A bill is working its way through the Florida legislature to increase the penalties for increasingly loud car stereos. Currently, Florida law prevents anyone from playing a car stereo at a volume "so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the motor vehicle" or "louder than necessary for the convenient hearing by persons inside the vehicle in areas adjoining churches, schools, or hospitals." A ticket for a loud stereo is a non-moving violation and carries a small fine that many just see as a small price to pay for playing their stereos at the volume that they want. The new law, if enacted, would change the offense to a moving violation, increase the fine, and assign points; too many points on a driver's record can lead to suspension of driving privileges. The bill is supported by law enforcement agencies, especially in university communities such as Gainesville, where police are frustrated by having to respond to loud noise complaints but having their hands tied with limited enforcement authority.

Other states and municipalities are also cracking down on loud music. To reduce the growing volume, cities such as New York and Chicago are now impounding cars with loud stereos and holding them as evidence until the case is adjudicated. This provides a strong incentive for violators to appear in court and to pay their fines.

Aside from the annoyance most experience when forced to listen to a loud stereo, loud stereos on the road present a real safety issue to drivers for several reasons.

• Driver emotions
- Emotions have a big impact on driver safety. Driving experts have long known that the key to safe driving is keeping your emotions in check. A driver who is irritated, upset, or angry tends to take greater chances or fails to give full attention to the complex task of driving.

The driving situation, especially in urban areas is frustrating enough as it is. When a driver who is frustrated or angry is involuntarily assaulted by a booming stereo while stuck in traffic, the noise and irritation can lead to unsafe driving practices. In some cases, if a driver who is angry gets pushed over his or her tipping point the situation could become far more dangerous leading to a case of:


• Road Rage
- Road rage is a serious and growing problem on America's roadways. So serious that the American Psychological Association has given it its own diagnosis; Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED). IED results when a driver who is angry gets pushed over a psychological tipping point, usually by the actions of another driver, and lashes out in an attempt to harm or even kill the other driver. There have been documented cases of road rage caused by loud stereos with at least one case leading to the murder of the driver whose loud stereo precipitated the event. There have also been cases of home owners or non-drivers, killing someone over a loud stereo.


• Physical effects - Studies show that people react physically to noise. At 90 decibels (dB) or above, studies have shown that the adrenaline reaction is so powerful that people can become openly hostile and belligerent. 120 to 130 decibels is the normal threshold for pain in the ears. The average "boom car" stereo produces 120 to 140 decibels.




Long term exposure to loud noises by pregnant women can influence embryo development. According to lowertheboom.org, a website devoted to reducing the amount of noise prevalent in modern society, "exposure to the high-intensity/low-frequency sound will negatively affect her unborn child, due to the fight-or-flight adrenaline response of the mother's body. If the noise assault is in the first trimester, damage to the delicate fetal organs can occur due to the interruption of normal oxygen and nutrient flow to the placenta. During the first 14 to 60 days after conception, important developments in the central nervous system and vital organs of the baby are taking place."




• Listening to the road – Drivers need to be able to "hear the road"; in other words, drivers need to be able to hear and interpret important sounds around them as they drive. The sound of screeching tires or the fast approach of another vehicle can alert a driver to possible dangerous situations. Being aware of and getting out of the way of emergency vehicles can mean the difference between life and death.
  
  

Reducing the stress level on drivers and courtesy to other drivers, even when that courtesy is not returned, is critical to a safe driving environment. Fans of loud car stereos are naturally trying to block any legislation that could curb their desire to play their stereos as loud as they want. They also tend to ignore or discount studies that show the dangers of exposure to loud music. One such driver suggested that, "if you don't like it, just don't listen to it." That is somewhat like telling someone who is passing by a pig farm to "just don't smell it." Senses can't be turned off and the full use of our senses to the greatest extent possible, are important for safe driving.

Labels: driver courtesy, driver emotions, driver safety, florida traffic laws, road rage, safe driving

On November 24th, a new law went into effect in New York that requires that all children under the age of 8 to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system. This means that children under the age of 8 must be seated in an appropriate booster seat that allows the seat belt system to fit properly. This law is in response to several studies that showed that children were graduating to seat belts too early once they outgrew their child safety seats.

A study conducted in 2002 by State Farm Insurance and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia showed that 83% of children are graduating from child safety seats to adult seat belts too early. The problem lies in the different ways that seat belts fit around an adult's body compared to the way they fit around a child. When properly belted in, the seat belt should fit low over a vehicle occupant's hips. In a crash, the belt will provide restraint by pushing back against the relatively hard surface of the occupant's hip bones. If the belt were to sit higher across the soft tissue of the occupant's abdomen, it could cause significant damage to internal organs and could, in severe crashes, actually cut into the occupant's abdomen. Seat belts on children, with their small frames, tend to ride high over the child’s abdomen. The 2002 study refers to this as the "Seat Belt Syndrome" in children. The seat belt syndrome has contributed to abdominal and spinal injuries in children. The studies found that children between the ages of 3 and 9 were at greatest risk of seat belt syndrome. The problem is compounded by the way shoulder harnesses fit over children. Instead of sitting properly over a child's shoulder, the shoulder harness tends to ride across their neck and rub against their face causing many to place the shoulder harness behind them.

The answer to this problem is quite simple but, for some reason, the word has been slow in getting around. Booster seats raise the child's body to a position that allows the seat belt to ride low over their hips the way they are designed. Booster seats can also help to properly position the shoulder harness so that it provides maximum protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines that say children should remain in booster seats until they are 4'9" in height or, on average, from 9 to 11 years of age. Their website also has guidelines on the proper use of child restraints from infants to teens.

In spite of campaigns by the insurance industry and guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are only 21 states, including New York, that have passed child restraint laws in compliance with federal guidelines. Many states have no requirement for child restraint systems beyond the age of 4.

When considering a booster seat for your child, remember that all booster seats are not created equally. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted crash tests and published a list of the best and worst booster seats that are currently on the market. The IIHS website also has pictures showing how lap belts and shoulder harnesses should fit to provide maximum protection. The best seats provide proper height adjustment for the lap belt and keep the shoulder harness away from the abdomen and over the shoulder where they belong.

