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.

To answer your questions and information about resources, visit:

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

Here are some great websites I use in my research:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

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

NHTSA additional resource links

Vehicle Testing:

Buying a car, or checking on the crash testing of your current car:

NHTSA Vehicle Testing

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

IIHS

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

Safer Car.org

Here is an excellent list of resources in regards to Child Safety:

Child Safety Resource List

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has great information on buying the safest safety car seat for your child.  The following link with take you to their information.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#find-compare-seats

I’m sure you’ve experienced or have seen angry drivers on our roadways.  The Automobile Club of Southern California offers some valuable advice on curbing the rage.

http://news.aaa-calif.com/news/survey-shows-nearly-80-of-drivers-express-significant-anger

Some tips I offer in dealing with road rage:

• When someone cuts you off – let it go, don’t take it personally.
• You cannot educate other on how to drive…it’s not worth the possible dangers if you get angry and honk, yell curse words, or use a variety of obscene hand gestures.
• Remember – you endanger yourself and your passengers when you try to get even with other drivers.
• Also, do not drive angry or in a bad mood.  Cool down, play some uplifting music, or have a picture of someone or something you love near the dashboard – and remember that person, your family, your favorite sport or vacation spot is MORE IMPORTANT than playing the road rage game.
• Let karma get even for you – I see this all the time, someone cuts me off and then that bad driver is often cut-off by other drivers.

Sometimes I imagine that person driving badly or rudely is:

• Running late for work and may be fired.
• Responding to a family emergency.
• Has a stomachache and needs to find a bathroom fast!
• Maybe they were just served with divorce papers or given devastating news.
• They’re just in a bad mood and mentally I wish them well.

Best – Be a courteous driver:

• Control your anger.
• Don’t take traffic problems personally – Let it go.
• Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver.
• Don’t make obscene gestures.
• Don’t tailgate.
• Use your horn sparingly — even a polite honk can be misinterpreted.
• Don’t block the passing lane.
• Don’t block the right turn lane.

Another incentive – the Road Rage Law – you could be arrested if you’re trying to get even with someone, running them off the roadway or deliberately hitting their vehicle with your vehicle.  Jail time and fines may be issued.

Stay Alert-Stay Alive!

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.

*Note: “I’ve been impacted three times drivers on their cell phones – so I personally know the dangers!”

Monica Zech

Safe Driving Speaker

 Getting around as safely as possible – the following links can help!

TRAFFIC Information & more:

• Traffic Information from CALTRANS: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
• Traffic Information page from NBC 7/39 San Diego: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/traffic/
• Traffic information from CBS 8 San Diego: https://www.cbs8.com/traffic
• Traffic Information from KGTV ABC 10 San Diego:  https://www.10news.com/traffic
• Traffic Information from Michelin:  https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Traffic/Traffic_info-San_Diego-_-California-United_States
• You can also call 5-1-1 for traffic information.

Freeway Project Information:  Click here – https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-11

Disaster Preparedness and additional resources…

• A great resource page provided by KUSI TV provides Disaster Preparedness information (earthquake, fires etc.) at your fingertips: https://www.eqheadquarters.com/San-Diego/?utm_source=kusi-tv&utm_medium=tv&utm_campaign=epic-san-diego 
• When searching for local resources, (health, wellness, housing and more), there are  more than 6,000 resources by calling 2-1-1, you can call this number for the nearest emergency shelter following a disaster (earthquake or fire).   Or, visit their website:  https://211sandiego.org/

Stay safe!