Federal Way police advise back to school safety tips

Wednesday is the first day of the 2014-15 school year in Federal Way, which means thousands of kids will be walking, riding and driving to school. The Federal Way Police Department asks everyone to refresh their knowledge regarding school-related safety tips. Please discuss these tips with all members of the family.

Police Chief Andy Hwang said, “As a community we share a responsibility for the safety of our school children. As the start of school approaches, we want to remind drivers to exercise caution and obey school zone speed limits as speed makes a huge difference in preventing accidents.”

Mayor Jim Ferrell has also emphasized the importance of safety.

“Keeping our children safe as they head back to school is of paramount importance. We all have a role and responsibility to be alert and watch out for pedestrians and our kids as the school year begins.”

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 29 percent of pedestrian-related fatalities happen in the fall, the most dangerous time for pedestrians:

1. Respect the bus. Yield when they are attempting to merge, and maintain a significant distance behind them, as they often make unexpected stops. Make sure children know to walk in front of — never in back of — buses.

2. Get in the zone. Speed limits in school zones are 20 mph. Abide by the limits and look out for pedestrians, keeping your foot on the brake.

3. Walk smart. A major driving hazard is pedestrians who jaywalk, cross at a red light or text while walking. Remember to be a good pedestrian — cross at corners/marked crosswalks and in clear view, never between parked cars. Remind your kids to do the same.

4. Pool Safety. If you’re part of a carpool it’s up to you to remind your children/passengers that seat belts are a must — no matter who they are driving with. Not only are seat belts the law, they save thousands of lives each year. Backpacks off, seat belts on and sit in the backseat.

5. Go back to school. Even if you’ve been driving for 30 years, make time for a refresher course in safe driving. Through your insurer, you may be eligible for a discount for a program.

Finally, distracted driving unfortunately didn’t end with the summer either. The national report “Distracted Drivers in School Zones” offers sobering statistics about the effects. Police officials urge drivers to turn off/put down your cell phone while in the car and to make safety a priority.

Whether driving or running on the road, keep Dad connected! Father’s Day 2014 sales tips

Knowing how Dad will use a device — his habits and preferences — is essential to making sure the right present is matched to the beloved paternal influence this Father’s Day (7 September 2014). That’s the message from two marketers looking to direct sons and daughters to exciting new devices.

First up, we hear from Wendy Hammond from Navman. She said sales staff need to connect with the consumer, always remembering that around this time of year, the person buying the product will not be the one using it.

You need to put yourself in the shoes of the buyers: try to understand their Dad’s lifestyle and needs. Understand what his priorities are, then help them find the right device to suit his needs.

For instance, is he tech savvy or will he want a simple-to-use device? Is price a concern or would they spend a little bit more so Dad gets more use out of the device, like avoiding fines? Does he use social media a lot and like to keep up with technology?

It’s about using the right device for the right occasion: there are times when using a smartphone is good; but in the car, you need an in-car GPS.

Navman SmartGPS (RRP $299)

Although traditionally a personal navigation vendor, TomTom has diversified admirably, and now has a burgeoning smartwatch business.  Winnie Kwan gave us the lowdown on how to capitalise on this burst of interest in wearable technology.

Father’s Day is an exciting time for retailers to capitalise on the growing health and fitness category. Some tips for retailers this Father’s Day are:

• Incorporate health and fitness products in your in-store display to capitalise on increased consumer interest in this category;
• Invest in advertising in catalogues and websites, as well as in some key publications and media outlets;
• Engage with consumers online by incorporating health and fitness topics into social media campaigns;
• Consider collaborating with other health and fitness organisations such as gyms, personal trainers and health insurance companies.

Summerdale police offer safety tips for holiday weekend

SUMMERDALE, Ala. (WALA) – With thousands of people hitting the roads this weekend, law enforcement officials say common sense will help keep many people safe as they travel.

“So many accidents that we respond to as police officers are preventable and they’re accidents that should not have occurred,” Summerdale Police Sgt. Hugh Bohannon said.

