Tag Archives: driving safety

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

Blind Spots

Here are some tips from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration for side-view mirror adjustment to assist you in the elimination of blind spots. The best way to adjust your side mirrors is to move the glass outwards so your field of view is of other cars and blind spots are eliminated.

These steps can help prevent accidents and help keep YOU safe whether you are driving a fleet vehicle, or your own personal vehicles:

1.    Set your rear view mirror as you normally would.

2.    Lean your head over all the way to the left so it touches the driver’s window. From there, set your left side-view mirror so you can see the back corner of your car.

3.    Lean over the same distance the other way, (your console or gear selector is a good reference point) and set your right side-view mirror the same way.

When you return your head to your normal driving position, you should not be able to see the back corner of your vehicle in either side view mirror.

To see if you’ve adjusted correctly for your vehicle’s blind spot, test it out in a parking lot or other location where you can safely and slowly pull up to a car. You should now always be able to see the car; it should move from your rear view mirror to your driver’s side or passenger’s side mirror with no break until you can spot it with your peripheral vision.

Uncategorized

DRUNK DRIVERS

Pardon the pun, but the statistics on alcohol-related accidents are truly staggering!  Of 42,000 people who die on U.S. Highways annually, more than 18,000 lives are taken due to drunk drivers.  One in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetime.

A terrible accident just happened two days ago in a small Texas town.  While passing through this little town, a driver forced one man’s car off the street, kept going, only to nudge another company vehicle innocently on its way to work.  As law enforcement was notified, the driver moved on out of town.  In a matter of minutes, going at a high rate of speed, he hit another vehicle so hard that it became airborne, slamming head-on into a tree, taking an innocent person’s life.  The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where a blood sample was obtained, resulting in an intoxicated manslaughter charge.  The accident happened around 8:30 a.m., and the driver was on his way to a deer lease.  We can never know what possessed this person to get behind the wheel in this condition.  The family of the deceased can now only grieve over their loss, caused by such thoughtlessness.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has an organized campaign to improve conditions on the roadways.  Some projects they have been able to get approved are:

  • High Visibility Drunk Driving Crackdowns – Twice yearly during high-risk periods such as Labor Day and the December Holidays.
  • Sobriety Checkpoints – Evaluating drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment at specific points of the roadways.  Signs may be posted in advance.  Average time of stop would be the equivalent of a traffic stoplight.
  • Smart Vehicle Technology-Within the next five years, car manufacturers may have developed DADSS (Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety).
  • Ignition Interlocks – Convicted drivers have to blow into a device about the size of a cell phone that is connected to the starting circuit of the vehicle.

Designated drivers play a valuable part toward the protection of their friends who are impaired, as well as the innocent folks in the other lane.  As the saying goes, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk!”

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

DON’T VEER FOR DEER!

The state of Michigan’s suggestion, “Don’t Veer for Deer” is a very appropriate theme throughout the United States, especially at this time. October through December, (November being the highest-rated month) are the busiest times for mishaps involving deer.  Statistics show that since 1993,  (fifteen years) Texas registered the most deaths from deer-related accidents, with 227; Wisconsin recorded 123 deaths, and Pennsylvania had 112 deaths.

It’s not the fault of the deer; urban sprawl is taking over their habitat in many parts of the country.  Combining hunting season with deer breeding season increases the number of deer moving about.  State Transportation Agencies post deer crossing signs in heavy populated deer environments.  High fences are another deterrent for deer; however, these prove to be very expensive.

Deer are spooked by the sound of their hooves on pavement, become blinded by car lights, and cannot judge the speed or distance of vehicles.

Helpful reminders for all of us during this season, as we travel down the highways or country roads:

  • Slow down and be attentive.
  • Remember, dawn and dusk are prevalent times of day when deer are active.
  • Don’t rely on deer whistles; they have been proven to not be effective.
  • If you see a deer approaching your lane, do not swerve; many deaths have occurred when vehicles veered into other cars, or flipped out of control.
  • Again, brake and hold the wheel straight!
  • If you injure a deer, do not attempt to help it.  Pull over, and call the police or highway patrol.  Animals that are hurt may hurt you!
  • No one wants to kill an animal with their car; however, it is better that the animal is killed or injured, rather than humans.

Compared to statistics of drunk driving accidents, (which we will address soon), deer accidents are a small highway safety problem.  However, preventing this type of incident is important to everyone; if this helps just one of you stop and think about how you can prevent colliding with a deer, it is worth the time.

You will be alive and well, and Bambi, his mom, and dad will be, too!

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing

Drivers, Start Your Engines!…. Safely?

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Before you start your engines, we thought we’d share some facts regarding NASCAR Safety.

Millions of dollars have been spent to ensure the safety of the drivers, team members, and the fans of the sport. construct Safety Barriers with materials that absorb better than concrete.  The Hans Device (combination helmet and neck restraint) is mandatory.  Restrictor Plates are used at two high-banked superspeedways, Daytona and Talladega. These plates reduce the speed of the cars for safety.  Cars are designed with two roof flaps, which help prevent cars from becoming airborne.  Drivers, of course, are outfitted with fire retardant gloves, boots, and suits.
Pit Road has speed limits for safety.  Pit Members are required to wear helmets, full fire suits, and gloves.  The gas man must wear a fire apron.  Although it is not compulsory, it is recommended changers wear safety glasses to prevent debris from getting into their eyes.  Since the NASCAR cars do not have wing mirrors, it is mandatory to have spotters to communicate with their drivers to relay information as to location of cars in blind spots.

