Holiday Planning – Keep SAFETY at the TOP of your list!

Whether you are attending a party or giving the party, please plan ahead for a SOBER Designated Driver if plans include consuming alcoholic beverages.

My work is to continue to remind or inform everyone of the real consequences when driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs:

Going to a Party – make your reservations now for an UBER, LYFT, cab, or sober friend, to increase your chances of getting home safely.

Having a Party – If you are serving alcohol, take the car keys from drinking guests. First, track how much they’ve been drinking. Then, have a place for them to stay the night or plan for a sober designated driver to take them home. Have a variety of NON-Alcoholic beverages available for guests. Mock cocktails, non-alcoholic punch, smoothies, soda, and water. Remember, coffee does not sober up a person; only time will.

Easy planning will help to prevent a tragedy, such as an injury or death! It could mean the loss of your current or future job. (A DUI can stay on your DMV record for ten years) Higher insurance rates. DUI fines can range from $5,000 up to $21,000 or more. But the cost of a life is PRICELESS! It could be your life, the lives of your family or friends riding with you, or those you hit. I know the devastation of losing a loved one; a DUI driver killed my father.

Something you may not be aware of – If you cause a collision while DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and kill someone’s parent – part of your sentence may include providing support for the care of that person’s family.

Please, together, we can help make our roadways safer, not only during the holidays – but year-round.

Happy & Safe Holidays!

Monica Zech

E-Bike Information

E-Bikes – Before Purchasing One, Or If You Already Have one – Safety Is Important!

While you can’t control everything, adhering to some essential safety tips can increase your odds of having a safer ride. Let’s take a look at this list of eBike safety tips that everyone should know:

9 eBike safety tips everyone should know – Bike.com

Helmets are a Must…and More

(29) Electric Bike Safety Tips for Riding – YouTube

E-Bike Laws in the State of California

Electric Bicycle Laws & Safety Tips

California Laws Regarding Electric Bicycles

An electric bicycle is not a motor vehicle, so license, registration, and insurance laws do not apply to electric bikes. In California, electric bikes are to be operated like standard bicycles, except that:

• you must be at least 16 years old
• you must wear a helmet at all times

Electric bike motors must have a power output of less than 1,000 watts and be incapable of going faster than 20 miles per hour on level ground. They also must be incapable of going faster than 20 miles per hour at top speed with the motor going AND the driver pedaling the bike.

The electric bicycle must be designed so that:

• When the brakes are applied, the motor stops functioning, OR
• The motor operates when a switch or mechanism is engaged, and when that switch or mechanism is released, the engine stops functioning.

Drinking and driving laws do apply to electric bicycles.

Electric bikes may not be used on dedicated bicycle paths unless they are within or adjacent to a roadway or are allowed by a government ordinance.

More laws may apply to electric bicycles, so check your city and county ordinances.

More Safety Tips for Electric Bicycles

Here are some safety tips for e-bike riders from electricbikereport.com:

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet. No exceptions.
2. Make sure your bike has front and rear lights and reflective stickers.
3. Finally, wear bright, reflective clothing.
4. Install a horn so that motorists can see you coming. Bicyclists and even motorcycles can be quiet and easily lost in a motorist’s blind spot.
5. Find safe routes – preferably less traveled roads and pathways that allow electric bikes.
6. Ride defensively. Don’t assume anyone can see or hear you. Instead, anticipate what drivers and pedestrians might do and act accordingly. At the risk of seeming annoyed, beep your horn to let people know you’re there. And remember, cars make mistakes, too – they don’t always use their turn signals, so be alert, cautious, and prepare for the worst.
7. Beware of parked cars. As we saw above, even these can threaten e-bike riders. Besides, someone could open their car door as you pass or pull out of their parking spot without looking.
8. Look out for other bicyclists. They don’t always light up at night or may dart out in front of you.
9. Let pedestrians know you’re coming with an announcement of “On your left!” or a beep of the horn. Always slow down when approaching pedestrians.
10. Your bike wheels are unprepared for potholes or cracks, so slow down and avoid them.
11. Loose gravel, snow, and ice (not too big of a worry here in Orange County) and wetness can be risky too. So slow down, be cautious, and avoid those conditions if possible.

Let’s prevent these unnecessary injuries and deaths from electric bike collisions. Be safe, e-bike riders!

Help Prevent Drowsy Driving

Each year, there are approximately 100,000 car crashes and 1,500 deaths caused by drowsy driving. To help spread awareness on this issue, a recently published article explains common warning signs, who may be at risk, and tips on preventing drowsy driving. 

You can find it here: https://sleepopolis.com/education/drowsy-driving/

Driving Safety Reminder – In California, you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it in your hand. You can only use it hands-free, such as speakerphone or voice commands, but never while holding it. In addition, any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone for any reason.

It’s estimated that nine (9) people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a “distracted driver.” Distracted driving is doing another activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash. (I know this personally, I’ve been hit three times by people on cellphones.)

There are three types of driving distractions:
Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction. Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. These distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road.

There are three main types of distraction:
Visual: Taking your eyes off the road
Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel
Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving

Distracted driving impacts thousands of Americans each year in the United States. Over 3,100 people were killed, and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019. About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were not in vehicles – they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.

For more life-saving information on “safe driving” schedule a safe driving talk for your company, military group, community group, college group, or high school, visit www.monicazech.com or email me directly at [email protected]

I am also available for your safety fair with a table full of safe driving materials.

The following are valuable websites providing more information on driving safety:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Check their Catalog Materials page for free safety information materials.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

IIHS

Here’s another good one – “Is Your Car Safe?” – Safer Car.gov

Safer Car.org

Help Prevent Drowsy Driving

Each year, there are approximately 100,000 car crashes and 1,500 deaths caused by drowsy driving. To help spread awareness on this issue, an article was recently published that explains common warning signs, which may be at risk, and tips on preventing drowsy driving. 

You can find it here: https://sleepopolis.com/education/drowsy-driving/

Car Emergencies Guide:

A big “thank you” to Blake Stevens for making me aware of the following website:

Many of us know of a friend, family member, or someone that’s suffering from a mental health ailment, co-occurring disorder, or addiction. To make things worse COVID continues and more people have turned to alcohol to cope with the unprecedented uncertainty and stress. Even though fewer people are driving, more have been using alcohol. This has, unfortunately, lead to a 9% increase in alcohol-related deaths on the road. The largest jump since 2007 according to MADD, Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.

What to Know About Binge Drinking

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