Tag Archives: Drive

General Safety Issues

FOUR WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM CRIME (GUEST POST)

The world is a crazy and sometimes scary place. As a Los Angeles criminal attorney, you can bet that I know just how true that is. Criminals out there are becoming more crafty and cunning by the day, looking to prey on honest and hardworking individuals like you and me. As they ramp up their efforts to become more successful in succeeding at crime, the average citizen has to step up his/her game as well to counter these efforts. Here are four simple ways that you can protect yourself from criminals. 

Drive If You Can—If You Can’t, Walk With Friends

If you’re traveling at night, drive whenever possible. Keep your garage door closed until you are safely in your car, and lock your doors before you open it. If you are walking, make sure that you walk in larger groups so as to deter criminals from approaching you. The added plus to walking in a group is that you have extra sets of eyes with you so that you can sight and report any type of suspicious activity that you may encounter. 

Educate Yourself and Your Family

There are plenty of safety-first type programs and courses out there that can help you, your friends, and your family to become more educated on safety-related issues. Local law-enforcement agencies are a great resource for these types of programs as well. The types of issues that you should be looking to become educated on are:

  •                  How to handle emergencies
  •                  How to identify suspicious persons and suspicious activities.
  •                  How to recognize a house that is being burglarized
  •                  What to watch out for when entering your own home, in the case that it is being burglarized.
  •                  How to recognize stolen merchandise.
  •                  How to protect your home and family

The best way to reduce crime is prevention, and knowledge is one of the best modes of said prevention. 

Keep Your Cellphone on Your Person

You know that little device that you use to text and talk on throughout the day? Yes, your cellphone! Not many people think of it as a safety device, but in the event that you see a crime in progress, or are put in a position of danger, what would you do? If you answered “I would call the proper authorities”, you are among the many that have answered that question the same way. Unfortunately, you can’t do that if you don’t have a cell. Keep your phone charged and on you at all times. 

Be Careful with Your Social Media

This isn’t one that a lot of people think about, but be extremely conscious about what you do with your Facebook, Twitter—any of your social media profiles. There is a lot of information on you that can be harvested just by looking at your photos and profile pages. Don’t post pictures of yourself while you are on vacation because that signals that your home is open and available for any burglar that wants it. Another thing to consider would be not posting pictures of your children on your page. They need not be the center of any unnecessary attention, because you never know who is out there watching.

Vincent: Thank you for this advice on personal safety.  This applies to every age.  For students going off to college, or moving out of their parents’ home after graduation, it is especially important that they realize the world can be an unfriendly place; they need to stay with their friends and become familiar with their new surroundings. pb

 

