Welcome to the Center for Safe Driving

Its Coming!

Any day now (if it hasn't started already) winter will arrive and demand your attention. You can be blas? about the other seasons, but winter is definitely not a fad for more than 100 million drivers in North America. In fact, during a typical January, fully half of the continental U.S. (as well as all of Canada) experiences temperatures below freezing.


If you're planning to do any serious winter driving, what you don't know can land you in a snow bank ? or worse! To help you prepare for the challenges of winter driving, the Center for Safe Driving has published a series of Resource Papers (which can be accessed from the links appearing below).

The Center for Safe Driving is an information clearinghouse operated as a public service by the Innovation Factory. Please stay tuned for additional resources and services, including:

    * Publication of The Essential Guide to Safe Winter Driving (scheduled for 2006).
    * Introduction of Safe Driving Tips and additional Resource Papers.
    * News and links from other safe driving resources on the web.
    * Legislative Monitoring Service to track efforts to combat reckless winter driving.
    * Safe Driving Survey

Please click here to contact the Center for Safe Driving.

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 Save Driving Resources

Essential Habits of Safe Driving | It's the Law | Model Legislation

 Taking Aim at Peephole Driving |Road Trip Workout

Essential Habits of Safe Driving . . .

More than 100 million motorists in the U.S. and Canada are about to face the rigors of winter driving. The dangers are quite real. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

    * Drivers are 23% more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident during the winter than during the summer months
    * During the same reporting period, in the United States, there were more than 61,000 injuries and 781 deaths resulting from crashes during snow/sleet conditions.
    * The leading cause of death during winter storms arises from driving mishaps..

You don?t have to become a statistic. Here?s a selection of the best driving tips we could find to help keep you safe this winter.

1. Go Slow in the Snow.

Tempers are frayed, traction is at a premium, it?s hard to see and all the kids are complaining. Do everything more slowly ? including starting, stopping and turning. This will help you keep control of your vehicle. It will also reduce the damage to life and property should an accident occur.

2. See And Be Seen.

Don?t be a ?peep hole driver?. You need a full 360°of visibility, so clear all of your car windows and mirrors replenish your washer fluid and wipe off the wiper blades. While you?re at it, clean off the headlights and taillights so that other people can see you as well.

3. Get a Full Checkup.

Before the season starts, have a qualified mechanic perform each item of vehicle maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.

4. Pack a Winter Survival Kit, including:

          o Warm clothing and a blanket.
          o Cell phone with automotive charger.
          o High energy snacks and water.
          o Ice scraper, brush and snow shovel.
          o Empty coffee can, filled with candles and matches.
          o First aid kit, including non-prescription pain medications.
          o Essential medicines prescribed by your doctor.
          o Paper towels.
          o Signaling devices, including a reflective triangle, whistle and a distress flag.
          o Heavy duty flashlight (with plenty of spare batteries).
          o Jumper cables.
          o Pocket knife.
          o Duct tape.
          o Hammer and adjustable pliers.
          o Tire gauge.
          o Traction material such as sand, clay-type kitty litter or a traction mat.
          o Games, puzzles or pack of playing cards.

5. Tank Up.

Driving with a full tank of gas helps to prevent fuel line freeze-up and provides extra ballast in the rear of the vehicle. But most importantly, if you get stuck or break down, you?ll have the fuel to operate your engine (though sparingly!) for a longer period. This could mean the difference between life ? and freezing to death.

6. The Road Trip Workout.

Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Your head, neck, and back muscles can become knotted from the stress of driving in bad weather. Eye strain is also a serious problem. Take frequent rest stops. A brisk walk around the parking lot and some deep breathing are good ways to revitalize. If you?re stuck in traffic, or it?s too nasty to walk around outside, try the Road Trip Workout. These exercises, which can be done without leaving your seat, can be downloaded from the Center for Safe Driving at .

