Tornado Safety in your car “What if I’m driving near a touchdown tornado?”

Posted on by Safe Driver

Tornado, Twister

It is severe weather season/ tornado season in Minnesota and much of North America.

A few weeks ago, emergency sirens sounded for tornado drills and emergency rehearsals everywhere. Businesses and Schools participated in collective emergency procedures for severe weather awareness week. Tornado drills need detailed plans and practiced evacuations to help keep staff and children calm and focused in the event of a true emergency.

For those of us who prepare at home, it is common knowledge that when a tornado warning is issued, certain precautions are necessary for our family’s safety. For example, moving away from windows and glass doorways, moving to the innermost part of the house on the lowest possible floor or basement.

“What if I’m driving near a touchdown tornado?”

What if you are not at home or in a building, rather, in your car instead? What then? The curious question for many of us who need to feel ready is “What if I’m driving near a touchdown tornado?” This situation is not easily rehearsed, so, there is no single right answer… no guaranteed way to save your life when you are out in the unprotected elements. When faced with this kind of danger, like a hurling weather beast, the right thing to do is contingent on your surroundings. However, there is plenty advise out there to take into consideration for the “What ifs,” that may save you.

First The Facts:

  • The most extreme tornadoes can attain wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, stretch more than two miles across, and stay on the ground for several miles 
  • (The most extreme tornado recorded was the “Tri-State Tornado,” which had barrelled through 3 states in 1925, holding the record for longest path length of 219 miles)
  • A majority of tornadoes in the world occur in the United States region nicknamed “Tornado Alley,” although they can occur anywhere in North America.
  • The weakest category tornado can damage trees while the strongest category tornadoes have been known to cause hundreds of deaths.
  • F2s and F3s can tear roofs apart and lift cars off the ground.
  • An F5 or EF5 tornado, the strongest category, can rip buildings off their foundations.
  • Tornadoes can throw debris at dangerous speeds of 100 mph or more.
  • Debris from a tornado can be lofted into the parent storm and carried a very long distances.

The Professional Advice

Knowing the facts and professional’s advise ahead of time might help you make life saving decisions in what ever Tornado predicament you find yourself in. Some advise appears to be conflicting and criticized (such as this weather blog debate) while most advice seems quite common sense but very conditional to the environment and status of  the tornado itself. Ultimately you will have to weigh your options in a split second, that is to say if you have more than one option.

  1. Unless the tornado is far away and highly visible, meteorologists advise that drivers park their vehicles far to the side of the road (so as not to block emergency traffic), and find a sturdy shelter.
  2. If no sturdy shelter is nearby, getting low in a ditch is the next best option.
  3. Highway overpasses are one of the worst places to take shelter during tornadoes, as the constricted space can be subject to increased wind speed and funneling of debris underneath the overpass.
  4. Fox nine weather says “If you’re on the road when a twister touches down, it’s best to pull over, get out and get as low as possible.” Read more from Fox 9
  5. Red Cross advises: “If you cannot get to shelter, a recent study* suggests doing the following: Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path.”
  6. Red Cross advises: “If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.” Read more from American Red Cross
  7. Then there is the best advise, that is to avoid driving  into that situation at all by tuning in to your local weather stations
  8.  Beware of  Tornado watches, especially Tornado warnings in your area. Thanks to modern radar technology there’s a slim chance you’ll be driving into a tornado if you stay informed.
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Texting While Driving, Face The Facts Video

Posted on by Safe Driver

 Convincing Facts?

So there you have it! A video with some pretty convincing facts to face, thanks to ”Stop the Texts.Stop the Wrecks.” texting and driving prevention campaign sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council.

In the future we will be happy to share and pass on more videos like this to discourage distracted driving among teens and young drivers. To see more videos like this one, visit our
Drive Safe Blog Video Gallery
or stop by the official channel for viewing public service advertisements at
“Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.” 

Continue reading →

Teen Crash -Nampa Prom PSA Video

Posted on by Safe Driver

“How Will You Remember Your Prom?”

Prom is coming soon, time to send out Prom safety reminders. Watch this PSA video filmed by a Nampa High School student for a www.madd.org  contest.
Thank you both… for your good works.

Nampa, Ada County Sheriffs Office, Paramedics and Meridian Fire Department Continue reading →

-The Adventure of Learning to Drive Begins for a Teenage Boy and His Mom-

Posted on by Safe Driver

Behind the Wheel with “Sigfried”

What happens when you turn 15 after your mom helps produce a DVD for parents of teen drivers?

You get your own behind-the-wheel experience documented in a blog.

So with all due apologies to Son #3, (who probably didn’t want his fifteen minutes of fame this way), DriveSafeBlog.com will be featuring true stories from our Behind-the-Wheel practice together this year. And in a token effort to make this slightly less embarrassing for my almost-youngest son, in these narratives his name will be “Sigfried.”

