Winter is here and one of the more popular wintertime activities is snowmobiling. Snowmobiling has grown in popularity because snowmobiles aren't limited to ski resorts or skating rinks. Snowmobiles are large, powerful machines, weighing around 600 pounds and capable of obtaining speeds up to 90 mph and, just as with any other type of motor vehicle, snowmobiles have their dangerous side. Unlike other motor vehicles with seat belts and roll cages, the only protection available on snowmobiles is a small windscreen.

National figures are hard to come by but one study estimates that there are up to 14,000 injuries and 200 deaths per year in the US. Several states publish annual statistics on snowmobile incidents and they can provide some idea of the number of serious incidents involving snowmobiles each year.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) post injury and fatality figures for each snow season. From 1997 through 2010, New York there were a total of 4,946 snowmobiling collisions with 216 fatalities.

During the 2009 – 2010 season there were 294 reported accidents resulting in 237 injuries, and 14 fatalities.

Out of those 294 incidents in 2009-2010:

• Unsafe speed, riding too fast for weather and/or trail conditions was listed as the most common cause of most of the incidents.
• More than 76 percent of the recorded incidents resulted in collisions, most often with trees.
• After collisions with other objects, the next most common reason for injuries was falling off the vehicle.
• Twelve percent of the snowmobile incidents involved the use of alcohol.
• Alcohol use was involved in 43 percent of the fatal incidents.
• Almost half of the fatalities occurred on straight roadways.
• Sixty four percent of the fatalities occurred in clear weather conditions.
• Males, between the ages of 19 and 30 made up the largest portion of snowmobile operators.
• The most dangerous months for snowmobile incidents are January and February.

Among all states reporting, a surprising number of snowmobile operators drowned while attempting to cross a frozen lake or stream.

To stay safe the OPRHP Snowmobile Unit recommends that snowmobilers:

• Complete a NYS Snowmobile Safety Course. This course helps establish a safety mindset and provides basic knowledge in safe, legal and ethical operation. Visit www.nysparks.com to find a course near you.
• Use the highest degree of caution while traveling across frozen waterways. Check local ice conditions, carry or wear a floatation device, limit travel at night and if you DON'T KNOW, DON'T GO.
• Use the buddy system; never ride alone.
• Don't drink and ride. Alcohol affects a person’s reaction time and judgment. Wait until you're done riding for the day before consuming any alcoholic beverages. If not for yourself, do it for your family and friends.
• Slow down. High speed operation leaves little room for mistakes and greatly increases stopping distances. Many snowmobile fatalities could have been prevented if the operators were only going slower.
• Nighttime speeds above 40 mph cause operators to override their headlamps. At this speed, operators have little chance of avoiding a hazard once it is illuminated by their headlamps.
• When riding in groups, always maintain a safe following distance of 2-3 seconds. Increase your following distance when travelling at night or when experiencing snow dust.
• Respect private property. The majority of the snowmobile trails in NY are on private property. Snowmobile clubs invest much time and effort to set up agreements with landowners each year. Riding outside the marked trails on private property is trespassing and has caused landowners to close their properties to trails, sometimes forever. Stay within the marked trails and don't cut corners.

Labels: snowmobile incidents, snowmobile safety, snowmobiling collisions, winter safety

Do you feel that drivers drive too fast through your neighborhood, creating hazardous conditions for you and your neighbors? If so, the New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) has a program that may be able to help. Called "Neighborhood Slow Zones", this program allows neighborhoods to apply for construction of traffic calming devices within a neighborhood that force drivers to slow down.

Neighborhood slow zones are established in small, self contained neighborhoods and they force drivers to slow down through the use of speed bumps, signs and other traffic calming devices. To apply as a Neighborhood Slow Zone, residents must fill out an application available at the NYDOT website. The neighborhood must be small, self contained, (approximately one-quarter square mile in area) and can't contain any major thoroughfares or commercial and industrial zones. The application must be submitted by a neighborhood board, community association, or business coalition. The application must be endorsed by civic or business leaders within the community. If the application is approved, NYDOT will work together with community leaders to design the most effective means of traffic calming for the neighborhood.

