There isn’t a week that goes by when I have to ask at least one of my kids to go and have a shower. At every meal I also have to ask at least one of my four kids to wash their hands before they sit down at the dinner table. There’s a lot to be said about cleanliness and proper hygiene. Both of my daughters have reading glasses and when I looked at their glasses the other day, I saw how filthy they were. I wondered how they could see through them. This makes me wonder though, how well would they keep their vehicle clean when they learn to drive?

We need the windshield and other windows to be clean, not just on the outside, but also the inside. The glare that comes from the sun can make it very difficult to see road signs, traffic lights, other vehicles and in the case of this photo, any pedestrian that may be crossing the street in the middle of the road. If you only glanced at this photo you may have missed the pedestrian crossing, so take another look. Wouldn’t it have been easier to see things if the windshield was cleaner?

By the way, what colour is the traffic light ahead of us in this photo? If you have to stare and squint to see the traffic light, how risky would it have been if you were traveling at city speed? Wouldn’t that become a huge distraction for you as a driver? What if there was a driver ahead of you who was braking; would you see the brake lights soon enough to brake safely behind them?

During the winter it’s a good idea to keep a spare container of windshield washer fluid inside your trunk. With the spray of slush on the road that comes up to your windshield from the tires of the vehicle ahead of you, you’re going to need to wash the outside windshield of your vehicle quite often as you drive. But what about the inside of your windshield? When was the last time you cleaned the glass on the inside of your vehicle?

I’ll keep a container of glass cleaner inside my trunk. At any time of the year I’ll need to clean the glass. If the windows are down in the nice weather a thin film of filth can form on the glass on the inside of the vehicle. You’ll need glass cleaner and a cloth to clean it off the glass. I have a friend who would use his glove or hand to wipe off a smudge on the inside of the windshield. That may seem like a good idea at the time, but the oil in our skin makes the smudge worse.

Remember, you need to look after your vehicle just like you would your kids. Since it can’t do things on its own, you’ll need to do it. Think of your vehicle as an infant. You need to wash it and look after it because it can’t do it on its own.

Modern technology has helped our society move forward in many different ways. This technology helps us enjoy life differently than we did 5, 10 or even 20 years ago. We have things now that help life to become more enjoyable, such as cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and webcams. As a driver, do we also have things like that to help us enjoy driving and drive safely?

I was recently speaking with a student I was teaching at Young Drivers of Canada and he asked me if a reverse camera was a good idea. It can be, but for limited use. For those who aren’t aware, there are vehicles that have a camera near the rear license plate that shows the view from the rear of the vehicle whenever you’re backing up. There are other products you can purchase that you can add a rear camera to your license plate cover; if you want them.

For some drivers, they rely on the rear camera for all of their backing skills. This isn’t really a good idea. The rear view camera can only show you the rear of the vehicle. The problem is that danger from behind doesn’t always originate from the rear; it can also come from the sides. By the time you spot the pedestrian behind you, it could be too late. The best thing to do while reversing is to shift in your seat so you’re sitting slightly on your hip and then look over your shoulder out the rear window. This will allow you to use your peripheral or fringe vision to spot any pedestrian coming from the side of your vehicle and is about to walk behind your vehicle.

For the driver who prefers to use their rear view mirror to reverse, I have two words for you; stop it. Using the rear view mirror to reverse does pretty much the same as a rear view camera, but with even less of a view. If your body won’t allow you to shift and look over your shoulder, you are allowed to take off your seatbelt while backing; in most jurisdictions. By doing so, you’ll have better mobility to see straight out the rear window. Your fringe vision will spot any pedestrian, including kids, who may be heading for the rear of your vehicle.

Okay, so when should we use the reverse camera? As you look over your shoulder to back up toward another vehicle in a parking lot or toward a concrete block in a parking lot, those objects tend to disappear into what’s referred to as a blind area. The reverse camera will help you see how close the rear bumper of your vehicle is getting to those objects. Keep in mind that the view is somewhat distorted through the reverse camera. There are other ways to help improve your backing skills other than using a reverse camera. However, knowing when to use that camera will help your backing skills become safer.

