Move Over For All Emergency Vehicles

You’ve undoubtedly been driving when you hear the wail of the siren and see the flashing lights of an approaching emergency vehicle in your rear view mirror. Should you slow down and pull over, even if the emergency vehicle is in the oncoming lanes, or is it just required when it is attempting to pass you? Similarly, if you approach a stationary emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its lights flashing, what is the proper thing to do?

Many motorists don’t understand the “Move Over” law, and what they need to do. But it is important for safety reasons that motorists give all emergency vehicles a wide berth. The personnel in these vehicles, whether they are paramedics or police officers, are busy trying to help someone, and are not paying attention to the cars that are approaching.  It is the motorist’s responsibility to proceed on the side of caution.

Emergency Vehicles Approaching

When being approached by an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, section 46.61.210 of the Revised Code of Washington states requires motorists to yield the right-of-way in all cases. It states that drivers “shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.”
When the roadway is a divided highway, a motorist who is moving in the opposite direction can continue on, but if the road is not divided, even if it has more than one lane in each direction, the driver is required to stop the vehicle on the right-hand edge or curb until the emergency vehicle has passed. Failure to yield carries a maximum fine of $1,062 in the State of Washington.

Stationary Emergency Vehicles

On the other hand, when a motorist is approaching a stationary emergency or police vehicle with its lights flashing, the motorist must yield to the emergency vehicles by:
- Proceeding with caution
- Changing lanes, if possible
- Reducing speed

Conversely, if an emergency vehicle is parked by the side of the road, or traveling down the highway with no lights flashing, they are treated as any other vehicle, and it is not necessary to yield to them.

The bottom line: It’s always better proceed with caution when police and emergency vehicles are within sight. It avoids potential collisions and allows law enforcement and emergency personnel to do their job without worrying about the traffic.

Be Careful When Sharing the Road with Cyclists

A recently released poll of Washington drivers found that many are uncomfortable sharing the road with cyclists. While the PEMCO Insurance poll found 87% of respondents understand that cyclists can be ticketed for violating the same laws that govern drivers, only 45% thought the laws were generally fair for both drivers and cyclists.

In 2007, 58% of drivers knew they had to give cyclists several feet of room when passing them on the road. Compare that to 2010, where only 40% now think they need to provide that much space.
The Revised Code of Washington may be vague about distance (they mandate drivers pass cyclists at a "safe distance"), however the Washington Driving Guide recommends at least three feet of space between the vehicle and the cyclist.

Driver Misconceptions

The poll found that drivers have many misconceptions when it comes to sharing the road with bicycles. This can lead to dangerous situations, as many drivers think it's the cyclist's responsibility to stay out of the way of motorized vehicles, or use the sidewalk. This is not the case, as bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on roadways as automobiles (although they are not allowed on freeways and other controlled-access highways).

The PEMCO poll also found that:

• Only 23% of drivers are aware that it's legal for cyclists to ride two abreast in a lane of traffic.
• 62% of drivers are aware it's illegal for bicycle riders to ride in lanes used by oncoming traffic.
• 54% of drivers thought that a cyclist could get ticketed for riding on a sidewalk. (Washington law allows cyclists to use most sidewalks for riding).

Bike Helmets Prevent Injuries

Even though there's no statewide requirement to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, most Washington cities and counties have helmet laws, and enforce them rigorously. The PEMCO poll found that more than a quarter of the respondents (27%) think it's legal to ride without at helmet.

Men are more likely than women to wear their helmet, and use their bike regularly to commute. Women drivers, on the other hand, tend to be more uncomfortable with cyclists on the road, the poll found.

More disturbing is the fact that young people -- those under age 35 -- are much more likely to bike without a helmet than their older counterparts. 36% of those under 35 say they only wear their helmets sometimes or never, compared with 17% of older cyclists. This is exacerbated by the fact that 48% of younger cyclists use their bike to commute at least once a month, much of the time without a helmet.

While wearing a helmet can eliminate most serious head injuries, many cyclists don't like to wear them or forget to wear them. It's especially difficult to convince younger people that riding without a helmet can result in serious injury, as many young people think that it's more of a hassle then it's worth, and, after all, nothing is going to happen to them.

