February 21, 2012 

New York Helps Younger And Older Drivers

defensive driving, new york traffic schoolIn New York State, first time teen drivers can earn up to a 10 percent discount on their automobile insurance if they successfully complete Traffic School. But that does not mean New York fails to recognize the importance of defensive driving by drivers of all ages.

In fact, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles has a special site geared specifically to older drivers called the Office of the Older Driver. This New York DMV site focuses on skills specific to older drivers, by providing information relevant to their needs.

The Office of the Older Driver web site offers information for drivers whose license may expire while they out of state; how to renew their license; how long their license renewal will last; what skills they should focus on; and how they can contact their nearest department of vehicle directly.

The site also talks about how drivers can assess their own skill level, without the need for an independent judge or test. They provide safety tips for older drivers, resources and information all of which is intended to treat older drivers with the respect they have earned while still providing information that will help them drive safer for longer.

The Office of the Older Driver also provides some easy to recognize signs that your safe driving skills may not be as sharp as they once were. This doesn’t mean you need to surrender your license, however. It is meant to help you understand what your limits are when you get behind the wheel.

According to the New York DMV your driving skills might be declining if:

Look for warning signs. Be alert for any signs of a decrease in driver abilities and skills. Be concerned if you:

* Have a number of minor accidents or “near misses”.
* Cannot concentrate or you have thoughts that wander.
* Cannot easily read standard road signs.
* Become lost or confused on roads you know.
* Notice other drivers often sound their car horns at you.
* Hear concern from family, friends or police about your driving.

If you are an older driver living in New York state, stop in to the New York DMV Office of the Older Driver. You might just learn something about yourself and the way you drive that you didn’t even realize.

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February 17, 2012 

New York Driving Records Available Online

traffic schoolNew York State Department of Motor Vehicles makes it easy enough for anyone to go online and access their own driving record with just a few quick clicks of the mouse.

Many states are now turning to the Internet as a way of relieving crowded motor vehicle offices, with long lines and long waits. By using the Internet the DMV can make finding out information about your license, registration; insurance or driving requirements, quick and painless. Since the Internet is open 24-hours a day, you don’t need to make a special trip to get the information you need. If you’d like to ask your questions in the middle of night, the web site is open.

The New York State DMV has a special online service which will even retrieve a driver’s specific driving record. Called MyDMV, the online service makes retrieval of personal records quick and easy.

New York drivers can use the MyDMV online service to submit an address change, sign up for paperless alerts from DMV, monitor their teenagers driving record, restore their license after a revocation, and receive their driving record abstract. New features are planned which will allow drivers to sign up for the organ and tissue registry.

Anything which can help relieve the congestion at local DMV offices is viewed as step in the right direction for most public agencies and the people who use them. By making good use of the latest technology many agencies can use the Internet to alleviate the need for making a special trip to a branch office during a specific time or day.

Of course, defensive drivers understand the importance of keeping their driving record in good standing so as to avoid insurance rate hikes, traffic citations or points added to their license. It’s not difficult to maintain your license in good standing if you are a careful, conscientious driver. Being aware of state law and following all traffic regulations is also a step in the right direction.

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February 15, 2012 

Traffic School Helps NY Teens Save Money

teen drivers, traffic schoolTeen drivers are four times as likely as older drivers to be involved in a vehicle collision. Add cell phones and texting to the mix and some report the percentage is even higher. Despite these statistics a new study by the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia shows that fewer teenagers than ever before are completing a driver education course before getting behind the wheel.

Some states require teens to attend a driver education program before getting their license and some do not. In New York, teenagers who successfully complete Traffic School may receive up to a 10% discount on their automobile insurance, making it an attractive offer for their parents who usually foot the bill for car insurance.

There are other benefits to making your teen attend traffic school beside lower insurance rates. Helping them to be safe, defensive drivers is probably the most important because it might make a big difference when they are on the road.

There is no guarantee a driver education program will result in fewer crashes for teens but it certainly is not going to hurt. In states with a graduated licensing program for teens the numbers of teens involved in crashes has decline, although not significantly. This probably has more to do with the fact they are teenagers than it has to do with the effectiveness of driver education in general.

Teenagers are risk takers. They seem fearless in the face of danger because they are still under the mistaken impression that they are indestructible. This, and the goading of friends, distractions and other teen-related experiences often leads them to make poor decisions–decisions they likely wouldn’t make if they were older had more worldly experience.

If you have a teenager in your house anxiously awaiting their turn behind the wheel, do yourself and them a favor and insist on a traffic school first. You won’t just save money on your insurance, you might also save their life.

 

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February 13, 2012 

Distracted Driving Law Nets 100,000+ Tickets In New York

new york driversA new law in New York giving police the power to stop drivers engaged in using a handheld device while behind the wheel has generated more than 118,000 tickets since it was enacted in July showing that not only is distracted driving prevalent in New York, but that giving police more power to control the activity reaps big rewards for municipalities.

As a direct result of the new law the state has issued 7,495 tickets for texting while driving and 111,262 for using a handheld electronic device while driving since last July. Citations start at $150 and result in three points added to the driver’s license.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicle has been keeping tabs on just where these tickets have been issued and the reports show that Long Island is leading the way with more than 10,000 citations issued in Suffolk and Nassau counties alone.

When Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the new distracted driving bill into law last summer he said in a press release that he hoped the added provisions would do more than just generate revenue for the state. Cuomo said he was hoping that empowering police to make stops for distracted driving violations would increase public awareness of the dangers of using a handheld device while driving.

As it turned out, Cuomo was ahead of the game when it came to warning of the dangers of distracted driving. Just last month the National Transportation Safety Board reported that distracted driving was even more dangerous than driving under the influence, resulting in more traffic fatalities than any other single cause. The NTSB went on to suggest that all states adopt a blanket prohibition on the use of handheld devices by any and all drivers with severe penalties for violators. This suggestion was met with some resentment from law makers who continue to feel the issue is best resolved by municipalities or individual states and that a nationwide ban is overkill.

Bur for New Yorkers, any steps to make the streets a safer place for everyone sounds like business as usual.

 

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February 10, 2012 

New York Drivers Banned From Using Cell Phones

cell phone banYou may or may not be aware that New York already has a statewide ban on the use of handheld cell phones by drivers, imposing strict fines, points on their license and the possibility of a suspension of driving privileges for violators of the law.

This is not just to raise revenue through the collection of news fees and fines, but also as a public safety measure. The NTSB recently released a report detailing the rise in the number of crashes caused as a direct result of distracted driving. In fact, fatal crashes caused by distracted driving now outpace the number of fatal crashes caused by driving under the influence.

New York takes driver safety very seriously. With a population of more than 19 million people, many of them concentrated in a few specific urban areas, the state has some of the most heavily congested roadways in the world. New York City regularly tops the list of longest commuter routes and most traffic jams.

All this traffic creates a situation which requires the utmost attention if the goal is an increase in public safety. State officials recognized the dangers of cell phone use by drivers several years ago and struggled to find a solution which did little to inconvenience and more to make the roads safer.

In New York, drivers stopped in traffic jams often use their idle time to make business calls or chat with friends. Limiting their use of cells phone while they are behind the wheel was initially seen as an affront to personal liberty. But since the ban went into effect the number of fatal crashes caused by distracted driving seems to have declined. At the very least, drivers have become more aware of the dangers of using a handheld device while they are behind the wheel; parents have begun educating their teen drivers about the dangers of not being fully aware of what’s going on around them while they are cruising to their friends house.

It seems everyone is talking about the dangers of distracted driving. And that’s a great conversation to have.

 

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February 10, 2012 

School Bus Safety In New York

school bus safetyNew York state legislators are looking to increase the fines for drivers who violate school bus safety laws, either passing stopped school buses or failing to slow down.

If state senators have their way,drivers who pass a stopped school bus in New York could end up paying a $1,000 fine, have five points added to their license and have their license suspended for as long as two months.

School buses are usually on the roads only when they transporting students, children, to our from school or school-related events. When their lights flash and they slow or stop they are picking up or dropping off students, children. Drivers who fail to yield for school buses are endangering the lives of children. Usually they do this for no good reason. Maybe they are late for work, or trying to get to the grocery school, but whatever the reason, they are risking the lives of children to do it.

