Emergency Car Kit

Traffic Tip Tuesday: 7 Must Have Items For Your Emergency Car Kit

The summer driving season is here, and that can mean danger on our streets and highways. Create an emergency car kit to deal with unexpected dangers that crop up.

First, include a tire pressure gauge, 12 volt compressor, and foam tire sealant. Maintaining proper tire pressure is one of the most important maintenance items for your automobile. It is also a safety issue because improperly inflated tires can lead to disastrous failure.

Second, include jumper cables for when that interior light gets left on accidentally.

Third, keep your emergency roadside number in the glove compartment for easy access in case you need it.

Fourth, keep a car charger so you can use your phone in an emergency even when your battery is almost empty. Also include a disposable camera if you don’t have camera on your phone.

Fifth, include some cash just in case something you need can’t be bought with a card.

Sixth, make sure to have some drinking water. Roadside emergencies happen at in-opportune time and places. If your car is not operable, you and your passengers may be out in the hot weather.

Seven, keep a first aid kit in your car. Make sure to have one that has an assortment of supplies for cuts, scrapes, and burns. Sunscreen would also be an important supply.

Many other items belong in an emergency car kit. For additional resources, please visit the sites below.

Links:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/roadside-emergency-kit-what-to-carry-with-you/index.htm
http://www.ready.gov/kit-storage-locations
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/20-must-haves-in-your-car-emergency-kit-1.aspx

Reckless Driving in South Carolina?

Traffic Tip Tuesday! Is Texting While Driving Reckless Driving in South Carolina?

In today’s traffic tip, I ask you to consider whether texting and driving is reckless under the law.

South Carolina Law says that “Any person who drives any vehicle in such a manner as to indicate either a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” South Carolina Code Section 56-5-2920. The reason I’m bring up reckless driving is to advocate for an alternative to prosecuting texting while driving.

Although multiple bills are pending in the South Carolina Legislature, it looks like all will either die in committee or impose only a limited fine for distracted driving. I believe a limited fine for distracted driving will be worthless for improving the safety of our community.

Perhaps we can use South Carolina’s reckless driving law to prosecute those who continue to put us all in harm’s way by texting while driving. Certainly we can agree that drinking while driving is at minimum reckless driving. In light of studies and research that indicate that distracted driving is at least as dangerous as impaired driving, how can we not say that it is not reckless driving? A distracted driver may be 6 times more likely to cause a crash and can double stopping distance. Certainly those statistics indicate a wilful or wanton disregard for other’s safety.

However, only our community can determine what is reckless or not. My question to you today is whether you believe that distracted driving is reckless or not. Please post your comments and answers.

Recognize Teen Driver Risk Factors

Traffic Tip Tuesday! Recognize Teen Driver Risk Factors and Solutions.

In today’s traffic tip, I review several risk factors teen drivers. Pay special attention to these risk factors so you can address them with your teenage drivers.

Unfortunately, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Males are most at risk, followed by teens driving with teenage passengers, and finally teen drivers who just received their licenses.

Counsel young drivers to recognize dangerous situations, drive at a safe speed, avoid distractions such as cell phones, and increase the distance they follow other cars. Consider not allowing newly licensed drivers to have teenage passengers until they gain some experience behind the wheel.

For more information on safe driving please visit the following links:

http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

http://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/

http://www.thecommunityguide.org/mvoi/index.html

The Ultimate Traffic Safety Tip

Traffic Tip Tuesday!  The Ultimate Traffic Safety Tip.

Today, I wanted to share my Ultimate Traffic Safety Tip with you all. Its not a tip for specific situations and its not a tip you will find in South Carolina Law. However, this tip has the power to completely align your driving toward safety.

As I spent time in church this Sunday and enjoyed a family meal with my mother, my grandmothers, and my Wife, the mother of our children, I realized what the Ultimate Traffic Safety Tip was. This Tip recognizes the sacred bond between mother and child. It is rooted in the loving embrace and sacrifice that all Mothers offer their babies. It acknowledges the special respect that we hold for our mothers. It affirms our desire to please and never disappoint our mothers.

Here it is, drive as if your mother is sitting in the passenger seat.

Its as simple as that. With this easy tip, you can completely align your driving toward safety and please your mother at the same time.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Yielding The Right Of Way.

Traffic Tip Tuesday!  Yielding The Right Of Way.

Failure to yield right of way.Failing to yield the right of way is the second largest driving violation leading to injuries in South Carolina (2009 Fact Book). Yielding the right of way means understanding when to let another driver go before you (56-5-580). Most situations involve intersections. Remember this rule when at an intersection with another vehicle, yield the Right-of-way to the driver on the Right.

End Distracted Driving

Traffic Tip Tuesday!  Help End Distracted Driving in South Carolina.

Distracted driving bills have been introduced in South Carolina General Assembly every year since at least 2007. To date, the General Assembly has failed to pass any bills regulating distracted driving.

Three bills have been introduced to the General Assembly for the current session that ends in June, 2014. H.3317 prohibits all drivers from using a cell phone while driving and imposes a fine of up to $500. Usage of a hands-free devise is exempt. However, S.459 has made the most traction, and has passed the Senate. This proposed bill prohibits drivers with a beginner’s permit, conditional driver’s license, or special restricted driver’s license from using mobile devises while driving and imposes a $100.00 fine. S.459 is now in the House Committee on Education and Public Works.

Is there any reason why South Carolina should not adopt a texting ban? Call your South Carolina State Legislators and tell them you want a distracted driving ban.

Install Car Seats Properly

Traffic Tip Tuesday! Install Car Seats Properly.

More children aged 5-19 die from motor vehicle related injuries than another other cause. The CDC advocates education as one of its most effective prevention strategies along with enforcement and engineering. Please make sure that you install your child’s safety seat properly. For instructions, please visit http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm.

Best Side View Mirror Position

Car Setup > Side View Mirrors. You can’t avoid what you can’t see, so make sure to make the most of your side view mirrors. Adjust them so that you don’t see any of your car in the mirror. You will be surprised how much more of the road you can see in your side view mirrors.

Correct Driving Position.

Setup Your Driving Position Correctly for Maximum Control. All of us have experienced driving emergencies and unexpected events that required quick action. Maximize your control of your car by setting it up properly. Sit straight up with both hands on the wheel for maximum control. Pretend your steering wheel is a clock and place your hands at 9am and 3pm. This body and hand position will help you control the car when a quick response is necessary to avoid a collision.

Use Your Turn Signals

Please remember to use your turn signals. More people are out and driving in this sunny weather after last week’s snow storm. Studies show that failing to use turn signals may be a bigger problem than distracted driving. South Carolina law mandates that drivers use turn signals anytime they turn left or right on a roadway (South Carolina Code Section 55-5-2150). This means turning onto an intersecting road, changing lanes, or onto side roads. Drivers must turn on their signals continuously for at least 100 feet before turning. (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/turn-signal-neglect-real-danger-study-shows-745801).