Tagged with 'Distracted driving'

A Work Zone Safety Video from VDOT

We all know that workers in work zones have dangerous jobs. however, David Rush of VDOT says that 4 out of 5 fatalities in work zone related crashes are to drivers and passengers, not to workers.

In this video, Rush offers ways to navigate work zones safely:

  • Avoid distracted driving - using cell phones, eating and drinking, messing with the radio or the kids in the backseat.

  • Be alert - pay attention to the cars and traffic around you, especially the car in front of you.

  •  Make sure you obey the posted speed limit and realize there will be stopped vehicles.

  • Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.


 

Know the differences between the uses of police, flaggers and advanced warning signs:

  • Flaggers are used when lanes are closed.

  • Electronic arrows are used when lanes are closed on multi-lane roads.

  • Law enforcement is generally present and used on high-speed roadways.


 

Remember, fines are typically doubled if found speeding through these areas, and for speeds 20 mph over the limit, you may be cited for reckless driving and possible jailtime, and always be on the lookout for traffic workers wearing either the orange or yellow hi-visibility safety vests.

ml-kishigo-96701ML Kishigo 9670/9671 Hi Vis Fleece Lined Bomber Jacket

 


The fleece lined bomber jacket features a durable, waterproof shell with a fleece liner and fleece lined hood. In addition to the high visibility color material, the jacket also utilizes black material in the areas which most commonly get dirty - helping the jacket maintain a bright and clean appearance. The fleece lined hood is both removable and can also be hidden. Other features of the jacket include: 2" wide 3M Scotchlite reflective material, right chest wallet pocket, left chest radio pocket, zipper slash side pockets and drawstring hood. Available in high visibility Lime and Orange; sizes M-5XL. ANSI/ISEA Class 3 compliant.

School Crossing Guards



Safety is an important issue for everyone, but an often overlooked occupation where workers put their lives on the line every day - well, one every school day - is the often un-noticed, and under-appreciated, school crossing guard.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines a crossing guard as someone who directs traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) on streets, at schools, and at railroad crossings and construction sites. In 2007, there were an estimated 70,000 school crossing guards employed nationally, and in the years between 1993 to 2006, there were 97 school crossing guard fatalities, or almost 7 a year. This may not seem like a lot of deaths, but these men and women put their lives on the line each day to keep our children safe.

Additionally, the state of Florida reports that in 2006, 39% of all 16 and under pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 pm. Of the 516 fatalities, 104, or (20%) were pedestrians - usually children. In an effort to lower these numbers, the state trains crossing guards to:
• Use proper crossing techniques consistently
• Encourage patterns of proper crossing behavior by students
• Deter students from committing unsafe/unlawful acts
• Recognize and report hazardous conditions
• Take proper actions in an emergency
• Know their responsibilities and limitations of authority
• Exhibit professionalism and instill confidence
• Earn students’ respect

In a New Jersey report, other factors attributing to motor-vehicle related injuries include among school crossing guards include:
• Unsafe driving
• Parents rushing to and through the school zone
• Distracted driving including cell phones, eating, drinking and smoking

As parents, let's respect school crossing guards, the men and women who serve our children every day and make sure they get to cross the street safely. As drivers, let's start paying attention to school zones, and wait to send that text message, or wait to eat the fast food when we get home.

At HiVis Supply, we are proud to resell high visibility apparel including incident command vests, safety vests, and traffic vests, as well as traffic safety accessories and ANSI compliant vests for crossing guards, pedestrian crossing and speed limit signs.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is a huge topic right now, and has surpassed drunk driving as the number one topic of conversation about driving and the road. It does not discriminate; old or young, male or female, distracted driving affects us all.

But what exactly is distracted driving? Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

  • Texting

  • Using a cell phone or smartphone

  • Eating and drinking

  • Talking to passengers

  • Grooming

  • Reading, including maps

  • Using a navigation system

  • Watching a video

  • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player


But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.

The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses, not only to drivers, but also to roadside construction crews, emergency personnel, law enforcement officers, surveyors and more. 

On this page, you'll find facts and statistics that are powerfully persuasive. If you don't already think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take a moment to learn more. And, as with everything on Distraction.gov, please share these facts with others. Together, we can help save lives.

Key Facts and Statistics



  • In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured. (NHTSA)

  • 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)

  • 20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)

  • In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009. (CTIA)

  • Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were reported to have been distracted. (NHTSA)

  • 40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. (Pew)

  • Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Monash University)

  • Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (VTTI)Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind. (VTTI)

  • Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI)

  • Using a cell phone while driving - whether it's hand-held or hands-free delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (University of Utah)

  • Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)



Black Series Class 2 T-Shirt

The Black Series t-shirt from ML Kishigo is constructed from microfiber polyester material which wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and cool. The shirt also utilizes a 2" silver, breathable reflective tape that significantly reduces "hot spots" and provides greater flexibility over solid tapes. The black sides provide contrast and add a sporty look. Available in both high visibility Lime and Orange. ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 Compliant.
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