At a local pet store in Duluth a few weeks ago, I was sitting in the car waiting for my wife Paula. While I was sitting in the car, I observed a number of animals who appeared to be assisting with the driving of their masters vehicles. The majority of the animals were small dogs, but one cat was also behind the wheel. An older gentleman was traveling with a Pekingese which was sitting in his lap, with it's head out driver's side window. Neither the dog nor the master were wearing seat belts and the master was also smoking a cigarette. Dogs should not drive.
Driving with an animal in your lap is dangerous to you and the animal. Steering is more difficult, your attention is distracted from the road, and the animal is unsecured. In the event of a crash, the animal and the driver could easily be injured or killed. In many states it is illegal and a driver involved in a crash in such a situation would likely be facing a careless driving citation.
A number of us own cats and dogs and a lot of us travel with them. Most of us treat our pets as members of the family. They should also be treated the same way in a vehicle.
Like other passengers, pet's need to be restrained. A pet carrier works well for all but the larger dogs, they are easy to transport and generally the animals don't mind them. Larger dogs can be secured using a harness system.
These systems use the seat belt and keep the dog in the seat. They are not very expensive and most dogs don't seem to mind them.
When traveling with pets, don't let the dog hangout of the windows, yes a lot of them like the feel of the wind in their face and ears, but it isn't healthy. Blowing sand, dirt not to mention other road debris could easily injure the dog.
Some dogs like to ride in the back of an open pickup truck. This isn't as good for the dog as being in a secured cab, when possible keep them up front with you. If you are going to let them ride in the back, make sure they are tied down and secured. If they are in a carrier make sure that the carrier is secured so it can't be thrown out of the bed of the truck in a sudden stop.
Never, leave a pet in the vehicle unattended. The temperature inside the car even in mild weather can easily be several degrees higher. Make sure that when traveling with a pet you stop frequently to let them do their business and stretch their legs. Keep a jug of fresh water and some treats in food in the vehicle as well.
Traveling with pets isn't difficult but you do need to use some basic common sense to keep you and your pet safe.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Flooded Roads
In the late 1970's several inches of rain fell in a short time in the Twin Cities. The heavy rain flooded a portion of US52 between West Saint Paul and South Saint Paul. US52 is a controlled access freeway at this location. A trooper had blocked off the freeway using his patrol car and highway flares and was directing traffic down the exit ramp and onto city streets. A VW bug approached the scene and ignoring the troopers signals to stop, drove around the patrol car, through the flares, hit the gas and drove into the flooded roadway at high speed. The depth of the water was over 15 feet. The vehicle hit the water, came to a stop, floated for a time, then flipped over and sank to the bottom. The driver, a young man in his early 20's, was able to swim to safety. The trooper ran over to the young man to help. The driver looked up at the trooper and said, "Why didn't you stop me?"
This years Spring flooding on the East Coast as well as in the Fargo-Morehead Area of the Midwest caused many bridges to close, detours and flooded roadways. Some basic advice for all drivers, don't drive around barricades at any time and especially in areas of flooding. You have no idea how deep the water is, nor to you have any knowledge of the current that may be flowing across the roadway. Water that looks shallow may be deeper than you think or the current may be extreme.
If you find yourself caught in a flooded roadway, you are going to have to decide to either leave your car and go to safety, or stay in the car and wait to be rescued. Generally, you should leave your car and go to higher ground. If you wait in the car there is the potential that your car may be washed down stream with you in it, or that it may be submerged as the water rises.
However, there may be a time when you are caught in a torrential current, and it is impossible to leave the car, since you would not make it to higher ground. On December 23, 2008, there was a water main break in the suburbs of Washington D.C. A wall of water, quickly flooded a major commuter route and a number of driver's were trapped in the raging water. Fortunately, they and were rescued by a Maryland State Police helicopter. If they wouldn't have waited in their vehicles to be rescued, they more than likely would have drowned trying to get to safety.