If you get on a bike, wear your helmet and obey all traffic laws. When it comes to accidents involving a car and a bicycle, the bicyclist rarely comes out ahead.


Source: PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, 2010

Older Drivers can improve and save money too

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Older Drivers

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s a good driver, and she would like to stay that way. But lately, she has been in minor accidents. Sheila wonders how she can stay safe behind the wheel. Will taking a class for older drivers help?



You may have asked yourself this question, or maybe a family member or friend has asked about your driving. Getting older doesn’t make you a bad driver. But you should know there are changes that may affect driving skills over time.



Your Body

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. This can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely.



What you can do:



•See your doctor if you think that pain or stiffness gets in the way of your driving.

•If possible, drive a car with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and large mirrors.

•Be physically active or exercise to keep and even improve your strength and flexibility.

Your Vision

Your eyesight may change as you get older. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare can also be a problem—from oncoming headlights, street lights, or the sun. It might be harder to see people, things, and movements outside your direct line of sight. It may take you longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, may also change your vision.



What you can do:



•Have your vision checked every 2 to 4 years if you are age 40 to 64 and every 1 to 2 years if you are 65 or older, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. There are many vision problems your doctor can treat.

•Talk to your eye doctor if you can’t see well enough to drive because you have a cataract. You might need surgery to remove the cataract.

•If you need glasses to see far away while driving, make sure your prescription is correct. And always wear them when you are driving.

•Cut back on night driving if you are having trouble seeing in the dark.

Your Hearing

Your hearing may change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or noises from your own car. That can be a problem because these sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way. It is important that you hear them.



What you can do:



•Have your hearing checked. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends doing this every 3 years after age 50. Your doctor can treat some hearing problems.

•Get a hearing aid to help—don’t forget to use it when you drive.

•Try to keep the inside of the car as quiet as possible while driving.

•Pay attention to the warning lights on the dashboard. They may let you know when something is wrong with your car.

Your Reactions

In order to drive safely, you should be able to react quickly to other cars and people on the road. You need to be able to make decisions and to remember what to do. Being able to make quick decisions while driving is important so you can avoid accidents and stay safe. Changes over time might slow how fast you react. You may find that your reflexes are getting slower. Stiff joints or weak muscles can make it harder to move quickly. Your attention span may be shorter. Or, it might be harder for you to do two things at the same time.



What you can do:



•Leave more space between you and the car in front of you.

•Start braking early when you need to stop.

•Avoid high traffic areas when you can.

•If you must drive on a fast-moving highway, drive in the right-hand lane. Traffic moves more slowly there. This might give you more time to make safe driving decisions.

•Take a defensive driving course. AARP, American Automobile Association (AAA), or your car insurance company can help you find a class near you.

•Be aware of how your body and mind might be changing, and talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Your Health

Some health problems can make it harder for people of any age to drive safely. But other conditions that are more common as you get older can also make driving difficult. For example, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and arthritis can interfere with your driving abilities. At some point, someone with health problems may feel that he or she is no longer a good driver and may decide to stop driving.



People with illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other types of dementia may forget how to drive safely. They also may forget how to find a familiar place like the grocery store or even home. In the early stages of AD, some people are able to keep driving safely for a while. But, as memory and decision-making skills worsen, driving will be affected. If you have dementia, you might not be able to tell that you are having driving problems. Family and friends may give you feedback about your driving. Doctors can help you decide whether it’s safe to keep driving.



What you can do:



•Tell a family member or your doctor if you become confused while driving.

Your Medications

Do you take any medicines that make you feel drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than usual? Medications can have side effects. People tend to take more medicines as they age, so pay attention to how these drugs may affect your driving.



What you can do:



•Read the medicine labels carefully, and pay attention to any warnings.

•Make a list of all your medicines, and talk to a doctor or pharmacist about how they may affect your driving.

•Don’t drive if you feel lightheaded or drowsy.

Are You A Safe Driver?

Maybe you already know that driving at night, on the highway, or in bad weather is a problem for you. Older drivers can also have problems when yielding the right of way, turning (especially making left turns), changing lanes, passing, and using expressway ramps.



