Eagle Eye Contents — Summer 2007

In 2002, there were 207,000 crashes, 178,000 injuries and 921 fatalities because of running that red light. Wow!

Here are some helpful hints to help you avoid being part of those Red Light Running Statistics:

• Be Alert when approaching intersections, note if the light is already green, you know a yellow light is to follow shortly. Proceed with caution; look to make sure no one else is approaching.
• When you’re approaching a yellow light: prepare to stop - you know that the red light is next. Do not try to bet the red light, remember that speed and weather are factors in how fast and what distance you can stop your car.
• Keep your speed down when approaching any light or intersection; remember that in urban areas speed limits are kept lower to enable shorter stops in heavy or moderate traffic.
• Avoid distractions that are not necessary: such as talking on your cell phone, changing a CD, using your GPS device. When at all possible find a place to pull over or park your car to do these activities.

Remember when operating a vehicle your full, undivided attention should be given to the road and your immediate surroundings.

WATCH OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS: THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY

Did you know that on an average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes or that one is injured every 8 minutes?

Remember that the pedestrian has the right of way, and not all pedestrians will be walking either. A person who has to use any mechanical device, such as a wheel chair, to help them be mobile do to any disabilities is considered a pedestrian as well.

Never assume that a pedestrian can and does see you, always slow down when approaching a pedestrian always expect them to do something strange and out of the ordinary. That way you will always be alert.

Keep in mind that any time you see a ball rolling into the street, 9 times out of 10 there will be a kid running right behind it.

HAVE YOU EVER CHANGED LANES ONLY TO LOOK UP IN YOUR MIRROR AND SEE THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU ONLY INCHES AWAY?

There are all different types of lane change collisions, from cutting in front of another vehicle with out proper signal to merging on the highway. The most often reason for a collision due to lane changing is simply not seeing the other vehicle. To avoid these types of collisions one should make sure that they allow enough time and adequate clearance between both vehicles. Make sure you signal well in advance before changing lanes; check all blind spots before committing to a lane change. Try to limit your lane changing when in traffic, try not to jump from lane to lane just because you’re in a hurry.