So what should you do if caught in a flood? If you have a cell phone, call for help. Public safety officials should be able to offer you some rational advice as to what actions you should take. If you don't have a phone or can't get through to Public Safety, you will have to decide on a course of action.
You are going to have to evaluate the situation as rationally and as calmly as possible and decide on an action. Sometimes there are no easy answers or solutions, and you are going to have to make a decision based on your own judgement. The most important thing to remember is to keep your head.
This years Spring flooding on the East Coast as well as in the Fargo-Morehead Area of the Midwest caused many bridges to close, detours and flooded roadways. Some basic advice for all drivers, don't drive around barricades at any time and especially in areas of flooding. You have no idea how deep the water is, nor to you have any knowledge of the current that may be flowing across the roadway. Water that looks shallow may be deeper than you think or the current may be extreme.
If you find yourself caught in a flooded roadway, you are going to have to decide to either leave your car and go to safety, or stay in the car and wait to be rescued. Generally, you should leave your car and go to higher ground. If you wait in the car there is the potential that your car may be washed down stream with you in it, or that it may be submerged as the water rises.
However, there may be a time when you are caught in a torrential current, and it is impossible to leave the car, since you would not make it to higher ground. On December 23, 2008, there was a water main break in the suburbs of Washington D.C. A wall of water, quickly flooded a major commuter route and a number of driver's were trapped in the raging water. Fortunately, they and were rescued by a Maryland State Police helicopter. If they wouldn't have waited in their vehicles to be rescued, they more than likely would have drowned trying to get to safety.
So what should you do if caught in a flood? If you have a cell phone, call for help. Public safety officials should be able to offer you some rational advice as to what actions you should take. If you don't have a phone or can't get through to Public Safety, you will have to decide on a course of action.
You are going to have to evaluate the situation as rationally and as calmly as possible and decide on an action. Sometimes there are no easy answers or solutions, and you are going to have to make a decision based on your own judgement. The most important thing to remember is to keep your head.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Spring, time to get the Harley out of storage.
Many more older drivers are starting to ride motorcycles. Motorcycles are a lot of fun to ride, there is something about the freedom of open air and speed that appeals to a lot of us. We have gotten older and have more discretionary income and we are buying bikes. We also buy large bikes, Harley Davidson bikes are the most popular motorcycle among riders over 50.
Nationally, the sale of motorcycles has increased over the last 20 years and in Minnesota between 2003 and 2008 there was a 38% increase in the number of registered motorcycles. The median age of riders has increased as well, in 1985 it was 27,in 2003 it was 41. Maybe you are thinking of buying a motorcycle, maybe you already ride one. Here are somethings to consider.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, Motorcycles nationally account for 2% of all registered vehicles but are involved in 10% of all crashes. You are also more likely to get injured and you have a 35% greater chance of being killed in a motorcycle crash than in a car crash. If you are an older rider, you may want to consider that the number of crashes involving riders over the age of 50 increased 400% between 1996-2006.
In Minnesota, a lot of motorists hit deer. In 2007, there were 2538 crashes in Minnesota involving deer, 9 motorists were killed, 7 of those killed were riding motorcycles. In Minnesota there were 111 total crashes involving motorcycles and deer and of those crashes, only 4 riders escaped without any injury.
OK, you still want to ride, than use some common sense, take a motorcycle safety class. Even if you have taken one in the past, take it again, it is good review and you may learn something new. You can find one at http//nm.msf-usa.org
Remember that you are no longer 20 years old. You have lost some of your reflexes, your reaction time probably isn't as good and your vision has decreased over the years. You need to learn to ride smart.
Wear a helmet. Get one that is comfortable for you and wear it. It does you know good strapped to the back. Invest in good riding wear, that will protect your body from road rash should you crash. Drive in conditions you can handle. Avoid riding in wet conditions. If you are not comfortable riding in heavy urban traffic, avoid it. Be alert at dawn and dusk for animals. Riders over the age of 40 have a significant decrease in night vision, so be more careful riding at night, use your bright light when you can.
