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All contents copyright ©, Drive and Stay Alive, Inc., 2003 onwards, unless specified otherwise. All rights reserved. IMPORTANT: click here to read the DISCLAIMER
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The main purpose of this web page is to let drivers, legislators, safety professionals, police officers, parents of young drivers, etc., have an easily accessible yet wide ranging insight into road safety best practice globally, and through this be in a better position to help save some of the many lives wasted in road crashes everywhere. Page edited by Eddie Wren
We recommend that you repeatedly use your 'Page Down' key to quickly scroll through this often-huge page, so that you may select the countries or topics that interest you.
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Shocked drivers could do nothing as a runaway dump truck hurtled toward them down Avon Mountain and careened into cars and a bus during morning rush hour Friday. It left a path of death, of twisted metal, of vehicles in flames and of people crying and screaming. By nightfall, the death toll stood at four. Of the 30 people involved, 15 were injured, four critically. Investigators waited for hours as crews searched cars burned beyond recognition for more victims.... The tragedy started atop Avon Mountain on Route 44, when the 12-wheel rig, owned by American Crushing and Recycling LLC of Bloomfield and carrying a full load of sand, swerved from the westbound into the eastbound lane. It apparently had a mechanical failure somewhere on the 1.4-mile-long hill.... [Afterwards, it was found that] pieces of what appeared to be the truck's brakes littered the hill; police at one point had 48 truck parts marked.... Find the full story at The Republican-American ___________________________
Road safety is not just important, but is a major concern for everyone in Oman. This was the inspiration for a national level road safety campaign launched by Shell Oman in association with the Royal Oman Police. The aim of the campaign was to help all segments of Omani society understand their responsibility towards road safety and to leave in their minds an embedded consciousness of the importance of maintaining discipline on the road. The campaign was developed around a series of press advertisements highlighting basic road safety messages with an emotional appeal so as to enable the reader to relate and respond favourably. In order to evaluate awareness, the advertisements also carried an SMS-driven contest. The contest actually helped reinforce the road safety message with questions and safety tips. On offer was a trip to Malaysia. The fact that there was an overwhelming response to this SMS contest is a testament to the success of the entire campaign. The campaign also reached out through Radio FM in Arabic and English during popular drive-time shows. Once again, a quiz contest on road safety for listeners helped reinforce the campaign message. Roadshows at key Shell service stations throughout the country also helped take the campaign message to the people on a one-to-one basis. An activity book for children was distributed at the road show to help them learn about road safety and have fun colouring pictures. Children visiting the road show were also encouraged to participate in an on-the-spot colouring and drawing exercise on the theme of road safety. To leave a lasting impression of all who visited the road show, films were also screened along with computer games for visitors to learn about the topic in an entertaining, yet engaging manner. [Source: the Times of Oman] and another Shell initiative....
More than 400 students from 13 primary and eight secondary schools in Bintulu Division took part in the annual Shell Traffic Games [STG] held at Traffic Garden here recently. Shell Malaysia Gas and Power General Manager for Human Resource and Corporate Affairs, Abang Azahari bin Abang Zen said that the game was first introduced in the country in 1957 before making its debut in Sarawak in the early 1960s. The STG was jointly organised by Sarawak Road Safety Council, Bintulu Development Authority, the Police and Road Transport Department and other voluntary organisations. Azahari said the aim had always been to ensure what the participants learn would continue to be used when they become licensed road users as young adults. "It is also our efforts to try and embed road safety and road courtesy as a way of life in young Sarawakians," he said. In view of the fact that children nowadays had becoming more and more knowledgeable and IT savvy, Azahari said Shell were currently assessing the practicality of introducing an interactive computer-based programme which was likely to be implemented next year throughout the State. [Source: The Borneo Bulletin, at Brunei Online] ___________________________
Sri Lanka Police will fine buses that violate rules of the road from next week. Although it was an offence to [pick up] passengers or allow them alight from the buses at undesignated stops along the road, the law has not been strictly applied so far. From next week Traffic Police will begin first educating both bus workers and the passengers and then to fine those violate the rules of the road. While Bus [drivers] will be fined Rs.500 for a road offence, the passengers will be fined Rs.50.... Police [personnel have] observed that buses [pick up passengers away from] bus halts and allow the people to get off the buses from any point they wish. They have observed often the buses let people get in and get out at signal lights, a gross violation of the rules. This sort of practice both by the bus workers and the public who travel in buses have contributed heavily to road accidents, Police said.... Full story, from Colombo Page ___________________________
