The chill is in the air. Orange is the dominant color and kids are beginning to think of their plans for October 31st. Before you go out shopping for costumes and buying bags of candy this year, spend a few minutes planning the night ahead.

Identify what type of celebrations will be taking place and where they will be located. Not only will it help determine your plans, it will help you be an aware driver as you travel on the roadways. If you will be attending a party, plan for a designated driver or commit to not drink. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgment and driving. Driving under the influence can kill or cause trauma, be expensive and embarrassing.

When costume planning, make sure that all costumes fit appropriately and will not restrict movement or visibility, either as a pedestrian or behind the wheel. Ensure foot wear is sturdy. Tripping, falling, difficulty steering or braking can be dangerous!

Add reflective tape to costumes and replace flash light batteries to ensure you will be visible, whether escorting trick or treaters or attending an event yourself. Confirm any children you are with have flashlights, glow stick, bright candy bags, and reflective tape on costumes as well. Clear up any yard obstructions, water hoses, and overgrown vegetation to make it easier to see and maneuver for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Know your planned route, to avoid the unexpected. Plan to travel in well lighted areas. If walking, use sidewalks and crosswalks. If driving, avoid areas of heavy pedestrian traffic and park in areas with the greatest visibility. Design alternate routes that will provide the least amount of risk and the most amount of safety. Arrange to give yourself extra time to and from your destination.

Halloween is on Saturday this year, so expect the festivities to begin early in the day and prepare to be a defensive driver. If you can, avoid driving on Halloween.

Be alert for kids playing in costumes during the day, darting from house to house or in between parked cars. Pay special attention beginning at 4:30pm for the younger treat seekers. Turn your head lights on to make your vehicle more visible. Drivers need to be especially diligent driving during dusk through the night time as visibility is reduced.

Reduce distractions. Make sure your cell phone is on silent, your radio volume is low and your passengers are aware to minimize distractions and assist with being alert to the surrounding environment.

Be extra cautious as you pull into and leave driveways, parking lots and alleys for children that may dart out between cars, at roadways, medians and on curves. Be sure to check your blind spots thoroughly and maintain a search and scan of the driving environment every three seconds.

Travel well below the posted speed limit. Be extra patient with pedestrians and other vehicles and always be prepared to stop at a given moment. They may be carrying trick or treaters and be distracted. Avoid passing or going around stopped vehicles. They may have passengers entering and exiting hurriedly and carelessly.

Halloween can truly be a fun night full of great memories! Take a few steps to keep it safe and trouble free.

Labels: halloween, holiday driving, safety tips

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 recent study found that a significant number of heart attack patients reported being in traffic shortly before their symptoms began.

The study showed that the risk of heart attack was three times higher within the first hour after exposure to traffic and a statistically high rate within three hours of exposure. This study looked at 1454 patients and supported another study conducted with 691 patients in 2004.

Most of the heart attack victims were drivers, but others were exposed to traffic in public transportation or while riding a bicycle. Those most at risk were women, elderly men, those who were unemployed and patients who had previously been diagnosed with angina.

While this study examined heart attack victims, it follows other studies that looked at the effect of diesel fumes on drivers. These studies, which looked at both previous heart attack victims and healthy participants, exposed the participants to diesel fumes in a chamber. Heart activity was monitored and blood was drawn one and six hours after the exposure. The results showed changes in the heart's electrical activity and decreased production of a naturally occurring protein which prevents blood clots from forming within the blood vessels. These studies showed an increased risk of heart attack and stroke after prolonged exposure to diesel fumes. Diesel fumes were studied because they carry more particulate matter than gasoline fumes.

