admin March 6th, 2009
Today the Arizona House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee voted against allowing cyclists to roll through stop signs when there is no traffic coming. Rep. Doug Quelland of Pheonix, an avid cyclist, supported the measure and even stood before the committee in his cycling gear when speaking about the importance of the measure. Quelland said that more cycling accidents are caused when cyclists have to start from a complete stop because they have less control.
Quelland also stated that Arizona law is confusing because while it requires cyclists to come to a complete halt at stop signs, it doesn’t specify what constitutes as complete stop. He argues that officers from the Tucson Police Department take this law too harshly and have ticketed cyclists $200 for not placing both feet on the ground before going through a stop sign.
Several other states, such as Idaho, allow cyclists to roll through stops if they don’t see any signs of traffic.
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Popularity: 28% [?]
admin February 25th, 2009
Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would create harsher punishments for underage drinkers. Currently, Maryland’s law states that it’s illegal for teens to possess alcohol; however, if a teen has already consumed alcohol and doesn’t have a container, police can’t arrest that person.
Danielle Roeber with the National Transportation Safety Board says this weak law needs to be changed. She recommends adding a provision to the current law that results in the suspension of a teen’s driver license if he or she is caught driving while intoxicated.
Another bill currently under consideration asks that any adults who buys alcohol for a minor will be charged with a criminal offense.
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Popularity: 37% [?]
- Alcohol Education , Alcohol Prevention , Auto Accident , Colorado , DUI Prevention , Drinking and Driving , Parenting , Teen Driving , Traffic Safety , alcohol related death , my psa contest , underage drinking
admin February 12th, 2009
According to the Chicago Tribune, a 22-year-old man recently won a $2.5 million lawsuit stemming from an alcohol-related auto accident when he was 19. The man, who was paralyzed in the drunk driving accident, had been at a friends house drinking beer on the evening of the accident. The group of friends, who were all teenagers at the time, were drinking beer without the knowledge of the owner of the house.
Even though the owner of the house had not provided alcohol to the minor or had no knowledge of the underage drinking party, the jury said she should have been more aware of her daughters’ actions because they had been caught drinking on other occassions.
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Popularity: 36% [?]
admin February 11th, 2009
The following video is incredibly impactful and makes a strong point about the devastating effect of teen drunk driving without saying a single word.
Popularity: 61% [?]
admin February 11th, 2009
The League of American Bicyclists posted the following video to help explain basic cycling safety rules. This video offers a unique perspective on cycling safety by showing a cyclist from both the front and back while he cycles around town demonstrating the proper ways to navigate through traffic.
Popularity: 25% [?]
admin February 10th, 2009
Last April two teen girls were killed in an alcohol related car accident after attending a party where alcohol was served. According to reports, the parents of the teen who hosted the party provided alcohol to the young guests. Reports suggest the parents had provided alcohol to minors at their house on several occasions.
The night of the fatal accident, the couple’s son, who was intoxicated, was driving the car that crashed, killing the teen girls. The driver and another passenger were injured in the alcohol related accident.
Currently, jury selection for the trial against the parents is underway.
Popularity: 32% [?]
admin February 3rd, 2009
Recently, a town near Naples, Florida, held a special event to promote cycling safety and prevent bicycle accidents by installing 200 free bike lights for local cyclists. The community has a high number of people who use bicycles to go to work and run errands, but it also has the highest number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes in the county. Cyclists hope the new battery-operated lights will make their bikes more easily seen by motorists and pedestrians. Event workers also distributed 500 flashing safety lights, 150 backpacks, 100 T-shirts and other safety-related material.
Bicycle Light Tip: Usually, bike shops have rear red lights for $15 or less. Headlights are just as important as rear lights. Look for the new kind with LED bulbs—they’re batteries last 10 times as long than older style lights.
Click here to read more.
Popularity: 14% [?]
admin January 21st, 2009
The following video makes a simple yet important message about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Popularity: 13% [?]
admin March 19th, 2008
March 19, 2008
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An article recently published in the Fulton Sun highlights the dangers of underage drinking at house parties. Many adults seem to think that it’s acceptable to give teens alcohol, falsely believing that teens are safer at home than at bars or restaurants.
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The story of one 16-year-old teen who crashed her car into a guardrail when her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit is recounted. She had been drinking earlier in the evening at a fraternity house party before getting into her car to drive home. The teen is considered lucky, as she only sustained a broken leg in the incident.
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One suggestion to keep teens away from drugs and alcohol is to encourage them to get involved in sports or other extra-curricular activities that promote positive influences and outcomes. Also, the stereotype associated with it being acceptable for teens to drink at home or friends’ home needs to be dismissed.
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According to the article, about 30 million people (ages 12 and older) drive while intoxicated during 2006.
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Read more.
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http://www.fultonsun.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/287news02drinking.txt
Popularity: 33% [?]
admin March 4th, 2008
March 4, 2008
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Many teens think they are invincible—and many teens are poorly informed. According to recent studies, teen drivers and their unbuckled passengers are at the top of the list regarding dangerous, and often fatal, car crashes. One statistic says that out of 10,000 children passengers who died in auto accidents, more than half of the accidents involved teen drivers.
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Additionally, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Most accidents with teen drivers are on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or greater, and about two-thirds of the teens were not wearing seat belts.
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As a result, many states are pushing for stricter rules for getting learner’s permits and driver’s licenses. Also, many states already have rules that restrict the number of teen passengers allowed in a car when a teen is driving.
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Read more.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23452668/
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Popularity: 18% [?]
