6 Myth-Busters for the New Distracted Driving Law

1. You are allowed to call 911 in an emergency situation.
2. A primary offense is whenever a trooper observes drivers making contact with their phone other than the one touch/swipe. This is what troopers will be mainly focused on. Primary offenses will now be reported to your insurance companies.
3. Food, drinks, grooming, and smoking. All of these things are secondary violations/observations. It is pretty common to eat, drink, smoke, or do any other number of activities while driving. These activities are allowed as long as they do not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle. If the driver does commit another traffic offense and is dangerously distracted, then they are subject to another $99 fine.
4. GPS and music. A good rule to follow, start both of these things before anything else. Drivers are allowed one touch/swipe as long as your device is connected to Bluetooth.
5. Authorized emergency personnel, including troopers, are exempt from this law. Uber, Lyft, and other ride share services are not (Meaning, they also must abide by the one touch/swipe rule).
6. CDL holders will still operate according to Federal Motor Carrier Regulations (The CDL will be disqualified after two or more convictions of any state law on hand-held mobile telephone use while operating a CMV).

Please refer to wadrivetozero.com for additional resources and information.

Contributed by Stephanie Dyck, Director of Operations

Work Zone Safety for Drivers

Summer has arrived and as usual so has the road construction season. With all the projects going on you are going to be driving through quite a few work zones this summer.

A few facts from the Federal Highway Administration:

• Between 2010 and 2014 in work zone crashes more than:
• 4,400 persons died (85% were the driver or passenger),
• 200,000 persons were injured.
• Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zone crashes.
• Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults.
• Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common type of work zone crash.
• Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall.
• The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph.
• Stopping distance for motor vehicles at 50 mph:
• Dry roadway~300 ft
• Wet roadway~400 ft
• Icy pavement~1250 ft
• A loaded 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer requires almost 50% more stopping distance.
• It takes only an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph compared to 65 mph.

As you are driving, what can you do to keep yourself safe as you drive through a work zone? According to the Federal Highway Administration you should:

Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions

• Dedicate your full attention to the roadway
• Avoid changing the radio station, using a mobile phone, eating, or other distractions that can remove your concentration from the road

Keep Your Headlights On

Pay Attention to the Road

• “Listen to the signs”
• Watch brake lights on vehicles ahead
• Watch traffic around you and be prepared to react Merge into the Proper Lane
• Merge well before you reach the lane closure
• Be aware that traffic patterns can change daily

Don’t tailgate

• Follow other vehicles at a safe distance

Obey the Posted Speed Limit

• Workers may be present just feet away
• Fines may be doubled for moving traffic violations
• Be prepared to slow down further if conditions indicate the need

Change Lanes Safely

• Change lanes only where pavement markings indicate, and only when traffic conditions permit

Follow Instructions from Flaggers

Expect the Unexpected

• Workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane without warning
• Other vehicles may slow, stop, or change lanes unexpectedly

Be Patient

Enjoy your summer and everyone STAY SAFE.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Be Prepared for Winter Driving

Driving in the winter can be nerve wracking whether you are driving in the coastal rains or in snow and icy conditions. Getting prepared before a trip, or even day-to-day driving, can make all the difference in winter driving. It’s a good idea to review these things periodically even if you made an initial pass at the beginning of the winter

Tips to Winterize Your Car:

• Install winter wipers.
• Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.
• Check your battery.
• Mount winter tires.
• Keep (non-freezing) washer fluid full.
• Pack a winter safety kit.
• Service your vehicle regularly (including tune up, battery check, and cooling systems).
• Maintain proper tire pressure.
• Keep the gas tank as full as possible.
• Clean all debris from your vehicle.
• Keep your rear-window defroster in working order.

Being Prepared—Accidents, pass closures, and other winter events can mean unexpected time in your car.  One of the most important items from the above list is making sure you have a winter safety kit.

Items for this emergency winter weather kit should include:

• Flashlight with extra batteries,
• Blanket/sleeping bag and warm clothing including: gloves/mittens, socks & hats, and boots,
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods,
• Water,
• First Aid Kit,
• Cell phone charger/battery booster,
• Tire chains and tool kit,
• Ice scraper/snowbrush,
• Small shovel,
• Cat litter/sand/salt to help with traction,
• Jumper Cables,
• Flares/Warning Triangle, and
• Whistle to signal for help.

When planning your trip and before leaving, check the weather.  Watch weather reports prior to long-distance trips or before driving in isolated areas.  Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected.  If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and expected time of arrival.