While not specifically mentioned, the effect of stress combined with the environmental factors in driving could also contribute. It has long been known that stress can lead to a heart attack and, for commuters stuck in traffic, stress is an integral part of driving. The stress of delays or from trying to avoid potential collisions with other drivers puts a strain on the body. When faced with stress the body automatically responds with the "fight or flight response". The fight or flight response, shared by all animals, prepares the body to deal with a dangerous situation by shifting blood flow to the large muscles and releasing a dose of adrenaline that prepares the body to either stand and face the danger (fight) or to run away (flight). Either way, the body goes through a very real physical change. Unfortunately, a driver stuck in traffic can neither fight nor flee so the response designed to save your life adds to the break-down of the body’s defenses.

Drivers in high risk groups (women, elderly men, the unemployed, angina sufferers, and those with previously diagnosed heart problems) should be aware of this danger and take steps to avoid problems.

Reduce exposure to highway pollutants by using the air conditioner and keeping the windows closed. If your vehicle has the option, select internal air flow rather than airflow from outside the vehicle.

Get regular check-ups from your medical provider.

Be aware of the stress and take steps to reduce it while driving by practicing relaxation techniques (but always remain alert and keep your eyes on the road).

Be aware of the heart attack and stroke warning signs and don’t go into denial if you experience any of them. Seek help immediately!

Labels: safety tips, traffic

View Full Post posted by NSC - Traffic Safety : 2:08 PM

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"A tin can is to a car... as a car is to a train"- unknown

First, the good news about vehicle/train collisions at railroad crossings; the number of collisions at railroad crossings has declined from a high of 13,557 incidents in 1978 to 2,746 in 2007, a decline of 80%. Now the bad news; in 2007, there were still 2,746 incidents. Drivers are still not getting the word that trying to outrace a train at a railroad crossing is a lose/lose proposition. 94% of the collisions and 87% of the fatalities at railroad crossings are caused by risky driving behavior or poor judgment on the part of the driver. Look at the facts:

• A large vehicle such as a train appears to be moving slower than it actually is. The maximum speed for freight trains is 60 mph while passenger trains can travel up to 80 mph.
  
• Even at low speeds, the impact force of a train is tremendous. A single locomotive weighing 432,000 pounds traveling at 35 mph will impart a collision force on a car of 885,000 tons of force. In order for an average car to impart that kind of crash force it would have to be traveling more than 4,200 mph.
  
• Once the train's engineer applies the brakes, the train will travel several hundred feet before air pressure is applied to the brakes on all the cars of a train and they fully take hold.
  
• An average freight train takes 1 1/2 miles to come to a complete stop.
  
• Of all the public railroad crossings (those crossing public roads and highways), only about 53% are controlled by electronic signals. Many private railroad crossings (on farms and industrial parks) are not marked at all.
  

How do you guard against becoming one of the statistics?

• Assume that there is a train on every track at all times, even tracks that are rarely used. If there is a stop sign at the crossing, stop! If there is a yield sign or electronic signals, slow and make sure that no trains are approaching.
  
• If there are two or more tracks, make sure there a train isn't coming in the other direction. In 2000, a firefighter returning from a false alarm waited at the crossing gates for a northbound train to pass. The train passed and stopped just beyond the crossing. The firefighter drove his fire truck around the gate and was struck and killed by a southbound train whose view was obscured by the stopped northbound train. The crossbuck railroad sign will indicate how many tracks there are at the crossing.
  
• When stopping at a railroad crossing make sure you stop no less than 15 feet from the tracks.
  
• Never cross a railroad track unless you are sure there is room on the other side for your vehicle to completely clear the tracks. Many collisions occur when a vehicle's rear end is still hanging out over the tracks.
  
• Don't shift gears while crossing a railroad track; it could cause your vehicle to stall.
  
• If your car stalls on a railroad track, get out of the car immediately, clear the tracks and call 911 for help. If a train is coming, run away from the tracks in the direction of the approaching train. If you run away from the approaching train, you may be injured or killed by flying debris when the train smashes into your car.
  
• Never try to beat a train at a crossing or snake around the lowered crossing gates. Once the lights start to flash and the crossing gate arms go down, the train will appear in about 20 seconds.
  