Always driver defensively, assume that the other driver's don't see you and act accordingly. Older drivers need to take frequent breaks, riding a bike for six hours is a lot harder on your body than riding in a car for six hours. You need to get off the bike and relax often. Use your turn signals and keep your headlight on. Don't drink and drive.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to park the bike, but you have got to learn to ride smarter. Happy riding.
Nationally, the sale of motorcycles has increased over the last 20 years and in Minnesota between 2003 and 2008 there was a 38% increase in the number of registered motorcycles. The median age of riders has increased as well, in 1985 it was 27,in 2003 it was 41. Maybe you are thinking of buying a motorcycle, maybe you already ride one. Here are somethings to consider.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, Motorcycles nationally account for 2% of all registered vehicles but are involved in 10% of all crashes. You are also more likely to get injured and you have a 35% greater chance of being killed in a motorcycle crash than in a car crash. If you are an older rider, you may want to consider that the number of crashes involving riders over the age of 50 increased 400% between 1996-2006.
In Minnesota, a lot of motorists hit deer. In 2007, there were 2538 crashes in Minnesota involving deer, 9 motorists were killed, 7 of those killed were riding motorcycles. In Minnesota there were 111 total crashes involving motorcycles and deer and of those crashes, only 4 riders escaped without any injury.
OK, you still want to ride, than use some common sense, take a motorcycle safety class. Even if you have taken one in the past, take it again, it is good review and you may learn something new. You can find one at http//nm.msf-usa.org
Remember that you are no longer 20 years old. You have lost some of your reflexes, your reaction time probably isn't as good and your vision has decreased over the years. You need to learn to ride smart.
Wear a helmet. Get one that is comfortable for you and wear it. It does you know good strapped to the back. Invest in good riding wear, that will protect your body from road rash should you crash. Drive in conditions you can handle. Avoid riding in wet conditions. If you are not comfortable riding in heavy urban traffic, avoid it. Be alert at dawn and dusk for animals. Riders over the age of 40 have a significant decrease in night vision, so be more careful riding at night, use your bright light when you can.
Always driver defensively, assume that the other driver's don't see you and act accordingly. Older drivers need to take frequent breaks, riding a bike for six hours is a lot harder on your body than riding in a car for six hours. You need to get off the bike and relax often. Use your turn signals and keep your headlight on. Don't drink and drive.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to park the bike, but you have got to learn to ride smarter. Happy riding.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Discontinuation Lanes, New Signs in Construction zones
We are entering the Spring and Summer construction season. This year when you drive through a construction zone, you may see some signs that are a little different. You are all familiar with the discontinuation lane, this is where the signs tell you "Lane closed ahead, merge left". They are often found in construction zones.
Drivers in Minnesota and other Midwestern States tend to be early mergers. When we see the sign, "RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD", we merge immediately. A few years ago, on I35 near Hinkley there was a lane closure. Due to heavy traffic backup on weekends, the first merge left signs were at Sandstone, 7 miles north of the construction zone. When I would drive south on I35, on a weekday, the vast majority of Minnesota drivers would immediately change to the left lane at the first sign. There wasn't a backup for 7 miles, but very few drivers would be in the right lane. It was completely empty all the way to Hinkley We merge early.
We also get very annoyed with drivers who do not merge early. We detest those drivers who take advantage of the closure to pass all of the traffic and force their way into the open lane of traffic at the last possible moment. We love it when a semi, moves over and blocks the discontinuation lane so that these drivers can't pass all of us 'good drivers'. Some of us will straddle the lane ourselves to keep these drivers from 'cheating'. On occasion road rage incidents occur when a driver tries to 'take advantage' of the lane closure to pass US!
This is why the new signs in construction that state, "USE BOTH LANES, MERGE AT MERGE POINT" are so troubling to many of us, it isn't in our driving culture. This is not how we are used to driving. The last sign is even more distressful to many of us, "TAKE TURNS".
