Finally, dry weather and sunshine! What a beautiful Sunday afternoon I had to take my kids to the ballpark for Kids Opening weekend. I guess when you live in a "baseball town" and have grown up with the same
team - many of your fondest memories revolve around those days and I don't my kids to miss out on that.
So, yesterday, we packed up drove out and tried to find a parking spot with a million others dressed in Red. I suppose the thing that caught my attention, though, after a winning ball game and driving home with smiles on our faces and windows open was the group of motorcycles that drove (okay, flew) past us on the highway.
Now, I have to confess, I am not one who pokes along...so here I am doing - let's say 70 to keep me out of a lot of trouble (+ or - 10)...and 3 bikes went whirring past us - they had to have been doing close to 100 with short sleeve shirts and (yep one guy had shorts on) proudly I do have to say that they did have helmets (but JMO but you hit something at that speed - helmet or no - it isn't going to be pretty).
My point, I am not a motorcycle fan. Now my husband would absolutely love a Harley but after spending my college summers working in the X-Ray department in the ER and watching them bring in the guys they had scraped off the pavement - leaves a lasting impression let me tell you!
But, I read a recent article (and sorry can't seem to find it again but was from March 2008) that stated - since the state funding for highways is no longer linked to riders having a helmet, enforcement has dropped tremendously and many states have even let their laws drop (despite this
fact: Recent data from Advocates for Highway and Auto
Safety cites nearly 75 percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders
were not wearing a helmet in states without mandatory helmet laws
compared with only 15 percent in states with all-rider helmet laws.
What’s more, latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration estimates helmets saved 1,158 motorcyclists’ lives in
2003, and that 640 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had
worn them.)
So what do you think? A drivers choice to wear a helmet or not? Or should the laws be enforced like the seatbelt laws? Would love to hear your opinion...enjoy that sunshine and either way- Be
SAFE....
Okay - I do admit that I am one of those who can be labeled an aggressive driver. Actually, I am courteous - I pass in the passing lane and move back over to the slow lane and drive until I need to pass again - THAT IS THE LAW….
Those of you who drive in the passing lane doing below the speed limit need to be ticketed…my opinion but you cause more accidents by your behavior not by ours. We are just trying to get around you.
Example…today, I was on my way to my son's football game - the championship (which we won!). On a two lane highway, man in pick up truck moving two mattresses, going 55 in a 70mph zone. I tried to pass and he sped up and then slowed down to 50. The car next to him kept up, blocking my daughter and I in. We were finally able to pass. I didn't even want to speed - just wanted to do the speed limit! PASS AND GET OVER….
if we were all courteous to each other, we wouldn't have so much frustration on our roads. And my biggest problem with this whole scenario? The driver was talking on his cell phone like he was the only one of the road…
Why the rant when this is the time of year to be Thankful? Well, a recent National Safety Council report estimates 564 people will be killed and 29,300 will be injured in motor vehicle crashes during the 4.25 - day holiday period, which begins at 6 pm on November 21 and ends at 11:50 pm on November 25th. They also project that seat belts will be responsible for saving nearly 500 lives during the same period ( so don't forget to BUCKLE UP). Just FYI, in 2005, the council’s Thanksgiving holiday estimate was 610 fatalities; the actual count was 605.
So how can we protect ourselves this holiday from becoming a statistic? Sometimes driving can seem automatic, but remember nothing about driving should become routine. Staying focused and free of distractions is a great way to avoid problems on the road such as crashes and traffic stops.
Have you ever done the following while driving?
• Changed the radio station
• Put in a CD
• Ate, drank, or smoked
• Combed your hair or put on makeup
•
Picked up something on the floor or between the seats
• Talked or text messaged on your cell phone
• Joked, argued, or turned around to talk with other passengers
• Read a map or newspaper or checked your calendar
If you answered yes to any of these, then you were not paying attention to your driving.
• Driver distraction is a contributing cause in 10% of fatal accidents and 24% of all accidents.
• Did you know? If you are driving at 55 mph and take your eyes off the road for 3-4 seconds, you have traveled the length of a football field.
• Cell phone use while driving can cause major distractions for drivers, even those phones which are “hands free”. The mental distraction of talking impairs a driver’s ability to make decisions about driving.
And for those other aggressive drivers out there like me, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, at least 1,500 people a year are seriously injured or killed in senseless traffic disputes. (I do have to ask you slower drivers to be just as courteous as well - MOVE THE HECK OVER! It's the Law…)
How to avoid aggressive driving
• Do not drive when angry, upset, tired or ill
• Be patient and courteous while driving
• Leave a little early and allow extra time to get to your destination
• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you
• Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt — we all make mistakes
• Avoid conflict, even if you are right
• Do not block the passing lane - yield to the right for any vehicle that wants to pass you
• Avoid eye contact with other drivers who appear irritated – it can be interpreted as a personal challenge
• If a motorist pursues you, drive to a police station, convenience store, or public place where you can get help
And finally, if you must drink this holiday (yes, I agree a nice glass of wine does go with all that turkey and a beer with football is a perfect combo as well…)just don't drink and drive - enjoy yourself and designate a driver - it will keep us all
safe!
I am a punctually challenged person and have to admit I have a problem with maintaining the speed limits because I'm always 20 minutes late for my next appointment. I also have a problem with those who enter the fast lane - yes, I know it is the law to go 60 - slow up traffic and do not pass and get over.
But is driving fast really worth it?
This week's Safety Month Focus is safe driving:
How much money do speeding-related crashes cost the United States every hour? $4.6 million per hour
Is it really worth it?
• The annual cost of speeding-related traffic accidents to the U.S. is $40.4 billion.
• 30% of all traffic fatalities are related to speeding.
• Maine (50.9%) and Hawaii (49.3%) have the highest proportion of speeding-related fatalities.
• Florida (6.7%) and Iowa (9.8%) have the lowest proportion of speeding-related fatalities.
• Speeding kills an average of 36 vehicle occupants per day. This figure has not changed significantly in the past ten years. Speeding…
• Reduces a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway.
• Extends the distance necessary for the3 vehicle to stop.
• Increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard.
• Compromises the integrity of the vehicle structure.
• Decreases the effectiveness of vehicle design features, such as air bags and restraint systems.
• Decreases the ability of roadway hardware, such as guardrails, barriers and impact attenuators to protect occupants.
• Increases tread wear on tires and wear on braking systems.
• Increases the risk of crashes because other vehicles and pedestrians may not be able to judge distance accurately.
My husband reminds me every morning as I speed out of the drive way in my corvette that the highway is not my own raceway...so is it really worth that chance of danger or would I rather be a few minutes late and arrive safely? (and yes, I know, I could leave a few minutes earlier but easier said than done for a busy, working mother....)
Be considerate of others on the road as you leave in the morning and be SAFE....
