drivemecrazy.blogr.com - Tag 'safety precautions' (RSS 2.0)

Being Safe On the Road Even At Old Age (...

drivemecrazy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:54:45 +0200

For the seniors out there, here is the continuation of my previous post. Even if you are not old yet, you are still welcome to read. I know that all of us will reach that time in life. So keep reading.

The third one is adjusting your vision. As we all know, driving concerns 95 percent visual information. However, the vision declines as a person gets older. With this, seniors should adjust to their vision such as limiting their driving only when the sun is high and seeking the help of eye specialists.

The fourth one is engaging in physical rehabilitation. Various types of exercise and physical therapy could greatly help seniors. A research conducted by Yale University School of Medicine finds out that even a 15-minute exercise a day could improve flexibility, coordination, and speed of movement of extremities in drivers aged 70 and above, especially those who are suffering from arthritis. With this, driving performance is projected to improve by at least 8 percent lower crash occurrence over two years.

Also included here is enhancing cognitive skills. A research in Maryland finds out that if a driver fails a cognitive test, that driver will be 25 percent more likely to get involved in a crash. As a person ages, the cognitive skills somewhat declines yet some scientists believe that such could be recovered still.

With that, a web-based simulation program was developed. Practicing it for 20 minutes a day, thrice a week, could improve the driver’s reaction time, short-term memory, visual scanning ability, and eye-hand coordination.

The last one is having tougher licensing laws. The state should be able to establish standards in determining when seniors should be prohibited to drive without being unfair to older drivers who are still capable.

So to seniors, I believe we can make the road a safer place to drive in. Have a good ride.

Being Safe On the Road Even At An Old Ag...

drivemecrazy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:53:46 +0200

If teens are problems on the road, senior drivers could also be! As old age comes in, driving could be a very dangerous activity. In this time and age, everything’s not going to be the same compared to a few years earlier. Be it physical, mental, or emotional hindrances, it is suggested that seniors should take extra care while driving.

As you would notice, the insurance for seniors are relatively higher compared to generations below their age. This is because insurance companies know that elderly drivers tend to injure themselves more than others during road accidents. So if you care much about safety, here are some tips to improve a senior’s driving skills.

First, limit your driving. If you feel like you are old already for a drive, especially when you are over 65, initiate to limit your own driving as you realize the changes in your capabilities. Limiting your driving includes avoiding crowded streets. Instead of traversing streets like that, taking alternate routes is far better. Though it would result to a longer trip, at least it would be a safer one. Also, as much as possible, you should engage in close-to-home locations only.

In line with this, a study that was published in the American Journal of Public Health mentioned that more than 600,000 drivers who are aged 70 years old or older give up driving each year. If you are a senior, evaluate your driving capabilities. You are the one who would greatly know if you need to give driving up or if you just need to limit your driving. Your choice will always count as these actions lessen the occurrence of accidents.

Another is to attend driving improvement classes. It would be great if seniors are open to the fact that they are not their same young selves anymore. With that, they would be willing to attend self-help classes. In fact, when seniors obtain a certificate from this kind of classes, insurance companies give them discounts on their premiums upon presenting the certificate. That makes sense.

These two would be all for now. Watch out for more other tips. I know you care about your safety. So keep safe.

Fearing The Hybrid World

drivemecrazy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:39:03 +0200

Many are taking a bow to the growth of hybrid vehicles in the auto world nowadays. Indeed, it is a fact that hybrid vehicles are one of the friendliest to the environment. There is no question about that. Seen nowadays as the savior of the worsening situation of our environment, hybrid vehicles are faced with a big problem that might stain their image. What could that be? It is said that hybrid vehicles have health risks for people who come in contact with it.

Scientific studies reveal that the flow of electrical current to the motor of a hybrid that allows it to move at low speeds produces electromagnetic fields. These electromagnetic fields are now being associated with serious health effects such as the possible risk of leukemia among children.

In the current setup of hybrid vehicles, their batteries and power cables are often placed close to the drivers and passengers. With that, exposure to these electromagnetic fields could not be avoided. However, Toyota and Honda, the most dominant hybrid manufacturers, claim that according to their internal checks, their vehicles do not give added risks to occupants.

The National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute even agree and acknowledged the possible hazards of long-term exposure to a strong electromagnetic field. Though the amount of safe exposure to the electromagnetic field is still unknown, further studies are being considered. This is because experts say that it is not a good idea to ignore such potential risks, especially if the concern is people’s health. With that, I hope the answer would come out the soonest.