In 2007, MNDOT tried this signing system in Duluth on I35. They placed the signs out starting before Mesaba Avenue. I had to drive south on I35 everyday, I would enter the traffic lane, pass all the people that had already merged left, get to the merge point and take my turn.
Everyone was still merging early, no one was using the discontinuation lane, despite signs telling them it was OK. I would get lots of dirty looks and an occasional finger signal, sometimes people wouldn't let me merge at the merge point. These signs go against the grain of Midwestern drivers.
Today, I am going to give you all permission to follow the signs and use the discontinuation lane to the merge point. It is OK to do. DOT wants you to do it. The discontinuation lane adds more capacity to the roadway. If you can put 100 cars and trucks in the discontinuation lane, that is 100 vehicles that are not clogging city streets or blocking the entrances and exits of the freeway. In the case of Duluth, it is better that the vehicles are sitting on the interstate than blocking up Superior Street. This system reduces congestion and speeds up traffic because it adds more lane space in the construction zone.
If it isn't signed to use both lanes than you should continue merge early as you have always done. You want to avoid conflict with other drivers and we merge early. If it is signed, to "USE BOTH LANES" go ahead and be bold, use both lanes and merge at merge point. You have permission!
We are entering the Spring and Summer construction season. This year when you drive through a construction zone, you may see some signs that are a little different. You are all familiar with the discontinuation lane, this is where the signs tell you "Lane closed ahead, merge left". They are often found in construction zones.
Drivers in Minnesota and other Midwestern States tend to be early mergers. When we see the sign, "RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD", we merge immediately. A few years ago, on I35 near Hinkley there was a lane closure. Due to heavy traffic backup on weekends, the first merge left signs were at Sandstone, 7 miles north of the construction zone. When I would drive south on I35, on a weekday, the vast majority of Minnesota drivers would immediately change to the left lane at the first sign. There wasn't a backup for 7 miles, but very few drivers would be in the right lane. It was completely empty all the way to Hinkley We merge early.
We also get very annoyed with drivers who do not merge early. We detest those drivers who take advantage of the closure to pass all of the traffic and force their way into the open lane of traffic at the last possible moment. We love it when a semi, moves over and blocks the discontinuation lane so that these drivers can't pass all of us 'good drivers'. Some of us will straddle the lane ourselves to keep these drivers from 'cheating'. On occasion road rage incidents occur when a driver tries to 'take advantage' of the lane closure to pass US!
This is why the new signs in construction that state, "USE BOTH LANES, MERGE AT MERGE POINT" are so troubling to many of us, it isn't in our driving culture. This is not how we are used to driving. The last sign is even more distressful to many of us, "TAKE TURNS".
In 2007, MNDOT tried this signing system in Duluth on I35. They placed the signs out starting before Mesaba Avenue. I had to drive south on I35 everyday, I would enter the traffic lane, pass all the people that had already merged left, get to the merge point and take my turn.
Everyone was still merging early, no one was using the discontinuation lane, despite signs telling them it was OK. I would get lots of dirty looks and an occasional finger signal, sometimes people wouldn't let me merge at the merge point. These signs go against the grain of Midwestern drivers.
Today, I am going to give you all permission to follow the signs and use the discontinuation lane to the merge point. It is OK to do. DOT wants you to do it. The discontinuation lane adds more capacity to the roadway. If you can put 100 cars and trucks in the discontinuation lane, that is 100 vehicles that are not clogging city streets or blocking the entrances and exits of the freeway. In the case of Duluth, it is better that the vehicles are sitting on the interstate than blocking up Superior Street. This system reduces congestion and speeds up traffic because it adds more lane space in the construction zone.
If it isn't signed to use both lanes than you should continue merge early as you have always done. You want to avoid conflict with other drivers and we merge early. If it is signed, to "USE BOTH LANES" go ahead and be bold, use both lanes and merge at merge point. You have permission!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A lighting distraction we don't need on our roadways.
