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    Home » Better Safe than Sorry: Distractions
    Arizona

    Better Safe than Sorry: Distractions

    January 10, 2012No Comments5 Mins Read
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    By Kohinoor Kar and Mike Cynecki

    Phoenix AZ (January 10, 2012) – It has been proven by researchers that any kind of distraction while driving, walking or biking poses a major safety issue on our roadways.

    The nature and intensity of distractions vary from situation to situation. Driver distractions come in many forms, such as texting, using cell phones, children in the vehicle, passionate conversations with other passengers, and eating or drinking while driving. Some people have also been guilty of putting on makeup or doing other “interesting” tasks when they should be concentrating on the road in front of them. Driving is the only task one should be doing when behind the wheel.

    While everyone knows about the danger of driving while intoxicated, another very real threat to traffic safety includes driving while drowsy. Some prescription drugs, and even some over-the-counter drugs, can result in drowsiness and can cause a driver to lose the ability to react safely in traffic and lose control of their vehicle.

    Pets can also be a distraction to motorists. Another driver distraction is trying to find a route by reading a map, GPS or handheld electronic device while driving. Pedestrians can also be guilty of getting distracted when wearing headphones, sending or receiving text messages or talking on the phone or with someone beside them, playing along the roadway unmindful about the traffic around them, as well as walking while fatigued or intoxicated.

    You might have seen the recent video clip of the shopper who was sending a text message inside a mall and fell right into a water fountain. While this incident can appear to be funny and humiliating, these types of distractions while driving, riding a bicycle or walking along a street can have serious consequences.

    In fact, research studies have shown that a driver using a cell phone is four times as likely to get into a collision.

    Ordinances vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and we should be aware of them to ascertain what is permissible and what is not. Most municipal agencies have this information on their websites. If anyone violates the code and is involved in a traffic crash, there are additional penalties. While penalties are relatively minor, the loss from a serious traffic crash could be devastating. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which is a national organization, the only current statewide ban in Arizona on cell phone use or text messaging is the law that prohibits school bus drivers to use a cell phone (handheld and hands-free) while driving.

    Some studies have equated a driver on a cell phone to a driver who is legally intoxicated. These incidents usually occur more frequently than reported, because cell phone use is typically not known or reported in most collisions. Cell phones and smart phones can be powerful tools to help us in so many ways; however, they can also be deadly distractions if misused.

    The U.S. Department of Transportation has placed a strong emphasis on preventing distracted driving at www.distraction.gov. The Governors Highway Safety Association provides 10 tips for managing some of the most common driver distractions.

    1.Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car.

    2.Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible, or sign up for a service that offers this.

    3.Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.

    4.Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call for you.

    5.X the text. Don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states.

    6.Know the law. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car. Some states and localities prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones.

    7.Prepare. Review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map or directions again.

    8.Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive.

    9.Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.

    10.Focus on the task at hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.

    While most of us get into a rush situation behind the wheel, we need to always be careful about any kind of distraction that can result in a life-changing disaster. If we understand the distraction issue clearly and act accordingly, it becomes much easier to keep ourselves and other road users safe. We have the power to eliminate distractions while driving, walking or bicycling and to significantly minimize the chance of an unfortunate crash. Despite the absence of a statewide ban on texting or cell phone use while driving, motorists should take the high road and leave these activities for when the trip is over. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

    Kohinoor Kar, Ph.D., a professional engineer with 22 years combined experience in the roadway, traffic and safety field, has been with the state of Arizona for the past seven years. Kar serves on several advisory committees and panels at the state, national and international levels.

    Michael J. Cynecki, recently retired from the city of Phoenix after a career of 26 years in the transportation department and is currently with the consulting firm of Lee Engineering, LLC. Cynecki serves as the chairman of the Transportation Research Board Section ANF00, which includes the pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle committees, and is also involved in Safe Routes to School training.

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    Arizona Department of Transportation The Governors Highway Safety Association U.S. Department of Transportation
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    Paid Political Ad Paid For by Samaire for Mayor
    Paid Political Ad for Samaire Armstrong
    Paid Political Announcement by Samaire For Mayor

     THE MOMENT IS UPON US

    Dear Sedona,

    The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.

