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: 29% [?]
admin March 4th, 2009
A recent study found a link between television shows, movies, and ads that show alcohol and the amount of alcohol young men consume. Researchers asked 40 male students to watch either American Pie 2, which shows a lot of alcohol use, or 40 Days and 40 Nights, which shows little alcohol consumption. Each student was asked to bring a friend to the study, and each pair was placed in separate rooms with a couch, TV, snacks, and beverages that included beer, wine, and soft drinks.
The students who watched American Pie 2 drank 1.5 times more alcohol than the students who watched 40 Days and 40 Nights.
Researchers said possible reasons why the students who watched American Pie 2 drank more alcohol are that people tend to imitate one another’s behavior, and seeing actors drink could have influenced the students to drink more. Also, researchers said having friends around could influence the students’ drinking habits.
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Popularity: 34% [?]
- Alcohol Education , Alcohol Prevention , Binge Drinking , DUI Prevention , Drinking and Driving , Parenting , Research and Studies , Teen Driving , alcohol related death , my psa contest , underage drinking
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 19th, 2009
Check out the following video about choosing a safe bike helmet. Steve Madden, the editor of Bicycling Magazine, gives a great explanation about the different types of helmets and how you can determine the best helmet for your needs.
Don’t forget about our bicycle safety PSA contest in North Carolina. Click here to learn more.
Popularity: 28% [?]
admin February 18th, 2009
My PSA Contest is excited to be teaming up with HensonFuerst in North Carolina to help host a video PSA contest about bicycle safety! The contest launched a few days ago and entries are due on Monday, April 13, 2009. All the details can be found at www.lawmed.com/contest. If anyone has questions, they’re welcome to email me at abbey@mypsacontest.com, just be sure to add my e-mail address your e-mail contact list so my reply doesn’t get lost in your junk folder.
Popularity: 28% [?]
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
We recently came across the Girl Talk Web site and blog, which is devoted to offering help and advice to teen girls. Common topics discussed on the site include everything from making healthy lifestyle decisions and the dangers of underage drinking to world news and events and the latest on fashion and beauty. The site also features a page called Ask Katie that invites visitors to ask their own questions.
Why we really like this site:
- It’s easy to use
- When you ask a question, you get a quick answer
- It truly has some great advice for teen girls
Click here to check out the site.
Popularity: 33% [?]
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 6th, 2009
A recent study showed that teens that are exposed to advertisements for alcohol and to television and movies with alcohol product placement are more likely to participate in underage drinking. The study, which surveyed more than 13,000 people, also concluded that teens who watch several hours of television, playing games, and watching music videos have a higher tendency to consume alcohol.
The authors of the study suggest that several changes need to take place to combat underage drinking. These include limiting availability of alcohol in homes, increasing the price of alcohol, and encouraging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol.
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Popularity: 20% [?]
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% [?]
