Continuing Our Safety Initiatives Into the New Year

Here at William Mattar Law Offices, not only are we committed to helping those injured in auto accidents, but we're also committed to keeping Western New Yorkers safe.

Drinking and driving is always a major concern, especially on big party nights such as New Years Eve.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of people are killed each year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.  These fatalities accounted for 32% of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States in 2009.  That equals out to an average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality every 48 minutes.

There is no "safe limit" when it comes to drinking and driving.  Therefore, whenever you go out for the night, it is important to always have a reliable designated driver if you plan on drinking.

We are happy to be partnering with Designated Drivers of Buffalo for the third year in a row to sponsor FREE rides home on New Years Eve.  The William Mattar Safe Ride Home Program offers a FREE ride home for both you and your car from 12:00am-4:00am on January 1st (New Years Eve night).  For all the details visit mattar.com and click on the Safe Ride logo in the right column.

In addition, January is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Month in the state of New York.  We will be teaming up with local non-profit organization, The Amanda Hansen Foundation, and Tops Friendly Markets to give away thousands of dollars worth of CO detectors.  We'll be giving these away on Sunday, January 23rd from 10:00am-2:00pm at Tops on Niagara Street in Buffalo.  Keep an eye on our Facebook page for further details!

Check out our segment on this morning's AM BUFFALO! -
http://www.wkbw.com/programming/am-buffalo/video/Attorney-William-Mattar---Safe-Ride-Home-Program---December-23rd-112386464.html

Attorney William K. Mattar (left) and AM Buffalo's Jon Summers

'Tis the Season for Giving!

It is that special time of year when we all love to open our hearts to those less fortunate.  People throughout the country are showing their holiday spirit by helping families in need through the Salvation Army.

The staff here at William Mattar Law Offices is doing their part to help a local family.  The employee participation was overwhelming.  We put together boxes upon boxes of great gifts that are sure to brighten this family's Holiday.

The spirit of giving is contagious, so we encourage everyone to "catch the bug" and help out their communities.  From buying gifts for those less fortunate to donating time as a volunteer, every little bit helps.  So get out there and let your Holiday spirit shine.

Happy Holidays to all!

Tips for Toy Safety

December is Toy Safety Month and, as we all know, the Holiday shopping season is in full gear.  There are many things to keep in mind when shopping for toys.  Be sure to follow the below guidelines from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission when searching for gifts for your little ones this season and throughout the year.  These and many other helpful tips can be found at www.cpsc.gov.

WHEN BUYING TOYS

Choosing toys with care. Keep in mind the child's age, interests and skill level.
 
Look for quality design and construction in all toys for all ages.
 
Make sure that all directions or instructions are clear -- to you, and, when appropriate, to the child. Plastic wrappings on toys should be discarded at once before they become deadly playthings.

Be a label reader. Look for and heed age recommendations, such as "Not recommended for children under three". Look for other safety labels including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products and "Washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.

WHEN MAINTAINING TOYS

Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should be thrown away or repaired immediately.

Edges on wooden toys that might have become sharp or surfaces covered with splinters should be sanded smooth. When repainting toys and toy boxes, avoid using leftover paint, unless purchased recently, since older paints may contain more lead than new paint, which is regulated by CPSC. Examine all outdoor toys regularly for rust or weak parts that could become hazardous.

WHEN STORING TOYS

Teach children to put their toys safely away on shelves or in a toy chest after playing to prevent trips and falls.

Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. For extra safety, be sure there are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze. See that toys used outdoors are stored after play -- rain or dew can rust or damage a variety of toys and toy parts creating hazards.

SHARP EDGES

New toys intended for children under eight years of age should, by regulation, be free of sharp glass and metal edges.

With use, however, older toys may break, exposing cutting edges.

SMALL PARTS

Older toys can break to reveal parts small enough to be swallowed or to become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears or nose. The law bans small parts in new toys intended for children under three. This includes removable small eyes and noses on stuffed toys and dolls, and small, removable squeakers on squeeze toys.

LOUD NOISES

Toy caps and some noisemaking guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires the following label on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain level: "WARNING -- Do not fire closer than one foot to the ear. Do not use indoors." Caps producing noise that can injure a child's hearing are banned.

CORDS AND STRINGS

Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops, or ribbons in cribs or playpens where children can become entangled. Remove crib gyms for the crib when the child can pull up on hands and knees; some children have strangled when they fell across crib gyms stretched across the crib.

SHARP POINTS

Toys which have been broken may have dangerous points or prongs. Stuffed toys may have wires inside the toy which could cut or stab if exposed. A CPSC regulation prohibits sharp points in new toys and other articles intended for use by children under eight years of age.

PROPELLED OBJECTS

Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. Avoid those dart guns or other toys which might be capable of firing articles not intended for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails.

ALL TOYS ARE NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN

Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations -- some toys are recommended for older children because they may be hazardous in the hands of a younger child. Teach older children to help keep their toys away from younger brothers and sisters.

Even balloons, when uninflated or broken, can choke or suffocate if young children try to swallow them. More children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken balloons than on any other type of toy.

ELECTRIC TOYS

Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or misused can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperatures, electrical construction and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys properly, cautiously and under adult supervision.

INFANT TOYS

Infant toys, such as rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers, should be large enough so that they cannot enter and become lodged in an infant's throat.

Holiday Travel Tips

The Holiday season not only brings thanks and joy, it also brings backed up traffic and frustrated travelers.  Remember to stay calm and do not stress out while driving.  Avoid distractions and always keep your focus on the road.

Furthermore, we all know that the roads are not the only place to get caught up.  Air travel can be a nightmare, so take a look at these great tips below from ABC News to help your Thanksgiving travel plans run as smoothly as possible.

Seven Tips for Smooth Thanksgiving Travel

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

Nov. 22, 2010

Traveling this Thanksgiving? Expect the roads and airports to be significantly more crowded than last year, thanks in part to an improving economy.

Roughly 42.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their home this holiday, according to AAA. That's 11.4 percent more than last year.

To help avoid car trouble and unnecessary delays during holiday travel, AAA recommends drivers check their tire treads, tire pressure, wiper blades and battery connections.

While the vast majority of those travelers will be driving, it's those who take to the skies that often deal with the most headaches and heartache. Sure, nobody likes bumper-to-bumper traffic, but would you rather be stuck in traffic in your car or having airport security do a thorough pat-down of your privates?

Besides, it seems that every year the rules of the airport change ever so slightly. (Most people drive every day and the rules of the road really don't change.)

