the 4 sites i visited were the hospital, a school, my lawyer, and the first responding officer to the crash.
Hospital: At the hospital i learned about what drinking and smoking marijuana can do to your thoughts and reactions behind the wheel of a car. I also learned that wearing a seatbelt reduces your chances of dying in a crash by about 60%. Also it doesnt take much of an impact to your head to cause brain damage or even death.
School: At the school I learned about other things to do that risk takers would be interested in instead of drunk driving. (bungee jumping, etc...) Also I heard stories from a drunk driver, a victim of drunk driving, and a family of a girl who was killed in a drunk driving crash. There was 1 more thing on the school bulletin board but I honestly can't remember what it was about.
Lawyer: At the lawyer's office I listened to an actual case about a drunk woman who was speeding and rammed her SUV into a car holding 4 teenagers. I also learned about how much it will cost you if you get busted which comes out to around $14,000.
Police Station: I learned about how I can spot an impaired driver easily and also about the procedure on getting arrested and going to court.
I turned out to be the bicylist who was hit by the car.
My view on the problems related to drinking/drugs and driving is that it is a major hazard that should be stricter enforced at bars, parties, etc... people dont actually have a really good understanding of how badly just 1 drink of alcohol can mess you up and how much it will increase your chances of dying in a crash.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Assignment 6/25
When found guilty of breaking a motor vehicle law, points are put on your driving record. The points given to you depends on which law you break and to what degree you broke it. Example: Speeding can be from 2-8 points depending on how fast or slow you went. When you are given a total of 10 points you receive a letter telling you that your driving privileges are suspended. The number of points received within a 2 year period will determine how long they are suspended for. You can call a hearing to confirm if you met 10 points or not. Points are not given for parking or defective equipment violations.
I personally like the law because it gives points values so that if you do just 3 violations you could lose your driving priveleges, therefor it will teach people not to mess up thier driving records if they actually still like driving.
Overturned flat bed closes highway ramp
Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
By Matt Sutkoski
Free Press Staff Writer
A large flatbed trailer carrying an aerial boom tipped over on an Interstate 89 on-ramp midday Tuesday, closing the ramp for hours and severely damaging the vehicle. Nobody was hurt, police said.
A state Agency of Transportation dump truck driven by Mark Robertson, 43, had been traveling west on Vermont 15 and slowly turned onto the Exit 15 Interstate 89 entrance ramp southbound when the incident occurred shortly after noon, Vermont State Police Trooper Brian Penders said.
At 2:30 p.m., crews were still on the scene and the ramp remained closed. However, traffic on Interstate 89, the Exit 15 northbound off-ramp, and Vermont 15 continued to move smoothly after the crash.
As the truck slowly turned the corner onto the ramp, the flatbed and the aerial boom being towed tipped over onto the ramp, Penders said. The dump truck remained upright, though its rear wheels were suspended a few inches in the air, supported by the upended flatbed.
Penders said a weight shift might have caused the flatbed to tip. The aerial boom might also have been placed too close to the front of the flatbed, decreasing stability, Penders said.
The aerial boom is owned by CCR Sales and Service of Essex Junction and had been leased by the state, said Casey Mathieu, the owner of CCR. Transportation workers were taking the boom to a Kennedy Drive overpass on Interstate 189 in South Burlington, Mathieu said. The Kennedy Drive overpass was damaged last week when a speeding motorist from Florida smacked into the span.
The boom, worth about $150,000, was likely severely damaged, Mathieu said. It was insured, he added.
my opinion: That is not good for the people involved, the vehicles/machinery, the highway, or the people traveling who need to use exit 15... the aerial boom should have been better secured so that it wouldnt have tipped over when the truck turned a corner. Also bad for the people who spent 2.5 hours straight just trying to help out. Again... not good!
1) Regulatory signs. These tell you what to do. Some examples are Stop signs and yeild signs.
2) Warning signs. These alert you to conditions ahead. They are yellow or orange and include pedestrian crosswalk signs, school signs, and crossing signs such as snowmobiles or animals.
3) Guide signs. Guide signs tell you where you are, what road you are on and how to get where you want to go. Some examples are route markers and information signs that might say state lines and city limits. They are usually blue or brown.