For more information on proper placement and fitting of child safety seats, visit www.nysdmv.com. You can also visit www.safeny.com to find a child safety seat event or a list of permanent seat fitting stations. There are also online courses now available to educate drivers on the rules of the road and the latest defensive driving techniques.

Labels: child safety seat, driver education, driver safety, new york driving laws

Driving school instructors hear the question all the time; isn't it dangerous for a pregnant woman to wear a seat belt? The feeling is that the belt itself, being so tight and close to the unborn baby, could cause more harm than not wearing a seat belt at all. The answer is that, no matter what, wearing a seat belt is always the safest possible thing a mother can do. Both the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) agree that pregnant women should always wear seat belts.

To fully answer the question, one has to consider the alternative to wearing a seat belt. It's a simple matter of physics. In a crash, the unbelted occupants of a car will continue to travel at the speed the car was traveling at the point of impact. Even in a low speed crash, the bodies traveling forward and striking objects in front can do a tremendous amount of damage. A small woman who weighs 130 pounds, with the combined weight of her developing baby, striking the steering wheel or dashboard at 25 mph will experience a crash force of almost 3,000 pounds. That is going to do far more damage to your unborn baby than the seat belt.

Future mothers should also consider the possibility that, if unbelted, they could be ejected from the vehicle; striking the roadway with a tremendous amount of force and then, face the possibility of being struck by another vehicle. No matter how bad the crash, vehicle occupants are always better off restrained within the vehicle.

www.FamilyDoctor.org, the official website of the AAFP, offers the following advice:

How should I wear my seat belt?

The seat belt should be a 3-point restraint. That means it should have a lap strap and a shoulder strap. Lap and shoulder belts keep you from being thrown from the car during an accident. The shoulder strap also keeps the pressure of your body off of the baby after a crash.

Be sure to wear your seat belt correctly. The lap strap should go under your belly, across your hips and as high as possible on your thighs. The shoulder strap should go between your breasts and off to the side of your belly. Seat belt straps should never go directly across your stomach. The seat belt should fit snugly. If possible, adjust the height of the shoulder strap so that it fits you correctly.

What about air bags?

Most experts agree that air bags are safe and can protect pregnant women from head injury. The air bags in your car should not be turned off when you are pregnant. To be safe, you should move the seat back as far as possible and tilt the seat to get some distance between your belly and the steering wheel or dashboard.

Air bags are not a substitute for a seat belt, so always wear your seat belt even if your car has air bags.

Where should I sit if I'm a passenger?

Where a mother sits has not been shown to affect the safety of an unborn baby in a crash. However, if you are not driving, you should sit in the back seat. Injuries from car crashes tend to be less serious in people who are sitting in the back seat. It is still important to wear a seat belt.

What should I do if I am in a car crash?

You should get treatment right away, even if you think you are not hurt. Most injuries to the baby happen within a few hours after a crash. Your doctor needs to check you and your baby as soon as possible after a crash, especially if you are more than 6 months pregnant.

Labels: driver safety, seat belt, seat belt safety

For drivers, the most dangerous period of the year is approaching. Thanksgiving weekend is the most traveled holiday period of the year with almost 90% of those traveling doing so by car and, if previous year statistics hold true, this Thanksgiving weekend will also be the deadliest holiday period of the year.

This year, the official 102 hour Thanksgiving holiday period will start at 6:00 pm on Wednesday the 25th and run through midnight on Sunday the 29th. During the same period in 2008, nationwide, 389 occupants of passenger vehicles were killed in car crashes; thousands more were injured. To lessen your chances of becoming one of the statistic this year, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Seat Belts

Of the fatalities during the 2008 Thanksgiving weekend;

• More than two-thirds (67%) of the total fatalities did not have their seat belts fastened.


• 40 percent of the fatalities in daytime crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Most of the 2008 highway deaths and serious injuries could have been easily prevented by the simple act of wearing a seat belt. Many states have strengthened their seat belt laws over the past year and 31 states now have primary seat belt enforcement laws; meaning that the police can stop and cite you for not wearing a seat belt without having to witness any other traffic infractions. As in years past, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) is sponsoring a nationwide "Click-It-Or Ticket" campaign. State highway patrol and local police departments throughout the nation will be on the alert for vehicle occupants who aren’t wearing seat belts and they will be giving out tickets. Keep yourself safe and ticket free by wearing a seat belt.

Speed

Speeding is the major reason for traffic crashes. Higher speeds reduce the time you have to react to an emergency situation and increase the crash forces in a collision. Along with looking for seat belt violators, the police will also be looking out for speeders. If you are doing as little as 5 mph over the speed limit, you run the risk of earning a speeding ticket.

Wednesday

Most of the travelers who are going long distances will be leaving after work on Wednesday evening. They will find that the normal rush hour delays will extend throughout the evening and far out into rural areas where traffic is normally light.

• Tired drivers who have worked all day and are now facing the frustration of being stuck in slow traffic for such a long distance may be tempted to take chances they might not otherwise take.


• Sleepy drivers may nod off at the wheel and are just as dangerous as drunk drivers.

Sunday

Most drivers will wait until Sunday afternoon to return home where they will face many of the same driving conditions that they faced on Wednesday evening. Unlike Wednesday evening, they will face additional dangers due to:

• Drivers who waited until the end of football games before hitting the road and didn't give themselves enough time.


• Drivers who are drowsy after eating big meals of left-over turkey (Turkey contains Tryptophan, which is used as an ingredient in over-the-counter sleep aids.)


• Drivers who have consumed alcohol while engaging in the above.

Take these actions to remain safe on the road:

• If you can arrange your work schedule, try to leave on Tuesday and return either on Saturday or Monday when traffic is lighter and safer.
  
• Give yourself plenty of time.
  
• Get enough rest and don't try to drive when you would normally be asleep.
  
• Swap driving duties with a companion
  
• To remain alert, stop every 2 hours or 100 miles.
  
• Don't depend on caffeine or "energy drinks" to take the place of sleep. When they wear off, you will fall asleep.
  