What you can do:



•When in doubt, don’t go out. Bad weather like rain or snow can make it hard for anyone to drive. Try to wait until the weather is better, or use buses, taxis, or other transportation services available in your community.

•Look for different routes that can help you avoid places where driving can be a problem. Left turns can be quite dangerous because you have to check so many things at the same time. You could plan routes to where you want to go so that you only need to make right turns.

•Have your driving skills checked. There are driving programs and clinics that can test your driving and also make suggestions about improving your driving skills.

•Update your driving skills by taking a driving refresher course. (Hint: Some car insurance companies may lower your bill when you pass this type of class.)

Prescription 'Drugged Driving' a Growing Problem

As Americans get hooked on more and more prescription drugs, then clamor behind the wheel of their automobiles while dazed or sleepy, more auto accidents can't be far behind.

Turn on the TV, open a newspaper, or go online and you'll find the pharmaceutical industry is making a killing pushing pills. There are pills to wake you up, calm you down, get you excited, lower your blood pressure, ease your hypertension, and get you back to sleep again. While many of these prescription drugs do help with certain ailments, the side effects can be deadly when someone affected by these powerful drugs tries to drive. Many of these drugs cause a reduction in mental alertness and physical responsiveness, both of which are necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle.

An accident caused by a drugged driver.

Unlike drunk driving, which has definitive limits, and can measure blood alcohol levels, drugged driving has no limits to measure. If you're blood alcohol level is .008 or higher, you can be convicted of DUI, but there are no tests to determine improper levels of prescription drugs. There are so many different legal drugs legally prescribed, with each one having a different effect on the user, that it is very difficult to set legal limits. In addition, prescription drugs can linger in the system for days or even weeks, making it hard to determine when it is safe for the patient to return to the road.

How commonplace is driving while drugged? According the the National Highway and Safety Administration's 2007 National Roadside Survey, more than 16 percent of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Lately more attention has been given to drugs other than alcohol, as law enforcement has begun to recognize the hazards it poses to traffic safety.

What Makes Drugged Driving Hazardous?

Drugs acting on the brain can alter perception, cognition, attention, balance, coordination, reaction time, and other faculties required for safe driving. The effects of specific drugs of abuse differ depending on their mechanisms of action, the amount consumed, the history of the user, and other factors.

Many medications (e.g., benzodiazepines and opiate analgesics) act on systems in the brain that could impair driving ability. In fact, many prescription drugs come with warnings against the operation of machinery -- including motor vehicles -- for a specified period of time after use. When prescription drugs are taken without medical supervision (i.e., when abused), impaired driving and other harmful reactions result.

Enforcement Lacking

Police and Highway Patrol personnel are trained to spot, test and arrest persons under the influence of alcohol, but people affected by prescription drugs are more difficult to prosecute. Breathalyzer tests will only show if the person has been drinking, even though the motorist's ability to drive is clearly compromised. With defense lawyers quick to point out that many of these drivers are taking legal medication, in proper doses that are prescribed by a doctor, police are reluctant to pursue punishment due to the ambiguity of the law.

Canada Gets Tough

Yet some countries are getting tougher. In 2008, Canada passed a drugged driving law which makes it illegal for drivers to drive under the influence of drugs, legal or not.

Prior to this legislation, police were allowed to ask drivers for a urine, blood or saliva sample if they were suspected of being under the influence of drugs. However, officers had to inform drivers that they were not obligated to take the test.

“There was no monitoring in place for us to make this demand at all,” said Toronto Police Sgt. Tim Burrows, “New ground has been broken.”

Under this new legislation, drivers suspected of drug use are taken to traffic services and tested by a specially trained drug recognition expert. The test involves looking at indicators such as pupil size, blood pressure and the ability of the driver to multi-task. The final part of the test is a bodily fluid swab test.

Those caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will face at least a $1,000 fine for a first offense, a minimum of 30 days in jail for a second offense and 120 days in jail if they are caught a third time.

In the U.S., many states are starting to pass 'per se' laws, making it illegal to operate a motor vehicle if there is any detectable level of a prohibited drug, or its metabolites, in the driver's blood. Other state laws define "drugged driving" as driving when a drug "renders the driver incapable of driving safely" or "causes the driver to be impaired."

