After years of improving crash statistics, 2011 saw an increase in the number of people killed on New Jersey’s roadways. According to State Police, seatbelt usage and distracted driving are two factors which contribute to crashes and fatalities on our roadways. Pedestrian fatalities continue to be an issue in New Jersey. Certain areas across the state have higher rates for fatalities. Read more and check out how safe your community is. Click here
There has been an ongoing debate about whether red light cameras improve safety on the roads or are simply in place to bring money to municipalities.
A company who places red light cameras throughout the county, has just released footage on You Tube from crashes and near misses of cars going through intersections which have cameras. Whether you agree with the use of these cameras or not–the footage is fascinating…and scary to watch. See below and tell us what you think.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/nj_intersection_crashes_are_po.html
This is your opportunity to get involved in your school and community to make a difference. We are seeking high school students throughout New Jersey to develop teen driving safety programs and compete against others schools for a grand prize…a driving simulator for your school. Participating schools will each receive a $1,000 stipend to help implement the project and have the opportunity to win cool prizes…while maybe saving somebody’s life!
Application deadline is November 30th—don’t miss out!
> Check out the application at www.UGotBrains.com <
Last year, 19 high school competed against each other and developed amazing projects about driving issues that affect teens. Driving Simulators were awarded to two high schools-Holmdel High School (Monmouth County) and Lenape Regional High School District (Burlington County), but all schools walked away with prizes.
> Check out last year’s projects at www.UGotBrains.com <
More people traveling and more parties to attend means more risk for making unsafe decisions. Don’t let your teens become a statistic over the holiday!
In 2009, more than 3,000 youth died as a result of a motor vehicle crash and 350,000 were injured.
(Source: NHTSA)
Parents, what are your teens doing for the Fourth of July?
Be sure to:
- Educate your teens about the safety of using seat belts
- Re-enforce GDL Laws
- Monitor your teens behavior and ask questions
- Encourage your teens to have a voice when they feel they are in unsafe situations
Know the Graduated driver licesning laws (GDL’s):
Know the laws and reinforce them with your teens that following the laws could save their lives.
Seat belt facts:
Check out statistics and information.
Parent-teen Contracts:
Develop a positive relationship with your teen by talking about the drivnig rules and having them commit by signing a contract. The contracts will give you the opportunity set the standards and your teens will understand that driving is a privilege that should be earned.
Originally appeared on Under Your Influence.
Sunny skies and long summer days are back. But with the return of this season also comes the return of avid motorcyclists to New Jersey roadways.
As we can all attest, riders are everywhere. In this state alone, there are about 300,000. And, this number could increase as gas prices continue to power up motorcycle popularity.
With riding season in full swing, we need to be extra vigilant of each other. In fact, New Jersey is urging all of us (both motorcyclists and four-wheeled drivers!) to safely share the road.
Last year, 67 people were involved in fatal motorcycle crashes in New Jersey. Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, it’s a good time to be aware of other vehicles around us.
For riders, it’s important to use every means possible to ensure a safe, injury-free riding season. It doesn’t hurt to be reminded to wear helmets, gloves, and protective clothing to minimize injury… or worse, prevent death. It’s also a good idea to ride in groups with friends whenever possible. As we know, there is safety in numbers.
Are you a new rider? Has it been a while since you’ve ridden a motorcycle? Consider taking a “refresher” course through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. There are other resources and tools worth checking out before you get back on your bike. A little education and some friendly reminders could go a long way.
Motorists have responsibilities, too. We must get in the habit of looking out for motorcycles. Though they’re harder to see than other vehicles, try to anticipate their maneuvers. Riders often change lane positions to respond to road conditions, weather or other factors. Also, allow ample space when following a motorcycle – give them a full car length as you would any other vehicle.
So, before you head out on the road, be sure to do your part to make our roads safe. Together, we can make driving safer for everyone.
See Also:
How many times have you heard that before? The concept of your first time at the wheel is something so dangerous, so frightening, so nerve-wracking—that it’s beloved. How many teens don’t love the adrenaline rush of taking risks or the satisfaction in showing off to friends extreme unconcern and nonchalance in the face of danger? Besides, everyone drives—surely you alone can’t be all that terrible at it.
The problem is, everyone drives—but not everyone survives.
Equation time!
Desire to show off in front of friends + adrenaline rush + desire to overcome obstacles + desire to be seen as “cool” = forced nonchalance.
Forced nonchalance + trust in modern safety technology + knowledge that everyone drives = somewhat uneasy trust in your own driving capabilities.
That somewhat uneasy trust in your driving capabilities + a few successful rides = overconfidence.
And then, of course:
Overconfidence + under experience = K.O.
Well, perhaps you won’t actually die the first time you take your eyes of the road or click out a quick text. Perhaps you won’t even crash. Maybe not the first time, or the second time, or the third time… But then, you fall into the trap so many can’t see early enough nor stop themselves from falling into: overconfidence. If you’ve done it a few times, it really can’t be that risky, no?
It is. The more relaxed you get into bad habits, the more your chances of crashing—and possible fatalities—increase. Stay smart. Don’t drive stupid.
