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

In reaction to the data released earlier in February, the city of New York has implemented the “TrafficStat” bill (http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=777873&GUID=8FA0E3F4-FA01-4206-9677-AB27E2F07FE9&Options=&Search= ), which means that the city will be gathering data on incidents involving traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Though the whole state is considered the safest to drive in, they feel that something could still be done with the numbers involving cyclists and pedestrians. TrafficStat is only one in three new traffic safety bills approved by the City Council, meaning that New York residents still have more to look forward to in terms of safety on the road.

One of the other bills focuses on requiring the NYPD to create monthly reports on traffic accidents, to be able to pinpoint problem areas.

Having big developments like these turn into news may only inspire hope that other states follow --- to have their traffic safety efforts become more visible to ease the public.

Labels: bicycle safety, driver safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrian traffic, traffic safety

In an effort to curb the number of speeders in New York, new LED signs have been deployed in key areas in New York to show drivers that they are going too fast. Upon first inspection, the speed boards normally display the sign for the speed limit, featuring a figure.

When the sign detects a speeding car however, the figure in the sign changes into a skeleton and the words, "Slow Down."

This is in-line with what the campaign that the DOT introduced earlier, which is “That’s Why It’s 30.” The campaign is focused on spreading awareness that a person struck at 30 mph will have an 80% chance of survival compared to a person struck at 40 mph, which will have only a 30% chance of survival.



This is only one of the steps being taken by New York to curb the number of speeders on the road, along with this is the introduction of “Slow zones,” which imposes a 20 mph speed limit on certain parts of New York.

This is also part of a bigger (global, really) effort to raise traffic safety awareness. A year ago, the U.N. General Assembly declared 2011 – 2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety. With the opening of the first “slow zone” last week, Mayor Bloomberg was joined by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to inform people of their intention of keeping motorists and pedestrians safe for the next decade.

For more information on driver safety and defensive driving tips please visit NewYorkDefensiveDrivingNow.com.

Labels: driver safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrian traffic, speed limit, traffic safety

The New York State Department of Transportation advised motorists to be reminded of posted work zone speed limits and to drive carefully because of the work that's being done on Route 112. The work being done for the NY Route 112 Safety and Mobility Improvement Project will limit 112 to one lane in each direction between Route 347 and Hallock Avenue in Port Jefferson station with a dedicated turning lane starting November 8.

The Project, expected to take a year to complete will have the state performing major drainage and road reconstruction work. What New Yorkers will be able to expect after this is a new bike lane, a center turning lane, raised medians, storm water drainage and better road traction.

There will also be updated pedestrian signals and longer sidewalks for pedestrian safety.

“Most of this roadway was constructed in 1937 and in the past twenty years, traffic has grown from 17,000 vehicles per day using this section of NY Route 112 to approximately 26,000 per day using the same roadway,” the DOT announced.

Motorists will still be able to access businesses and homes along the route throughout the route, depending on the construction being done in certain areas. The New York State DOT reminds everyone of the posted advisories and work zone speed limits for the safety of both motorists, pedestrians and the highway work crew.

Labels: bicycle safety, driver safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrian traffic

There are many misconceptions about how the rules of the road apply to crosswalks and parking lots. In addition to the misconceptions, the laws vary from state to state. In some cases there are no written laws at all.

It is particularly difficult to apply the rules of the road to parking lots because many parking lots are private properties. Regarding incidents that occur on private property, the police are unable to issue tickets or write a report. Therefore, they are unable to assign fault to the driver or pedestrian. Then any action taken after the fact will be considered a civil dispute.

Typically, people assume that pedestrians always have the right of way in any situation. If for no other reason than because it is illegal to drive into a person who is standing in the middle of the street (or parking lot). According to laws in some states that assumption is not always true. Traffic laws in Maine state; "A pedestrian may not suddenly leave the curb or other place of safety and walk in the path of a vehicle where it is impossible for the operator to yield." Although, that may seem like commonsense, apparently many pedestrians walk into traffic without realizing they do not have enough time to safely cross the street. Perhaps they assume they have the right of way and the drivers must yield to them. California and Florida both have laws that address that exact issue. According to the Florida Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide, published in August 2008, pedestrians are required to yield to drivers outside of designated crosswalks. On the other hand, California requires drivers to stop for pedestrians whether there is a crosswalk or not.

One thing laws in all 50 states agree on is that pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk when the walk signal is on. However, the states have varying laws on how the drivers must approach the crosswalks. Many states allow drivers to yield when approaching a crosswalk. But, states such as California and Washington require drivers to come to a full and complete stop.

New York City is arguably the most pedestrian heavy city in the world. To accommodate the heavy pedestrian traffic and the heavy vehicular traffic the city requires pedestrians to cross in the crosswalks. If pedestrians cross outside of crosswalks they could be fined by the police for reckless pedestrian crossing of a roadway or jaywalking (the common term for unlawfully crossing the street outside of the designated crosswalk). In New York, drivers are required to yield for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Because New York is such a pedestrian heavy city there are many more fatalities involving pedestrians and drivers. According to the New York Times, in 2007 New Yorkers were twice as likely to be killed by a stranger behind the wheel as to be killed by a stranger with a knife or a gun.

To learn more about the rules of the road and pedestrian traffic in New York, California or Florida please visit: www.TestQuestionsandAnswers.com

Labels: crosswalk traffic, driver safety, driver training, pedestrian traffic, rules of the road