Tag Archives: tailgating

General Safety Issues

WAKE UP! IT’S NATIONAL DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION WEEK!

WAKE UP! IT’S DROWSY DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH!

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, November 6th through 12th,  is a National Sleep Foundation public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety. Last year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study showing that the tragedy of drowsy driving is more pervasive than shown in previous estimates. Their study shows that drowsy driving involves:

  •          About one in six deadly crashes;
  •          One in eight crashes resulting in occupant hospitalization,
  •          One in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed.
  •          These percentages are substantially higher than most previous estimates, suggesting that the contribution of drowsy driving to motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths has not been fully appreciated.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analysis of the accidents resulting from drivers falling asleep behind the wheels is cause for alarm and concern. According to the study, younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59, and about 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.

The study also found that –

  • Vehicles in which the driver was accompanied by a passenger were nearly 50 percent less likely to be involved in a drowsy driving related crash.
  • More than half (55%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said that it occurred on a high-speed divided highway.
  • More than half (59%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said they had been driving for less than an hour before falling asleep; only one in five reported they had been driving for three hours or longer.
  • More than one in four drivers (26%) who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year reported that it had occurred between noon and 5 p.m.
  • Men (52%) were much more likely than women (30%) to report having ever fallen asleep while driving; men (14%) were also more likely than women (8%) to admit having done so in the past year.
  • Drivers age 24 and younger were most likely to report having fallen asleep in the past year, but they were least likely to report having ever fallen asleep. This is consistent with other studies that have found younger drivers to have a higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

According to the Foundation’s 2009 Sleep in America poll, about one-third (28%) of Americans admitted that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel within the past year, and more than half (54%) said they have driven while drowsy. The following warning signs indicate that it’s time to stop driving and find a safe place to pull over and address your condition:

  • Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
  • Difficulty keeping daydreams at bay
  • Trouble keeping your head up
  • Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
  • Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
  • Missing exits or traffic signs
  • Yawning repeatedly
  • Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive.

Sleepiness can impair drivers by causing slower reaction times, vision impairment, slips in judgment and delays in processing information. In fact, studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the legal limit in all states. It is also possible to fall into a 3-4 second microsleep without realizing it.  Here’s how to prevent a fall-asleep crash:

  • Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. You’ll want to be alert for the drive, so be sure to get adequate sleep (seven to nine hours) the night before you go.
  • Don’t be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize the holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks.
  • It’s better to allow the time to drive alert and arrive alive.
  • Use the buddy system. Just as you should not swim alone, avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
  • Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours. Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers, or going for a run.
  • Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side-effect.
  • Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
  • Consume caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.

Have you ever been in the car when someone at the wheel falls asleep?  I have, and it’s a pretty unsettling event.   As our driver began veering into the opposite lane, the front passenger asked, “Did you go to sleep?”  She answered yes, and admitted later that she has done it before.  Despite her friend’s advice to find out the cause of this problem, she continues to drive.  Because we must be responsible for our own safety, we should refuse to ride with someone who drives drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Source: National Sleep Foundation

General Safety Issues

DON’T TAILGATE IF YOU WANT TO ARRIVE SAFELY!

On August 5th,  in Missouri, on Interstate Highway 44, two persons lost their lives and around 50 others were injured, following a collision involving four vehicles.  A truck tractor (with no trailer) was stopped because of traffic congestion in a highway work zone.  First, a 19-year old young man ran his pickup into the truck.  Then, a school bus carrying students completely ran over the pickup, and landed on top of the truck.  Next, a second bus loaded with students from the same group ran into the first bus.  One student was killed, along with the 19-year old driver of the pickup.  Around fifty persons were treated and released from area hospitals; however, two students remain hospitalized, one in serious condition. 

Missouri Highway Patrol officers surmise that the accident was caused by driver inattention and following too closely, judging by the accident scene.  A National Transportation Safety Board team of 14 persons will be investigating the cause of the wreck, which may take months to clear up. 

It’s never a good idea to follow a big truck too closely, whether in a work zone, or regular highway conditions.  Truck drivers have certain “no zone/blind spots” that don’t allow them to see that another vehicle is right behind them.  It also takes a big rig longer to come to a stop.  Wrecks are common in work zone areas.  According to the Federal Highway Administration, 720 persons died in work zones across the United States in 2008.  It’s hard to maneuver around barrels in work zones, especially if you are driving too fast, or distracted.  There are workers present in many of those areas, who will appreciate your showing them that you respect their safety.

It’s never a good idea to follow anyone too closely! Another top cause of most crashes  is when someone is literally riding on the tail of the car in front of them.  This angers the driver in front, who taps on their brakes to get the tailgater to back off.  This is a dangerous move that can cause the driver behind to lose control and slam into the front car’s back bumper. 

Timing Rules Used To Avoid Car Accidents Caused By Tailgating:

When you are driving a car, it can be hard for you to determine the distance between you and the car in front of you, so  remember these three rules:

1.  Two Second Rule

If you are on a dry and clear road, it is recommend that you count two seconds to safely gauge the distance between you and the car in front of you.  When the car in front of you drives past a sign, you should reach the count of two before you pass the sign.

2.  Four Second Rule

In wet and rainy conditions, you should allow a four second safety gap between yourself and the car in front of you.  Bad weather can cause decreased tire traction, slips and skids.

3.  Ten Second Rule

In icy and snowy conditions, and roads are most dangerous, allow this rule.  It may seem like too much time needed in order to determine distance, but every winter car accident statistics go up because motorists feel they can ignore this rule.  It’s much harder to control or stop your vehicle on these roads.

Another thought is to observe the speed limit, and allow 10’ of distance for every 10 m.p.h. that you are driving.  If you are going 60, allow 60’ between you and car ahead of you.  This is difficult to do on a busy freeway, but it is possible to do it on a regular highway.  

  Slow down, and back off.  You are all going the same direction, and you will get there safer if you give everyone their fair share of the road.  If you cause an accident and take a life, it will change things forever.  You can’t take it back.  Think about the responsibility you have to be a safe driver each time you get behind the wheel.