Summertime and the end-of-year holidays are when most Americans gather to enjoy their free time with friends and family. They are also some of the most deadly times on American roads due to impaired driving. That’s why during the summer and the end of the year, a nationwide campaign comprised of thousands of traffic safety partners, join together to protect citizens from this deadly crime.
Here in New Jersey, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety utilizes the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to achieve its goal: prevention.
The Goal is Prevention
The key to deterring impaired driving is highly visible enforcement. The research is clear on the affect highly visible enforcement has on deterring impaired driving. Prevention and not arrest is the goal of the campaign. Drivers must perceive that the risk of being caught is too high before their behavior will change. Use the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over message to convince audiences that the chance of being caught is too high to risk. This message works and has influenced many citizens nationwide not to drink and drive.
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 <
A beautiful Saturday in August turned tragic for teens in Atlantic County who had just finished playing a football game for their high school team. Details of the fatal crash are still not known, however what we do know is that the families, friends and community will never be the same. See link for more information http://usat.ly/rg2qI4.
As parents and teenagers we often think that something like this will not happen to us or our friends, but this is yet another reminder that life can change in an instant. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and disability for teens. Parents, learn tips to keep your teen safe at www.NJteenDriving.com. Teens-see what other kids have to say at www.UGotBrains.com.
Distracted Pedestrian PSA from Operation Lifesaver on Vimeo.
Operation Lifesaver’s :30 PSA showing the dangers to pedestrians of being distracted around tracks and trains.
Pedestrian commuters distracted by smart phone calls and text messages risk deadly encounters with transit buses, commuter and light rail trains, or street vehicles. Rail safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver has new public service announcements to remind commuters to “Stay Focused! Stay Alive!”
If you’re a sophomore or older, it’s likely that you’ll have taken a Driver’s Ed class by now. Safe driving videos, guest speakers, booklets—they’re all supposed to help educate you on the dangers of reckless driving. But, how many of you have simply studied, taken the tests, passed, and then forgotten the majority of what you learned because so little of it was new?
We all know to wear our seatbelts, stick to the driving limit, etc… because adults have told us to do so time and time again. But what if it were your peers, your very friends, who reached out to you with these warnings?
If you’re on this site, it’s likely that you know about the recent U Got Brains Champion Schools competition. Attending the showcase that announced the winners, it was difficult not to realize that these students who carried out these projects have grown to truly believe in their messages.
A couple of the coolest parts:
- Short films! In one film, the local police helped out, getting surprisingly into pulling people over and chasing teenagers in cars with sirens. (All acting, no worries). In another film, stunning drama– like scenes utilized special effects, talented actors-to-be, and… coffins? (Apparently they had a coffin lying around, somehow) to present a scarily true message.
- Fairs and assemblies! Asking the help of the fire department, police department, local insurance companies, and more, one school set up a fair for the entire school to take a part in, while another school held an assembly with special guest speakers.
- T-shirts and wristbands! Walking around the showcase, you could have gathered several handfuls of wristbands, silicone rings, pins, stickers, keychains, and more. Handed out at different schools, they provided a way to ensure that the students remembered the lessons taught about safe driving—in a form they were guaranteed to take notice of. Who doesn’t like free stuff?
Amazing, isn’t it, what these teenagers came up with and carried out? And funnily enough, it’s a lot more convincing when your friend tells you that you’ll be shooting around the car with a force of 10,000 pounds if you get in a crash without your seatbelt on than if your teacher tells you that it’s against the law. So… if you care about yourself and your friends, try to help reach out to them yourselves, because you can actually help to save lives. As one school’s team said to their friends,
“I would never let a friend like you go.”
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
The Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your car operating at its best:
• Check the oil, filters and fluids. Oil should be changed per the owner’s manual recommended intervals. Your car’s filters need regular inspection and replacement, too.
• Inspect hoses at each oil change and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted.
• Check the brake system every year and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
• Check that the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. If the battery is three years old or more, it should be tested and replaced if necessary.
• Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
• Schedule a tuneup that will help the engine deliver the best balance of power and fuel economy and produce the lowest level of emissions.
• Check your vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons, such as defrosting.
• Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers and struts, and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie-rod ends and other related components.
• Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewalls. Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy and handling.
• Test exterior and interior lights and have bulbs that are not working checked immediately. Replace windshield wiper blades every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering for optimum wiping performance and safety.
To help you drive smart and save money, visit www.carcare.org and check out the free digital Car Care Guide.
Rich White
Executive Director
Car Care Council
Bethesda, Md.