I personally like the law because it gives points values so that if you do just 3 violations you could lose your driving priveleges, therefor it will teach people not to mess up thier driving records if they actually still like driving.
Overturned flat bed closes highway ramp
Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
By Matt Sutkoski
Free Press Staff Writer
A large flatbed trailer carrying an aerial boom tipped over on an Interstate 89 on-ramp midday Tuesday, closing the ramp for hours and severely damaging the vehicle. Nobody was hurt, police said.
A state Agency of Transportation dump truck driven by Mark Robertson, 43, had been traveling west on Vermont 15 and slowly turned onto the Exit 15 Interstate 89 entrance ramp southbound when the incident occurred shortly after noon, Vermont State Police Trooper Brian Penders said.
At 2:30 p.m., crews were still on the scene and the ramp remained closed. However, traffic on Interstate 89, the Exit 15 northbound off-ramp, and Vermont 15 continued to move smoothly after the crash.
As the truck slowly turned the corner onto the ramp, the flatbed and the aerial boom being towed tipped over onto the ramp, Penders said. The dump truck remained upright, though its rear wheels were suspended a few inches in the air, supported by the upended flatbed.
Penders said a weight shift might have caused the flatbed to tip. The aerial boom might also have been placed too close to the front of the flatbed, decreasing stability, Penders said.
The aerial boom is owned by CCR Sales and Service of Essex Junction and had been leased by the state, said Casey Mathieu, the owner of CCR. Transportation workers were taking the boom to a Kennedy Drive overpass on Interstate 189 in South Burlington, Mathieu said. The Kennedy Drive overpass was damaged last week when a speeding motorist from Florida smacked into the span.
The boom, worth about $150,000, was likely severely damaged, Mathieu said. It was insured, he added.
my opinion: That is not good for the people involved, the vehicles/machinery, the highway, or the people traveling who need to use exit 15... the aerial boom should have been better secured so that it wouldnt have tipped over when the truck turned a corner. Also bad for the people who spent 2.5 hours straight just trying to help out. Again... not good!
1) Regulatory signs. These tell you what to do. Some examples are Stop signs and yeild signs.
2) Warning signs. These alert you to conditions ahead. They are yellow or orange and include pedestrian crosswalk signs, school signs, and crossing signs such as snowmobiles or animals.
3) Guide signs. Guide signs tell you where you are, what road you are on and how to get where you want to go. Some examples are route markers and information signs that might say state lines and city limits. They are usually blue or brown.
Assignment 6/21 - Due 6/25
SPRINGFIELD — Police arrested a motorist on Saturday after clocking him driving more than 100 mph on Interstate 91.
Ganesh Ramachandrula, 29, of Ponnur, India, was pulled over after state police radar indicated he was driving at 105 mph in the northbound lane. Ramachandrula, in the United States on a work visa, told police he and three passengers in the 2007 Chevy Impala were traveling to New Hampshire for the weekend.
Ramachandrula was arrested for driving at excessive speed. He was taken to the Rockingham barracks and cited to appear in Windsor District Court on Nov. 20.
1) This guy shouldn't have been driving over 70mph let alone 100mph, thats just unreasonable and
unsafe by all means, this guy could have lost control killing all 4 of them and/or somebody else on the highway/interstate.
2) Yaw keeps your car in control and your tires in balance, roll is what causes the inbalance of your car when turning corners, and pitch is when the weight of your vehicle goes to the front and causes it to lean forward when you hit the brakes.
3) The three types of your vision are central, fringe, and peripheral vision. Central vision is used to focus on whats in front of you and what your looking at directly. Fringe vision is seeing to the sides of your central vision, you can see your steering wheel in your fringe vision. Peripheral vision is around your fringe vision so if something was to move you could see it but it wouldnt be a clear sight.
4) A target area is an area far up ahead that is in front of you where you want your car to go. You pick out this area and focus on it while also paying attention to your target path. Your target path is the path which you have to travel in order to get to your target area. When you're driving down a straight road, you pick out an area that is far ahead of you but directly in front of you. That area is the target where you want your car to go.
