t stop a 3,000 pound car traveling at 40 mph instantly. It will take about 120 feet before his car can be brought to a complete stop. The other driver is also trying to stop so let’s assume both cars slow by 10 mph to 30 and 20 mph (50 mph closure speed) before the crash.

Using the calculator I found at http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/carcr.html#cc2 considering that both cars weigh approximately 3,000 pounds (6,000 pounds combined), the collision force will look like this:

Weight - 6,000 lbs
Speed - 50 mph
Crash Force - 501,779 lbs
or
Crash Force - 250 tons

Let's take it further and assume that one of the passengers is a girl who weighs 100 pounds. Unfortunately she wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Newton’s laws again come into play and the force of her body hitting the dashboard looks like this:

Weight - 100 lbs
Speed - 30 mph
Crash Force - 3,010 lbs
or
Crash Force - 1.5 tons

The greater the speed, the less time the driver has to react and the greater the collision forces will be. The aggressive driver’s driving skills and lightning fast reflexes don’t even come into play here. To see the approximate results of this crash click here: http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2008/05/large_051208crashLML1.JPG

To learn more about driver safety and education please visit our Driver Safety Alerts at SafeDriver.com

Be careful out there and drive safe.

Labels: agressive driving, defensive driving course, vehicle accidents, vehicle safety