Category Driving Life

May 26 2022

100 Deadliest Days

For many people, summer unofficially starts Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. While the start of summer is an exciting time for most, not many people know that the time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is considered the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, especially for teen drivers. From the year 2010 to 2019, over 7,000 Americans died in teen related driving accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The NSC (National Safety Council) has noted an association between the monthly number of vehicle miles traveled and motor-vehicle fatalities. The NSC states that mileage and motor vehicle death rates increase during the summer months, particularly the months of July and August. So, don’t let your guard down while we are enjoying lighter traffic due to schools being out for summer vacation. Always be alert and aware of other drivers around you… summer vacation doesn’t mean you should take a vacation from good defensive driving habits.

Mar 23 2022

Don’t Let Rage Take the Wheel

Road rage can happen to anyone, even the calmest drivers can experience it. There have been many studies to find out what exactly causes road rage and the results conclude different things. From stress, to a bad morning or even traffic congestion, it all varies. The American Psychological Association actually did a study and they found that the people most likely to exhibit road rage are young males. But ultimately, both males and females experience it.

Road rage can be dangerous, a small altercation can turn deadly. The L.A. Times wrote an article about road rage and stated that, in 2021, every 18 hours someone was shot and injured or killed in a road rage incident in the United States.

If you ever encounter another driver acting aggressively, remain calm, switch lanes if possible and ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver. Responding to the aggressive driver might lead to the situation escalating. If you are ever caught in a road rage situation where the driver could be following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station. Remember to ignore the urge to reciprocate an aggressive driver’s actions, your loved ones will thank you.

*This traffic safety topic is covered in our 8-hour California Traffic School course for traffic tickets. If you need traffic school to keep a moving violation hidden on your driving record, sign up today at https://www.trafficschool.com/california/california-traffic-school/?source=blog_03232022

Nov 24 2021

Holiday Travel Dangers

When thinking of Thanksgiving, many things come to mind; such as food, family, blessings, maybe even a pleasant memory. But does “dangerous” come to mind? Probably not.

Did you know that the National Safety Council estimates that about 515 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday? That is the most deaths estimated for the Thanksgiving holiday period since 2007. According to the American Automobile Association, it is estimated that more than 53.4 million people will travel this year for Thanksgiving, with the majority of those choosing to travel by car. Car travel has the highest fatality rate in the U.S. for unintentional injury deaths. Alcohol is also a factor adding to the holiday’s high fatality rate. During the Thanksgiving Day weekend (Wednesday evening through Sunday afternoon), about 29% of fatalities that occur are caused by the alcohol-impaired driver.

While this holiday may include car travel and possibly alcohol, making simple choices, such as wearing your seatbelt and having a designated driver can keep you much safer. So, while you’re gobbling up your meal this Thanksgiving, decide to drink responsibly, and as always make sure to wear your seatbelt. It could possibly save your life.

Jun 30 2021

Self-Regulation Techniques

More and more, today’s driving schools and defensive driving institutions teach self-regulation to drivers of all ages. Drivers who self-regulate make driving decisions based on experience to limit certain driving behaviors in order to keep themselves out of harm’s way on the road.   For instance, do you ever find yourself making multiple right turns to avoid having to make a tricky left turn at a hectic intersection? Then you, like many other safe drivers, are practicing self-regulating techniques.

Here are some other common self-regulation techniques you can try:

  • Limiting your night driving (this is the most widespread form of self-regulation)
  • Limiting your driving during bad weather
  • Choosing routes that avoid congestion, construction, and difficult traffic scenarios
  • Driving in the lane you are most comfortable with (i.e. driving in the slower lanes or not driving in the lane directly adjacent to parked cars)
  • Not making optional right turns at red traffic lights
  • Limiting the volume on your radio so you can better hear traffic and emergency vehicles
  • Parking towards the back of parking lots where it is less congested

*This traffic safety topic is covered in our 8-hour California Traffic School course for traffic tickets.  If you need traffic school to keep a moving violation off your driving record, sign up today at https://www.trafficschool.com/california/california-traffic-school/?source=blog_06302021

Dec 31 2020

New Year, New Laws

Each year, the California legislature passes hundreds of new laws. Keep reading to learn about new laws that impact the California Vehicle Code and California drivers.

Points for Distracted Driving

Current vehicle code law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone in a handheld manner and the offense is already punishable by a fine. Beginning July 1, 2021, a point will also be added to a driver’s record for each hands-free cell phone violation occurring within 36 months of a prior hands-free conviction.

Approaching Stationary Emergency Vehicles

The existing “Move Over, Slow Down” Law that requires drivers to move over or slow down for road maintenance crews and emergency personnel on freeways, will now be extended to include highways, local streets and roadways. This law essentially states that drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, including tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, must move to another lane when possible, or slow to a reasonable speed.

Unattended Children

Known as “Kaitlyn’s Law”, existing vehicle code states that you may not leave a child that is 6 years of age or under unattended in a motor vehicle if there are conditions that present a risk. Effective January 1st, 2021, this law has been updated to exempt a person from civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing a child who is 6 years old or younger and who is in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other dangerous circumstances.

Evacuation Siren

Effective September 29th, 2020, law enforcement agencies, upon obtaining a permit from the California Highway Patrol, may use a distinctive audible “Hi-Low” warning siren to be used to notify the public of an immediate need to evacuate an area in an emergency. This distinct warning sound has already been proven effective and will help save lives as California deals with the ongoing wildfire threat.

The state legislature must continually look at existing laws and make changes to continue advancing safe driving practices.  You, as a driver, must stay informed on new laws that have passed as well as evolving driving technology and defensive driving techniques to better equip yourself for the driving task.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year from all of us at TrafficSchool.com!!