Tuesday, 27 January 2015

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High school students get safe-driving lesson from IDOT, state police

 Jayla Taylor got a sense Tuesday of what would happen if she ever got behind the wheel drunk.

    She knows now the result wouldn’t be pretty.

    The 15-year-old freshman from Chatham was one of hundreds of high school students who struggled through a drunken-driving simulation at the Prairie Capital Convention Center -- part of Drive for Tomorrow, a four-day joint effort by the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police to promote safe driving and curb teen driving deaths.

    More than 2,200 students from 28 area high schools are expected to attend the event Tuesday through Friday at the center.

    Taylor said the simulation left an impression.

    “It was really difficult,” she remarked after squishing multiple orange cones on the course with a golf cart. “How could anyone drive that way?”

    Illinois is the only state that offers a four-day program like Drive for Tomorrow, according to state transportation officials. The event originated in southern Illinois and has expanded across the state.

    Students are divided into six groups and rotate through different activities that engage them in real-life driving situations.

    In addition to the drunken-driving simulation, students learn about the dangers of driving through work zones, the importance of staying out of a tractor-trailer's blind spot, the dangers of not wearing a seat belt, how to share the road with motorcycles and about other consequences of not driving safely.

    The event is brought to schools at no cost though the help of sponsors.

    Mike Kindhart, public information officer for Illinois State Police, said Drive for Tomorrow is a great way for students to learn good driving habits at an early age. This is the first year the program has been offered in Springfield.

    “When we put them in here in a hands-on-situation and they see the tragedy and other things that can happen, hopefully we can get that ‘oh wow’ situation out of them so they understand this can happen to them,” Kindhart said. “In real life, we don’t get to start over again.”

    Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Statistics show that approximately seven teen motorists die every day in the U.S., and that teen drivers are three times as likely to be involved in a fatal accident as someone older than 20.

    In Illinois, teen traffic deaths have declined over the past decade. Preliminary data from IDOT shows that 66 teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were killed in 2014. That number is down from as high as 155 teens killed in automobile crashes in 2007.

Monday, 19 January 2015

Readers call for better SA road training

Earlier in January 2015 Wheels24 reported that British Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and young-driver safety organisation, the Under-17 Car Club trust, wanted the UK driving test to be more relevant to the real world.

For instance the driving test – as here in South Africa - does not include coping with country roads, poor weather or driving at night; aspects, the two organisations say, are the main risks in the first six months of solo driving.

READERS RESPOND

Wheels24 readers ANDRIES PHILANDER and ERNEST MAROPENG shared their views on the SA driving test.

PHILANDER called for radical changes to be made:

I agree with the suggestions that the driving test should be tougher. Experience is one of the biggest concerns to young drivers.

Driving and basic traffic rules should be introduced at school. When I was at school we were taught basic safety rules to cross a road and told to wear reflective or light-coloured clothing walking on the road at night.
We had to be able to recognise and identify road signs as part of the Health subject.

Basic driver training needs to be instilled from a young age so that potential drivers will understand the importance of safety on our roads. Accidents don’t happen, they are caused by people’s actions.

ROAD CRASHES ALARMING

The human factor is the main cause of crashes so it’s time to respect each other and be more civil and polite on the road. Road crashes are alarming in SA and stricter training must be introduced.

The regulating of driving schools are being discussed and planned but not implemented. This would play a tremendous role in reducing the number of accidents and prepare learners for their test.

The education department needs to introduce driver-training programmes at schools to educate our nation. The courts must also play a role to be strict on offenders who blatantly ignore the law.

Driving instruction at night and under difficult circumstances must be introduced to assist young drivers.

MAROPENG calls for more training in ‘real-life’ conditions:

I fully support that the South African government must review its testing centres’ curriculum.

People are not being tested using real-life conditions and as a result are not able to adapt. Most of unfortunately do not survive.

Government should implement harsh punishment for reckless drivers such as those caught speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. Instead, government just takes money.

I attended a Volkswagen advanced driving academy course and learned a lot about both vehicle electronics and skills required in different situations. I believe this made me an even a better driver and could save the lives of my family and other road users.

I highly recommend it.

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A good driving school will decode how to secure yourself from that, and what to do in the hapless event of one happening. Such training could simply save a life. Bad conditions have claimed several folks life and no-one desires to think of a loved one in hazard. Several driving trainers will offer you training on how to deal with extreme phases and have so much priceless information to pass on. They understand all the best roads to initiate your driving lesson North Shields and will get areas commensurate with your capability. Above all, they are friendly and patient and will soon have you mastering the complications of road. One only requires seeing their statements to realize they are in the best of hands.