General Safety Issues

DISTRACTED DRIVERS ARE DEADLY DRIVERS, Part II

Week four of National Safety Month, 2010, in the U.S. focuses on distracted drivers using cell phones.  Parts of this article were originally written for week four of National Safety Month, 2009; however, things haven’t changed very much in a year’s time.  There have probably been more persons to add to the statistics that have killed or injured by someone who was texting or using a cell phone while driving.  (On ABC News last night, it was reported that there is a 23% more risk of an accident if texting on a cell phone while driving.) Let’s hope someone out there will heed this message.
Our vehicles now have so many complex DVD players, CD players, bluetooth and satellite navigation systems that it’s a wonder we actually have time to focus on the main thing – driving!  The National Highway Transportation Highway Safety Administration reports that distracted drivers cause nearly 4 out of 5 motor vehicle crashes in the United States.  Now we get to the major culprit: cell phones.    In a survey taken by a major insurance company, almost 40% of teens and young adults admitted that they send and receive text messages while driving, and also said they hit someone while doing so, or were almost hit by another car whose driver was talking/texting on their cell phone.
In our article earlier this year, “Thank You, Oprah,” we recognized this celebrity who has convinced thousands of drivers to take the “No Phone Zone Pledge.”  If you have seen just one of her shows that features a family or person who has been affected by an accident caused by a driver using their cell phone or texting while driving, it should have convinced you to sign her pledge. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that more than 150,000 persons are injured in accidents caused by drivers either texting or talking on their cell phones each year.
The next time you get behind the wheel, think about your total commitment to safe driving.  Things that are going on in your life that might cause you to become distracted, are not worth losing your life over.  Try this:
o Turn the cell phone off.  Your messages will be on it when you arrive safely at your destination.  (In your heart, you know it’s the right thing to do!)
o Visit with your passengers without looking at them. (They can still hear you.)
o Don’t eat while driving, and of course, don’t drink alcohol while driving (it’s against the law!),
o Put your make up on before you leave the house.
o Do your reading at home, work, or the library!
o Set your entertainment or navigation systems before you start.
o Strap in the kids and hope for the best.
More and more travelers will take to the roads during the summer months.  Always stay focused on being a safe driver.  That should be your #1 priority every time you start the car.  Don’t let distractions get in your way.
Week four of National Safety Month, 2010, in the U.S. focuses on distracted drivers using cell phones.  Parts of this article were originally written for week four of National Safety Month, 2009; however, things haven’t changed very much in a year’s time.  There have probably been more persons to add to the statistics that have killed or injured by someone who was texting or using a cell phone while driving.  (On ABC News recently, it was reported that there is a 23% more risk of an accident if texting on a cell phone while driving.) Let’s hope someone out there will heed this message.
Our vehicles now have so many complex DVD players, CD players, bluetooth and satellite navigation systems that it’s a wonder we actually have time to focus on the main thing – driving!  The National Highway Transportation Highway Safety Administration reports that distracted drivers cause nearly 4 out of 5 motor vehicle crashes in the United States.  Now we get to the major culprit: cell phones.    In a survey taken by a major insurance company, almost 40% of teens and young adults admitted that they send and receive text messages while driving, and also said they hit someone while doing so, or were almost hit by another car whose driver was talking/texting on their cell phone.
In our article earlier this year, “Thank You, Oprah,” we recognized this celebrity who has convinced thousands of drivers to take the “No Phone Zone Pledge.”  If you have seen just one of her shows that features a family or person who has been affected by an accident caused by a driver using their cell phone or texting while driving, it should have convinced you to sign her pledge. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that more than 150,000 persons are injured in accidents caused by drivers either texting or talking on their cell phones each year.
The next time you get behind the wheel, think about your total commitment to safe driving.  Things that are going on in your life that might cause you to become distracted, are not worth losing your life over.  Try this:
  • Turn the cell phone off.  Your messages will be on it when you arrive safely at your destination.  (In your heart, you know it’s the right thing to do!)
  • Visit with your passengers without looking at them. (They can still hear you.)
  • Don’t eat while driving, and of course, don’t drink alcohol while driving (it’s against the law!),
  • Put your make up on before you leave the house.
  • Do your reading at home, work, or the library!
  • Set your entertainment or navigation systems before you start.
  • Strap in the kids and hope for the best.
More and more travelers will take to the roads during the summer months.  Always stay focused on being a safe driver.  That should be your #1 priority every time you start the car.  Don’t let distractions get in your way.
General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HERE’S A GREAT TEEN DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM!

We want to introduce you to the “Teens in the Driver Seat” program, implemented in Texas following the graduated drivers license (GDL) law passed in 2002.  In a recent study the number of fatal crashes per 10,000 teen drivers fell by 33%, compared with federal data from 36 other states that have the GDL law over a period of 5 years.

The fact that the reduction in fatal crashes in Texas is unique is that the state has two obstacles to overcome when it comes to the law and teenage drivers: (1) they are not required to pass an on-road driving test, and (2) parent-taught drivers education is allowed.  Other methods of driver education are preferable than young drivers being taught only by their parents.

“Teens in the Drivers Seat” is a public-awareness program based at Texas A&M University.

So far, this campaign has been in 300 schools and reached more than 250,000 students statewide.  Everyone knows that teenagers listen to their peers far more than adults.  In TDS, students develop the messages and are the messengers.  An example: in one school, an obstacle course was set up in the hallway, and students sent text messages while rolling through the course in a chair, demonstrating how texting while driving causes distractions.  Many teen drivers admit that they talk on their cell phones while driving and one in four confess that they text while driving.

Students who have participated in TDS state that things they have learned are:

  • Not to have too many people in the car while they are driving.
  • Speed kills.
  • Distractions can be very dangerous.
  • Buckle up that seat belt!

If your state doesn’t have a similar program, check out Teens in the Drivers Seat on the Internet.  It has some very informative stories and ideas.  State Farm Insurance is a partial sponsor of the program.