And for fliers, there is some good news: the government is once again opening up some military air space to help speed commercial flights.

Stay Up to Date on the Latest Travel Trends from ABC News on Twitter

So with all that in mind, we reached out to Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor at Travelocity to answer seven commonly-asked questions about flying during Thanksgiving.

#1: May I Bring My Turkey?

The short answer here is yes, though you might get some strange looks at security. Keep in mind, however, your turkey (or whatever other food you bring on the aircraft) must be part of your carry-on luggage and must not take up more than the free one bag and one carry-on item allotted by every domestic airline except Spirit (which charges for carry-on luggage). Remember, though, that the TSA still allows no more than 3 ounces of liquid in any one container, so your turkey cannot be soaking in brine, getting itself ready for dinner at grandma's house.

#2: How Long Do I Really Need to Get Though Security?

Provided you have checked in online before your flight (see question three), you can arrive at security one hour before your domestic flight and most likely be just fine. But, just to be on the safe side, you might want to leave yourself an extra half-hour during a busy travel weekend like Thanksgiving. If you choose not to check in online, arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time to be ready for long lines at the check-in counter, which are in addition to the lines at security. Arrive at the airport two hours before all international flights.

#3: How Do I Make Sure I Don't Get Bumped From My Flight?

There is no guaranteed way to avoid getting bumped, but there are certainly ways to minimize your chances. First and foremost, reserve a seat when you purchase your flight online, rather than letting one be randomly assigned to you at a later date. Next, check in online on your carrier's website up to 24 hours before your flight. Often, when a flight is oversold and no one is willing to give up their seat, the airline will bump the person or people who checked in last. Finally, get to the gate as early as possible (see question two; this is when that extra half-hour might come in handy) and reconfirm your seat with the gate agent.

#4: What If I Miss My Connection?

Typically when you miss a connection, the airline just puts you on the next flight to your destination. During a peak travel period like Thanksgiving, however, that might not be so simple because planes are flying very full and you'll have to wait for a flight with an available seat. The easiest way to not miss a connection is to book a direct flight in the first place. If that's not possible, leave a minimum of two hours to make your connecting flight to protect against any delays on the first leg of your trip.

If you've already purchased your flight and you're worried the connecting time is too tight, visit your airport's website to see a map of the airport to get a lay of the land. Then ask your flight attendant on your first flight to tell you what gate your next flight is using. This can save you several minutes of searching for your gate. Finally, if you do miss your connection and it looks as if it is going to be a while before the airline finds you an empty seat to your destination, it's time to be flexible. Be willing to travel to airports near your destination -- for example, Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, or Charleston instead of Savannah -- if there are empty seats.

#5: What Should I Keep With Me in Case We Get Stranded on the Tarmac?

It is very unlikely that you'll get stranded on the tarmac. However, make sure you're prepared for the worst-case scenario over Thanksgiving weekend and every other time you fly. Keep on your person at all times a fully charged cell phone, all medications, water (purchased post-security) and a snack. If you're traveling with children, make sure they have formula (this is an exception to the TSA liquid rule), diapers and activities to keep them amused. Bottom line -- if you can't live without it, don't put it in your checked luggage, because once it's checked you're not going to see it again until you get to your destination.

#6: Can I Bring Gifts Along?

Yes, but be aware that wrapped gifts may be opened at security. Use gift bags or wait until you arrive at your destination before wrapping presents. And of course, anything you carry on the plane counts towards your allotted one carry-on bag and one personal item.

#7: How Much Will It Cost My Family to Check Our Bags?

That, of course, depends on how many bags you check. Most airlines charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second on domestic flights. Exceptions are JetBlue, which allows one free checked bag, and Southwest, which allows two. Generally speaking, a family of four, each checking one bag, will pay a total of $200 round-trip in bag charges. Some airlines offer small discounts -- usually $3 per bag -- if you pay online before your flight.

Your bag must not weigh more than 50 pounds or measure more than 62 inches. Otherwise, it will be subject to overweight and/or oversized bag fees. On international flights, you're often allowed to check one bag free of charge, but check your carrier's website for specifics.

Keep in mind that every ticketed passenger (including a small child) is entitled to one regulation-size carry-on bag and one personal item for free, except on Spirit. Regulation size is generally 45 linear inches or less; you can figure this number out by adding the width plus the length plus the height.

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/thanksgiving-holiday-travel-tips-traffic-flight-delays-ruin/story?id=12195296

Preparing For Winter Weather Driving

Via MattarMedia - The morning frost on your windshield, the air turning crisp, the sky becoming darker on your drive home from work... like it or not, winter is on its way.  Shivering cold weather is just around the corner which means it is time to start preparing your car for winter driving.

From tire inspection to battery checks, the below list of tips from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration will help you keep track of what needs to be done before Old Man Winter comes to town.

• Get your car serviced to check for any leaks, bad hoses or other needed part repairs or replacements that could leave you stranded in bad weather. If you plan on using snow tires, install them now.

• Make sure your battery has enough power to start your car in cold weather. When the temperature drops, so does battery power.

• Check your cooling system for leaks and for the proper amount of coolant to avoid freezing. If your system hasn't been flushed for several years, have it done to ensure effectiveness. Fill up on wiper fluid and inspect your windshield wipers and defrosters to maintain the best visibility possible.

• Inspect your tires for cracks and tread that is worn below 1/16 of an inch. Make sure your tire pressure is at recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) levels, which is listed in your owner's manual and on the inside of the driver's door.

• Know your car and how it handles on wet, icy or snowy roads. Take the time to learn how to best drive it during winter weather.

• Plan your travel and route by checking weather, road conditions and traffic. Allow extra driving time in bad weather, and keep your gas tank full.

•  Stock your vehicle with emergency items like a shovel, broom, blankets, sand, ice scraper and jumper cables. Make sure you have your cell phone, water, food and any necessary medicine for longer trips.

For more information, visit safercar.gov

Get Some "Sweet" Deals in the Buffalo Area

Everyone loves a good deal.  Check out this article from The Buffalo News that highlights one of the newest and easiest ways go get up to 90% off at various local businesses.  Read on and learn how to start saving!

News launches Web site offering sweet deals for area shoppers

By David Robinson

NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER

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Updated: November 10, 2010, 6:46 AM

The Buffalo News has launched a new Web site that provides a different deal each day at local restaurants, stores and events. 

Each morning, SweetFind.com e-mails those registered with the site an offer of discounts of 50 percent to 90 percent off the regular prices. Tuesday, the inaugural deal from SweetFind.com offered $20 in vouchers for Paula’s Donuts on Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo for $9. The site accepts payment only by credit card. 

