Feb 25, 2022 | Accident prevention, Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents, unfortunately, cause thousands of injuries, and even deaths each year. Pedestrian accidents are especially dangerous because the person has absolutely no protection against a car. In addition, cars are much heavier and faster. Back-up collisions with pedestrians are fairly common. In addition, cars turning at intersections is another common type of pedestrian accident. Pedestrians put themselves at risk when they dart out in front of cars unexpectedly. Especially where they aren’t supposed to. To avoid accidents with pedestrians, never assume they are paying attention. In addition, always drive carefully and alertly. Hopefully, knowing some common types of accidents will make you more aware of when to be extra careful about pedestrians.
Most Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents and How to Avoid Them
Back-Up Accidents
One of the most common types of pedestrian accidents occurs when cars are backing up. Often, these can occur in parking lots. Cars have a lot to pay attention to while backing up. They are often looking for oncoming traffic and neglect to also check for walkers. In addition, many drivers rely too much on mirrors and backup cameras. This can result in them missing people in their car’s blind spot.
Turning Cars
Another source of pedestrian accidents occurs when cars are turning. This is often at intersections but can also occur when cars are turning into parking lots or driveways. If a pedestrian is walking across at the same time they can collide. In intersections, these accidents often happen when cars are turning left. When cars have protected green left-turn arrows pedestrians shouldn’t be crossing. However, walkers can be crossing the street if a car is turning left across traffic. If the driver is paying more attention to finding a gap in the traffic, they could miss a pedestrian. In addition, when cars are turning left on red they often miss pedestrians. They are paying too much attention to cars and fail to notice the humans in the intersection.
Jay Walking
Jaywalking is another source of pedestrian accidents. This occurs when walkers cross the street at an unexpected location. Cars are not usually expecting pedestrians except at intersections. So a person darting out from behind a parked car or where they aren’t supposed to can get hit easily. Similarly, pedestrians crossing at intersections out of turn can be a target for accidents. This is because drivers aren’t expecting them to be blocking intersections.
How to Avoid Accidents with Pedestrians (never assume they’re paying attention)
The easiest way to avoid accidents with pedestrians is to pay attention. This is true if you’re the pedestrian or the driver. Distracted driving is a huge source of pedestrian accidents, so always put your phone away and pay attention to the road. As a pedestrian, you similarly need to always pay attention. Never cross at inappropriate places or dart out into traffic unexpectedly. If you’re in a parking lot, watch out for reverse lights. Also, it helps to wear bright colors instead of dark clothes if you’re walking at night.
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately all too common. They can often occur in parking lots when cars are reversing. Pedestrians should pay close attention when walking behind cars. They can also occur when cars are turning. Drivers need to always be aware and look for both traffic and walkers before turning. In addition, never run red lights. Jaywalking is also a common source of collisions as cars aren’t expecting a walker to be crossing the street. Whether you’re a pedestrian or a driver, you should never assume the other is paying attention. It’s up to everybody to be very alert when they are traveling on public roads.
Nov 19, 2021 | Accident prevention, Drinking Smart
Getting home from the bar safely is an important consideration if you plan to have a night of drinking. Drinking and driving can land you in a world of trouble legally and financially. Not to mention the pain if you were to get into a wreck and hurt someone. It’s best to have a plan before you head to the bar. Assign one friend to be the designated driver, or plan to catch a cab. You can also take public transportation which is often cheaper than a cab. And finally, if you’re in a pickle, call a friend and ask for a ride home. Nothing is worth the risk of getting behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking.
Getting Home from the Bar Safely: Avoiding a DWI
Plan a Designated Driver
One way of getting home from the bar safely is to make a plan before you even leave. If you know that you and your friends will be drinking too much to drive, assign a designated driver. A DD will need to stay sober for the entire night so that they can safely transport everybody home. You and your friends can rotate who the DD is each time you go out partying to make it fair for everybody.
Get a Cab
Another way to plan on getting home from the bar safely is to catch a cab. There are plenty of apps these days where you can hail a ride from a service like Uber or Lyft. Unless you are in a very remote town, you should be able to hail a ride from one of these services.
Public Transport
Public transport sometimes gets overlooked when getting home from the bar. But it is often cheaper than hiring a ride service or cab. Before you head out, see if there are any bus stops, trains, light rails, or subways that take you where you want to go. Make sure and check the schedules before leaving so you know when the last route of the day will happen.
Phone a Friend
Finally, if you’re attempting to get home from the bar safely and have run out of money or options, phone a friend. When you’re in a bind, you can ask a close friend or family member to come and pick you up. They’ll want to help you avoid the dangers of drinking and driving. So even if they are annoyed, they will probably respect you for not getting behind the wheel. If you are in an unfamiliar place, ask a bartender for help. They may be able to assist you.
