NO PARKING SIX TIMES

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

NO PARKING SIX TIMES
Brooklyn, NY: The Simms' drove into Manhattan and discovered that their auto was not welcome there. Larry Simms told us that's why the City charges big money to cross a bridge or drive through a tunnel to get there but charges nothing to leave the city. The NYC Mayor is considering an additional charge just to drive within the City. And the cost to park in a secure garage for an hour is outrageous.

But what really caught Larry Simms interest were the many regulatory parking signs along the street curbs. Can you name the 6 most frequent street places where parking is a big NO NO? Here they are:
In front of a driveway.
Within an intersection.
Within 15 feet of any fire hydrant.
Within 20 feet of any crosswalk.
Within 50 feet of any railroad crossing.
Wherever else officials decide to place signs prohibiting stopping or parking.

Here is a question for you. What is the difference between stopping and parking? Generally, stopping is when we stop the vehicle and remain stationary with the engine running. In some places even a one-second stop is unlawful for safety reasons. So that must mean that parking is stopping with the engine turned off. By the way, when parked at night in a heavily traveled place do turn on the parking lights. That is what they are there for.
GHD148 all rights reserved

CRASH PROOF PARKING

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

CRASH PROOF PARKING
BLACK ROCK, CT: Kirsten was pulling carefully out of the parallel parking space in front of the antique store on Fairfield Ave. First turning her head to look out the side and rear windows and engaging the left turn signals. A driver a few spaces ahead only looked in the side mirror and roared out into the Avenue. There was a loud crunch as he hit an oncoming pickup, followed by louder accusatory voices. So, the question is, what is the safest way to leave a parking space?

In most places state law says something like: "The driver must look, signal, and yield the right-of-way". When parallel parked, be sure to turn your head (and shoulder, if necessary) to look into the blind spot. Relying only on the mirrors is unsafe. Black Rock resident, Kirsten, said she always checks the blind spot before moving, "it is the smart thing to do".

Older persons seem to have many fender benders on mall parking lots. Backing out without first looking, and driving across mall parking spaces and lanes rather than driving around the perimeter leads to numerous crashes. Persons, especially children, walking to their vehicles are another parking lot hazard, especially for older drivers who may have difficulty looking in so many directions in repeated succession.
GHD147 all rights reserved

BEST WEATHER FOR A CRASH

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

BEST WEATHER FOR A CRASH
BIRDSEYE, IN: We were in our white auto in the big February snow, going North on highway 64. It reminded me that Grandpa always claimed that most crashes happen in snow. Research however proves that most crashes happen in good, clear weather. Doesn't make sense, does it? We see a lot of crashes on the TV every time it snows and sleets.

But there are many more wrecks in good weather which receive no notoriety. In the bad stuff we expect the worst to happen and sooner rather than later. So most of us drive with extreme care or stay at home and watch the crashes on TV. Remember to be even more alert in perfect weather, partly because some other drivers may be too relaxed. They believe that the sunny weather is their protector.

We changed directions, turned on the headlights and headed our white car South on Route 145 to I-64 and to the nearest motel. There we watched TV and waited for the roads to be plowed and salted. It cost us a few dollars more, but a lot less than a hospital bed. And we arrived safe and relaxed only one day later than planned.
GHD146 all rights reserved

PROOF YOU CAN IMPROVE DRIVING SKILLS

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

PROOF YOU CAN IMPROVE DRIVING SKILLS
ARAPAHOE, NE: Eighty-eight year old Sherman Good demands proof that a defensive driving course will make him a safer vehicle operator. He has been driving for 73 years without a crash. Got his first license at the real estate office for 50 cents. Took no test back then.

I know only about the AARP 55 ALIVE program which is designed for anyone age 50 and over. In March 2005 this classroom driver refresher course celebrated its 10 millionth graduate. In year 2005 there were another over 653,000 course completions in more than 32,200 classes. That is more than 1% of all eligible licensed drivers in the USA.

Statistical studies of hundreds of thousands of graduates and non-graduates were run by State of California experts. After matching for many factors between the 2 groups it was found that those who had completed the course had significantly fewer fatal and injury crashes over the next several years. Studies such as these have helped legislatures in 36 states decide that their licensed drivers should receive an extra insurance premium reduction as an incentive to attend such a program.

By the way, those who complete the 2 half-day sessions have many fewer convictions for moving traffic violations. Proof enough that the 8 hours and $10 are well invested.

NEW: AARP Driver Safety Online Course www.aarp.org/drive/online. Take it at your own pace at home, in the office (on your own time, of course), at any WiFi hotspot. Divide the 8 hours over as many days as you need to make this vital info your safe driving habit.
GHD145 all rights reserved

A FRIEND NEVER LETS A FRIEND DRIVE DRUNK

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

A FRIEND NEVER LETS A FRIEND DRIVE DRUNK
MALAYSIA: It is beyond understanding. US newspapers publish almost daily reports about a fatal crash in which the drunk walks away with minor injuries. Reports tell how this person has a string of DUI convictions, license suspensions and revocations. Yet there he (infrequently she) is causing still another tragedy for an innocent family. Most state statutes require a jail sentence but somehow many convicted drunks manage to evade this repeatedly. Tennessee has a law allowing confiscation of the vehicle for a 2nd DUI conviction. In Malaysia the drunk driver is jailed, and so is the driver's spouse, no excuses.

Even small amounts of alcohol affect our driving skills such as judgment, alertness, vision, coordination, concentration, and reaction time. No wonder drunks cause wrecks. A national poll shows that more than one-third of our adult population believes that drunken driving is our greatest highway problem. If you drink please let someone else do the driving. A friend never lets a friend drive drunk.
GHD144 all rights reserved