With the launch, Sweet- Find.com joins a fast-growing segment of Internet marketing that already includes sites such as Groupon.com, Livingocial. com and SocialBuy.com in the Buffalo Niagara region. 

The daily deal site also is a way for The News to broaden the advertising and marketing services it offers clients, both through the newspaper and the Internet, said Emily Lowrey, The News’ director of online operations. 

“Newspapers, obviously, are looking for ways to diversify,” she said. “This is one component of a complete media mix we can offer our customers.” 

Daily deal sites are a relatively new phenomenon, but they have succeeded in attracting millions of consumers across the country. Groupon, for instance, has 20 million subscribers in the 230 markets where it operates and this week was reported to be seeking venture capital funding that would value the 2-year-old business at $3 billion. 

Like the other such bargain sites, SweetFind each weekday will offer one deal that will expire at midnight, or possibly earlier if the limited-quantity offer sells out, Lowrey said. Friday deals will be available throughout the weekend or until they sell out. 

While the deals are available only for 24 hours, the vouchers purchased through the Sweet- Find site typically don’t expire for six months to a year. 

The daily deal site allows advertisers to reach out to new consumers, attracting them to their businesses with deep discounts in hopes that they then will become regular customers, Lowrey said.
Consumers can sign up to receive SweetFind’s exclusive coupon at SweetFind.com.

drobinson@buffnews.com

WNY Is On the Rise!

Who doesn't love hearing great success stories about Western New York?  Local WNY companies are making it big according to Forbes' list of the top private companies in the United States.

Check out this article from Buffalo Business First! -


WNY companies rise on Forbes list 
Business First 
Date: Friday, November 5, 2010, 8:04am EDT

 

A list of the country’s top private companies published by Forbes has a Western New York flavor. Four companies based in Buffalo and Rochester made the list — Wegmans, Rich Products Corp., Bausch & Lomb and Delaware North Cos. — and each improved their standing from last year.

Wegmans, at No. 55, placed highest among the locals, rising from 74th in 2009. The Rochester grocer, which has a prominent business in Buffalo, had revenue of $5.15 billion, up 7.2 percent and an employment roll of nearly 38,700, Forbes said.

Rich Products Corp. climbed to No. 137 from 161 on revenues of $2.9 billion, an increase of 3.5 percent. The Buffalo-based food manufacturer employs some 7,500 workers.

Another Buffalo company, Delaware North Cos., was ranked at No. 204, up from No. 219. The publication said revenue declined 2.2 percent to $2.15 billion. The concessions’ company has 50,000 workers.

In between Rich Products and Delaware North was Bausch & Lomb, the medical appliances and equipment of Rochester. B&L placed at No. 171, compared to No. 189 last year, on revenue of $250 million and 11,000 employees.

The full list can be found here.
Read more: WNY companies rise on Forbes list | Business First

LINK to article:
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2010/11/05/wny-companies-rise-on-forbes-list.html 

William Mattar Law Offices Holds Food Drive for Clarence Food Pantry

Here at William Mattar Law Offices not only do we enjoy working hard for those injured in car accidents, we also love giving back to our local community.  We will be holding a food drive to benefit the Clarence Food Pantry beginning this Wednesday, November 3^rd.  Items will be collected up until 5:00pm on Friday, November 12^th.

Every little bit helps, so please stop by our office at 6720 Main Street in Williamsville to donate.  Below is a list of items that are needed most:

• Paper products (plates, towels, napkins, tissues)
• Laundry detergent
• Cleaning products
• Pasta sauce
• Canned frosting
• Canned corn
• Spaghetti O's and Chef Boyardee
• Frozen turkeys*

*If you would like to donate a frozen turkey please do so on November 12th, the last day of the food drive.

It's School Bus Safety Week!

Every day students are at risk from people who drive dangerously around school buses. That's why it's National School Bus Safety Week.

The thought of your child being in a bus accident is a scary thought for parents, but despite the lack of seat belts, they're a pretty safe place to be.

It's generally more dangerous for kids when they're getting on and off the bus. The danger zones are the areas around the bus where the kids are most likely to be hurt. That includes being hit by passing cars or the bus itself, but a few easy habits can help keep kids safe at the bus stop.

Kids need to stay 10 giant steps away from the bus. they need to make eye contact with the driver so the driver gives them the signal that it's okay to cross and okay to load or unload.

One area where there's a lot of confusion about passing a bus with flashing lights is major roads and intersections. A turning lane is not enough, drivers must stop unless there is a physical barrier like a concrete median.

Kids should also be warned that if they drop something under the bus , they should alert the bus driver and not try and retrieve it themselves. They should also take off their backpacks and put them on the floor of the bus to ensure the kids are properly protected in the event of a crash.

Facebook Apps Leak User Info

Some Facebook applications have been leaking user information — specifically, Facebook UIDs — to third party companies.

The apps in question have a huge combined userbase. The Wall Street Journal reports that all of the 10 most popular Facebook (Facebook) apps are guilty of giving away user IDs to third parties, specifically Internet (Internet) research and advertising companies.

These include Zynga’s FarmVille, Texas HoldEm Poker (texas holdem poker) and FrontierVille; according to AppData, FarmVille alone had more than 80 million users in February 2010.

Facebook confirmed some of the issues in a blog post, claiming most of the apps in question shared the user IDs inadvertently, due to “technical details.”

“Our policy is very clear about protecting user data, ensuring that no one can access private user information without explicit user consent (…) Recently, it has come to our attention that several applications built on Facebook Platform were passing the User ID (UID), an identifier that we use within our APIs, in a manner that violated this policy. In most cases, developers did not intend to pass this information, but did so because of the technical details of how browsers work,” the post said.

Earlier this weekend, Facebook blocked LOLapps, one of the biggest social games providers on the Facebook platform, due to “violations of Facebook’s terms.” The WSJ claims that some of the apps created by LOLapps were also transmitting user info to third parties. LOLapps (whose apps have now been reinstated on Facebook) has confirmed this was the case in a blog post, claiming it shared the info inadvertently.

Facebook also said that “knowledge of a UID does not enable anyone to access private user information without explicit user consent.”

This is true, but Facebook UID can be very revealing, depending on the user’s privacy settings. Knowing the ID of a Facebook user who shares information with “Everyone” can potentially give you access to his/her name, phone number, e-mail, photos and other personal info. Even if a user has set the strictest possible privacy settings on his/her account on Facebook, the ID may still reveal his/her name and Facebook friends.

