Most Dangerous Roads in America
July 6, 2014
The World’s Most Dangerous Roads include Bolivia’s “Death Road”, the Trans Siberia “Ice Road”, China’s “Road of No Mistakes”, and Brazil’s “Rodovia da Morte”. These infamous highways are known for their treacherous conditions and the lives that they take each year.
The World Health Organization’s 2013 status report on road safety added three American highways to the list of the World’s Most Dangerous Roads. These highways include Alabama’s “Highway to Hell” (yes, it’s a real place), Alaska’s James Dalton Highway, and the Pan American Highway.
The Highway to Hell
U.S. Route 431, a 353 mile stretch of road running from the Alabama-Tennessee line down to Dothan, Alabama, claims the lives of more than 33,000 people per year. Why? The main hazards include poor visibility, speeding and sudden 2-4 lane changes. This killer combination becomes even more deadly with poor decision making, such as driving blindfolded. FYI, it is now officially illegal to drive blindfolded in Alabama. Seriously. Look it up.
The James Dalton Highway
The James Dalton Highway, aka “Haul Road”, kills roughly 2,889 drivers annually. That might not sound like a lot, but considering that it’s more than 300 miles north of the North Pole, there’s not exactly a lot of traffic up in these parts.
The road passes through boreal forests, across the Yukon river and the Arctic Circle, over the Brooks Range mountains, the Continental Divide at Atigun pass, and then through the tree-less North Slope tundra to the Deadhorse and the Prudhoe Bay oilfields near the Arctic Ocean.
Along the way, vehicles often get stranded due to killer pot holes, icy accidents and flat tires. Gravel portions are infamous for kicking up debris and cracking windshields. In the spring and summer, drivers are advised to keep spare windshield wipers and several gallons of windshield wiper fluid handy for insect swarms. And, to top it all off, there’s no cell phone service, so it’s best to keep a satellite phone or CB radio handy when driving this treacherous highway.
They say the views are spectacular, though.
The Pan-American Highway
Aka the World’s Longest Road, this highway is actually a network of roads about 30,000 miles in length. It connects nearly all the mainland nations of the Americas, running from Alaska down to Argentina.
The writer Jake Silverstein put it best when he described the highway as “a system so vast, so incomplete, and so incomprehensible it is not so much a road as it is the idea of Pan-Americanism itself”.
The most hazardous road conditions include high temperatures, landslides, steep drop-offs, livestock crossings and impassable sections during the wet season.
These life-threatening commutes are not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for novice drivers. They have joined the list of The World’s Most Dangerous Roads, so think twice before turning down one of these highways.
Independence Day
July 3, 2014
Eager to get that first taste of freedom? That first sweet sip of complete independence as you drive off with your first license? Well, don’t let your first independence day become your last. Drive like a pro with these teen driving tips:
- Pay Attention! It’s easy to get distracted by the excitement of your first day as a new driver. Don’t let that excitement cause a collision early in your driving career. Channel that energy to the part of the brain that keeps you alert and ready to react.
- Watch Your Speed. The rush you feel on that first day can be a bit overwhelming. Your blood is pumping, your heart rate is in hyper-mode and the urge to go faster is hard to fight. However, you must maintain control. Driving too fast can result in a wreck, or at the very least, a speeding ticket.
- Remember the Basics. You might have aced the test, but do you remember what to do at a 4-way stop? Do you yield if you are turning left? Do you yield if you are turning right? Who yields when you are entering the freeway? Be sure to mentally prepare yourself for driving without the help of parents or instructors.
- Look Twice. Whether you are turning, merging, or changing lanes, be sure to always look twice. Check your mirrors, then check your blind spot to be sure you’re not about to plow into another vehicle. And, don’t forget to use your BLINKERS!
- Take Your Time. It’s not a race. Take your time when driving. Take your time when parking. Take your time (and double check!) when pulling out of a parking space or driveway. Take your time when turning or merging. There’s no reason to rush things. You are young, so drive like the cool easy rider that you are.
Now get out there and live the sweet life of freedom and independence with your brand new drivers license! Good luck and happy Independence Day!
A Solute to the Designated Driver
July 2, 2014
The Designated Driver is an honorable breed. These awesome people make the roads a safer place and the world a better place.
While others are running wild, they remain safe and sober and ready to be someone else’s lifesaver. They save the lives of their friends and family. They save the lives of other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. They save the lives of anyone and anything that happens to lie in the war path of a potential drunk driver. They are heroes.
To all you sober drivers out there… we solute you!
And to all you new drivers out there, getting your license for the first time and getting that first taste of “freedom on the open road”… we encourage you to become a designated driver this year and help save lives!
With 4th of July around the corner, and summer festivities raging on until the end of the season, we can use all the designated drivers we can get.
So get on the #DD bandwagon and help keep our roads safe.
Safe Driving Tips for Pet People
June 30, 2014
It’s road trip season, and many pet owners will want to bring their furry friends along for the ride this summer. However, it’s best to read up on these safe driving tips before hitting the road:
- Feed long before you leave. By feeding your pets at least a couple of hours before the trip, they will have time for the food to settle. This will help keep them from getting car sick.
- Secure your pets. Few things are more distracting than a loose animal in a car. Whether you use a crate or a harness, make sure your pet is secure.
- Don’t leave your pet in the car. It’s summertime, and a hot car can quickly turn into an oven. Cats and dogs can get heat stroke just like humans.
