Posted by rozeklawoffice on January 8, 2010 under Avoiding Car Accidents, Car Accidents, General, Safe Driving Tips | 
Despite the fact that studies have proven texting while driving is 4 times as likely to cause an auto accident then driving under the influence of alcohol, automakers and high-tech industries have come together once again to provide the latest technology to distract drivers from…you got it, driving!
High tech industries such as Google see great profit in linking up with automakers to provide the latest and greatest technology. At this years Consumer Electronic Show, the new “infotainment systems” were revealed. These systems comprise of various electronic devices that are set within an automobile’s dashboard. They display information such as 3-D maps/driving directions, high definition video, and web pages. The items will hit the market this year and will soon become standard equipment offered in new vehicles.
Safety advocates believe this could prove to be very dangerous. Research has proven that mobile device usage while driving is an increasing cause of accidents and injuries for both drivers and pedestrians. Unlike Ford’s new system which only will work when the car is in park, Audi’s new system lets drivers pull up websites as they are in motion.
Automakers claim safety is their top priority, however, most of the new infotainment systems leave the driver as the responsible party for limiting their own use.
The industry giants state they are just giving consumers what they want and the things that I-Phones and the Internet have trained them to expect. Safety advocates believe these new options will increase the already alarming statistics of accidents and injuries on the road.
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Posted by rozeklawoffice on December 21, 2009 under Car Accidents, Safe Driving Tips |
Aggressive driving is a major concern of the American public, ranking at or near the top of traffic safety issues in national surveys of motorists. Americans are very concerned about aggressive driving, at least when it’s done by “the other guy.”
Studies have found aggressive behavior increases under states of stress and that certain driving situations such as traffic congestion can evoke stress. Moreover, an aggressive driving act by one driver can trigger a disproportionate response, sometimes even escalating to the level of “road rage.” Be aware that road rage is a criminal act of assault which may stem from a confrontation that occurred on the road.
According to results from the 2008 AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2008), 78% of respondents rated aggressive drivers as a serious or extremely serious traffic safety problem. However, many of the same people reported driving in ways that could be classified as aggressive.
The following are indications of aggressive driving:
• Following improperly
• Improper or erratic lane changing
• Illegal driving on road shoulder, in ditch, or on sidewalk or median
• Passing where prohibited by posted signs, pavement markings, hill or curve, or school
bus displaying warning not to pass, passing on wrong side, passing with insufficient
distance or inadequate visibility or failing to yield to overtaking vehicle
• Operating the vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, or negligent manner or suddenly
changing speeds
• Failure to yield right of way
• Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers, failure to observe
safety zone traffic laws
• Failure to observe warnings or instructions on vehicle displaying them
• Failure to signal
• Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit
• Racing
• Making an improper turn
Based on analysis of fatal crash data from 2003 through 2007, The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that potentially aggressive actions, including speeding, failure to yield the right of way, reckless driving, and the others discussed previously, were reported in 56 percent of fatal crashes. The fact that 56 percent of fatal crashes involved such actions—even if not all of them were committed intentionally and with aggressive motivations—speaks volumes about the great need for traffic safety cultural change.
It is very important for drivers to honestly assess their own driving practices. To be truly safe and responsible drivers, people must discard notions that they can safely perform unsafe behaviors because of their above average skills, and they must stop simply “blaming the other guy.” Helping motorists understand the scope and magnitude of aggressive driving and other inappropriate behaviors, and instilling an appreciation for the magnitude of the threat posed by
these acts, is a vital first step in achieving the positive traffic safety culture we envision.
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Tags: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving, failure to signal, failure to yield right of way, fatal crach data, fatal crashes, illegal driving, racing, reckless driving, road rage, traffic safety
Posted by rozeklawoffice on December 11, 2009 under Avoiding Car Accidents, Safe Driving Tips |
The snow is here and it is here to stay for a while. Please take caution when driving on the slippery roads. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, there are things that you can do to try and override your instincts.
If You Veer Off The Road, your instinct will be to swerve back onto the road. Don’t. Instead, lift off the accelerator, gently straighten up your car, and scan ahead for obstacles. If your car is straddling a high curb, slow to 25 mph before attempting to drive over it.
If Your Tire Blows, your instinct will be to stomp on the brakes. Don’t. Instead, take your foot off the gas, hold the wheel firmly, and gently counter-steer to overcome any pulling or fishtailing the blowout has caused. When you feel in control, gently apply the brakes, signal, and pull over to the shoulder.
You See A Deer Ahead, your instinct will be to swerve or slam on the brakes. Don’t, this can cause a head-on collision with a car or a tree. Instead, aim for the deer’s behind, as it will usually jump out of the way.
You’re About to Rear-End The Car In Front Of You, your instinct will be to brake hard. Don’t. Instead brake even harder. Statistics show that people who think they are breaking hard are usually only using about half of the brakes power.
You Hit Black Ice, your instinct will be to turn away from the slide and hit the brakes. Don’t. Instead, if you think you will regain traction before loosing control, keep your foot off both the gas and the brake until your tires grab again while also steering your car in the direction you want to go. If you are sliding out of control, slam on the brakes which will slide your car in one direction which will at least make it easier for other drivers to avoid hitting you. _______________________________________________________________________________
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Posted by rozeklawoffice on November 2, 2009 under Safe Driving Tips |
There are many things this winter that need to stay at the top of your mind when the road conditions worsen. Knowing safe winter driving tips will help you act faster in a bad situation.
- Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights – even the hood and roof – before driving.
- Pay attention. Don’t try to out-drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
- Leave plenty of room for stopping.
- Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows. The law requires you to slow down or move over when approaching emergency or maintenance vehicles, including snowplows, parked on the side of the road when they have their flashing lights turned on. If you approach a parked emergency or maintenance vehicle during a winter storm and decide to change lanes be extra careful. The passing lane may be in worse shape than the driving lane. There may also be a snow ridge between the two lanes. Avoid making an abrupt lane change. If approaching a snowplow, stay back at least 200 feet (it’s the law!), and don’t pass on the right.
- Know the current road conditions. Call 511 or log onto the winter road conditions report Web page.
- Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions.
- Watch for slippery bridge decks, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
- Don’t use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Don’t get overconfident in your 4×4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won’t help you stop any faster. Many 4×4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don’t get overconfident in your 4×4 vehicle’s traction. Your 4×4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.
- Do not pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to “stomp and steer!”
- Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions by cars and trucks will alert you quicker to problems and give you a split-second extra time to react safely.
- Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Trucks take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
- Go slow!
Source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation
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