• Understand that traffic will be heavy and don't let your frustrations tempt you to take chances.
  
• Check for weather conditions along your route and leave earlier if necessary.
  
• Wear your seat belt!!! Seat belts are proven to save lives and prevent injuries.
  
• Make sure children are secured in an approved child safety seat.
  
• Children over 4 years of age are taken out of child seats too soon; their bodies are too small for seat belts to work effectively. Be sure any child under 4'9" in height is secured in a booster seat.
  
• Don't give into the temptation to speed. It won't get you there that much faster and it can lead to a ticket or worse, a collision.
  
• Use your cruise control to prevent speeding.
  
• Understand that driving is a complex task and it takes all your concentration.
  
• Eat light to prevent drowsiness.
  
• If you need to make a phone call, pull off the road and keep your call short.
  
• Don't answer your cell phone while driving. Let your cell phone take a message and pull off the road to answer your calls.
  
• Don't text and drive!!! Taking your eyes off the road for just a second or two can have tragic consequences.
  
• Don't consume alcohol!! Buzzed driving is the same as drunk driving.
  

Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Labels: driver safety, holiday driving, seat belt safety, thanksgiving traffic safety, traffic crashes

The cool, crisp, colorful days of autumn will soon give way to the bitter cold, dark days of winter and that means it is time to prepare your car for winter weather. With the exception of Hawaii, no matter where you live in the nation, you can be subjected to freezing weather (Miami has seen snow flurries). Those who live where snow and ice are common know to prepare but those who live in the Sunbelt should take time to prepare too. Here are some tips for getting your car ready to face the cold weather ahead.

Under the hood

It is probably best to have a trusted mechanic change your oil and winterize your engine but, if you are handy with tools, you can do these checks yourself. Make sure you check the owner's manual for the recommended fluids and parts.

Checking the engine

• Belts - Check the belts for wear and flexibility. In extreme cold your belts can become brittle and break so now is the best time to change out those old worn belts.
  
• Wiring – Check and replace any wires that may be worn or show exposed wires.
  
• Plugs – If it has been a while, you should replace the spark plugs.
  
• Coolant – Have your mechanic check the radiator for the proper mix of water and coolant. If you are doing the checks yourself, you can purchase a low cost coolant tester at an auto parts store. If the fluid needs to be replaced, make sure you use the proper type of fluid for your engine. Coolants are manufactured with corrosion inhibitors made specifically for the engine's materials (aluminum, steel, etc.).
  
• Oil – Have your oil changed. Your vehicle manufacturer may recommend a different engine oil weight for cold weather conditions.
  
• Washer fluid – Fill your washer fluid reservoir with anti-freeze washer fluid. Keep extra fluid on hand because you will need it often as dirty slush, cinders, and salt are sprayed over your windshield when following other vehicles.
  
• Battery – Clean the battery and wire terminals. Ensure your battery electrolyte is topped off with distilled water. If you are doing the work yourself, make sure you wear gloves and take great care when dealing with caustic battery acids.
  

Tires

• Snow Tires – Snow tires are specifically made for driving in snow. The rubber is softer to be less brittle and the tread is designed for a better grip in snow and ice. If you live in the northern part of the nation where snow and ice are a constant, you should swap out your normal tires with snow tires.
  
• All Weather Tires - If you live in the Sunbelt or the lower half of the nation, you can probably get by with all weather tires but remember that all weather means hot roads or rain, not snow. The rubber is harder and will be more brittle in freezing conditions and they aren’t as effective at gripping the surface in snow or ice.
  
• Chains – If you live in that portion of the nation that only gets one or two snow falls a year, you will probably want to consider purchasing a set of tire chains and keep them available in the trunk. Practice installing them before the weather turns bad.
  

Windows

• Defroster – Check your defroster now before it is too late. If it doesn’t work, get it repaired. Defrosters are an important tool in the winter.
  
• Wiper blades – Swap out your blades with heavier snow blades.
  
• Ice scraper – Keep a good, strong, ice scraper handy. Credit cards aren’t very effective on icy windows.
  
• Snow brush – A combination snow brush/ice scraper is a better tool to keep where snow is common.
  

Block heaters – If you live in the frozen north, you may want to consider getting an electric engine block heater to keep your engine warm through the night.

Emergency kits

• Lock defroster – Lock deicing fluid can be purchased in cans small enough to keep in your coat pocket. Remember to keep it in your coat pocket or in the house, not in the car.
  
• Sand/kitty litter – Keep a bag of sand or kitty litter in the trunk. You can use it to help your tires grip if you are stuck in ice or snow. It also provides a little extra weight in the rear of the car to help give you traction.
  
• Belts – Keep a replacement fan belt in your trunk just in case.
  
• Blankets – If you live where it snows often and deep, you could find yourself stuck on the road. Keep some blankets handy just in case.
  
• Food – Keep some energy bars, in case you get stuck in the snow. You will need calories to help you keep warm.
  
• Snow shovel – If there is room in your trunk, keep a small snow shovel to dig out of snow covered parking lots.
  

If you are stuck in the snow

If the roads close due to blizzard conditions, you may find yourself stuck on the highway. When traveling in the winter, you should always try to keep the gas tank full just in case. Always let someone know where you are going, your route, and when you plan to arrive.

If you are on a heavily traveled highway, the authorities will probably already be working to open the road or, if they can't, to evacuate motorists. If you are in the country and find yourself stuck and alone, call 911 for help.

While waiting, don't keep the engine running; you could quickly run out of gas. Break out your emergency blankets and only run the engine long enough to heat the car. When running the engine, beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear and crack a window on the downwind side to prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating in the passenger compartment. Eat your energy bars to provide warming calories.

Labels: driver safety, emergency, winter driving, winter weather

Labels: alert drivers, driver safety, drowsy driving, sleep

Its that time of the year again. Time to fall back and set the clocks to Standard time. The change can cause disruptions while our mind and body adapt to the new time and that disruption can extend to our driving.