Over 1,500 take part in RTO's road safety rally

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Monday held a rally in the city as part of its road safety campaign with nearly 1,500 people, including students from different schools and colleges and members of various organizations, participating in the event.

The young and the old alike shouted slogans on safety measures while driving on the road. The rally began from the Dongre Vasti Griha grounds around 8.45am and crossed parts of Vidya Vikas Circle on Gangapur Road, College Road, Canada Corner and then returned to the Dongre grounds.

Addressing participants before the rally, Nashik regional transport officer (RTO) Jeevan Bansod said most accidents occurring on the roads were due to human error. Bansod added that vehicle drivers should be cautious while driving to do away with the chance of error, which would eventually cut chances of accidents and save lives.

The officer appealed to school students to ask their parents to wear helmets while riding a bike and seat belts while driving. He said children should also ask their parents to not make or answer phone calls. If it was necessary to speak on the phone, they must ensure the vehicle was stopped along the roadside.

"The issue of road accidents and the number of people losing their lives in these accidents is becoming serious with each passing day. The government machinery must organize a road safety campaign every year. Motorists should take utmost precautions while driving and pedestrians should use footpaths whenever possible as well as zebra stripes while crossing roads," he said.

BJP MLA Seema Hirey was the chief guest at the event. Assistant regional transport officers Avinash Raut, Satish Mandora, Sudam Suryawanshi and other senior officials of the Nashik RTO were present to guide participants at the rally.

Students from Navrachna School, Dawn Breakers School, Motiwala College, members of JCI Godavari, Rotary Club of Nashik - North and members of various other colleges participated in the rally. Over 200 placards were prepared by the Nashik RTO to spread message on road safety. The participants were also presented caps by the Nashik RTO.

The Nashik RTO said a series of programmes would be undertaken over the next few days, which would include an awareness drive among college students, a special drive to check reflectors, overloaded vehicles, school buses, workshops for motor driving school trainers, ST bus drivers, a seminar on the importance of the health of motor drivers and an eye check-up camp for motorists by the Nashik Transport Association. There would also be a workshop for school bus drivers, an elocution competition on road safety, a camp on pollution under control (PUC) checking as well as putting radium tapes on vehicles and putting up posters/banners and distribution pamphlets on road safety among citizens. A special drive against those not wearing seat-belts, helmets and talking on mobile phones while driving would also be carried out.

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Approved driving schools will issue certificates to skip license exams

HOENIX (KGUN9-TV) - Students who undergo training at state-approved driving schools will now be able to receive training completion certificates that may waive written and road tests at Motor Vehicle Division offices.According to a media release from the Arizona Department of Transportation, students must be Arizona residents and attend classes at an ADOT-contracted driving school.A minimum of 30 hours of classroom training is required to waive the written exam and at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training is required to skip the road exam.While most students who present training completion certificates at Motor Vehicle Division offices will get their instructional permit or driver license at that time, some certificate holders will be randomly selected to take the written or road exam at the Motor Vehicle Division office.This random testing will be used to gauge the quality of instruction being given at the driving schools. Certificate holders should come to the Motor Vehicle Division office prepared to take the written or road exam in case they are selected.

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Thursday, 8 January 2015

Vestavia Hills cracks down on distracted driving: Keep texts, books and pups away from school zones

The City of Vestavia Hills last month passed an ordinance that makes distracted driving within a school zone a crime.

Vestavia Hills City Schools Spokesman Whit McGhee said the City first approached the School Board with a desire to expand state ordinances concerning distracted driving back in the fall of 2014.

"Some of our School Resource Officers have had some close encounters with folks while in the carpool line at school," McGhee told AL.com today, "with individuals who had their attention on something other than the school zone they were driving in."
Vestavia Hills Police Spokesman Lt. Brian Gilham said that although officers have only been present at each city school for the past two years, police have long shared their concerns on the matter. Before the ordinance passed, he explained, officers had no authority to address drivers caught in the act within a school zone.

"Distracted driving is pretty commonplace," he said. "It was something our guys have noticed a lot. We've had several close calls, thankfully not any involving our children, but more than enough with our officers."

Those close calls, he said, prompted the need for immediate action. The School Board agreed. Just before the ordinance went up for vote on Dec. 22, the Vestavia Hills School Board approved a resolution offering its "unequivocal support" of the proposed ordinance.

What's John Archibald's take on the matter? Click here to read his column.
The ordinance, which Vestavia Hills police began enforcing Jan. 1, defines distracted as "an activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving, including, but not limited to, talking, texting, emailing or any other use of a cellular phone, tablet/iPad or any other electronic device; reading books, newspapers, etc., pets, loud music, food, or any other distraction that might divert a driver's attention."

