by STOPandGO — published on January 10th, 2008
After the European Union created a law requiring drivers to carry a safety vest in their car at all times, Warntex Inc. became one of the largest safety vest suppliers. Now, it’s setting its sights on the United States.
One thing that we beat around here regularly is that we don’t believe law is always the answer. This is a case where passing a law requiring drivers to have more equipment in their car will have dubious benefits at best. While a safety vest is important if you plan to be standing in the middle of the road, the best way to handle dangerous roadside repairs is to avoid them in the first place. Always pull your car completely out of traffic if you need to make a repair. Otherwise, what are you doing in the road in the first place? On the other hand, if you are qualified with CPR or First Aid, you may want to consider carrying a safety vest in case you ever stop to assist after a motor vehicle accident. But safety vests for everyone? That just sounds like corporatism to the benefit of Warntex at our expense.
by STOPandGO — published on January 2nd, 2008
What is the exact law when it comes to turn signals? Is it mandatory to use them each time you make a turn?
What is the meaning of a red arrow for right turns? Can you make the turn if the arrow is red or do you treat the red arrow like a stop sign?
Allan Roberts of the Sun Sentinel addresses these questions and more in his column.
Florida: Signal required every time you turn, shift lanes
Note that in New York, home of STOPandGO.org, some of the advice doesn’t apply. There are cases in New York where you are not required to use your turn signal, for example, when you make a turn in the direction indicated by a “turn only” lane. Also, New York requires that drivers stop and wait at right-turn red arrows. However, acknowledging the confusion caused by this type of traffic control, New York has instead began use a red ball and “No Turn on Red” sign instead of a right red arrow.
by STOPandGO — published on January 2nd, 2008
Aiming to deal with growing problems caused by the sheer number of vehicles and pedestrians flooding its roads, the Chinese government has adopted a new set of traffic laws that emphasize “respect to life”. The new rules provide for minimal liability for persons involved in accidents that are not their fault. The new rules go into effect May 1, 2008.
China adopts amendment to road traffic law, emphasizing “respect to life”
by STOPandGO — published on January 2nd, 2008
Atlanta’s Dawson Times posted this article about eight ways they believe can help control neighborhood speeding. They range from effective methods involving coordination with law enforcement to hilariously ineffective methods including driving slow with a “neighborhood pace car” sticker on your car. We certainly don’t recommend that you play pace car.
Eight Ways to Stop Neighborhood Speeding
by STOPandGO — published on December 18th, 2007
“In a blizzard or in especially icy conditions, we all support your good sense in slowing down and driving more cautiously. In normal day-to-day winter driving conditions, however, we do not enjoy slamming on our brakes, nearly spinning off the highway or into other drivers when you attempt to merge at 60 km/h while the rest of us are going the legal speed of 100 km/h.”
Danger: Slow Driver
by STOPandGO — published on December 2nd, 2007
Young drivers often become the victims of myths - from bad maintenance advice to mistaken safety tips. Here are 10 common misconceptions among young drivers and what to do instead. To you older drivers: No one’s watching, so feel free to take a peek.
Common myths can cost you money - and even your life
by STOPandGO — published on November 29th, 2007
“I need a laugh today. Can you please print the ridiculous excuses people give for not using their turn signals? Please remind your readers that it is the law, common courtesy and a key to safety on streets and freeways.”
Roadshow: Your blinkers are there for a reason
by STOPandGO — published on November 29th, 2007
“Let’s see. You are driving a car or SUV weighing between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds. I am driving a fire truck that weighs 43,500 pounds. And that is just a plain-old pumper, not a ladder truck or tanker. If you do not yield the right of way and I cannot stop, who do you think is going to win? That is not saying who is at fault, but if you fail to yield and a crash occurs, mine’s bigger than yours and you are going to get hurt, at best. This rule is what I teach children to remind their parents: ‘Flashing lights? Pull to the right!’”
Courtesy on the road is better for all of us
by STOPandGO — published on November 26th, 2007
Most people would agree that the standards of driving in the UAE leave a lot of room for improvement. One way of trying to make our roads safer is to launch an awareness campaign, and just such an initiative has been started by the Emirates Driving Institute. The scheme aims to tell young people how to look after themselves on the roads and deal with emergencies and accidents.
Safety campaigns work but drivers must make effort
by STOPandGO — published on November 21st, 2007
“Red light running is an issue of growing concern on our roadways,” said Greg Seiter, spokesman for AAA, in a news release. “And the increased traffic we expect to see around busy shopping malls this holiday season, we believe it’s important to help motorists understand just how dangerous the act of running a red light really can be.
Reminder from AAA: Red means stop
