DRIVE-IT-YOURSELF VEHICLES ARE SAFE

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


DRIVE-IT-YOURSELF VEHICLES ARE SAFE
PHOENIX, AZ: Honey S. writes that she gets very nervous when driving near the many do-it-yourself moving trucks and trailers that can be found on all the major roads. My friend, Pat Crahan, a Director of U-Haul International, told me why U-Haul customers drive safely and why Honey need not be more wary of them than of other highway vehicles.

A National Safety Council National Fleet Safety Contest annually compares the safety record of professionals such as bus and truck drivers, mail carriers, and police officers. Recently the professional drivers averaged 10.97 crashes for each million miles driven .U-Haul records show that their average citizen customers won “by a mile” with a mere 2.79 crashes per million miles. In fact in 10 of 11 years the renter customers had by far a safer highway record than the professionals.

But why are these drivers so safe with vehicles which they do not ordinarily operate? Pat Crahan gave me these many reasons:
· They realize they are not professionals and make an effort to be more conservative on the road.
· Many are in the midst of a major change in their lives (moving to a new home location) and they focus on arriving safely.
· Their life’s belongings are in the vehicle (as may be their loved ones) and they want to keep them safe and sound.
· They realize that being under the influence of drugs and alcohol endangers their prized possessions and loved ones as well as self.
· Unlike professional drivers, Joe Citizen usually allows more time to complete the trip and drives at a leisurely, attentive speed.
· The rental vehicles are built especially to haul household goods and are designed for safe use by occasional drivers.
· U-Haul, especially, uses highly visible colors and graphics which make other drivers more aware of these utility vehicles.
So Honey, not to worry anymore. You are a lot safer than you thought you were.
GHD190 all rights reserved

JUDGE JAILS DUI

JUDGE JAILS DUI
MEMPHIS, TN: A drunken driver on his way to a weekend in jail for having just been convicted of DUI struck and killed a pregnant woman and her daughter. This happened in 1997 but it was not until May 1999 that he was sentenced to 49 years for the double killing. His blood alcohol was many times the legal limit and his license had already been revoked. He had two prior drunken driving convictions.

This DUI driver apparently has no idea of the terrible thing he did. At his sentencing he said that he is a good driver; very cautious and pays attention to everything around him. The judge said that this drunk had utter contempt for society, showed no remorse, was every parent’s nightmare, and would start drinking and driving again when he had served his time.

Did the Judge mean he would repeat after 49 years of prison time? No, he meant in 15 years because the unfair (to society) Tennessee law called for release after 30% of the sentenced has been completed. The victims father and grandfather blamed the Tennessee legal system for failing to deal effectively with this drunk many years earlier.

And therein lies our National problem; a too lenient system that waits until the drunks severely hurt innocent persons before they are put away for more than a weekend. It won’t change until you and I demand better protection by our Legislators and Judges. With this column I am protesting this - what will you do to help get better justice?GHD189 all rights reserved

MADD PROTECTS US ALL

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

MADD PROTECTS US ALL
MATADOR, TX: Shirley S. was driving along US 70 on her way home from an evening defensive driving class. Out of nowhere came a high speed sports car over-stuffed with young men, beer cans in hand. Shirley’s safest escape was the ditch - a decision she made almost automatically. It saved her life and limbs and those of the youngsters in the offending vehicle who failed to stop to help her.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says that about 18,000 people are killed each year by drunk drivers - 43% of all fatal crashes. On an average weekend night, one out of every ten drivers is drunk. Driving while alcohol-impaired is the leading cause of death for 16 to 24 year olds. Of the 60,000 annual water boating “accidents” nearly one-half will be alcohol related.

The mission of MADD is to stop drunk driving and to support victims of this violent crime. Its goals are victim assistance for the injured and families and friends who have suffered the loss of a loved one, and stricter enforcement of existing drunk driving laws. Also more effective legislation; public awareness programs; and youth education that teaches refusal skills and alternatives to alcohol and drug use.

MADD says you can make a difference by using a designated driver, and making a personal promise to never drink and drive, And not letting friends or relatives go DUI, reporting drunk drivers to the police. Also never serving alcohol to anyone under age 21 or to anyone who already has had too much. Further, speaking out in your community for MADD principles, warning young people about the life-long dangers, helping MADD and by joining them.

The summer of 2007 was made safer in many communities by “traffic stops” police activities to remove violators from the driver’s seat with arrest citations.
GHD188 all rights reserved