There is a deadline for the application so neighborhood organizations that wish to apply must do so by February 3rd, 2012. Once the application is received, NYDOT will conduct a review during the month of February and those neighborhoods which are approved will learn of the approval in March.

For more information, visit the NYDOT website at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/slowzones.shtml

Labels: traffic safety, vehicle safety

Traffic circles and roundabouts are a type of road intersection that are gaining popularity throughout the nation. While not really a new idea, they seem to have become more prevalent over the past fifteen to twenty years as city planners and developers seek ways to keep traffic moving more smoothly and safely.

Traffic circles allow traffic to move more smoothly through an intersection without the use of traffic lights by use of a one way circle with "exits" to the intersecting roads. If you have never encountered one, they could be slightly intimidating at first but they are really quite simple and you will find they do keep traffic moving much more smoothly. They also keep the intersection safer by forcing traffic entering the circle to slow down and yield to traffic already in the circle. While traffic must slow to enter the circle, it doesn't have to stop for red lights which can be especially frustrating when there is no traffic on the cross street.

Most traffic collisions in the US occur at intersections and the most common type of collisions are rear-end collisions. By slowing traffic on entering and keeping all traffic moving in the same direction, traffic circles cut down on the chances for collisions. With no traffic light, there is a zero chance of someone causing a collision by running a red light.

All traffic circles are designed basically the same way. The terms roundabout and traffic circles are often used interchangeably but traffic circles usually refer to larger, multi-lane circles. Traffic entering the circle must slow, wait for an opening in traffic and then enter to the right moving around the circle in a counterclockwise path. Once a driver reaches the "exit" to the road they want to enter, they exit the circle to the right.

If you live in a growing community, you may want to urge your city planners to consider more traffic circles to cut down on traffic congestion.

Labels: red lights, roundabouts, traffic circles, traffic collisions

For those with long commutes to work and back and those who drive very little, the driving situation during the holidays can be a nightmarish situation. The holiday season is supposed to be about peace on earth and kindness to others but it seems that, once drivers get caught up in the holiday shopping rush, all of that goes out the window and it is every man for himself. To help you cope with the holiday driving situation and keep you safe on the road, here are a few reminders.

Planning – High gasoline prices have led many to consolidate trips to save money. That is also a good tip for the holiday season:

• Create and try to stick to a shopping list for everyone on your gift giving list. You'll spend less time and money if you know exactly what you are after. Try to avoid browsing that will lead to impulse buying and keep you out longer.
• Shopping online can help you avoid going out into traffic. You can also order items online for pick-up at your local store so you can do a quick in –pickup – and out.
• Try to get all your shopping done in one or two days; that way you can relax and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
• Shop early! Retailers are trying to lure customers with early sales so they aren't stuck with a left over inventory.
• Plan on being stuck in traffic and allow yourself plenty of extra time. That way, you won't be tempted to take chances behind the wheel and you won't be as frustrated.

Dealing with other drivers – The frenetic pace of the holiday season seems to bring out the worst in some drivers. Don't let a "Grinch" driver get to you.

• It seems as if no other time of the year results in as many clogged intersections. When drivers pull out into a clogged intersection and the light changes, everyone is stuck. If you can't clear the intersection, remain behind the white stop line until the traffic ahead moves enough that you can get all the way across. Remember, if you are stuck in the intersection when the light changes, you could get an automatic ticket from a red light camera.
• Remember that you can't take the right-of-way; you can only give it up to another driver. If someone tries to hog the right-of-way, give it to them. Fighting for the right-of-way or a parking spot isn't worth the possibility of a collision or a road rage incident.
• Don't try to retaliate against another driver by yelling, making gestures, or honking your horn. That type of behavior could tip someone over the edge into a road rage situation.
• Remember the F.I.D.O. principle. Forget It and Drive On. There is nothing you can do to change another driver's behavior. Just let it go and keep out of their way.