Gilham said that the ordinance is not intended to be a ticket-generator.

"The objective of the ordinance is to give our officers a foundation to address the issue with distracted drivers," said Gilham. "We do not want to issue a lot of citations, especially not during peak carpool hours."

But that doesn't mean drivers shouldn't take the ordinance seriously, he said.

Citations will be issued, said Gilham, in the most "egregious cases," especially ones "where an officer believes a driver is putting our children at risk."

The ordinance is not restricted to school pickup and drop-off times, he said, to ensure it can be enforced during all other peak traffic times at schools, including sporting events and other functions.

"I'm a parent too," said Gilham, "I too have to wait for my children in carpool and can understand the desire to read or check my phone while waiting. What we don't want is for those activities to continue once the car starts rolling. We want everyone's complete attention."

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Sunday, 4 January 2015

Steve Wallace: 12 ways to improve your driving this year

If you plan to make a New Year’s resolution to improve your driving habits and behaviour in the coming year, here are a dozen ways to do just that:



1 Get back to basics by parking defensively. About 30 per cent of crashes take place in parking lots. Avoid reversing out of a parking space. Choose “drive-through” spaces. If you must back up, back into a space. Most safety-conscious corporate entities demand it. Professional drivers just do it. It works.

2 Tailgating is the greatest cause of moving-vehicle mishaps. Keep three seconds behind the vehicle ahead. The two-second rule has been expanded because so many vehicles today are smaller and stop quicker. Most drivers do not appreciate the square-proportion reality of braking distance. Double the speed and braking distance increases by four times, not two.

3 Stop means STOP! Complete stops give all drivers more time to notice hazards that may appear from several directions. Most drivers do not stop completely. Doing so can greatly increase safety. Resolve to do it.

4 The right of way should be given, not taken. It is the season of giving. Try it, you’ll like it. Use the “wanter waits” rule. The driver who WANTS to turn left must WAIT for oncoming traffic to clear. The driver who WANTS to enter the roundabout must WAIT for a space to do so. It is a simple, worldwide rule of travel.

5 Light up all year long. Using both front and back running lights is proven to reduce crashes. Drivers think other vehicles that are lit up seem closer than they are, and allow more space and time in dealing with them.

6 The two most deadly crashes are the head-on and T-bone. When threatened by a potential head-on crash, it is best to always have an out. Travelling in a lane that offers an escape route is preferable to being in one that leaves no room to manoeuvre. Steering to avoid a crash is much more effective than braking to do the same.

7 When going through intersections, it is advantageous to have blockers beside you to serve as a protection from the potentially deadly side-impact hit. Choose a personally advantageous lane of travel. The bigger the blocker, the better, particularly when it is driven by a professional driver. Buses make good blockers.

8 Use your four-way flashers effectively. Warn oncoming and following traffic of unspecified perils. Get rid of tailgaters. Communicate with pedestrians, flaggers and cyclists alike. Four-way flashers are fabulous.

9 Use the horn to warn. One tap for moving forward in parking situations. Two taps mean a back-up manoeuvre is imminent. Three taps mean an odd situation, such as a texting driver, phone user or any other unsafe behaviour. The horn should not be used in anger. It is a very effective tool when used to warn or attract attention.

10 Hand signals are the most effective way to personalize travel in a motor vehicle. Everyone reacts better when dealing with an actual person, rather than an object.

11 Lower the window when approaching a railway crossing. More people are killed in collisions with trains than in plane crashes, most years, in North America. Sometimes you will hear the train before you see it.

12 Turn from and into the nearest lane of legal travel.



Those are my 12 suggestions for driving better in the new year, one for each month.

Maybe you have some suggested driving behaviours that I have overlooked. Let me know and I’ll try to cover them in a future column. Your feedback is always welcome.

Meanwhile, have a great new year.



Steve Wallace is the owner of Wallace Driving School on Vancouver Island. He is a former V.P. of the Driving Schools Association of the Americas, a registered B.C. teacher and a University of Manitoba graduate.

Wor-Wic tackles driver disparities on Delmarva

For 10 years, Taren Nance lived the hardships of not having a driver’s license.

He lost two jobs and countless other opportunities, and spent more than four hours a day commuting to and from low-level jobs in Ocean City and Wor-Wic Community College.

Nance, from a low-income household in Pocomoke City, set out to correct the statistical disparities which showed that many teenagers were in the same situation. He approached his own community college with figures detailing how teenagers in low-income households are starting behind the 8-ball when it comes to obtaining a driver’s license.

