Wednesday, June 30, 2010

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.

Monday, June 28, 2010

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.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

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.

Monday, June 21, 2010

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.

Friday, June 18, 2010

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.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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.

Friday, June 11, 2010

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.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

"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.

Monday, June 7, 2010

"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.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

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.
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