On Dealing With Accidents

drivemecrazy — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:03:05 +0200

The worst thing about being in a car is when you meet an accident. Lucky you if it is not that grave; however, serious accidents are always possible. And, accidents are accidents, they would say. Indeed, no one knows when and how will it happen. With that, it is of great importance that every one of us knows how to deal with accidents.

Some people may feel uneasy talking about this. However, it is just right to discuss this because it is a wiser and more practical move to be prepared. So let’s start.

First, when you unfortunately happen to be involved in an accident, make sure that right after the impact, you pull over your vehicle to a safer area where you and your vehicle cannot disturb the normal traffic.

After that, get off your vehicle and see the person in the other vehicle. Exchange information with him such as license and vehicle information. Take everything down.

When an argument arises as to who is responsible for the accident, call police officers. Also, make sure to take pictures of the entire incident. The vehicles, license plates, and local landmarks should be covered.

Seek medical attention if you need it and report all information gathered to your insurance company within 24 hours. In case you are injured, consult a personal injury lawyer for inclusion in the official statement to the other person’s company. (Remember that you need not always hire a lawyer. This is just a matter of informing you so that you would know what to do in cases of stress or injury.)

So these are all what you should keep in mind. Perhaps, these are not yet all of the important things you should do when dealing with an accident. However, these would still help, I believe. But remember, being prepared could be good, but avoiding as much as possible to be in an accident is better.

Saving A Life In A Flaming Car

drivemecrazy — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:57:15 +0200

It is possible for car fires to happen. To correct you, these don’t just happen in movies. So better get yourself ready to face situations like this so that you could, in any way, save lives. Of course, it is better to know some things dealing with it because a sudden attempt to rescue somebody in a car fire is almost suicide, I tell you.

When you happen to be at the scene, analyze first the danger you would be encountering. Assess the condition of the flaming car. If by any chance you see that attempting to rescue someone could bring you in danger, then better call for rescue workers who could do the job professionally. It’s not cowardice, if that’s what you think. Otherwise, when you decide to go on with your rescuing operation, remember to always keep your head low and face away from the vehicle as much as possible so that you would not be inhaling the fumes.

When you are already with the victim, unbuckle the seatbelt immediately. If you can’t do it, cut it using a pocketknife or other sharp objects available. Work very quickly to move away from the flaming vehicle. Remember to have the person’s neck supported for he may have a back or neck injury. If you can’t drag him alone, ask for other people nearby to help you. After getting off the vehicle, move at a safe distance from the vehicle to ensure that all of you are protected from flying debris, smoke, and flames.

All have been said. Simple as it may seem, proper care should be observed when in this kind of situation. This is a matter of life and death not only for the victim but also for you. In just one wrong move, you know what the consequences will be. Therefore, be safe.

Merely Listening While Driving Could Kil...

drivemecrazy — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:42:27 +0200

Accidents are oftentimes attributed to distractions when driving. One of these distractions is the use of cellular phones. Efforts had sprouted so as to minimize the distractions brought about by using cellular phones on the road for people believe that communication is still necessary for drivers. Included in these efforts is the move to make communicating inside a vehicle be hands-free and voice-activated. However, a study shows that this is not a good idea after all.

The Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh found out that drivers who are listening to cellular phone conversations are distracted even if they do not say a single word throughout a phone call. That instance, they said, is similar to the behaviors seen in people who have been drinking. It was seen that when both driving and listening is performed at once, the activity of the parietal lobe (the part of the brain that is associated with driving) is reduced by 37 percent.

The study was done using a driving simulator. The actual study involved 29 volunteers that drove a car along a virtual winding road at a fixed speed inside an MRI brain scanner. First, the participants were tested undisturbed then later were tested to decide if a statement they will be hearing is true or false. The result turned out to be that when listening is involved, more lane errors are made. Those errors included hitting simulated guardrails and weaving out lanes. These are much similar to the errors committed by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.

Experts say that this is due to the fact that the process of listening to spoken language needs more mental effort than what is apparent. Our brain has the capacity to comprehend language without much strategic control. Meaning, it goes into the brain and is worked on automatically; therefore, you cannot stop it.