To counter what they see as a real threat to public safety New York legislators want to impose serious penalties on drivers who put children at risk. Passing a stopped school bus is never a good idea-you have no idea what the children may be doing, which direction they are crossing and how many kids are coming out. That’s why you are required to stop until the school bus driver turns off the lights and gives you the signal to move again.

School bus safety to more than just a good idea; it saves lives, children’s lives, every day, by making drivers yield to the vehicles which carry them to and from school. By increasing the penalties for not yielding to school buses state legislators are doing their part to keep children safe. Now all drivers have to do is use their common sense and they can do the same thing.

February 9, 2012 

Lower Your Car Insurance Rates Today

new york drivers, automobile insurance, traffic schoolEveryone knows the cost of living in New York is higher than it is in a lot of places. With the economy still struggling people are looking for new ways they can save a few dollars, but not many of them know they should be looking at their automobile insurance premiums.

That’s right. If you’re a safe driver and you have been paying your insurance premiums on time every month the chances are you can get a lower rate on your insurance policy right away. And if your current automobile insurance provider won’t give you a lower rate, some other carrier likely will.

Negotiating a lower automobile insurance rate is not difficult. It is a relatively stress free endeavor that can wind up saving you hundreds of dollars every year, just by making a few phone calls.

Start by contacting your current automobile insurance provider and asking them if they can offer you a better deal on your current policy. Yes, it’s that easy. In many cases drivers qualify for a lower rate but the insurance carrier won’t offer it to them unless they call and ask for it. If you’ve been a safe driver, avoided citations and crashes, then you probably already qualify for a lower rate for your current insurance provider.

But don’t stop there. Once they offer a you a lower say “thank you” hang up, and start calling some of their competitors.

We your new promised rate in hand you are already ahead of the game so why not take full advantage of it. You can call other insurance providers, give them the quote you received from your current insurance provider and details about your policy, and ask them to beat it. Just to get your business many insurance providers will automatically offer you a better deal on your insurance needs. This is great for you in two ways: It will lower rate and give you leverage to call your current insurer back and negotiate an even lower rate.

That’s right, call your current provider back and tell them you got an even better quote from someone else and see if they will beat it. You’d be surprised how anxious they will be to keep your business. The best part is you can keep doing this until someone finally says “no.” Then you just take the best policy at the lowest rate, and voila!, you’ve saved yourself some serious dough. Just for being a safe driver.

 

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February 7, 2012 

New York Targets Idle Drivers

traffic schoolNew York drivers stopped in front of a school, either to pick up or drop off a student, or for some other reason might be waiting out front, now have one minute to turn off their engines or risk a citation.

The limit on vehicle idling has been in place for more than three decades. Drivers have previously had up to three minutes to turn off their engines rather than allowing the vehicle to idle, emitting toxic fumes which the city says hurts air quality. In 2009 New York City law makers reduced the idle time to just 60 seconds if the vehicle is stopped in front of a school in an effort to improve air quality in those areas.

Despite all these restrictions, however, few citations are handed out. In fact, of the more than 10 million parking tickets the city serves out each year only a few thousand are for idling violations. This has some folks calling for better enforcement of the existing law.

The Environmental Defense Fund, among others, have been calling on New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to step up efforts at preventing drivers from leaving their vehicles idling instead of just turning them. the issue, proponents say, is both a matter of public health and safety and one of enforcing laws which are already on the books.

The fact is, letting your car idle instead of turning it off does add to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by your vehicle. If you need a better reason to turn off your motor rather than letting it idle consider this: allowing your vehicle to idle is a big waste of gas. It’s such a waste of gasoline, in fact, that automobile manufacturers such as Honda and Ford has started building systems into their vehicles which automatically turn off the engine every time you stop and re-start the engine when you go again, without creating a feeling of sluggishness.

So if you’re dropping off or picking up your kid at school in New York, do yourself a favor and turn off your motor. It saves gas, protects the environment and, it’s the law.

 

 

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February 2, 2012 

Super Bowl Means Super Safe In New York

super bowlNew York State Troopers will be out in force for three days this weekend in anticipation of more drunk drivers on the roads.

Super Bowl weekend is known as a time to gather with friends, have a party (or parties) and watch some football. Unfortunately, some folks feel the need to get behind the wheel after they have a few drinks, increasing their risk of having a collision and injuring themselves or someone else.

This year the New York State police are planning to catch possible drunk drivers in the act. They are increasing patrols and setting up check points around the state in an effort to keep the roadways safe from drunk drivers. Drivers who are believed to be under the influence of alcohol will be stopped and asked to submit to a few roadside sobriety tests. If the driver is unable to successfully complete those tests the officer will place the driver under arrest and transport them to the local jail where a blood alcohol content test will be conducted to determine just how inebriated they are. Drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence face stiff fines, additional points on their license and the possibility of jail time or even suspension of their driving privileges.

Driving under the influence continues to be a leading cause of traffic fatalities around the nation. In 2010 more than 10,000 people lost their lives in traffic crashes caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Even as distracted driving becomes a greater danger on the roadways the dangers of driving under the influence remain.

Drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above not only run the risk of receiving a citation for driving under the influence, they also increase their chances of being involved in a fatal collision. So if you plan to party this weekend in New York, or any where, do yourself and everyone else on the roads, a favor and arrange for a sober ride home.

 

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January 31, 2012 

New York Targeting ‘Drugged Drivers’

traffic schoolNew York Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for passage of a bill which will help fund the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and their efforts to develop adequate testing, roadside, to determine if a driver is under the influence of prescription medication. The bill is called the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2011

New York has seen the number of ‘drugged driving’ arrests sky rocket 35% since 2001, although police suspect the number of drivers who could have been arrested in much higher. The problem for officers is that unlike drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, there is no roadside test to determine if someone is under the influence of prescription medication. Without a blood test there is no way for police to know if a driver is on drugs or not. That means that unless they have some reasonable cause to think they are under of the influence of something, like, they just slammed their car into a tree, there is nothing they can do to stop them.

Schumer believes with adequate funding the NHTSA can help devise a roadside kit police could use in their efforts to control what he believes is a rampant problem. If the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2011 passes, the Department of Transportation will work to provide either increased education or some sort of physical test kit, or perhaps both, to assist police officers in determining when or if a driver may be under the influence of prescription medication.

Schumer has been quoted as saying: “With the explosive growth of prescription drug abuse it’s vital that local law enforcement have the tools and training they need to identify those driving under the influence of narcotics to get them off the road. We have made tremendous progress in combating drunk driving, we cannot allow those gains to be erased by drugged drivers.”

At the moment it is impossible to know just how many drivers might be on the road with prescription medication in their system, either legally or illegally, or how much prescription might might impair their ability to operate their vehicle. If the DOT receives the proposed funding it is quite possible they will be able to devise tools which will help keep drugged drivers off the road and defensive drivers safe.

 

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January 27, 2012 

New York Parking Getting Easier-Maybe

nyc parking, new york city parkingParking in New York City is a matter of being in the right place at the right time–and lots and lots of luck. Or you can forget the whole luck thing and just be willing to cough up a fistful of dollars for a decent parking space.

Yes, anyone who has tried to park anywhere around the five boroughs knows just how tricky it can be, finding a place to put your vehicle while you eat, dance, see a show, or whatever. But the New York City Department of Transportation is hoping to ease the pain of parking just a little with some Digital Age technology.

The plan involves putting electronic sensors in all parking spaces which will alert a network whenever the space becomes empty. Drivers we be able to access the system using any web enabled device or their smartphone, or let themselves be alerted when a space becomes empty.

The pilot program is just being rolled out in the Bronx for now. The little sensors, about the size and shape of a hockey puck, must be able to handle street sweepers, snow plows, construction traffic, regular traffic and everything New York City streets withstand on a daily basis.  Officials hope the new sensors will survive the harsh New York winter and a half a years worth of abuse. If the sensors work as promised DOT workers will begin expanding the project around the city in an effort to reduce the amount of time drivers spend searching for an empty parking space. It is possible more sensors could be installed around the city by the end of this year, assuming they work as promised.