That’s the idea Bohannon wants people to remember as they drive this weekend. Sticking to the speed limit is a big item to bear in mind. Also: “Tailgating, a very dangerous situation, especially when you have a high volume of traffic such as we have this weekend. So you put a combination of speeding and tailgating, it’s a recipe for disaster,” Bohannon said.

A big problem, especially with young drivers, is texting while driving.

“I understand that in a 24 hour society like we live in, constant communication, people want to have that. However it is such a dangerous combination: texting and driving. And there’s been many studies done that show that that person who’s texting has the same reaction time as someone who’s been drinking,” Bohannon said.

And speaking of drinking and driving, that’s something Bohannon said, unfortunately, tends to be a part of every holiday weekend.

“Especially with football coming on and a holiday weekend, we will see an increase in DUI’s. And unfortunately, that’s just the nature of the beast,” Bohannon said.

But Bohannon hopes drivers will think twice and take steps to do the right thing when on the road.

“We all just want the citizens to have a great Labor Day weekend and be safe about it. Just use common sense,” Bohannon said.

School Bus Safety Tips For Drivers & Parents

(WLNS) - With the Labor Day holiday coming up it's a good time to remember that students will be heading back to schools across Michigan.  A lot of those children will be riding on a school bus.  They're often not paying attention when they get on or off the bus, so drivers have to be cautious. 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office encourages drivers to limit distractions and concentrate on the road as children of all ages get back to school. They've put together a list of reminders for drivers and parents.

Tips for Motorists

Remember that children can be unpredictable. Take extreme caution when traveling in a school zone.

If you live in an area where there are no sidewalks, drive cautiously. Be more alert to the possibility of children walking in the road.

Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly

Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Put down your phone – don't talk or text while driving!

Slow down and prepare to stop whenever you see yellow school bus lights flashing.

Never pass a school bus when there are flashing red lights. This is a sign that children are getting off the bus – and it's the law!

Parents please have a conversation with your students:

Remind children to obey all traffic signals, signs and crossing guards

Encourage children to stay out of the roadway where sidewalks are provided except to cross the street

If your child bikes to school make sure he or she wears a helmet that meets safety standards. Research indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%.

Safety Tips For Young Driver

The Institute of Advanced Motorists has revealed tips for young drivers that make motoring safer, cheaper and more enjoyable. These relate to maintenance, minimising the cost of motor insurance, coping with passengers, alcohol and motorways. The Institute's Chief Examiner, Peter Rodger, said there are: “many new challenges that come alongside the sense of freedom” associated with passing the test. He added: “It’s important that young drivers don’t see losing their l-plates as the end of their driving development” and that: “skill and knowledge come with experience”. His advice includes:

Tips To Keep Young Drivers Safe On The Road

•“As part of learning to drive, it’s likely that you will have been taught how to do basic checks on your vehicle – tyre tread and pressure, fluid levels, lights, and mirrors and windows. It’s important that you spend a few minutes each week doing each of these checks in order to avoid a breakdown and drive safely.

•As a young driver, shopping for car insurance can be a stressful task – you’re likely to be faced with many unaffordable insurance quotes. Use comparison sites to shop around, and consider having a telematics box fitted to bring your premiums down. Further driver training will also bring costs down.

•The law states that you are allowed up to 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood before you are over the drink-drive limit. However, it’s impossible to judge how much you can drink and still be under the limit, so make it none for the road. And beware the morning-after effect – there may still be enough alcohol in your system to land you with a conviction for drink-driving.

•It’s inevitable that once you pass your test you’ll be expected to taxi about groups of your friends. But passengers are known to be one of the greatest and most disruptive in-car distractions. Make sure you keep your concentration on the road, rather than on those in the passenger seats.

•Learner drivers are currently not allowed on the motorway. This means that once they pass, they are faced with the often daunting task of driving on high-speed, unfamiliar roads. But there is no need to be anxious – motorways are statistically our safest roads, and the skills you learned to pass your test will equip you to take them on. Remember to check your mirrors more regularly and leave a minimum two second gap between yourself and the car in front.”

Safe driving tips for the Labour Day long weekend

The final long weekend of the summer is fast approaching which means increased traffic on our roads and highways. CAA Saskatchewan encourages drivers to follow some important tips to stay safe. “Slow down, drive less aggressively and ensure your vehicle is in top working condition. You’ll be safer on the road and also use less fuel,” said Christine Niemczyk, Director of Communications with CAA Saskatchewan.