Also, it is said that the act of merely listening to a mobile phone is much more distracting than simply chatting with a passenger. This is because when you chat with a passenger, you could still sense driving situations and could stop talking when the need arises.

I hope this makes sense to all the drivers out there. Have a safe ride always. Do the necessary precautions.

Can Airbags Save Children?

drivemecrazy — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:39:27 +0200

At first, I thought the answer is yes. However, it’s the other way around. It was supported by the advisory of the officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that says children under the age of 13 should not be sitting in the front seat in front of an airbag. Asking why, here are the answers.

First, it was observed that children (when seated in the front) tend to do so many things like playing with the radio. Doing such activities keeps them off their seat and not in the proper position when an emergency should happen. Therefore, the airbag could not save them when they are not properly positioned. To support that, there really are kids that cannot afford to sit still longer than 30 seconds at a time.

Second, their size counts. For an airbag to safely protect you in cases of accidents, a proper position is required. That includes having the feet touch the floor and keeping the back against the seatback. When small children sit in front, they need to lean forward just to touch their feet on the floor. With that, they are out of the right position making the airbag unable to protect them fully.

The third is true not only for children. It is obvious that it is indeed safer to sit in the backseat because the most common crashes that happen are frontal. Meaning, it is indeed dangerous to sit in front. Also, the better part of sitting in the back is that you have in front of you more vehicle mass which would absorb the impact of a collision. This then saves you from getting injuries compared to the person in front.

The last reason is about the use of side airbags. Similar to the first reason, when children are not in a proper position during side crashes, the airbag could not protect them. When the side airbag detects that someone is leaning against the seatback edge (the place where the side airbag is installed), it deactivates. This would mean that no protection would be given to the person in the event that a side crash occurs.

Admit It Or Not: You Also Did These

drivemecrazy — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:11:38 +0200

Don’t say that you are a professional driver just because you have driven a car for decades already. Though your experience is long enough, there are certain mistakes that you might be doing without you even knowing or noticing it. It doesn’t mean that just because you are still alive, you don’t anymore commit mistakes on the road. Even though you would not admit this, perhaps you’ll think I’m right anyway. Take these common mistakes, for example.

First is pushing buttons. You might be aware that your vehicle is equipped with different buttons from the stereo controls to climate gauges. Though doing some of these things is needed for a convenient and comfortable ride, it should be noted that you push the buttons with proper care and attention. You should remember that you also need to focus on the road; therefore, you should give more attention to the road and steering wheel rather than these buttons. According to Drive for Life, giving attention to these buttons is the leading cause of accidents today.

Second is aggressive driving. The study of the Surface Transportation Policy states that 56 percent of the fatal crashes are caused by aggressive driving. Aggressive driving means speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, and the like. Just slow down fellow and make sure that there is a safe distance of one car length to the vehicle in front you and behind you. You know what will happen if you keep on driving too close to a vehicle. One unexpected move and you are in trouble.

Third is the use of mobile devices. This is true especially for teenagers who can’t keep their hands off their cellphones, iPods, or instant messaging gadgets while on the road.

Fourth is driving while upset and tired. Distractions like these could affect your driving. So better cool off and take a break. There’s no pint in hurrying to your destination if your safety is at risk.

Fifth is the failure to buckle up seatbelts. There are so many injuries that could be prevented only if the drivers and passengers were using their seatbelts. Why is it so hard for us to use it? It’s just as simple as buckling up!

Last is the carelessness in driving. Most common of these are turn signal errors and pushing the wrong pedals. This is not to laugh about. You should always check your move because a wrong one could be very dangerous.

Have a safe ride always.

Swim Away From Your Vehicle

drivemecrazy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:49:54 +0200

I know that a situation where vehicles are submerged in water is not as common compared to vehicles involved in collisions. However, it does not mean that people would just ignore this thing. Though infrequent, it is necessary that we are armed with knowledge on how to save ourselves when faced with this kind of situation.

Before you learn the safety measures, you should learn the most important thing when in this kind of situation—time. You should race with time here. If not, it would only mean danger.

First, you should stay calm and relaxed. Take control of everything that could happen. Normally, a vehicle has two to ten minutes before it sinks in the water. Therefore, you should do all the things to be done before the vehicle sinks.

Next, unlock the doors, open the windows or sunroof. This should be done immediately because opening a door could only be done until the water is above your knees. If it goes deeper than that, forget doing it. It won’t work anymore. By then, you need to break the side window using any pointed materials available in your vehicle. (You should note that when you are in a river, the window or door that should be opened is the one opposite the current.)

