Distracted Driver Survival: RIDE LOUD!!!
June 27, 2014
One of the best tips for Distracted Driver Survival: Ride as if you are invisible. The reason this is such great advice is that most drivers DO NOT SEE YOU. Whether they are distracted, inattentive or just happen to have you in a blind spot, car and truck drivers often fail to notice motorcycles on the road.
That’s why today’s Distracted Driver Survival tip is to RIDE LOUD! Wear loud (aka bright) clothes and gear, use the horn when necessary, and don’t be afraid to give the throttle a little love. Don’t be obnoxious – in fact, some cities actually have noise restrictions for motorcycles – but don’t ride quietly, either.
There are some very innovative ways to ride loud these days. For instance, many people use bright LED lights for night riding. These bad boys are just too cool not to be noticed:
Day or night, a loud motorcycle horn can be a lifesaver. The Banshee Horn is sure to make your presence known:
FUN FACT: Wikipedia defines Banshee as: (“woman of the barrows“) a female spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the underworld
Be sure to check with local law enforcement before trying out these more creative ways of riding loud. Every city has different restrictions.
However, you can always #ridesafe by wearing bright-colored gear, riding a bright-colored motorcycle, and using the lights and sounds already available on any standard bike. The important thing is that you make your presence known.
Distracted Driver Survival: Overwhelming Odds of Texting While Driving
June 25, 2014
Chances are, you will ride past many distracted drivers today. In fact, the laws of probability just about guarantee it.
We have some stunning numbers to share with you. Numbers that will shed light on the whole texting-while-driving issue:
- 82% of drivers 16 to 24 said they have texted while driving
- 85% of young adults who text while driving agree that texting is a problem
- 77% of young adult drivers are somewhat to very confident they can safely text while driving
With statistics like these, motorcyclists better be ready. Know that the odds are against you, and that you have very little chance of riding anywhere without encountering someone texting while driving.
Map Apps and Distracted Driving
June 16, 2014
Using the wrong map app, or using it the wrong way, or even using it at all can be a dangerous thing to do while driving. Every millisecond that your eyes are off the road is a millisecond too long. In the realm of distracted driving, map apps that require you to look away from the road are right up there with texting, dialing phone numbers and taking selfies while behind the wheel.
This issue has caught the attention of the Transportation Department, which is seeking the authority from Congress to regulate navigation aids of all kinds, including smartphone apps.
Much like the regulation of mechanical features on cars (such as seat belts, brakes, exhaust, etc.), the proposal would give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration authority to regulate navigation aids. However, advancements in smartphone technology move much quicker than any mechanical changes in cars, and tech companies claim that it would be impossible for laws to keep up with the ever-evolving world of smartphone features. Meanwhile, automakers largely support the measure, and are already complying with voluntary guidelines for their built-in navigation systems.
What everyone needs to remember is that distracted driving is the issue. Whether we see more regulations or not, people will continue to be distracted by cell phones, putting on makeup, and even reading good old-fashioned maps. These distractions will result in moving violations, collisions and fatal crashes.
So, what can we do about it? We can create awareness and share knowledge, that’s what. We can use technology to cure technological problems. Volkswagon’s recent viral video is a prime example:
That short, yet powerful video has reached millions of people in just a matter of days.
Take the Distracted Driving Quiz
June 11, 2014
We all know that distracted driving is bad. But, what is distracted driving exactly? This hilarious quiz from the fine folks at Car Talk demonstrates just how multifaceted the term “distracted driving” can be. Here are some of our favorites:
While driving do you…
– Brush your teeth, gargle and spit
– Eat anything that takes two hands, like a Big Mac or Moo Shu Pork
– Try to build a scale model of a nuclear reactor
– Discipline your dog, cat or pet ferret
– Focus on removal of obstinate nose or eyebrow hair
– Yell at either Rush Limbaugh, Air America or Click and Clack
– Perform complex removal of spinach or other food products from between teeth, including use of mirrors
You would be surprised at how many people answer “sometimes” and “always” to these types of questions!