A similar program was successfully installed and tested in San Francisco, but the New York environment is quite a bit harsher than California, so officials want to be certain it withstand the rigors of what the northeast can throw at it.

Suffice to say, the hopes and dreams of just about everyone who has to park in New York rest on these sensors.

We’ll keep you posted.

 

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January 26, 2012 

‘Abbagail’s Law’ Crossing Final Hurdle In New York

abbagail's lawAbbagail Buzard, 8, died because the supervising adult riding in the vehicle in which she was riding was drunk, and the 17-year-old who was driving violated numerous traffic laws.

Unfortunately, the supervising adult, her father, could not be charged despite the fact he was drunk and had convinced the 17-year-old who had only a learner’s permit to drive him to the liquor store for more alcohol.

Abbagail’s Law states that any individual acting as a supervising driver while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. It also creates a new crime of aggravated supervising a driver while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a Class E felony.

For supporters of the law, it is long over due. Just because you’re a licensed driver doesn’t give you the right to act stupid in a vehicle, whether or not you are driving it at the time. As a supervisory driver you are supposed to be supervising the driver who does not yet have their license.

You just can’t do that properly if you’re three sheets to the wind or under the influence of drugs or texting. People must take responsibility for their actions, most especially when their actions are directly responsible for the actions of someone who is relying on them to be responsible.

Abbagail’s Law passed the New York Senate on a vote of 45-1.  It mirrors a law in the state Assembly which was introduced by Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther, which also seems likely to pass with nearly unanimous support.

And for good reason. By increasing the punishment on people who shirk their responsibilities, and provide law enforcement the tools to exact this punishment on those who fail in those responsibilities, we send a message to everyone that being in a vehicle, whether you are behind the wheel or just watching over the shoulder of someone who is, you must rise to the challenge.

To do otherwise risks your life, the life of everyone in your vehicle and the lives of everyone who shares the road with you.

 

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January 24, 2012 

Wrong-Way Drivers Face Felony Charges In New York

wrong-way drivingFollowing approval of legislation passed by the New York Senate, wrong-way and reckless drivers will now face felony driving charges.

Senate Bill 3452 establishes an entirely new crime called “aggravated reckless driving.” These new felony charges may be levied against any driver who drives the wrong way against the flow of traffic either because they were intoxicated or not; drive more than 30 mph over the speed limit while intoxicated or impaired; or those who driver more than 30 mph over the speed limit while they are weaving in traffic, racing or chasing other vehicles.

Supporters of the measure say it is needed as the number of wrong way and reckless driving crashes resulting in injury or loss of life has spiked in recent years. Most notably, in 2010 an off duty New York Police Officer, Andre Menzies, was struck and killed by an intoxicated wrong-way driver on the Northern State Parkway.

Wrong-way driving crashes have also occurred in New Rochelle and in Westchester County.

Under the new law, which has now gone to Assembly for a vote, aggravated reckless driving will become a class E felony, punishable by a prison sentence of up to four years. The legislation will also raise the penalty for reckless driving to a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a prison sentence of up to one year. under current law reckless driving is an unclassified misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 days in prison.

Around the country, wrong-way driving has killed dozens of drivers who never expected to see another vehicle coming toward them, the wrong way, either in the dead of night or during broad daylight. Sometimes the wring-way drivers were intoxicated or under the influence, and other times they simply had a death wish and sought a head-on collision. Regardless of why they do it, in New York state it is unacceptable and legislators are looking to make the punishment fit the crime.

 

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 20, 2012 

New Yorkers Face Stiff Fines For Texting And Driving

My Improv New YorkWhen the National Transportation Safety Board asked every state to ban the use of handheld devices by all drivers, many state legislators saw it as a slap in the face of Freedom.

New Yorkers saw it as business as usual.

Last July, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law allowing police to pull over drivers they saw using any handheld devices while driving. Prior to that bill, police had to find some other reason to pull you over, and then they could cite you for using a handheld device on top of whatever else they pulled you over for.

The new law says drivers in their state cannot even hold a handheld mobile phone, laptop, pager, electronic game, two-way messaging device or any other device used to write, read, send, browse or communicate, much less use these things. Anyone who is busted for this offense faces a maximum fine of $150 for the first offense and three points on their license. The prices go up from there.

The fact is, New Yorkers already understand what the NTSB has been trying to convince everyone else of: distracted driving is the single most serious threat to public safety on the roadways. Period. It’s worse even than drunk driving because when you’re drunk you know you’re drunk and so you might exhibit some caution, but when you’re texting you’re oblivious to the outside world and don’t even realize you’re heading straight for oncoming traffic until you hit something.

There are literally millions of vehicles on the roads of New York every day. This greatly adds to the traffic congestion, confusion and driving nightmares that people experience when they try to get around the state. the last thing they need is some yahoo trying to send his momma a text about being late for dinner while he’s tearing down the Queen’s Expressway. That type of behavior can turn a bad day in traffic into an even worse day in the intensive care unit.

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January 19, 2012 

New Parking In New York

new york defensive drivingPerhaps nothing is more frustrating for a driver than driving a long distance to get to their destination only to find there’s no place to park. Or no place to park that doesn’t cost you a full day’s wages.

Hours can be wasted circling around and around, searching endlessly for one of the precious few places to park on the street where the meter actually works and there isn’t a driveway or a fire hydrant. You can miss your dinner reservation, your movie, your play or your sporting event just spending time looking for a place to park. Or, giving up on someplace reasonable, hand over a wad of cash to park in some dingy garage for a couple hours.

Frustrating is hardly a harsh enough word.

Fortunately there is a new web site which might just open up a whole new way of finding a city parking space that doesn’t cost you reams of cash. The site is called “ParkatMyHouse” and it began in Britain, where parking in the London area is downright highway robbery, but people have little choice.

The idea is to allow those people who actually live in cities to rent their parking spaces to people in need of a place to park. Whether for an hour, a few hours or even overnight, the new site aims to match parkers with people with available parking. This could open up a lot of new parking spaces overnight.

The new service will first become available in the United States only in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, but if it catches on, more states will be added to the roster. In Britain the service claims to have over 40,000 available spaces in and around London and other cities, making it a very popular site with drivers.

So before you waste time circling the streets of New York for a parking space check online. It might just save you a lot of time and a lot of your precious sanity.

 

Image: Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 16, 2012 

Unpaid New York Parking Tickets Never Go Away

defensive driving new york, new york defensive driving courseIf you think that just because you have moved away from New York those unpaid parking tickets are ancient history, think again.

A 79-year-old Florida man got a rude awakening recently when he attempted to renew his driver’s license and discovered New York had entered his name into the National Driver Register for an unpaid parking ticket he received 40 years ago.

Yes, 40 years ago. That would be 1971.

Luis Velazquez, who has lived in North Fort Myers for the past 13 years, didn’t even remember the parking ticker until he tried to renew his Florida driver’s license. His renewal was denied because New York was still looking for its unpaid parking fine. Needless to say, Velazquez will need to pay his debt to new York before he can renew his Florida license.

So, what is the National Driver Register? It’s intended as a data base of information about drivers who have had their licenses suspended or revoked due to serious infractions such a drunk driving or too many speeding tickets. Managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it is a way to prevent drivers who have their license suspended in one state from driving over to the nearest state and getting a new one. The information contained in the National Drover Register is supplied by each state’s bureau of motor vehicles and nothing stops them from uploading whatever information they want, and flagging drivers for unpaid parking tickets as well as drunk driving infractions.

So what can you do about it? Be a good defensive driver New York. If you get a citation, whether it’s for speeding or double parking, pay it. Don’t just assume that if enough time goes by everyone will forget all about it. This is the Digital Age. They can store millions of records on a disc the size of an old .45 rpm, I think they’ll have room to fit your unpaid parking tickets.

In the meantime, if you think you might have left some unpaid tickets in a former state, don’t wait for them to catch up with you. It will save you a lot of hassle if you contact the BMV in your former state and check the status of your license–even if you don’t have that license any longer.