This week MN Public Radio did a report on a Twin Cities company that is placing flashing, electronic messaging signs on the rear windows of vehicles. The company, Rear Window Media, says that the signs are not a hazard and are not distracting. If you go to their website and look at the signs, you can draw your own conclusions but I would disagree. The signs flash changing messages on the back windows of vehicles. By their very nature, these signs are designed to be distracting in order to market a product. To even consider such a sign on a vehicle is irresponsible, to allow it to be placed on your vehicle is even worse.
The MN State Patrol said that they were looking into the legality of the signs. I don' t think that they need to look further than MN Statute 169.64 which prohibits flashing and colored lights except for specific vehicles and circumstances. You can look it up. Driver's that drive vehicles with these signs in use should be cited. If the State Attorney General doesn't think that the law is enforceable, the legislature needs to act to strengthen the law.
Thes signs are a distraction for all drivers, but it is especially dangerous for older drivers. As we age, our vision declines, it is a natural part of the aging process. Even drivers in their early 40's experience a decline in their night vision. Older drivers also have trouble with bright lights and glare recovery. With an ever increasing number of older drivers, flashing signs on the back window is certainly adding to the problems of night vision for seniors. This is a terrible marketing idea and should be stopped.
This week MN Public Radio did a report on a Twin Cities company that is placing flashing, electronic messaging signs on the rear windows of vehicles. The company, Rear Window Media, says that the signs are not a hazard and are not distracting. If you go to their website and look at the signs, you can draw your own conclusions but I would disagree. The signs flash changing messages on the back windows of vehicles. By their very nature, these signs are designed to be distracting in order to market a product. To even consider such a sign on a vehicle is irresponsible, to allow it to be placed on your vehicle is even worse.
The MN State Patrol said that they were looking into the legality of the signs. I don' t think that they need to look further than MN Statute 169.64 which prohibits flashing and colored lights except for specific vehicles and circumstances. You can look it up. Driver's that drive vehicles with these signs in use should be cited. If the State Attorney General doesn't think that the law is enforceable, the legislature needs to act to strengthen the law.
Thes signs are a distraction for all drivers, but it is especially dangerous for older drivers. As we age, our vision declines, it is a natural part of the aging process. Even drivers in their early 40's experience a decline in their night vision. Older drivers also have trouble with bright lights and glare recovery. With an ever increasing number of older drivers, flashing signs on the back window is certainly adding to the problems of night vision for seniors. This is a terrible marketing idea and should be stopped.
Some numbers to consider...
Imagine what the world headlines would be if everyday, a passenger aircraft went down somewhere in the world that killed 90 people. The demands by the public for improvements in air safety would be overwhelming. Local, state, national governments and the UN would be demanding that something would be done about air traffic safety. Private and public resources would be poured into identifying the problems and working towards solutions to help prevent this ongoing tragedy.
In 2009 there were 685 people killed in passenger aircraft crashes world wide, less than 2 per day.
This week the Federal Department of Transportation posted the traffic deaths for 2009. There were 33963 deaths in car crashes last year. It was pointed out that this is the lowest death total since 1954. The reasons for the decline were given as the increase use of seat belts by drivers, now estimated to be 84% nationwide, technology improvements, to include electronic stability control and side impact airbags and the decline in the miles driven due to a sluggish economy. Doing the math, 93 drivers killed on our roads everyday. We have made great improvement but we have a long way to go.
Imagine what the world headlines would be if everyday, a passenger aircraft went down somewhere in the world that killed 90 people. The demands by the public for improvements in air safety would be overwhelming. Local, state, national governments and the UN would be demanding that something would be done about air traffic safety. Private and public resources would be poured into identifying the problems and working towards solutions to help prevent this ongoing tragedy.
In 2009 there were 685 people killed in passenger aircraft crashes world wide, less than 2 per day.
