Good News…

 

Road Overload

Tis the season for holiday traffic, out of state cars and other driving challenges. But don’t be a road worrier; a little awareness and preparation will have you navigating like a pro.

Holiday Traffic

Congested roads and parking lots are an unavoidable part of the holidays, but there are ways to minimize the risk.

Park near an exit. Instead of trying to score that perfect parking space in front of the store, consider an open space further away. You’ll waste less time, you’ll be away from the congestion and it’ll be easy to leave when you’re done.

Back into parking spaces where possible. Backing out of a parking spot is difficult and can be dangerous, especially when you’re between two large vehicles. Backing into a spot can make it easier and safer when it’s time to leave.

Use Backup cameras and mirrors when reversing out of a parking space. Mirrors and backup cameras can help reduce the possibility of a collision with another car, a person or even a shopping cart.

Watch out for walkers. You never know when someone will step out from behind a car right into your path. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and give them the right of way.

Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. If you plan for delays caused by traffic, you won’t need to rush to stay on schedule.

Winter Visitors

More than half a million people migrate to Florida to flee the cold weather, which creates challenges for year-round residents. Here are some tips to help you navigate the snowbird season.

Be ready for surprises. Out of state drivers aren’t as familiar with the roads as residents and may change lanes without warning or drive slower than others, so always devote your full attention to the traffic around you.

Don’t follow too closely. Rear-end collisions account for more than a third of crashes, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When a winter visitor surprises you by slamming on the brakes, you should be far enough behind to avoid a collision.

Be patient. Many winter visitors are older and maybe dealing with like vision problems, reduced reaction time and or memory loss.

Stay Visible. Use the same caution driving near RVs as you would around large trucks. Don’t stay in the blind spots, and remember – if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.

According to AAA

Good News…

We’re sharing tips to help you respond to an angry or upset motorist. Not just react to them. Aggressive driving behaviors can include intentionally running stop signs and red lights, tailgating, passing on the right, making sudden lane changes and leaning on the horn.

It’s important to understand how to handle aggressive drivers to help keep safe on the road. February is Aggressive Driving Awareness Month, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these five tips to deal with stressful driving situations:

1.     Make every attempt to move out of the way of aggressive drivers and into another lane.
2.     Avoid eye contact with erratic or irate drivers.
3.     Ignore offensive gestures and don’t return them.
4. Don’t pursue aggressive drivers.
5. Report aggressive drivers to the authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and direction of travel.

And the next time your patience hit’s its limit, take a few slow, deep breaths through your nose, and exhale completely through your mouth.

This will calm you down, help relieve frustration and keep you safer on the road.

 

Here are some links for more info…

Florida Department of Transportation:    Click here

AAA:   Click here

7 Surprising Signs of Aggressive Driving:    Click Here

 

Do you stop or do you go….

Do you know Florida’s Crosswalk Law?
Well, you should. We live in a small community where you can walk to almost everything and so many of our residence do walk, early in the morning and in the evening at sun set. Here is some information to help keep everyone safe and drivers from getting unnecessary traffic tickets.

Questions About Florida’s Pedestrian Crosswalk Law?

Florida law requires drivers to STOP when a person in attempting to cross the street at a marked pedestrian crosswalk. The pedestrian crosswalks are signified with a large yellow sign showing a figure walking. Some pedestrian crosswalks even have yellow flashing lights. Very few Florida drivers are aware of this law. Almost all tourists who visit our state are clueless of this law.

This law is intended to have drivers stop when a person is entering the pedestrian crosswalk. If the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians then you are not required to stop. Paying close attention to a person as they are near or entering these crosswalks is important. If you are unsure of whether or not a person intends to cross the road you are better off slowing your vehicle until you can make a clear determination. This law is far from perfect but it was designed to save people from being hit by a car as they crossed the road. Unfortunately, the lawmakers forgot to advise the Florida drivers and they installed confusing signs in the locations.

For more info CLICK HERE

State law on crosswalks is clear

According to an article in the Tampa Bay Times

The pedestrian crosswalks in some circumstances are located in the middle of busy roads with little indication of their existence. The signs posted in pedestrian crosswalks tell drivers to YIELD. Many drivers are under the impression that yielding means you should only slow down. This thought is completely wrong under Florida law when a person is in a pedestrian crosswalk. This law requires drivers to stop and to allow the person to cross the road safely. The police are actively issuing warnings and writing civil citations to drivers who violate the pedestrian crosswalk STOP law.

This same rule goes if a driver approaches a crosswalk that is marked with signs, but no flashing pedestrian warning lights are present. As long as the pedestrian is in possession of the crosswalk — has already stepped into it or steps into it on a vehicle’s approach, the driver must stop.

To read the full article CLICK HERE

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Avoiding Aggressive Driving…

They are all mad I tell you…Ever pull out onto the road and all you see are angry drivers. Aggressive driving can be deadly. Here is a little help on understanding and avoiding aggressive driving.

Nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the past year, according to a recent study by the Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Far too many drivers are losing themselves in the heat of the moment,and they’re lashing out in ways that could turn deadly.”

Fact: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Police officers in the United States indicated driver road rage or aggression as a contributing factor in 247 fatal crashes in 2013—a nearly tenfold increase from 2004.

Why is that driver so angry?

Psychologists say … Our cars are like metal safe havens: We feel protected in them—and they also help us feel anonymous while driving. This anonymity, psychologists say, can lead to more aggressive, less-inhibited behavior. That driver in front of you doesn’t know who you are, the thinking goes, so you’re more likely to lay on the horn if he doesn’t move after the light turns.

When we get mad, we also can feel the urge to teach others a lesson, such as tailgating a slow driver. But focusing on others means that you’re not concentrating on your own driving—and that’s unsafe.

Handling aggressive drivers…

• Avoid tailgating. When surveys ask drivers what angers them most, many say tailgating. Allow plenty of space between your car and the car ahead.
• Don’t engage. One angry driver can’t start a fight unless another driver is willing to join in. If a driver seems mad, avoid making eye contact or returning hand gestures, for example.
• Keep your distance. When drivers are agitated, it’s best to stay behind them—they can do less damage to you this way. If necessary, pull off the road or exit the highway to avoid them.
• Get help. If you feel endangered by another driver, call 911 if you have a cell phone. Or, drive to a busy place, such as a mall or gas station. Use your horn to get someone’s attention. This usually will discourage an aggressor. Don’t get out of your car, and don’t lead an aggressive driver to your home.

Did you know…

• 9 out of 10 drivers feel that aggressive drivers are a serious threat to their personal safety.
• 56% of crashes that involve aggressive drivers are due to tailgating or illegal passing.
• 3% of drivers have admitted to ramming or bumping another car on purpose.

Drive safely and be courteous of others on the road.