Remember, New York defensive driving means watching out for anything which can impede your ability to get anywhere by car. Not being able to renew your license is just one of those hazards.

 

 

January 13, 2012 

New York Considers Dropping Eye-Exam For Drivers

defensive driving NY, new york defensive drivingThe New York State Department of Motor Vehicles had planned to stop requiring eye exams for drivers who were renewing their license last fall, but public safety concerns prompted them to put their plan on hold.

The idea was to make the process of renewing your license easier by not requiring an eye exam. Drivers could simply renew their license online or by mail, without the need to visit a DMV office or wait in line. This seemed like a good idea in theory, but in practice some driving professionals questioned whether or not it was a good idea to just assume everyone’s vision had not gotten worse since the last time they renewed their license.

When it comes to defensive driving New York, it is probably a good idea to be able to see what’s going on around you. If your vision is good, no problem. But if your vision is failing, or failed, then an eye exam is not a good idea for you, but also for anyone who might be sharing the road with you or riding in your vehicle while you drive.

Look, the DMV is not in business to make our lives more difficult. It’s there to help keep us all safe as we drive around the country; our cities, our towns and our states. They have requirements because driving a vehicle is a very serious thing to do. A car is a 5,000 pound missile made of metal, plastic and glass, that can travel at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

And it’s not just the car you are driving which is dangerous. There are numerous new traffic signalling devices, signs and roadways which require you to have quick reflexes and excellent vision to find your way around. New York defensive driving is not a sport, it’s the only safe way to get from one point to another.

Until New York DMV decides to make eye exams optional, you’ll still be required to have one to renew your license. And even if they don’t require them, you should still consider it if you feel your eyesight just isn’t what it used to be.

 

Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 12, 2012 

Insurance Companies Get Serious About Distracted Driving

defensive driving NY, new york defensive driving course, defensive drivingA recent study by automobile insurers shows that efforts by New York state to get drivers to put down their handheld devices and focus on driving by imposing strict fines, seems to be working. New York and Connecticut both instituted new bans on the use of handheld devices by drivers, and the results have so far been positive.

Automobile insurers also credit a flurry of public awareness programs and increased police vigilance for helping to curb the use of handheld devices. We would like to take a little credit for the increase in New York defensive driving, but whatever works makes us happy.

Insurance companies in New York already offer a discount for drivers who successfully complete a defensive driving course NY program. This can be as high as a 10 percent discount for some drivers, making a defensive driving course an attractive option.

The fact is, recent studies have shown that more than 10 percent of all accidents in the United States happen as a result of distracted driving. The driver is usually texting, talking on a cell phone or using some sort of handheld device while trying to navigate their way through busy intersections or just tooling down the road. Distracted driving is more dangerous than driving under the influence simply because drivers think they’re just fine chit-chatting away, and stop being cautious altogether, whereas a drunk driver might actually express some desire to stay out of the way, usually by driving on the sidewalk.

We’re not here to argue whether distracted driving is worse than drunk driving, however. We think they’re both just about the worst possible thing to do behind the wheel. And as the owners of MyImprovNewYork.com we know a lot about defensive driving.

So do yourself a favor, don’t risk a ticket and don’t risk your life just so you can send your friend a text message telling what you could tell them in person when you get there safely.

 

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 12, 2012 

Veterans Need To Re-Adjust To Driving At Home

defensive driving new york. new york defensive driving courseThe New York Times this week released a report by major national insurer USAA, which specializes in providing insurance for veterans and their families, which seems to indicate that soldiers returning from active duty in the Middle East often have trouble adjusting to driving back home in the United States.

In fact, The New York Times reports that accidents in which a service member was at fault went up nearly 15 percent after their return from deployment. That’s enough to make the statistic an alarming account of both the effects of deployment on soldiers and their impact once they return.

With a population of more than 9 million people, New York has a fairly large population of returning service members, meaning drivers need to be aware of who they are sharing the road with, and more patient. Not everyone just finished attending traffic school. At least a few of the drivers sitting beside you in traffic likely have some inexperience to deal with.

Soldiers who might be readjusting to life behind the wheel in the United States might want to consider taking a defensive driving course New York. In New York they can receive a possible 10 percent discount on their annual insurance premiums if they do, and it might just help them get back into the swing of things. Because let’s face it, learning to drive in the U.S. is nothing like driving in a war zone, no matter how much we might think it is. Not even Los Angeles is a war zone! So it’s perfectly understandable if soldiers need a little time to get re-acclimated to life at home.

Erratic driving is the most common problem facing returning soldiers, many of whom learned to drive in the middle of the road while serving on active duty, to avoid roadside bombs. Once they get back home, that urge to stay safe in the middle is hard to overcome. In the meantime, everyone else just sees some guy driving down the center of the highway and wonders what his problem is.

For returning soldiers, life is difficult and there’s always going to be an adjustment period. A New York defensive driving course would definitely help, but so would the patience of everyone around them. Unless they’re driving right toward you on the highway–then it’s perfectly OK to blow your horn.

 

January 11, 2012 

New Yorkers Loathe Red Light Cameras

defensive driving new york, NY defensive drivingIn this way New Yorkers are like just about everyone else in America: They hate red light cameras.

They hate them so much, in fact, that they regularly write their local newspapers complaining about the machines, complain to the police departments and complain to the city government officials who have paid to have them installed. All of this complaining has fallen on deaf ears however, because the city plans to install another couple dozen of the infernal machines this coming year.

To be fair, they are not red light cameras, or “gotcha cameras” or infernal machines. They are technically referred to as automated enforcement technology systems and as of today they are being used in nearly two dozen states around the nation. While being widely despised by drivers they have generated millions of dollars in revenue for the communities in which they are installed, without requiring the need for additional police patrols or radar guns. The camera does all the work, snapping a picture of the license plate of any vehicle which crosses through the intersection after the light has changed against them. The ensuing ticket is sent automatically and the fine is usually about $50.

In New York the cameras have been at work in Yonkers where motorists have already spotted them at Odell and Nepperhan Avenue and Central Park Avenue. Believe it or not the cameras serve a purpose other than generating money from citations: They help ensure public safety.

Defensive driving New York is hardly a recreational sport. It’s a serious business. With literally millions of cars on the road, drivers need to use the utmost caution getting from point A to point B. If an automated enforcement technology system can help to make a specific intersection a little bit safety, you can bet the city government is going to go for it. And so are a lot of NY defensive drivers who care about safety.

 

 

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 10, 2012 

More New York Drivers Busted For Texting

defensive driving new york, new york defensive driving course, defensive drivingWe should start calling it TBTW: Texting Behind The Wheel. Or driving stupid.

Whatever you call it, more New York drivers are getting busted for it, now that the state has started cracking down on drivers who spend more time with their eyes on their handheld device than on the road in front of them. This is good news for the state which pockets an extra $150 for every citation handed out–and police are handing out more now than before the law went into effect last year–but it’s bad news for anyone who wants to drive in New York, because it appears drivers there haven’t learned how dangerous it is.

According to numerous studies, distracted driving is even more dangerous than driving under the influence. And you can’t get much distracted than trying to send a text message while driving down the highway at 65 mph. New York defensive driving is all about using common sense and caution every time you get behind the wheel. However, thinking you can drive defensively while tapping out “hey what’s on tv tonight? I’m bored” is just plain stupid.

There simply is no safe way to text and drive. Having a friend hold the wheel while you key in letters is the height of stupidity. Call it stupidity times 2, and don’t do it.

New Yorkers have enough problems without worrying about whether or not the oncoming driver is looking at the road ahead of them or the picture of a dog in a monkey suit someone just sent them. Defensive driving is not an accident. It’s a habit. A carefully groomed habit which requires you to practice, concentrate and perform at your optimum level every time you get behind the wheel. Not just when you feel like it.

If you get busted for texting while driving in New York, you’ll get a $150 fine and three points added to your license. You can take our defensive driving course New York to get the points off your license, but we can’t fix stupid.