5) Transition pegs are what you can use to make good turns. The transition peg for when you are making a left turn is the bar on your left that holds the windshield and looks like this ( \ ). When that lines up with your target, you can straighten out your car.The transition peg that you use to make a right turn is your rearview mirror. When that lines up with your target, you can straighten out your car.
Ganesh Ramachandrula, 29, of Ponnur, India, was pulled over after state police radar indicated he was driving at 105 mph in the northbound lane. Ramachandrula, in the United States on a work visa, told police he and three passengers in the 2007 Chevy Impala were traveling to New Hampshire for the weekend.
Ramachandrula was arrested for driving at excessive speed. He was taken to the Rockingham barracks and cited to appear in Windsor District Court on Nov. 20.
1) This guy shouldn't have been driving over 70mph let alone 100mph, thats just unreasonable and
unsafe by all means, this guy could have lost control killing all 4 of them and/or somebody else on the highway/interstate.
2) Yaw keeps your car in control and your tires in balance, roll is what causes the inbalance of your car when turning corners, and pitch is when the weight of your vehicle goes to the front and causes it to lean forward when you hit the brakes.
3) The three types of your vision are central, fringe, and peripheral vision. Central vision is used to focus on whats in front of you and what your looking at directly. Fringe vision is seeing to the sides of your central vision, you can see your steering wheel in your fringe vision. Peripheral vision is around your fringe vision so if something was to move you could see it but it wouldnt be a clear sight.
4) A target area is an area far up ahead that is in front of you where you want your car to go. You pick out this area and focus on it while also paying attention to your target path. Your target path is the path which you have to travel in order to get to your target area. When you're driving down a straight road, you pick out an area that is far ahead of you but directly in front of you. That area is the target where you want your car to go.
5) Transition pegs are what you can use to make good turns. The transition peg for when you are making a left turn is the bar on your left that holds the windshield and looks like this ( \ ). When that lines up with your target, you can straighten out your car.The transition peg that you use to make a right turn is your rearview mirror. When that lines up with your target, you can straighten out your car.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Assignment 7/27
Changing a car tire:
First I got the wheel jack (nut remover) and the car jack out of my dad's car.Then i put the jack under a safe spot under the car frame. Then jacked the side of the car with the tire i was changing. Next I took the hubcap off. Then, I loosened the lug-nuts. then I removed all of the lug-nuts.ThenI tapped hard on the back of the tire and pulled it off carefully. I Put the new tire on and then put the lug-nuts back on. Next i put the hubcap on then let the car jack down slowly. Finally i put the tools away and wrote up this report.
First I got the wheel jack (nut remover) and the car jack out of my dad's car.Then i put the jack under a safe spot under the car frame. Then jacked the side of the car with the tire i was changing. Next I took the hubcap off. Then, I loosened the lug-nuts. then I removed all of the lug-nuts.ThenI tapped hard on the back of the tire and pulled it off carefully. I Put the new tire on and then put the lug-nuts back on. Next i put the hubcap on then let the car jack down slowly. Finally i put the tools away and wrote up this report.
Assignment 7/24
4 Injured After Man Crashes Van Into School
Man Charged, Held On $45,000 Bail
POSTED: 8:27 am EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 9:20 am EDT October 18, 2007
SAN ANTONIO -- Police said a man was drunk when he crashed his minivan through a high school field house in Texas Wednesday afternoon.
Rolando Lopez , 49, is being held in the Bexar County Jail in lieu of $45,000 bond on charges that he crashed into the South San High School Field House, injuring four students, including a pedestrian, who police believe was the man's son.
Lopez was charged with three counts of intoxication assault, San Antonio station KSAT-TV reported.
Three students were hospitalized, two in critical condition on Wednesday night, authorities said.
A fourth student was treated and released at the scene.
"Prior to hitting the wall (he) actually struck one of the pedestrians in the parking lot," Sgt. Gabe Trevino said. "That pedestrian we believe was the actual son of the driver of the truck."
Students who were inside the building recounted the impact of the crash.
"We were all scared," one student said. "I heard a big bang and all the lockers came flying through."