Mechanix products are probably the most popular gloves NASCAR team mechanics use in their job.  Many products are available: all types of gloves, even ones with lights, ladies’ gloves, Radio Belt, knee pads, backpacks, and more!

If you plan to visit the track, you might want to also take along:

  • Safety glasses with UV protection
  • SunX Towelettes
  • Miracool Bandannas
  • Earplugs from
  • Maybe even some Gatorade

Be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, and drive friendly!

Source:   Wikipedia

Uncategorized

ON THE ROAD AGAIN…..TURN THAT CELL PHONE OFF!

The following information is for your good and the good of all others on the road – using cell phones while driving is dangerous, and puts you and others at risk!  Many countries, as well as some cities and states in the United States have made it illegal to talk using a hand-held phone while driving.  California drivers under age 18 may not use cell phones while driving, except in emergency situations.

If you simply must use a cell phone on the road, here are some tips to keep you safe:

  • Stop the vehicle while placing calls.
  • Use hand-free or speaker phones.
  • If you have to text, for Pete’s sake, pull off the road!
  • Focus on your driving; do not make emotional or important business calls that divert your attention.
  • Keep your phone within easy reach.
  • Let your passenger make the call for you, or let your passenger drive while you make the call.

There are many folks who make their living driving all day (or night).  Employers should ensure mobile workers are using their cell phones safely, and not risking their life or others due to improper cell phone usage.  Companies should create and enforce policies regarding hands-free operation of cell phones in order for their remote workers to be less distracted while driving.  Some prefer to use answering services for their drivers to access once they arrive safely at their destination.

How on earth did we ever make it without these wonderful little gadgets?  They are a welcome convenience to our busy lives; however, we need to exercise caution if we choose to use them while driving.  If we don’t pay attention, the results could be devastating.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DROWSY DRIVERS

Drivers falling asleep behind the wheel of an automobile or truck are major problems we all face.  Typical characteristics of crashes involving this driving hazard are:

  • Late night/early morning hours
  • Late afternoon (older drivers)
  • Occur on high speed highways
  • Driver doesn’t attempt to avoid crash
  • Driver was alone
  • Likely to be serious accident
  • Single vehicle leaving roadway

A study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in conjunction with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Association showed that drowsiness was greater during night hours (midnight to dawn).  The time of day of drowsiness was more a factor than total of hours driven.  The study also revealed drivers need to be given the opportunity to obtain adequate sleep. (Average sleep time was 5.2 hours).  Two major findings were: inadequate sleep and tendency for drowsiness at night.

In another study, young male drivers were more prone to sleepiness while driving, as well as shift workers.  The young male drivers were not as interested in resolving the problem (inexperienced drivers contribute to many fatal accidents); however, the shift workers would welcome ways their employers could make the drive home safer for them.  Fatigue and drowsiness can be a fatal combination; if employers could provide transportation for their shift workers who are not safe to drive, it would be of great benefit to the employee and employer.

Lawmakers should be made aware that the placement of rumble strips along the sides of highways have been shown to be effective to alarm or awaken sleepy drivers as their vehicle is going off the road.  This is one small countermeasure to combat drowsy driving.

Ways to prevent drowsy driving:

  • Plan ahead and get sufficient sleep before trip
  • No drinking alcohol, even small amounts (it’s against the law)
  • Limit driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
  • Ask passenger to drive, when you feel sleepy
  • Stop in a safe place for a 15-minute nap
  • Consume caffeine equal to 2 cups of coffee
  • Avoid driving too many hours per day
  • Stop and take breaks

We hope this article didn’t put you to sleep, and that you will drive safely!

OSHA
NHTSA
FMCSA

Uncategorized

SCHOOL DAYS ARE BACK. DRIVE SAFELY!

School bells are ringing again, and a whole new set of parents and students will be on the roads, rushing to get their little ones to school on time!  Experienced parents and students will also be hitting the streets again.School Sign

We ask you to make this “New School Year’s Resolution”:

“I will take no risks to endanger the safety of my child or other children. I will drive safely this entire year, even if I am late to work or my child is tardy.”

The consequences of an accident far outweigh the consequences of being delayed.

Safety tips to keep in mind when taking/picking up your child:

  • Plan ahead, and allow extra time to deliver your child to school on time.
  • Young children may dart into path of cars, so watch, watch, watch!
  • Don’t assume that your child is safe in a crosswalk; tell them to stop and look both ways, if not accompanied by a crosswalk guard.
  • Be familiar with school zones and speed limits at your child’s school.
  • Do not let your cell phone, palm, or other wonders of technology distract you from the primary goal:  the ultimate safety of your child and other children.
  • Motorists need to obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
  • Be sure to stop for school buses that have stopped to load or unload passengers.
  • When you are backing out of your driveway, be sure to watch for kids hurrying to school, either walking or on their bikes.

We take many things for granted in our daily routines: our jobs, families, and health.  A blunder caused by rushed, careless driving could alter many lives, so slow down, and drive carefully!