 

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 6, 2012 

New York Adding Traffic Lights To Ease Congestion

NY Defensive Driving, Defensive Driving New York, Defensive Driving Course NY, New York Defensive Driving, Defensive Driving NYSome New York cities are trying hi-tech traffic lights to help ease traffic congestion. Mount Pleasant is the first New York community to try using the new traffic lights which have been shown to reduce delays by as much as 30 percent.

This is good news for defensive drivers who might have worried about the mental health of their fellow drivers, stressed out from the long commute. Defensive drivers know that they need to relax behind the wheel and focus on the destination (arriving safe and sound) instead of the journey.

The Mount Pleasant Town Council Bids and Purchases Committee approved the purchase of an InSync Adaptive Traffic Control System for eight intersections along five miles of U.S. 17. The lights had already been tested on a smaller portion of U.S. 17 where significant decreases in travel time were seen as a result.

The new lights are designed to better time the flow of traffic through intersections, using special digital sensors and computer aided technology to make it as close to perfect as possible.

The InSync Adaptive Traffic Control System is manufactured by Rhythm Engineering. The information is updated every second and fed down the line of integrated traffic light so vehicle scan move more easily through the chain of intersections. The cameras and cables will keep track of traffic at each of the intersections so it will “know” how fast vehicles are moving and whether or not something needs to be changed to accommodate a better flow. The company says the new traffic signal system can reduce up to 90 percent of stop-and-go traffic, leading to a 30 percent reduction in the release of greenhouse gases as a side benefit. Of course what drivers want is to get home from work sooner and avoid delays from having to sit at traffic lights half the time.

New technology is no substitute for good New York defensive driving, however. Drivers still need to care to avoid driving during rush hour (if possible) and if they do get stuck in traffic, to keep their cool. Remember, you won’t be stuck in traffic forever; you will get where you are going eventually, unless you try to run the light and get sideswiped by a tractor-trailer. Then no traffic light is going to help.

 

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 6, 2012 

New York Commute Still The Toughest

new york defensive driving, defensive driving new york, defensive driving NY, defensive drivingIn  what will surely not come as a shock to New York drivers, NYC has once again reached the top of the list for cities with the longest driving commute for workers.

Year after year, as more drivers hit the roads, populations expand and roads (for the most part)stay exactly as the day they were built decades ago, traffic gets heavier and heavier.

Sure, there are a few cities gaining on New York’s lead, but it’s still Number One when it comes to traffic. A Census Bureau report indicates that 40 percent of all New York workers spend 45 minutes or more sitting in traffic for their daily commute to and from work.

That’s long enough to bake a cake, assuming your car is equipped with an oven and a chef. It’s also more than long enough to induce some drivers to fill with rage, get upset at the space between the driver ahead of them and the car ahead of them; miss an exit; speed in an effort to make up what they consider “lost time” and generally disobey any traffic signals which they believe might make their daily commute even longer.

Of course being on time is no excuse for dangerous driving, especially when there are millions of other drivers on the roads in the exact same situation as you. If everyone decided to just do their own thing when it comes to getting where they want to go in a timely fashion it would be sheer chaos on the roads. The odds are more people would end up in the hospital than would end up at work.

New York defensive driving doesn’t mean taking aim at the other drivers. It’s not a free for all. Defensive driving NY means being smart about the way you get from one place to another.

First, avoid driving during the rush hour, first of all. If you don’t need to be on the roads during drive time, stay home. It will make life a little easier for the folks who do have to be on the road.

Second, try using the roads outside the five boroughs, where traffic is less likely to be heavy.

Third, relax. There is no point in getting upset about something that is not within your control anyway. You will get there when you get there and whoever is waiting for you will wait.

Fourth, if you can switch your car for public transportation, give it a try. If everyone used public transportation just one day out of every month it would take thousands of cars off the road, making life a little easier for the people that are still driving.

 

Image: Damian Brandon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 5, 2012 

New York Senior Driver Safety

NY Defensive Driving Defensive Driving New York Defensive Driving Course NY New York Defensive Driving Defensive Driving NYFor older drivers the mere suggestion their driver privileges could be curtailed or taken away completely is tantamount to taking away their freedom. And rightly so. Public transportation, while readily available in the New York City area is still quite limiting in terms of where you can go, when you can get there and what you can bring with you.

Fortunately there are an abundance of options for drivers who have reached a certain age which can help them continue to hone their driving skills, stay current on traffic laws and be safe, defensive drivers.

The first idea is to attend and online defensive driving school New York. A defensive driving course, even when it’s taken online, can help sharpen skills that might have grown rusty, familiarize a driver with changes in traffic laws and help instill a sense of confidence in someone who has grown doubtful of their own abilities. Because the course can be taken online there is a real sense of privacy, nobody but you and your insurance agent need to know you successfully completed the course. Plus, your insurance company is very likely to offer you a 10 percent discount for taking and completing the course (that’s why you should tell your insurance agent.)

It also helps if a senior driver can restrict themselves to driving only when conditions are safest. During daylight hours, in nice weather is the best time for senior drivers. Visibility is best during the days and when there is no inclement weather. Plus, in the event of a breakdown, it is much easier to find assistance during the day time than it is at night, or in the middle of a snowstorm.

Senior drivers might also find it easier if they plan their driving in advance, trying to make the shortest trips possible, or limiting their driving only to a family member’s home and only after telling the family they are on their way. This way if there is a problem, like the driver getting lost, there is someone who knows to be on the lookout for them. They should also stay on familiar roads and avoid traveling to places they have never visited before. This will help ensure they know where they are and where to go at all times.

Defensive driving NY doesn’t just have to be for the young. Once drivers reach a certain age it is true their motor skills can become impaired, but not every elderly driver is affected the same way. It is important every driver be treated as an individual and given an opportunity to improve any skills which they might have lost during the process of raising a family, working hard and being good citizens.

 

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 3, 2012 

NY Teens Most Likely To Drive And Text

defensive driving New York, defensive driving NYWe have all seen the well reported results of the effects of distracted driving, especially when the driver is trying to text as they cruise down the road. The often tragic results of this behavior prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to recommend all states ban the use of any handheld devices by all drivers.

Unfortunately, few have readily made the connection between use of cell phones and distracted driving. In fact, teenagers are texting more every month than any other group, but factor of ten. The average teen sends thousands of text messages every month to their friends and family. If they are old enough to drive you can bet that a fair number of those texts were sent from behind the wheel as they cruised down the road, singing along to the radio and not paying nearly enough attention to the hazards of driving.

In New York statistics show that while teenagers make up only 6 percent of all licensed drivers they are involved in nearly 20 percent of all fatal accidents. With millions of drivers on the road on any given day, defensive driving NY requires you have be constantly aware of what is going on around you at all times. You cannot take eyes off the road for a second, much less long enough send “LMAO! just saw mark’s hat!” on your cell phone.

A defensive driving course New York can get points off your license and even help you keep insurance premiums low (insurance companies in New York offer a 10 percent discount to drivers who successfully complete a defensive driving course) but it can’t heal broken bones or bring your teenager back to life if they’ve been killed in a crash because they were texting and driving.

The best idea is to teach your teens the importance of NOT using their cell phone in the car at all; tell them to put it in the trunk so they aren’t even tempted to answer it if it rings or beeps. In most cases teens are not known for being overly bright, but if you keep repeating the message they might just listen to you. Eventually.

 

Image: Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January 2, 2012 

Staten Island DUI Arrests Jump

NY defensive driving, defensive driving new yorkThe fact that arrests for driving under the influence jumped more than 18 percent last year over the prior has more to do with increased patrols than it does with an increase in distracted drivers.

The New York Highway Patrol and Police have focused on Staten Island this past year when it comes to DUI surveillance, increasing patrols and checkpoints in an effort to reduce drunk driving.

Despite the increase in drunk driving arrests in Staten Island, the other four boroughs saw a significant decline, about 13 percent. In Brooklyn, DUI arrested dropped even more than they increased in State Island. Brooklyn DUI arrests were down almost 20 percent and in the Bronx they were down about 16 percent.