Turns out NJ drivers have another distraction to contend with while driving…bears!
The “Exit 8” Bear, a black bear that was spotted in a tree near the exit, had to be tranquilized and removed because drivers on the turnpike were distracted by the sight.
Distracted driving is trend that poses a growing danger. Nearly 5,500 people died in 2009 in crashes involving a distracted driver and almost 450,000 were injured. Drivers under the age of 20 make up the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers. Do you want to help put an end to this type of behavior? Here’s your chance:
What is Distracted Driving?
There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing
Add bear gazing to the following list of driving distractions to avoid:
- Tuning a radio, CD player or ipod
- Applying makeup or personal grooming
- Reading
- Tending to children or pets
- Eating and drinking
- Programming a GPS
- Using a cell phone
Your primary responsibility as a driver is to operate your vehicle safely! Common sense and personal responsibility are a major part of the solution. It’s up to each and every person to make sure they “Put it Down” and pay attention to the road. The risks are simply too high!
As you’ll likely know by now, U Got Brains is holding a statewide competition between nineteen “champion” schools in New Jersey, with each school creating a campaign to promote safe driving. And funnily enough, teens in the schools are beginning to actually take notice.
For some, it’s just a question of asking another friend—“wait what’s up with all the sudden flyers?” and for others, it’s the gift of a free shirt or bracelet from a campaign organizer; but gradually, the students in the schools are starting to realize that this is a big deal— and it’s actually happening at their school.
Adults can come in and teach students about safe driving all they want. Some speeches are funny or witty, while others can be eloquent, touching, or powerful. But no matter how wonderful their speeches are, many students just don’t listen. Maybe they’ll listen for the period, maybe they’ll listen for a few days—but eventually, the majority will go back to the far easier methods of texting out quick replies, foregoing the annoying seat belt, and taking that illegal drink at parties.
However, imagine the concepts of driving in full control becoming the new trend. Of students hitting friends over the heads (not literally! …well, depending on how close the friend is) for driving idiotically, friends telling friends “I love you but I’d really rather not risk my life on your skills at looking at the road and at your phone at the same time”, upperclassmen creating precedents that the underclassmen won’t dare to break in the future—essentially, keeping smart in and stupid out.
We can do this, and the U Got Brains competition is one step towards this goal, this hope. If teenagers become the ones to spread the word and tell each other exactly how stupid stupid is, then they stand the chance of actually being heard and even listened to by peers. We as teens have adopted plenty of strange ideas in the past—so why not adopt a life-saving one, this time, instead?
> Find out what the UGotBrains Champion School Project is and see who is participating
Barrel Bob used courtesy of the Missouri Dept. of Transportation. www.modot.org
The spring and summer of 2011 will bring road and bridge construction back to our highways.
Buckle Up! – Every trip, every time – safety belts save lives.
Stay Alert! – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway.
Follow Signs! – They’ll guide you through work zones safely.
Expect the Unexpected! – Watch for flaggers, workers and equipment.
Pay Attention! – Turn the radio down and don’t use your cellular phone.
Be Patient! – Remember workers are improving the road for future travels.
Don’t Speed!– Follow posted limits and adjust for weather conditions.
Don’t Drink and Drive! – Impairment of any kind is unacceptable.
Be Nice! – Merge as directed, don’t tailgate and don’t change lanes in a work zone
And what’s so wrong about that, if you’re driving? You’re not holding the phone, after all…
If you’ve taken a Driver’s Ed class anytime in your life (within the past couple years that hands-free calling has actually been around, at least) you’d know by now something that a horrifying number of people don’t—hands-free phones are like a fraction of a percent less risky than hand-held to use while driving.
That makes no sense.
Yeah, that was the first thought that went through a lot of peoples’ brains when this revolutionary idea was first introduced. Why? Isn’t the big problem with cell phones that you have to take your hands off the wheel to use them, and look down at the screen to text?
Well, that’s some of the problem. It’s never good to drive with one hand, no matter how pro you may be at doing so on a bike. However, that’s not all of it. When you’re driving along and talking over the wire to someone, your attention strays from where it should be—the road—to the person that you’re talking to. And unlike the person sitting next to you, the person on the other end of the connection won’t know if you’re making a tricky turn or maneuvering through cars or anything. They won’t quiet down for you when you need to concentrate, and you can’t suddenly shut up at times to concentrate or you’ll risk offense.
Imagine the scenario like this: you’re playing video games (COD, Black Ops, Pokemon, whatever) and you’re all intent on your game, when someone decides to start talking to you from the side. You’re not taking your eyes or hands off the game—but your mind is, the moment you start talking, and then, unless you’re a real pro gamer—GAME OVER.
Except, real life isn’t a game. So, don’t treat it as one—the cold, harsh, reality, is, there is no “back” or “reset” button. So, treat the one life you have carefully—even more carefully than the last life you’re on two levels from beating a game after half a year’s worth of intense work.
As we can all attest, riders are everywhere. In this state alone, there are about 300,000. And, this number could increase as gas prices continue to power up motorcycle popularity.