But, persuading a jury to convict someone of drugged driving is difficult, as it doesn't have the stigma that drunken driving has, thanks to the efforts of groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"Because most people on the jury will also likely be taking prescription drugs for some ailment," said Douglas Gansler, the attorney general in Maryland, "whether it's Lipitor or allergy pills or whatever it might be, they might think, 'I don't want that to become criminal.'"

Sources: DrugFreeWorkplace.com, The New York Times, National Highway and Safety Administration.

Red Light Cameras Help Reduce Traffic Accidents

As more and more cities install cameras at busy intersections to catch drivers who run red lights, the debate rages as to how effective they are in reducing traffic accidents.

How Do Red Light Cameras Work?

Red light cameras are mounted at selected signalized intersections, and automatically photograph vehicles whose drivers run red lights. A red light camera system is connected to the traffic signal and to sensors that monitor traffic at the crosswalk or stop line. The camera is triggered by any vehicle entering the intersection above a preset minimum speed and following a specified time after the signal has turned red. Many red light camera programs provide motorists with grace periods up to 1/2 second, but it is up to each municipality to determine what grace period, if any, will be allowed. Cameras record the date, time of day, time elapsed since the beginning of the red signal, vehicle speed and license plate. Tickets are typically mailed to the registered owner, based on a review of the photographic evidence.

Effective Accident Reduction

Accident statistics support the contention that these cameras are effective in substantially reducing traffic accidents. Highway Safety Institute evaluations in Fairfax, Virginia and Oxnard, California, showed that camera enforcement reduced red-light-running violations by about 40 percent. In addition, this effectiveness carried over to other signalized intersections not equipped with red light cameras, indicating community-wide changes in driver behavior. An Institute evaluation of red light cameras in Philadelphia found that after red light violations were reduced by 36 percent following increased yellow signal timing, and the addition of red light cameras further reduced red light violations by 96 percent. In the Oxnard, Calif. study, injury crashes were reduced by 29 percent after red light cameras were in operation. Front-into-side collisions -- the crash type most closely associated with red light running -- were reduced by 32 percent overall, and front-to-side crashes resulting in injuries were reduced by 68 percent!

Success Rates of Red Light Cameras

New Orleans, LA -- Red light cameras led to an 85% drop in red light running and speed cameras led to an 84% drop in speeding.
Council Bluffs, IA -- 90% reduction in red light running crashes.
Washington, DC -- Red light running fatalities were reduced from 16 to 2 in the first two years of red light cameras.
Fairfax, VA -- 44% reduction in red light running crashes.
Oxnard, CA -- 22% reduction in red light crashes citywide.
New York City -- 34% reduction in red light violations.

Who is Responsible for the Ticket?

Each state has its own set of rules determining who is responsible for running a red light. 25 states currently have red light camera enforcement, and each has its own set of rules and limitations. In Washington state, which is one of the states that does, it is the registered owner's responsibility, whether or not they were driving the car. A ticket for running a red light can mean up to a $250 maximum fine, but does not go on the violator's driving record. It is treated like a parking ticket.

Red Light Cameras are Popular with the Public

A 2002 nationwide survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and conducted by the Gallup Organization found that 75 percent of drivers favored the use of red light cameras. a 1996 survey by the Insurance Research Council found that the highest support for red light cameras was in large cities, where 83 percent of respondents supported their use. There are opponents of this kind of enforcement, but so far its legality has stood up in court challenges.

References: Insurance Industry for Highway; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Wikipedia; National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running

Driving Drowsy is as Dangerous as Driving Drunk

Nice summer weather and long days of sunshine mean putting the top down on the convertible and going out for nice long drives. It can also mean taking the family on a car vacation.

But, before venturing out on the road, make sure you've had enough sleep. A recent poll found that 54 percent of Americans say they have driven drowsy at least once in the last year, while one quarter admit to doing so at least once a month. This can have very dangerous consequences.

A National Sleep Foundation survey revealed that a full 37 percent of the drivers they polled had actually fallen asleep at the wheel!

"Most people know the dangers of drinking and driving," says Troy Green of the American Automobile Association. "However, driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk."