Changing back from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time occurs on the first Sunday in November and that falls on November 1st this year. The time change officially happens at 2:00 AM on Sunday November 1st. Falling back means setting the clock back one hour; at 2:00 AM set your clocks back to 1:00 AM. The great thing about falling back is that we all get an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night. Those who don't get the word will probably arrive at church an hour early and wonder where everyone is or why that football game hasn't started yet.

The time change is always somewhat confusing because it takes our minds a few days to adapt to the new change. Those of you who are used to waking up and beginning your morning commute in the dark will be waking up to the sunrise. Those who enjoy the extra sunlight after work will be getting home in the dark.

The time change in the fall isn't as disruptive as the spring time change. In spring we lose an hour of sleep and sleep experts say that losing even one hour of sleep can have an impact on our driving; driving while drowsy is just as dangerous as driving under the influence. However, even though we aren't going to lose any sleep, our driving can still be affected because of the time it takes our internal clock to adjust to the change.

Our internal biological clock or circadian rhythm, regulates our wake sleep cycle. It was easy before clocks were invented; we woke up at dawn and we went to sleep when it got dark. Sleep experts also say it is natural for us to become sleepy in the late afternoon. In the modern world, our days are regulated by the clock and that mechanical clock can sometimes come into conflict with our biological clock. Some sleep experts suggest that we follow the example of Meditteranean cultures and allow employees to nap in the afternoon in order to gain maximum performance. When we force ourselves to remain awake through that natural afternoon drowsy time, it can lead to drowsiness behind the wheel on the long commute home. One survey of drivers found that more than one-third (35%) of drivers who nodded off while driving within the previous six months say their last experience occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. An additional 17% report they nodded off between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

A newly released study using mice (that also has implications for humans) found that when circadian rhythm cycles were disrupted, the mice didn't perform as well in maze tests as the control group whose circadian patterns weren't disrupted. They also exhibited impulsive behavior which, for human drivers, can mean trying to beat that light or pulling out in front of another car. When darkness suddenly falls an hour earlier, drivers may find themselves driving a little faster; trying to get home before daylight fades.

Another problem occurs because light conditions at dusk - before total darkness - can be confusing. Shapes that show up clearly in daylight or in a car's headlights may not show up as clearly at dusk. A study conducted in 1995 found that the number of auto/pedestrian crashes increased substantially in the period following the time change back to standard time. Kids are still walking home from practice or trying to get in a little extra playing time with their neighborhood pals before total darkness. A University of California trauma center found a "62 percent increase in the number of children in auto-vs-pedestrian crashes and auto-vs.-bicycle crashes in the two weeks following the October time change. Of these victims, 90 percent had severe injuries and required surgery."

Until their body clock adjusts to the new time, drivers should be especially cautious during the first few weeks after the time change. Get plenty of sleep, don't give in to the impulse to rush home to beat the sunset, and be especially watchful for pedestrians.

Drowsy driving prevention week is Nov. 2 – 8. For more information on sleep and sleep disorders, visit the National Sleep Foundation’s web site at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/

Labels: driver safety, drowsy driving

As baby boomers reach retirement age, their medicine cabinets seem to become more and more crowded with all the medications needed to fight off the infirmities of old age. Blood pressure, heart problems, aches, and pains increase with every passing year and so do the visits to the doctor. Unfortunately, the AARP generation apparently isn't being warned about the effects that these medications may have on their ability to drive safely.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety sponsored a study conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham to assess the knowledge of older drivers regarding their medication use and the medication's effects on their driving. The study surveyed 630 Alabama adults aged 55 and over. Data from previous studies that served as a basis for this research showed that:

Senior citizens are safe drivers with one of the lowest collision rates among all age groups;

Older drivers have the highest collision rate per mile traveled because they tend to drive fewer miles and remain close to home.

Due to chronic medical conditions, older adults are often forced to take multiple medications that can potentially impact their ability to drive.

A recent survey found that medication use increases with age with 44% of men and 57% of woman aged 65 and older using five or more medications weekly.

The rate of older adults using multiple medications has increased from 54% in 1998 to 67% in 2003.

Research has reported that increased number of medical conditions is associated with increased risk of motor vehicle crashes among older adults.

The AAA study revealed that:

"The majority of those surveyed (92%) said driving was their preferred mode of transportation and 60% said they drove six or seven days per week.

95% of respondents reported having had one or more medical condition and respondents 75 and older reported the most medical conditions as well as taking the greatest number of potentially driver impairing medications.

78% of respondents reported using one or more medications, but only 28% acknowledged some awareness of the potential impact of these medications on driving performance.

19% of respondents reported using five or more medications and 12.1% reported taking five or more prescription medications.

Only 18% had received warnings about potentially driver impairing medications - include ACE inhibitors, sedatives, and beta blockers - from a healthcare professional.

• However, 69% currently use one or more prescription potentially driver impairing medication and 10% said they currently use five or more potentially driver-impairing medications.
  
  
• Of those using five or more potentially driver impairing medications, just 22% said they had some awareness of the potential impact on driving and only 19 percent received a warning from healthcare professional."
  

Older drivers and those with less education appeared to have the least awareness of the risks.

These findings are disturbing because it shows that health care professionals aren't taking the time to warn of the potential risks involved in these medications and those taking the medications aren't asking those critical questions. Many people don't realize that commonly prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can affect their ability to drive safely. Some may feel that these medications wouldn't be prescribed or deemed safe for sale over-the-counter if they posed any dangers however, under some conditions, a driver can be arrested for DUI when driving under the influence of these medications.

The study specifically addressed commonly prescribed medications such as beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and sedatives.

Beta Blockers are commonly prescribed to reduce blood pressure or to control abnormal heart rhythm. Some possible side effects of these medications can include:

• headache


• depression


• confusion


• dizziness


• hallucinations

ACE inhibitors are used to control blood pressure, prevent strokes and prevent kidney damage in those patients suffering from hypertension or diabetes. Possible side effects of these drugs include:

• low blood pressure


• dizziness


• drowsiness


• weakness

As people age they often encounter sleep problems and are sometimes prescribed sedatives. Sedatives obviously can affect driving and users should see how they react to the drug before driving. There have been reports of users of Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, walking, driving, and making midnight phone calls with no memory of the event the next day.

