A Dangerous Mix - Teen Drinking & Driving is still a problem.
The percentage of teens in high school who drink and drive has DECREASED by more than half since 1991. Still, one in 10 teens in high school drinks and drives.
Young drivers (ages 16-20) are 17 times more likely to die in a crash when they have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% than when they have not been drinking.
The percentage of teens in high school who drink and drive has decreased by more than half since 1991, but more can be done. Nearly one million high school teens drank alcohol and got behind the wheel in 2011. Teen drivers are 3 times more likely than more experienced drivers to be in a fatal crash.
Drinking any alcohol greatly increases this risk for teens.
Research has shown that factors that help to keep teens safe include parental involvement, minimum legal drinking age and zero tolerance laws, and graduated driver licensing systems. These proven steps can protect the lives of more young drivers and everyone who shares the road with them. High school students aged 16 years and older who, when surveyed, said they had driven a vehicle one or more times during the past 30 days when they had been drinking alcohol.
Pretty scary statistics here. It is nice to see the decrease, but as this article says, we are not done.
Parents, stay tuned in and 1) involved, 2) involved and 3) involved.
One person is dead and another is in critical condition after a car ran a red light in Phoenix and struck another car, police said.
A Nissan Altima was driving east on Cactus Road about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday and ran the red light at 43rd Avenue, hitting a northbound Kia Optima, Phoenix Police Department spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said.
The driver and passenger of the Altima were NOT wearing their seat belts and their airbags did not deploy, Crump said. The driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was in critical condition. The passenger died at the hospital of her injuries.
Police have not identified the passenger yet because next of kin had not been notified.
The driver of the Optima, who WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT and whose airbags deployed, suffered MINOR injuries and has been released from the hospital, Crump said.
Investigators determined neither driver was impaired, he said. The investigation is ongoing.
DOES 2+ 2 = 4? Usually.
Do seat belts prevent serious injuries and save lives? Almost always.
Texting while walking can be hazardous to your health?
A new study shows that texting or reading email messages while walking throws off balance and posture, increasing the risk of injury.
This is what happens when you let your fingers do the walking.
Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia studied the movement patterns of 26 people as they walked normally and then as they walked with their eyes glued to the screen on their smart phones. When walkers were texting, they ambled more slowly. They moved their necks less, their heads more and hunched their shoulders forward. And big shocker (though not for people walking behind them) they also deviated from a straight path.
Lead researcher, Siobhan Schabrun said that the way texters walk reminded her of elderly robots. “They lock their arms, trunk and head together all in aid of keeping the phone steady in front of their eyes,” she explained. “Previous studies on older populations shows that this type of more rigid posture puts you at greater risk of falling.” Even those who simply scanned the screen with their eyes were more likely to wander off in the wrong direction compared with someone who strolled hands free, the study found.
Schabrun said there is little data on how many people are injured while texting. However, one 2013 Ohio State University study noted that more than 1,500 people were treated in emergency rooms for cell phone-related incidents in 2012, up from just 559 clumsy texting incidences in 2004. Schabrun said it was also interesting to note that 35 percent of her study’s subjects reported having an accident while texting including trips, falls, collisions with other people and walking into an obstacle.
The biggest potential danger, Schabrun observed, occurs when people text or read messages in heavily trafficked areas or near train tracks. “People think they are going in a straight line but they aren’t,” she pointed out. To avoid injury, Schabrun’s advice is simple: Don’t walk and text. “But if you do need to text, move to one side, stop, then text,” she advised. “When you are done you can continue walking.” You’ll be safer, she said. And other pedestrians will thank you for it.
Texting takes your attention away from WHATEVER you are doing—driving, walking, conversations---anything. When other cars are involved, driving or walking, it is NEVER a good idea. Does it increase your risk of harm? No doubt. Does it increase the risk of harm for everyone around you? 100% yes.
This is new technology. We have to learn to deal with it and handle it safely. It will take time. In the meantime, be safe.
According to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (“AHAS”), Arizona ranks among worst for its traffic safety laws.
Arizona continues to fall “dangerously behind” in its adoption of key traffic and vehicle safety laws, according to a national report that ranked states Wednesday.
AHAS graded the states on the rate at which they have adopted 15 laws, that it believes are vital to better road safety. Arizona was one of 11 states the report marked in red, a “dangerous” zone, for our failure to have sufficient numbers of the “key” safety laws a single state should have.
“It’s been really challenging in Arizona,” said Catherine Chase, vice president of government affairs at the association. “I’m not sure if it’s the mentality of the state or the lack of political leadership.”
