Did you know that 4 out of every 5 car seats are not installed properly? For caregivers, it’s not always easy to know how to correctly secure a child in a car seat, or how to fit the seat into the car. That’s why Delaware is joining the rest of the nation to promote awareness during National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 14-20.

What you need to know

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares these facts:

• Every 34 seconds one child, under age 13, is involved in a crash.
• In 2012, over one third (37%) of children killed in car crashes were not in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts.
• 1/3 of kids aged 8-14 killed in crashes were riding in the front seat. All children under age 13 should ride in the back seat.

What you can do

To celebrate Child Passenger Safety Week, OHS is offering two opportunities statewide for families to get their car seats checked for free. Both are free and open to the public with no appointment needed. During these events, certified technicians will check your car seat and distribute important information on child passenger safety including tip sheets, how to register your car seat, and where to find car seat fitting stations.  Plus, Buckle Bear will be in attendance for the kids.

• Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm @ Christiana Care Hospital Maternity Department.
• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm @ Dover DMV.

Fitting stations are conveniently located statewide and staffed by certified child passenger safety technicians who will inspect the car seat for correct installation and show you how to properly position your child in the seat.  To learn more, please go to www.safercar.gov

Buckle Up. Arrive Alive DE.

Do you have plans to take a road trip this summer? Perhaps you will take in some of the local attractions, visit the beaches, or spend time with family and friends. No matter where you go or what you do, always remember to drive safely. The life you save may be your own.

What you need to know

Driving too fast, failing to yield the right of way to others, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are common causes of crashes in the first state. These crashes are preventable. Did you know:

• To date, Delaware has seen a 22% increase in fatal crashes and traffic deaths are up 25% over 2013.
• Single car crashes and single motorcycle crashes account for nearly half of all fatal crashes in 2014.

What you can do

It is typical during the summer months to see an increase in motorists on the highways, and consequently, an increase in traffic crashes. At OHS, we feel that even one death on our roads is too many.   To stay safe and arrive alive, follow these simple tips every time you get behind the wheel:

• Check your speed. Plan your route in advance and be prepared to spend more time reaching your destination rather than speeding to get there faster.
• Obey intersection safety rules. Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic also increases during the summer. Traffic signals and stop signs are in place to maintain safe roadways for drivers, passengers and pedestrians sharing the road.
• Buckle up. All passengers in the vehicle should use seat belts to keep them safe in the event of a crash.
• If you are drinking, do not drive. Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternate transportation.

For more information visit www.ohs.delaware.gov. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE. And for updated information on checkpoints in your area, text Checkpoint to 99000.

Drive Safe. Arrive Alive DE.

Did you know that motorists who use hand-held devices while driving are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves?  It has become a common occurrence to see others talking on their hand-held cell phone or checking their smartphone while driving.  You may even do it yourself.  But there is more to Distracted Driving than just talking on a cell phone and texting.

What you need to know

Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the task of driving.   Any non-driving activity you engage in while behind the wheel is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.  Driving while using a cell phone is particularly dangerous. Consider this:

• Cell phone related crashes trend young in Delaware. 54% of these crashes are caused by a person under the age of 30.
• Of people under 30, males account for 60% of crashes and females 40%.
• Of those aged 19 and under, 56% of those responsible were male and 44% were female.
• 61% of cell phone related crashes have occurred in New Castle County. 23% have occurred in Sussex County, and 15% have occurred in Kent County.
• Friday trends much higher than other days for cell phone related crashes with the next highest days being Wednesday and Thursday.
• Cell phone crash rates increase around lunch time, as well as between 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. when bars close.

What you can do

OHS and Delaware law enforcement are teaming up to stop distracted drivers by collaborating on a one day cell phone enforcement blitz on February 18.   In 2013, nearly 19,610 citations were written for violating the state’s hands free cell phone law.

• The law bans texting while driving, as well as bans the use of hand-held cell phones and the use of other mobile devices while driving.
• Drivers are required to use hands-free technology in order to use a cell phone while driving.