Pedestrians – There will be a lot of pedestrians in parking lots and on the roads at this time of year.

• Remember that pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
• Small children are excited and even more impulsive at this time of year. Anticipate that they may run out into traffic.
• Pedestrians may be bundled up against the cold. Hats, mufflers and scarves may interfere with vision and hearing. Count on pedestrians not noticing your approach.

Distractions – As if the driving situation isn't bad enough during the holiday season, distracted drivers make it worse.

• It is understood that you are in a rush, but try to avoid eating in the car while driving. Trying to eat and drink distracts us from the very important job of watching the road ahead. Giving yourself time to eat in a restaurant will allow you to relax and calm down before going back out into traffic.
• Put the cell phone away! Don't try to use your cell phone and especially don't text unless you are pulled safely off the road. Cell phone users tend to slow traffic and you don’t want to add to the congestion.

Have a happy and, above all, a safe holiday season with your loved ones.

To learn more about driver safety and education please visit our Driver Safety Alerts at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com.

Labels: holiday safety, pedestrian safety, right-of-way, traffic collisions, traffic safety

In the debate over drinking age limits and DUI issues, comparisons often arise about Europe's relaxed drinking attitude vs. America's somewhat puritanical attitude toward alcohol. The comment is often made that Europe has a much more relaxed attitude toward drinking and they don't seem to have nearly the problems that America has when it comes to binge drinking and driving under the influence.

It is true that Europeans, especially along the Mediterranean coast, have long had a much more relaxed attitude toward drinking. Wine seems to be a part of every meal, whether at home or in restaurants. In the evenings, sidewalk cafes are crowded with patrons enjoying a drink while relaxing with their friends. Young people are exposed to alcohol much earlier and many see little harm in allowing children a small sample of wine now and then. Some European countries allow drinking as young as 16 and some have no age limit laws at all. However, as is often the case, what appears on the surface, hides a much greater problem underneath.

US culture has long had an impact on European culture whether through music, movies, or fashions. Unfortunately, another influence from the US seems to be changing European drinking attitudes, especially among young people. Britain has had an ongoing problem with binge drinking and, over the last ten to twenty years, that problem has crossed the English Channel into Europe proper. The issue has become a major health issue leading to more limitations on drinking among young people and much tougher DUI laws for all.

Social scientists in America and the European Union (EU) consider drinking to excess as a major health issue and define binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks at a single occasion. Several studies sponsored by the EU point to binge drinking as a major social and health issue. Previously, drinking was seen as a social custom – friends sharing one or two drinks while discussing the issues of the day in a sidewalk cafe – and drunkenness was a rarity. Now, especially among younger people, the goal of drinking is to get drunk and that has led to problems of binge drinking and with that, problems of increased crime, vandalism, injuries, and death.

A study sponsored by the European Commission and by the Health Ministries of four different nations revealed that, in 2006, 80 million Europeans, aged 15 and above, had reported binge drinking at least once a week. That is one-fifth of the EU's adult population. A report from Germany showed that the number of admissions into hospitals for alcohol poisoning had more than doubled in just six years between 2001 and 2006.

The problem has become so acute that 87% of EU citizens now feel that drinking ages should be raised and alcohol advertising directed at youth should be banned. Some cities, such as Lyon France, have banned the sale of bottled alcohol in stores after 10:00 PM to discourage drinking by young people and there is more talk about limiting the sale of alcohol to young people throughout the EU.