What the two sides created is a program they say will address the issue. But it doesn’t sit well with one private driving school owner, who warns the college shouldn’t expect to solve the problem by merely offsetting the cost for poorer students.

Gridlock

Nance’s experience without a driver’s license was a rough road to say the least. He would regularly leave the house at 6:30 a.m., not to return home until 11 p.m.

“Once you’re stuck in that transit system, sometimes the bus doesn’t run certain days or certain hours,” he said. “It does something to your psyche. That system does something to you.”

He had friends in similar positions, muddling through job fairs with little hope of becoming employed.

A 2013 AAA Mid-Atlantic study showed that only 25 percent of teenagers living in households which make $20,000 a year or less obtain their driver’s license by age 18.

Bump that income up to $100,000 a year, and the number more than triples to 79 percent.

Add the additional disparity between white and minority teenagers, in which blacks and Hispanics obtain licenses at nearly half the clip as whites, and Nance knew the system needed to be fixed.

“It’s killing low-income communities,” he said.

Driver’s Education courses used to be taught by the public school system, but haven’t been in some time. Now, private driving schools charge from $240 to nearly $500 in Maryland, according to AAA data.

Armed with these statistics, Nance took his research to Wor-Wic President Murray Hoy.

Originally, his idea was to start a nonprofit to find funding to help pay for the classes. What Hoy and the school’s transportation department came up with is one of the first publicly operated driving courses in the area in years.

Course costs

Classes were supposed to start in October 2014, but issues with the number of participants pushed it back until this month.

The class uses a sliding scale to assist with the cost for low-income students. According to Lee Ann Gunning, director of the college’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development department, students can receive between $50 to $250 to offset the $300 cost of the course.

Hoy said the program has been funded by private donations, and Gunning added the class falls under her department’s transportation division, which can be used to allocate additional funding for the class.

Now with 15 students, Hoy said even if he was presented with students that all needed the $250 assistance, he still would push for this class to begin.

“I would just go out for more donations,” he said.

Wor-Wic got all the necessary paperwork from the state, hired two driving instructors to teach the classes and received two donated cars from the Pohanka of Salisbury car dealership.

Gunning said they are still waiting on a few students to send in their payments, and they’ll have up until the class starts Jan. 5 to pay.

“They’re going to lose a lot of money”

John Wright, owner of the Drive Time driving school in Salisbury, is not so optimistic.

“As soon as they find that their students don’t show up for driving, they’re going to lose a lot of money,” he said. “The kids need people to teach them skills, and that’s not going to go away by throwing $250 out the window.”

As the owner of Drive Time for the past seven years, Wright said he left a lucrative job in sales to pursue something he felt was meaningful.

After going several months with very few students, his school now teaches an average of 50 students a month, with fluctuations throughout the year based on when school is in session. During his time in business, Wright said he’s struggled to simply come out in the black.

“I haven’t taken a paycheck out of this place in six years,” he said, adding he made a total of $2,700 in 2014.

Wright said money isn’t the issue, as he’s offered classes for free in the past. He now offers a payment plan allowing students to pay $6 a week over a nine-month period if necessary.

In his view, the problem is the lack of resources available to those in low-income areas.

Whether it be their ability to get to and from class or having a relative or appropriately aged friend to take them to an empty parking lot on the weekend for lessons, Wright is convinced Wor-Wic will be wasting both time and, potentially, taxpayer money with its venture.

His school just began its own “mentoring program,” in which instructors take an hour a week to make sure students are up-to-date with the permit process, getting to class and getting hands-on lessons.

“Basic life necessities”

But Hoy and Nance are convinced the program will at least address some of the issues regarding income-level disparity.

Hoy said students may not be aware of the options afforded to them to help pay for driving lessons, something he hopes his college and the new classes can remedy.

Now 28, Nance said obtaining his driver’s license has significantly changed his life for the better. He wants to help students leave high school with what he calls “the basic necessities in life you need to survive.”

“A bank account, a driver’s license and registered to vote,” Nance said.

While Wright worries the college is focusing on the wrong issue, he does recognize there is a problem with the current system.

“We need (students) to say, ‘I have an obligation and I’m required to show up on time for it,’ ” Wright said. “If it was really solving a problem, I’d be doing cartwheels in the road.”

pdavis3@gannett.com410-341-6544On Twitter @DT_PhilDavis

TRAFFIC STUDY

25 percent of teenagers living in households which make $20,000 a year or less obtain their driver’s license by age 18.

Bump that income up to $100,000 a year, and the number jumps to 79 percent.

Source: AAA Mid-Atlantic

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