Teaching our new drivers that driving is a full-time job and to pay attention 100% of the time they are behind the wheel, may be a life-saving lesson.

Source:
Ft Worth Star Telegram
TDS

General Safety Issues

DISTRACTED DRIVERS ARE DEADLY DRIVERS

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Week four of National Safety Month focuses on distracted drivers.  Is there truly anyone out there who can say they haven’t taken their eyes off the road to retrieve something that fell off the car seat, or attempt to comfort a fussy child, or get caught up in a vigorous conversation with their passenger?  Have you noticed some woman putting her make-up on while driving?

I was following a lady who was weaving in the road, and when I passed her, she was reading a road map while driving!  Guess what?  I’m just as guilty, as I took my eyes off the road to see what she was doing.  And what about the guy who’s reading as he’s driving down the road? How safe are you if you meet him on the highway?

Our vehicles now have so many complex DVD players, CD players, bluetooth and satellite navigation systems that it’s a wonder we actually have time to focus on the main thing – driving!  The National Highway Transportation Highway Safety Administration reports that distracted drivers cause nearly 4 out of 5 motor vehicle crashes in the United States.  Now we get to one of the major culprits: cell phones.    In a survey taken by a major insurance company, almost 40% of teens and young adults admitted that they send and receive text messages while driving, and also said they hit someone while doing so, or were almost hit by another car whose driver was talking on their cell phone.

What are driving distractions?  Words that describe distraction are interruption, diversion, agitation, commotion, and disturbance.  Who of us, at sometime, haven’t faced any of these situations?  Our curiosity gets the best of us when something is happening away from the road, and we just have to take a glance.  Or if a song comes on the radio that we just can’t stand, we have to get it reach over to change it right away.  Are we always conscience of pedestrians and persons on bikes?  We can ask ourselves to think back to the close calls we have had, and I would bet everyone has had at least one.

Next time you get behind the wheel, think about your total commitment to safe driving.  Things that are going on in your life that might cause you to become sidetracked, are not worth losing your life over.  Try this:

  • Visit with your passengers without looking at them. (They can still hear you.)
  • Don’t eat while driving, and of course, don’t drink alcohol while driving (it’s against the law!),
  • Put your make up on before you leave the house.
  • Do your reading at home, work, or the library!
  • Set your entertainment or navigation systems before you start.
  • Strap in the kids and hope for the best.
  • Turn the cell phone off.  Your messages will be on it when you arrive safely at your destination.  (In your heart, you know it’s the right thing to do!)

More and more travelers will take to the roads during the summer months.  Always stay focused on arriving at your destination safely.  That should be the #1 priority every time you start the car.  Don’t let distractions get in your way.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

JUNE – NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH WEEK 1 (June 1 – June 7) FOCUS ON TEEN DRIVING

Most of us began driving when we were teenagers………what a powerful feeling to finally get behind the wheel!  How great it was to see and be seen by our peers as we drove up and down the streets, by the high school, and pulled up to the local drive-in.  Many of us learned, as most kids do today as well, by the examples our parents set.  If their driving behaviors consisted of speeding, running stop lights, yelling at some other driver, not wearing seatbelts, drinking while driving, and letting personal upsets get in the way of safety, chances are their teenagers will have learned the same bad traits.  So, parents, think about what type of role model you are.

Stephen Wallace, National Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) say that high school drivers say they talk on cell phones while driving, and that they speed.  They probably text on their cell phones, as well.  It is the mission of S.A.D.D.  to provide students with the best preventative tools to deal with issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.  Originally founded as Students Against Driving Drunk, the group realized there are so many other issues facing teenagers that must be addressed.

Most states require some type of formal drivers education or training programs.  However, this is just a small part of the experience of driving that teenagers get.  Parental supervision furnishes more practice, and open conversations between parents and new drivers go a long way toward building a foundation of safe driving.  Parents should also consider the type of person their teenager is: one that is willing to take risks, or one that shows good judgment.  Will they also obey rules set down by their parents, and follow the regulations of driving?

It’s a great feeling for parents to be able to furnish their teenagers’ first car, but they need to let them know that if the rules are broken, grounding will be in effect.  It would be better to park the car for a week or so, than live with the results of a bad accident that could take their life, or the life of someone else.

We hope that this summer will be a safe one for everyone, especially our teens!  Drive friendly, and keep the roads safe.