7. Beware 4WD Overconfidence.

Your SUV will absolutely get you going easier in the snow and ice. You?re also more likely to survive if you crash into a smaller vehicle. But, on the other hand, SUV?s are harder to handle and take longer to stop. While your vehicle-weight advantage works with you in a collision with a smaller vehicle, it?s the opposite when colliding with an immovable object like a bridge abutment.

Be wary of those around you, winter can drive some people to their breaking point. One fourth of the drivers in a recent AAA survey admitted to becoming angry with other motorists. If you encounter such an individual, try not to make eye contact and move away by changing lanes or slowing down. Then call 911 before someone really gets hurt. Never indulge the road rage by trying to get even ? you?re more likely to get dead!

9. Signal Your Intent.

Give turn signals sooner than usual. Avoid the passing lane. Don?t cut off other drivers (particularly trucks and SUV?s ? because they will have a harder time stopping to avoid hitting you). If you have either stopped unexpectedly, or anticipate having to stop suddenly because of problem up ahead, alert the drivers behind you by toggling on your emergency flashers. By providing a ?heads up,? you reduce the likelihood that trailing motorists will plow into your vehicle. Everyone knows ?a little courtesy won?t kill you.? But when it comes to winter driving, an act of simple courtesy can save your own life.

10. Observe the Two Second Rule.

Watch the rear bumper of the car in front as it passes a sign, post or other landmark on the side of the ride. Now count two seconds (one thousand and one, one thousand and two). If your car passes the landmark before you finish counting, you?re going too fast for you to safely stop if the car in front slams on the brakes. During severe winter weather (and especially if you are driving an SUV) you should probably maintain at least three or even four seconds of separation.

11. If You Start to Skid, Pick ONE Thing to Do.

At any one time, only four patches of rubber the breadth of your hand are in contact with the road surface. Sure, you can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time and you normally can expect the same from your tires. But when you enter into a skid, the fight is on to regain traction as quickly as possible. Steering, braking and accelerating all demand their share of the scarce friction between your tires and the slippery road. By concentrating on just one thing at a time, you increase the chances of regaining control of your vehicle. Unless you have no choice, concentrate on steering first ? and always steer INTO the direction of the skid regardless of what your instincts are demanding.

12. Never Pump Antilock (ABS) Brakes.

If you need to make a panic stop, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal and leave it there until you?ve come to full stop. Don?t be put-off by the rumbling sounds, that?s just the computer doing its job.

13. Don?t Sweat It.

Winter is different than the other seasons ? it?s cold! And when the wind is blowing, you can begin to freeze to death within minutes. Add and remove layers of clothing as necessary to maintain a comfortable body temperature. Don?t overexert (particularly if you need to shovel out your vehicle). Sweating dramatically increases the risk of hypothermia because wet clothes conduct heat away from the body five times faster. Staying dry means staying alive.

14. Practice Makes Perfect.

Winter driving is very different from fair weather motoring. There?s a lot to learn, and much of it goes against your untrained intuition. So you need to practice on the ice or snow in a big empty parking lot. During daylight hours, rehearse various maneuvers ? slowly. Purposely steer into a skid, stomp on the brakes and then suddenly accelerate. Keep at it until safe winter driving becomes second nature. Get into the habit of testing the road conditions the first thing when you venture out in the morning. You don?t want any unpleasant surprises.

15. Just Say No!

Most winter driving accidents happen within the first few hours of a storm. The simplest way to avoid becoming a statistic is simply this: DON?T GO until the roads are cleared! While if you?re suddenly caught in severe weather, have the courage to ?declare an emergency? and head for a safe haven. ?Loss of face? is nothing compared to loss of life.

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It's the Law . . .

Reckless Winter Driving is not just Dangerous, it?s against the Law

You've seen them on the road. Drivers peering through a peephole cut in the snow and ice on their windshield, shedding wintry debris in their wake. These reckless drivers are not just a danger to themselves but pose a risk to the lives of the responsible motorists and pedestrians who have to swerve to avoid them.