And then there’s the issue of scale. If an application with tens of millions of users shares Facebook UIDs with an advertising company, that’s a lot of data. Depending on your privacy settings on Facebook, this particular advertising company now may only know your name and the names of your friends or much more. But the real question is one of trust: Have you agreed to any of this, and do you want to be in this company’s database?

This is another in a long line of Facebook’s privacy missteps. Although Facebook has claimed time and time again that it’s doing everything it can to preserve its users’ privacy, this latest incident won’t do much to convince its users that this is really the case.

Thanks to Stan Schroeder for the heads up.

William Mattar Law Offices Rewards Safe Drivers Who Buckle Their Seat Belts

Whether or not to wear a seat belt could be the most important choice one makes when driving or riding in an automobile.  The simple and smart decision to buckle up can mean the difference between life and death.  Therefore, every year our firm implements the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign.

The main purpose of this campaign is to encourage the people of Western New York to practice seat belt safety.  Up until late August visitors of Mattar.com had the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a trip for four to Fern Resort; a beautiful, all-inclusive family getaway in Ontario, Canada. William Mattar Law Offices is pleased to announce that one lucky winner was chosen - Western New York native Geoffrey Goodrell!

 William Mattar (right) presents Fern Resort vacation package to Geoffrey Goodrell at the winner's home in Rochester, NY.

Our current giveaway allows New Yorkers the chance to win a FREE laptop computer.  To become eligible visit www.mattar.com, register in the William Mattar Buckle Your Belt Campaign before December 2010 and agree to wear your seatbelt every time you are traveling the roads in a motor vehicle.  Now making the choice to buckle up can not only save your life, it can win you some amazing prizes.

William Mattar Law Offices Takes Part in "Paint the Village Pink" Initiative

Williamsville, New York (October 7, 2010) – Local businesses throughout Amherst and Williamsville are "Painting the Village Pink" to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Town residents and passersby visiting Main Street between Kensington Avenue and Youngs Road will see pink ribbon banners hanging from streetlights throughout October.  They'll also catch a glimpse of participating businesses decked out with large pink breast cancer ribbons.

"It is a great feeling to know that our participation is making a difference in creating awareness of breast cancer, the most common form of cancer affecting women." ~ William Mattar

 

William Mattar Law Offices will show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in the amazing "Paint the Village Pink" campaign.  The office will be decorated with large pink ribbons and staff members will be showing their support throughout the month by wearing pink.

According to the American Cancer Society, you have a 100% chance of survival if breast cancer is detected in Stage 1.  Events like "Paint the Village Pink" do an incredible job of generating awareness of facts such as this and the need for proper screening.

Rochester Red Light Camera Traffic Safety Program

The Rochester Police Department is deploying the latest technology to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.

As part of Rochester’s Red Light Photographic Enforcement Program, cameras are being installed at certain intersections to help enforce the vehicle and traffic law. The intersection locations were selected based upon accident data and video surveys conducted by Redflex Inc., the company that is managing the program for the City.

The program is scheduled to begin in October.

How Redlight Traffic Safety Cameras Work
The cameras will capture still and video images of vehicles in the act of a red-light violation, which will initiate the procedure to deliver a civil summons, or Notice of Violation, to the registered owner of the vehicle. The violation is a civil penalty and will not be reported to insurance companies or generate points on a driver’s license.

Evidence captured by the Red Light Cameras will be reviewed by the Rochester Police Department before the summons is delivered in the mail. Vehicle owners will have an opportunity to appeal the summons or pay the fine. The civil violation carries a $50 fine.

The program will begin with a 15 day warning period, when warning letters will be sent.




The cameras operate 24 hours a day and capture still photographs and video of every vehicle that runs a red light at the intersection. Cameras photograph only the vehicle and the license plate of vehicles running the red lights. No images of the driver or passengers are captured. Each set of images of a red light violation are reviewed and approved by the Rochester Police Department before a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

A "Motion For Continuance" For That?

In the Louisiana case of Harrell v. Spencer, et al., defense counsel filed an "Unopposed Motion To Continue Trial Due To Conflict With The LSU Tiger's National Championship Game." In his supporting Memorandum, defense counsel states:

All counsel to this matter unequivocally agree that the presence of LSU in the aforementioned contest of pigskin skill unquestionably constitutes good grounds [under the statute - for continuing the trial]. In fact we have been unable through much imagination and hypothetical scenarios to think of a better reason.

The Motion was granted and the trial moved to February 11, 2008.  However, February 11th is George Washington's birthday. Really, you can't make this stuff up.  You can read the Motion, Memorandum and Order here

Google Me is Probably Already Bigger Than Facebook

The world discovered a little bit more about this mysterious "Google Me" project this week, when Googlers, including CEO Eric Schmidt opened up (just a little bit) at the company's Zeitgeist event.

The main thing that has been revealed is that Google Me will not be a new social network from Google to try and compete with Facebook, but rather a "social layer" added to existing Google products. If you think about it, this strategy makes more sense, as Google already has many of the features of a great social network in its various properties. As I've said over and over again, integration among these is the key, and "Google Me" just might turn out to be that integration that connects Google's offerings, effectively making Google itself the social network.

While video is also increasing, photos were responsible for most of Facebook's initial growth. In fact Facebook Photos now has more market share than all the competitors combined (including Google-owned Picasa). Google also clearly has another massive weapon in their arsenal: YouTube. The video site is by far the most popular of all video sites in the world.  YouTube is easily the greatest asset Google has in terms of social media. You may recall that YouTube began requiring all users to have a Google account. No coincidence.

So let's compare Google (as one big social network) to Facebook, feature by feature.

Facebook has the news feed. Google is reportedly working on the activity stream. Facebook has chat. Google does too (text, voice, and video). Facebook has photos. Google does too, with Picasa Web Albums and various other complementary photo-related offerings. Facebook has videos. Google has YouTube (and Google Video). Facebook has notes. Google has Blogger. Facebook has Pages. Google has Profiles.  Google has email. Facebook may at some point (MySpace just added it last year). Facebook has games. Google is working on getting more. Facebook has news publications setting up Pages. Google has Google News. Facebook has the Open Graph. Google has search (all kinds of search...and maps).

Facebook has Facebook Ads. Google has AdWords, AdSense, and Doubleclick. Facebook has applications. Google has Google Apps, the Apps Marketplace, Android, the Android Marketplace, Chrome, Chrome OS, the Chrome Web Store, Google TV which will support Android apps and web apps. Google is also trying to get a music service off the ground.  And let's not forget Google Calendar and Google Reader - two very user-personalized products.