Follow these tips to drive safely and help save on fuel costs:

- Ensure your vehicle is in good condition with properly inflated tires, including the spare. A poorly maintained vehicle can use up to 50 per cent more fuel. Under-inflated tires also reduce safety and fuel efficiency.

- Check your vehicle’s brakes and fluid levels including motor oil and windshield washer fluids.

- Have your vehicle inspected in advance of your road trip. Take advantage of the qualified staff at the CAA Car Care Centres or the Approved Auto Repair Service (AARS).

- All occupants must wear their seat belts. Ensure children are properly secured and that car seats and booster seats are installed correctly.

- Carry a cell phone or similar type of communications device with a charger for use in case of emergencies.

- Don’t speed. It’s dangerous, and driving above 90 kilometres per hour decreases your fuel efficiency exponentially.

- Slow to 60 kilometres per hour on Saskatchewan highways in construction zones, when passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks assisting motorists. Failing to do so is unsafe and could also cost you a fine.

- Avoid aggressive driving. Jackrabbit starts and hard braking can increase fuel use up to 40 per cent.

- The use of hand-held communications devices behind the wheel is banned in Saskatchewan, as well as in all Canadian provinces.

- Drivers should remain focused and alert; eliminate driver distractions such as conversations with passengers, eating, drinking, adjusting radio dials and smoking.

- Pull over to use the phone or navigation system. Appoint a passenger as the navigation or communications buddy so the driver can remain focused.

- Do not drink and drive. Appoint a designated driver.

- It’s important to get plenty of rest before you travel. If you’re overtired, stop for regular breaks.

Boise school-zone driving test underscores need to slow down

Three days after students in the Boise School District returned to school, the Boise Police Department on Thursday wanted to simulate conditions at local elementary schools and show why it's important for motorists to slow down in school zones.

Officer Kyle Wills put me behind the wheel of a four-door sedan in the police department's parking lot and asked me to step on the pedal to get up to 35 mph. He pointed out an officer standing in the distance holding an orange crossing-guard flag. He told me to slam on the brakes when that officer waved the flag.

Two-thirds of the way through, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I wasn't anywhere near the officer holding the flag, but I was concerned by the movement, so I slammed on the brakes.

The car reacted as many cars would when they haven't had their brake pads replaced recently. The brakes slowed the car, but the vehicle didn't stop on a dime — or even on 25 Sacajawea dollars.

The movement I witnessed was a paper depiction of a young child, pulled into my path by an officer hidden behind an SUV and yanking ropes. It was meant to simulate a youngster coming out from behind a parked car without paying attention to the surroundings.

I tried to visualize some of the schools I have driven past and the myriad activities taking place. There may be students walking along the sidewalk or waiting at a crosswalk, parents driving to drop off or pick up their children, or errant balls rolling into the street.

I was going only 30 when the paper child ran in front of me, so I had a little more time to react than if I had been going 35. Still, Wills said I reacted faster than reporters for other news organizations who had gone through the same exercise earlier in the day. (Take that, you TV stations.) But even then, I struck the child.

I went through the exercise again, this time going 20 miles per hour. The slower speed allowed me to stop several feet in front of the test dummy and without slamming on the brakes.

"At 20 mph, you could stop in almost any situation," Wills said. "You could have almost rolled to a stop."

The average car can take half as far to stop at 20 mph than it would if going 35, Boise police pointed out.

"No one ever wants to be in a situation where they hit a child - or anyone, for that matter," Wills said.

Children don't always understand the danger they put themselves in, and they act differently than adults, he said.

"We know that kids are unpredictable, and as drivers we have to be aware of that," he said.

The speed limit in school zones is 20 mph. Most school zones in Boise are marked with yellow lights that flash when that limit is in effect during school hours. Some school zones have signs posted listing the hours when the 20 mph limit must be observed.

Last year, Boise police issued 85 citations for speeding in a school zone. So far in 2014, 26 tickets have been written. The fine is $151.50.

