Dui11

Safe Driving Tips

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:16:57 +0000

Obey all speed limits and signs.
Be attentive and drive responsibly.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Always wear your seatbelts.
Before driving a car, do a simple safety check. Turn on the lights and walk around the vehicle to ensure that all lights are in working order. Also check your blinkers for proper operation. Look for any fluid leaks or things hanging from the vehicle. Check that the tires are properly inflated.
When you get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats before placing the key in the ignition. To properly adjust the left mirror place your head against the left window and adjust the mirror so that you can just see the left side of the car. For the right, move your head towards the center of the vehicle and adjust the right mirror in the same way. When you are sitting correctly in the driver’s seat, you will not be able to see your vehicle, but your blind spots will be greatly reduced.
Always drive with your headlights on, a car is visible for nearly four times the distance with it’s headlights on.
Always use your turn signals.
Pay attention to all signs
When stopping at a stop sign, spell S-T-O-P to yourself before proceeding. Always turn your head to look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again before proceeding.
When a light turns green, look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again before proceeding through the light. Notice all vehicles and ensure that someone else is not going to run the light.
Keep your eyes moving. Notice what is happening on the sides of the road and check behind you through your mirrors every 6-8 seconds.
When driving on a two-lane road that allows parking on the right, stay toward the center line to allow for room if someone were to open their door to exit their vehicle in front of your car. This forethought will help you from swerving to miss an opening door. If there is no parking allowed on the road position your car toward the right to allow for more room between you and oncoming traffic.
Expect the other drivers to make mistakes and think what you would do if a mistake does happen. For example, do not assume that a vehicle coming to a stop sign is going to stop. Be ready to react if it does not stop. Never cause an accident on purpose, even if a pedestrian or another vehicle fails to give you the right-of-way.
Every time that you re-fuel, check your oil and other fluid levels. Look for noticeable leaks throughout the engine compartment.
If your car stalls on the road, do not leave your car. Put on your hazard lights to allow others to see you better. Wait for the proper authorities to come to your aid. Do not let someone talk you into leaving your vehicle.
When traveling behind other vehicles, there should be at least a four second space between your vehicles. When the car in front of you passes a stationary object, slowly count to yourself. If you pass the object before the allotted time, you should back off. When traveling at night or inclement weather, these times should be doubled.
Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving. Phones detract from your ability to concentrate on the road and increase your chance of a collision by nearly 400%. If you must use the phone, pull over to a safe, well-lit parking lot and place your call there. After completing your call you may continue on your way.
When leaving for an out of town trip, be sure to give an itinerary to someone back at home with the route of travel, approximate time of arrival and a contact number at your destination. Do not deviate from this plan without informing your at-home contact. If you are traveling a long distance, check in throughout the trip with a current location and any changes in your route or times. If something were to happen, this information may be used to narrow the search.
When being approached by an emergency vehicle, pull to the right shoulder of the road and stop.
Carry in your vehicle, in an easy to find place, all contact numbers that you may need as well as emergency contact information, personal information and any outstanding medical needs that you may have.
Leave early, plan to arrive 10 minutes before the appointed time. Speeding does not increase your ability to arrive on time, rather it only increases your chances of not arriving at all.
When traveling on a multiple-lane road or highway, keep in mind that the left-most lanes are for passing only. If not actively passing a vehicle, stay in the right lanes, allowing others to pass.
Avoid the “No-Zone” with trucks or buses — they cannot see you from many areas. Remember if you cannot see the driver in the truck’s rear view mirrors, they cannot see you! Also remember that trucks make large right turns.
There is an old saying — “If the roads are wet, then drive like it’s snowing. If the roads are snow-covered, then drive like they’re icy. If the roads are icy, then don’t drive.”
During inclement weather, if it is necessary to reduce one’s speed, the brake should be applied slowly without making sudden moves. When making sudden moves it’s much easier to lose control of your vehicle.
Remember as your speed increases so does your braking distance. If you double your speed, you quadruple your braking distance. If you double the weight of your vehicle, you double the stopping distance.

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Source: http://bceo.org/safedrivingtips.html

Ex-Miss USA Rima Fakih Sentenced for Drunken Driving in Michigan

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:14:32 +0000

Fakih, 26, must also attend alcohol safety and victim impact classes. She pleaded no contest to her Michigan DUI charge last month. Fakih is the first Arab American Miss USA. She was arrested last December after a cop saw her speeding and changing lanes without signaling in her 2011 Jaguar XJR.

Quite the fancy car. However, Fakih should consider herself lucky. It could’ve been a lot worse.

Former NBA player Jalen Rose got 20 days in jail for his DUI conviction in Michigan. His judge had originally given him 92 days, but suspended a chunk of his sentence.

The legal limit for drunk driving in Michigan is 0.08 percent.

Rose’s blood-alcohol level was at 0.12 percent. By comparison, the ex-Miss USA was initially tested at 0.19 percent, the Detroit Free Press reports. That’s 0.07 percent higher than Rose, who again, got 20 days in the slammer.

Fakih has stated the incident has humbled her. She says she never intended to put people in danger. But she claims she doesn’t have a drinking problem.

Fakih will be serving her probation in Detroit. Originally, her attorney had indicated she would do her probation in California.

The former Miss USA is set to appear on the Fox dating show “The Choice” in June. For now, as part of her drunk driving sentence Rima Fakih will be speaking to high school teens about the dangers of driving under the influence.

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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/11/tagblogsfindlawcom2012-celebrityjustice-idUS213713095120120511

Event Remembers Abilene Youth Killed by Drunk Driver

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:10:06 +0000

On Mother’s Day, instead of receiving breakfast in bed and being spoiled by her two sons and husband, Michelle Mantanona was up early organizing volunteers at Redbud Park.

Her 8-year-old son, Jarrett Paul, was killed last May 13 in a drunk-driving accident in Coleman County. On the one-year anniversary of the crash, the family held a memorial 5k race and one-mile walk in Jarrett’s honor — and to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. The event also served to promote Jarrett’s Law, a drive to stiffen civil and criminal penalties for drunken drivers.

“Today is a very difficult day — the first anniversary of our son’s death just happened to fall on Mother’s Day, my first since losing my son,” Michelle Mantanona said.

Since shortly after Jarrett’s death, the family has channeled their energy, their sadness and their anger into turning the tragedy into something positive. Matthew Mantanona said the family’s attorney had already drafted a proposed bill currently being reviewed by various law enforcement and state officials. They are hopeful they’ll get the opportunity to present the bill to the Texas Legislature in 2013.

“Jarrett was too young. He didn’t get to leave a legacy of his own,” Michelle Mantanona said. “So, this is our way of helping to create that.”

About 250 people turned out for the race, decked out in bright pink T-shirts in honor of Mother’s Day, or in Jarrett’s favorite color — bright yellow.

Michelle Mantanona said one year removed from the fatal crash, the sting of their loss hasn’t lessened.

“Some days are better than others. Still, we miss our son every day, and we work to make sure no other family has to go though something like this,” she said.

In addition to raising awareness about the proposed law and about drunken driving, the race also was a fundraiser.

Last year, through donations made following Jarrett’s death, the Mantanona family was able to provide 30 car seats to needy families. With proceeds from the memorial race, Michelle Mantanona said, they hoped to give away 60 car seats this year.

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Source: http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/may/13/one-year-later-event-remembers-abilene-youth-by/

How You Can Help Stop DUI

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:06:29 +0000

Next time your friend tries to leave the party after drinking you can tell them to call a cab or a friend instead of driving. It starts there!

Drunk Driving

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:03:32 +0000

Drinking and driving is bad news.