New York defensive driving is all about be cautious and not being stupid. Stupid driving is what you do when you down a few drinks and then get behind the wheel of a 5,000 pound missile made of steel and plastic and glass and step on the accelerator. There simply is no excuse for driving under the influence of anything.

In New York City drivers are constantly confronted by a near endless gauntlet of dangerous driving situations. From rush hour traffic, to poor weather conditions to thousands of out-of-state drivers who have just arrived in the city and trying to find their way around. There is no where near enough space in this blog to list all the dangerous conditions New York drivers face on a daily basis. When you add distracted drivers, or drunk drivers to the mix, the recipe is nearly perfect for one kind of daily disaster or the other.

Defensive driving New York is not just about being clean and sober when you get behind the wheel (although that is a necessity, and the law) it is also all about taking precautions and being constantly aware of your surroundings. New York State Police and city police are doing a good job keeping a fair number of drunk drivers off the road, but they can’t be everywhere at once. Besides, as adults, we are responsible for our own actions, meaning driving safe is not a lucky chance, but a well-honed skill that we should utilize every time we get behind the wheel.

Image: Paul Martin Eldridge / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 30, 2011 

New York Has Millions To Spend Fighting DUI

defensive driving course NY, NY defensive driving New York is already crowing about lower traffic fatalities, now they plan to take their efforts aimed at distracted drivers one step further, allocation $3 million toward police anti-DUI efforts.

This week New York City transportation officials announced they had fewer traffic related fatalities in 2011 than they had since 1911. That’s a heck of a statistic, and certainly one worth bragging about.

The money will spent reimbursing New York counties for the costs of installing interlock ignition devices on those convicted of driving under the influence. The interlock device forces a driver to pass a self-administered breathalyzer test before the motor will start. If the driver does not blow into the attached device, or fails the test, they cannot start the vehicle. The devices cost the offender hundreds of dollars to install plus another $80 a month in maintenance fees. They have also been an effective tool in the fight against driving under the influence.

Since 2010, anyone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony drunk driving charge has been required to install an interlock device.

That’s hardly the only effort New York has made when it comes to increasing driver safety. In 2009 the state passed the Child Passenger Protection Act which makes it a felony offense drive a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a passenger who is under the age of 16. In the past two years more than 1,500 people have been arrested under the law, making it another effective tool in the war against DUI.

NY defensive driving is hardly a difficult skill to master. All it requires is a good dose of common sense, and perhaps an online defensive driving course NY. Whatever you do, avoid getting behind the wheel when you are under the influence of anything except a desire to arrive at your destination safe and sound with all your passengers intact.

Image: Bill Longshaw / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 30, 2011 

NY Traffic Deaths At A 100 Year Low

defensive driving New York, NY defensive driving, defensive driving course new yorkSince they started keeping records in 1910, New York City has now logged the fewest ever annual traffic deaths.

That means, although there are now more cars on the road than ever before, it is also safer for drivers and pedestrians than it has ever been before. I would like to think defensive driving has at least a little something to do with that.

Defensive drivers are always avoiding distractions, following all the safety laws and all the rules of the road. Defensive driving NY means being patient (which is a good thing to have in abundance if you drive in NYC); being careful and methodical in everything you do behind the wheel.

Speeding around from place to place won’t get you there much sooner, but it will make you use more gas and possibly result in a speeding citation. A New York defensive driving course can help you avoid the points from adding up on your license, but if you lose control of your vehicle and hit a tree, a defensive driving course won’t fix a busted head.

This past year saw a whopping 13 percent reduction in the number of traffic fatalities. Despite this marked decline more than 235 people died as a result of a traffic accident in NYC, and more than half of them were pedestrians. Although pedestrian deaths as a result of a traffic accident are also at an all time low.

Among the things which have led to the reduction in traffic fatalities are new slow speed zones, bicycle lanes, pedestrian crossing areas and improvements in roadway designs. The NYC police have also stepped up enforcement of existing DUI laws, handing out more than 1 million citations for moving violations in the past year alone.

This concerted effort by city planners and police has created a much safer environment for everyone on NYC streets. NY Defensive drivers and those with a little less experience can all share in the joy of getting to their destination knowing they are just a little bit safer than they were last year.

Image: Damian Brandon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 28, 2011 

Don’t Drive Drunk (With Or Without A Deer In Your Trunk)

defensive driving, defensive driving new york

A New York man was recently arrested for drunk driving after police stopped him and found a dead deer in his trunk.

According to police, the driver, Andrew Caswell, 29, said he had struck the deer but not killed it. Afraid the animal was suffering, Caswell decided to take the hurt animal to the local hospital. That’s when police caught him, the deer was dead in the trunk and Caswell tested positive for alcohol. In fact, his blood alcohol content was .16, twice the legal limit.

This is definitely not a case of NY defensive driving success. In fact, I would call this an epic fail of the highest magnitude.

We can laugh at the absurdity of a drunk man driving around with a dead deer in his trunk, looking for a hospital, but really, it’s tragic.

Obviously Caswell doesn’t understand how important it is to drive safe and sober, or he wouldn’t have climbed behind the wheel after downing a few. Drivers who get behind the wheel drunk, or even buzzed, risk a citation, a suspended license and even death because they are not fully in charge of their faculties. Reaction times are slowed after you’ve had a few drinks. So is your judgement, your reflexes and common sense. Hence putting a dying deer in his trunk and heading for a hospital.

Defensive driving starts before you ever get inside your car. It requires you to fully acknowledge your ability (or lack thereof) for driving. It means handing over your keys to a friend if you’re too tired, or too drunk, so you don’t wind up making a bad decision. Distracted driving, whether you are fiddling with your radio, checking your hair in the mirror or drunk, greatly increases your chances of having a serious crash. And it might not be a deer you hit, but an unsuspecting pedestrian.

 

Photo compliments of Freephoto.

December 27, 2011 

New York City Braces For Influx Of Tourists

defensive driving new york

If you are planning on ringing in the New Year in the Big Apple, you might want to leave your car at home and take a train. Or, drive defensively.

New York City transportation officials expect this holiday week, already one of the busiest tourist weeks of the year for the city, to be even more busy this year. The holiday spirit has gripped the nation and hotels are reporting a surge in new bookings.

New York defensive driving experts know they should plan ahead before any long trip or one that involves someplace they might have never been. Doing a thorough safety check of your vehicle is a great idea. Make certain your tires are in good shape and are properly inflated. Also, given that you might encounter poor weather this week especially, it’s a good idea to check your windshield wipers. If they look worn, or don’t seem to the job you need done during a light rain they will likely be little to no help during heavy rain or snow, both of which are common this time of year in New York.

It is also a good idea to make certain your vehicle meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of vehicle inspection laws in NYC. New York State requires annual inspections of all vehicles on their roadways, and this level of safety extends to anyone who visits their state as well, so be certain your car is in good working order. Don’t cross the state line dragging your bumper or you’re likely to create a scene and get a citation.

Most of all, make certain you know exactly where you are going and where you can park when you get there. Defensive driving NY can be tricky, at best. There are likely to be millions of people doing the exact same thing you are, so don’t anticipate finding a convenient place to park unless you already have a reserved space or plan on getting there a few days in advance. You don’t want to spend hours driving around the city looking for a place to park when you could be snuggled up warm and cozy in one of the many pubs, enjoying yourself.

Which brings me to my final point: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t get buzzed and drive either. New York has one of the toughest drunk driving laws on the books and police will be out in force to make certain the roadways are free of drunk drivers. Plus, it’s just not safe. If you care about your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of the people you will be passing on your ride home, drive sober.

Image: vichie81 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 27, 2011 

New York Expanding “Move Over” Law

defensive driving new york

New Yorkers will start the year off with much singing, dancing and celebrating; and a new law intended to make the roads safer for everyone.

New York already has a “move-over” law which requires drivers to move to the far lane and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing red lights stopped along the side of the road. This has resulted in a decrease in accidents involving emergency workings. The law is similar to laws which exist in several other states.

Unfortunately the law did not apply to vehicles which did not have flashing red lights, like tow trucks and construction vehicles. These vehicles are also required to stop along the side of the road, leaving their passengers susceptible to vehicles which do not yield.  Tow truck drivers and construction workers have each suffered their share of fatalities and injury as a result of careless drivers who do not move over.