Existing laws make it a crime to operate a motor vehicle in an unsafe fashion, regardless of the season. In Pennsylvania, for example, "Any person who drives a vehicle in careless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of careless driving, a summary offense." (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. 3714) The penalty is up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine.

But increasingly, jurisdictions are taking actions to specifically target reckless winter driving.

Special Legislation Passed in New Jersey
In 1996, Michael Eastman was driving on Route 17 in northern New Jersey when ice flew off a southbound tractor trailer and crashed through his windshield. A law passed the following year in New Jersey creates legal liability for a driver if snow or ice is dislodged from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian. The full text of the law is reproduced below.

New Jersey Assemblyman David Russo wrote the law and shepherded it through the assembly. Calls have been made since to toughen the law to encompass the dangers of peephole driving as well as to allow for the impounding of offending vehicles until they have been safely cleared.

"Motorists clear just enough of the driver's side of the windshield to see out.? This according to Pam Fisher, VP of Public Affairs for the New Jersey Automobile Club. ?But what they fail to realize is that when sunlight hits the remaining frost or ice on the windshield, they're literally driving blind."

AAA of New Jersey has now launched an educational campaign to combat peephole driving and other dangerous winter-weather driving practices. AAA urges motorists to clear all ice and snow from their vehicles. "That means not only from the windows, but the roof, hood and trunk, headlights and break lights as well," says Fisher. "Snow and ice blowing off a vehicle could injure other motorists by causing accidents."

      New Jersey Permanent Statutes
      39:4-77.1 Snow, ice dislodged from moving vehicle causing injury, property damage; penalties.

1. When snow or ice is dislodged from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing injury or property damage, the following penalties shall apply:

The operator of a non-commercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 or more than $1,000 for each offense.

The operator, owner, lessee, bailee or any one of the aforesaid of a commercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,500 for each offense.
L.1997,c.124,s.1.

Lt. James Loga, a long-time police officer in the city of West Seneca, New York, said he began noticing the problem a few years ago while on winter traffic patrol. Most early morning car accidents were caused by drivers who had failed to clear their windshields sufficiently.

?Morning frost and snow are common here [in Western New York], and mainly people claimed they were in a hurry and they didn?t have time to clear their windshield,? Loga said. In one incident, he recalled, a fellow police officer was struck by a car driven by a man without a functioning window defroster. The frozen windshield severely limited his vision. But when Lt. Loga checked New York State?s traffic laws for a way to ticket the offenders, he couldn?t find a specific law to apply.

There was nothing in the code to use to stop a driver from operating the vehicle without proper visibility because of snow or ice, ?Loga said. ?We had a law that said you can?t drive with a cracked windshield, and one about no objects inside blocking your view, but nothing about snow or ice on the windshield. It just didn?t make any sense.?

So Lt. Loga contacted his State Senator, Bill Stachowski asking him to pass a law requiring motorists to clean their windshields. This would provide local police with a tool to help prevent traffic accidents.

Senator Stachowski was very receptive. ?Right now, New York?s laws require the use of headlights whenever a motorist uses their windshield wipers, but our laws say nothing about uncleared ice or snow on a windshield,? Stachowski said. ?How many times have you seen the guy [driving] next to you looking through a little cleared out part of his windshield? I?m sure everybody agrees it?s common sense to clean off your windshield. If we need to have law enforcing that fact, I?ll be happy to do my part.?

Senator Stachowski is currently developing legislation for consideration by the state legislature.

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Model Legislation . . .

You've seen them on the road. Drivers peering through a peephole cut in the snow and ice on their windshield, shedding wintry debris in their wake. These reckle drivers are not just a danger to themselves but pose a risk to the lives of the responsible motorists and pedestrians who have to swerve to avoid them.

If you're mad, and want to see an end to this behavior, then there's something you can do. A number of states have passed, or are considering, laws to address at least some aspect of the problem. The Center for Safe Driving has also prepared the Model Law (seen below) which we encourage you to forward to your local legislators.