Common over-the-counter allergy and cold relief medications such as Benedryl cause drowsiness and can have as great an impact on your driving as alcohol.

Often, older people are prescribed different drugs from different doctors with no knowledge of how those medications may react with the other medications they are taking. Older drivers should inform their doctors of all the drugs they are taking and ask how those drugs may interact with others and what effect the medications may have on their driving. Concerned family members should get involved and help older relatives compile a list of their medications and ask about the side effects.

Pharmacists are also an excellent resource and sometimes may have an even better understanding of the medication's side effects than the physician. Pharmacists can keep a list of the medications you are taking and can warn of possible drug interactions and side effects.

It is always best to check with your physician or pharmacist but there are also on-line resources that can be of help. One of the best is http://www.drugs.com/. This free web site allows you to enter all your medications and lists side effects and possible interactions with other drugs you are taking that may affect your driving. You can also request to be notified by email of any Food and Drug Administration alerts on your medications.

Almost all of the common medications that older people take have warnings about consuming alcohol while taking the medication. Mixing alcohol and medications can have a increased impact on driving abilities and can cause a drug interaction that could be fatal.

Labels: driver safety, older drivers, over-the-counter medications, senior citizens, senior drivers, vehicle accidents

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 9:59 AM

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The torrential rains that struck northern Alabama and Georgia this week have created swollen rivers and streams throughout the area. Some of the deaths that resulted from the floods resulted because the victims didn't appreciate the depth and force of the rushing water. The flooding is causing some very hazardous driving conditions. More than half of flash flood deaths are auto related. Before you go out in these conditions it's a good time to review the hazards of flooded roads and steps you should take to avoid them or, in the worst scenario, to escape from a flooding situation. Here are some important facts about to remember about flooding:

Every flood is dangerous to drivers. Even if the water running across the road appears shallow, what you can't see under the rushing water is the greatest hazard of all. The road could be washed out and the water may be much deeper than you realize. Even if it appears intact, the roadway could collapse under the weight of your vehicle.

Less than an inch of water can cause a driver to lose control.

As little as six inches of rushing water has enough force to push your car off the road.

Your car can float in as little as two feet of water and you could be washed away into a flooded stream or river.

In hilly or mountainous areas, flash floods can occur long after the rain has stopped and far away from the site of a rain storm.

The force of rushing water and debris can be strong enough to cause bridges to collapse.

Summer thunderstorms can dump one to two inches of rain in a very short time.

Flood waters can rise at a rapid rate.


What should you do to avoid flooded roadways?

If you live in mountainous, hilly, or flood prone areas, pay attention to weather reports. If there are warnings of flooding, take an alternate route if it is available.

If the roadway is flooded, even a little, don't attempt to drive through the water. Turn around and take an alternate route.

Temporary barriers blocking flooded roadways are placed by emergency personnel for a reason; never drive around them into a flooded area.

If you find yourself stalled in rising flood waters, do not attempt to stay with the car. A floating car can be swept into deeper water and can easily roll over. Escape if possible and get to higher ground immediately. Many flood related fatalities occur when people try to stay with the vehicle.

If the rushing water is too deep and the current is too strong, you will have to make a judgment call about staying with the vehicle. Turn around before you get into that position.

Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is much more difficult to recognize flooding conditions.

Remember that emergency personnel will be overwhelmed and may not be able to get to you for some time.

Labels: driver safety, flood waters, weather conditions

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 2:18 PM

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Here it is; the last big weekend of summer. This Labor Day weekend millions of drivers will be hitting the road for one final summer getaway before everyone goes back to school and the weather turns cool. Due to the late date of Labor Day this year, it is projected that fewer travelers will be hitting the road this year than last but it is still projected to be one of the busiest holiday travel weekends of 2009. The 78 hour Labor Day weekend travel period will run from 6:00 pm Friday through midnight Monday.

Whether you are going to the beach, the mountains, or a local lake, there are some common things to watch out for:

• Crowds - Beach parking lots or small town festivals will mean big crowds. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and especially for children darting out into the street or behind your vehicle. More than 2 children a week are killed in the US when a vehicle backs up over them. Remember, no matter how small your vehicle is, you still have a large blind spot behind so be especially careful when backing out of a parking space.



• Motorcycles and Bicycles - This is the last big weekend to get out onto the road and feel the wind in your hair or to take that cross country biking trip. Drivers should be aware that motorcycles and bicycles have a right to share the road and should be treated as you would treat any other vehicle. Cyclists should also remember that they are required to follow all traffic laws just as they would in a car. Because they have a low profile, motorists often don't see a cycle until it is too late. For motorists who are entering traffic from a driveway or an intersection, remember the rule; look left, right, and then left again, before proceeding.



• Pace Yourself – A long day at the beach under the hot sun will tire you out. To prevent fatigue and dehydration make sure you eat well and don't use alcohol to satisfy your thirst. Alcohol will increase your dehydration and the hot sun combined with the dehydration will only compound the effects of the alcohol. Don't stay so long that you are totally worn out before you hit the road. If necessary, take turns driving home to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel. Don't rely on energy drinks to make up for a lack of sleep.

The most common factors leading to deaths on the road during the holiday period are lack of seat belt use and alcohol consumption.

• Alcohol - A nationwide crackdown announced by the US Secretary of Transportation will be targeting both. The campaign, known as "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" will involve 11,000 police departments across the country in a coordinated effort to remove drunk drivers from the road. More than 40 percent of the traffic fatalities during Labor Day weekend 2008 involved a drunk driver. If you are caught drinking and driving, you will be arrested. Alcohol use is also the most common contributing factor in boating deaths. Remember you can be arrested for "BUI" (Boating Under the Influence) and the penalties are essentially the same as for DUI.



• Seat Belts - The police will also be targeting seat belt use. Most states have passed laws making seat belt use mandatory for all vehicle occupants. There are still approximately 20 percent of drivers and vehicle occupants who haven't gotten the word that seat belts are the primary piece of safety equipment in the car and they save lives. There is no guarantee that you won't be killed or injured in a traffic collision while wearing a seat belt but your chances for survival increase by 45 to 50 percent if you do.