A Few Winter Driving Tips:

• Avoid driving when you are tired. 
• Always keep at least ½ tank of fuel in the vehicle.
• If you start your vehicle to warm it up – do it outside – avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly – reduce your speed overall.
• Do not use cruise control in wintery conditions.
• Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds.
• Look and steer in the direction you want to go.
• Avoid using your parking brake to slow or stop.
• If possible, don’t stop when going uphill.
• Be extra careful at intersections – cars may have difficulty stopping and vision may be impaired.
• Be extra alert for pedestrians.
• Share the road with snow removal equipment/crews.

If you do get stranded in an unfamiliar area, do not leave your car. Light flares in front and behind the car and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, mud or any object.

Be  Prepared and Be Safe This Winter.

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director Evergreen Safety Council

On or Off the Job–Vehicle Crashes Have Big Costs for Employers

Many individuals never realize the financial impact of vehicle crashes on employers. However, a report just released by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), shows the significant costs to employers that direct crash-related expenses have whether the crash happened on or off the job.

The report, Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers-2015™, details the costs to employers of traffic crashes occurring on and off the job, and shows an annual cost of nearly 47.5 billion dollars in crash-related expenses, including medical care, liability, lost productivity, and property damage.

Nearly half of this cost resulted from off-the-job vehicle crashes.

The report shows that more than 1.6 million work days were lost due to traffic crashes, with nearly 90 percent of those days attributed to crashes that occurred off the job, involving employees and/or their dependents.

• Speeding resulted in $8.4 billion in crash-related expenses,
• Distracted driving was close behind, at $8.2 billion,
• Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs resulted in $6.0 billion in losses, and
• Not wearing a seat belt added $4.9 billion to the total.

The good news? Developing a proactive traffic safety program is one of the best ways to control costs from workplace vehicle crashes. Besides keeping our roads safe, protecting employees from a motor vehicle crash injury can be a profitable investment of time and resources for any organization.

Proven success has been found in initiating “work-life” programs for all employees, especially programs that use workers as channels for getting traffic safety information to their family and community.

One easy, low cost campaign that has been around for some time is an employee wide seat-belt use campaign. (Get your free toolkit at 2seconds2click.org.) Other topics to consider are: trip planning, vehicle safety checks, defensive driving techniques, fatigue management, and driver’s behavior.

Evergreen Safety Council’s EverSafe Driving program addresses all of these topics, and more. The EverSafe Driving program can be presented by an experienced Evergreen Safety Council trainer at your location and customized to match your vehicles and driving situations, or you can send an employee through the Evergreen Safety Council Instructor Development course so they can become
qualified to conduct classes for your organization.

Help protect your most valuable resource (your employees) with defensive driving training through ESC’s EverSafe Driving Program. Contact us for more information.

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director Evergreen Safety Council

National Teen Driver Safety Week Kicks off October 18

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the uS. In 2013, there were 2,614 teen (15-19 year old) passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 130,000 were injured.

Join Evergreen Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in recognizing Teen Driver Safety Week this October 18th - 24th.

This years' Teen Driver Safety week theme is “5 to drive” and addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors for teen drivers. Those dangers include alcohol, seat belts, texting, speeding, and extra passengers.

Know a teen who is driving or getting ready to drive? Teen Driver Safety week is a great time to start a conversation about driving safety, but be sure to continue the conversation often.

Did you know? Evergreen Safety Council is proud to offer teen driving courses through our Evergreen Driving School.

We’ve put together a safety inspired, teen-centric training program that meets all of the washington State department of licensing requirements.

with over 80 years of training, the Evergreen Safety Council has helped thousands of students bring out their best while keeping safety in mind.

The “5 to Drive” rules are:

1. No Drinking and Driving. Almost one out of five (19 percent) of the young drivers (15 to 19 years old) involved in fatal crashes had been drinking, even though they were too young to legally buy or possess alcohol.
2. Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Front Seat and Back. 64 percent of all the young (13- to 19-year-old) passengers of teen (15- to 19-year-old) drivers who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 weren’t restrained.
3. Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. The age group of 15 to 19 years old has the highest percentage of drivers who were distracted by cell phone use and involved in a fatal crash. In 2013, 156 people were killed in crashes that involved a distracted teen driver.
4. Stop Speeding Before It Stops You. In 2013, almost one-third (29 percent) of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding.
5. No More Than One Passenger at a Time. The risk of a fatal crash goes up with each additional passenger.

By Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director Evergreen Safety Council

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycles are fun and fuel efficient. That’s not news to anyone who’s ridden one.  But neither is the fact that they’re also more dangerous than a car.  Here are some sobering national statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2013:

42% of all motorcycle deaths occurred in single-vehicle crashes;

In 40% of motorcycle single-vehicle fatality crashes the motorcycle rider had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%;

48% of motorcycle fatalities involved speeding;

75% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with no mandatory helmet law; 56% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with a partial law (ie..under 18); 6% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with a universal helmet law (like Washington).