People have often talked about Google's "social media failures", but Google just may have the biggest social network of all but it's all in the integration. Google just needs to make it happen in a way that people can clearly see it all come together and actually use it.

Back to School: Online Safety

It's hard enough to supervise your kid's online activities at home, by setting and enforcing rules such as no chatting and no instant-messaging people you don't know.  What about their online safety at school?

Statistically, kids are safer online at school than at home. They are often better supervised at school, as someone usually oversees all their online activities by watching the PCs or using monitoring technology. Also, most children have limited school Internet access; the less time they spend online, the less likely they are to be drawn into something harmful.

Another key factor is the expertise of school librarians and media specialists. One of them told me that you can always tell when students are surfing where they shouldn't be: Other kids gather around to see what's on the screen. It's rarely pornography; more often it's a gory site, or one that targets a student. Librarians can usually find sites that threaten specific children, by watching for high traffic to little-known sites (which kids find by word of mouth).

Many schools block instant messaging and chat. Since most Internet sexual predators entice children through these means, this alone makes your child much safer. Still, make sure that the school and its board have effective policies in place to deal with a variety of cyberrisks.

Ask if the school has an acceptable-use policy. It should be signed both by students and parents, and clearly state the rules, the consequences of violating them, and how to report problems. Find out what happens if a parent refuses to sign; too many schools let the student go online anyway, feeling it's needed for their education.

Ask about privacy. Does the school have a Web site? Does it include the school directory or students' personal information? Student photos? (Pictures should show groups of four or more students and not give their names.) Does the school let students fill out forms online or register at Web sites? COPPA (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) bars Web sites from letting preteens use interactive communications (chat, IM, discussion boards, e-mail) or from collecting personally identifiable information from them without parental permission.

Kids can be inventive in finding ways to abuse the Internet and each other. But if parents, teachers, students, library personnel, safety officers, and school officials and boards work together, we'll keep making progress in ensuring that students' online experience is as safe as possible.

Back to School Back Pack Safety

As the new school year approaches, parents and children planning their "back-to-school" lists are urged to keep backpack safety in mind.

Each year, about 6,000 children in the United States experience backpack-related injuries, Linda Rhodes, an occupational therapist at MCG Health Children's Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., explained in a news release from the medical center.

In an effort to cut down on the number of these injuries, Rhodes offers parents the following backpack safety advice:

• Choose a lightweight backpack that doesn't add too much to your child's load. The pack should have two wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back that will improve comfort and protect your child from being poked by the sharp points and edges of pencils, pens, rulers and other objects they need to carry. 
   
• Select the proper size backpack for your child. It should cover no more than three-quarters of the length of your child's back.
   
• Load backpacks carefully. The maximum weight of a loaded pack should not be more than 15 percent of a child's body weight. Place the heaviest books closest to the back as they require the most body support. If a child has to lean forward to carry a pack, it's too heavy.
   
• Have your child wear the pack correctly. He or she should use both shoulder straps. Carrying a backpack on one shoulder puts too much strain on one side of the upper body. The straps should be snug, but not too tight. If a backpack has a waist strap, use it to help better support the load.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more about backpack safety.

Teaching your teens about distracted driving hazards

Via MattarMedia - We have been blogging about distracted driving since last week. The statistics show that teens are not getting the message about how dangerous and deadly the consequences really can be.

There are so many distractions that drivers need to be aware of - music, eating, cell phones, other people in the car, etc. As parents, we need to take the time to talk to our teenagers about safe driving techniques. Have your teen take this quiz to see how much they really know about the hazards of texting while driving. Then have them watch the graphic texting while driving video.

Most importantly, as parents we need to model safe driving in our own vehicles. Practice what you preach.

Strange stories about distracted driving

Via MattarMedia - We hear a lot of talk in the media about the problem of texting and driving, or cell phone use and driving, but what about other types of distracted driving? Most of us have witnessed another driver doing something ridiculous, like applying makeup, eating, or navigating with a large road map, while driving. Why are so many Americans convinced that driving is a great time to show off their multi-tasking skills?

A local radio call-in show covered this topic a few weeks ago. Callers shared some outrageous stories regarding distracted driving. We have a highlighted a couple here:

One caller recalled a story about driving behind a car that was swerving all over the road. When he found an opportunity to safely pass the driver, he discovered that she was reading! She had a hardcover novel spread out on the steering wheel and was actively reading it.

Another caller told the audience about a time when they passed a car and saw that the driver was brushing his teeth - complete with toothbrush, a tube of paste and a bottle of water (for rinsing, of course).

Do you have a distracted driving story that you would like to share? We would love to hear it - feel free to comment below.

Distracted driving kills people every day. Moral of the story: Just wait until you get where you are going. The time "saved" isn't worth the risk taken.

Distracted driving is still a serious problem for teen drivers

Via MattarMedia - Our latest blog topic is an issue that is receiving a lot of press coverage lately - distracted driving. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be getting any better, especially among teen drivers. Frightening statistics show that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers (claiming more lives than drugs, alcohol, suicide, or violence combined.)

AAA recently collaborated with Seventeen Magazine in a poll to find out more about teen driving habits. While more than 80% of teens admitted that distracted driving was dangerous, an alarming 86% admitted to engaging in some act of distracted driving.

More details about the study are available here, along with some great suggestions from AAA on how to talk with your teen to combat this serious problem.

Keeping the kids happy on your family road trip

Via MattarMedia - Do you have a family road trip planned and wonder how you are going to keep the kids entertained in the car? Sitting idle for long periods is not easy for children of any age. A little advance planning may help to limit their boredom - and the inevitable bickering that is sure to happen.

First, let each kid to fill a backpack with activities that they enjoy. Allowing them to fill their own bag is the best way to select items they will actually use. Storybooks, coloring books, crayons, drawing paper and small electronic toys are a great start for younger children. Older kids may prefer books, hand-held gaming devices or MP3 players to keep busy.

Second, try to plan a couple of stops along the way. If you have packed a lunch, take a little time to stop at a nice park or picnic area to enjoy it. Everyone needs a chance to stretch and the kids will be able to run off some of their pent up energy. This simple 30 minute lunch break can re-energize everyone for the next leg of the trip.

When the kids have reached their limit and the packed activities have run their course, play some car games. Travel games require no extra packing and can be fun for everyone. Here are a few great sites which offer game ideas for people of all ages:

Top 10 Road Trip Games

21 Games Sorted by Age

Classic Road Trip Games

Printable Car Games

With good planning and preparation, family road trips can be so much fun. Drive safe and enjoy the great memories you are making!

