Posted on 22 June 2021 by Monica Zech
Traffic Check With Monica Zech: Sharing my Facebook post regarding the rise in head-on collisions on our roadways.
Traffic Advice & Alert: Due to several recent tragedies. I’ve been lecturing for a while about the rise in head-on collisions in our County. More often than not these crashes are caused by DUI drivers.
I offer these tips (included in my safe driving talks):
1. Head-on collisions often happen in the far left-hand lane, what some people call the “fast lane.” So stay out of this lane if possible, especially late at night.
2. The reason DUI drivers are in this lane – they know they’re under the influence of a drug (like alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs) so they stay in the far RIGHT-hand lane – BUT, since they’re traveling in the wrong direction – it’s the far “LEFT-hand lane.”
3. For alcohol – the first sip is immediately in your blood system and immediately impairing your body, slowing reaction time and judgment – two important factors you need to be a “safe driver.” So, NO AMOUNT is safe when it comes to driving. Make plans not to drive if your plans include alcohol or other drugs, plan ahead to have a SOBER designated driver. Call a friend, reserve a cab, or UBER.
4. When driving impaired you’re not only risking your life but the lives of others. You risk FAMILY & FRIENDS riding with you – and the LIVES of those around you.
5. As always – LIVES ARE PRICELESS! But, when it comes to money, the average DUI ticket can range from $5K to $15K or more. Arranging for a cab or UBER is much less expensive.
6. You risk your current or future job. A DUI charge on your DMV record can cause you to lose your current job, but can prevent you from getting a job you may have been studying or working hard for. All those years of studying for a career can go up in smoke. A DUI can stay on your driving record for ten years or longer.
7. Use extra caution at intersections – DUI drivers often run red lights and STOP signs. At night, they often forget to turn on their headlights – so you may not see them coming – especially the wrong way. Stay alert, looking out far out ahead of you on streets and highways.
8. Another factor, are those who are on certain medications. Stay on top of your dosages – if you are not feeling well or are on medications that cause drowsiness – DO NOT DRIVE or operate any machinery.
This head-on collision occurred on June 4, 2021. A wrong-way driver struck the blue vehicle killing two law enforcement officers (husband & wife detectives).
Posted on 05 February 2020 by Monica Zech
During warm weather and especially during heat advisories – NEVER leave babies/children/elderly and pets alone in hot vehicles – it can quickly become a death trap. I’ve seen two pets left in vehicles this past week and was about to call 9-1-1 when the owners returned.
If you love them – don’t leave them! And don’t walk your dogs on hot asphalt and side-walks during hot weather days – this will burn their paws!
http://news.aaa-calif.com/news/auto-club-warns-hot-cars-can-be-death-traps-for-kids-and-pets?fbclid=IwAR08D_ScSOFmLUH0nvZ54X6CPDhOIZJ6RDe_OyTJvKy9MpqaWvfA1C2-woI#.XUfqkeM5Mpo.facebook
Posted on 01 December 2019 by Monica Zech
As cities began turning off RED Light cameras, in San Diego, I personally saw the dramatic increase in red-light runners at lighted intersections. In the news, I also saw the rise of collisions involving red-light runners. A red light camera police officer told me several years ago, that there was a 300-percent increase in collisions at intersections the first time San Diego turned off red-light cameras, the second and final time they turned off cameras, that same day, there was a fatal crash when a nanny pushing a baby stroller was struck and killed by a red-light runner.
In August of 2019, the Automobile Club of Southern California released a report on the dramatic increase in red-light running fatalities at intersections.
Here are their findings: https://newsroom.aaa.com/2019/08/red-light-running-deaths-hit-10-year-high/
I cover this topic in my safe driving talks, alerting motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to use extra caution at intersections:
- Slow down for intersections – so drivers behind you will slow down.
- When sitting at a red light and the light turns green for you – HOLD IT! DON’T GO UNTIL IT’S SAFE TO GO!
- Before going – “look” to your right and then left, and then look again – watch out for the red light runner who floored a block or two away. They may be traveling 60 to 70 mph – that’s why crashes that occur are often fatal.
Stay Alert-Stay Alive!
Monica Zech
Posted on 09 November 2019 by Monica Zech
Important information…
It’s time to check your motorist insurance policy. The BIG question, for your protection, do you have “uninsured/underinsured” motorist insurance coverage???
It’s important to make sure you and your passengers are well covered if you’re involved in a collision. A must-have should the driver at faul
t has little or “no” insurance. The minimum insurance coverage in California is only $15,000 to obtain a driver’s license. This does not cover much if you are transported by ambulance to the hospital with serious injuries.
This coverage is a must-have according to the Padilla Law Group. Please click on the following link for a clear explanation of the importance of this insurance coverage.
UM Handout
Thank you to the Padilla Law Group for providing this valuable information.
Please Note: The following is a link to a news story reported on November 14, 2019. It’s regarding a man who was seriously injured by a driver who had the minimum insurance coverage of $15-thousand. His medical bills were almost $100-thousand. If he had the above coverage, his bills would have been taken care of, if not lower. At least $1-million coverage is recommended.
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-veteran-billed-nearly-100000-for-a-3-hour-hospital-visit/509-b762eb30-582e-4c86-8111-b5f81c4ef4f4?fbclid=IwAR1xIFyUyaLXhBJHWkXoDi1fYXN5n4GfhP_Y_Ura_7FLum0Rn0qgLBXrt00
Posted on 23 September 2019 by Monica Zech
Straight from the Office of the Medical Examiner’s Office in San Diego County, a report on what’s killing us in our County. The hard facts…
Medical Examiner: Drugs, Falls, Cars, Suicides Lead Death Investigations
Posted on 01 July 2019 by Monica Zech
See the latest news from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
https://www.iihs.org/news
Posted on 01 July 2019 by Monica Zech
Posted on 13 April 2018 by Monica Zech
What Is Distracted Driving? Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.
Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
Consequences – Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,166 lives in 2017 alone. 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.
Click on the link below to learn more. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
*Note: “I’ve been impacted three times drivers on their cell phones – so I personally know the dangers!”
Monica Zech
Safe Driving Speaker