Starting January 1, 2012, New York will expand the reach of the existing “move over” law to include vehicles with amber lights such as highway maintenance workers, construction workers and state HELP vehicles.

Drivers who violate the “move over” law can suffer steep consequences including a fine up to $250, court costs of $85 and a possible 15 day stay in jail. The driver might also receive an additional three points on their license.

An New York defensive driving course can help you get the points off your license, but nothing can restore a life lost due to careless driving.

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 23, 2011 

NY Students Pledge Not To Drive ‘Stupid’

defensive driving new york

You might call it distracted driving, but I call it ‘driving stupid.’

Driving stupid is what you do when you are not being a good defensive driver. You might be fiddling with the radio, talking on your cell phone; getting behind the wheel after you’ve had a few drinks or trying to text and drive. You might think you’re being cool, but you’re really just showing your ignorance.

To help educate future drivers about the dangers of any form of distracted driving, students in West Seneca, New York, started a new club called “Students Against Destructive Decisions.” It encompasses avoiding doing anything which might lead to yourself or someone else being hurt as a result of your bad decision.

A defensive driving New York course is a great way to learn the importance of avoiding distractions while you drive. It can also help you understand the importance of following every traffic law, not just the ones you like and not only when you feel like following them.

Insurers agree that young drivers are the most at-risk group of drivers on the road today. This explains why they pay a higher rate than drivers who have reached a certain age–matured, if you will. This is partly to do with their level of inexperience and partly to do with the impulsive behavior commonly seen in humans during their teenage years.

If you have a young driver in your household, you need to sign them up for a defensive driving NY course. It will help them become good, defensive drivers and, as if protecting their life isn’t enough of a benefit, insurance companies in New York will offer you a discount on your premiums if you do.

This makes defensive driving a win-win scenario, and a great lesson for every student, no matter where they live.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 22, 2011 

New York State Police Crack Down On Texting

defensive driving new york

In the midst of a very public national debate about the dangers of texting while driving, New York State Police launched an initiative to enforce their state’s tough anti-texting and driving law.

That’s right. New York already has one of the toughest anti-texting and driving laws in the United States. According to a recent report by InsuranceQuotes.com they are considered to have the fifth-toughest law against texting and driving.

Since 2010 drivers caught texting behind the wheel the first time receive a $150 fine, plus a state tax of $85. If they actually get caught in the act they also get two points on their driving record.

Judging by the more than 800 texting and driving citations handed out by NYSP over the Thanksgiving weekend, the law is still not much of a deterrent. But it is a good start.

While NYSP were handing out citations to people who were found to be texting while driving, even more tickets were being handed out to people for other driving infractions like drinking and driving, speeding and ignoring traffic signals. When you think about all these distracted drivers on the streets you might wonder how anyone made it home safely for Thanksgiving.

Defensive driving NY has a lot to do with that. Defensive drivers understand the risks of distracted driving. They don’t allow anything to come between them and their focus on driving safely. They maintain the proper speed, obey all traffic signals and definitely take their eyes off the road to update their Facebook page or send out a Tweet.

The fact is, New York defensive driving will get you home safe because defensive drivers are the most likely drivers to arrive at their destination safely.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 20, 2011 

New York Traffic Hotspots

defensive driving new york

There are humorous top ten lists aplenty, but this isn’t one of them. At least, it’s not funny for folks who live and work in and around the New York City area.

A new study conducted by the NYU’s Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management and based on U.S. Transportation statistics, lists the top 10 worst traffic spots in New York City. In what is surely not a surprise to the folks who live there, the worst areas not located within the five boroughs of NYC, but in the areas just outside; around the periphery of the heart of NYC. This makes perfect sense, as drivers look for routes that avoid what they believe to be the worst traffic areas, they actually create new worst areas.

Of course defensive drivers in New York understand that traffic or no traffic, it makes sense to allow plenty of time to get to your destination so there’s no reason to give in to the temptation of speeding. Safe driving becomes not so much an accident (pardon the pun) but a habit.

Anyone who has completed an defensive driving NY online course also understands the importance of defensive driving, so they can avoid further driving citations.

The new study offers a list of the most congested areas and the worst possible times to be driving through them. The best idea is to avoid these areas during certain times of day. And if you do get caught in a heavily congested area just relax, take it easy and try to be patient.

Here is the complete list and times of day when the traffic is heaviest:

  • Whitestone Expressway: Exit 14/Linden Place to Whitestone Bridge (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Hutchinson Parkway: Cross-Country Parkway to Mamaroneck Road (When to avoid: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.)
  • Pulaski Skyway: I-95 to Tonnelle Avenue (When to avoid: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.)
  • I-84 near Waterbury, Conn.: Interstate 691 to Austin Road (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Major Deegan Expressway: Van Cortlandt Park to I-95 (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • I-95 in the Bronx/Manhattan: Exit 13/Conner Street to Fort Lee, N.J. (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Conn. Turnpike in New Haven: Marsh Hill Road to Ella Grasso Blvd (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Major Deegan Expressway: I-278 to I-95 (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • FDR Drive 34th Street to 116th Street (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Henry Hudson Parkway: 72nd Street to George Washington Bridge (When to avoid: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Image: Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 20, 2011 

Save Yourself From High Insurance Rates

defensive driving new york

Times are tough. The economy is still struggling, people are still out of work and you’re still getting that whopping big car insurance bill every month.

Two of those things you can’t do much about unless you’re a Congressman, but the third thing, your monthly automobile insurance bill, THAT you can control. Taking a defensive driving course is a good place to start. Insurance providers in some states will actually lower your premiums if you successfully complete an online defensive driving NY course every three years. In nEw York that amounts to a 10 percent savings every year. In New Jersey it’s a little lower at 5 percent, but a buck’s a buck when you’re looking save money.

If insurance providers in your state don’t offer a discount for completion of a defensive driving NY course there are other ways to cut your insurance premiums. They all start and end with you being a safe driver.

1. Use caution and drive defensively. Avoid crashes at all costs. You probably think you already do this, but do you really? Do you slow down when you see a deer crossing or school zone sign? Do you keep your headlights on during the day AND night? Studies have shown running your headlights during the daytime has decreased traffic accidents in countries where it is the law.

2. Buy a safer vehicle. That shiny little sports car might look like fun, but it’s probably not very safe. Look for something with added safety features like anti-lock brakes, driver’s side and passenger side air bags, plus side curtain airbags. Traction control helps your tires grip when you need them to. You might also consider a vehicle with electronic stability control to keep it upright and in control automatically even when you’re not able to.

You might also consider a vehicle with preventative safety measures included, like a rear-view wide angle video camera or a heads-up display night vision. Anything that makes it easier for you to see where you’re going at all times is bound to help keep you safe. (Plus, studies have shown that they.)

3. Watch your speed. You might feel like you’re “sticking it to the man” every down you fly down the highway at unsafe speeds, but all you’re really doing is showing your insurnace company that they probably aren’t charging you enough for your insurance. The more speeding tickets you get, the more points you get on your license. the more points on your license, the higher your insurance premiums are going to go. The sky’s the limit when it comes to automobile insurance rates!

So, complain about the economy, or the unemployment rate or the stock market if you want to. But don’t complain about your insurance rates because that’s nobody’s fault but your own.

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December 16, 2011 

New York Traffic Safety Officials Try Haiku

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Never let it be said New Yorkers lack a sense of humor and an appreciation for the art of brief poetry. Specifically, I am speaking of the new Haiku inspired traffic safety signs New York City safety officials have installed near cultural institutions and schools where vehicle crashes are most common. The more than 200 new signs offer simple safety tips in the form of an illustration accompanied by a brief Haiku explaining the need for caution in the area.

It is still too early to determine if the signs are having any impact, but they are aimed at pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists, so the chances are good that someone in at least one of those groups will be inspired by the quirky verse to drive, walk or bike in a safer manner when they see it. Which is a good thing.

