Month: November 2017

Flaggers are often used to stop and direct traffic in work zones. Their instructions supersede any posted or implied traffic signals. Their presence will be announced by orange construction signs that say, “flagger ahead.”

Keep an eye out for flaggers in all construction zones and keep your vehicle as far away from their bodies as possible!

A variety of large machines are used to repair and expand roadways. Dump trucks, excavators, asphalt sprayers, and rollers are just a few of the construction vehicles that you may encounter in work zones. Although you may be required to drive close to these machines, try to steer your car as far away from them as possible.

Always maintain a safe following distance.

Florida law requires you to Move Over a lane — when you can safely do so — for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles and tow trucks or wreckers.  If you can’t move over — or when on a two-lane road — slow to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.

Slow down to 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.  When you fail to Move Over, you put yourself and others at risk; you could crash into a vehicle or worker.

Violating the Move Over law will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record.  For more information, see section 316.126, Florida Statutes.

TIPS TO HELP YOU DRIVE ON LONG DISTANCES

• The first rule is to never drive a car if you are already tired. It is impossible to pay attention to the road, other drivers, and your own vehicle if you are not completely alert.

• Bring along a passenger. Having another person in the car will help you stay focused when driving for long periods of time.

• Listen to the radio. If you do not have a passenger in the car, turn up the radio. While you should never let listening to the radio hinder your ability to pay attention to the road, driving with a little background noise might help you stay alert.

• Take frequent breaks. Never think that you must make a long drive in one stretch. Take a break approximately every two hours.

All of these tips are small things that will help to increase your awareness and alertness while driving for long periods of time. Remember, driving may not be physically demanding, but it can be mentally straining. Driver fatigue is a very real condition and should be taken seriously. If you ever feel that you are too tired to continue after driving for a long period of time, it is imperative that you arrange for another driver to take over or pull over and take a break.

If you get into a traffic back up please do not exit your vehicle. Standing in the middle of the road is never a good idea, even when all the vehicles are stopped. You never know when things will get moving again and you don’t want to be dodging cars. Additionally, leaving your vehicle unattended may attract dishonest individuals.

Please give a good distance to other cars and if there is a back-up, know that staying in your vehicle is the safest option. Thank you for being alert drivers.

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SAFETY TIPS

Thanksgiving weekend is November 23-26. Many people traditionally use this opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. Getting to your holiday destination and back to base safely is the goal. Holiday travelers are reminded that this is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Proper planning is crucial to minimize travel delays and maximize time with family and friends. Ensure a back-up plan is established to reduce potential stress.

The following Safety Tips are offered to enhance your Thanksgiving weekend:

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY: Get your vehicle inspected before any long-distance travel. If you plan to travel alone be sure to let one person know your travel route and final destination.

Avoid these causal factors: Driving while fatigued, impaired, or distracted and speeding. Remain alert to your surroundings and drive defensively.

Maintain safe following distances (2-3 seconds in ideal conditions).

Maximize daylight hours for driving to enhance visibility.

Incorporate rest breaks into travel plans and share driving responsibilities to combat fatigue.

Check weather forecasts for route traveling, and at destination.

Ensure an emergency travel kit is packed.

#BeSafe #HappyThanksgiving #SelmonExtension

Since 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed more than 24,000 impaired drivers from roads across the Southeast and the Midwest. The Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation and Budweiser provide this program to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives of other motorists. Tow to Go also enables AAA and Budweiser to remind the public to always plan ahead when celebrating with alcohol. That means choosing a Designated Driver, staying where you are celebrating, or arranging for another form of safe transportation.

Free confidential ride available to AAA Members and non-members.

The AAA tow truck transports the vehicle and driver home or somewhere safe within 10 miles of the picked up location.    Tow to Go is provided in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend only) and Wisconsin (Wausau only) Call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO

Visit https://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/safety/tow_to_go.aspx for more information

Again, this is a free service!

#BeSmart #DriveSafe

Orange cones and barrels are used to direct the flow of traffic in work zones. Do not steer into or run over these objects. You will be responsible for any damage to your vehicle if you make contact with construction cones or barrels.

At a time of year when road crews are busy improving Florida’s highways and roads, it’s hard to imagine a world without traffic safety cones.  There was such a time in the 1940s, as roads and automobile traffic spread across the nation. Engineers needed a device to keep traffic merging safely and to protect those building roads.

In 1940, Charles D. Scanlon, a Los Angeles street department painter designed a “safety marker” to keep cars away from painted lines on city roads, according to the Traffic Safety Store.  Before Scanlon’s bright-orange idea, traffic markers were wooden barriers that could damage vehicles and were hard to move and store. By 1947, Interstate Rubber Products Corp. began manufacturing traffic cones of molded rubber sheets.

Highway traffic cones are 18 to 28 inches tall, according to standards set by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  Florida Construction Workers use thousands of cones for highway projects and at crashes to create tapered lane closures. All thanks to Charles D. Scanlon, father of traffic cone.