How to save money on your next road trip

Via MattarMedia - If you think you can't afford your vacation this year, think again. With the current state of the economy, high-end luxury vacations have taken the back burner to low-cost weekend getaways. Road trips can be a cost effective alternative with the proper planning. Here are some budget friendly tips to help you save money on your next road trip.

FOOD
Eating out for three meals a day can add up fast. Consider making sandwiches or bringing the bread and fixings with you to make them along the way. When you do want to mix it up by eating out, look for local diners and early bird specials.

You can also save a lot of money by packing a bag of snacks from home and a cooler of drinks for the road. Grabbing a 16 oz. bottle of water and a granola bar can cost you close to $5 at a gas station. For that price, you can buy an entire case of water bottles!

LODGING
We all love those 5 star resorts, but when you are cutting costs, they don't fit the bill. What are some inexpensive options? Camping, motels, and some Bed & Breakfast Inns can help you save big bucks. There are also a lot of accommodations that offer discounts with certain memberships, like AAA.

GAS
The first way to save money on gas is to travel using the most fuel-efficient car in your household. You may get a little more cargo space with a SUV, but you will pay for it at the gas pump.

Next, try to drive your car at a constant speed. Repeatedly speeding up and slowing down just wastes gas. If you are on the highway, set your cruise control to maintain a steady speed and good fuel efficiency.

An additional way to save money on gas for long road trips is to plot your course in advance and see who has the best gas prices before even leaving home.

One last money saving tip (which is good year round) - DON'T SPEED! Even if you don't get in a car accident from speeding, a ticket can cost hundreds of dollars and can put a big dent in your budget.

Close to home: Great ideas for your next road trip

Via MattarMedia - Whether you are planning to camp out for the weekend or stay at a luxury resort for the week, there are many great spots near Western New York to consider for your next road trip. We have gathered some of our favorite places and categorized them for you below.

Our top 5 family destinations:
1. Darien Lake
2. Adirondack Mountains
3. Cooperstown, NY (Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame)
4. Gettysburg, PA
5. Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA

Our top 5 romantic getaways:
1. Niagara-on-the-Lake
2. Finger Lakes Wine Trail
3. Alexandria Bay, NY
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Saratoga Springs, NY

Our top 5 day trips:
1. Goat Island (in Niagara Falls)
2. Lewiston, NY
3. Letchworth State Park
4. Tift Nature Preserve (in Buffalo)
5. Gorge trails (in Niagara Falls)

Between sight seeing, hiking, boating and camping, there are plenty of ways to keep busy this summer and enjoy the outdoors.

Feel free to comment - we would love to hear what your favorite close to home spots are. Check back for some more road trip fun next week!

10 tips to get your car ready for a road trip

Via MattarMedia - You've packed your favorite Hawaiian shirt, flip flops, sunscreen, snacks, and have your itinerary planned, but are you really ready for that road trip? Run through this checklist to see if you have missed anything...

1) Check your tire pressure.
You can usually find the recommended PSI pressure on the tire itself.
2) Align and rotate your tires.
Having your tires aligned and rotated will reduce uneven wear and make your tires last longer.
3) Check your brakes.
If your rotors or brake pads need replacing, now’s a better time to do it than in the middle of your road trip.
4) Check coolant levels.
Repairs for an overheated car can be expensive, but is easily avoidable with regular maintenance.
5) Change engine oil.
Even if you had your oil changed recently, it’s smart to check your oil level before you leave on a road trip.
6) Check windshield wipers & fluid.
Replace old wiper blades and fill up the windshield wiper fluid so you can keep you windshield clear in summer rain storms.
7) Check the levels of your power steering, brake and transmission fluids.
If they are not full, you will want to fill them before getting on the road.
8) Keep an emergency kit in your car.
If you don't know what you need, read our blog post from June for a detailed list.
9) Check your car for a spare tire and jack.
If your tire blows out on a deserted road, you want to be equipped to handle it.
10) Bring road maps for the areas you are traveling through.
A GPS is a handy device, but technology can be unpredictable.

Our Road Trip Series continues all week, so come back to find out more helpful hints.

Anyone up for a summer road trip?

Via MattarMedia - Summer is here and the kids are out of school. So, what does this mean for a lot of people this summer? Road trip!

Whether you're planning a one day trip or a cross country trek, it's best to plan ahead. To help you stay prepared and safely enjoy your getaway, we introduce our Road Trip Series. For the next couple of weeks, we will be blogging about various topics, including:

*Preparing Your Car
*WNY Road Trips
*Road Safety
*Games to Play in the Car

Check back for some useful travel information as we revv up our July Road Trip Series.

Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving: Is there a difference?

Via MattarMedia - We can all admit to having been in a hurry to get somewhere and we have all been a witness to impatient, reckless drivers. But is speeding an equal offense to tailgating or failure to yield? What exactly is the difference between aggressive driving and road rage?

Most people don't realize the distinction, but aggressive driving is not road rage. The most notable difference is that road rage is a violent, criminal offense, such as using your vehicle as a weapon or physically assaulting another person with your vehicle.

According to the New York State police, an aggressive driver is one who:

"Operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of the other users of the streets and highways."

So, what qualifies as aggressive driving then? Here's the list of traffic violations:

* Excessive Speed
* Frequent or Unsafe Lane Changes
* Failure to Signal
* Tailgating
* Failure to Yield the Right of Way
* Disregarding Traffic Controls
* Impaired Driving

These are all moving violations that can result in points on your license and fines.

Moral of the story: Keep your emotions in check and never drive the way you feel.

Police try to Prevent Aggressive Driving

Via MattarMedia - As part of a new campaign, Operation Work Brake, state police will start to target aggressive drivers. Throughout the week, you may see Troopers surveying construction zones and highways.

As reported by Your News Now:

"As we get closer to the 4th of July weekend, State Police will be on the lookout for aggressive drivers along the Thruway. It's called "Operation Work Brake."

From Monday to Friday, state troopers will be out in full force looking for drivers showing erratic behavior along the Thruway and construction zones across the state.

State officials said that with the summer season here, drivers need to do their part by showing caution while on the road."

As always, we encourage you to drive safe and will be posting more information about aggressive driving throughout the week.

New study shows lower car crash rates for older drivers

Via MattarMedia - As the Baby Boomer generation is getting older, we have more older drivers on the roads than in previous years. A few of the more common generalizations made about the elderly include:

1. They drive slow, sometimes under the speed limit which can be hazardous.
2. They have poor reflexes, resulting in slow reaction time.
3. They have poor vision, which affects their driving ability.