The dangers of drinking and driving far outweigh the benefits of saving money on cab fare. It’s never worth it to risk a DWI or drunk driving accident. If you need help getting home from the bar safely, try to make a plan before you even leave the house. Assign a friend to be the DD for the evening. You can also download a ride service app on your phone or hire a cab. Public transport and simply walking home are options if you live in certain areas as well. And finally, if you’re really in a bind, call a friend or family member to pick you up. It’s always best to have a plan for getting back home before you ever leave your home in the first place. Knowing how you’ll safely get home will make your night less stressful.
Aug 20, 2021 | Accident prevention, Child Accidents
Beach safety is so important to remember during these hot summer months. A trip to the beach is a great vacation, but it can get dangerous quickly if you aren’t careful. Follow the posted rules regarding when it’s safe to swim and other beach concerns. Always remember to wear your sunscreen and lather up any children as well. Watch your kids at all times and never let them be unsupervised in the water. And finally, know how to identify riptides. You can enjoy your vacation to its fullest by being water-aware and safe while spending time at the beach.
Summertime Beach Safety Tips for Vacation: Protect Your Family
Follow the Rules
Beaches have rules posted, just like pools and other recreational areas. A big part of beach safety is knowing these rules and following them. Beaches often have flags indicating the threat level for riptides. Green indicates a low chance, while double red flags mean the water is not safe for swimming. Only swim in areas safe for swimming and it’s best to make sure a lifeguard is near. Drinking alcohol while swimming is not safe.
Sunscreen
Another important aspect of beach safety is remembering your sunscreen. The sun’s powerful UV rays can cause skin damage and even cancer. It’s best to stay out of the sun altogether when it is the hottest from 10 AM to 4 PM. However, when you do go in the sun make sure that you’re wearing sunscreen. Try to find one that is SPF 30 or above. Make sure and completely cover children as well, and reapply every few hours as needed. It’s also good to bring along umbrellas, hats, and sunglasses.
Watch Young Children
The most important thing for parents to remember about beach safety is to watch young children at all times. Drowning can happen in a minute, and often doesn’t have the splashing and noise that TV makes us believe. Children can go under the water and be nearly invisible and silent. If you are with a large party, designated a “lifeguard” to keep an eye on children at all times, and put phones away. Pass off lifeguard duty so everybody gets a break. It’s also a good idea to have a verbal command like “your children now” that is answered by “my children now” so that everybody is on the same page. Keep a hand on young ones in the water at all times.
Riptides
Finally, another part of beach safety that shouldn’t be ignored is the dangers of riptides. It’s really best to do some research on how to spot riptides so that you’re aware of what they look like. A general rule of thumb is that rip currents look like areas of water where the waves aren’t breaking. There might be foam or debris floating back into the ocean as well. The current is under the water’s surface and can pull you out to sea. But it won’t pull you under the water. If you get caught in one, remain calm, call for help, and attempt to swim parallel to the beach until you can follow waves that are crashing on land.
Beach safety is absolutely imperative if you’re vacationing with children in tow. Even if you are by yourself, it’s important to know the dangers of the ocean. Make sure that you follow all posted signs on the beach and stay where others can see you. Always have a buddy when swimming in the ocean. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin and reapply throughout the day. Always keep a close hand and eye on young children. And finally, be aware of what rip currents look like, and know the steps to take if you get caught in one. Hopefully, your trip to the beach will be fun and safe!
Jul 30, 2021 | Accident prevention, drinking
Protecting your drink from Rohypnol, or roofies, when out with friends can save you from a dangerous situation. Rohypnol and other drugs are known as “date rape” drugs because they can be put into drinks without the drinker being aware. They often act like muscle relaxers and make the victim drowsy or uninhibited. It’s important to know how to protect your drink from being tampered with. The way that you hold your drink can be a deterrent to would-be attackers. In addition, knowing what to drink and the safest way to drink can help protect you. And finally, really tasting your drink and being cautious if anything seems off is also important. Hopefully, you’ll never need to worry about a roofie, but it’s good to be aware of the best ways to protect yourself and your friends.
Protecting Your Drink from Rohypnol or Roofies
Holding Your Drink
Protecting your drink from Rohypnol starts with one basic rule. Always keep a hand on your drink. You never want to leave your drink out in the open unattended where anybody could come along and tamper with it. It’s also a good idea to cover it up by holding it with your hand across the top. If you lose sight of your drink, it’s best to simply order a new one so that you know it’s safe to drink.
What to Drink
Protecting your drink from Rohypnol is much easier if you watch the bartender pour it yourself. Never drink from large punch bowls or open containers at a party. It’s also best not to accept drinks from other people. Even though it is a kind gesture, accepting a drink from somebody you don’t know well can be very dangerous. If somebody offers to buy you a drink, accompany them to the bar so you can watch it being poured.
