Pedestrian Safety Tips Cross the street only at intersections. Do not jaywalk. Never run or dash into the street. Use marked crosswalks where available. Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at night. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark. Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again before you step into the street. Be sure to evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before you step out into the street to ensure that a vehicle has adequate distance in which to stop safely. Do not cross in the middle…

Blind spots are a deadly flaw for most SUVs ‘There’s actually an epidemic going on right now,’ safety activist warns By Herb Weisbaum Updated: 9:58 a.m. PT May 22, 2007 How many kids can sit behind an SUV without being seen by the driver in the rearview mirrors? This is not a trick question. In fact, knowing the answer could save a child’s life. According to the consumer group Kids and Cars, as many as 62 children could be in that blind zone and you’d never know it. And that’s a huge problem. Your driveway is the last place you’d…

News from the Grossmont Healthcare District The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region, has honored five East County residents with a 2007 Healthcare Hero Award. The honorees were recognized for their efforts to advance the delivery of quality healthcare by volunteering their time beyond normal job responsibilities, according to Bob Yarris, GHD board member who conceived the awards program and also serves on the board’s Public Relations & Outreach Committee, which coordinates the annual awards program. “We are proud to honor these unsung healthcare heroes for…

A serious act: Gory details aim to deter students from driving while drunk by Joshua Palmer The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho April 27, 2007 Apr. 27 – TWIN FALLS – He was too drunk to walk, let alone drive. But Marcus Schaal, a senior at Twin Falls High School, didn’t realize his mistake until it was too late. When he regained consciousness he noticed that Matt Hanchey, who was riding in the passenger seat, had been thrown through the windshield and onto the hood of the car. He was covered in blood and Schaal couldn’t get him to wake up.…

U.S. marijuana stronger than ever… Rise in medical emergencies from what government expert calls ‘Pot 2.0’ Reuters Updated: 10:32 a.m. PT April 25, 2007 WASHINGTON – The marijuana being sold across the United States is stronger than ever, which could explain a growing number of medical emergencies that involve the drug, government drug experts Wednesday. Analysis of seized samples of marijuana and hashish showed that more of the cannabis on the market is of the strongest grade, the White House and National Institute for Drug Abuse said. They cited data from the University of Mississippi’s Marijuana Potency Project showing the…

My thoughts…remembering and reporting on the San Ysidro McDonald Massacre, where 21 people died and 19 were injured on July 18, 1984… It’s July 18, 2004. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since reporting from the sky on the McDonald’s tragedy. A tragic part of San Diego history…and I had a birds eye view. It was my first year of reporting news and traffic from the air. Previously a ground reporter for about 10 years. But I was now breaking new ground as San Diego’s first female air traffic reporter and first Television Traffic Reporter. I soon found…

Monica Zech uses her experience as a traffic reporter and public safety spokeswoman to put new motorists …On The Road To Safety By Pat Sherman TODAY’S LOCAL NEWS San Diego Union-Tribune Monica Zech doesn’t sugarcoat the consequences of unsafe driving. As a traffic reporter for 18 years, the native San Diegan has witnessed more than her share of gruesome scenes, and she has the photos to prove it. Teens who race down the road chatting on cell phones or drive while stewing about bad grades should be prepared to meet the “human cheese grater,” her term for concrete and asphalt.…

Making Plans For Your Party? If Your Plans Include Alcoholic Beverages – Know The Risks! KNOW THE RISKS “BEFORE” YOU DRINK First, the most important fact about alcohol is – it’s the most damaging substance you can consume for your body – and second, do you “really” need alcohol to have a good time? NO!But, if you think you do – please read on and know the facts and risks of alcohol… Here are some important facts about alcohol that you may have missed – although the following are true, you’ll never find them written on the side of that…

Danger Signals: How Sleepy Are You? (Take our drowsy driving quiz.) You can’t control your own sleep – ask anyone who’s ever had insomnia. Behind the wheel, if you’re tired you can fall asleep at any time. If you’re about to fall asleep, you will experience some or all of the following: You have trouble keeping your eyes open and focused You nod and can’t keep your head up You daydream or have wandering, disconnected thoughts You yawn a lot or need to rub your eyes You find yourself drifting out of your lane or tailgating You miss road signs…

My hope in posting some of the road rage incidents we see will hopefully serve as an encouragement to avoid the rage in our own lives – and realize the importance of safety and how precious “life” is… Stories Of Rage – The following story shows that some of the people we encounter may be unstable and not worth the time to confront: Police: Driver Deliberately Hits 8½ Month Pregnant Woman – Victim Tossed Onto Hood Of Car POSTED: 11:33 am PDT July 11, 2006 UPDATED: 11:53 am PDT July 11, 2006 VAN NUYS, Calif. — Police said an eight-and-a-half-month…