Some had seconds to escape the oncoming van.
"The car just hit straight into the wall, then I dove out of the way," a student said.
School leaders said counselors will be on hand Thursday to help students cope with the incident.
http://www.wptz.com/education/14367019/detail.html
Driver Beaten After 2 Kids Hit Waiting For Bus
Two Men Facing Charges
POSTED: 6:16 am EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 7:47 am EDT October 18, 2007
BOSTON -- Two children were recovering Thursday after being hit by a van while waiting for the school bus in Fall River.
The driver accused of hitting them was also recovering after he was allegedly attacked by a witness to the crash.
Police said the children, ages 11 and 6, were hit when a van driven by Sean Leitao, 23, of New Bedford, was traveling west on Morgan Street at about 7 a.m. The van failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with Fourth Street, striking a gray truck, according to police.
The Fall River Herald News reported that the collision sent the van, owned by Alarm Computer Technology, into the southwest corner of the intersection, where the two children were waiting for a bus to take them to the Doran School.
A man who saw the accident, identified as John Dorvil, 27, of Fall River, allegedly hit Leitao over the head with a piece of pipe from a fence damaged in the crash when Leitao got out of the van, police said.
Both men now face charges. Leitao was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign. Dorvil was facing a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
As for the children, a brother and sister, the little girl was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence with head injuries and her brother was taken to St. Anne's Hospital with a leg injury.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14366370/detail.html
Girl, 10, Sees Mom Hit, Killed By Truck
Police Searching For SUV
POSTED: 1:32 pm EDT October 15, 2007
UPDATED: 5:52 pm EDT October 15, 2007
BOSTON -- A woman was killed Sunday night when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle as she was walking with her daughter in Seekonk, police said.
Maria Aguiar, 39, was walking on Chestnut Street at 6:20 p.m. when she was struck by a white SUV. The victim's 10-year-old daughter was riding a bicycle ahead of her mother. The child was not injured, but she did witness the crash.
"Megan said, 'Mom. The car is coming really fast, and he is not stopping. He doesn’t see us mom.' Megan put the bike on the side of the road, and as she turned back to tell her mother to be careful, that is when she suddenly heard a crash," said the victim's sister, Maria Blanco.
Police are searching for the SUV that left the scene traveling west on Chestnut Street. Officials said the vehicle may have passenger side front-end damage and possibly damage to the windshield.
"We are looking for a white SUV-type vehicle," Seekonk Police Department Chief Ronald Charron said. "In all likelihood, it will have windshield damage."
The victim's family said that they would have some strong words for the driver.
"You killed my sister. You left my niece on the side of the road who is 10 years old to defend herself and seek help for her mother. You didn’t even stop. You didn't even brake. How could you hit someone and run away? That is inhumane for us," Blanco said.
"She is very deeply missed. I wish that this guy comes forward," said Maria Ochoa, the victim's aunt.
Anyone with any information was urged to call the Seekonk Police Department at 508-336-8123.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/newsarchive/14343144/detail.html
Response:
How these relate to what we went over in class is that drunk driving is what injured 4 kids and 1 pedestrian at a school.
Speeding caused a van to miss a stop sign at an intersection and get hit by a grey truck thusforth hitting 2 kids waiting for a bus.
And the third article the guy was probably intoxicated behind the wheel so he didn't see the little girl and her mother.
8 Areas where it is illegal to pass traffic and why:
One area you are not allowed to pass is were there are signs with no passing because there is probably the reason why they put those signs there.
A second area is around corners you are not allowed to pass, this is because you cant see around the corner and could hit an on coming car.
You can't pass on hills because you cant see over them and could hit a car coming over the hill.
You are not allowed to pass at an intersection because you may get T-boned by someone to the right or left of you.
Another place you can not pass is when there is something obstructing your view because there could be a car or person you don't see.
You Can't pass were the road is under construction or a work zone because you may hit a worker or construction vehicle and it is illegal.
Finally you can not pass if there's any on coming traffic because you may not make the pass before you meet the cars.
