Showing posts with label safe driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safe driving. Show all posts
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Holiday Weekend: Travel Safely
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 5/21/12
MassDOT encourages travelers to plan ahead and travel safely during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The heaviest traffic is expected Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoons and early evenings. Drivers are encouraged to make travel plans accordingly and if possible avoid peak traffic volumes between 1pm and 7pm on those days.Traffic is especially heavy at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and at Exit 11A, I-495, which handles cars headed south to Cape Cod and north to New Hampshire and Maine.
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports it has completed current work and all lanes on the Sagamore Bridge are now open through the Memorial Day weekend. The Corps says all lanes will remain open through Labor Day, with the exception of one or two work setups during weekdays only later in the summer.
MassDOT will suspend all construction work on major arterial roadways from 12:00PM Noon on Friday, May 25 through the start of normal business on Tuesday, May 29.
Use MassDOT traffic resources available to assist motorists. Before you travel, check the interactive live Traffic Cameras web page to view current traffic.
Sign up at the 511 Traveler Information Service to receive personalized travel information alerts via email, text or telephone. MassDOT as always reminds drivers to avoid using cell phones while driving. Call into the 511 service before departing.
A reminder that the Massachusetts Safe Driving Law bans texting while driving and cell phone use while driving by 16 and 17 year old drivers. Drivers are reminded to travel safely and avoid distracted driving such as using cell phones.
To save time, money and gas, motorists who have not yet done so are encouraged to join E-ZPass (FAST LANE) to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths.
Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 pm Monday night through 5 am Tuesday morning.
The MBTA will operate buses and subways on a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.
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Thursday, January 12, 2012
New Guide for Parents of Teen Drivers
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 1/10/12
MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey today joined MassDOT RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian at the Boston Chinatown RMV branch to announce the availability of a new guide to optimize the 40-hours of supervised driving teens are required to complete under parental supervision prior to receiving their license."As young people across Massachusetts learn to drive our roadways with obvious excitement, I hope the availability of 'The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide' will ease some of the stress and concern often experienced by the parents and guardians of new drivers," said Secretary Davey.
Teens obtaining their learner's permit will be given a copy of the "The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide" at RMV branches in the Commonwealth. The guide is intended for use by parents and guardians. The guide is provided at no cost to families or to taxpayers, through a partnership with Safe Roads Alliance, a not-for-profit advocate for improved highway safety and the guides sponsor, Safety Insurance.
The guide is divided into eleven skill sets, such as parking, backing up, city and highway driving, and asks parents and teens to initial each lesson as the material is covered and the lesson is completed. Within the guide, a log is provided to record the required driving hours, the skills covered and the time and weather conditions. The guide also offers parents guidance on how to approach each lesson as well as how to continue education once the 40 hours are completed.
Things you can do from here:
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Friday, October 14, 2011
Help blind pedestrians while you drive
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 10/13/11
By MCB Commissioner Janet LaBreck
The white cane is a symbol of independence reflecting a blind person's ability to travel independently. As part of White Cane Day on October 15, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Department of Transportation are partnering in a campaign to remind motorists that they should come to a complete stop when they see a pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog crossing the street.
We are very pleased to promote White Cane Safety in partnership with Transportation. These eight billboards, placed along highways and at key traffic points throughout the Commonwealth, provide timely information to drivers about pedestrian safety. Independence in travel is crucial for people who are blind to safely go to work, appointments, community and recreational activities."
Communities where digital billboards are running White Cane awareness messages include: Chicopee (I-90), Foxboro (Rt. 1), New Bedford (Rt. 195), Fall River (Rt. 195), Medford (I-93), Stoneham (I-93) and Lawrence (Rt. 495). These billboards provide safety reminders to motorists when visually-impaired individuals are crossing streets.
At the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, we also promote the following 'Top 10' list of things motorists should not do when seeing a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog at street crossings.
10. Don't stop your car more then five feet from the crosswalk line. A visually-impaired person might think that there's something between the crosswalk and your car if you stop so far back. The expectation for all pedestrians is that a car stops directly behind, or fairly close, to the crosswalk.
9. Don't yell out, "It's ok to cross!" This may cause confusion to a pedestrian, particularly if another driver pulls out in front of your vehicle.
