Feb 27 2015

Railway Safety

railrod_crossing
Crossing railways can be dangerous.  You should only cross railway tracks at designated crossings. Listen and look both directions for trains that may be approaching, and follow these other safety tips:

  • Never stop on the tracks. Make sure your entire car is able to cross with enough space to successfully clear the tracks before starting to go.
  • Be aware of other vehicles that must stop at railroad tracks.
  • Walking on railroad tracks is really dangerous, so just don’t do it.
  • Never race a train to a crossing. Drive with caution around railroad tracks and be prepared to stop.
  • Stop if you see or hear a train approaching. You can easily misjudge a train’s speed and distance because large objects appear to be moving slower than they actually are.
  • When red lights are flashing at railroad crossings, stop at least 15 feet from the closest track. Do not proceed over a crossing until the red lights stop flashing, even if the gate rises. And never drive around a crossing gate.
Feb 11 2015

Intersection Etiquette

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Gridlock

3 Second StopDriving in the city has many hazards including traffic. Heavy traffic can lead to gridlocked intersections. As frustrating and tedious as it is to have a green light and no room to move, remember that legally you cannot enter an intersection if you are not able to completely cross before the light turns red. In other words, being stopped in an intersection is a big no-no. The best thing to do in this situation is stay calm and wait your turn safely behind the crosswalk.

Jan 27 2015

Drivers Ed App 101

Cool New App for Your Mobile Device

Got a new driver in the house? Or maybe you’d like to test your driving knowledge? PhDMV is a cool new App for iPhone and iPad that helps new drivers prepare for the written permit test. The PhDMV app is not your average drivers ed app. Besides offering practice tests that mimic the CA DMV permit test, it also provides a fun new twist on the old classic hangman game. Hangdummy helps teens learn the rules of the road while trying to keep the Crash Test Dummy in one piece. Learn more about how you can get the free app for you or your teen at DriversEdApp.com.

Jan 21 2015

911

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Emergency Vehicles

3 Second StopWhen an emergency vehicle is approaching with its siren blaring and at least one red light flashing, you must pull over to the right and stop. Just remember to never stop in an intersection. If you are already in the intersection, continue through the intersection and drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop. If the road is so full that you cannot pull to the right, then you should just stop where you are. The emergency vehicle will go around you.

Jan 7 2015

Where the Rubber Hits the Road

New Year, New You

It’s a brand new year and that means New Year’s Resolutions. Here are five driving decisions you can take to heart in the year ahead.

  1. Pay Attention: Texting and driving is getting a lot of attention, which is good because it is bad. But it is also good to note that anything that takes your attention away from driving is dangerous, whether it is talking to a passenger to grabbing a snack.

  2. Take Your Time: We all have places to be and a time to be there. However, the important part is to actually get where you are going. Give yourself plenty of time.  Speeding is not an answer. And, if you are running late, be late.

  3. Strap In: Seat belts save lives and take very little effort or time to fasten. Buckle up every time you are in a vehicle. Your life could depend on it.

  4. Heed the Signs: Traffic signs and signals are on the road for a reason. They tell us when, where and how fast to go. They also more importantly tell us when we need to stop. So be attentive and obey the signs.

  5. Be Courteous: Remember we all need to share the road. Showing courtesy and respect to everyone on the road helps ensure that we can all arrive at our destinations safely. Use your turn signals, don’t tailgate, and don’t weave in and out of traffic.

Have a happy and safe 2015!

Dec 23 2014

Oh Deer!

Animals on the Road

Deer-in-the-RoadAnimals on the road are always a possibility. Often, you see the animal too late and don’t have much room to maneuver. If you realize hitting an animal is going to happen, stay calm and avoid slamming on your brakes or swerving suddenly. This could lead to a serious traffic collision. If you strike an animal, attempt to find the owner. If the owner can’t be found, call the Humane Society or the local police department. Do not try to move or transport an injured animal, and never leave an injured animal to die.

Be on the lookout for animals on the road and drive with caution. Anticipating the appearance of animals can help you steer clear of them.

Dec 10 2014

Out After Dark

Night Driving

With the passing of Daylight Savings and shorter days, it’s getting dark earlier. This makes the drive home each night a little more difficult. Night driving brings its own set of concerns and requires more concentration and attention to your driving environment.

Darkness and the glare of lights reduce visibility. You can compensate for poor night vision by decreasing your speed. This gives you time to recognize and respond to potential hazards. Also, you can avoid being blinded by approaching headlights by looking towards the right edge of your lane, and using the lane line to guide you.

So, when you find that your travels take you out after dark, give yourself a little more time and be on the lookout for hard to see dangers.

Nov 25 2014

Steer Clear

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Correct Hand Placement

3 Second StopGrowing up you may have learned that “10 and 2” was the proper hand placement on the steering wheel. With the advent of airbags, it is now recommended that you hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock or a little lower at 8 and 4 o’clock. This position gives you control of the vehicle and reduces the risk of hand and arm injury in the event the airbag deploys.

Nov 13 2014

Festive Follies

Beware Intoxicated Drivers

The holiday season is right around the corner bringing many merry festivities with it.  Unfortunately this usually means an increase in drunken drivers on the road.  If you notice an impaired driver sharing the road with you, what should you do?

  1. Maintain a safe following distance.
  2. Do NOT try to pass or overtake a potentially intoxicated driver.
  3. If the car is behind you, try to turn onto another road.
  4. When safe, pull over and contact the police. Give them as much information as you can in regards to license plate number, vehicle description, location and behavior of the driver.

Most importantly, let the police handle the driver. Do not try to personally stop or detain the vehicle. Stay safe and have a great holiday season!

Oct 29 2014

Wake Up Call

Driver Fatigue

You’ve been there before, driving and struggling to keep your eyes open. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. When you are tired or fatigued, your reaction time, coordination, and vision all suffer.

In 2009, 2.5% (832) of fatal crashes in the United States were reported to involve drowsy driving. And 1.3% (72,000) of all injury crashes in 2009 had reports involving drowsy drivers.
(NHTSA – Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats: Drowsy Driving)

So what can you do to combat drowsy driving before it begins?

  1. Get enough sleep regularly.
  2. Keep your eyes moving and continually scan the roadway to avoid ‘highway hypnosis’.
  3. Regulate the temperature in the car. Don’t let it get too warm. Open a window and get some fresh air moving.
  4. Take breaks. Get out of the car and move around.

Remember, if you start to feel fatigued behind the wheel, the best thing to do is to pull over in a safe place and get some rest.