This model addresses the following important safety concerns:

1. Peephole driving when the vehicle is covered in snow and ice;
2. Impaired visibility due to the buildup of fog or grime on the inside or outside of the windows;
3. Driving with headlights, taillights or mirrors obscured; and
4. The accumulation of snow and ice on a vehicle and the attendant risks when this debris becomes dislodged.

Model Law to Combat Reckless Winter Driving
TITLE 00:00-00 Your City, County, State (or Province) Motor Vehicle Code
An Act concerning the obstruction of a driver's visibility due to snow, ice or grime and the accumulation of wintry debris that may become dislodged from a moving vehicle.

1. Obstructed Visibility

a. It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle where the driver's view of the road is substantially obstructed by the buildup of
any of the following substances on the inside or outside of the windows or on the side mirrors of the vehicle:

i. wintry debris,
ii. fog,
iii. grime.

b. It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle without the use of headlights whenever weather or road conditions reasonably require the operation of a vehicle's windshield wipers.

c. It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle where the headlights or taillights are substantially obstructed by the buildup of any of the aforementioned substances.

2. Accumulation of Wintry Debris

a. It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle where there is an accumulation of wintry debris, in excess of one inch, upon any exterior surface of the vehicle.

3. Penalties

a. Where no injury or property damage has resulted, violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be punishable as follows:

i. The operator of a non-commercial vehicle shall be   subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $150 for each offense.
ii. The operator of a commercial vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300 for each offense.

b. Where injury or property damage has resulted, violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be punishable as follows:

i. The operator of a non-commercial vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.
ii. The operator of a commercial vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000 for each offense.
iii. The operator shall be liable for all damages and injuries that result.
iv. Motor vehicle points or insurance eligibility points may be assessed for this offense.

c. Without regard to any other penalties, the enforcing officer shall be empowered to require that the non-compliant vehicle be removed to a safe location where it shall remain until the violation has been cured.

4. General Provisions

a. For purposes of this Act:

i. "Fog" shall include mist and other condensates.
ii. "Grime" shall include road salt, dirt and the like as well as tobacco byproducts, plasticizers and other similar materials which may accumulate on the inside or outside of the windows.
iii. "Operator" shall include the driver, owner, lessee, bailee and any of the aforesaid where a commercial vehicle is involved.
iv. "Vehicle" shall include both private as well as commercial motor vehicles of all types and any trailers attached thereto.
v. "Windows" shall include, where applicable to the vehicle type, the entire front and back windshields as well as the door and other side windows.
vi. "Wintry Debris" shall include frost, ice, snow or slush.

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Taking Aim at Peephole Driving . . .

A Dangerous Practice which Flouts Common Sense

We?re all guilty. It?s cold; the kids are complaining; you?re running late for an important appointment. Do we take the time and effort to completely clear the ice from our windshields?

Too often, we allow frustration to trump our common sense. Reasonable, courteous people, who'd never think of leaving the driveway with worn tires or bad brakes, will drive their children to school after scraping just a small peephole through which to peer. This leaves more than 96% of our visibility obscured. Peephole drivers risk not only themselves, but the lives of their passengers, fellow motorists and unwary pedestrians.

According to the Center for Safe Driving, more than 50% of drivers in a recent survey admitted to not fully clearing the ice from the windows of their vehicles. Many respondents cited dissatisfaction with typical ice scrapers as making the job of ice removal too difficult and time consuming.

Peephole driving is dangerous and flouts common sense and courtesy. In fact, more than 80% of drivers surveyed expressed worry about being involved in an accident caused by other people who fail to clear off their vehicles.

Such reckless behavior is not just foolish, it's against the law! In Pennsylvania, for example, "Any person who drives a vehicle in careless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of careless driving, a summary offense." (75 Pa. Cons. Stat. 3714) The penalty is up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine.