The European Commission study also showed that, just like in the US, one-third of all traffic deaths are due to alcohol use. If Americans think that Europe's drinking and driving laws are more relaxed than ours, they should think again. The EU has suggested that all EU states adopt a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of no more than 0.05 as the legal limit for DUI. Several countries, such as Estonia, Poland, and Sweden have gone way beyond that, setting the legal limit at 0.02 BAC. Romania and Slovakia allow no measurable amount of alcohol at all (0.00 BAC) in their drivers. Ireland, the last hold-out at 0.08 BAC, just recently lowered their limit to 0.05 BAC.

It seems that, no matter where alcohol is used, its abuse causes problems and people are willing to take drastic measures to cut down on its availability and use.

Labels: alcohol abuse, bac, binge drinking, blood alcohol content, blood alcohol level, drinking and driving, drinking under the influence

Word's out: summer's officially over. Other than the nationwide-groans from kids, there's also something else to be concerned about: children's safety. These kids may be in their preschool years, or they may be at the driving age --- bottom line is: pedestrian safety is a still a genuine concern.

Here are some tips both for parents and children to make their daily trip to school a safe one:

• Parents should have a talk with their children regarding safety. For the younger kids, parents should be giving out more specific advice than "don't talk to strangers." These talks can and should also include the following topics: looking left to right before crossing, crossing/getting off the bus only where it is allowed or with adult supervision and numbers to call should they find themselves lost. For the older kids, maybe it's time to introduce a Parent-Teen Driving Contract --- to put down in paper what is specifically not allowed in the scope of their driving privilege/responsibility.
• Drive carefully. Be the example for your children. Always buckle your seat belt before driving, remove all distractions from the vehicle and always obey traffic signs or lights. Always keep the vehicle maintained so it doesn't break down and the kids (or you!) won't get late.
• If the school is within walking distance from the home, parents should survey the route their children take. Is there a "walking school bus" (a group of kids on their way to school accompanied by an adult from the neighborhood) near the area where you live?
• For parents and teen drivers: always be aware of school zones. The penalties of going too fast or driving up where you're not supposed to is even greater than when you're on the road --- even worse, you may get in an accident. Remember that there is a speed limit of 25mph in school zones which apply before and after school hours.
• Have fun: school may end up being the best time for children, and a fond memory for parents. Making sure you and your family is safe ensures that you'll cherish the moment more.

Labels: child safety, distracted driving, parents, pedestrian safety, pedestrian traffic, school bus safety, teen driver safety

Allstate Insurance Company released their annual report on the best and worst cities in which to drive. The study looked at Allstate collision claims and compared them to the national average and ranked the nation's cities by population. To prevent any type of special event such as floods and hurricanes from skewing the results, the Allstate actuaries analyzed figures over a two year period to reach their results.

The list shows a driver's likelihood to be involved in a collision and the average number of years a driver in that city can expect to go between collisions.

Based on their results, the best to worst cities in New York for drivers, in terms of ranking, are:

• Rochester – A driver in Rochester can expect to go 8.8 years between collisions and the chances for being involved in a collision are 13.4 percent more than the national average. Rochester was ranked number 118 overall in the national list of safest cities in America.
• Syracuse - A driver in Syracuse can expect to go 8.8 years between collisions and the chances for being involved in a collision are 13.5 percent more than the national average.
Syracuse was ranked number 121 overall in the national list of safest cities in America.
• Buffalo - A driver in Buffalo can expect to go 8.0 years between collisions and the chances for being involved in a collision are 24.4 percent more than the national average. Buffalo was ranked number 146 overall in the national list of safest cities in America.
• New York - A driver in New York can expect to go 7.3 years between collisions and the chances for being involved in a collision are 37.6 percent more than the national average. New York was ranked number 171 overall in the national list of safest cities in America.
• Yonkers - A driver in Yonkers can expect to go 7.2 years between collisions and the chances for being involved in a collision are 38.3 percent more than the national average. Yonkers was ranked number 172 overall in the national list of safest cities in America.

The complete Allstate report can be seen at: http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/e3fc06ab-a016-4248-89ef-72454729bd0a

Labels: driver safety, traffic collisions