Posts Tagged ‘holiday’

It’s finally 4th of July weekend, which means a (much deserved) day off for most of us, a chance to relax outside with BBQ and friends, and the yearly celebration of our country’s independence. Unfortunately, it also means that many California drivers will abuse their freedom by choosing to drive drunk. But since 4th of July weekend has accompanied a spike in drunk drivers and car accidents in past years, the California Highway Patrol has said that it will boost DUI patrols this weekend. So in order to stay safe and avoid a ticket, never get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.

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We’ve been writing a lot about National Bike Month. The cycle-centric holiday, hosted by the League of American Cyclists, has placed a large emphasis on increasing ridership and teaching safe cycling behavior to children. And here in California, Sacramento has launched a major monthly program to reduce bicycle accidents. But May isn’t only National Bike Month, it’s also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Boosting motorcycle safety is essential, especially considering that motorcycle deaths make up a disproportionate 13.2% of all traffic deaths nationwide. So in addition to watching out for bicycle safety this month, stay aware of motorcyclists, and as always, share the road for everyone.

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As National Bike Month rolls around, we’re reminded that too many cyclists currently on the road maintain bad habits on city streets. Many adult cyclists don’t wear helmets, obey traffic signs, or use reflective gear at night. Some states have bicycle safety laws that require appropriate bicycle safety behavior for children and teenagers. But as Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood writes on his blog this week, National Bike Month should encourage smart bicycle safety from the top down. If you have children, be a good “Roll Model” during May as National Bike Month.

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Though 2010 marked the first annual Distracted Driving Awareness Month, California did not participate in an official capacity. So this year, California is making an impact with a statewide crackdown on distracted driving. About 225 local police agencies will team up with the California Highway Patrol to implement 103 CHP Area Commands and a “zero-tolerance policy” against offenders. A first-time offence carries a $20 fine, but with additional charges, the economic damage can reach over $200. So during Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April, remember to be safe and avoid distracted driving, or your wallet could regret it.

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For years, the California Highway Patrol has done a fantastic job keeping our roads safe from dangerous drivers and reducing vehicle injuries and fatalities. That job has grown more difficult with the rise of technology and distracted driving, but the CHP will team up with 225 local California police agencies to establish 103 California Highway Patrol Area Commands and enact a “zero-tolerance policy” to combat distracted driving through April; the country’s second annual Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

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For many, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish heritage and the legend of St. Patrick. For many others, it’s a time to get drunk on green beer and (potentially) drive drunk. Clearly, driving drunk is incredibly dangerous and friends should be vigilant year-round, preventing their friends from getting behind the wheel after drinking. But as a day so infamous for binge drinking, people should be especially careful while on city streets and highways this Thursday. Some cities are helping, with free public transportation this St. Patrick’s Day.

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Everyone knows that texting or typing on your cell phone while driving is very dangerous. Last year, distracted driving accounted for 5,500 traffic fatalities and nearly 500,000 injuries nationwide. What’s less known, is that kissing your parter while driving is also incredibly dangerous, and incredibly common. As the Consumer Reports Cars Blog notes today, a report by GfK Roper found that 30 percent of drivers admit to kissing while driving. When it comes to employed drivers who completed higher education, the statistic is even higher: nearly 40 percent.

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Each year, holiday weekends are the most vulnerable to DUI arrests and accidents. Each year, for example, about 40 people are killed and 2,100 people are injured in accidents over Christmas weekend, according to the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Of those, 23 of the deaths and 431 of the injuries resulted from alcohol-related crashes. The numbers are nearly identical for New Years Eve weekend. To improve this daunting statistic, major California cities are joining others nationwide in offering free public transportation on New Years Eve. See what cities are providing free cab and public transportation fares this holiday season.

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Due to the increased likelihood of drunk driving and adverse road conditions, winter holidays always carry an extra risk of car accidents. This year, warns the auto advocate AAA, that danger could be even more pronounced, as more drivers are committed to traveling long distances thanks partially to an improved economy. This year, AAA predicts, 92.3 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from their homes, a boost of 3 million over last year’s Christmas holiday period.

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In the past weeks we’ve written about ways to protect your family from the most common holiday injuries, and even some of the most bizarre holiday accidents. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has released similar warnings, based on injury and fatality data collected from last year’s holiday season compared to seasons years before. While the CPSC report notes that holiday fatalities have fortunately declined steadily since 2005, injuries have increased, solidifying the importance of remaining vigilant about reducing accidents that could cause cuts, burns, or bruises requiring emergency room attention.

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