While some of these stereotypes may be true for some drivers, a new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that the greatest decrease in crash rates was for older drivers. Results from the report show that injury crash rates declined 34% for drivers 80 years old and up, while the decrease in injury crash rates for 35-54 year-olds was only 16%.

What could this mean? Well, for one, with the advances in the medical field, older people are, generally speaking, in better health today than in the past. Some other theories are that cars are built safer today; and, elderly people are using better judgment as to when they should stay off the roads.

Earlier this year, the New York State DMV unveiled a new web site geared specifically for older drivers. If you have a loved one in the older age bracket, please pass the link on to them.  Staying informed is the first step to staying safe.

Teen ticketed for driving drunk and texting while driving

Via MattarMedia - Generally speaking, multi-tasking is usually considered to be a positive thing. However, when you are driving, it's best to keep your focus on the road.

As reported by News Channel 2:

A Fredonia man was ticketed Saturday after he rolled his vehicle over and it was determined that he was texting and drunk.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a scene of a rollover motor vehicle accident around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Through further investigation, it was determined that Brandyn Lambe, 19, was texting while driving.

According to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, the texting caused him to become distracted which lead to his vehicle going off the road, through a ditch. The vehicle then flipped over several times, landing on its wheels in the opposite lane.

Once Police got to Lambe and treated him for his minor injuries, it was discovered that he was also intoxicated.

Please drink responsibly and don't text and drive.

State Troopers are trying to keep drunk drivers off the roads

Via MattarMedia - New York State Troopers are making a statement against drinking and driving. DWI checkpoints, like the one seen in this video, will be seen often throughout Western New York this summer.

Trooper Joe DiMaria said:
"We'll be conducting these road checks throughout the season, and hopefully people are getting the message. This way, things will pay off and we'll save some lives."

Driving while intoxicated endangers everybody on the roads. If you plan on drinking, have a designated driver to get you home safely.

Stay prepared with an emergency kit in your car

Via MattarMedia - Hindsight is 20/20, and unfortunately, until we are faced with a calamitous situation, we don't think about being prepared for those events. After writing last week's Survival Series, we realized how unprepared we are to deal with those life-and-death scenarios and have decided to dedicate this post to correcting that.

Many retailers sell emergency car kits for around $25, but you can make one that's better suited to a variety of potential problems yourself. Grab a duffel bag and fill it with these items:

Basic First Aid Kit
Blanket
Cell phone charger (adapted for use in your car)
Center punch (to break the windows)
A couple bottles of water
Non-perishable food items (trail mix or granola bars)
Flashlight (with an extra set of batteries)
Candles (which give out a surprising amount of heat)
Matches (stored in a ziploc bag)
Multipurpose pocket tool (Swiss Army Knife)
Duct tape
Flares
Jumper cables
Tire inflator (such as Fix-A-Flat)
Anti-bacterial hand gel

Store the bag in your trunk for use in an emergency. If you already own a store bought kit, take a look at the contents and see if you should supplement in any of the items listed above.

It's also a good idea to have a second first aid kit under the driver's seat for easy access in the event that you can't get out of the vehicle. If you have a special medical condition, like diabetes or asthma, you should consider keeping a supply of your medication handy.

This list is a great start, but we recommend checking a few different sites and tailoring the kit to your needs.

How to Survive being Stranded in your Car during a Blizzard

Via MattarMedia - It's the last day of our Survival Series and we have one more "what if" to cover. If you haven't read the first two blog posts in this series, from Monday and Wednesday, check out how to survive those situations now.

Today's scenario:

There is a terrible blizzard outside and your car has broken down. You are traveling alone on an unfamiliar rural road, with no houses in sight, and your cell phone has no service. What should you do:

1. Get out of your car and walk until you find help.
2. Stay in your car and wait out the storm.
3. Get out of the car and try to start a fire nearby to keep you warm.
4. Build a snowman.

Chances are you don't have any carrot "noses" or button "eyes" handy, so let's skip #4 as a possibility. The best thing to do in this situation is to stay in your car (#2). Unless you can actually see a house or business from your vehicle, do not attempt to go out in the snow for help. In blowing and drifting snow, it is easy to become disoriented and you may wander off the road or be unable to find your way back to the car.

As recommended by FEMA, here are some tips on what you can do if you get stranded during a snowstorm:

• Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.
  
• Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.
  
• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  
• Exercise lightly to maintain body heat and circulation, but avoid overexertion.
  
• In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation.
  
• Be careful not to waste battery power.
  

Once you have regained service on your cell phone, you can call for help. Next week, we will discuss what you should keep in your car for emergency situations like this and others.

"My car has plunged into a river!": What do you do in this worst-case scenario?

Via MattarMedia - Today we continue our Survival Series. If you missed Monday's blog post, we recommend checking it out now.

Today's scenario:

You swerve to avoid a dog in the road and lose control of your vehicle. Before you know what's happening, you have gone off the road and your car has plunged into a river. What is the first thing you should do (if possible):

1. Text for help.
2. Open your car window.
3. Try to kick out the windshield.
4. Change into your bathing suit.

Yes, we all want to look good at the beach, but this isn't the time to get "dolled up". How about #3, you ask? A car windshield is made of several layers of glass and would take too much effort to try to break.

So, now that we have eliminated #4 and #3 as options, the best choice (when possible) is #2. Your car window should be your primary escape route and if you are able to open your window and get out of the vehicle before it submerges completely, do so. At some point, your electric windows and doors will short out and you will lose the "window" of opportunity to open them.

If you are unable to open your window or your car has completely submerged under water, things get a bit trickier. The water pressure outside of the car will be extremely high and opening the door will be next to impossible. What you need to do is wait for the water pressure inside and outside of the vehicle to equalize, which means letting the interior of the car (almost) fill up with water. When the water reaches about neck level, you should be able to open your car door - or use something sharp to break a side window - and swim out.

When you escape from the vehicle, it's important to note the direction that the bubbles are going in. You can be surprisingly disoriented under the water and your car may have turned or flipped while sinking. The last thing you want to do is swim in the wrong direction.

Come back on Friday as we wrap up our Survival Series.

"There's a live wire on my car!": Could you survive if this happened?

Via MattarMedia - This week we bring you a new safety topic that we call our "Survival Series". The scenarios we present throughout the series are life and death situations that, while rare, could occur when you are in your car. The question is, could you survive if this happened to you?