Arizona lacks nine of the 15 key safety laws ranked in the report, including an all-rider motorcycle helmet law and primary enforcement for seat-belt use – two laws required to have in order to receive a passing grade. Six of the nine the state missed out on are graduated driver-license laws, which phase in a teen driver’s ability to fully use his or her driving privileges. (Note: Arizona does have this) Arizona showed almost no improvement from last year’s report. It failed in that time to pass an all-driver text messaging restriction, one of the laws pushed in the report.
State Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, agreed that Arizona must focus on passing the statewide ban on texting while driving. “It’s a major issue,” said Farley, adding “we need to make it safer for Arizona.” Farley was the first state lawmaker in the nation to call for a ban on texting behind the wheel in 2007. Since then, 37 states have passed statewide bans – but not Arizona.
Several cities in the state, like Phoenix, have enacted some form of restrictions on texting while driving, but that was not enough for Arizona to get a passing grade in this category. Rep. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, who is working with Farley to get a ban on texting behind the wheel, said it is time for action on the issue.
“When we’re texting while we’re driving, we’re putting everyone else’s lives at risk,” Steele said. “We don’t need to see more people die as a result of distracted driving.” But Farley said he does not expect his bill to get through the Senate easily. His bill was assigned to multiple committees for review Wednesday and received “strong support from prominent members in the Senate,” but he does not expect support from Senate leadership.
Chase said Arizona, like most other states in the “dangerous” zone, lacks leadership to get these laws passed. “It takes some bold political leadership to get these passed,” she said. Chase said it has been a fight in Arizona for even the simplest of laws, but people must push legislators to act. “We have the research, we have the data that show they’re effective,” she said of the laws. “So get them on the books and start saving some teenage lives, and everybody who is sharing the road with these teens.”
To date, Arizona has failed or refused to pass these laws for reasons that “we have too many laws already”. Ok, what? That is the excuse---really?
So, no matter how much sense a new law might make, no matter how much good a new law might do, we should just say “No” because we have too many already?
If that is the case, then we should abolish the legislature. After all, that is their purpose—to make new laws. If we have too many already, why do we need them anymore?
Come on Arizona, wake up a bit here. A little common sense can go a long way in making the roads safer for everyone.
Speed is involved in about one out of three fatal crashes, according to NHTSA. It is the third leading contributing factor to traffic crashes. But while injuries and fatalities due to other dangerous behaviors such as driving while impaired and not wearing seatbelts have been significantly reduced, speed is still a challenge.
The NHTSA defines a crash as speed-related if a driver is charged with a speed-related offense and/or if an officer indicates that racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit contributed to the crash. Surveys find that although people name “excessive speed” as a threat to their safety, the majority say they also exceed the posted speed limit when driving. There are many reasons why people drive too fast.
According to Focus on Safety: A Practical Guide to Automated Traffic Enforcement, drivers speed because:
They’re in a hurry.
They’re inattentive to their driving.
They don’t take traffic laws seriously; they don’t think the laws apply to them.
They don’t view their driving behavior as dangerous.
They don’t expect to get caught.
Some or all of the above.
Speeding results in:
Lives lost – over 13,000 each year.
Work zone crashes and fatalities – speed was a factor in 27 percent of fatal crashes in construction and maintenance zones.
Unsafe school zones – compliance with lower speed limits is poor.
Economic costs -- speed-related crashes cost society over $40 billion annually, according to NHTSA. Every minute "gained" by speeding to a destination costs U.S. society over $76,000.
Speeding is often one of several risky factors in fatal crashes, because alcohol-impaired drivers are more likely to speed, and speeding drivers are less likely to wear seat belts. Alcohol, lack of seat belts and speeding are a deadly combination.
Young males are the most likely to be involved in speed-related crashes. According to NHTSA data, 39 percent of male drivers age 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.
People often think of highways as a major factor for speeding fatalities, perhaps because speeds are highest on highways. But the vast majority of speeding-related fatalities happen on roads that are not interstate highways. NHTSA's fatality data shows that 47 percent of speed-related fatalities occur on roads posted at 50 mph or less, and more than 20 percent occur on roads posted at 35 mph or less.
In Arizona, posted speed limits are considered by law to be “reasonable speeds” for the area of roadway with normal traffic conditions. ALWAYS, you must adjust your speed based upon multiple factors: Traffic and pedestrian presence, weather and type of roadway. Is it a violation of the law to travel 65 on a 55 mph high with no traffic? No. Could it be a violation of the law to drive 25 in a 25 mph zone in an area filled with school kids? Yes. You are required to adjust your speed to the traffic and other conditions present at all times. “Reasonableness” is always the deciding factor.