A new emergency rescue service deploying ambulances at call can save 30 percent of accident victims who die en-route to hospital in dangerous trishaw journeys. Trishaws or three wheelers are the often the first and fastest at an accident, carrying as many as 52 percent of injured to hospitals for help and bystanders moving most others. The lack of a proper ambulance network means just eight percent of injured are actually carried in ambulances to hospital, Chief Medical Officer of Health at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, said. The obvious lack of proper attention or healthcare in transporting victims by trishaws often results in severe debilitation or even death en-route. “Narrow roads makes transport challenging but sometimes too much enthusiasm by the public also causes a worsening of the situation,” Kariyawasam said. “We could save up to 30 percent of lives of patients transported to national hospitals or 300 people annually if they had proper care before being taken to hospital,” Kariyawasam said. The new rescue service on a toll free ‘110’ hotline, will deploy eight ambulances with 30 trained emergency rescue technicians to accident sites within Colombo initially.... About 20 percent of [the 300 daily casualties in state hospitals in Columbo] are road traffic accidents, which are among the more severe due to multiple injuries suffered. Head injuries are the most common cause of death. About 60,000 accidents a year are reported from all around the island, with the highest road accidents outside of Colombo happening on the Colombo-Katunayake and Colombo-Kandy Highways. Full story here, from Lanka Business Online ___________________________
Thousands of parents are putting their children's lives at risk as one in ten children traveling in the back of cars do not use seat belts or child restraints, according to the RAC Foundation during Think before you drive! Month. In addition, the lives of the majority of children in child safety seats may also be at risk as RAC Foundation spot check surveys and numerous other studies show that two thirds of child safety seats are fitted incorrectly. Think Before You Drive Month is a campaign promoted by the RAC Foundation in conjunction with the FIA Foundation and Bridgestone to help motorists understand the four easy steps they can take to improve safety on the roads. The campaign is giving advice to parents and drivers via free leaflets to ensure child safety seats and restraints are fitted correctly.... The RAC Foundation child seat fact file shows that:
Full report with additional, very important information (for all countries), here. ___________________________
Manchester United star Wayne Rooney could escape a court fine up to £5,000, if he completes a £150 driving improvement course instead, it was revealed today. The £50,000-a-week striker damaged his black BMW X5 in a collision with another car. The other driver, a 45-year-old woman, suffered minor whiplash injuries. Rooney later received a summons to appear at Stockport Magistrates Court, to face a charge of driving without due care and attention, and he could be banned or fined up to £5,000 [U.S. equivalent $8,800]. But now Rooney has been offered the opportunity to go on a two-day course to improve his driving skills. A source said many of the people on such courses are "boy racers" who have been stopped by police for minor traffic infringements and bad driving. The course, "Re-Examining good driving attitudes" is run by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, the ten local councils. Half a day is classroom based, two half days on-road with the course being taken by advanced driving instructors. Clients are required to 'complete the course and make an improvement'. ___________________________
A Melbourne P-plater who killed two of his friends when he crashed his high-powered car while street racing has been remanded in a youth training centre. University student Samuel Khuat, of Maribyrnong, was behind the wheel of a Nissan GT-R coupe – which he was prohibited from driving as a probationary licence holder – when he lost control and crashed.... The Victorian County Court heard today the 19-year-old, who pleaded guilty to two charges of culpable driving, was racing alongside another carload of his friends at speeds of up to 126km/h when he lost control in the crash during the early hours of October 5 last year. The his car hit a pole and rear-seat passengers William Curtain, 18, and David Nguyen, 19, died. Khuat had had his probationary licence only for a few months at the time. Judge Felicity Hampel, who sentenced Khuat to three years in a youth training centre, said youth, inexperience and speed contributed to the crash with "devastating consequences".... The court was told that Khuat was a model son before the crash, an excellent student and a skilled tennis player with a bright future ahead of him. The judge said she also took into account that Khuat had taken full responsibility and demonstrated deep and genuine remorse over the tragedy.... The parents of William Curtain.... called for the Victorian Government to introduce mandatory defensive driving courses for learner drivers, and wider publicity about restricted vehicles for probationary drivers. A government spokesman said steps were being taken to address some of these issues, including a trial of a safe driving course for newly licensed drivers. The course could become compulsory for new drivers at the end of the 12-month trial. He also said "hoon drivers" caught drag racing or driving dangerously face the prospect of having their car impounded or confiscated permanently. Full story here, from News.com ___________________________
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is applauding a new move by the province that will see mandatory breathalyzers installed in the cars of chronic drunk drivers. Drivers will now have to pass a breath test on a device attached to their ignition before the car will start. B.C. becomes one of the last provinces in the country to initiate such a program - and it's about time, says Bob Rorison of MADD.... But Rorison stressed the move should be just the first step in combating drunk driving. He wants longer suspensions to be handed out than the current 24-hour driving bans. "We want people to be stopped from driving the first time they're caught drinking and driving," Rorison said.... Full story, from Vancouver 24 Hours ___________________________
