This website offers tips on Safe Driving for teens, and stresses the importance of “speaking up” when you’re a passenger in a car and the driver is driving recklessly.    On this website  check out their Safe driving tip section.  Also check the “Safety Videos” section on my website.  Don’t be afraid to “speak up!”

“Speak Up Or Else”:

Note: The number one cause of death for a teen is a traffic collision – most die as passengers – when they don’t speak up!

Be safe!

*In my safe driving lectures I have a special dedication: When addressing the subject of aggressive driving I dedicate my talks to the memory of someone very special who was killed by an “aggressive driver” – his name is “Mr. Durham Sprague”. (Seated in the center above)  He was a retired Carlsbad Firefighter, who raised 4 children, three of them sons, all Carlsbad Firefighters, along with a wonderful daughter, a newspaper/magazine journalist…and one of my best friends – Jeannie!  (She’s seated on the far left in the picture above.)

Mr. Sprague was killed on hwy 805 near Murray Ridge as he attempted to merge into lanes when an aggressive-reckless driver, speeding and weaving through traffic, struck Mr. Sprague’s vehicle causing him to roll off the freeway.  The driver who struck and killed Mr. Sprague had a history of reckless driving.  Sadly, aggressive driving kills and injures everyday on our roadways.  This type of driving which often leads to the road rage factor.   My safety lectures address “aggressive driving” and curbing the rage.  How to deal with stress and road rage, either your own rage or that of other drivers.  My lectures will open your eyes to the dangers and how you can reduce the dangers on our roadways.

My dedication to safety is to provide my audience with  a “professional and personal” look at what it takes to increase your survival on our streets and highways, and at home!  How to avoid making the same mistakes others have made that caused their collision.  I’ll make you more aware of the problems we  see daily at our 9-1-1 emergency calls, what you may have missed hearing or seeing about in the news, and all the latest stats. My goal is to make you more aware of these problems that surround us to reduce the “risk factors” of having a collision.  ”What you don’t know, can kill or injure you…or someone you care about!”

*These talks have been in big demand for driving education/training courses, schools (all levels), traffic schools, Life Skills Classes, Parenting classes, military safety stand downs and for company safety conferences and briefings.  I do utilize some stats in my talks, but I put faces with those stats.  Most are local faces, including yours truly.   But keep in mind - I do not “sugar coat” the issues since my goal is to save lives!  (But of course, when speaking to young children I am careful.)

*Parents of young children – did you know over 90% of safety car seats are not installed correctly.   So you’ll know the law and what it takes to protect your children, check one or more of the following sites – Office of Traffic Safety, California Highway Patrol, Safety Belt Safe U.S.A.

*Parents of teens! – Are you concerned about your teen driver(s)? You should be since the number one cause of death for teenagers is a traffic collision!   Did you also know “parents” are the direct role models for their children, especially in the area of “driving!” Listen to one of my lectures and you’ll learn how to be a safer role model for your family.

*Graduated Licensing Is Saving Lives” in reducing the death rate among teenage drivers! What is it, how does it work and what are the rules/laws? Check here – Graduated Licensing – compliments of the Automobile Club of Southern California .

Any of these talks have been ideal for company safety meetings & conferences.

If you’d like me to speak to your group just give me a call at (619) 460-0299, or send your request via at monicazech@ cox.net.  

No speakers fee for military talks, schools or civic groups!

Note: Yes – I can speak outside the San Diego County area.   A speakers fee may be required for company talks outside of El Cajon,  California.  And, and if airfare and hotel is needed, that must be provided as well.  My speakers fee is negotiable.  

On November 10, 2009, the Brown family’s teenage daughter died following a single car crash.  The investigation found she had been “texting” when she rolled her truck off the roadway.  As it rolled she was ejected through the front windshield.

Her parents started the “Remember Alex Brown Foundation” known as B.U.S.T. – Buckle Up & STOP Texting program.  Click on the following links for more information.

http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/foundation/index.php

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEiBVfvnR6c

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDKOiMSkLxY

Saving lives!

San Diego County experienced some off & on heavy rainfall during December 2010 into January 2011.   Our lawns are greener, but there’s been a tremendous growth of trees, brush, weeds and grass.  When the warm to hot weather hits our county again “all” this overgrowth is fuel for the next firestorm!