Remember these safe driving tips – both for you and for your beloved pets – because a relaxing car ride is always more fun than a traumatizing wreck.
Don’t Be a Menace: The 5 Worst Driving Habits
June 29, 2014
Kindness is contagious, but so is road rage. Don’t start a road rage rampage by committing one of the 5 Worst Driving Habits:
- Tailgating. There’s never, ever, ever a good reason to ride someone’s bumper. If you’re driving faster than the person in front of you, then pass them. If you can’t pass them right away, stay a safe distance behind until it is clear to pass. By riding their bumper, not only are you driving dangerously, but you are also blocking your own view of the road ahead. Also, you are most likely infuriating the other driver, which will only make them drive slower to spite you.
- Turning/Merging Without Blinkers. There is this handy lever by your steering wheel – it controls the blinkers – and it’s there to let other drivers know when you’re about to turn or merge. USE IT! Use it when you’re changing lanes. Use it when you’re turning right. Use it when you’re turning left. Use it when you’re merging. Use it when you’re exiting. Use it when you’re planning on turning left at the stoplight. Don’t be shy. Blinkers are one of the only ways for cars to communicate with each other, so use them.
- Cutting People Off in Traffic. There’s no need to cut off another vehicle in traffic. Being one car ahead isn’t going to drastically change your commute time. If you can’t pass someone safely, then don’t pass them at all.
- Driving Too Slow. Driving 40 mph on a 70-mph highway isn’t just annoying – it’s dangerous. It’s also illegal, depending on the speed of traffic and your own state’s laws.
- Left Lane Cruising. The left lane is for passing. Period. When cars stay in the left lane and drive at the same speed as the rest of traffic, they create congestion behind them. So if you’re not passing someone, then you shouldn’t be in the fast lane.
Let’s make the world a more peaceful place by driving like the safe, responsible, respectful people we are. When everyone has good highway etiquette, everyone wins. Traffic flows smoothly, kindness wins over road rage, and the backdrop fills with sunshine, bunny rabbits and rainbows.
Dude, Where’s My Car?
June 26, 2014
Want to know if your city ranks among the Top 10 Car-Theft Hot Spots? If you live in one of California’s metropolitan areas, chances are it does.
A recent NCIB (National Crime Information Center) report revealed that 9 of the Top 10 Car-Theft Hot Spots for 2013 were in California:
- Bakersfield, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Modesto, CA
- San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, CA
- Stockton-Lodi, CA
- Redding, CA
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
- San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA
- Yuba City, CA
It should be noted the study was measured using per capita rates for broad metropolitan statistical areas. That way certain areas wouldn’t rank higher just because they had more residents.
The good news is that total vehicle thefts in the U.S. are down 58% from their peak in 1991. So, while California residents may want to consider using the newest anti-theft technology, the rest of the country can breath a sigh of relief. Relief that all the thieves seem to be living on the west coast these days.
Rules of the Road
June 25, 2014
Today’s teen driving tips come from kidshealth.org, a great organization promoting the general health and safety of all kids. See their awesome tips for teen drivers and learn a thing or two!
Night Driving Tips for Teens
June 24, 2014
There’s nothing like the sweet, sweet freedom of your first day with a brand-spankin’ new drivers license… except for your first night with a brand-spankin’ new drivers license. Don’t ruin it by running into a ditch, hitting a deer or getting caught up in a collision. Check out these night driving tips for teens before heading out for your first expedition in the dark:
Drive slowly. Night time is easy-rider time. Slow it down and be prepared for the dangers that lurk in the dark. The low visibility is complicated by blinking lights, headlights and other complexities.
Signal sooner. When turning, merging or changing lanes, signal sooner and drive predictably to avoid a collision with other night drivers.
Drive familiar routes. By driving routes you normally drive during the day, you will be more familiar with the turns, hills and curves along the way.
Don’t look into the light. When passing other cars on the road, never stare into their headlights. This will cause your eyes to dilate and your vision to suffer.
Beware the drunks. Drunk driving is much more common after dark. Teens can avoid drunk drivers by steering clear of bar districts, college campuses and other places people like to congregate and drink.
Remember, having a driver’s license can only get you so far. You won’t be driving for long if you total your car. So keep these night driving tips in mind and be a smart, safe driver.
Worst Traffic of All Time
June 23, 2014
Traffic is a brutal part of everyday life. However, this list from Forbes may make you see traffic in a whole new light. Sure, you might have to sit in a traffic jam for three or four hours, but that is nothing compared to these painful times in driving history:
Variable Speed Limits – A TxDOT Experiment
June 22, 2014
Texas drivers in San Antonio, Waco, and Eastland County may notice new speed limit signs on their daily commute – digital signs with variable speed limits that change throughout the day. The variable speed limit signs are part of a TxDOT pilot program designed to increase highway safety.
Speed limits will vary from current posted speed limits down to 30 mph, depending on how fast traffic is moving. Factors such as road conditions, weather and construction will also be taken into account. Changes will occur in 5 mph increments.
Drivers can be ticketed if they are caught violating the speed limits posted on the electronic signs.
The idea is to increase safety by warning drivers about the speed of traffic, as well as to prevent congestion before it starts. This strategy of spacing and pacing is used in other states, from Florida to Washington. The use of Active Traffic Management, or ATM, has had positive effects on traffic safety and congestion.
Eventually, the Texas Transportation Commission and the state Legislature will evaluate the TxDOT pilot program and decide whether or not to adopt the variable speed system.