More than 100 million motorists in the U.S. and Canada face the rigors of winter driving. The dangers are quite real. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Drivers are 23% more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident during the winter than during the summer months.

• During the same reporting period, in the United States, there were more than 61,000 injuries and 781 deaths resulting from crashes during snow/sleet conditions.

• The leading cause of death during winter storms arises from driving mishaps.

The driver of a typical sedan (such as a Honda Civic) is surrounded by approximately 4,670 square inches of glass. This includes the windshield as well as the back and side windows. But there are still blind spots (where the pillars support the roof) that block the driver?s view. These blind spots can and do result in accidents (even when the weather is perfect).

Motorists should always have an unobstructed 360° view through the vehicle?s glass surfaces. This is never more critical than during the unforgiving conditions of winter. We estimate that the ?typical? peep hole 162 square inches (9 inches by 18 inches, roughly two hands? breadth with the fingers spread wide). This works out to just 3.4% of the available glass surface in a mid-sized car.

Put another way, a peephole driver is attempting to navigate with more than 96% of their visibility obscured. In a large SUV, the corresponding numbers are even worse. These motorists are surrounded by an all-encompassing blind spot that may conceal terrible dangers: another vehicle running the light; perhaps a distracted mom struggling to cross the street with a baby carriage.

Even motorists who clear the entire driver?s half of their windshield are still driving more than 80% blind. And when sunlight hits the remaining frost or ice on the windshield, drivers can be literally driving blind

AAA of New Jersey has now weighed in on this serious issue, having launched an educational campaign to combat peephole driving and other dangerous winter-weather driving practices.

You?ve seen those drivers on the road. Vehicles covered with snow an ice, navigating through a peephole, shedding wintry debris as they go along. They might veer into you (since they can?t see where they are going). Or you could get bombarded by a sudden cascade of snow. If this happens, you could be temporarily blinded and your instincts will urge you to veer away - with potentially disastrous consequences on a slick highway.

There?s also the potential for a chunk of heavy ice to crash into your windshield. At around 1.5 pounds per square foot, even an inch of compacted snow on the roof and trunk of a sedan weighs in at more than 50 pounds. The same volume of solid ice would weigh more than 170 pounds. While a ?load? of 1 inch thick ice, tumbling off the roof a semi-trailer, tips the scales at more than 1,000 pounds. A good reason to stay well out of ?range? while driving this winter season.

If you are fed up with peephole drivers (as well as motorists who bombard you with snow and ice falling from their vehicles) please refer to the resource paper entitled ?It?s the Law?. You will learn about legislative initiatives and even model laws to help combat reckless winter driving.

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 Road Trip Workout . . .

Exercise to Stay Alert without Leaving Your Seat

Driving while tired is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. One hundred thousand accidents occur each year as a result of drivers falling asleep. This translates into 76,000 injuries and approximately 1,500 deaths ? a preventable tragedy of enormous proportions.

Here are some exercises you can do - without leaving your vehicle - to help keep you alert and refreshed when it?s too nasty to walk around outside. Try these while stuck in traffic (with the gearshift in park), or when pulled over safely on the side of the road. Of course, your passengers can do these exercises any time. They also work great when you find yourself sandwiched into an airline seat.

Consult your physician or health care provider for advice specific to your particular needs. Make sure to ask whether the following exercises are appropriate for you.

Do your eyes water, your eyelids twitch, the part of your forehead around your eyebrows seems to ache and you notice a burning sensation when you close your eyes? You may be suffering from eye strain. It's a common affliction that can occur after the eyes are taxed from prolonged periods of driving. Here?s what to do:

1. Blink and Yawn.

This helps to produce tears that moisten and lubricate the eyes.

       
2. Palming.
Cup your hands over your eyes and let your weight fall forward. Now close your eyes and inhale slowly through the nose. Continue deep breathing for 30 seconds.
       
