Tag Archive: highway
Dori Slosberg Foundation Programs That are Saving Lives on our Highways
July 15, 2010
The Dori Slosberg Foundation is a private non-profit public service organization dedicated to traffic safety. It is named after the daughter of State Representative Irv Slosberg, Dori Slosberg, who at 14 was killed, along with four others in a car crash while their seat belts were unbuckled.
The foundation’s mission is to further educate the public about the importance of traffic safety while promoting safe driving habits and helping Florida law enforcement to ensure a risk-free driving environment on roadways. They also support nationwide programs that enable law makers to save lives through legislation. An example of this is the development of the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law, which increases the effectiveness of safety belt law enforcement.
Since it was established in 2004, the Dori Slosberg Foundation has developed with several programs and initiatives to provide information on traffic safety including:
Staying Alive on 95, 75 & Florida’s Roadways
Focused on keeping Interstate 95, Interstate 75 and Florida’s roadways as safe for driving as possible, this program brings together concerned individuals and law enforcement to work on innovative ways to keep Florida’s major roadways safer.
DUI 0 Tolerance
This annual brings DUI law enforcement and relatives of DUI victims together, providing an outlet to tell their stories of loss, and reiterating a no-tolerance policy for DUI offenders.
Driver’s Education & Safe Teen Driving Programs
The foundation has set out to form assemblies across the state of Florida which reinforces the value that driving safety begins with proper driver education, before teens even obtain their licenses. They hold conferences for teachers and instructors to create awareness of current resources and technology available for them and to ensure students are getting the quality driver education they deserve. They also reinforce the idea that, before teens get their licenses, they should know about seat belt safety and the dangers of distracted driving.
Safe Senior Transportation
The foundation has been working to find ways to give alternative means of safe transportation for those who are unable to drive due to age or disability. They also provide a one-stop shop for getting elder drivers license renewal and assessment of their driving skills. They also hold a forum for giving safety tips for senior drivers.
Through committed passion and constant attention, these programs and the support of the public have turned the Dori Slosberg Foundation into an influential force when it comes to traffic safety.
Roadside Safety: What to Do If You Have a Breakdown
February 11, 2009
Vehicle breakdowns are stressful and can even be frightening, depending on the circumstances. If your vehicle won’t start in a parking lot, you have the advantage of being stopped in a safe place, but if the breakdown occurs while you are driving, you must take immediate action to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.
First, don’t panic. Panicking may cause you to make the situation even more dangerous. Stay calm and follow a logical progression to get your vehicle safely off the highway.
Your first action should be to slow down. You should also look for a safe place to pull over, but you must have slowed your vehicle sufficiently to use the space you locate. Remember that if you pull off the pavement, your vehicle will lose traction; if you haven’t slowed down enough, your vehicle could skid.
Once you have located a safe place to pull off the road, try to park where the disabled vehicle can be seen for at least 200 feet in each direction. Avoid pulling off in a curve or near a hill. Move the vehicle so all four wheels are off the pavement or traveled portion of the roadway.
In addition to making your vehicle visible, you must make it obvious that the vehicle is stopped. This is particularly important:
- at night or in bad weather such as rain or fog, when drivers may be using the lights of other vehicles to guide them
- considering drivers who may be sleepy or even under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- on the highway, where drivers may be suffering from “highway hypnosis,” a condition that sometimes occurs for people on a long trip
Turn on your emergency flashers, tie a white cloth to the left door handle or antenna, and raise the hood to indicate that your vehicle is stopped and disabled.