Have a happy and enjoyable Labor Day weekend and get home safe.

Labels: driver safety, holiday driving, safety tips

A new poll was released earlier in the week that was somewhat saddening but not at all surprising. The poll looked at the top 25 metropolitan centers in the US and judged them from worst to best based on the level of angry and aggressive drivers in those cities. The 2009 "In The Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey," commissioned by AutoVantage and conducted by Affinion Group Media listed New York as having the least courteous drivers in the nation. That is probably good news to Miami which led the nation in that category for the past three years.

What this survey shows is that it is not the quality of the roads or the number of cars but the behavior of individual drivers that make the roads so dangerous. According to the Affinion survey, when asked the major causes of road rage, the most frequent responses were:

• Bad/careless driving, such as cutting others off, speeding, tailgating, talking on cell phones, making obscene gestures and not using proper signals
• People who are angry, stressed, frustrated, tired or had a bad day
• People being in a hurry, impatient or running late
• Traffic problems, accidents, poor road conditions or construction
• Inconsiderate, disrespectful, selfish drivers who think they own the road

Notice that the great majority of the above comments have to do with behavior. Road delays certainly play a part in adding to the frustration level but it is the behavior of drivers that leads to the greatest frustration and often to road rage.

The survey went on to say that behaviors by other drivers that cause stress for commuters and can lead to road rage include:

• Drivers who talk on their cell phones (84 percent see this every day)
• Driving too fast (58 percent)
• Tailgating (53 percent)
• Drivers eating or drinking while driving (48 percent)
• Texting or e-mailing while driving (37 percent)
Drivers responding to the survey admitted that in response to the bad behaviors of others they:
• Honk their horn at the offending driver (43 percent admit doing this every month)
• Curse at the other driver (36 percent)
• Wave their fist or arms (13 percent)
• Make an obscene gesture (10 percent)
• Call the police to report the driver (7 percent)
• Slam into the car in front of them (1 percent)

Most of the other behaviors listed above won't serve to change the other driver's behavior and it may be enough to push him or her over the edge into a road rage situation. In this situation, a couple of old driving school principles come into play here. One is the FIDO principle which means "Forget It and Drive On". You can't change the other driver's behavior; you can only make him angrier. Forgetting about it isn’t easy to do but it is the safest thing to do when confronted with an aggressive driver. The second principle is the QTIP principle. QTIP stands for "Quit Taking It Personally". That aggressive driver probably didn't have you in mind when he hit the road; instead he is probably an equal opportunity aggressive driver who treats everyone the same way. Don't take his actions personally; just stay out of his way.

As cities grow and roads become more crowded, courtesy on the road is becoming more and more important. Being courteous to another driver, even if that courtesy isn't returned, may be just the thing that will keep the other driver from tipping over from an aggressive driver to someone trying to assault you in a road rage incident.

It is interesting to note that drivers in Portland Oregon, the city with the most courteous drivers, witness far less of the aggressive and distracting behaviors that are seen in New York and Atlanta. The cities where drivers pay attention to the road and exercise random acts of kindness encounter fewer angry drivers. There is another thing that traffic engineers know that fewer and fewer drivers seem to realize. Roads where drivers drive the speed limit and obey the traffic signs have the smoothest running traffic.

Labels: aggressive driving, driver safety

With the arrival of summer, a lot of motorcyclists will be pulling their bikes out from under their winter tarps and making plans for summer touring trips. For both bikers and motorists, this is a good time to review some motorcycle safety tips.

Motorists need to remember these facts about motorcycles. The highest death rate for motorcyclists (22.5%) occurs during the afternoon commute time from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Fifty-eight percent of motorcycle deaths occur between the hours of 3:00 PM and midnight. There will be more motorcycles on the road during the warm months; tips for motorists include:
• Motorcycles are small and can easily be hidden in your blind spots; double check for them.
• A motorcycle's small size makes it appear to be going faster than it is.
• Normally, the safest place for motorcycles is in the middle of the road so they can look for and react to hazards such as potholes or obstructions in the road. To avoid those hazards, they will move from side to side in the lane. They are not showing off.
• Always give a motorcyclist the same respect and room you would give to a car.
• Motorcycles may need to and can stop more quickly than a car. Remain at least three to four seconds behind a motorcycle in case the rider needs to stop suddenly.
• Motorcycle turn signals are not self-canceling. Don't assume that a motorcyclist is going to turn when you see a turn signal.
• Look for motorcycles at intersections. When turning or crossing an intersection at a stop sign, look left, right, then left again. More than one-third of the crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle occur when the vehicle is making a left turn and the motorcycle is going straight.

For motorcyclists, whether your bike has been put away or not, this is a good time to check your bike for road worthiness. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation suggests that you follow the "T-CLOCS Inspection Check List." T-CLOCS is an acronym for:
• T - Tires & Wheels
• C - Controls
• L - Lights
• O - Oil & other fluid levels
• C - Chassis
• S - Stands

The warm summer months are an invitation to wear light clothing and shorts, but for motorcyclists, protective clothing is the only thing between them and the road surface if they have to lay the bike down. Whether state law requires it or not, safe motorcyclists (and their passengers) wear:
• A DOT approved helmet with a thick (one inch) polystyrene liner and riveted chin strap. The German or "skull cap" type helmets offer very little or no protection in a crash.
• Long trousers
• A long sleeve shirt
• A leather jacket
• Eye protection
• Boots that provide ankle protection

If you haven't ridden in a while, start slow and get a "feel" for the bike's handling characteristics. If you plan to carry a passenger, remember that a passenger will affect the cycle's handling characteristics. Motorcycle passengers will:
• Require a greater stopping distance due to the increased weight.
• Slide forward in a quick stop.
• Put more weight on and possibly make the rear brakes more effective.

Unlike a back seat driver, the passenger can act as an extra set of eyes and their warnings should be heeded.

Have a great summer and enjoy the freedom your motorcycle offers.