There are so far more than 50,000 for-hire vehicles cruising through New York City on any given day. Add to that thousands of buses and tens of thousands of personal vehicles and you get an idea of just how busy the streets are in this 465 square mile region of the United States. New York City is the most populous region in the U.S. and on any given day it seems as if all of them are in their cars driving around, maybe taking in the sights or simply going to work.

Haiku has been a popular form of Japanese short-poetry for more than 1,000 years. It is still almost as relevant today as it was in the 9th century, with tens of thousands of people still actively creating new Haiku every day.

Can Haiku make a difference when it comes to traffic safety? That’s a good question. Haiku is an art. Defensive driving New York is also an art. Bringing the two together might just result in a safer experience for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, helping them learn to share the road in peace and harmony. But only time will tell.

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December 14, 2011 

NY Drivers Lack Common Sense (Like The Rest Of America)

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When it comes to safe drivers New York has about as many as any other state in the Union, which definitely isn’t enough.

New York drivers pride themselves on their ability to safely navigate the near endless construction zones, heavy traffic and a dizzying array of street signs, one-way streets and traffic signals both living (traffic cops) and automated. They take driving seriously, as they should, given they spend a good portion of their lives sitting behind the wheel of their cars.

New York certainly hasn’t cornered the market on New York defensive driving, but then again, neither has anyone else. Defensive drivers are still in the minority every time they hit the road. The number of defensive driving course graduates is increasing every year, as insurance companies begin offering discounts for those who complete the course and as a result of driving citations. Traffic school is a great way to escape the accumulation of points on your license, but it is also a great way to improve your driving skills so you can avoid getting more citations in the future.

Not too long ago the New York Daily News posted an article on its website with a headline which read in part: “New York drivers dumbest in the nation…” The article cited a recent survey by GMAC which seemed to indicate New York drivers were the least knowledgeable about local traffic laws. In their defense, most states didn’t finished much better.

Much has been said about which state has the best crop of drivers, but the fact is, most Americans still have a lot to learn when it comes to defensive driving. If your skills are lacking, or you feel it might be a good idea to brush up on your defensive driving NY skills, don’t wait to be sent to traffic school, do yourself a favor and sign up now.

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December 14, 2011 

Texting And Driving Can Cost You More Than Your License

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Text And Die

Want to know what’s worse than drinking and driving? Texting and driving. Yup. You read that right. The guy who downs a several beers before getting behind the wheel and driving home is actually a better bet than the teenage football star who is trying to text his buddies on the way home from school.

Studies have repeatedly shown that texting and driving is the most distracting thing a driver can be doing while they are supposed to be DRIVING. It requires the driver to not only take their eyes off the road, but their brains shift focus away from driving as well, making it doubly dangerous.

Now, we’re not suggesting drunk drivers are ok. No. We’re suggesting that texting and driving is a recipe for disaster.

NY defensive driving means paying attention to what is going on around you at all times. Being a good defensive driver in New York means being twice as vigilant as you would someplace that wasn’t home to more than 19,000,000 people.

New York is a great place to live, but if you want to go on living, especially if you drive, you need to be smart. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by digital devices that draw your attention away from the road. The road is where the danger is, not on your phone. Whoever is calling you or texting you will call you back. Or, you can call them back when you get to where you are going, assuming you even want to talk to them at all. There is no need to endanger your own life and the life of everyone you share the road with by trying to do anything other than driving.

Defensive driving New York is an important skill to have for anyone hitting the roads today, or any day. It can help you understand the risks you take every time you get behind the wheel. And unfortunately, there are many, no need to make texting one of yours.

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December 14, 2011 

Speed Kills: No Driver Is Immune

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Before you get behind the wheel of a 3,000 pound car, or an 8,000 pound SUV, remember this: You are actually getting behind the wheel of a deadly weapon.

When you step on that accelerator your car launches like a rocket. Sure, you can steer and control your vehicle at safe speeds, but when you push the limits you risk losing control, and perhaps losing your life.

This one of the key lessons learned in traffic school. Defensive driving is all about behaving in a way which lets people know you understand just how dangerous your vehicle really is. It’s not a toy. It is a deadly weapon that can hurt or kill you, someone you love or someone you’ve never even met before but just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In NY defensive driving is no accident. It requires careful study, attention to detail and a full knowledge and understanding of the traffic laws in places you will drive, the limitations of your vehicle and your own limitations as a human being. Once you understand the rules of the road and how you must follow them, you stand a much better chance of arriving at your destination safe and sound than if you just jump into your car and go.

A defensive driving course is a good idea for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel; first time drivers or drivers who could use a refresher. There is no shame in taking a New York defensive driving course, but there is shame in disregarding the traffic safety laws and hurting yourself or someone else.

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December 14, 2011 

Insurers Embrace Defensive Driving

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Defensive Driving Brings Big Savings

Insurance companies are trying to push through a graduated driver licensing program in all fifty states. Most estimates show that improved driver safety in teenagers, either through attendance in a defensive driving course NY (which can greatly decrease your premiums in New York and New Jersey) or a graduated driver licensing program, reduce property damage and deaths from automobile crashes. There is real evidence of the effectiveness of a two-tiered approach, but emphasis on defensive driving is the key.

Defensive driving does not mean you need drive faster than everyone else, or have your middle finger ready to ward off tail-gaters. It means be aware of the importance of focusing your full attention on the road ahead of you and not allowing yourself to be distracted while driving.

There is no substitute for the level of confidence driver’s can get by successfully completing a NY defensive driving course, but a graduated driver’s licensing program does help.

Right now Congress is considering a series of new health and safety measures as part of a comprehensive highway and infrastructure budget spending bill. Insurers and the National Safety Council hope they will consider making a graduated driver licensing program a federal law enforced in all 50 states. Most of these programs, enacted already in several states, involve a three step system for teenagers looking to get their hands on a driver’s license. The first step involves the teen passing a qualifying test to get their learner’s permit. With their learner’s permit they will only be allowed supervised driving privileges with an adult in the vehicle. Once they complete the requisite number of supervised driving hours they will receive an “Intermediate License” which will allow them to drive only during certain hours, with a limited number of passengers and limited, if any, use of cells phones in the vehicle. Once their time with an Intermediate License is complete they will graduate to a full driver’s license.

In states which use a graduated driver’s license program the number of teenage drivers involved in crashes shows a marked decline. Even with these controls, however, more teens are involved in vehicle accidents than any other demographic. This means the use of a defensive driving course coupled with a graduated driver licensing program will only serve to make the streets even safer for teenage drivers and anyone who shares the road with them.

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December 14, 2011 

Drunk Driving On The Rise In NY

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It’s Down Everywhere But Here

Although the incidence of drunk driving deaths are down nearly 5 percent nationwide, the same is not try when you zero-in on specific regions. New Hampshire saw a more than 50 percent increase in drunk driving fatalities last year and New York saw a 14 percent increase. With a population of almost 20 million people it doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to imagine there are probably more bars and general opportunities for drinking alcohol there than someplace less populated, but this still doesn’t excuse an increase in the number of people who get behind the wheel of a 4,000 pound missile without their brain.

Anyone who has completed a NY defensive driving course understands just how dangerous distracted driving is. So does every state trooper, police officer, EMT paramedic and firefighters because they are the first on the scene when some inebriated driving wraps his vehicle around a street light, or even worse, someone else’s vehicle.

Traffic school is great for lowering your insurance premiums, keeping points from accumulating on your license or teaching you how to be a safe, defensive driver. Unfortunately it won’t heal broken bones or bring someone back to life if they’ve been struck by a drunk driver.

Despite an increase in the number of public service announcements aimed at anyone who even flirts with the idea getting behind the wheel after tossing back a few beers, drunk driving is still prevalent on a regional basis. Just as once upon a time people thought nothing of driving away without first fastening their seat belt, there are still a large number of people who think nothing of driving while under the influence of alcohol or some other mind-altering substance.

Defensive driving NY means taking responsibility for your own actions and avoiding distractions that might keep you from focusing on the task at hand: driving.

There is no excuse for drunk driving, just as there is no excuse for allowing your mother-in-law to redecorate your Man Cave. So don’t do it.

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