    The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.

    Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.

    This is my home. I have been a part of the Sedona community for 28 years. I witnessed the road debacle, the lack of planning, the city circumventing the local businesses ability to thrive, while making choices to expand the local government and be in direct competition with private industry.

    I am a unique candidate because unlike the incumbents, I don’t believe the government should expand in size, nor in operations, nor would I attempt to micromanage every aspect of our community.

    City government should stay in its lane and allow the competitive market of local private industry to prosper. And it should defend our community from corporate takeover and infiltration of our town.

    I do not agree that we should sign onto International Building Codes and regulations by signing Sedona up to the ICC. It is imperative that we remain a sweet, rural community.

    Where are the arts? Where is this organic thriving element that we allege to be animated by. Where is our culture? Where is our community?

    The discord between the decision making process and the desires of the community have never been more clear. It has been nearly a decade in the making.

    It is time for a new era of energy to take charge. An energy that is reflective in the ability to succeed rather than be trapped in out of date consciousness.

    It has been a great honor meeting with each of you. I hear your concerns over the insane and out of control spending and I echo them. A budget of $105,000,000 in a town of 9700 residents is completely unacceptable. A parking structure (that looks like a shoe box) originally slated to cost 11 million, now projected to cost 18 million, is incomprehensible. Especially, considering there is no intention of charging for parking.

    For those who are concerned that I lack the political experience within our established system- that is precisely what Sedona needs… Not another politician, but instead a person who understands people, who listens to the voices within the community, and who will act in service on their behalf with accountability, for the highest good of Sedona. What I am not, will prove to be an asset as I navigate the entrenched bureaucracy with a fresh perspective. Business as usual, is over.

    Creative solutions require new energy.

    Every decision that is made by our local government, must contemplate Sedona first.

    • Does this decision benefit the residents?
    • Does this decision benefit the local businesses?
    • Does this decision actually help the environment?
    • Will this decision sustain benefit in the future, or will it bring more problems?

    What we have now is a city government that expands to 165 employees for 9700 residents. Palm Desert has 53,000 residents and 119 city employees. Majority of our city department heads are not even in town. I find this problematic.

    Efforts towards championing in and courting new solutions for our medical needs are imperative. We are losing our doctors. We must encourage competition with other facilities rather than be held hostage by NAH, who clearly have their own set of dysfunctions.

    We must remember that so many move to Sedona for its beauty, hiking, and small town charm. Bigger, faster, and more concrete does not, in broad strokes, fit the ethos of Sedona.

    The old world must remain strong here in balance, as that is what visitors want to experience. Too many have noted that Sedona has lost its edge and charm.

    As Mayor I will preserve the rural charm of our community, and push back against the urbanization that is planned for Sedona.

    As mayor I will make it a priority to create opportunities to support our youth.  After school healthy, enriching programs should be created for our kids, and available to the Sedona workforce regardless of residency and regardless of school they belong to.

    As Mayor, I will create an agenda to deliberately embody the consciousness of our collective needs here, allowing private industry to meet the needs of our community rather than bigger government.

    I hope to have your vote on Aug 2nd. I am excited and have the energy to take on this leadership role with new eyes, community perspective, and the thoughtful consciousness that reflects all ages of the human spectrum.

    Thank you deeply for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Samaire Armstrong

    Sedona elections
    Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    Ready to Rumble

    By Tommy Acosta
    In the Blue Corner stands Scott Jablow and in the Red Corner of the ring stands Samaire Armstrong, ready to rumble to the bitter end in their fight to become the next Sedona mayor. Jablow weighs in with 1,137 primary election votes (36.13%) under his belt, having wielded his advantage as sitting Sedona City Council vice-mayor to his favor. He brings his years of serving in that capacity into the fray and waged a solid fight in his campaign to make it to the run-off. Armstrong, however withstood a blistering smear campaign from the other opposing candidates and their supporters to make it to the final bout with 967 votes under her belt (30.73%), an amazing feat for a political newcomer. Unfortunately, for the other two candidates, Kurt Gehlbach and sitting mayor Sandy Moriarty, neither put up enough of a fight to make it to the championship bout. Read more→
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