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit www.TestQuestionsandAnswers.com .

Labels: driver education, driver safety, motorcycle, motorcycle rider safety

Hopefully this will never happen to you but if you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of trying to take the keys from a drunk driver, hopefully these tips will help.

Prevention is the first step. As you probably already know, the first area of the brain to be affected by alcohol is the area that controls judgment. Once a person starts to drink, reason and judgment go out the window so trying to reason with a potential drunk driver is incredibly difficult. Alcohol also gives a person a false sense of ability, giving them the mistaken belief that they aren't as drunk as you may believe and they are capable of driving safely. To keep from getting to this point, friends who plan an event that includes drinking should agree beforehand on how they will get home safely. If a decision is made before you go out drinking, chances are that you will stick with that decision. You should also remember that it can take a very long time for someone to sober up. Hot coffee will not work. Alcohol has to be metabolized by the liver and that takes time.

Designating one or two people as designated drivers who agree not to drink at all is the best option for all. Many restaurants and bars strongly promote designated driver programs and will provide free soft drinks and, in some cases, appetizers and other premiums to the designated driver to keep them sober and allow them to get their friends home.

Taking some sort of public transportation such as a bus, train, or a cab is also an effective choice where they are available. Brewing companies such as Miller/Coors and Heineken have partnered with cab companies throughout the US to create 1-800-TAXICAB. This is an easy to remember phone number that will put you in contact with a local cab company. It's not free but it's a whole lot cheaper than a DUI conviction. Some localities have programs like the Support Anna program in the Puget Sound area of Washington State that has partnered with bars to give free cab vouchers to get drinkers home safely. Check your area to see if such a program exists. You can also check with the restaurant/bar you plan to patronize to see if they have a similar program.

If you find yourself in a position of trying to prevent someone from driving after they have been drinking, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips:

If it is a close friend, try and use a soft, calm approach at first. Suggest to them that they've had too much to drink and it would be better if someone else drove or if they took a cab.

Be calm. Joke about it. Make light of it.

Try to make it sound like you are doing them a favor.

If it is somebody you don't know well, speak to their friends and have them make an attempt to persuade them to hand over the keys. Usually they will listen.

If it's a good friend, spouse, or significant other, tell them that if they insist on driving, you are not going with them. Suggest that you will call someone else for a ride, take a cab, or walk.

Locate their keys while they are preoccupied and take them away. Most likely, they will think they've lost them and will be forced to find another mode of transportation.

If possible, avoid embarrassing the person or being confrontational, particularly when dealing with men. This makes them appear vulnerable to alcohol and its effects.

If all else fails, call the police. The police can be much more persuasive and they would rather prevent a drunk from getting behind the wheel than to respond to the scene of an alcohol related crash.

If the situation becomes heated and feelings are hurt, remember that, once reasoning returns after the person sobers up, it will probably all be quickly forgotten. Remember also that a temporary loss of friendship is preferable to the permanent loss of a friend through a drunk driving crash.

You've heard it before but it bears repeating; "Friends don’t let friends drive drunk."

Labels: alcohol, driver safety

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 2:28 PM

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Some drivers, after receiving a speeding ticket, complain that the speed limits are unreasonable and impossible to obey, while others go even further to claim that the speed laws are just a scheme concocted by the government to make money. The truth is that, for the most part, speed limits are set by traffic engineers to move the greatest amount of traffic at the highest safest speed. If that weren't the case, traffic gridlock would be even worse than it is.

Several different factors go into setting speed limits; the size and condition of the road, the amount of traffic the road is expected to carry, and things that adjoin the road such as schools or shopping centers. Speed limits are always set for ideal conditions. Speed limits can't take extraordinary conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog into account and it is these types of conditions that get drivers into a lot of trouble.

In November 2007 a foggy California highway became the scene of a massive pile up involving 108 vehicles and 18 big rigs resulting in two deaths. State authorities blamed excessive speed in foggy conditions for the pile-up.

Drivers tend to take the speed limit as gospel, often forgetting the other factors that go into determining what a safe speed should be. The posted speed limit doesn't mean that it is the safe limit. Drivers should travel at a speed lower than the posted speed limit when:

Visibility is limited - Many drivers don't realize just how much ground their vehicle is covering at high speeds. A car traveling at 60 mph is covering almost 90 feet per second. At that speed it takes up to 300 feet to bring a car to a complete stop. At 60 mph, if you can't see more than 300 feet ahead, you are driving too fast for conditions. Your speed should be set so that your vehicle can be brought to a stop within your sight distance or the distance covered by your headlights. Higher speeds mean that, by the time you see a hazard ahead and react to it, it is too late to stop in time to avoid a crash. Visibility is limited at night, in fog, snow, and when the sun is rising or setting in front of your vehicle. Dark country roads are the most dangerous of all roads. Many of the deaths on these types of roads happen when the driver is over-driving their headlights, encounter a curve and are unable to keep their car on the road.

Rain - The roads are most slippery just after the rain starts. Accumulated oil and grease on the road rises above the thin film of water creating an oil slick that can cause you to lose control. The rain will eventually wash the oil off the road but that takes time.

Standing water - Water standing on the road can be too deep for your tire treads to effectively squeeze out the water. As a result, your car's tires can rise up on top of the water and "hydroplane" across the surface of the water like water skis. Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 35 mph and becomes most dangerous at speeds of 55 mph or higher. Slow down when you encounter standing water on the road.

Snow and ice - Snow and ice are particularly treacherous. Packed snow can turn into ice. Ice accumulated on the road when the temperature is hovering right around the freezing mark can turn slushy and becomes especially treacherous. Most experts say that speed should be cut by half when traveling on packed snow or ice. Remember that bridges with freezing temperatures both above and below the surface freeze first.

Remember, even if you are traveling at or below the speed limit, you can still get a ticket for driving too fast for conditions.

Learn more by visiting SafeDriver.com's Dangers of Speeding course online.