Then, you should release your seatbelts. If you have with you children or elderly ones, help them do it. Take off heavy clothing and shoes.

Before the vehicle completely submerges into the water, take a long breath. When the escape route is ready, swim up and remember the children and elders who are with you. Help them; don’t be selfish by just saving your own life. Swim and find a safe place to rest.

After that, you are safe! Don’t try to save your vehicle in the water after saving every passenger’s life. Just understand that 911 will come soon to help you with that.

Things You Should Have When On A Drive

drivemecrazy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:04:09 +0200

When you go driving, it is necessary that you are also equipped with things to help you in times of emergency. It is more like a first-aid kit. Of course, unexpected circumstances could happen to your vehicle on the road. If you have with you a kit with you, then you are most likely to go home before dark and avoid getting stranded for a long time.

For that, your vehicle should house the following:

A mobile phone. In times of emergency, you could use it to contact people to help you. How could you call 911 if you don’t have one? Also, you could use it to phone acquaintances near the place to ask for help, or call at home to let your family know what situation you are in.
First-aid kit. The typical kit could be helpful so that in times that you get injured, you can use it.
Fire extinguisher. It is not impossible that your vehicle be caught in a fire. It is better that your vehicle is equipped with one.
Warning light, hazard light, or flares. Of course, you use it to tell other people in the road that you and your vehicle are there. This is most useful at night.
Tire gauge. It is necessary that you always see to it that your tire is properly inflated.
Jack and lug wrench. When the tires are needed to be replaced, at least you won’t be having a hard time.
Tire sealant. If your tire has a hole, you can temporarily fix it with this seal.
Spare fuses. Electrical problems in your vehicles are mostly caused by burn-out fuse. So if that happens to you, you are armed with a replacement.
Flashlight. Of course, checking your vehicle at night could be hard without one.

You thought that was all? I’m not even at the half of the list. However, this would be all for now. I promise to continue this some other time. Watch out for it.

Warning: Don’t Drive Because Of Desperat...

drivemecrazy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:12:10 +0200

One’s desperation can trigger someone to buy something that is not of good quality. Try to be real. Will you grab the chance to buy a second-hand car just for the sake of having one?

With me, that’s just fine. But, I have this big BUT in my mind that buying a second-hand car should emanate from a great need to have it and from a practical reason that it would not just be a waste of money.

A Filipino named Mang Tonio from Kotse.com posted this in the forum that his friend bought a second-hand car from an agent who told him that the car is in perfect condition. That very same day after the transaction, he discovered that the car overheated, the wiper was stuck, and the lights went off. Mang Tonio then left the question: can my friend still return the car and get his money back?

Buying second-hand cars is not a sin. One needs to handle it with extra care. First, come to think of the reason why someone is selling the car. You might as well find out that it is not functioning so good that the owner wants to get rid of it. Next, every agent has its duty to sell a product no matter how much he dislikes it. They need your money; they will definitely tell you everything you want to hear just to convince you. (*Note for agents: Just be true, please!) Another is to test-drive the car. But don’t just drive it without having knowledge about it. Ask for help from someone you know is knowledgeable. Lastly, don’t trust fully. Have a written contract that will discuss the terms and agreements. This should never be forgotten.

In the case of Mang Tonio’s friend, only a short hour test-drive was done and no contract had ever been signed. How much money was involved there, Mang Tonio left it unsaid. The issue is about a car so probably the money is of great value. Can I just have this privilege to tell that man, whoever he is, that a car is not comparable to the issue of buying an expired medicine over the counter.

DriveCam For Your Teen’s Safety

drivemecrazy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:11:11 +0200

If you’ve been reading my previous posts, you have encountered the RS-1000 Teen Black Box brought about by Road Safety™. This was devised so that teen drivers could be easily monitored by the parents. For parents who are not convinced yet, I want you to know that there is still another approach to monitor your teens while they are driving—a camera system that was developed by the company DriveCam.

Once the DriveCam system is installed in the car of your teen, it records everything that is happening both inside and outside of your teen’s car. When the teen suddenly makes an unexpected move or a dangerous one, the camera would send a digital recording to a central database. In the database, the transmitted data is analyzed and afterwards will be sent to the parents. Therefore, you can easily call your teen to remind him/her to slow down. Another thing is that, DriveCam also sends a weekly safety report to the parents as to rate the driving performance of the teens. You can base from this report your decision on allowing your teen to drive independently.