In 2012, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,174 lives. Seat belts have saved nearly 63,000 lives during the 5-year-period from 2008 to 2012.
These annual estimates of lives saved, have been produced by NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis since 1975. The estimates are calculated using the effectiveness of each device or law that is mentioned.
In addition to the 12,174 lives saved in 2012 by seat belts (occupants 5 and older), 2,213 lives were saved by frontal air bags (occupants 13 and older), 1,699 lives were saved by motorcycle helmets, 525 lives were saved by 21-year-old-minimum-drinking-age laws, and 284 lives (4 and younger) were saved by child restraints (child safety seats and lap/shoulder belts).
An additional 3,031 lives would have been saved in 2012 if all unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts; and if all motorcyclists had been helmeted, then an additional 781 lives would have been saved.
The simple truth: Seat belts save lives. Period. End of story. No questions.
Most people were ‘teen drivers’ at one time. Now that most parents have teens of their own, it’s time to lay some ground rules in making sure they drive safe and drive smart. Car Accidents involving teen drivers are still increasing. There are many reasons for this, but the main cause is distracted driving. Face it, teen drivers are the most inexperienced drivers on the road today.
These four (4) rules will help in keeping your teen driver safe while they are behind the wheel:
Talk to your kids about traffic safety early and often, before they reach driving age, but don’t stop there. Have conversations with the parents of your kids’ peer groups and compare notes—both are key to your teens’ safety. (In 2011, car accidents were the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the U.S. That year, 2,015 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes. Almost half (45%) of those teen drivers died in the crash.)
Show your kids safe driving behavior. Start by modeling good habits any time you drive, even before they begin to drive. Turn off your cell phone and put it in the glove compartment before putting your key in the ignition. (Talking is important, but action is even better.)
Set ground rules and outline the consequences for breaking them in a Parent-Teen Driving Contract. Consider hanging your contract by the family car keys or near the front door.
Set rules for your teen driver. Make sure they follow these. It’ll put your mind to ease knowing they are that much safer.
- No CELL PHONES
- No Extra Passengers
- No Speeding
- No ALCOHOL
- Seat belts – ALWAYS!
These tips/rules can have a real impact on your teen driver. Let them know that you are serious about these rules. Make sure they know: Driving is a privilege and not a right.
With these tips and rules in hand, it’ll ease both your mind and also the mind of your teen driver.
Falling asleep behind the wheel is clearly dangerous. But, driving drowsy can just be bad too. Not only does it slow down your reaction time, but it also decreases your attentiveness and your ability to make decisions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are between 5,000 and 6,000 accidents each year that can be contributed to “drowsy driving”.
How often do Americans fall asleep while driving?
In the last 30 days, nearly 150,000 drivers over the age of 18 admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle. This number is scary.
Prevent drowsy driving, before taking the wheel
Get enough sleep! Simple as that. You need around 7-8 hours of solid sleep in order to be fresh and aware enough to drive.
If you have a sleep disorder, make sure to seek treatment.
Refrain from drinking alcohol or taking sedating medications before driving.
Drowsy Driving and Alcohol
Drowsy Driving after approximately 18 hours awake is similar to that of someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%.After spending 24 hours awake, that number doubles to 0.10% (BAC). That means you’d be driving over the limit in every state in the U.S.
The warning signs of drowsy driving—
Yawning or blinking frequently.
Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven.
Missing your exit.
Drifting from your lane.
Hitting a rumble strip.
Drowsy driving is something that many don’t think about----until it’s too late. Don’t become another statistic. Get your rest and drive safe and smart. If you are tired, have someone else drive.
It doesn’t seem all that harmful, as we all do it. But next time, think. Don’t take a chance.
Pedestrian deaths caused by distracted drivers have risen in recent years, a study found.
Now that digital devices have become more pervasive in our daily lives, they pose a serious threat as a distraction — not only at our jobs, but also in our cars. According to a recent study, the number of pedestrians and bicyclists who have been killed by distracted drivers has risen significantly in the past several years — up to 50 percent more in 2010 than in 2005.
Researchers say distracted driving is a public health threat. Even though vehicle deaths have decreased in the U.S., the number of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths caused by distracted driving has actually been increasing. “We’re constantly exposed to distracted drivers,” Fernando Wilson, author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said in a news release. “I don’t think there’s a day that I don’t see someone driving and using their cell phone. A lot of times they’re texting. It’s something that’s pervasive in society. That’s one of the reasons it’s so difficult to deal with.”