Man Charged, Held On $45,000 Bail
POSTED: 8:27 am EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 9:20 am EDT October 18, 2007
SAN ANTONIO -- Police said a man was drunk when he crashed his minivan through a high school field house in Texas Wednesday afternoon.
Rolando Lopez , 49, is being held in the Bexar County Jail in lieu of $45,000 bond on charges that he crashed into the South San High School Field House, injuring four students, including a pedestrian, who police believe was the man's son.
Lopez was charged with three counts of intoxication assault, San Antonio station KSAT-TV reported.
Three students were hospitalized, two in critical condition on Wednesday night, authorities said.
A fourth student was treated and released at the scene.
"Prior to hitting the wall (he) actually struck one of the pedestrians in the parking lot," Sgt. Gabe Trevino said. "That pedestrian we believe was the actual son of the driver of the truck."
Students who were inside the building recounted the impact of the crash.
"We were all scared," one student said. "I heard a big bang and all the lockers came flying through."
Some had seconds to escape the oncoming van.
"The car just hit straight into the wall, then I dove out of the way," a student said.
School leaders said counselors will be on hand Thursday to help students cope with the incident.
http://www.wptz.com/education/14367019/detail.html
Driver Beaten After 2 Kids Hit Waiting For Bus
Two Men Facing Charges
POSTED: 6:16 am EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 7:47 am EDT October 18, 2007
BOSTON -- Two children were recovering Thursday after being hit by a van while waiting for the school bus in Fall River.
The driver accused of hitting them was also recovering after he was allegedly attacked by a witness to the crash.
Police said the children, ages 11 and 6, were hit when a van driven by Sean Leitao, 23, of New Bedford, was traveling west on Morgan Street at about 7 a.m. The van failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection with Fourth Street, striking a gray truck, according to police.
The Fall River Herald News reported that the collision sent the van, owned by Alarm Computer Technology, into the southwest corner of the intersection, where the two children were waiting for a bus to take them to the Doran School.
A man who saw the accident, identified as John Dorvil, 27, of Fall River, allegedly hit Leitao over the head with a piece of pipe from a fence damaged in the crash when Leitao got out of the van, police said.
Both men now face charges. Leitao was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign. Dorvil was facing a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
As for the children, a brother and sister, the little girl was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence with head injuries and her brother was taken to St. Anne's Hospital with a leg injury.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14366370/detail.html
Girl, 10, Sees Mom Hit, Killed By Truck
Police Searching For SUV
POSTED: 1:32 pm EDT October 15, 2007
UPDATED: 5:52 pm EDT October 15, 2007
BOSTON -- A woman was killed Sunday night when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle as she was walking with her daughter in Seekonk, police said.
Maria Aguiar, 39, was walking on Chestnut Street at 6:20 p.m. when she was struck by a white SUV. The victim's 10-year-old daughter was riding a bicycle ahead of her mother. The child was not injured, but she did witness the crash.
"Megan said, 'Mom. The car is coming really fast, and he is not stopping. He doesn’t see us mom.' Megan put the bike on the side of the road, and as she turned back to tell her mother to be careful, that is when she suddenly heard a crash," said the victim's sister, Maria Blanco.
Police are searching for the SUV that left the scene traveling west on Chestnut Street. Officials said the vehicle may have passenger side front-end damage and possibly damage to the windshield.
"We are looking for a white SUV-type vehicle," Seekonk Police Department Chief Ronald Charron said. "In all likelihood, it will have windshield damage."
The victim's family said that they would have some strong words for the driver.
"You killed my sister. You left my niece on the side of the road who is 10 years old to defend herself and seek help for her mother. You didn’t even stop. You didn't even brake. How could you hit someone and run away? That is inhumane for us," Blanco said.
"She is very deeply missed. I wish that this guy comes forward," said Maria Ochoa, the victim's aunt.
Anyone with any information was urged to call the Seekonk Police Department at 508-336-8123.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/newsarchive/14343144/detail.html
Response:
How these relate to what we went over in class is that drunk driving is what injured 4 kids and 1 pedestrian at a school.
Speeding caused a van to miss a stop sign at an intersection and get hit by a grey truck thusforth hitting 2 kids waiting for a bus.
