INDEPENDENT LIVING

WRECK-LESS DRIVING FOR SENIORS
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

INDEPENDENT LIVING
EVERYWHERE, USA: This column and the several available safe driving classroom courses are designed to keep older drivers independent longer. In the year 2004 more than one-third of all drivers were over age 55. It is generally known that at about age 55 driving skills begin to slip and then very noticeably after age 75. But age alone is not a good indicator of driving ability as these skill changes vary widely in the older driver population. Thus, age should not be used to remove someone's privilege to drive.

To continue their independence, however, older drivers should regularly sharpen their skills. Actually, all drivers should take positive actions towards safer driving. But it is the older drivers that are usually pointed to as the greatest menace. This is not entirely true as has been discussed in many previous columns. Teenage drivers are the worst group. And among these there are many known to be very6 careful and thus safe.

One safe driving course uses 6 major categories to classify a person's current driving ability: driving habits, physical condition, emotions, health habits, driving record, and other indicators. In future columns we will discuss these as we reply to pertinent questions and comments which you readers send to us. All we ask is that you have an honest opinion of your own present driving skills so that you will be acceptant of the suggestions.

In the classroom courses it is encouraging to see the change to a positive attitude by those who start out with "I've been driving 40 years and don't need skills improvement. All I want is an insurance premium discount for being here".
These reluctant participants become frequently the best contributors to the success of the adult learning class by sharing their years of driving experiences. More than 10 million drivers have completed the AARP Driver Safety Program. In 36 states and DC their insurers must give them a premium reduction for this extra effort to be better drivers.
GHD94 all rights reserved

TRUCK SAVY

WRECK-LESS DRIVING ©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

TRUCK SAVY
BOWLING GREEN, KY.: Driving Interstate 65 South to Nashville from Bowling Green is a first-hand education in living peaceably with the eighteen wheelers all around you. This is one of our nation's major trucking roads and extra awareness of the limitations of these heavy vehicles is mandatory.

But first, don't wish there were no trucks. They are a vital economic factor in our lives. They can go where railroads do not and, in fact, are the least expensive way to move the many things we want to where we want them. And do not pick on the truck drivers either. They are highly trained professionals. Respect them. Like all of us humans there may be a few who should find another job. Because of those few unsafe ones we have to know even more about how to cope for our own safety.

A fully loaded trailer-truck may be 20 times heavier than your car. It will take twice as long to stop on dry pavement as you do, even longer in the rain. At 65 mph it will take twice as long to stop as it does at 55 mph. While truck drivers allow for this when they can there is little they can do when a vehicle in front stops suddenly. Be aware of traffic slowing ahead and signal with your brake lights, too soon rather than too late. Look especially for traffic stopped where it is not expected such as at road repair sections. If there are trucks moving behind you when you stop, signal with your hazard lights also.

Large trucks look like they are moving more slowly towards you than they actually are. At night their lights may lead you to estimate wrongly where they are positioned ahead of you and at what speed. When passing a truck do not freeze and hesitate just as your vehicle gets along-side. If you cannot see the driver in the truck’s side mirror the driver cannot see you (blind-spot). Keep up your speed and complete the pass, signal your intention to return into the line well ahead of the truck.

Long trucks need several lanes in which to make 90 degree turns, such as around corners. Give them plenty of room.
GHD93 all rights reserved

FIRE TRUCKS GET GREEN LIGHT

WRECK-LESS DRIVING ©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

FIRE TRUCKS GET GREEN LIGHT
JOHNSON CITY, TN.: Reader Holly W. sent to us news clippings of real interest. In her city some fire department vehicles have been equipped with an electronic device which turns traffic signals green as the trucks approach. Cross traffic automatically sees a red signal light. Before this there was so much danger for the trucks at each signal light controlled intersection that despite bells, horns, sirens, and flashing colored lights other vehicles would continue to cross the intersection and be a hazard to the fire apparatus. Previously, to avoid crashes the fire trucks had to stop at each traffic light to be safe.

This new electronic system gets the emergency apparatus to the trouble scene that much sooner

Some traffic safety officials suggest that the fire truck should be enabled to turn the traffic light to red for all directions. This would stop all non-emergency vehicles and the fire truck could then cross the intersection with greater safety.

State laws require all vehicles to stop whenever emergency apparatus is in sight as signaled by its loud warning sounds and lights. If there is room to do so, move to the side of the road. Otherwise stop and let the emergency driver find a way through the traffic. But move, if you can, when you see that it is trapped by surrounding vehicles. Truly, time is of the essence here.

Thank you, Holly, for reminding us of our lawful duty to react safely to the passing of emergency vehicles..
GHD92 all rights reserved

DOG IN CHILD SEAT

WRECK-LESS DRIVING ©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

DOG IN CHILD SEAT
TOWSON, MD.: Talk about being safety conscious! While driving north on I-83 Randy Z. says he saw a well groomed mid-size dog securely strapped into a child seat in a big Rolls-Royce. Animals roaming freely in a moving vehicle can be a real hazard. The smaller ones can and do get under the driver's legs and might interfere with the braking. Some excitable ones can create a stir at the least provocation and may distract the driver at a critical time.

How often do you see a driver with a dog in the lap with its feet on the steering wheel? Most of us understand that this is a no-no for children, both for our safety and the child's. A dog in the lap can interfere with safe driving the same as a child might and be just as seriously injured in a crash. Maybe the owner is not as concerned about the dog getting hurt. Perhaps someone reading this will invent a doggy car seat.

While on the subject of dogs and cars; have you ever been so distracted by a dog chasing and nipping at your car that you came close to having a crash? With many incorporated communities now having leash laws this is not a big problem in residential areas. But out in the "country" there are still car-chasing dogs. If you own one of these please restrain or retrain it. You owe that responsibility to the dog as well as to passing motorists.

While night driving on a snowy Iowa farm road a large dog jumped in front of my car. To avoid it I ended up in a ditch. Lucky for the dog! Safety experts are divided on whether it is a safer judgment for the humans to not take such extreme evasive action
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