Keep the Party Off the Road: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over  Via Traffic Safety Marketing

•    Drunk driving is a killer on the roads all year round, but data shows that the tradition of celebrating the holidays with alcohol leads to an increase of traffic crashes and resulting deaths and injuries.
•    From Dec. 13, 2013, through Jan. 1, 2014, state and local law enforcement will be out in force cracking down on drunk drivers.
• Nationwide, the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the high number of drunk drivers on the roads. In 2011, 760 people lost their lives as a result of drunk-driving-related crashes during the month of December.
• During the Decembers from 2007 to 2011 there were 4,169 people killed in crashes that involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2011, and 31 percent (9,878) of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes.
• Drinking and driving endangers yourself, your passengers, and those on the road around you. Whether you’ve had one or one too many, always hand the keys to a sober driver.

The Consequences of Driving Drunk Are Deadly Serious.

• Driving while impaired is a crime that seriously risks your safety and the safety of those around you. Whether you have had one too many or are way over the limit, drunk driving is not worth causing a traffic crash, serious injury, or worse—death.
• The legal and financial costs of driving while impaired can be significant. Drunk-driving violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.
• Refusing to take a breath test in many jurisdictions results in immediate arrest, the loss of your driver’s license on the spot and the impoundment of your vehicle. Also, there’s the added embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences of telling family, friends and employers of your arrest.

Plan Ahead and Never Drink and Drive

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.  Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or [insert your local sober ride program specifics here].
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.

Get Your Teen Ready for the Open Road

By Guest Author, Marcus Beatty

Younger drivers, those under 20 years of age, are three times as likely to be involved in an accident, reports the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. You have enough on your mind with a new teenage driver without worrying about the car your child is driving. You also do not want to purchase a brand new vehicle for a new driver. On top of educating your teen, your solution is to ensure that the vehicle your teen drives is safe and reliable.

How Mechanical is Your Young Driver?
Some teenagers have substantial mechanical skills, others do not. Take the time to educate your teen about motor vehicles. If you do not have the skills, find someone who does. Your teen should know the basics of changing a flat tire and jump-starting a dead battery.

Additional knowledge can further improve safety on the road. Your teen should learn the signs of potential brake failure. If the brake pedal begins to go to the floor, or the brakes are making loud noises, the vehicle should be inspected. Your young driver needs to be aware of how the vehicle handles. If the car becomes difficult to control, it should be pulled off the roadway.

How Safe and Reliable is the Vehicle?
Take a used vehicle to a mechanic you trust and have it inspected before you purchase it. This may not always be possible and not all issues are noticed on an inspection. When you are looking at used car safety and reliability ratings, check a few sources. You want to get unbiased opinions and accurate information.

Look at sources including Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports and even Forbes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a link that allows you to stay up-to-date with any safety recalls. You can also use a manufacturer’s website to determine if the vehicle has any special safety features, including additional air bags.

How are Your Young Adult’s Driving Skills?
Driving skills come with experience that beginning drivers do not have. This makes it all the more important for a vehicle to have reliable brakes and well-maintained suspension. Discuss possible mechanical failures with your teen and provide solutions. If the power steering fails, your teen should understand that the car could be controlled by using extra arm strength, with both hands on the wheel. If the brakes fail, your teen needs to look for a safe area to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Remind your young adult about the dangers of drinking and driving. Emphasize accidents caused by drinking and not using seat belts.

Add a Few Safety Measures
Give you teen a safe driving kit. The car should have a can of Fix-A-Flat or other temporary tire repair, a set of jumper cables and a quart of oil in the trunk. You teen also needs to know how to use these items. Finally, over emphasize the importance of not using a cell phone while driving. For young adult drivers, this includes not talking on a phone much less texting on one. Texting while driving is illegal in most states. Many states ban any cell phone use by new drivers.

About the Author:
Marcus is a retired social studies teacher and grandfather of 12 who blogs from his log cabin.

Recipe for a Safe Thanksgiving Trip

From resqme, Inc.

Leave earlier. Drive slower. Live longer.

• Prep your car – check fluids, wipers, lights, and tires
• Prep yourself – get a good night’s sleep and know your route
• Prep the family – pack activities for the kids
• Buckle Up – that means everyone
• Watch the weather – adjust your plan accordingly
• Be patient – rushing just isn’t worth it

Makes 1 whole safe holiday road trip

Serves the entire extended family

Share this recipe with your loved ones and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

Ingredients

• 1 complete plan (know when and where you are going)
• 1 map (or substitute with GPS or smart phone app)
• 1 copilot (recommended for long drives)
• 2-3 activities for the children (as needed) – drivers and copilots can become distracted trying to entertain the children.
• 1 generous dose of patience – to offset the combination of heavy traffic, fatigue, and anticipation.

Preparation

• Pack your bags into the car the night before your trip to avoid a delayed and rushed departure.
• Familiarize yourself with your route. Look it up before you begin driving. If you need clarification en route, pull over or ask your copilot. Don’t read directions while driving.
• For best results, prepare yourself with a good night’s sleep the night before.

Notes

Leave earlier, drive slower, live longer.

By Andre Smith

Drive safely regardless of the vehicle’s age or your driving skills. Accidents happen within seconds, so gain the experience you need to drive anywhere. Research tips that will help you reach a destination safely with minimal damage to you or your car.

1. Join an Auto Club

Consider joining a car club that provides a variety of benefits for drivers. Roadside assistance is one of the most important services available. Call a mechanic who comes to your aid quickly whenever you have car problems. This type of service is available at all hours of the day. Wherever you get stranded, know that your safety is assured.