And the third article the guy was probably intoxicated behind the wheel so he didn't see the little girl and her mother.
8 Areas where it is illegal to pass traffic and why:
One area you are not allowed to pass is were there are signs with no passing because there is probably the reason why they put those signs there.
A second area is around corners you are not allowed to pass, this is because you cant see around the corner and could hit an on coming car.
You can't pass on hills because you cant see over them and could hit a car coming over the hill.
You are not allowed to pass at an intersection because you may get T-boned by someone to the right or left of you.
Another place you can not pass is when there is something obstructing your view because there could be a car or person you don't see.
You Can't pass were the road is under construction or a work zone because you may hit a worker or construction vehicle and it is illegal.
Finally you can not pass if there's any on coming traffic because you may not make the pass before you meet the cars.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
assignment 7/19
AAA: Teens need to pay attention when behind the wheel
By NICOLE ORNE, Reformer Staff
Thursday, October 18BRATTLEBORO -- AAA has named this week National Teen Driver Safety Week in an effort to make people more aware of a situation where more than 6,000 teens are killed in car accidents every year.
"The process of learning to drive is more complex than people realize," said Tom Williams, the Vermont manager for AAA Northern New England.
In a culture that demands multi-tasking, AAA says teens don't recognize the importance of devoting their attention to the job.
Howard North, a driver's education instructor at Brattleboro Union High School for more than 30 years, agrees.
"Many of them have trouble deciding which task is more important," North said.
AAA says the best solution is graduated license laws, which puts limits on who a new driver can have in the car.
In Vermont, new drivers can have siblings in the car with them after three months on the road and friends after six months.
Williams says the law is "an intermediate step."
Steve Reckers, the coordinator for the Vermont Governor's Highway Safety Program, said new drivers need to decide to be safe, regardless of the law.
"I think each person has to take responsibility for themselves. We have to decide what's best for ourselves," Reckers said.
North says it's not that his students don't see the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel.
"I think they know what the responsibilities are," said North. "I think whether they take them seriously or not depends on the student. We're just showing them the way and hoping and praying that they do it."
Williams says the Vermont law should be expanded to include a ban on teens using any electronic devices when they drive, a stricter seat belt law and a nighttime restriction, which he says is the most dangerous time for young drivers.
The House has passed the legislation, he said, and he hopes the Senate will act on it soon. "We're making progress with what we have, but we could make more progress with other things," Reckers said.
So far, there are no statistics about accidents involving teens text messaging. All accidents found to be caused by some kind of electronics are lumped together, and police say these numbers are unreliable because many people don't want to admit they had an accident because they were talking on the phone.
North said the technology is such a part of teens' lives they wouldn't think about not doing it "because they do it virtually everywhere else. It's kind of just a habit."
While cell phones are the latest distraction, other distractions, such as other people in the car, are not new.
While Williams says the current law has shown results, they have seen that after the six months, when new drivers can have friends in the car with them, they again begin to see accidents.
"Vermont really needs to look at the statistics and see if maybe there should be more restrictions," Williams said.
http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_7210436
Elderly Driver Charged In Deadly Hospital Crash
Crash Scene Photos
(WBZ) BROCKTON Criminal charges have been filed in the Brockton Hospital Crash, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz. Jane Berghold, 76, is charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide and operating to endanger. Berghold crashed her car through the entrance to the hospital's Radiation Therapy Unit Monday afternoon.Dr. Mark Vasa, Chief of Radiation Therapy, was struck and died. Witnesses say he was trying to push people out of the way when he was hit. On Tuesday, hospital announced Susan Plante, 60, a secretary in the Radiation Therapy Department, passed away Monday night from injuries she suffered in the accident.Plante had worked at the hospital for 20 years - the last 19 in the Radiation Therapy Department.Vasa had also been with the hospital for the last 20 years.Berghold was coming in for a consult to start radiation. She was diagnosed with breast cancer back in April.She told WBZ she was going 20 miles an hour in the parking lot when she tried to take a left and park her car. That's when her Oldsmobile crashed through the Radiation Therapy Unit entrance and ended up in the main reception area. "The car didn't stop," she said, "and I went right through the doors." Watch Beth Germano's full interview with Berghold hereBerghold's husband told WBZ the brakes on the car were new. Her license has been suspended. She had a clean driving record and no restrictions on her license.
http://wbztv.com/local/local_story_291151542.html
Officials Set Up Teen Driving Sting
Operation Aims To Keep Kids Safe On Roads
POSTED: 12:18 pm EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 5:13 pm EDT October 18, 2007
WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- State officials set up a sting operation Thursday to ensure that teen drivers are following the rules of the road.
NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that police set up unannounced checkpoints at 13 Massachusetts high schools.
Unfastened seat belts and driving nonfamily members to school were some of the problems officers found at a checkpoint in Weymouth. Inspectors from the Registry of Motor Vehicles helped with the effort.
Students at Weymouth High School are particularly sensitive after sophomore Catherine Crocker was killed nine days ago in a car crash. She was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car.
There were nearly 7,000 teen driving deaths last year across the country. A new Junior Operators Law went into effect last month. It requires more instruction time and stiffer penalties for violators.
"It will cost in total close to $1,000 to get your license back for speeding -- even once," Registrar of Motor Vehicles Anne Collins said.
Of the 802 teen drivers stopped Thursday, 151 were not buckled up, 49 were driving friends or non-relatives and four were on cell phones.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14369195/detail.html
How this relates to what we read in class:
The first article talks about the graduated licensing law when getting your operating license. It also talks about teens and cell phones while driving.
How to time your arrival to an intersection:
when approaching the intersection and the light is red when you are 500ft. away then get off the gas and cruise your way to the intersection, if you are lucky then you will reach the intersection when the light turns green. If not then you will get the yellow light at least...
Benefits of a 4 second following distance:
One benefit of keeping a 4 second following distance is that you have more time to react if the guy in front has to stop really quickly.Another benefit is that you can apply your breaks softer than if you had a closer following distance. Which would give you a better chance of not getting rear ended by a guy behind you.One other benefit is that you can see farther in front if you have a 4 second following distance rather than a 2 second following distance.
By NICOLE ORNE, Reformer Staff
Thursday, October 18BRATTLEBORO -- AAA has named this week National Teen Driver Safety Week in an effort to make people more aware of a situation where more than 6,000 teens are killed in car accidents every year.
"The process of learning to drive is more complex than people realize," said Tom Williams, the Vermont manager for AAA Northern New England.
In a culture that demands multi-tasking, AAA says teens don't recognize the importance of devoting their attention to the job.
Howard North, a driver's education instructor at Brattleboro Union High School for more than 30 years, agrees.
"Many of them have trouble deciding which task is more important," North said.
AAA says the best solution is graduated license laws, which puts limits on who a new driver can have in the car.
In Vermont, new drivers can have siblings in the car with them after three months on the road and friends after six months.
Williams says the law is "an intermediate step."
Steve Reckers, the coordinator for the Vermont Governor's Highway Safety Program, said new drivers need to decide to be safe, regardless of the law.
"I think each person has to take responsibility for themselves. We have to decide what's best for ourselves," Reckers said.
North says it's not that his students don't see the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel.
"I think they know what the responsibilities are," said North. "I think whether they take them seriously or not depends on the student. We're just showing them the way and hoping and praying that they do it."
Williams says the Vermont law should be expanded to include a ban on teens using any electronic devices when they drive, a stricter seat belt law and a nighttime restriction, which he says is the most dangerous time for young drivers.
The House has passed the legislation, he said, and he hopes the Senate will act on it soon. "We're making progress with what we have, but we could make more progress with other things," Reckers said.
So far, there are no statistics about accidents involving teens text messaging. All accidents found to be caused by some kind of electronics are lumped together, and police say these numbers are unreliable because many people don't want to admit they had an accident because they were talking on the phone.
North said the technology is such a part of teens' lives they wouldn't think about not doing it "because they do it virtually everywhere else. It's kind of just a habit."
While cell phones are the latest distraction, other distractions, such as other people in the car, are not new.
While Williams says the current law has shown results, they have seen that after the six months, when new drivers can have friends in the car with them, they again begin to see accidents.
