Most drivers are familiar with the concept of careless driving tickets, but few stop to think about what careless driving really is or how it causes crashes. Careless driving is an umbrella term for a number of violations, including lane drifting, which can lead to head-on or sideswipe crashes. About 10,000 deaths occur annually when vehicles leave the roadway.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drifting is defined as “when a vehicle is moving in a generally straight line, but at a slight angle to the lane. The driver might correct his or her course as the vehicle approaches a lane line or other boundary, or fail to correct until after a boundary has been crossed. In extreme cases, the driver fails to correct in time to avoid a collision.” Whether the collision that occurs is head-on or sideswipe depends on the position of the vehicles and the orientation of the road, among other factors.

Lane drifting occurs due to driver error. Specific causes of lane drifting include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol


• Drowsiness or falling asleep


• Speeding, especially around a curve


• Lack of alertness, including daydreaming, reaching for something in the vehicle, or looking at something outside of the vehicle

For drivers, remaining sober and alert and maintaining a speed appropriate for conditions help prevent lane drifting. Roadway engineering and in-vehicle technology offer support to drivers who do drift and increased protection for all road users.

NHTSA says that about 90% of all rural crashes with fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Two-lane roads in rural areas usually do not have medians to separate two-way traffic; with vehicles in opposing directions traveling in such close proximity to one another, the margin of error is small and the potential for tragedy is enormous. According to a 2003 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, sideswipe or head-on crashes that occur when vehicles cross the centerline comprise approximately 20% of fatal crashes on rural two-lane roads and cause approximately 4,500 deaths every year. Many drivers are familiar with rumble strips along the right side of long stretches of highway; the rumble is both felt and heard when the vehicle's tires drift onto the shoulder of the road. The IIHS advocates the addition of rumble strips along the centerlines of undivided rural two-lane roads.

In 2009 NHTSA began studies comparing different crash avoidance systems, including lane departure warning systems, to determine whether or not they will be required on new vehicles. Lane-departure warning systems alert drivers when their vehicle is leaving the lane; in some instances, the system has the capability of moving the vehicle back into the lane. IIHS says lane-departure systems could impact up to 483,000 crashes annually by helping vehicles stay on the road.

Labels: careless driving tickets, driving under the influence, drowsy driving, DUI, lane drifting

The chill is in the air. Orange is the dominant color and kids are beginning to think of their plans for October 31st. Before you go out shopping for costumes and buying bags of candy this year, spend a few minutes planning the night ahead.

• Identify what type of celebrations will be taking place and where they will be located. Not only will it help determine your plans, it will help you be an aware driver as you travel on the roadways. If you will be attending a party, plan for a designated driver or commit to not drink. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgment and driving. Driving under the influence can kill or cause trauma, be expensive and embarrassing.



• When costume planning, make sure that all costumes fit appropriately and will not restrict movement or visibility, either as a pedestrian or behind the wheel. Ensure foot wear is sturdy. Tripping, falling, difficulty steering or braking can be dangerous!



• Add reflective tape to costumes and replace flash light batteries to ensure you will be visible, whether escorting trick or treaters or attending an event yourself. Confirm any children you are with have flashlights, glow stick, bright candy bags, and reflective tape on costumes as well. Clear up any yard obstructions, water hoses, and overgrown vegetation to make it easier to see and maneuver for both pedestrians and vehicles.



• Know your planned route, to avoid the unexpected. Plan to travel in well lighted areas. If walking, use sidewalks and crosswalks. If driving, avoid areas of heavy pedestrian traffic and park in areas with the greatest visibility. Design alternate routes that will provide the least amount of risk and the most amount of safety. Arrange to give yourself extra time to and from your destination.



• Know what night of the week Halloween falls on. If Halloween is on a weekend, expect the festivities to begin early in the day and prepare to be a defensive driver. If it is on a weeknight, children will be starting their rounds before the evening rush hour is over. Be especially watchful. If you can, avoid driving on Halloween.



• Be alert for kids playing in costumes during the day, darting from house to house or in between parked cars. Pay special attention beginning at 4:30pm for the younger treat seekers. Turn your head lights on to make your vehicle more visible. Drivers need to be especially diligent driving during dusk through the night time as visibility is reduced.



• Reduce distractions. Make sure your cell phone is on silent, your radio volume is low and your passengers are aware to minimize driving distractions and assist with being alert to the surrounding environment.



• Be extra cautious as you pull into and leave driveways, parking lots and alleys for children that may dart out between cars, at roadways, medians and on curves. Be sure to check your blind spots thoroughly and maintain a search and scan of the driving environment every three seconds.



• Travel well below the posted speed limit. Be extra patient with pedestrians and other vehicles and always be prepared to stop at a given moment. They may be carrying trick or treaters and be distracted. Avoid passing or going around stopped vehicles. They may have passengers entering and exiting hurriedly and carelessly.

Halloween can truly be a fun night full of great memories! Take a few steps to keep it safe and trouble free.

Labels: defensive driving, drink responsibly, driver safety, driving under the influence, DUI, halloween, speed limit

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the start of the “Impaired Driving National Enforcement Crackdown” running from August 19th through the end of Labor Day weekend. More than 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide will be participating in this crackdown to remove impaired drivers from the road before they can hurt themselves or others.

According to NHTSA, in 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes throughout the US in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group. Approximately one-third of all highway deaths are due to impaired driving and nearly half of those deaths occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. For that reason, law enforcement agencies will have a heavy presence, conducting road blocks and sobriety checkpoints during the evening hours.


Nationwide the legal limit for drunk driving is .08 Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.). While that may be the legal limit to prove intoxication, a driver can still be arrested for DUI with a lower B.A.C. if, in the judgment of the arresting officer, their ability to drive safely is impaired.

Drivers who are arrested for DUI will go to jail!

During this period, the Nueces County District Attorney’s office announced that they would be sponsoring a "no refusal" Labor Day weekend, with phlebotomists available for immediate blood draws and warrants if needed to test drivers suspected of being under the influence.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT);

• In 2010, there were 25,032 alcohol-related crashes in Texas that resulted in 1,057 deaths and 16,877 injuries.


• In 2010, more alcohol-related crashes occurred between 2am and 3am than any other hour of the day. Also, more alcohol related crashes occurred on Saturday than any other day of the week.


• In 2010, 34.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities in Texas were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.


• In 2010, 24 percent of people killed in alcohol-related crashes in Texas were between the ages of 20 and 25. However, this age segment only represents 9 percent of the overall state population.


• A DWI arrest and conviction in Texas can cost up to $17,000 or more: fees include car towing, impoundment, bail, attorney fees, court costs, hearing and fees to regain and retain driver's license, DWI fine, probation costs, fees for extended proof of insurance, plus insurance rate hikes.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a similar enforcement effort over the 4th of July holiday period resulted in 1,406 arrests. All available law enforcement officers will be on the roads. They will also be taking part in "Operation Care" (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) issuing citations to speeders and drivers who aren't wearing a seatbelt.

Before you had out consider new Technology to Prevent Drunk Driving. Be Safe this Labor Day Weekend!

Labels: alcohol impaired drivers, alcohol-related crashes, b.a.c., blood alcohol content, driving under the influence, DUI