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The impossible texting and driving test
I'd like to share this video that tells a compelling story about how it's impossible to text and drive at the same time.
"Plenty of people will crash, I'm telling you," says one student as he begins the test. He's right. Current statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's site on distracted drivingshow that each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,153 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Every day.
Click here to see the video showing how impossible it is to safely text and drive at the same time.
Wildfires are currently raging all over the western United States. From where I sit in Idaho, evacuations are happening all around, including to the west, where three firefighters just died battling wildfires in Twisp, Washington.
Be careful when transporting fragile goods: wear a bicycle helmet
Did you know that some cities do not require bicyclists to wear helmets? There is no state law mandating their use, either. This is surprising, due to statistics showing that “helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent,” according to the Bicycle Safety Helmet Institute, a volunteer advocacy group. Go here to learn how helmets protect you, and why you should never get on your bike without one.
Tips for motorists on sharing the road with bicyclists
As the weather warms, more people take their bicycles on the road, for commuting to work, helping the environment, exercise, recreation, and to save on automobile expenses. As bicycling gains in popularity, also on the rise is the likelihood of a crash with a car, truck, or other vehicle – and, so often, these crashes result in serious injury or death to the cyclist involved. In sharing the road with bicyclists, motorists can do a few simple things to make everyone's journey safer. Click here for tips on how to avoid common errors that drivers sometimes make that can result in serious injury or death.
How to handle hydroplaning on the freeway
Wet roadways, especially prevalent here in the Pacific Northwest, present some driving hazards that can catch drivers off guard. One of those hazards is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning means a loss of traction and sliding on a film of water. Wet road surfaces can cause tires to hydroplane. This could result in the loss of control and steering ability, as your tires may lose contact with the pavement, and an accident might happen within seconds. It's a scary feeling to suddenly feel your car hydroplaning, but here are some things you can do to recover control of your vehicle quickly.
Tips on how to be a safer boater
It's up to boaters to prepare themselves for worst-case scenarios, and that begins with property boating safety. If you've never taken a boating safety course, every state and national boating agency will encourage you to do so - even if your state doesn't require it. If you're just taking a course to get your license, you're taking it for the wrong reason. Safety is much more important than a card in your wallet. Click here for classes and resources on how to avoid boating accidents.
- Under no circumstances should you allow your pet to drive. This one's non-negotiable.
Motor vehicle accidents are a common occurrence in Baltimore and across Baltimore County. Many crashes are completely avoidable, caused by drunk drivers or distracted drivers. Whatever the cause, car accidents are a major safety and economic issue for the Baltimore community.
At one point or another, everyone is a pedestrian. As the expense of driving and insuring a vehicle rise, more and more people choose to walk to their destinations. As the number of pedestrians increases, so do the number of pedestrian accidents. To see where the Baltimore region ranks in terms of pedestrian collisions nationally, please go to this National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.