Today's scenario:

You are sitting in your car after having just parked. Before you have a chance to exit the vehicle, a power line breaks and a live wire lands directly on the hood of your car. What should you do:

1. Get out of the car as fast as you can.
2. Use your cell phone to call for emergency services.
3. Start your car and drive away.
4. Find a method to harness and store the electrical power so you can save on your home energy bill.

Unless you are MacGyver and have a roll of duct tape and a hairpin at the ready, we hope you didn't pick #4.

The best option to try is #3. If your car wasn't disabled by the wire, start it and slowly back away. We still recommend calling emergency services before getting out of your vehicle to make sure the area is safe.

If your car is unable to start, the next best choice is #2. Unless your car is on fire or there is some other immediate threat, you should not leave the vehicle. Emergency services will call in the utility company to shut off the power and they will then help you get out of the car safely.

Check back on Wednesday to continue our Survival Series.

Don't rain on my parade: Summer Driving Hazards

Via MattarMedia - With the recent change of seasons and summer on the horizon, snowfall and blizzards are behind us (Knock on wood - this is Buffalo after all.) We tend to think that hazardous road conditions are another worry we can store away for the season along with our shovels, but spring and summer rain storms can be just as dangerous as snow to drive in.

Like snow, rainfall will decrease your visibility and cause slick roads. Here are a few safety precautions to keep in mind when driving in rainy weather:

Give yourself more time
Leave earlier and be prepared to drive slower.

Brake early
Applying your brakes sooner will give you more stopping distance.

Use your lights
Most cars today are equipped with daytime running lights, but if yours isn't, make sure you turn them on. Using your headlights will increase your car's visibility and help you to see better.

Avoid puddles
When you can, try to steer clear of standing water.

If you find yourself in a situation where your car is hydroplaning, DO NOT BRAKE OR TURN YOUR WHEEL. The best thing you can do is slowly release your brake pedal and steer straight until your tires regain traction with the road.

As always, please stay prepared and drive safe.

A Little Motorcycle Fun to Gear up for Summer

 The First Motorcycle invented by Gottlieb Daimler, 1885

Via MattarMedia - May is coming to a close and with it ends Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Our topics all month have been full of safety tips and information geared towards helping motorcyclists. After weeks of serious articles, we thought we should close out the month with a bit of fun and trivia.

Did you know...

...Some famous motorcycle brands make more than just cars and motorcycles? Yamaha also makes swimming pools, Kawasaki makes spaceships, and Ducati used to make radios.

...You can find motorcycle parts in your pantry? The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.

...That there is a patron saint of motorcyclists? The Vatican officially endorsed the Irish saint Columbanus of Bobbio in the 1940's.

Do you pride yourself on being a bike afficionado? We invite you to test your knowledge on motorcycles. Take this fun Motorcycle Trivia Quiz to see how much you really know.

Enjoy your motorcycle even more this summer by riding safe and sober.

Still THINK Speeding on a Motorcycle is Cool?

Via MattarMedia - We have been blogging about motorcycle safety all month to commemorate Motorcycle Awareness Month. Today we are going to talk about speeding and the importance of staying within the posted speed limits.

Speeding is dangerous irregardless of how experienced a driver you are, how well you "know" the roads, or what the road conditions are. We know what it's like to be late for something or to be in a hurry to get where you are going, but speeding is not the answer. Besides making you an aggressive driver, speeding also increases your likelihood of getting into an accident and decreases your ability to react to obstacles or situations in your path.

A common error made by many drivers is thinking that you are safe when you are close to home, which can lead to careless or distracted driving. There are many of us who can probably attest to having driven home on "auto pilot", where you don't even remember making the turns. The reality is that a large proportion of accidents happen within just a few miles of your home. It is never safe to assume that the roads you "know" so well should be treated any differently than roads you have never traveled on before.

This video is yet another creative collaboration by the United Kingdom as part of their THINK! Safety Campaign. Watching it will definitely make you THINK before speeding.

"Look out!" Avoiding Obstacles in the Road

Via MattarMedia - One of the big hazards motorcycle riders face is dealing with obstacles on the road. How should you handle an obstacle? Well, there are essentially two options: slow down or go around it. Do you know the rules for when you should to do which?

According to one safety site, the general rule is that when you are traveling under 50 MPH, you should brake. When traveling 50 MPH or faster, you should try to maneuver around the hazard because the distance needed for braking increases with increased speed.

Some common hazards to avoid include:

Leaves: So pretty in the fall but far more dangerous than they appear, especially if wet.

Small animals: Hitting a very small animal can be treacherous, especially on a smaller motorcycle.

Standing water: Don't just charge through water like you would in a car. Depending on tires you can hydroplane which will make the bike feel like it's on ice. If you are unlucky enough to experience this make no steering inputs and ride straight on through.

Ice: A pretty clear danger. Stay off the roads in icy conditions and beware of early mornings, even in warmer fall and spring weather.

Snow: Another one to avoid. If you have to do it, make minimal traction demands and remain smooth.

We encourage you to watch this video which highlights the importance of staying aware of your surroundings when you are riding a motorcycle. "If Only" obstacles were clearly labeled like this, there would be far fewer accidents and fatalities.

What not to do on a Motorcycle...

Via MattarMedia - In honor of Motorcycle Safety Month, we have been blogging about different topics aimed at keeping you safe and informed about motorcycle riding. So when we saw this news article in our feed this morning, we had to bring it to you as What Not to Do on a motorcycle.

As reported by an Albany, NY news source:

An Esperance man on his motorcycle led police on a high-speed chase late Friday night, running red lights, sideswiping a car and went flying after hitting a parked car, police said.

Morgan Henness, 21, was charged with DWI, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, Reckless Driving and several other traffic violations, police said.

Henness was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on Madison Avenue when he ran through a red light at Madison Avenue and Quail Street, police said. A patrol officer witnessed it and tried to pull Henness over near the entrance to Washington Park at Madison Avenue and New Scotland.

Police say Henness actually accelerated, sideswiping another vehicle that was traveling in the same direction on Madison Avenue. Henness ran through the red light at Willet Street then lost control of his motorcycle and hit a parked car at Madison and Delaware Avenues, police said.

Henness was thrown from the bike and sustained injuries from the accident. He was taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time but his injuries were not life threatening, police said.

Hmm....wonder what he did wrong?  Where do we begin?!  Let's see....there's the drinking and riding, evading the police, hitting other vehicles, and being ejected from the motorcycle, just for a few starters.  We sincerely recommend not taking a page from Mr. Henness' book, and do not encourage this type of riding.