Don’t forget to check your defensible space.  Do you have heavy brush conditions on the hillside(s) around your home?  If these areas are steep and too much for you to handle – consider “goats!”   A great resource can be found at:  www.Elmgoats.com.

If you have a large property, or have a large communty that needs brush clearing – contact “Environmental Land Management.”  Goats is just one of several methods they use to clear brush.  For more information visit their website: www.ElmGoats.com.   It’s a service that provides hand crews, mastication machinery and goats to clear your brush, weeds and even trees.

To speak with them directly, call (619) 234-4555 or email them at contact@elmgoats.com.

Sadly – thousands are killed and injured in DUI related crashes every year.  If you’ve been impacted by this preventable crime please contact MADD for “free” (priceless) help.  They helped me and my family when my father was killed by a DUI driver on June 5, 1992.

MADD – Mothers Against Drinking & Driving

Visit their website: www.maddsandiego.org

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driving incident you can call the  24/7 Victim Services Hotline at 1-877-623-3435

Stats
http://www.madd.org/Drunk-Driving/Drunk-Driving/Statistics.aspx

Victims Impact Panel – VIP Panel Information – or scroll down for the schedule:

http://www.maddsandiego.org/webpage/10

Victim Impact Panels

Spanish           4th Tuesday of every month               4:45 pm

San Diego Hall of Justice Jury Lounge, 330 West Broadway SD 92101

Spanish           3rd Wednesday of every month         6:00 pm

Vista Courthouse Jury Lounge, 325 South. Melrose Vista, 92083

English            4th Wednesday of every month         4:45 pm

Spanish           2nd Wednesday of every month         4:45 pm

THERE ARE NO CLASSES ON COURT HOLIDAYS

You must bring photo ID, your case number and due date.

Visitors are allowed as space permits.(This is an excellent program to bring your teen getting ready to drive, or already has a driver’s license to. Or bring someone you’re concerned about to hear about the consequences of drinking and driving. – Monica Zech)

Please call (858) 564-0785 for detailed recorded information.   The office number for the MADD office in San Diego is (858) 564-0780.

Note: Remember, when buying a safety car seat you’re investing in your child’s safety & future!

*But not all car seats fit all cars. You may have to try out different models to fit your vehicle. In San Diego County many of the California Highway Patrol Offices,and some police departments have a designated officer to help install your car seat. Check the list below for the nearest office.

• For some immediate help visit: www.carseat.org - great for recall information. Check it regularly for any changes or alerts.

and/or:

• Safety Council On Line

Resources For Safety Carseat Installations…

Here in San Diego County – to check and see if your carseat is installed correctly, several people have been trained to help install safety car seats to better protect your children. There are several resources to turn to for help.

Here are some of the Law Enforcement sources trained in Safety Car Seat installations – these are by appointment only:

Call ahead – subject to change!

CHP Offices -
El Cajon CHP – 619-401-2000 – Officer Brian Pennings
Pacific Highway CHP 619-220-5492
Oceanside CHP 760-757-1675
Temecula CHP 951-506-2000

Lemon Grove Sheriff 619-337-2000
Escondido Police 760-839-4707
Encinitas Sheriff 760-966-3587
Bonita Fire Department 619-479-2346
Solana Beach Fire Department 858-720-4411
Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department 858-756-5971

Safety Car Seat Events & Classes

Pacific Safety Council 858-621-2313 x116

La Mesa Police 619-667-1400

***************************************************************************
Please call ahead – information is subject to change.

Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Sub Station
3240 Main Street
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 337-2000

Escondido Police Department
700 West Grand Avenue
Escondido, Ca. 92025
For A Child Car Seat Inspection Call – 760-839-4707

*Additional resources that can help:

• San Diego Safe Kids Coalition will check car seats and the number to reach a tech is 858-576-1700 x5096.Please visit www.safetycouncilonline.com for once a month car seat check up events at local retail stores throughout the community.Or, if you still have questions? Please contact:The EXPERT In Safety Car Seats In San Diego!
• Call the Safety Car Seat information from Rady’s Children’s Hospital – the San Diego Safe Kids Coalition hotline at 858-576-1700, ext-5096, this is a recorded message with all of the locations that one can go to have their seats checked for proper installation. It lists all the locations that are current and active.
• Or write:
  Safety Belt Safe U.S.A
  PO BOx 552
  Altadena, CA 91003
  Or call: 310-222-6860Call the Pacific Safety Council at (858) 621-2313 ext. 15, or ex. 16 or call 858-573-5089. Otherwise NHTSA’s website www.nhtsa.dot.gov has an option to search by city or zip code to locate the closest fitting station.
• Check this next site often for recalls or possible problems with safety car seats:Recalls On Products? As your family begins to use items received as holiday gifts, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign encourages you to visitwww.recalls.gov to keep up with all the latest product recalls.First – know the Law!!!Children 6 years old or 60 pounds must be in a child passenger safety seat.Infants should ride in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, until they are 12 months old and weigh 20 pounds. Children, who are at least 1 year old, weigh 20 to 40 pounds, and can no longer ride rear-facing should ride in forward-facing child safety seats.

  Children over 40 pounds should be correctly secured in belt-positioning boosters or other appropriate child restraints or safety car seat until the adult lap and shoulder belts fit correctly (usually around age 8). Once the vehicle safety belts fit children, both lap and shoulder belts should be correctly used.

  All children ages 12 and under should always be properly restrained in the back seat every time, no matter how short the trip.

  All safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. READ YOUR MANUALS! You will be surprised at the information that is available to you.

• Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (800) 638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov, to inquire about any recalls or safety notices on child safety seats. When you purchase a new safety seat, return the product registration form provided to the manufacturer to ensure that you will be notified of any recalls.
• Fines? Legislation (AB 1625), authored by Assemblyman John Benoit, allows penalty assessments and court costs to be added on top of a base fine. In essence, what previously cost $22.50 on a first offense will now run more than three times that amount. Drivers will also face penalties if passengers are not safely buckled.There are several exemptions, including cases where:*There are other children in the back seat
  *A restraint system cannot properly be installed
  *There is no rear seat
  *The rear seat is rear-facing or side-facingInfants less than one year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds must ride in the back, no exceptions, if there is an active passenger air bag in the front seat. A first offense is punishable by a fine of $100; second offenses will cost $250 (Vehicle Code: section 27360.5). Remember – the life of your child is priceless!
• It’s simple – “Buckle-UP – it’s a snap!!!” Research shows if you buckle-up yourchildren will buckle-up! As emergency agencies, almost daily we see how wearing a seat restraint increases your chances of survival in a car collision. It’s being prepared for the “un-expected”! And it’s the LAW! A law that’s saving lives! Possibly your life or that of a love one.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would like to take this opportunity to remind pediatricians and parents of the AAP recommendations for safe transportation of children.Infants should ride in rear-facing child safety seats until they have reached both 20 pounds AND one year of age. The AAP recommends keeping children rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. Never place a rear-facing car safety seat in front of an air bag.Children who have outgrown their rear-facing seats should ride in forward-facing car safety seats for as long as the child fits well (eg, ears below the top of the back of the seat and shoulders below the seat strap slots).Children who have outgrown their child safety seats but are too small to wear seat belts properly should ride in booster seats. For more information about safe transportation of children who have outgrown their car safety seats, please see the February 5, 1999 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

  Seat belts fit properly when they can be worn with the lap portion of the belt low and tight across the hips, and the shoulder portion across the shoulders without cutting across the face and neck.

  Remember that all children are safest in the back seat.

  Additional Contact Information:
  The Pacific Safety Council
  9880 Via Pasar #F
  San Diego, CA 92126
  Or call directly: (888) 846-4200- toll-free
  (858) 689-0040 Fax

  

  Are you and your family riding safely? Are you buying a new vehicle? Please check this Web Site first: www.safercar.gov from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This site includes crash tests and roll-over ratings, defects and recalls, and FAQs about air bags (including side air bags). Check this site regularly!

  My question – “Are you and your family buckled up safely???”

• For immediate information to help on safety carseat installations, scroll down to “The Resources”… following this are the laws and general information regarding safety carseats.

  Note: As a parent – are you always buckled up correctly? If you wear your seat belt – so will your child! But, is your child’s safety car seat installed correctly?

  Unfortunately studies show over 90% of the safety car seats in use are not installed correctly! So the fatality rate is very high for children involved in car collisions.