Labels: crossing, dangers, railroad, safety, safety tips

The part of our driving exam we all remember the most is parallel parking. Many drivers, with years of experience, still have a problem with it. With practice and following these tips below parallel parking can be done both safely and with ease.

The first step to parallel parking and to avoid a collision is to let other drivers know your intentions. When approaching a parking spot, check your rear view mirrors for traffic behind you. Keep in mind the drivers behind you are probably not expecting you to slow and stop. As a safety measure, if a car behind is following too closely, look for another parking spot. Warn drivers behind you by lightly tapping your brakes two or three times and turn on your right turn signal as you slow down gently.

Once you have warned other drivers, slowed to a stop, and determined that the parking space is large enough for your car, follow these steps to park:

Pull up within two to three feet next to the car in the space ahead. Your rear bumper should be even with the rear bumper of the other car.

Shift into reverse, turn your steering wheel sharply to the right and slowly start to back up.

Start straightening the wheel when your passenger seat is even with the rear bumper of the other car.

Continue backing and turn your wheel sharply to the left once the front of your car has cleared the car ahead.

Once you feel you are parallel with the curb, turn your wheel sharply to the right to straighten the wheels.

Stop your car before you hit the car behind.

Shift into drive and straighten up your car in the space. You should be no more than 12 to 18 inches away from the curb.

View a Video Demonstration of Parallel Parking

If you live in a location where you have to parallel park regularly, you may consider getting a backup warning sensor as an option on your next car purchase.

Labels: parallel parking, safety tips

Anyone who has children knows what a distraction they can be while driving.

Children who are bored, hungry, or fighting with their siblings can turn a pleasant family outing into a stressful situation. A 2006 AAA Foundation study found that 80% of crashes involved driver distraction within 3 seconds of the event. With this in mind, when driving anywhere with children, pre-planning, even on short trips, is critical.

Ensure that children have toys, games, coloring books, and books to keep them occupied. A good idea is to keep children’s travel kits in the car at all times. A mesh bag for each child can be filled with age appropriate travel activities to keep the child occupied.

Some items that can fill the travel kit are:

• Coloring books (use colored pencils instead of crayons that can melt in a hot car)
• Travel versions of popular games such as Battleship, Guess Who, etc. that the children can play with each other.
• Travel sized versions of Etch-A-Sketch for each child.
• Travel sized hand-held electronic games.
• Small personal radios or MP3 players filled with age appropriate music and headphones for each child.
• Age appropriate books.
• Stuffed animals to act as traveling companions.

The back seat may become a bit messy but that is a small price to pay compared to a bored child

An excellent resource full of games, tips, and accessories for traveling with children is MomsMinivan.com. This website also has great information on how to deal with car sickness.

If you can afford it, portable DVD players with the children’s favorite movies are a great way to keep the children occupied. Just remember that DVD screens are not allowed to be in view of the driver. If a DVD player is out of reach, local libraries have audio books that the whole family can enjoy together.

Children (up to 4' 9" tall) should always be properly secured in a child safety or booster seat with safety belts. Never allow the children to get out of their seat belts when the car is in motion. Information on the proper use of car seats can be found at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

Traveling With Pets

Pets, no matter how well trained, can be very unpredictable. Pets should never be allowed to wander around the car or sit in the driver’s lap. Small pets that could jump or fall to the floor where they can interfere with the driver’s operation of the foot pedals can be especially dangerous.

An emergency stop could send a pet plummeting to the floor or into the dashboard where they could be injured. Pets should be secured in a car pet carrier or with a pet harness (available at pet stores) that can be attached to the seat or seat belt.

Rawhide bones can occupy a dog for hours and remember that pets need rest stops too. Make sure you have food and water available on a long trip.

Never leave children or pets unattended in a hot car. Even when it is relatively cool outside, temperatures inside a sealed up car can very rapidly reach dangerous levels on a sunny day.

Labels: children, distracted driving, pets, safety tips