Using the reverse camera when you shouldn’t could cause an incident with another driver or a pedestrian. It can also cause us to rely too much on technology instead of our own abilities. And sometimes, our own ability can work a little more effectively than modern technology. Keep in mind that you may also get so used to this modern technology that if it doesn’t work for any reason, you may forget what to do differently. Modern technology is great, but knowing when to use it to make our driving safer is more effective.

Every now and then you may find yourself in deep snow after leaving work, school or home. If you have the necessary winter driving survival kit, you’ll be ok. If not, you’ve got some problems. Every vehicle should have the basic equipment such as a shovel, ice scraper and of course winter tires already on the vehicle. These simple items should easily help you during a heaving snowfall. Do you at least have these items in your vehicle?

Last winter I walked to my vehicle after work and found over a foot of snow surrounding it and all of the other vehicles in the parking lot. There was a driver stuck in the aisle with his wheels spinning while another person was trying to push him out of the deeper snow. Before I started to dig out my vehicle I stopped to help them. Since he didn’t have a shovel, I went to the trunk of my vehicle and got my shovel to help make the job easier.

After digging in front and behind each wheel, I asked him to gradually give it some gas. He gunned it; which caused his wheels to spin again. That caused ice to build up again under the wheels. By gradually giving it some gas, you can get your momentum going and that can help you continue out of the deep snow. Eventually he took my advice and started to move.

The real skill about getting unstuck from deep snow is to gently rock the car back and forth; going smoothly from drive to reverse. Doing it suddenly may cause damage to your transmission. The trick is to come off your gas and apply the brake immediately after your vehicle stops its forward motion, then shift into reverse. Gently press the gas while in reverse and stop immediately after progressive motion stops. By doing this back and forth, you will eventually gain enough momentum to leave your icy spot and continue along the path. Please be patient. Doing this too quickly may put you back into the icy spot. You will also need your front wheels straight and not turned for this to work.

If you have someone to help you, they can help you by rocking the vehicle as you gently apply the gas. To do this, have them push then release, then push, then release. Once you decide to change gears, make sure you tell them. No one wants to get run over while trying to help the vehicle from getting unstuck.

If you are by yourself, you may also want to add some salt or sand in front and behind the drive wheel. This will help your tire gain some traction once slight momentum begins. If you don’t have salt or sand available to you, use some kitty litter as it acts the same as the salt and sand does. I don’t think I need to tell you to use fresh kitty litter and not used kitty litter.

When I’m teaching my students to drive at Young Drivers of Canada, I often try to use the simple approach. The less information and steps, the easier it is to remember them. I also use some of those steps to help my kids become safe and to help plant a seed in their mind before they begin their journey of learning to drive. Simple things sometimes seem just too simple to work; but what if they do work? Is there anything wrong with that?

When my kids are in my minivan or car, they tend to ride in the backseat. If I’m parked at the side of the road, they may have to get out on the road side and not the sidewalk side. That in itself is quite dangerous for each of my passengers if a vehicle is approaching from behind us. My job as a driver is to ensure my passengers arrive at their destination safely, but when does that job end? Is it when we stop and park or is it after they exit the vehicle? Since I often transport my kids to all of their activities, it has become a regular job and responsibility.

There’s an easy fix for getting out of the vehicle safely and it can also work for any driver; not just backseat passengers. First, try to have your backseat passengers exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side, especially if they are young kids. The risk of kids running around is high, especially if they are excited about something. If they get out on the road side, they may break from your grip and run into the path of a moving vehicle.

The second thing you as a driver could do is to check your side mirror before opening your door. I ask my students to reach across and open the driver’s door with their right hand. This forces their body to shift slightly and allow them to see easily into their side mirror before the door is opened. If you see a vehicle approaching, wait until they pass before you open the door. It will also help you instruct your backseat passengers to pause before opening their door if you spot a vehicle approaching your parked vehicle. No one really wants to open their door into traffic even though it does happen often.

