Monica Zech - Speaking of safety... » News Articles

Cell Phone & Texting Laws Saving Lives In California!

Monica Zech — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:45:22 +0000

Apparently those of who “do obey” the cell phone and texting laws in California are making a difference on our roadways! Click on the following news release from the Office of Traffic Safety…

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Press_Room/2012/doc/Cell_Phone_deaths_down.pdf

Attention Parents & Teens – Tragic Story Involving Helium

Monica Zech — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:54:51 +0000

Oregon Teen Dies After Inhaling Helium at Party
It’s a common party trick, but the death exposes the real dangers of inhaling helium, especially from a pressurized tank. Click on the following link for the full story:

http://www.emsworld.com/news/10633017/oregon-teen-dies-after-inhaling-helium-at-party?cmpid=email_CPS120224006&utm_source=EMS+Weekly+Recap&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS120224006

Increase Seen In Teen Driver Deaths During 2011

Monica Zech — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:51:53 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A report released on February 16, 2012 by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reveals that the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths in passenger vehicles increased slightly for the first six months of 2011, based on preliminary data supplied by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Overall, 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths increased from 190 to 211 – an 11 percent increase. If the trend continued for the second half of 2011, it will mark the end of eight straight years of cumulative declines in deaths for this age group. Click on the word “report” or insert the following link in your address search bar.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/media/pressreleases/2012/20120216_teens.html

TEXTING Still A MAJOR Problem On Our Roadways According To Auto Club Research

Monica Zech — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:08:22 +0000

Auto Club: Texting and

Manipulating Devices While

Driving Nearly Triples

July 13, 2011 | Category: Transportation and Traffic Safety

(LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2011) – Texting and manipulating electronic devices behind the wheel, while still relatively low, is nearly triple what it was before California’s texting ban became law, according to findings from the Automobile Club of Southern California’s latest roadside driver survey.

Before California’s texting ban went into effect in January 2009, about 1.4 percent of drivers on average were observed texting or manipulating an electronic device (such as a smart phone) at any point in time behind the wheel. According to the Auto Club’s latest survey using the same methodology at seven locations in Southern California, that proportion is now nearly three times as high – 4.1 percent at any time.

Some of the biggest changes observed in the Auto Club study have come in 2010 and 2011. The most recent survey found that 1.9 percent of drivers were texting and driving at any time, up about 20 percent from a year earlier. Even more significant was the change in the proportion of drivers seen holding and manipulating electronic devices, but not necessarily texting. That proportion doubled in the past year – to 2.3 percent. Increases in texting and the use of electronic devices while driving in California mirror the larger, global trend in these activities throughout daily life.

Auto Club studies have also examined the levels of hand-held cell phone use on the road. These findings demonstrate that California’s hand-held cell phone ban was far more effective than that for texting. Results showed that since June 2008, the month before the hand-held ban went into effect, driver use of the devices has dropped sharply – by 66 percent – from 9.3 percent to 3.2 percent. And that drop is remaining consistent through the second anniversary of the law, July 1, 2011.

The latest Auto Club observational survey results come on the heels of the National Transportation Safety Board’s discussion last week of a fatal crash between a tour boat and a barge that killed two foreign students and dumped 35 others into a shipping channel in Philadelphia. According to news reports, the pilot of the tug pushing the barge was talking on his cell phone and using a laptop.

The safety board said in news reports that the nation risks a surge in these types of distracted driving crashes unless the activity comes to be viewed as unacceptable as drinking and driving.

The Auto Club’s results, which have been showing a sharp upward trend in texting and manipulating devices through 2010 and 2011, indicate that California needs to pay more attention to combating theses important safety problems. “We need greater public awareness of the dangers of texting and using electronic devices behind the wheel,” said the Auto Club’s Government Affairs Manager Steve Finnegan. “The state also needs stronger penalties and targeted enforcement to reduce texting while driving – which is really the perfect storm of distraction that takes drivers’ eyes, hands, and brains off the task of driving.” And he added that “although the growth of in-car texting and related electronic device use mirrors the explosive growth of wireless use overall in society, it’s very troubling that this growth appears to have overcome the early effectiveness of the current law.”

The rise in texting while driving reflects the spike in mobile communications device use overall. According to the wireless industry trade association, CTIA, text messaging is enormously popular, with more than 2 trillion text messages sent and received on carriers’ networks in the U.S. during the 12-month period ending last December – or about 6 billion a day, according to CTIA. (This is up from 1.8 trillion text messages or 4.9 billion a day the previous year, according to CTIA statistics.)

