Another excellent video on the hazards of texting and general phone use behind the wheel  - perfect for ALL age groups!

https://www.facebook.com/monica.zech/posts/154681547991381?ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/photo.php?v=1480179597750

I just became aware of another safe driving website targeting teens – take a look:

http://impactteendrivers.org/

Having a home escape plan saved the family of a well known country singer, click on the following link:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/06/05/trace.adkins.fire/index.html?iref=allsearch

If your celebration includes alcoholic beverages please plan ahead for a “SOBER” designated driver…one drink is too many when it comes to driving.  Please see these new messages – “Buzzed driving IS drunk driving!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYCHpZ13l-E&NR=1

Try these non-alcoholic cocktails at your next party. Your non-drinking guests and designated drivers will thank you!

http://ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Campaigns/2010_December_DUI_Crackdown/Public_Information/Non-Alcoholic_Drink_Recipes.asp

Two Out of Five Drivers Admit to Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Finds AAA Foundation Study

Drowsy Drivers A Factor In Nearly 17% of Fatal Crashes

Washington, D.C. ・ Two out of every five drivers (41 percent) admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel at some point, with one in ten saying they・ve done so in the past year, according to a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study. More than a quarter of those surveyed admitted they drove despite being so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open in the previous month.

Eighty-five percent of drivers surveyed felt it was ―completely unacceptable‖for someone to drive if they are so tired they are having trouble keeping their eyes open. Unfortunately, drivers may not always be aware of the effects of fatigue resulting from a lack of sleep. In recognition of this week・s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® hosted by the National Sleep Foundation, AAA wants all drivers to recognize the seriousness of this dangerous, yet underestimated, driving practice.

―When you are behind the wheel of a car, being sleepy is very dangerous. Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol, contributing to the possibility of a crash,‖said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger. ―We need to change the culture so that not only will drivers recognize the dangers of driving while drowsy but will stop doing it.‖

A new analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash data estimates that about one in six (16.5 percent) deadly crashes, one in eight crashes resulting in occupant hospitalization and one in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed involve a driver who is drowsy. 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.

“Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation and, conversely, overestimate our abilities to overcome them while driving,” said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president, AAA Public Affairs. “This data underscores the importance of educating drivers on the simple, yet effective steps they can take to prevent a possible tragedy. Unfortunately, too many drivers have adopted the ‘I’m tired, but I can make it・ mentality, often to their own peril or to the peril of others.”

David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation, added, ―It is shocking to consider that one quarter of drivers admit to operating a vehicle in the last month in an incapacitated state.‖The National Sleep Foundation has been championing better drowsy driving awareness and education since 1991. Cloud adds, ―We applaud AAA・s work to elevate this issue for public scrutiny and action.

Take the test:  http://www.aaafoundation.org/quizzes/index.cfm?button=drowsyquiz

Use caution at ALL intersections.  Motorists in a RUSH are speeding up or often “flooring it” for a YELLOW light a block or two away – and often end up running a RED light by 3 to 6 seconds.  If someone waiting at the RED light is not alert and drives off quickly, as soon as the light turns Green, the two shall meet with a very dangerous side impact crash.  Most of the collisions emergency crews respond to are at intersections and are usually caused by RED LIGHT RUNNERS!

Reasons motorists run RED LIGHTS?  Some drivers are on cell phones, text messaging, sleepy, DUI…or sadly “don’t care” and will do what you’ll see in this scary red light runner video - WATCH & DRIVE carefully:

An example of very scary red light runner – be VERY alert at intersections!  For a driving safety lecture on these and other bad driving habits to watch for or avoid contact me at (619) 441-1737.  I’ll help you reduce the risk factors of having a collision.

A great CNN article talked about “Hypermiling” – you’ll save fuel and drive less stressful. Read the article and save…

www.hypermiling.com

For more ways to save on fuel, visit: http://www.fueleconomy.gov./

Here’s the article on “hypermiling” –

Take it slow and save big on gas
Driving style has a big impact on fuel economy. Backing off can save big.
May 9, 2006: 5:41 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) – You can get 35 percent better fuel mileage out of your current vehicle by using a device most drivers already have.

That would be your right foot.

Most drivers agonizing over the cost of gasoline fail to realize the enormous impact their driving style has on fuel consumption.

During the last run-up in fuel prices, we wrote about Edmunds.com’s tests of common fuel-saving driving tips. Some common tips, it turned out, had little or no effect on fuel economy. (Edmunds.com provides data and content for CNN.com’s automotive Websites.)

For example, using the air conditioner at highway speeds had no appreciable effect on fuel economy compared to rolling down the windows.

Read More