2. Maintain Your Car Regularly

Every year, check up your car at a repair shop. This step is especially important if you plan to venture on a long-distance trip. Prepare for a week before the trip in case you have to pay for repairs. Tell the mechanic to review the tires, fluids and engine. Learn basic tips like how to replace a flat tire and turn the steering wheel to avoid a skid. Keep your car well-maintained throughout the year.

3. Consider an Energy-Efficient Car

As you drive safely, make sure that you promote the safety of the environment as well. Cars release gas fumes that contain all kinds of hazardous substances. Energy-efficient cars are designed to reduce these emissions and prevent air pollution. Also, invest in these cars to save hundreds of dollars on monthly gas costs.

There are many lists of popular vehicles that are affordable and easy to operate. The Toyota Prius is not the only car that is worth a discussion. For a good overview of eco-friendly vehicles, review this post by Klosters.

4. Include Emergency Tools

Include plenty of emergency tools in your car. Have a good first aid kit nearby along with flashlights and basic repair tools. Keep a spare tire, and know how to fix one within minutes. If you are stranded on the road, you should not have to flag down strangers. Always bring a cell phone and charger with you.

5. Do Not Drive Distracted

It is evident that people cannot drive drunk without causing problems. Find ways that you can reduce distractions while driving. Whether you text or eat fast food, be more cautious, drive slower or pull over. The best tip is to drive and avoid doing anything else. Also, do not drive when you are tired or emotionally charged. Review the surrounding areas where you drive. Cruising on the highway is more dangerous than cruising on a rural road and here is a great post on how to drive on highways for beginners. If you see many streams of cars flying past you, it is definitely not suitable to drive while talking on the phone.

Driving on the road comes with a wide range of dangers. Defective brakes, slick roads and irresponsible drivers are common hazards that you should know about. Even if accidents are caused by other people, do whatever you can to protect yourself. Prevent accidents from happening to you, passengers and drivers in other vehicles.

About the Author:

Andre is a marketing consultant from Brisbane, Australia. His two great passions are cars and football. He is also a blogger and has written a number of automotive articles that you can read on his Google+ page.

It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week and parents across the nation struggle with how to address tough topics with their teens, but one of the most important topics to talk about is frequently forgotten — how to drive safely.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killers of teens in America.  In 2011, 2,105 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes – with almost half (45%) of those teen drivers being killed in those crashes.

Yet, a recent survey shows that only 25 percent of parents have had that “serious” talk with their teens about the key components of safe driving.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that teens are only children, and they still have a lot to learn. What parents teach them about driving safely and responsibly may just help save their life.

That’s why local and state highway safety and law enforcement organizations teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch a new National Teen Driver Safety Week campaign called “5 to Drive.”

This parent education campaign is designed to challenge and encourage parents to talk it out with their teens and to regularly “set the rules before they hit the road.”

Each day during teen safety week, NHTSA features tips for parents to help keep their teens safe behind the wheel.  Set the rules before they hit the road:

1. No Cell Phones While Driving.

Teens texting or dialing while driving have proven to be recipes for disaster. In 2011, 270 people were killed in crashes involving distracted teen drivers. REMEMBER, One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.

2. No Extra Passengers.

Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teens in the car. The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior when traveling with multiple passengers increased to three times. REMEMBER, No extra passengers in the car.

3. No Speeding.

In 2011, speeding was a factor for 35 percent of the teen drivers in fatal crashes in 2011. REMEMBER, Stop Speeding Before It Stops You.

4. No Alcohol.

Although all States have zero tolerance laws for drinking and driving under 21, 505 people died in crashes in which 14- to 18-year-old drivers had alcohol in their systems. Nationally in 2011, 27 percent of teen drivers killed had some level of alcohol in their systems. Parents should show zero tolerance for any sign of impaired driving. Teens need to hear this again and again: REMEMBER, No Drinking and Driving.

5. No Driving or Riding Without a Seat Belt.

Teenage belt use is not what it should be. In 2011, over half of the teen occupants of passenger vehicles who died were unrestrained. Teens, and all adults for that matter, need to buckle up every trip, every time, day and night, no matter the distance. REMEMBER, Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time – Front-Seat and Back.

If you are a parent, you’ve tried to protect your kids their entire lives. So don’t hand them the keys to a 2-ton machine and expect them to know what to do.

Please talk to your kids—this week and every week—about how to be smart and safe behind the wheel.

Remember, the “5 to Drive” – Always Set the Rules Before Your Teens Hit the Road. For more information about national Teen Driver Safety Week and the new “5 to Drive” campaign, please visit www.safercar.gov/parents/teendriving.htm.

Article via: Traffic Safety Marketing

Today kicks off the NOYS Teen Distracted Driving Summit in Washington D.C which will go from September 18-21. NOYS are the National Organizations for Youth Safety. NOYS is dedicated to “to promote youth empowerment and leadership and build partnerships that will save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.”

One major concern regarding youth safety is teen driving. According to Distraction.gov “11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.” Further, “For drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones.” (Via NHTSA)

As part of the summit this week, NOYS has partnered with the It Can Wait campaign to end texting and driving. The high point of the Summit is September 19, 2013 which is the their day of action called the Drive 4 Pledges Day as both campaigns encourage drivers to pledge not to text and drive. Because distracted driving has taken so many lives, the issue is at the forefront not just for safety organizations but even national wireless service providers like AT&T and Verizon.

resqme, Inc. is a proud member of NOYS and encourages you to take the pledge and share information to family, friends and your general community. We encourage you to Speak Up and Speak Out. This could save a life.

To learn more about NOYS, visit http://noys.org/
To learn more about the It Can Wait campaign: http://www.itcanwait.com/