Since the average fine is over $100, it is best to turn off the phone and put it away until you have reached your destination.  If you need to make a call, pull off to a safe location.

And remember, if you have a cell phone in one hand, you may have a ticket in the other.

For more information about Delaware’s cell phone law, see www.ohs.delaware.gov/cellphone.  You can also find more information about distracted driving at www.distraction.gov .

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is brought to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.

Super Bowl Sunday is only a few days away!  Have you decided where you are going to watch Denver and Seattle go head to head?  If your game plan includes cheering on your favorite team at a friend’s house or at a local sports bar, be sure to include a sober driver as the final play.  

What you need to know

Our law enforcement partners will be on high alert Sunday evening looking for impaired and other unsafe drivers.  If you will be on the road, here is what you need to know: 

• This year, OHS scheduled 150 overtime DUI patrols for the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl Sunday. 
• There will be one DUI checkpoint in Wilmington on February 2.
• Since January 1, 84 people have been arrested in Delaware for DUI- alcohol or drugs.
• Last year during NFL Playoffs and during  Super Bowl Sunday, officers statewide conducted 60 roving patrols and 3 checkpoints that  yielded:
  • 7 DUI and 13 Drug arrests;
  • 9 fugitive arrests;
  • 214 speed violations;
  • 17 cell-phone and 28 seat belt arrests; and
  • 250 other traffic and criminal arrests.

What you can do

Partying without a designated driver is like going into the huddle without a quarterback.  Each team going into the Super Bowl has a game plan.  You should have one, too: 

 If you are having friends over:

• Before kickoff, make sure each person has a sober designated driver.
• Serve plenty of high protein foods like meats and cheeses, or sandwiches …avoid the salty snacks which make people want to drink more.
• Always provide non-alcoholic drink alternatives – soft drinks, sweet tea, juice, and water.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums). 

If you are watching at a friend’s house, sports bar, or restaurant:

• Designate a sober driver before you leave home or volunteer to be one yourself.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast or on an empty stomach.
• Pace yourself—eat foods rich in protein, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Finally, never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.

Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov. 

It’s a wonderful time of the year. The time of year when we celebrate our accomplishments, consider our challenges, and join friends and family in welcoming the New Year. Here at OHS, we find ourselves doing the same thing.

What you need to know 

When looking over the preliminary crash data for 2013, it appears that Delaware has experienced fewer fatal crashes than at this time last year.  This means that we are on track to see fewer overall crashes and fewer overall deaths as the year comes to an end.  Here are the facts that you need to know: 

• Thus far, there have been 10% fewer crashes and 10% fewer deaths in 2013 than in 2012. 
• Alcohol-related crashes make up 34% of the total crashes to date this year, compared to 49% at this time last year.
• Seat belt use in fatal crashes is slightly down from 2012.  Nearly half of all vehicle passengers killed are not properly buckled.
• Aggressive driving continues to contribute to 1/3 of all crashes.

What you can do 

Like you, we look forward to celebrating the holidays.  But there is a balance between having fun and being responsible to those who depend on you.  That’s why both awareness and enforcement are cornerstones of our annual Safe Family Holiday campaign; with the goal of keeping families safe during this very special time of year.  

• The DUI Tree project brings awareness of the prevalence of alcohol-involved crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year.  Check our virtual DUI Tree for weekly updates during the holiday season at www.DUIrealtime.com/safeholidays.  
• Holiday Mocktail events are planned statewide to encourage responsible party planning.  Safe and Sober Party Guides are always free of charge and available online at http://ohs.delaware.gov/pdfs/2013/mocktail/Safe-Sober_MocktailUpdate_HolidaySeason.pdf.  
• Be aware that enforcement is statewide and ongoing from now through the end of the year. Enforcement includes sobriety checkpoints and overtime patrols looking for aggressive and impaired drivers, as well as anyone who is not properly secured in a seat belt.

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE. 

This message is being sent to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.