Still, many enthusiasts enjoy a lifetime of riding with out injury.  The key to optimizing your odds is to be prepared and to avoid risks.  Below are some tips to help you stay safe on two wheels.

Don’t buy more bike than you can handle. When shopping for a bike, start with one that fits you. Choose a model that’s easy for you to get on and off the center stand; if it feels too heavy, it probably is.

Invest in antilock brakes. Antilock brakes are a proven lifesaver. IIHS data shows that motorcycles equipped with ABS brakes were 37% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than bikes without it.

Hone your skills. ESC would not be doing our job if we did not stress the importance of finding and taking a riding course in your area. That is absolutely critical. These courses can teach you the basics, as well as advanced techniques such as how to perform evasive emergency maneuvers.  These courses may make you eligible for an insurance discount and they may also save your life.

Use your head. Yes, helmets are an emotional topic for some riders – there are groups that try every year to remove Washington’s universal helmet law. Don’t listen to them.  The facts show the risk.  When Texas and Arkansas repealed their helmet laws, they saw a 31% and 21% increase in motorcycle fatalities, respectively. Helmets save lives!  In our opinion, a full-face helmet that’s approved by the Department of Transportation is the best choice. (Look for a DOT certification sticker on the helmet.)

Wear the right gear. Instead of light clothing, you want gear that will protect you from wind chill, flying bugs and debris, and, yes, road rash if you should slide out. You’ll also want effective eye protection; don’t rely on eyeglasses or a bike’s windscreen – use a helmet visor or goggles. Keep in mind that car drivers who have hit a motorcycle rider often say they just didn’t see them, so you may want to choose gear in bright colors.

Be defensive. You aren’t the only one on the road – and you have the least amount of protection. You need to be extra alert, especially in this age of epidemic phone use and texting behind the wheel.  Keep an eye out for cars making sudden movements.  Don’t tailgate – keep a safe following distance to ensure you have enough stopping distance and so you have time to react to obstacles in the road.

Eliminating these foreseeable risks is the first major step in dramatically reducing your risks.  The weather of late has been great for riding and learning and we wish you all a safe riding season. Be safe and enjoy! Check out courses at evergreenmotorcycletraining.org or feel free to contact me, Monty E. Lish, Motorcycle Program Manager, S/TEP Program Mananager, Evergreen Safety Council.

Contributed by Monty E. Lish, Motorcycle and S/TEP Program Mananager, Evergreen Safety Council

Driving to Conserve Fuel

I think everyone knows that the faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle uses.  And, of course, that means more pollution out the tailpipe.

However, I don't think many people really know how much more fuel is burned and pollution caused by even a small increase in your speed.  I think you may be surprised.  I was.

In fact, with fuel prices constantly increasing and environmental issues a concern each day, we have to take a look at what we can do as drivers.  Perhaps the easiest way to make an improvement in our fuel consumption and emissions is to simply slow down.  Very few drivers these days actually drive the speed limit, but if we even slowed down a little, it would make a huge impact.

You may also be surprised at how little time will be added to your daily commute when you slow down to even the speed limit.  Again, I was.

So, slowing down helps.  But that's not the whole solution.  How you accelerate away from a standstill is also critical.  "Squeezing" the gas pedal down is a key ingredient in smooth driving and helps to maintain maximum control.  This "squeezing" of the pedal will also significantly improve your fuel mileage and decrease emissions.

Maintaining your speed is the real key, though.  The less you accelerate, brake, accelerate, brake, accelerate...the more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly you'll be.  Try looking farther ahead in traffic and time the signal lights so that you don't always have to come to a complete stop.

If you are driving a manual transmission vehicle, try to determine the best engine RPM at which to shift.  Attempt to feel and shift at the point where the engine runs "free" - neither over-revving, nor "lugging".  Feel for the engine and this will be the best place at which to shift.

All these small points: slowing down slightly, driving smoothly, "squeezing" the gas pedal, braking as little as possible, shifting at the correct time - not to mention checking tire pressures - can save you big dollars and make an immense impact on the environment.  And believe me, it won't add more than a couple of minutes to your daily commute - a very small price to pay for the big savings.  It will also reduce the wear and tear on the vehicle, allow you to drive at a more relaxed pace and make the road a much safer place to be.

