Some areas I lecture on….

First of all, with the news of rising gas prices – for the average motorists…the best way to handle and conserve gasoline usage is to “stop driving aggressively” – this will also reduce the risk factor of being involved in a collision. It’s a win-win situation.

What is aggressive driving? Plain and simple “breaking laws made for our safety”, such as; driving above posted speed limits – also known as speeding, rushing yellow lights and running red lights – these habits are among the biggest killers in traffic. Also, rolling through stop signs (the California roll), tailgating, constant unsafe lane changes, not using signals – all are signs of aggressive driving.

Motorists – by breaking laws we increase our chances of being in a collision – and we’re burning more fuel. You’re also wearing out their vehicles faster.

Motorcyclists are at an increased danger due to lack of protection on a motorcycle except for the use of good FULL helmet – not those skull cap, beanie cap type helmets.

Seat belts & safety car seats are your biggest life-savers! (See my section on “Is your child buckled up correctly”. But seat belts, if worn correctly – “save lives”.

Speed! What motorists don’t realize about speed will kill them and their passengers – and those they may run into. Motorists don’t realize the crushing factor involved in speed. Basically, at 10 miles per hour (mph) on your speedometer – your crushing impact is equal to being dropped from a “one story” building. 30 mph equals a crushing impact of being dropped from a 3 story building. At 50 mph we start seeing more deaths involved in collisions, and you DOUBLE your chances of being killed in a crash for every 10 mph over 50mph -so at 60 mph you’ve doubled your chances of being killed if involved in a collision. Also keep in mind, the lowest recorded death of someone “not” wearing a seat belt, involved in a crash, was just 12 mph. If more people knew or were taught this – the death factor would probably come down.

Our research also shows “women” -formerly known as soccer moms and now known by “hurried woman syndrome”- are involved in more of these types of collisions. But men were not too far behind in the stats for aggressive driving. It’s anyone in a hurry – or what I call “the rush to die.”

Driving Under the Influence – (DUI) of a drug is a contributing factor to “road rage.” It’s the most abused drug behind the wheel, known as the legal drug called “ALCOHOL”! Alcohol, in the drug category is a “depressant”! A safe rule of thumb, to avoid tickets and collisions – any amount of alcohol in your blood system is considered dangerous behind the wheel. Parents are among those high stats of DUI drivers – injuring and killing their own families. Even driving under the influence of other drugs – even cold medication like “NyQuil” is dangerous. Alcohol is a “depressant” – this type of drug slows down the body’s reaction time and thinking, with an “I don’t care attitude”. It also increases driving aggressively – and quick road rage reaction…also running red lights and stop signs. I know the dangers professionally and personally since my father was killed by a DUI driving June 5, 1992, and my daughter was injured recently, February 10th when she was struck by a 17 year old DUI driver. Luckily minor injuries. DUI is a 24/7 problem, not just during the holidays, or Friday or Saturday nights.

I also discuss teaching your children to respect safety and being a good safety role model for your children – especially when driving. Making sure every one’s always buckled up, not “driving aggressively” – and especially NOT DRINKING AND DRIVING WITH YOUR FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE – OR IF YOUR HAVE A FAMILY WAITING AT HOME FOR YOU!!! I love talking to parenting groups on this one. If you wear seat belts – your children will wear theirs…the same issue when riding your bikes together – if YOU as a parent wear a helmet – your children will wear theirs, especially when you’re not around.

To contact me (619) 441-1615 – to schedule a lecture or email me at monicazech@cox.net

Monica Zech
Public Information Officer & Safety Educator
City of El Cajon, Police & Fire