Statement of U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta “The Congress is to be commended for passing comprehensive transportation legislation that meets the President’s goal of investing record levels in new highway, transit and safety programs in a fiscally responsible manner. This bill funds vital new transportation projects, holds the line on gas taxes and avoids adding to the deficit. More importantly for America’s drivers, this bill contains significant new safety provisions, including the creation of a $5 billion core highway safety program and powerful incentives for states to increase safety belt usage. State and local officials now have the resources, flexibility and support they need to make driving safer, fight congestion and ensure that the nation’s transportation system keeps pace with the rapidly expanding economy.” [Source: Department of Transportation -- DOT 107-05] ___________________________
Statement from Public Citizen: A U.S. House-Senate conference committee has reached agreement on the federal highway bill, H.R.3 and it has included the vehicle safety provisions we have sought for three years in the agreement. Congress is expected to vote for final passage of the bill shortly. Safety has won on Capitol Hill! Among a number of other improvements, these auto safety improvements require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to:
The bill requires NHTSA to issue these critical safety standards by specific dates in the bill, between 2008 and 2009. While the dates were delayed as the bill was debated more than we prefer, they will push the agency to act and finish these safety standards. The dates also give automobile companies notice so they cannot claim to need more time. The next step is to make sure that these legislative improvements are implemented. You can read the text of the conference committees report on auto safety provisions, which is the final bill text, at http://www.house.gov/rules/109hr3title10cr.pdf. The safety provisions are listed under Subtitle C. [Source: Public Citizen] ___________________________
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) congratulates Congress for enacting the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act -- A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) after a nearly three-year effort. Jim Champagne, chairman of GHSA, praised the bill and said, "GHSA members are pleased that this long reauthorization effort has concluded and that so many new resources are provided for State Highway Safety Offices. The additional funding will help states maintain the progress they have already made on highway safety and help them make new inroads against existing and emerging highway safety problems." See the full GHSA statement, here. ___________________________
The surface transportation legislation being finalized by Congress today provides increased funding for programs that have played crucial roles in getting more Americans to buckle up. "The combination of high visibility enforcement and additional states enacting primary enforcement seat belt laws has increased seat belt use from 61 percent in 1997 to 80 percent in 2004," said Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign Executive Director Phil Haseltine. The new legislation requires at least two law enforcement mobilizations annually for the next five years and provides $29 million per year for advertising to accompany the enforcement campaigns. One of these mobilizations is to focus on occupant protection and a second on impaired driving. The Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign, a program of the National Safety Council, working in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other partners, including the law enforcement community, began organizing the national seat belt mobilizations in 1997. More than 12,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the country participated in the last mobilization, conducted in May. [Source: Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign] ___________________________
A toddler who wandered onto Interstate 70 was struck and killed by an unknown motorist last night about a mile west of the Kingdom City exit, a Missouri State Highway Patrol official said. Cole Aaron Robison, 2, was reported missing last night from his trailer park home off Old Highway 40 about a quarter mile away in Kingdom City. Around the same time, about 8:05 p.m., drivers reported a dead child, later identified as Robison, in a westbound lane of I-70, which runs parallel with Old Highway 40. His parents were looking for the child when they discovered the accident.... Callaway Sheriff’s Department Chief Investigator Tim Osburn said.... the department is still investigating and hasn’t decided whether to arrest the parents on suspicion of child endangerment. Highway patrol Sgt. Paul Reinsch said this morning the driver and vehicle that struck the child were still unidentified. He said no witnesses had come forward.... A second accident occurred at the same location at 10:01 p.m. when Logan Hearn, 24, of Holladay, Tenn., ran his Nissan pickup into the back of a tractor trailer, according to a highway patrol report. An official with the highway patrol said the tractor-trailer was stopped with other traffic at the time because the lanes were shut down for the Robison investigation.... Full story, from the Columbia Daily Tribune
In 2004, public fire departments responded to... 266,500 highway vehicle fires, down 6.8 percent from [2003]. Full story, from Homeland Response ___________________________