8. Don't get impatient when waiting for a visually-impaired pedestrian to cross. If a pedestrian places a long cane into the street, it usually indicates he or she will begin a crossing. If the cane traveler takes a step back & pulls back the cane from the curb, it usually indicates the person will not be crossing at that time.
7. Don't consider a 'rolling' stop as a complete stop. A stop sign means STOP!
6. Don't turn right on red without coming to a full stop and looking for pedestrians. The Right on Red Law requires drivers to come to a complete stop prior to making a right turn.
5. Don't fail to stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks whether or not there is a traffic signal or stop sign. Come to a full and complete stop.
4. Don't stop your car in the middle of the crosswalk.
3. Don't pass another car that has stopped and waiting for pedestrians to cross the street.
2. Don't wave to pedestrians who are using a white cane or guide dog to indicate that you are waiting for them to cross. They CAN NOT see you.
1. Don't honk!
As we acknowledge White Cane Safety and promote awareness among motorists about driving when in the proximity of the visually-impaired, I invite you to visit the MCB website to find out more, or contact the Orientation & Mobility Department at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind: 1-800-392-6450.
Things you can do from here:
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Friday, July 1, 2011
"Drive Smart and Save"
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 6/30/11
The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced a new online resource that can help Massachusetts residents and visitors to save money on gas and travel. The "Drive Smart and Save" program offers tips for cost-friendly driving techniques that can save travelers money on fuel expenses, improve fuel economy by up to 33 percent, and help reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
"Drive Smart and Save" supports GreenDOT, a comprehensive environmental responsibility and sustainability initiative of MassDOT. "Drive Smart and Save" tips include:
• Drive Less -- When your travel plans allow, try taking public transportation, walking, biking, or carpooling.
• Set It at 60 -- Drive the posted speed limit, or even a bit less on the highway, to see increased fuel economy. Fuel consumption increases about 5 percent for every five miles per hour driven above 60 mph. And use your cruise control – keeping a steady speed will also save fuel.
• Easy on the Pedals -- Avoid fast starts and hard stops to decrease fuel use. Travelers should join FAST LANE prior to hitting the roads this summer to avoid traffic at the tolls – this can save lots of time, as well as fuel.
• Turn It Off -- Shut off your engine when you are stopped. Idling wastes gas and is bad for the environment.
• Click the Cap - Make sure your gas cap is tight to prevent fuel evaporation and to improve air quality.
• Check the Pressure - Proper tire pressure is safer, extends tire life, and can provide up to 3% mpg benefit per tank of fuel. Check your tire pressure monthly, and pump your tires up to the recommended level (which can usually be found on the sticker in your driver's door frame).
Additional ideas for fuel savings can be found at: www.mass.gov/massdot/drivesmart
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Be careful coming out of side streets, shovel fire hydrants
There has been so much snow, there is only so much room to put it. As a result, the snow gets piled up on the corners and really presents a challenge for those vehicles trying to come out into the main street. There is either no line of sight or its very limited.
And for perspective on how big the piles are, here is a view of the next corner.
I am sure you have the same or worse in the traveling I have done around Franklin. Please be careful!
And from the Franklin website, this is a good plea for action:
Franklin, MA
And for perspective on how big the piles are, here is a view of the next corner.
I am sure you have the same or worse in the traveling I have done around Franklin. Please be careful!
And from the Franklin website, this is a good plea for action:
Please shovel your nearest fire hydrant. With recent snow, fire hydrants may be unavailable for firefighters. Please take a few minutes to shovel the fire hydrant closest to your home to save vital seconds in the event of fire.
Franklin, MA
Monday, March 29, 2010
Franklin, MA: FHS entries to video contest
via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 3/23/10
Dozens of Commonwealth high school students and schools have answered the call on YouTube and posted their best safe driving videos.
MassDOT RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian last month joined Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), to announce the 2010 "Dance. Don't Chance" statewide teen safe driving video contest to encourage a safe prom/graduation season.
Teens wrote, produced and submitted 60-second videos on safe driving and avoiding underage drinking.
Now, you can check out the more than 50 videos on YouTube here. The winning video will be announced next month. The winning school receives a Dream Prom package provided by contest sponsors.
Learn more about the contest.
There are two entries from Franklin High School
1 - http://www.youtube.com/promshorts#p/u/14/d7-km2zk6rA
2 - http://www.youtube.com/promshorts#p/u/15/0yYH1kRFKBo
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