Labels: driver safety, speeding, traffic ticket

View Full Post posted by DriverSchool : 4:05 PM

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More and more adult children each year are facing the heart rending decision of taking the car keys away from elderly parents whose driving behavior has become a danger to themselves and others. This isn't an easy decision to make because it represents the older driver's sense of independence and dignity. For anyone facing this choice, there are some valuable tools to help you with your decision.

There is no set age at which a driver is no longer able to drive; some drivers maintain their vision, reflexes and physical abilities well into their 80s and 90s while others, due to diseases such as heart disease or diabetes may face the decision of giving up their license in their 50s. The data shows that older people, due to their fragility and health issues stand a greater chance of becoming a fatality in a traffic collision but the good news, from an Insurance Institute for Highway (IIHS) study released in December, shows that the death rate for older drivers declined steadily between 1997 and 2006 compared to drivers in other age groups. There is no definitive data showing why the death rate for older drivers has declined but it is felt that older drivers are "self limiting" their driving by no longer driving at night, making shorter trips and avoiding interstates. There is also a feeling that more drivers are surrendering their license on their own when they can no longer pass the vision test or they come to the conclusion on their own that they no longer possess the ability to drive safely.

For those that refuse to surrender their license, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides the following warning signs:

Feeling uncomfortable and nervous or fearful while driving

Dents and scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs etc.

Difficulty staying in the lane of travel

Getting lost

Trouble paying attention to signals, road signs and pavement markings

Slower response to unexpected situations

Medical conditions or medications that may be affecting the ability to handle the car safely

Frequent "close calls" (i.e. almost crashing)

Trouble judging gaps in traffics at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps

Other drivers honking at you and instances when you are angry at other drivers

Friends or relatives not wanting to drive with you

Difficulty seeing the sides of the road when looking straight ahead

Easily distracted or having a hard time concentrating while driving

Having a hard time turning around to check over your shoulder while backing up or changing lanes

Frequent traffic tickets or "warnings" by traffic or law enforcement officers in the last year or two

The child, relative or caregiver concerned about the safety of an older driver should follow these steps:

Start a dialogue with the older driver expressing your concerns

Suggest that the driver limit their driving to avoid night driving or long trips.

Review any medications or medical issues that could diminish the driver's reflexes and vision or stress causing issues that could affect their driving behavior.

Travel along with the older driver and either videotape or keep notes of missed signs, near misses, confusion etc. Unless you need to intervene to prevent a collision, don't comment during the drive; it will only make the driver more nervous. Review your findings after the trip.

Consult with the driver’s doctors to see if any medical issues may limit the driver's abilities to drive safely.

Hold an intervention with family members and concerned friends to try to convince the driver to voluntarily stop driving.

If all else fails and you feel the situation is too dangerous, take the keys and remove the car.

The IIHS has a list of state laws concerning elderly drivers at http://www.iihs.org/laws/olderdrivers.aspx

Drivers in metropolitan areas who are physically unable to drive may be eligible for door to door paratransit transportation. To see if paratransit transportation services are available in your area, visit http://www.apta.com/links/state_local/

Labels: driver safety, elderly driver

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 9:54 AM

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Driving safety experts have determined that distracted driving contributes to motor vehicle crashes.

A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded that almost 80 percent of motor vehicle crashes and 65% of near crashes involve driver inattention within three seconds before the event. While the study looked at all different types of driver distractions, it listed use of wireless communication devices (cell phones and PDAs) as the most common form of driver distraction.

Governors in all 50 states have been urged to support legislation that either bans or severely limits the use of cell phones while driving. The request was based on a study by the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis that showed cell phone use is responsible for some 636,000 crashes, resulting in 330,000 injuries and 2,600 deaths each year.

The Harvard study is just one of several over the past few years that have concluded that cell phone use while driving is dangerous. The studies looked at cell phone use and the use of in-vehicle technology from several different aspects; observing driving behavior while using cell phones, how the brain functions when multi-tasking, and the decision making process to use technology while driving.

Five states currently ban the use of hand-held cell phones in favor of hands-free devices while driving. However, several studies have shown that there is little difference between the two when it comes to minding the road ahead. Both hand-held and hands-free devices involve listening. The act of listening is what distracts drivers from paying attention to the road. A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University placed participants in a functional MRI scanner that allowed researchers to observe brain activity while the subjects “drove” on a computerized roadway. Without distractions, the area of the brain that lit up most was the area involved in spatial perception (knowing where you are and what’s around you). When the same subjects were tasked with listening to and correctly answering a series of questions as they drove, the area of the brain that lit up most was the area involving language comprehension, while activity in the spatial perception area of the brain decreased by as much as 37 percent. Multitasking places high demands on the brain.

Studies that looked at the decision making process drivers engage in when using a variety of in-vehicle technology devices (cell phones, PDAs, GPS, CDs, radios, etc.) showed a disturbing trend. Traffic or road conditions were not necessarily a factor in determining when to use a particular device. The decision was based more on the driver’s motivation to use the device rather than whether or not road conditions were safe enough to permit the task. It was also revealed that participants didn’t rate use of a cell phone as any more dangerous than eating or drinking in a vehicle.

A study completed by the University of Utah put subjects in a driving simulator while researchers observed their driving behavior in three scenarios: 1) without distractions, 2) talking with a passenger, and 3) while engaged in a cell phone conversation. The participants drove roughly 8 miles on a simulated freeway with light to moderate traffic. They were instructed to exit the freeway at a rest stop. Drivers talking on cell phones performed the worse. They were more likely to weave or depart from their lane, and were four times more likely to miss their scheduled turn off at the rest area. Talking to their passenger had little effect on their driving. Although talking on the cell phone or talking to a passenger both require listening and conversation skills, a passenger can provide assistance in pointing out dangers ahead or limit a conversation when the driving task becomes more complicated.

An earlier University of Utah study showed that a 20 year old driver on a cell phone had the same reaction time as a 70 year old. Regardless of age, drivers on cell phones were 18% slower in stepping on the brakes, and 17% slower in regaining their speed after braking. They also kept a greater following distance and slower speed than drivers who were not using cell phones, which contributes to congestion on the roadways.

Labels: cell phone, driver safety, driving distractions