In most jurisdictions, you can receive a fine and perhaps even demerit points if you open the door in front of an oncoming driver and it causes a crash. Think about how startled the driver may be if a door suddenly opens directly in front of them. Another reason to check your side mirror before opening the door is cyclists. Since cyclists tend to ride next to parked vehicles, they would get hit by your door if you opened it up in front of them. These are all reasons why we need to look before opening the door.

Put some thought into what you’re doing before you do it; if not for yourself, then for your backseat passengers and other road users. We need to make this a cooperative and safe society.

Growing up I believed that doing a good deed would bring a good deed back to me. You know, what goes around comes around. In all fairness, the evil deeds also work that way too. Karma, or fate if you prefer, is something I do believe in. I also believe that you have to work for the fate. Working hard will bring good results, but doing things wrong, cheating or just being mean, will also turn around and bite you in the…you know. Do have similar thoughts?

I was recently out with my kids, traveling along the freeway when a vehicle came up behind me and began tailgating my vehicle. As soon as I was able, I switched lanes to give them room to pass. There was no need for me to risk my safety and the safety of my 4 kids. Tailgating never makes any sense. It shows your impatience and even your lack of understanding about sharing the road with other drivers. All 4 of my kids could have been seriously injured if the tailgating driver crashed into the back of my vehicle. I doubt any tailgater thinks about how they could injure young kids just by their impatience.

As a driver, you need time to see brake lights, time to get your foot to the brake and then time to stop. Tailgating barely gives you time to notice the brake lights before you crash into the vehicle ahead of you. It puts you, your vehicle and the driver you’re tailgating at risk. It can cost you money if you crash; not just with repairs, but with traffic violations and higher insurance. Perhaps even a lawsuit. If this is the case, why do it?

Once the tailgater passed me, they decided to tailgate the driver of a pickup truck. Everyone has a habit, but respect needs to be part of it. It shows lack of respect when you tailgate so severely as this driver did. Since we were on the freeway driving at 100 km/h, I thought I would time the space between them. I counted less than half a second between them; when it should have been at least 3 seconds. A little too close, right? Ok, a LOT too close.

This is where karma comes in. They were tailgated by another vehicle. If the lead driver had to hit their brakes reasonably hard, there would be a chain reaction crash at high speed. Injuries and severe vehicle damage galore. But it gets worse; another vehicle continued the chain. So there you have it; 4 vehicles driving so close together that no one could respond quickly enough if the lead driver suddenly hit their brakes. The driver who started the tailgating would get their vehicle squashed. If, or when a crash happens to that driver because of tailgating, I guess you could call it fate…

Decisions, distractions, focus; these are all things we face each time we drive. Keeping your mind on driving is important every time you drive; we know that. We tend to do it to ourselves though. We distract ourselves often enough that we can cause damage to our vehicle or ourselves. How many times have you done things while driving that you can’t remember if you did it or not? What about before entering your vehicle? Have you done things and then forgot that you did them or maybe thought you did them but didn’t?

We tend to do many things out of habit, but having a conscience thought is also important. I saw this driver heading out at city speed with their trunk open. They were driving for a few minutes with their trunk bouncing up and down while they drove along. What happened that caused this to happen? Did the driver even look to see if it was closed before they entered their vehicle? Was it the passenger who didn’t close the trunk well enough?

Regardless of who closed the trunk, it’s up to the driver to ensure the vehicle is safe to put in motion. It’s their responsibility. Walking around the vehicle prior to entering it is always a good way to verify the safety of the vehicle and its contents. Check to see if the doors, trunk and hood are closed. Check for any damage to the vehicle and ensure the windows and mirrors are clear enough to be used. Also check the tires for obvious under inflation, damage and the direction of the front wheels.

