If you were standing in line at the supermarket, and the person in front of you didn’t notice the line moved forward, you probably wouldn’t give him the finger and start yelling obscenities. You might say something like, “Excuse me.” Most full-grown adults have been taught how to handle problems without swearing and spitting. So if we don’t handle supermarket drama with four-letter words and threats of death, why do we handle road drama this way?
Whether we’ve been the one receiving it, or the one dishing it out, we’ve all experienced road rage. There’s no arguing that car horns are important. They alert other drivers of danger: “Stop! You’re backing up into my car!” “Careful, you’re coming into my lane!” Horns can stop some very bad accidents before they happen. Unfortunately, they’re used just as often to express our annoyance. “You just cut me off, you idiot!” “Green means go, mister!” Is it necessary, in these situations, to lean on the car horn for 3, 5, 10 seconds? Is there a benefit to cursing your fellow Turnpiker and then insulting his mother? Bad manners only escalate anger, and often result in retaliation and more aggression.
It’s pretty clear why road drama turns good people into meanies. 1. Roads are dangerous, so the consequences of making a mistake are serious and make people upset. 2. Unlike on a supermarket line, you and the guy you’re yelling at are separated by glass, metal, and asphalt. Why not take out all your frustrations from work, school, home, and relationships on this driver in front of you? The anonymity provided by a car makes it easy to behave in ways you normally wouldn’t, when face-to-face.
Next time you’re ready to call someone a name you wouldn’t want your grandmother to hear, try and realize that it’s not really you talking, but an engrained culture of bad roadside manner. Then realize that you’re better than that.
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 <
I’m making my New Years resolution early this year. Recent events have hit me over the head and yelled, “Reality check!” I need to be a safer driver. Of course, I always try to be safe, but the moment I hear that beautiful sound of a new text message, or my boyfriend’s specially-chosen ringtone, my efforts go out the exhaust pipe. I tell myself, I just have to glance at my phone for a split second, and I promise I won’t text back. Okay, I’m just gonna text back “On my way”— it’s such a short sentence I’ll barely have to take my eyes off the road. And before I know it, I’m drifting into the next lane. Does this sound familiar? As previous posts have made me realize, no text is so important that it’s worth a bloody, fatal car crash.
Last week I witnessed the last hours of a boy, Mike, who was just 16 years old. He was killed on a dark, quiet road when the car he was in hit a tree. Mike was one of four people who were squeezed into the back seat, so he wasn’t belted in. It’s such an innocent decision; when you squeeze an extra friend in the back, you feel so tight and snug that it seems nothing could make you budge. (I’ve been that unbelted backseat person.) It happens all the time, but most of these stories don’t end in tragedy.
When the car crashed, Mike probably flew forward and hit the middle console, rupturing internal organs. I was one of the EMTs in the ambulance with him, along with another EMT, a paramedic, and Mike’s father. Mike’s confused cries for help will haunt me forever, and I can’t begin to imagine how they will affect his dad. With IV fluids, the hospital’s trauma team, and the sound of his dad’s voice, Mike clung on to life for hours. But in the end, it was another untimely death resulting from a car accident.
Although this isn’t a story about texting, it made me realize how fragile life is, and how quickly a car can take it away. A simple decision like squeezing six people into a car with five seatbelts, or texting “be there in 10,” can become the decision that ends my life or someone else’s. If Mike’s unfair death made me see anything, it’s that nobody should have to miss their 17th birthday. I hope this teen tragedy will help more people will think twice before making a bad decision behind the wheel.
> Article about the accident: www.safetysign.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.
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!
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
Car Seat Recommendations for Children
- Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in
your vehicle and use it every time.
- Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle
owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the
seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
- To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
- Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
Birth – 12 months
Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
1 – 3 years
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
4 – 7 years
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.
8 – 12 years
Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.
Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.
DESCRIPTION (RESTRAINT TYPE)
A REAR-FACING CAR SEAT is the best seat for your young child to use. It has a harness and in a crash, cradles and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child’s fragile neck and spinal cord.
A FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT has a harness and tether that limits your child’s forward movement during a crash.
A BOOSTER SEAT positions the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger parts of your child’s body.
A SEAT BELT should lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest to restrain the child safely in a crash. It should not rest on the stomach area or across the neck.
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