"Vermont really needs to look at the statistics and see if maybe there should be more restrictions," Williams said.
http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_7210436
Elderly Driver Charged In Deadly Hospital Crash
Crash Scene Photos
(WBZ) BROCKTON Criminal charges have been filed in the Brockton Hospital Crash, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz. Jane Berghold, 76, is charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide and operating to endanger. Berghold crashed her car through the entrance to the hospital's Radiation Therapy Unit Monday afternoon.Dr. Mark Vasa, Chief of Radiation Therapy, was struck and died. Witnesses say he was trying to push people out of the way when he was hit. On Tuesday, hospital announced Susan Plante, 60, a secretary in the Radiation Therapy Department, passed away Monday night from injuries she suffered in the accident.Plante had worked at the hospital for 20 years - the last 19 in the Radiation Therapy Department.Vasa had also been with the hospital for the last 20 years.Berghold was coming in for a consult to start radiation. She was diagnosed with breast cancer back in April.She told WBZ she was going 20 miles an hour in the parking lot when she tried to take a left and park her car. That's when her Oldsmobile crashed through the Radiation Therapy Unit entrance and ended up in the main reception area. "The car didn't stop," she said, "and I went right through the doors." Watch Beth Germano's full interview with Berghold hereBerghold's husband told WBZ the brakes on the car were new. Her license has been suspended. She had a clean driving record and no restrictions on her license.
http://wbztv.com/local/local_story_291151542.html
Officials Set Up Teen Driving Sting
Operation Aims To Keep Kids Safe On Roads
POSTED: 12:18 pm EDT October 18, 2007
UPDATED: 5:13 pm EDT October 18, 2007
WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- State officials set up a sting operation Thursday to ensure that teen drivers are following the rules of the road.
NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that police set up unannounced checkpoints at 13 Massachusetts high schools.
Unfastened seat belts and driving nonfamily members to school were some of the problems officers found at a checkpoint in Weymouth. Inspectors from the Registry of Motor Vehicles helped with the effort.
Students at Weymouth High School are particularly sensitive after sophomore Catherine Crocker was killed nine days ago in a car crash. She was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car.
There were nearly 7,000 teen driving deaths last year across the country. A new Junior Operators Law went into effect last month. It requires more instruction time and stiffer penalties for violators.
"It will cost in total close to $1,000 to get your license back for speeding -- even once," Registrar of Motor Vehicles Anne Collins said.
Of the 802 teen drivers stopped Thursday, 151 were not buckled up, 49 were driving friends or non-relatives and four were on cell phones.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14369195/detail.html
How this relates to what we read in class:
The first article talks about the graduated licensing law when getting your operating license. It also talks about teens and cell phones while driving.
How to time your arrival to an intersection:
when approaching the intersection and the light is red when you are 500ft. away then get off the gas and cruise your way to the intersection, if you are lucky then you will reach the intersection when the light turns green. If not then you will get the yellow light at least...
Benefits of a 4 second following distance:
One benefit of keeping a 4 second following distance is that you have more time to react if the guy in front has to stop really quickly.Another benefit is that you can apply your breaks softer than if you had a closer following distance. Which would give you a better chance of not getting rear ended by a guy behind you.One other benefit is that you can see farther in front if you have a 4 second following distance rather than a 2 second following distance.
Assignment 6/28
Legal stops: Stopping for a stop sign, stoplight, etc... Stops behind stop-line, crosswalk, sidewalk, then lastly the edge of the road.
Safety Stops: Where a legal stop is not required. Stop at edge of road and proceed with caution when safe.
Staggered Stops: hesitate before moving closer to stop lne/edge of road... safest kind of stop out infront of the school.
Point of No Return: When you cant stop in time for a stoplight that just turned red you enter the intersection and this is known as the point of no return.
Safety Stops: Where a legal stop is not required. Stop at edge of road and proceed with caution when safe.
Staggered Stops: hesitate before moving closer to stop lne/edge of road... safest kind of stop out infront of the school.
Point of No Return: When you cant stop in time for a stoplight that just turned red you enter the intersection and this is known as the point of no return.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)