Imagine what the driver was doing while their trunk was bouncing; possibly looking in their rear view mirror more than looking ahead. Perhaps they were concentrating about what they should do as opposed to what they were doing at the time. I’m sure it became a visual distraction for them as it was for the drivers passing them. But what about their time before they saw their open trunk? Why did they drive for so long before they noticed it and pulled to the side of the road? Did they even notice it much sooner to where they pulled over?

Doing a simple walk around can help you maintain control of your vehicle without it also being a distraction to other drivers. However, checking your mirrors regularly will also help you stay aware of what’s happening around your vehicle, including if your trunk is open. The interesting thing is this isn’t the only time I’ve seen vehicles motoring along the road with their trunk open for no reason. If you need to carry an oversized item in your trunk, remember to tie the trunk down with rope or a bungee cord. Nothing should fall out while you’re driving if it’s tied down; which will help to keep your junk in the trunk.

Our lives are filled with choices; what to eat, what to wear, where to live, etc. With those choices also comes hindsight. We’ve all experienced situations where we would make alternative choices if we could go back in time. Since we can’t do that it’s important to make good choices as often as possible, especially when it comes to safety of our community, ourselves and of our passengers whenever we’re driving.

Recently, a driver swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a deer carcass on the road in their lane. This happened around 6:10 am in the morning before sunrise. The driver swerved into oncoming traffic and hit head on with another vehicle. Both drivers were injured with non-life threatening injuries, one critically but were saved mainly because of the deployment of their airbags. http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/650273–critical-injuries-in-hwy-6-crash But did this crash have to happen?

At 6:10 am the sun had yet to rise. It was obviously dark outside; dark enough for the absolute need of headlights. It was on a secondary highway where the speed limit was 80 km/h (50 m/h) and at such speed, your high beam headlights won’t always shine as far as you need them to. The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions; on a dry, straight road with good visibility. If that’s the case, why are drivers driving at or exceeding the speed limit while it’s dark?

If the driver was driving a little slower, assuming he still had his high beam headlights on, it would have given him more time to spot the deer carcass on the road, time to reduce speed enough to pass it safely. A sudden swerve was a panic move, mainly since I’m sure it was a last second choice to do so. Why would they purposely swerve into the instant path of oncoming traffic? They didn’t; it was a sudden reaction to an immediate problem. I’m sure they weren’t thinking, they just swerved to avoid in a panic state.

If you give yourself enough time to see, think and respond to problems ahead of you, you can make good, safe choices. One way to do this with poor lighting is to reduce speed enough that will allow you to see roughly 20 seconds ahead of your vehicle. To know this, once you can see a driveway entrance or a fence, begin counting one thousand one, one thousand two, etc. until you reach that said object. If you reach it before 20 seconds, slow down until you can see said object. This increases your ability to see, think and respond once again.

Another possible solution is to change your current headlights. The brightness of headlights decreases over time, plus newer technology improves the brightness of your headlights. This change can help increase your visibility while driving at night; or early morning. Don’t forget to clean your headlights as well. Dirty lenses will also contribute to poor headlight use.

I’m just glad that both drivers will survive this crash; a crash that didn’t have to happen.

A conversation with Scott Marshall on 1290 CJBK radio…on winter driving, driving logic, driving with kids and Canada’s Worst Driver, plus more.

All recorded for Safe Driving Week! Enjoy!

Episodes.aspx?PID=2321

 

I have a guilty conscience. I always have and I’m pretty sure I always will. My kids have the same, which is a really good trait as far as I’m concerned. I’ll admit fault when I’m guilty and apologize when I’m wrong. I know I’m not alone with this feeling. Do you act the same way throughout your daily routines?

If most people feel this way, how can some drivers commit a serious offence and live with themselves? Most drivers who do things wrong are not the chronic types that do those wrong things on purpose. They momentarily lose their focus and concentration while driving and break the law while doing so. There usually isn’t any intent to do those offenses on purpose; they just happened. However, taking responsibility of your actions is the adult thing to do. Kids run and hide.