How to Drink
It’s also best to practice safe drinking practices for protecting your drink from Rohypnol. Sip your drink slowly instead of chugging it. If you drink it slowly, you’ll have more of a chance to notice if something feels off about how it’s affecting you. Sharing drinks is also not a good idea. Not only is it dangerous in terms of potential roofies, but it also spreads germs.
Tasting Your Drink
Finally, one last way of protecting your drink from Rohypnol is to pay close attention to how it looks and tastes. Roofies are odorless and tasteless, but other drugs might not be. If you notice any sort of unusual flavor in your drink, stop drinking it immediately and order a fresh one. In addition, if your drink looks cloudy, it could be a warning sign that there is something in it that shouldn’t be. And finally, if the drink seems to be affecting you in a way that you’re not expecting, stop drinking it immediately. It might have been tampered with.
Protecting your drink from Rohypnol and other “date rape” drugs is an important thing to know. It’s especially important for inexperienced drinkers in large party settings like college dorms. However, somebody can tamper with your drink anywhere. Never leave your drink unattended and try to keep a hand over the top at all times. Never accept drinks from strangers or drink from communal punch bowls. Sip slowly and don’t share drinks with anybody. And finally, if something looks, smells, tastes, or feels off about your beverage, stop drinking it immediately. Paying for an extra drink is well worth it to know that you are being safe and protecting yourself from a potential roofie or other drugs.
Jan 15, 2021 | Accident prevention, Driver Safety
Winter brings slick driving conditions. Depending on where you live, snow and ice can build up on the road. In order to counteract that, many regions put down road salts to help melt ice. While this can really help melt the ice on the roads, it can negatively affect your vehicle. Learn how to manage salt on the road during winter.
How-to: Manage Salt on the Road During Winter: Protecting Your Vehicle
Why Salt?
Cities and states put salt on the road because it actually lowers the freezing point of water. 32 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which water normally freezes. However, when water is exposed to salt, the temperature needs to be lower than 32 in order to get the water to freeze. In fact, the more salt you add, the colder it needs to be for water to freeze. If you treat the roads with a layer of a salt and water mix, this helps to keep the roads from freezing over. Therefore, they are safer for vehicles to drive on.
However, if the road temperature goes below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the salt may not be enough to keep the roads from freezing. In this case, road crews may add sand to the top of the ice to provide more traction.
Salt and Your Vehicle
While salt on the road is helpful for keeping drivers safe, it is actually not good for your vehicle. Salt can cause any exposed metal on your car to start to corrode. This can be an issue for people living on an island surrounded by salt water, or those who drive on roads with salt brine on them. The brake and fuel lines are located near the undercarriage of the car. This area is where most of the salt damage happens. Therefore, the brake and fuel lines are very susceptible to rust and corrosion.
What to Do
In order to protect against salts on the road during winter, it’s important to be proactive. Give your car a good wax job to help protect the finish. If you have any scrapes, chips, or rust spots, go ahead and have those fixed before winter weather hits. Make sure to wash your car often. Spray down your car to wash away the salt. Invest in a car wash that will clean the undercarriage every few weeks in order to clean the areas of your car most likely to be affected by salt. Also, if you get on the road behind a truck spraying salt on the roads, stay back. This will keep your car from getting sprayed with salt too.
Oct 1, 2020 | Accident prevention, Driver Safety
When you are driving, you will notice there are so many different types of roads out there. From roads and streets to highways and freeways, you may wonder why they all have different names. It may seem very random as to how they assign names to the roads. Believe it or not, there is actually a method to how they assign road types as parts of names.
Types of Roads: What They Are
Large Roads
There is a category for the larger, higher capacity roads. There are many types of roads in this grouping. First, there is a highway, which is a major public road that usually connects multiple cities. Next, there are interstates. These are a large, federally funded network of roads that are part of a highway system. They may go between states, but don’t have to. Then, there is a turnpike, which is a part of a highway, and usually a toll road. Another part of the highway system is freeways. They are a large road with two or more lanes on each side. In addition, parkways are a large, decorated public road. A causeway is a raised road that passes across low or swampy ground or water. Additionally, a beltway is a highway that surrounds a city. As you can see, there are many different types of roads.
Smaller Roads
There are also smaller, lower capacity roads. This is also made up of many types of roads. The most common type is a road. It is a way that connects two points. Another type of road is a street. These are a public way with buildings on both sides. Often, they are perpendicular to an avenue. Avenues are very similar to a streets, and are common when driving in cities.
A lane is a narrow road that is often found in a rural area. Drives are often winding, and potentially long, roads that hug mountains or lakes. A way is a small street off a road. Ending in a circle or a loop, courts do not provide a throughway. Lastly, an ally is a small pathway between buildings. These may or may not be drivable.
As you can tell, there are many different types of roads. This list is not all inclusive, so there are many more. Now you know how they assign road types. When you see road names in the future, the designation will hopefully make more sense.