For the second consecutive year, the European Commission is organising a large summer campaign to promote the European Road Safety Charter. Between 29 July to 15 September 2005, European road users will be invited to become ambassadors of the European Road Safety Charter by participating in a Europe wide contest. “Tougher police controls have substantially improved road safety in many countries but more action is needed to reach our goal of halving the number of road fatalities by 2010”, said European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot in charge of transport. “This campaign emphasises that road safety is also every driver’s responsibility”, he added. This year’s Summer campaign will see the distribution of leaflets at most of the toll stations in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal inviting European road users on their way to their holiday destinations to share their ideas on how they will individually contribute to safer roads in Europe. These ideas can be submitted by post or via the website of the European Road Safety Charter. A jury will evaluate the contributions and the winner will receive a trip for two persons to the annual ASECAP (European association of tolled motorway companies) conference in Croatia in 2006, where he or she will be invited to present the winning contribution. The campaign will also underline the importance of frequent rests for drivers, particularly on a holiday trip. The slogan of this year is “A break every two hours makes your journey safer and more comfortable!” [Source: European Commission Press Room] ___________________________
The Ministry of Internal Affairs intends to finish reorganization of traffic police into State traffic security service before September, as reported by the Minister of Interior Yuri Lucenko..... The Minister also declared that MIA has submitted for consideration in Verkhovna Rada a bill draft, which provides for increase of fines, and the right to deprive driving licence in four cases: driving in a state of intoxication, driving out to a centre strip, perpetration of accident with further disappearance from the place, perpetration of accident on level crossing. Full story, from forUm ___________________________
Dozens of garda [i.e. police] checkpoints will be placed on roads across the country this Bank Holiday weekend in a bid to avoid a spate of crashes, it was confirmed today. Gardaí said a massive road safety campaign, which will target drink drivers, would get underway at midnight tonight. A garda spokeswoman said: “Over the August Bank Holiday last year five people were killed and 89 injured on our roads.” Last weekend, six people lost their lives in a spate of crashes. Gardaí confirmed the death toll so far this year had mounted to 221. Officers confirmed arrests for drink driving offences have increased by 16% to 872 in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2004. Full story, from IOL ___________________________
More convicted drunken drivers may have to blow into devices that won't let them start their cars if they're intoxicated now that several states are embracing tougher penalties. New Mexico recently became the first state to require "ignition interlock" systems for first-time offenders. The devices, which act as breath-alcohol analyzers that control a car's ignition, will be on their cars for one year. Drivers with four or more DWI convictions are required to drive with the interlocks for the rest of their lives. The devices cost the offenders about $1,000 a year. Until now, they were required only for repeat offenders and for a maximum of a year. "This is the first time it's been so broad," Jonathan Adkins, communications director for the Governors Highway Safety Association, said of the New Mexico law. "States realize we haven't won the drunken driving battle yet.".... Full story here, from the Detroit News ___________________________
'In 2002, there were 42,815 fatalities land over 2.9 million injuries on the nation's highways. Crashes on rural roads-roads in areas with populations less than 5000-account for over 60% of the deaths nationwide, or about 70 deaths each day. Further, the rate of fatalities per vehicle mile traveled on rural roads was over twice the urban fatality rate." According to a recent GAO report on highway safety, the nation's road system consists of 3.9 million miles. Of this total, rural roads account for about 3 million miles-or about 77%. Local agencies have jurisdiction over 2.1 million miles of all rural roads. Local agencies can access LTAP centers for resources related to rural road safety. One such resource is a study performed for the Minnesota DOT, which found that the installation of street lighting at isolated rural intersections reduced night-time crash frequency by 27% and crash severity by 20%.... Read the full press release, in considerable detail, here.
Teen drivers are dying at alarming rates. In San Antonio, 26 teens were killed in crashes over the past 10 months. Past News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters investigations dug deeper into the causes of the problem. Now, [they have] put many of the key players in one room to look for solutions. [WOAI] invited a teen driver, his mother, a transportation expert, a traffic officer, a driving instructor, and a father whose his 16-year old daughter died in an accident, to help us find ways to solve one of San Antonio's more pressing problems. News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Jeff Coyle asked the most obvious question first. "Why are so many teens dying on the roads?" [The discussion] began with the driving age. The U.S. allows teens to drive at a younger age than most countries in the world. New research shows that the part of the human brain that weighs risks and makes judgments isn't fully developed until age 25. "Is sixteen too young to drive?" Coyle asked the group. "A lot of people are dying. I think 18 would be perfect. Hopefully, they'll mature," answered, Addison Quiroga, age 17. He got his license this year because he and his mother agreed he wasn't ready at 16. Addison says, "A lot of teens think they're invincible and they think that they want to cool things like race and show off to their buddies." Officer Rob Sullivan with the San Antonio police department believes changing the age to 18 is not a fair solution. "By pushing it to 18, you'd punish a bunch of them," Sullivan says. Trouble Shooter Coyle followed that with, "You're saying there are some that are not ready at 16 and there are some that are?" Sullivan explained, "I can show |
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