Just-published research from the Nielsen Co. shows that data viewed on smartphones is up an average of 89 percent in the U.S. over a 12-month period that ended in March. The rise in data consumption was attributed to the use of more apps on the Apple and Google mobile operating systems. On average, an American’s smartphone had 22 apps, according to CTIA.

California law bans the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. According to the California Highway Patrol, enforcement of that ban includes citing drivers for using hand-held phones to access the Internet. The Golden State is one of 34 states, plus Washington D.C., that have banned texting while driving, including the sending, receiving and reading of text-based communication and e-mails. California law does not, however, explicitly ban the use of electronic equipment that is not a “communication device,” but that can access the Internet, such as the iPod Touch.

“Current penalties for texting while driving in the Golden State haven’t deterred the behavior,” said Finnegan. A motorist caught texting while driving is assessed a $20 base fine for a first offense and $50 for a second offense. Adding related penalties, the cost of a citation increases to between $114 and $143 for a first offense and to about $279 for a second offense. Unlike other moving violations, however, no “point” is placed on a motorist’s driving record. “This is unfortunate,” said Finnegan “since research shows that imposing points increases driver compliance with traffic safety laws.”

Senate Bill 28, now under consideration, would impose greater fines and levy a point, in some situations, on a driver’s DMV record for a second or subsequent violation. Unfortunately the bill’s provision on points was weakened from a version first introduced last year. Although not as effective as points, the bill increases the base fine to $50 for a first offense and $100 for the second. Adding current penalties to these proposed new base fines bring the total cost of citations to between $279 and $479.

The CHP has issued about 15,000 cell phone and texting citations per month so far in 2011—up considerably from prior years. Since California’s cell phone and texting laws went into effect, 410,000 citations have been issued by the agency.

“Giving out that many citations helps explain why we’ve seen a continuing decline in hand-held cell phone use in California,” explained Steven Bloch, Ph.D., the Auto Club’s senior traffic safety researcher. “The problem is that issuing citations for texting is far more difficult. Drivers typically hold texting and other electronic devices down low, making them hard for law enforcement officers to see. The result is that police agencies give out relatively few texting citations.”

Because of this challenge, the CHP has created and publicized “high enforcement periods,” in collaboration with local police agencies to target distracted drivers.

The Auto Club in-vehicle cell phone and texting surveys were each conducted using consistent methods of systematic random samples of about 4,000 vehicles that were passing by seven roadside sites in Orange County. Surveys were conducted during: June 2008, prior to the cell phone law first taking effect; July, August and October 2008; May and July 2009; March-April and July 2010 and June 2011. Observational surveys were conducted in morning, early afternoon, evening commutes on freeway entrances and exits, and urban, suburban and small city roadways.

*Note: I provide safe driving lectures for your company safety briefings and company conferences. I offer an eye-opening emergency response perspective, and a victim perspective, at the driving distractions and other bad driving habits that get us into trouble. I’ll change the way view traffic - reducing your chances of being involved in a collision. Email your request to monicazech@cox.net or call (619) 843-7218.

STOP Red Light Running

Monica Zech — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:51:54 +0000

Celebrate “STOP” Red Light Running Week!

http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/

Yes! Red Light Cameras Save Lives!

Read the report….

http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/pdfs/IIHS%20Study%20Press%20Release%202.1.11.pdf

Traffic Deaths Are Down In The State Of California

Monica Zech — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:51:24 +0000

Good news, traffic deaths are down in the state, but one is too many – especially when it’s someone you care about. Please be safe…

http://www.kmir6.com/news/local/126142793.html

How Our Driving Compares With Other Countries

Monica Zech — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:46:16 +0000

Research by the CDC compares driving in the Unied States with other countries:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsDistractedDriving/?source=govdelivery

Motorcyclist Dies During Protest Of Helmets

Monica Zech — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:50:05 +0000

Motorcyclist Dies While Protesting Helmets

Traffic Deaths Fell To Their Lowest Levels In 2010

Monica Zech — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:04:41 +0000

NHTSA 05-11
Friday, April 1, 2011
Contact: Karen Aldana
Tel: 202-366-9550

TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN 2010 DROP TO LOWEST LEVEL IN RECORDED HISTORY

DOT Estimates Three Percent Drop Beneath 2009 Record Low

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the number and rate of traffic fatalities in 2010 fell to the lowest levels since 1949, despite a significant increase in the number of miles Americans drove during the year.