Indeed, this system shows that the world is just a few steps closer to achieve the vision of decreasing death incidents caused by bad driving practices. Though this could be the greatest solution for worried parents, I doubt if every family could afford to have one. The system could be bought at $900 with additional subscription fee for continued services.

A Solution for Sleepy Drivers

drivemecrazy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:10:17 +0200

Sleepy drivers need not take in a bottle of an energy drink, a cup of coffee, a stick of cigarette, or a capsule of an energy medicine to keep them away from accidents. Some researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York have come up with a discovery that will definitely help all sleepy drivers on the road.

The researchers had come up with a discovery that a 30-minute bath in blue light can get the job of giving energy to a person done. The blue light has the capacity to revive the body’s internal clock and to give the drivers the needed amount of energy that will help them stay awake and alert. The blue light is tested to have just the same effect as other energizers in the market today; however, this discovery does not have side effects to your health.

The discovery is just new. In fact, the researchers had not finalized yet the best way to give drivers this kind of bath they discovered. The methods included in their report could be installing LED blue lights in the vehicles but this could mean vehicles being sold for a higher price. Another method is installing it in gasoline stations wherein the drivers can stop and have a bath—just as easy as filling air in their cars’ tires.

This will surely help the thousands of tired drivers in the world. Let’s all look forward to an unusual bath of blue lights that would not make us chilling but revitalized.

On Buying Safe Cars

drivemecrazy — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:07:56 +0200

It is not enough that you own a car. It is not also enough that you have the most luxurious or the best performance car in the whole world - or even in the universe if you want. What is important is that you own a safe car that would guarantee you and your passengers’ safety on the roads. Of course, what would you do to the most sophisticated or fastest car if it would only bring you to your death? You’d rather choose not to have a vehicle such as that, I tell you.

When you plan to get a vehicle, consider its safety. Don’t waste your dollars just to buy a car that would bring danger and fear to your life. Buy a car which will be comfortable for you to ride in anytime you want. Here are some things you should look out for to help you find a safe car:

The very first thing that you should do is to determine who will be your future passengers. Do you have children who would surely ride in it? Or would you be having elderly people or handicapped individuals as your passengers? If you do, consider their needs and comfort. Look for vehicles that could cater to those needs. Check the safety features that a particular vehicle offers especially its brakes, seatbelts, air bags, and the like. If that answers your needs, then it could be the perfect safe car for you.

However, it is not enough that it has those that you need. Though a car obviously offers to serve your needs, it is not a guarantee that these safety features function as efficient as you are expecting. Take a look at the car’s features - you can see reviews about it written by auto experts. Also, don’t forget to see the crash test results done by trusted organizations. If doing all these things does not convince you yet, drive the vehicle yourself and test its performance. When you are satisfied, that’s would be the right moment to buy it. If not, look for other vehicles. It will always be best if you take your time choosing before actually purchasing.

Fighting The Urge To Sleep

drivemecrazy — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:35:21 +0200

Driving comfortably means you should always be relaxed at any situation. However, seeking for relaxation does not mean that you are free to do the most enjoyed form of relaxation — sleeping. If you do, your dream of having the best experience on wheels could turn into a nightmare. So if you want to be relaxed and you think sleeping is the only solution, never mind relaxing for the meantime. Put your car to a stop and that would be the only time you could work on your dream of finding relaxation.

However, when time permits you not to stop, then hold on. Don’t just sleep with the wheels running. Do things to make you alive… things that will help your eyes not to close to sleep. There are many things that you could do. I assume that you have in your car a stereo. Turn it on and play the music that will make you feel awake. Don’t dare play a lullaby! Sing along with the music and play it loud. Don’t mind other people who might see you. They won’t care at all if you happen to meet an accident.

You can also try this: have something to chew on - a gum or something else. Don’t overeat because it will just add up to your desire to sleep.

If those things don’t work, feel free to imagine what will lie ahead if you close that tired eyes! You might be very afraid of it that you could combat that feeling and just continue driving until you reach a safe stop. But if ever it still won’t work, there’s no point in hurrying to your destination. That could mean hurrying to your death too. Park your car and take a nap. The moment you wake up, for sure you are not in heaven or somewhere else.