3. Eye Stretches.
Close your eyes. Now slowly and gently move the eyes up towards the ceiling, then slowly down to the floor (while keeping your head stationary). Repeat 3 times and then move the eyes slowly from left to right (also repeating a few times).
       
4. Focus Change.
Hold up your index finger a few inches in front of your nose. Focus on this finger as you slowly move the finger away until your arm is outstretched. Now focus into the far distance (outside of the vehicle) for a few seconds and then back to your outstretched finger. Slowly bring the finger back to within a few inches from the eye. Repeat three times.

Your body can stiffen up from sitting in one position for too long, particularly given the strain of driving in bad weather). Your head, neck and back muscles in particular can become knotted. Here are some exercises to try.
       
5. Cleansing Breaths.
Open the car window at least a crack. Now shake yourself all around to limber up, and then let your arms hang limp. Take a deep breath, hold it for a little while, and then slowly exhale. Repeat, but this time purse your lips as if you were going to whistle. Start exhaling forcefully, little by little. The effort of the exhalation should be felt in the chest and the back.
       
6. Overhead Pull.
Grasp the back of your neck with your right hand. Reach over and grab your right elbow with your left hand. Now gently tug on your elbow to give your right shoulder and side a nice stretch. Alternate until you feel loosened up on both sides of the body.
       
7. Shoulder Bunch.
Sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed. Now bunch up your shoulders until they feel tight ? hold for a few moments and then release. Continue a few times until your shoulders limber up.
       
8. The Head Roll.
Sit up straight with shoulders relaxed. Now drop your chin to your chest and start to gently roll your head around in wide circles. Alternate directions every so often until your feel the stiffness fall away.
       
9. Do the Twist.
Place your hands in your lap. Cross your right ankle over your left (or cross your legs if you are able). Now gently twist your body to the right and look over your shoulder. Switch legs and twist in the opposite direction. You should feel a nice stretching sensation.

Are your hands sore and shaking from gripping the steering wheel? Have you begun to lose feeling in your legs? To help regain the fine motor control in your limbs and improve circulation, try the following:
       
10. Reach Out.
Raise both arms in front of you, palms down, elevating the arms a little higher than your shoulders.  Now reach forward ? really stretch ? then relax but don?t drop your arms! Reach and relax, reach and relax. You can also try this exercise with your palms pointing upwards.
       
11. The Bear Hug.
With your right hand, grab your left side (just beneath the armpit) and wrap your other arm around on top. Now squeeze like you?re giving yourself a hug and then repeat with the arm placement reversed.
       
12. Running in Place While Seated.
While in your seat, raise your legs up and down off the balls of your feet, alternating legs as if you were running.
       
13. Dance to the Music.
Put on some upbeat music and just dance in your seat ? wiggling every which way to shake out the kinks. The kids will love this too.
       
14. Give yourself a round of applause.
Vigorous hand clapping will not only help to get the circulation going but will also provide a boost to your spirits! After all, you deserve recognition for safely navigating your vehicle.

Other Tips to Help You Keep Alert

Get Plenty of Sleep Before Heading Out.
Half of the drivers involved in accidents after dozing off were found to have slept less than 6 hours the night before. So try and get a full night?s sleep before climbing behind the wheel.

Be sure to eat a healthy meal.
But don?t overdo it or you?ll become drowsy while your body digests. Keep high energy snacks on hand (you might want to open the snacks ahead of time so you won?t have to fumble with wrappers if you?re driving solo).

Appoint a co-pilot.
If you do have a driving companion, make sure they understand that they have an important job, which includes monitoring your level of alertness as well as to swap driving responsibilities if appropriate.

Take frequent rest stops.
A brisk walk around the parking lot and some deep breathing are good ways to revitalize. These activities will also help you to limber up your body.

Take a nap.
This is the best way to revitalize. A wise person once observed that ?the future, it lasts a long time?. If you want to be a part of that future you owe it to yourself (and your loved ones) to catch those much needed Zzzzzz.

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