1) Find 3 news articles and relate them to things we have read about and discussed in class. This is a type two writing and should contain factual details to respond to the news articles. Copy and paste the article and post the URL. These should be posted by Sunday 7/22.
Response - 1.IRVINE, Calif.--In 2006, the California legislature authorized the state Department of Motor Vehicles to distribute 85,000 stickers to the owners of gasoline-electric hybrid cars. The stickers allow drivers to travel without passengers in all of the state's high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which were formerly restricted to cars with two or more passengers. A report determined that California's HOV lanes were operating only at two-thirds of their capacity and not easing congestion as much as they could; the idea was to stimulate demand for hybrids and thus reduce the emissions of greenhouse pollutants. (read rest of story on the website)
HTML: http://www.opinionjournal.com/cc/?id=110009686Response- In some ways I think its a good thing. I also in some ways think its unfair. What if someone can afford a new car and needs to get someone fast as well and they don't have enough people in the car. I can see why they would do this, but in a way I don't.
2. According to 2005 fatality figures by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 42,636 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 3 million people were injured. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 43% of motor vehicle crashes occur at intersections or are "intersection-related." This figure includes crashes resulting from any crossing conflicts, including ramp merging areas, driveways, red light running, and divided median crossovers. Given the very small percentage of surface mileage that intersections represent in the 3.94 million miles of roads and streets in the United States, it is clear that the inherent design and operational function of intersections present very high opportunities for vehicle conflicts leading to crashes.
Intersection conflicts and crashes pose dangers to both vehicle occupants and pedestrians. In crashes at intersections vehicle occupants are vulnerable to severe injury and death because the majority of the collisions involve side impacts into one of the vehicles. Side impacts have higher rates of deaths and serious injuries because there is comparatively little vehicle protective structure to safeguard occupants in the struck vehicle.
Addressing intersection-related crashes in a comprehensive and focused way is a highly complex task. Intersections range in type all the way from complicated expressway interchanges, which attempt to control vehicle entry and departure movements through the use of various geometric design and traffic engineering strategies, down to simple, rural right-angle intersections often controlled by only stop or yield signs. In many cases there are no traffic control devices of any kind.
INTERSECTION SAFETY FACTS
In 2003, more than 1.9 million intersection crashes occurred throughout the nation. Of those, red light running crashes accounted for 219,000 crashes, 181,000 injuries and approximately 1,000 deaths. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS, and Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, 2004)
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all pedestrian injuries and twenty-one percent (21%) of fatal injuries to pedestrians occur in collisions with motor vehicles at intersections. (IIHS, 2005)
In 2004, there were more than 9,117 fatal "intersection" or "intersection-related" crashes nationwide. This accounts for approximately one of every five fatal crashes on our roads. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, 2005)
In urban areas, nearly 50% of all crashes occur at intersections. (FHWA, 2005)
An overwhelming three-fourths (78%) of the American public believe more attention should be paid to making dangerous intersections safer for drivers. An even higher number, 85%, think they need to be made safer for pedestrians. (Louis Harris Poll, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 2001, 1999)
According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American Trauma Society, 63% of Americans see someone running a red light at least a few times a week and, at most, once a day. One in three Americans knows someone who has been injured or killed by a red-light runner. (1998)
Far fewer crashes occur at intersections with roundabouts than at intersections with signals or stop signs. A study conducted in Maine of 24 intersections before and after the construction of roundabouts showed a 39% overall decrease in crashes and a 76% decrease in injury producing crashes. Collisions involving fatal or incapacitating injuries fell by almost 90%. (IIHS, 2000)
Older pedestrians are particularly at risk for injury or death at intersections. Thirty-six percent (34%) of pedestrian deaths among people age 65 and older in 2003 occurred at intersections. Many intersections permit pedestrian crossing, yet have signals timed to provide for the maximum movement of vehicles, not pedestrian traffic. (NHTSA, 2004)
Atlanta, Miami and Tampa are the three most dangerous cities for pedestrians. In these cities 59% of pedestrian fatalities occurred while the pedestrian was trying to cross in the middle of the street because no crosswalk was available. Lack of crosswalks is a major factor in making these cities such a dangerous place for walkers. (American Demographics, November 2000)
Over 40% of all pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections with no crosswalk. (NHTSA, 2004)
On average, a pedestrian is killed every 111 minutes in the U.S. (NHTSA, 2004)
Response- Intersections are dangerous. So many people don't realize the danger in them, and go right through red lights and stop signs. Sometimes killing people coming the opposite way. The statistics of intersection crashes is crazy. Driving slow and paying attention to signs and lights at an intersection is wicked important.
URL: http://www.saferoads.org/issues/fs-intersection.htm3. Driving near and through intersections is one of the most complex challenges that drivers face. Intersection crashes account for more than 45 percent of all reported crashes, and 21 percent of fatalities. In 2003, 9,213 Americans lost their lives as a result of intersection-related crashes ? a rate of more than one every hour.
We can reduce fatalities and injuries from intersection crashes through careful use of good road design, traffic engineering, comprehensive traffic safety laws and regulations, consistent enforcement efforts, and sustained education of drivers and pedestrians.
The FHWA Office of Safety works closely with all of the FHWA's safety partners to heighten awareness of the strategic importance of making intersections safer, and to provide safety engineering and outreach tools.
URL: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersections/index.htmResponse-Marking and intersection isn't always going to make it a safer place. It all depends on who happens to be at the intersection. If there careless drivers then it could become dangerous. If they are cautious drivers the you are most likely safe. Making sure your a safe driver and paying close attention is always a good idea.
2)Type 2 writing: Describe how to how to time your arrival to get to an intersection with a green light. Power point can be found in Module 6. Post assignment by Sunday, 7/22
Response- When your approaching a traffic light and its green from a distance at about 25 mph. Then its going to soon change yellow the red. By time you get there you will no longer be able to make a safe stop.
3).Type 2 writing: Explain the benefits of keeping a 4 second following distance. Use power point presentation 7.03 to help you with this assignment. Post assignment by Sunday ,7/22.
Response- When using a 4 second stopping distance in decreases your chances of rear ending a car VERY hard when your rear ended