Thursday's demonstration reminded me of a similar but real-life situation I faced years ago.

I was driving west on State Street in Boise and stopped at the red light at North 27th Street. The light turned green. A child on a bicycle pulled out onto State from 27th on my right. I slammed on the brakes. I narrowly avoided hitting the boy.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/08/29/3346829/school-zone-test-in-boise-proves.html#storylink=cpy

RHPD: Man huffing and driving passes stopped school bus

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with inhaling aromatic hydrocarbons, AKA huffing, passing a stopped school bus and resisting police after a traffic stop off Celanese Road.

Officers said Adam Perlowich was huffing keyboard cleaner in his car while parked in a random Rock Hill neighborhood Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the car was parked diagonally across a cul-de-sac. A state constable went to see if the driver of the car was alright.

"[The driver] huffed out of the can, right in front of the witness, and then took off. So the witness called 911 and followed him out. It was like 7 a.m. when the buses were making their runs for school," explained Rock Hill Police Spokesperson Mark Bollinger, "in one of the neighborhoods, he passed a stopped school bus with the arm out. So we were lucky that none of the school children were hurt."

Police and the man who followed the car said Perlowich drove around the India Hook and Celanese Roads area before pulling into the Yorktown Village Apartments.

"The police officer was standing there and the guy was still huffing out of a can," said Bollinger.

The report indicated a witness grabbed cellphone video of that particular moment. NBC Charlotte obtained that cellphone video, which appears to show a man in the driver's seat holding a can up to his face, then passing out as a police officer stands by the window.

Perlowich was not charged with driving under the influence.

Bollinger told NBC Charlotte, "He was under the influence, but there's no test that can determine the chemicals in the spray can are illegal intoxicants."

Perlowich was released on $2200 bond.

Rock Hill Police said they're seeing more people turning to inhalants.

"We've had an uptick of people going back to huffing. It's mostly adults though, late 20s, 30s and 40s of all socioeconomic classes. They just huff dust-off."

Huffing is a dangerous and potentially deadly addiction for many people across the country. If you or a loved one are huffing, please seek help.

Ron Fellow Performance Driving School Partners with the NCM

The 186-acre NCM Motorsports Park features a 3.15 mile road course which is comprised of two circuits, "East" and "West". The teams at Corvette Racing and Pratt and Miller advised the Museum on the layout, incorporating features from their most challenging track, the Le Mans circuit. The facility welcomes all makes and models of vehicles, including motorcycles and is located adjacent to I-65 in Bowling Green, Ky.

"Joining forces with Ron Fellows and Spring Mountain furthers our mission to offer a safe and challenging environment where drivers of all ages, interests and skill levels can become more proficient behind the wheel," said Mitch Wright, NCM Motorsports Park General Manager. "Spring Mountain has a long-standing track record of successful driving programs so we are excited to have them as our Official Partner at the track."

Look for an announcement in the coming weeks regarding programs and curriculum at the NCM Motorsports Park; featuring the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, space will be limited.

About Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club

Founded in 2004 by partners John Morris and Brad Rambo, Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club is a 332-acre state-of-the-art racing facility and exclusive motorsports country club located just 55 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. With over 6 miles of challenging racetrack and an array of resort-style amenities including club house and luxury condominiums, Spring Mountain boasts not only the longest road course in North America, but also delivers a world-class motorsports experience to driving enthusiasts of all levels.

Home to the renowned Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, Cadillac V-Series Academy, and the Radical Racing School, Spring Mountain is also the largest Radical race car distributor in the world. The resort offers a variety of services, including performance driving instruction, track rentals, team building activities, performance vehicle sales and more.

Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club is an independently owned and operated Nevada LLC, privately funded and headquartered in Pahrump, Nev.

About NCM Motorsports Park

With over one mile of frontage on Interstate 65 and located across from the National Corvette Museum and the GM Corvette Assembly Plant, the NCM Motorsports Park is one of the most centrally located and easily accessible driving facilities in the country. The top priority of the NCM Motorsports Park is education and safety, offering a twin circuit arrangement of a 2-mile/13 turn west course, and 1-mile/10 turn east course which can be combined into multiple configurations, plus a 22-acre paddock and

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