On the other hand, don't take my word for it - try it for yourself.  For one week, really concentrate on driving a little slower and more smoothly.  Then make a note of how much longer a tank of fuel lasts.  You may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Contributed by Ross Bentley, copyright Ross Bentley, reprinted with permission

Safety & Health Solutions - June edition

Evergreen Safety Council produces a monthly newsletter covering a variety of safety topics. Each month we provide a link here to the current month's edition.

Inside this issue:

Lead: Work Zones

Hard Hats

What is an AED?

Traffic Survival Tips - Part 1

You can also visit the archive to view past issues and sign up (scroll to the bottom of the page) to receive an electronic copy via email.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee and read all about what's going on in the world of safety & health.


Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council

Background on Seat Belts in Washington

Looking Back

2012 marks the 10th anniversary of Washington’s seat belt law changing from a secondary law to a primary law. That change allowed law enforcement to issue a seat belt ticket when there was no other citable traffic infraction. Also that year, Washington adopted the Click It or Ticket project that was being used in other states. In one year the use rate jumped 10 percentage points. (WTSC)

In Washington during the past ten years, 1,010 lives have been saved by drivers and passengers using seat belts. This estimate is based on an assumption that the 2001 vehicle-occupant death rate of 0.95 per 100 million vehicle-miles traveled remained constant through 2011. (WTSC)

In the past ten years, traffic deaths on Washington roadways are down 29 percent and serious injuries are down 28 percent, while vehicle-miles traveled increased 6.6 percent over this same period. (FARS, WSDOT)

Year	Number of Traffic Deaths	Number of Vehicle Occupant Deaths
1999	637	526
2000	631	511
2001	649	509
2002	658	513
2003	600	449
2004	567	419
2005	649	476
2006	633	470
2007	571	415
2008	521	361
2009	492	348
2010	460	315
2011	*455	*304

 *Preliminary & expected to change

Timeline Notes (WTSC, NHTSA)

1986

Many states begin conducting and reporting observational seat belt surveys. By the end of 1986, 22 states had passed a seat belt law, including Washington, which passed a secondary law. That is, law enforcement officers could issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when there was another citable traffic infraction. In one year, the use rate increased from 36 percent to 52 percent.

1995

Seat belt use reaches 80 percent.

2002

• Washington conducted its first Click It or Ticket campaign, following in the footsteps of several other states.
• Separately, the Washington Legislature passed a bill changing the seat belt law from a secondary law to a primary law. The use rate jumped 10 points from 82.6 to 92.6.
• Washington has the highest seat belt use rate in the nation. This achievement is repeated in 2003 and 2006.

2007                                                                                           

The Click It or Ticket campaigns moved to nighttime hours as a test project for the country because the national traffic death rate at night is four times higher.

2011                                                                                           

From 2002 through 2011 the seat belt use rate increased to 97.5 percent. For the past ten years, Washington consistently has had one of the highest seat belt rates in the nation.

Seat belt tickets issued in the past 10 years

2001 - 8,504

2002 - 15,579

2003 - 15,978

2004 - 19,941

2005 - 24,179

2006 - 18,618

2007 - 24,340

2008 - 35,125

2009 - 78,495

2010 - 72,268

2011 - 68,633

Total - 381,660

In 2002 the cost of a seat belt ticket was $86. In 2012 a seat belt ticket cost $124. (AOC)

General Seat Belt Information

The medical costs of an unbuckled motorist average $11,000 more per collision than those who buckle up (HIPRC).

When motorists are unbuckled, often they are ejected partially or completely from vehicles. By wearing seat belts, they reduce their risk of being ejected by 81% (HIPRC).

When used correctly, lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and the risk of head injury by 80 percent. (HIPRC)

Currently, the nighttime death rate in Washington is about three times (2.8) higher than the daytime rate. (FARS, WSDOT)

Compared to people who drive during the day with seat belts on, nighttime unbuckled drivers are: (WTSC)

• Three times more likely to have felony records.
• Twice as likely to have criminal records for offenses involving violence.
• Three times more likely to have a DUI on their records.
• More than twice as likely to have a negligent or reckless driving violation on their driving records.

The seat belt law is a primary-enforcement law in Washington, so an officer can pull over a vehicle if a driver — or passenger — is not buckled up. If the unbuckled passenger is under age 16, the driver gets the ticket; if unbuckled passengers are age 16 or older, they get their own seat belt tickets. (RCW 46.61.688)

Source Key

FARS - Fatality Analysis Reporting System

WTSC - Washington Traffic Safety Commission

WSDOT - Washington State Department of Transportation

RCW - Revised Codes of Washington

HIPRC - Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center

AOC - Administrative Office of the Courts (Washington’s)

Source: King County Traffic Safety Task Force