  *Another fact – not all safety car seats fit all cars!

• When buying a new safety car seat “always” send in the warranty cards in case of recalls. Don’t scrimp on your child’s safety – never buy a car seat from a garage sale or thrift store, or as a hand me down from a friend. -0-
  Facts about Safety Seats:Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injuries and death for children.When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce fatal injuries in cars by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for children from age 1-4.More than 97 percent of child safety seats are NOT used correctly.

  Safety Seat Guide

  Infants must ride in rear-facing (facing toward the back of the car) safety seats until they are at least 1 year AND weigh 20 pounds.

  Toddlers that are over 1 year and over 20 pounds should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat.

  Young children that are over 40-60 pounds should ride in a forward-facing, belt positioning booster seat.

  The best place to put your child is in the back seat of your car. All children age 12 and under should ALWAYS ride in the back seat.

  From Buckle Up San Diego – When going to a Child Safety Seat Checkup:

  Your child is precious cargo! Custom safety seat checks are very thorough and require time. Trained checkers teams require a minimum of 30-45 minutes per seat. We suggest that you come early and be prepared for a wait. We distribute numbers when you check in due to the time required. Plan to let us know how many seats and children you want checked. Many children arrive in seat belts that should be in belt positioning boosters. We will provide guidance on correct fit criteria for children who have outgrown child safety seats.

  When you come to a checkup, please bring your safety seat instruction booklet and the vehicle owners’ manual if possible.

  *Not every child safety seat is appropriate for every child, works correctly in every vehicle or seating position or with the many types of seat belts and retractors.

  Basic information about correct installation and use of child safety seats including boosters, seat belts, air bags and more can be sent to you, if you provide some important information. Every situation, child, vehicle, belt system are different so we need to know the following:

  Your name (spell it please if calling)
  Mailing address
  Age and weight of all children involved
  Due date if pregnant

  From each car seat/booster: Manufacturer name, model name, mftr model number, mftr date. The mftr model number and mftr date are found on a stamped sticker on the back, bottom, or side of each car seat.

  Vehicle make, model, year, 2 or 4 door, air bags…driver/passenger/side-impact.

• Remember to provide all the necessary information. These details can make a difference in your child’s life!!! Don’t forget to always wear your seat belt and be a good safety role model for your children…in everything you do.
• Sadly – An example of what can happen if you or your child is not buckled up or buckled up correctly:
  

  Holiday Highway Crash – LAST UPDATE: 7/5/2004 7:27:02 PM

  An unrestrained baby boy who was thrown from an SUV in a crash in Chula Vista died Monday, and his aunt, also ejected from the vehicle, was hospitalized, along with the boy’s sister and mother, who were also injured in the accident.

  The crash on northbound Interstate 805, south of state Route 54, happened just before 8 last night, California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Gregg said.

  The family members, from Inglewood, were headed home from the Tijuana Airport, where they picked up a family member, Gregg said. The driver drifted off the road, over-corrected and lost control of the 2003 Ford Expedition, he said.

  “All I remember was the car zig-zagging,” said Esmeralda Ramos, 26, who suffered a broken arm in the crash.

  Her baby, four-month-old Wilbert Ramos died at Children’s Hospital about 1:25 a.m., medical examiner Investigator Michael Ellano said.

  He and his mother were sitting in the middle row of the SUV, he said.

  Ramos said the child was restrained in a car seat, which she said was tied down.

  Ramos said she had to be extricated from the SUV.

  “My head hurts and my hands and I feel very tired and sleepy,” Ramos said in a telephone interview.

  Ramos’ daughter — five-year-old Valerie — broke both her legs in the crash and was taken to Children’s Hospital, Ramos said.

  “They told me she’s being released today,” Ramos said from her hospital bed.

  “She’s coming to see me before she goes home,” Ramos added.

  Ramos’ sister, Maritza Felix, 27, was thrown out the back window, said Ramos.

  Felix suffered a broken shoulder and had internal bleeding, according to Ramos.

  Felix was listed in fair condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

  The other passengers in the vehicle suffered minor to moderate injuries, Gregg said. Alcohol was not suspected in the crash, he said.

  The family was headed to pick up Felix’s mother-in-law, Ramos said.