Nine months ago a hit and run occurred. http://bit.ly/uKmzM2 A 67 year old man was struck and killed as he and his wife attempted to cross the street in the crosswalk at 8:20 pm. The vehicle went through the red light and hit them, seriously injuring the wife and dragging the husband about 100 metres to his death. The driver who struck them fled and hasn’t turned themselves into police yet. Nine months have passed and now there’s a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction offered by the local police.

Does it really need a tempting reward for this person to come forward? What has happened has already happened. I’m sure their conscience can’t take it any longer. They can’t go back in time as I’m sure they would want to. Even the smallest of collisions, such as with a parked vehicle in a parking lot, causes drivers to leave the scene hoping they won’t get caught. That makes things worse. Leaving the scene has two offenses; criminal and Highway Traffic Act. Staying to face the penalty, usually monitory and some demerit points is easier to swallow than criminal charges.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Owning up to your mistakes takes courage I know, but it’s also the right thing to do.

I’ve often written about teen drivers and new drivers that I’ve taught at Young Drivers of Canada. They’re often the types of drivers I take out in the car and share my knowledge with them about safe driving practises. However, the teen drivers and the new drivers may not be the highest risk of drivers who get injured or killed in traffic crashes. What age group do you think is at the most risk?

The latest statistics issued by Transport Canada show that the age group of 45-54 have the highest percentage of drivers killed at 18.4% compared to teen drivers at just 9.6%. Why the huge difference in percentages? Wouldn’t teen drivers, with far less experience and driving knowledge create a higher percentage of driver fatalities than 45-54 year olds? Perhaps, but considering that older drivers tend to drive a lot more than teen drivers, it kind of makes sense. You also need to consider that 45-54 year olds may also drive for their job, thus keeping them on the roads more often than teen drivers.

Other things to consider are passenger deaths. 18.5% of passenger fatalities are 15-19 year olds. Kind of the right age group to have parents aged 45-54, don’t you think? Maybe one of the reasons the deaths for teens are also so high when they are passengers. Perhaps the 15-19 year olds are also passengers to their teenage friends who are driving? As passengers, we tend to put our lives in the hands of the person driving. If that’s the case, why would we want to distract the driver and make it difficult for them to concentrate on their driving, especially if we aren’t that confident in their driving to begin with?

If teens are the highest percentage of passengers killed in vehicle crashes, what age group do you think is in second place? This may surprise you, but seniors 65 and older are a close second at 17.3%. One of the reasons seniors have such a high fatality rate as passengers is what may be a serious injury to others, their age and health often affect whether they survive the crash.

Let’s talk second place for drivers who have lost their lives while driving; 25-34 year old drivers account for 17.1% of driver fatalities. These drivers also have more experience, and possibly more maturity than teen drivers. If that’s the case, why is their fatality percentage so high compared to teenage drivers?

Remember when you first got your driver’s license and you thought you knew how to drive? Have you ever said to yourself that you wished you could learn more about driving than you currently know? I’ve rarely heard that comment from any driver. I’ve often heard drivers make the statement that they know a lot about driving and that they’re good drivers. What often makes someone a good driver is the willingness to always want to improve and increase their driving knowledge and skills. Part of the issue with driver injury and fatalities is these drivers become complacent or content with their current driving skills.

Since most jurisdictions require you to spend just 10 or 12 hours of in-car training, or even less, and some practising between driving lessons, why not try to improve your knowledge and skills each year you drive? Saying and believing you have enough knowledge and skill to drive safely after limited training is, well, foolish. Even professional athletes have coaches. Why not have coaches for driving as well? Continue to increase your driving knowledge and skills and avoid becoming complacent with your abilities by taking professional courses and of course by reading quality driving related articles. Stay sharp with your skills by continuing to learn your craft of driving safely. Your passengers are relying on you to do so.