Could the holidays get any busier?  Between your regular work schedule, family commitments and holiday gatherings – who has time to think about safe driving? You do!  OHS would like to remind everyone that safe driving should never take a holiday.

What you need to know

This year marks the 14^th anniversary of the Office of Highway Safety’s Safe Family Holiday campaign, which combines high visibility enforcement and awareness activities.  During this time OHS teams up with the corporate community, hospitals, state agencies and police across the state to promote traffic safety. Did you know…

• During  the Safe Family Holiday campaign last year, two people were killed in  alcohol-related crashes and another 27 people were injured.
• In 2011, on average, 30 people were arrested for DUI each week during  sobriety checkpoints and patrols between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
• Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day last year, aggressive driving behaviors  caused 566 crashes.  These may include speeding, failure to yield,  and ignoring stop signs/red lights.
• Last year, more than half of the persons killed in crashes on Delaware roads were not wearing their seatbelt.

What you can do

It seems that everyone on the road is in a rush.  Maybe even you.  It is worth the time it takes to be calm and in control while you are behind the wheel this holiday. Remember to:

• Avoid Distractions. It is hard to be calm and in control when you are distracted. Pre-set the radio to your favorite channel.  Turn the smartphone off and put it away. Keep both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and your mind on the task of driving.
• Slow Down and Respect the Sign. Regardless of how others are driving, remain in control of your vehicle.  Obey the posted speed limit signs on the roadway and stop fully at stop signs. If you encounter an aggressive driver, simply remain calm and pull out of the way.
• Drive Sober. The best way to be in control while driving is to be alcohol-free. Always choose a designated driver before the party begins, or volunteer to be the sober driver for family and friends.
• Buckle Up. The best way to stay in control of your vehicle is to be properly restrained in the event of a crash. Every trip. Every time. Everyone in the vehicle.

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.

Did you know that drivers who use hand-held devices 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.

• An estimated 3,000 deaths each year can be attributed to distracted driving nationally.
• In Delaware, driver inattention, distraction, or fatigue contributed to:
  • 1,312 injury crashes and 5 fatal crashes in 2010; and
  • 1,264 injury crashes and 13 fatal crashes in 2011.

What you can do

OHS and Delaware Law Enforcement are teaming up to stop distracted drivers by collaborating on the enforcement and education campaign “Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other”.  Last year, nearly 10,000 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.

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.

Every year OHS supports the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s yearly traffic safety campaign, Drive Safely to Work Week. This year, join us in getting Back to Basics. Simply put, it means focusing on driving the car instead of multi-tasking.  Remember when you were a young driver, and it took all of your senses to drive:  both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road, mind completely on the task of driving? NETS would like us to remember experience does not necessarily make a better driver.

What you need to know

Many employees commute in the first state.  The average commute time for Delawareans is 24.3 minutes, which is nearly 50 minutes on the road each work day.  Here are some interesting facts that you should know:

• 900,000 people live in the state of Delaware; of those, 653,141 are licensed drivers.
• On average, 80% of workers who commute drive alone.
• In 2011, there were 5,204 personal injury crashes and 97 fatal crashes.
• In the same year, 1 out of every 25 licensed drivers was involved in a traffic crash.

What you can do

Since the average person spends a significant amount of time driving to and from work, NETS would like to remind each of us to remember the keys of safe driving:

• Always buckle up. It only takes a few seconds to do the one thing that will keep you safest in the event of a crash.
• Drive with a clear head. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving.
• Avoid distractions. Distractions come in many forms, eliminate as many of them as possible.
• Know the basics of parking and backing. Many crashes can be avoided by simply by being aware of blind spots.
• Review the fundamentals. Go back to the basics of safe driving, including:  mirror placement, scanning the environment around your vehicle, and signaling your intentions.

For more information on DSWW and to get a free information kit, go to www.trafficsafety.org.

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.

Ever experienced a close call?  Perhaps someone ran a red light or made an improper turn in front of your vehicle.  Ever had someone ride too close to your bumper?  What if you did not have the safety of a seat belt, air bag, and crumple zones when these aggressive driving behaviors happen around you.  Now imagine the risks that motorcyclists take, even when wearing their full complement of protective gear.

What you need to know

• To date, there have been 10 motorcycle fatalities (18% of the total fatalities).
• This year, to date, 8 of the 10 motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets.
• The average age of the person killed on in a motorcycle crash is 46.

What you can do

OHS would like to remind you that safe driving behaviors are the same whether you are driving a car, truck, or motorcycle:

• Always look twice before turning into traffic.
• Be vigilant when changing lanes.
• Be aware of blind spots.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Always follow the posted speed limits.
• Use proper lane position.
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Wear all appropriate safety gear – Seat belts for motorists and proper riding gear for motorcyclists.
• For all who share the road, if you see someone who is driving or riding in an unsafe manner, pull over out of the way if possible, and call 911.

Tell us what you think about traffic safety in Delaware by taking part in our annual survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OHSDriverBehaviorSurvey

Share the Road.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you 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.

Class is in session!  What class, you ask?  Traffic Safety 101, where the course of study is safe driving behaviors.

What you need to know

Did you know that in Delaware a crash is reported every 25 minutes and a person is injured nearly every hour?  More disturbing, on average, a traffic-related fatality occurs every 3 ½ days.  Consider these facts:

• Over a three year period, the deadliest months of the year were June, July, and August.
• So far this year, 46% of all crashes have been caused by aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding and failure to yield the right of way.
• Pedestrian deaths are again on the rise in the First State.  Eleven pedestrians have been killed so far this year, accounting for almost one-quarter (21%) of all persons killed.
• Fortunately, alcohol-related deaths have declined so far this year when compared to this date in 2011, but DUI arrests are climbing steadily. Nearly 2500 people have been arrested in 2012.

What you can do

Every day there is a traffic crash in the news.  The majority of them are preventable if everyone would follow the rules of the road:

• Respect the Sign – Drive calmly and in control.  Be aware of others on the road. Follow posted
  traffic signs and signals.
• Drive Sober – Always have a safe ride home.  Designate a sober driver or plan a safe route home with DART.
• Respect your Ride – Know your motorcycle. Know the road.  Wear appropriate safety gear.
• Be visible while walking and biking – Be safe.  Be seen. Only cross the road at marked intersections and cross walks.
• Always buckle up – A seat belt is your best defense against unsafe drivers.

This is one class that you do not want to fail because the consequences can be deadly.  Apply what you have learned and you will graduate Traffic Safety 101 at the head of the class.

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.