The study, which used data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System, found that mostly white males between the ages of 25 and 64 accounted for the distracted driving that ultimately led to pedestrian and cyclist deaths. The number of pedestrians killed by distracted driving reached 500 in 2010, from 344 in 2005; the number of bicyclists killed, meanwhile, rose 30 percent, from 56 in 2005 to 73 in 2010. Half of these deaths occurred during daytime hours.
According to Distraction.gov, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website dedicated to distracted driving, there were 3,328 people who were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2012. There were a total of 32,885 people who died in traffic crashes in 2010, and some 10,228 who died in a drunk driving accident. Though drunk driving still takes up the bulk of traffic-related crashes, distracted driving has become a cause for concern. Since 2009, NHTSA “held two national distracted driving summits, banned texting and cell phone use for commercial drivers, encouraged states to adopt tough laws, and launched several campaigns to raise public awareness about the issue,” it states. The NHTSA also explains that there are three main kinds of distraction: manual distraction, which involves taking your hands off the wheel (eating or applying makeup while driving); visual, meaning your eyes are no longer on the road (texting); or cognitive, taking your mind off driving. Find a number of research reports on distracted driving accidents here.
Currently, 41 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have bans on texting for all drivers. 12 states ban drivers from using handheld cell phones at all. Some states only have bans on cell phones for novice drivers, while other states — such as Montana — currently do not have any bans regarding distracted driving.
Arizona? Arizona? Hello??? You finally listening???? (Please?)
Drivers are endlessly creative when it comes to finding dumb things to do while behind the wheel: Eating, texting, reading a map, applying makeup.
But technology has now inspired an alarming new trend: Drivers taking self-portraits, or "selfies," with their smartphone cameras while in motion.
Idiotic? Maybe so, but these self-portrait artists aren't shy about sharing their photos. Instagram shows more than 3,727 posts under the #drivingselfie hashtag, more than 1,869 for the plural #drivingselfies, and more than 9,700 for #drivingtowork. Some users add the optimistic tag, #Ihopeidontcrash.
On Twitter, a search for "driving selfie" turns up hundreds of images. Not all the photos or videos shot by drivers are of themselves. Some are of their passengers being goofy or of pretty scenery zipping past. All this photo-taking requires using at least one hand to open a camera app, frame the shot and press the shutter button.
Not surprisingly, highway safety advocates aren't thrilled.
"Taking a photo of yourself while you're driving a 2,000-pound vehicle down the road at 50 or 60 miles per hour? That is putting your life in danger and putting the lives of those around you in danger," said Jackie Gillan, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
The trend isn't limited to cars. There are also selfies of people piloting motorcycles, boats and even planes. It's not always clear from the photos if the vehicles are in motion or if the drivers waited until they were at a full and complete stop before capturing their very important moment. A few are group shots taken by passengers, which keep the driver's hands on the wheel even if his or her eyes are off the road.
Governments, law enforcement and safety groups have been pushing hard in recent months to raise awareness about distracted driving, with texting receiving the most attention. For today's young drivers, smartphones are rarely out of sight, and each ping announcing a new message can be a siren song that's hard to resist.
If motorists are caught taking self-photos while driving, they could receive a ticket. Using a phone while behind the wheel, unless tethered to Bluetooth or another hands-free system, is illegal under many state laws.
And wearable devices may be the next target for enforcement. A woman in San Diego got a ticket last week for driving while wearing Google Glass, the headset that projects Web content on a tiny screen above the user's right eye.
More than 3,300 deaths every year are caused by distracted driving, according to the Department of Transportation. Taking a photo, like checking a text, might take only a few seconds, but when a vehicle is in motion that's enough time to cause a serious accident, safety experts say.
The phenomenon is alarming enough that Toyota has released a "Don't Shoot and Drive" ad aimed at Instagram-happy drivers. The ad shows a photo of a totaled car edited with various Instagram filters.
So far, the people snapping rolling self-portraits appear to be mostly young adults and teenagers. Teens are the target of the most recent distracted-driving push by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the NHTSA, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Alcohol, speeding and not wearing seat belts are major factors, but distracted driving played a role in 12% of the fatal accidents.
The ridiculousness of the trend may seem amusing, especially to the people posting the images, but safety advocates warn the potential for injury and death is very real. "Driving is a really serious thing," said Gillan. "Can you imagine if a pilot crashed and we found out that people in the cockpit were taking selfies? People would be appalled."