This week the Federal Department of Transportation posted the traffic deaths for 2009. There were 33963 deaths in car crashes last year. It was pointed out that this is the lowest death total since 1954. The reasons for the decline were given as the increase use of seat belts by drivers, now estimated to be 84% nationwide, technology improvements, to include electronic stability control and side impact airbags and the decline in the miles driven due to a sluggish economy. Doing the math, 93 drivers killed on our roads everyday. We have made great improvement but we have a long way to go.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Senior Road Rights
Senior Road Rights: "Blog"
Older drivers, on our roadways, are increasing dramatically. By 2020, there will be more than 50 million drivers in the USA over the age of 60. The purpose of this blog is to speak to the issues of senior driving, and to advocate for fair and equal treatment of senior drivers.
Americans move by car. Public transportation in the US is extremely limited for much of the country. Older drivers, such as myself, need to drive in order to maintain our social Independence. Aging impacts driving. As we age, all of us will suffer some physical conditions relating to vision and reaction time that can affect our ability to drive. Yet, the vast majority of us can learn to adjust our driving habits and techniques to compensate for aging and allow us to drive safely well into old age.
All drivers, over the age of 50, need to take responsibility for educating themselves on how to compensate for our aging process in order to continue to drive. What we don't need are new laws that discriminate against older drivers, such as mandatory road testing for all drivers when they reach a certain age.
Senior Road Rights will speak to the following:
Senior Driving Rights, recognizes that driving is a privilege, not a right. At some point, we may reach a point in our life, because of physical or mental limitations, when we can no longer drive without endangering our self and others. When that time comes we need to stop driving. If we don't do it voluntarily, government needs to act. However, that point may be at any age, not just the age decided by legislative whim. Safe and responsible driving is not age specific. Legislation that only impacts one specific group is discriminatory and wrong.
Senior Driving Rights intends to be a voice and an advocate for older drivers.
Older drivers, on our roadways, are increasing dramatically. By 2020, there will be more than 50 million drivers in the USA over the age of 60. The purpose of this blog is to speak to the issues of senior driving, and to advocate for fair and equal treatment of senior drivers.
Americans move by car. Public transportation in the US is extremely limited for much of the country. Older drivers, such as myself, need to drive in order to maintain our social Independence. Aging impacts driving. As we age, all of us will suffer some physical conditions relating to vision and reaction time that can affect our ability to drive. Yet, the vast majority of us can learn to adjust our driving habits and techniques to compensate for aging and allow us to drive safely well into old age.
All drivers, over the age of 50, need to take responsibility for educating themselves on how to compensate for our aging process in order to continue to drive. What we don't need are new laws that discriminate against older drivers, such as mandatory road testing for all drivers when they reach a certain age.
Senior Road Rights will speak to the following:
*Senior Driver Education
*Legislation that Impacts Senior Driving
*Practical Driving Advice for All Drivers
*Transportation Options for Older Drivers Who Can No Longer Drive
*Current News Related to Driving and Transportation
*Advocate for Policies and Legislation that will Improve Senior
*Transportation, Including Transportation Alternatives for Seniors
*Legislation that Impacts Senior Driving
*Practical Driving Advice for All Drivers
*Transportation Options for Older Drivers Who Can No Longer Drive
*Current News Related to Driving and Transportation
*Advocate for Policies and Legislation that will Improve Senior
*Transportation, Including Transportation Alternatives for Seniors
Senior Driving Rights, recognizes that driving is a privilege, not a right. At some point, we may reach a point in our life, because of physical or mental limitations, when we can no longer drive without endangering our self and others. When that time comes we need to stop driving. If we don't do it voluntarily, government needs to act. However, that point may be at any age, not just the age decided by legislative whim. Safe and responsible driving is not age specific. Legislation that only impacts one specific group is discriminatory and wrong.
Senior Driving Rights intends to be a voice and an advocate for older drivers.
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