Like drugs or alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases your risk of an accident. However, it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness because there is no standardized test for drowsiness, like there is for intoxication. This lack of criteria for determining when a driver is too sleepy to drive may be one reason there is little or no police training in identifying drowsiness as a crash factor.

How many highway crashes are attributable to drowsiness?

Since police-reported crash data is unreliable due to the difficulty in detected fatigue or drowsiness, the accident reports tend to minimize the frequency of this. Based on police reports, about one percent of all crashes and about three percent of all fatal crashes are due to the driver falling asleep. The actual percentage is probably much higher, and some experts estimate that there are about 56,000 accidents involving a drowsy driver, and at least 1,500 deaths a year.

What are the warning signs of fatigue?

Failure to remember the last few miles driven; wandering or disconnected thoughts; difficulty focusing, keeping eyes open, keeping head up; drifting from lane; yawning repeatedly; tailgating or missing signs; jerking car back into the lane.

How best to prevent drowsy driving

Get a good night's sleep before heading out on a long car trip; don't drive alone; schedule regular stops; avoid alcohol or medications that impair performance.

Experts also warn that old remedies such as opening a window or turning the music up in the car do not help a drowsy driver maintain alertness. It may temporarily wake them, but will not last more than a minute or two before drowsiness overcomes the mild stimulus.

The best idea when fatigue sets in is to pull over to the side of the road and take a brief (20 to 30 minute) nap, and then drink coffee or a cola drink to provide short-term alertness. Getting there a few minutes later is better than not getting there at all!

AAA Commends Delaware as it Becomes the 30th State to Prohibit Text Messaging While Driving

AAA is more than half way to the goal!

AAA Commends Delaware as it Becomes the 30th State to Prohibit Text Messaging While Driving
WASHINGTON, July 6 -- Nearly a dozen states have enacted texting while driving bans this year
WASHINGTON, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AAA applauds Delaware on becoming the 30th state to outlaw text messaging by all drivers. Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law today, making Delaware the 11th state in 2010 to ban text messaging while driving. Last September, AAA launched its campaign to pass texting bans in all 50 states.

"By passing a law banning texting while driving, Delaware continues the momentum in statehouses across the country in outlawing this dangerous form of driver distraction," said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA president and CEO. "In the last two years alone, almost half of all states – 12 in 2009 and 11 this year – have enacted text messaging bans for all drivers. AAA is encouraged by the recent and rapid progress toward our campaign goal of passing texting bans in all 50 states.



"Too many people are being injured and killed in vehicle crashes that are preventable. AAA will continue to educate the public about the mental and physical distraction associated with text messaging while driving and continue to advocate for texting bans in states without such laws."



Delaware's new law also makes it illegal to talk on a handheld cell phone while driving. Delaware joins California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia in permitting drivers to talk on a cell phone only with a hands-free device.



"AAA Mid-Atlantic congratulates the Delaware Legislature and Governor Markell on the passage of this new law to combat distracted driving, and we commend their efforts to improve highway safety in the state of Delaware," said Don Gagnon, AAA Mid-Atlantic president and CEO. "AAA Mid-Atlantic has long advocated for comprehensive distracted driving legislation and this is a major step forward in combating texting and other distracted driving in Delaware."



Legislation to establish or improve an existing ban on text messaging while driving is currently being considered in the following states: California, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.



The following states and the District of Columbia now prohibit text messaging by all drivers: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Delaware's law will become effective January 3, 2011. Delaware joins Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming in enacting text messaging bans for all drivers in 2010. The effective dates for those new laws are as follows:



WASHINGTON, July 6 --



Delaware – January 3, 2011

Georgia – July 1, 2010

Iowa – July 1, 2010; penalties effective July 1, 2011

Kansas – Effective immediately when signed on May 24; warning citations to be issued until January 1, 2011

Kentucky – Effective immediately when signed on April 15; penalties effective January 1, 2011

Massachusetts – October 1, 2010

Michigan – July 1, 2010

Nebraska – July 15, 2010

Vermont – Effective immediately when signed on June 1

Wisconsin – December 1, 2010

Wyoming – July 1, 2010





Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2010/07/06/2311689_p2/aaa-commends-delaware-as-it-becomes.html#ixzz0swGYnN4G