Humor is an effective tool for getting to the heart of an issue, especially distracted driving. How many drivers have you seen distracted by funny habits such as nose-picking, headbanging or chest shaving? It’s not always cell phones that cause crashes, but other terribly embarrassing things as well.
So spread the knowledge and awareness of distracted driving by sharing the humor. If you do, then we’ll buy you a pony!
Teen Drivers’ Summer Survival Guide
May 29, 2014
With the passing of Memorial Day weekend, teens now face the 100 deadliest days of driving this year. The school year comes to an end, summer begins and traffic fatalities sky rocket through June, July and August. Why?
One reason is simple: there are more teen drivers (aka novice drivers) on the road. In fact, one of the greatest dangers to teen drivers is other teen drivers. One way to avoid collisions with other teens is to take extra caution when driving through the usual hangouts, especially the mall.
Having multiple passengers can also increase a teen driver’s crash risk. The combination of multiple conversations, phone usage and loud music is common, and all this commotion in a confined space can easily lead to distracted driving accidents. As the driver, a smart teen should make it a priority to get everyone from point A to point B without crashing or getting pulled over. That will earn much more peer respect than driving distracted, carelessly or recklessly and putting everyone in danger.
Another common cause of summer traffic fatalities is alcohol. Not only must teen drivers steer clear of drinking while driving, they must also steer clear of other drivers under the influence. By avoiding alcohol-prone areas such as bar districts and party spots, teen drivers can manage to make it through the summer without an alcohol-related accident.
Since traffic fatalities are a leading cause of teen death, and fatality rates are 3X as high during the summer months, it is important for teen drivers to take these tips to heart.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 7
May 14, 2014
Lesson 7: Don’t Text and Drive
For motorcyclists, there are few things more hated than TWIT’s (people who Text While In Traffic). This common distraction causes lane drifting, late braking, erratic navigation and all the other usual hazards of driving while distracted, most notably, traffic collisions. So, toss that phone in the back seat while you’re on the road and keep your eyes and mind on the task at hand: driving.
A Powerful Message
May 6, 2014
This image from Bikers Against Texting says it all. Throw that phone in the back seat and drive safely this summer, because nothing is more important than a saved life.
The Price of that Text
April 28, 2014
It would seem that drivers have a serious texting addiction these days. The public outcry for safety has gone unnoticed by most text-obsessed drivers. They pass by anti-texting billboards and highway signs completely unaware because their eyes are glued to the glowing screens of their cell phones. Normally, I just try to get around these reckless drivers as quickly and safely as possible, but when one almost hits my car I will honk at them… only to be ignored because my fear of collision is less urgent than their social life.
Well, if drivers aren’t worried about their safety, or the safety of people around them, maybe they will take notice when slapped with a hefty traffic ticket. That would certainly make it harder to pay their cell phone bill. This is exactly what many states are hoping for, with all but 4 states joining the fight against texting while driving by charging offenders with penalties. Fines range from $20 (in California) to $10,000 (in Alaska), with an average of about $100.
A state-by-state map of texting while driving penalties can be found here.
Distraction Checklist
April 21, 2014
Don’t become another teen statistic or adolescent cliche by driving while distracted. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people, and multi-tasking while behind the wheel is a big contributor to teen driver crashes. So, keep that compulsive behavior in check by reviewing this common list of driving distractions.
1. Music. Find your station, CD, or MP3 playlist before leaving the driveway and never take your eyes off the road for your audio-obsession. You can always change the station at a stoplight if necessary.
2. Friends. Having other people in the car drastically increases a teen’s crash risk. So, don’t let your friends become a distraction or force for peer pressure. Drive the same way you would with parents or a driving instructor.
3. Food. Eating in the car is never a good idea. In fact, fast food in general is pretty terrible. Save yourself the calories, acne, and stomach ache by eating real food at a real restaurant.
4. Phone. Just put that phone in the back seat and forget about it. Texting and talking on the phone are a serious distraction for people of all ages.
Hands-Free is not Risk-Free
April 14, 2014
Learn why cell phone use is dangerous even if it’s on a hands-free device. The Teen Safe Driving blog has the full story here:
http://teensafedriving.org/blog/hands-free-is-not-risk-free/