“Last year’s drop in traffic fatalities is welcome news and it proves that we can make a difference,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) early projections, the number of traffic fatalities fell three percent between 2009 and 2010, from 33,808 to 32,788. Since 2005, fatalities have dropped 25 percent, from a total of 43,510 fatalities in 2005. The same estimates also project that the fatality rate will be the lowest recorded since 1949, with 1.09 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the 1.13 fatality rate for 2009. The decrease in fatalities for 2010 occurred despite an estimated increase of nearly 21 billion miles in national vehicle miles traveled.

A regional breakdown showed the greatest drop in fatalities occurred in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, where they dropped by 12 percent. Arizona, California and Hawaii had the next steepest decline, nearly 11 percent.

“The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be.”

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken a comprehensive approach to reducing roadway fatalities by promoting strong traffic safety laws coupled with high-visibility enforcement and through rigorous vehicle safety programs and public awareness campaigns.

In 2009, Secretary LaHood launched a national anti-distracted driving campaign modeled on other successful NHTSA efforts to reduce fatalities, such as its Over the Limit Under Arrest and Click It Or Ticket campaigns to curb drunk driving and increase seat belt use. The U.S. DOT has launched a dedicated website, Distraction.gov, to provide the public with a comprehensive source of information on distracted driving. DOT has also hosted two national summits devoted to the issue, crafted sample legislation which states can use to adopt distracted driving laws, and initiated pilot law enforcement programs in Hartford, CT and Syracuse, NY.

NHTSA has also taken action to improve vehicle safety. The agency has urged automakers to swiftly and voluntarily report safety defects to keep the driving public safe. NHTSA has also encouraged the development and use of technologies to prevent crashes, such as electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems. The agency also unveiled an updated 5-star rating system in 2010, which established more rigorous crash-test standards and began providing consumers with improved information about which cars perform best in collisions.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has also been encouraging the use of Safety Edge technology — which reduces drivers’ risk of running off the road by shaping pavement edge – on new road and highway projects. FHWA has also promoted the use of rumble strips and cable median barriers to separate opposing directions of traffic to reduce the incidence of crossover head-on collisions.

To view NHTSA’s latest statistical projections of traffic fatalities in 2010, including regional estimates, click here.

(But of course “one” death is too many…especially when its someone you care about. – Monica Zech)

CHP – ZERO Tolerance On Cell Phone Use Behind The Wheel!

Monica Zech — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:59:33 +0000

San Diego County Law Enforcement Agencies announce “Zero Tolerance” for Motorists not using Hands-Free Devices

While today’s world enjoys the benefits of an ever increasing pool of technological devices, these benefits come at a price. Due to the increase in the number of traffic collisions caused by drivers illegally using cell phones, San Diego County Law Enforcement agencies are joining forces on November 17, 2010 to focus enforcement efforts on this menace to the safety of the motoring public. The San Diego, Oceanside, and El Cajon Offices of the California Highway Patrol, Carlsbad Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, Coronado Police Department, El Cajon Police Department, Escondido Police Department, National City Police Department, Oceanside Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and San Diego State University Police Departments will be aggressively seeking out drivers violating the “hands free” cell phone law.

Cell phone use has become so popular these days that many times we don’t realize when, where, and how often we are using our cellular telephones. According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2008 there were more than 30,000 parties in California involved in traffic collisions where inattention played a role. More than 1,000 of those drivers identified a cell phone as the inattention. Cell phones are the number one identifiable inattention stated on collision reports.

Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to events happening on the roads around you. According to a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute distracted driving is “anything that diverts the driver’s attention away from the primary tasks of navigating a vehicle and responding to critical events.” Although NHTSA has indicated that cell phones are the most familiar form of distraction, applying make-up, using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), eating, drinking, changing CD’s, adjusting the radio and reading are numerous activities that can distract a driver.

Law enforcement agencies are already working together to share knowledge and promote a greater understanding of the issue, and identify additional strategies to end distracted driving. Distracted driving is a serious, life-threatening practice and we will not rest until we stop it.

The message is simple – There is no phone call worth a human life.

- Pay attention or pay the price

- Don’t let distractions take away from your reaction

A Press Conference will be held on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 10:30 am at the California Highway Patrol – Border Division Office (9330 Farnham Street, San Diego 92123). All participating agencies will be present and the collected statistics will be released to the media at that time.