Sigfried and I did our first driving practice at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. It’s a perfect spot, with the exact characteristics recommended by Mike Pehl in Lesson 3 of “Roadworthy.” We didn’t get out early in the morning, but it was a chilly late afternoon so the area was completely empty of any other cars or people. Nobody needs any extra hazards or distractions the “First Time in Gear” – not the parent OR the teen driver!

Knowing all of Mike Pehl’s recommendations really makes this a comfortable experience. Obviously I’m very lucky to NOT be a parent who feels super stressed and unsure about what to do. I know how to pick a great location to do this first lesson, how to explain things to Sigfried, and exactly which skills he should start practicing in the best possible order. That sense of confidence for me as the parent is definitely helpful to  Sigfried as he begins this whole adventure.

driving practiceMy most interesting observations from this first hour of driving practice with Sigfried are shared below.

1. It’s startling how much of a BEGINNER a novice driver is. Sigfried has played his share of driving video games and he’s a coordinated, athletic kid. But he is an absolute amateur behind the wheel and both of us can tell. His steering is not accurate; he is learning the feel of how much a twist of the steering wheel really moves the car. Obviously he knows the IDEA of the cause-and-effect but he has no experiential or muscle memory of that yet.

2. Ditto for braking. Even doing those first laps at idle speed, when Sigfried hits the brakes it is NOT smooth and graceful. We’re not quite in Whiplash Land, but it’s abrupt and jerky enough that we’re both laughing. And that’s great! Having that cordial, happy vibe in the car is “all good.” I’m relaxed, he’s intrigued and fascinated by the challenge, and we both know that doing this together is important (and something we will even have fond memories of someday, I hope).

3. During this lesson we up-the-ante to driving with some light acceleration. That reveals another new skill that is yet to develop; the subtle adjustment drivers make with the gas pedal on hills. This parking lot has an almost imperceptible “downhill” spot, but it throws Sigfried off because this is another new thing to process as a driver. He notices that the car speeds up in this area but it’s not a natural reaction for him to ease up on the accelerator yet. Again, this is really interesting to me; I think experienced drivers would not even consciously analyze this aspect of the terrain; they just “feel” it and respond intuitively. But for a novice like Sigfried, this is all new data for his body and brain to learn.

Overall, this is a great hour spent together and it bodes well for our next practice session. It does also remind me of something astonishing, though.

Mike Pehl says a lot of teenagers go with their parents to the DMV to pick up their actual learner’s permit, and then ask their folks to hand them the keys because they expect to drive the car home! Yikes. That is obviously not a good plan! My heart goes out to any parents who were ever so disoriented or caught off guard that they said “yes” to that request from their teenage driver, because that would be an awfully scary ride, and not one that makes any sense…for the teen, the parent, or the other drivers on the road near them.

Drive safe, ride safe, everybody! And stay tuned for the next installment of
“Behind the Wheel with Sigfried.”

                                                                                                                                                                             -kelly Cusick

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Safe Winter Driving Tactics -Forecasting Icy Roads

Posted on by Safe Driver

Best Winter Driving Advice for Parents to Teach Teens

Winter is not over, supposing there may be plenty of Icy conditions in the forecast, we continue to advice and caution parents of young drivers. We feel it’s important that parental involvement should be especially diligent during the most dangerous season for driving.

With an arctic outlook in mind, we have compiled specific suggestions and precautions. If you are a Parent of a Teen driver, reviewing these tactics with your Teen might save his or her life when hazardous weather  gets downright slippery.

Driving safely on icy roads
  1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  2.  Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  3.  Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
  4.  Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  7.  Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
  9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid…
  1.  Take your foot off the accelerator.
  2.  Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
  3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
  4.  If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
  5.  If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…
  1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
  2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
If you get stuck…
  1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
  2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
  3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
  4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
  5.  Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
  6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

DIY Teen Survival Preparations for Minnesota Winter Driving

Posted on by Jayne Ubl

Does Your Teen have the Tools
to Survive Winter Driving?

Winter arrived late this year in Minnesota. While the weather keeps us guessing,
it’s not too late to prepare your Teen.
Because the weather remains somewhat unpredictable… it’s an even better idea to anticipate icy roads surprises ahead. You don’t have to live in a wintry climate to encounter icy roads and hazardous roadways. All it takes is a temperature at or just above 32-degrees, and a thin layer of water that can turn into  ice, causing extremely dangerous, slippery driving conditions.

How do you prepare for icy surprises and wintry emergencies?
Having a well stocked emergency kit in your car can help to save your Teen’s life and make it more comfortable during breakdowns, accidents and long waits. Check out our list of ideas to add to your Teen’s emergency prepared vehicle. 

What should your Teen’s
winter emergency kit include?

  Battery jumper cables
  Shovel
  Basic tools: 
  pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife
  Blankets
  Extra clothing:
  hats, socks, boots, mittens
  Flashlight
  Bag of sand
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Are your Teens buckled up?

Posted on by ronifredericks

The leading cause of death for American Teens can be reduced!

Many teen deaths and life threatening injuries from car crashes are preventable.  There are proven strategies that can improve the safety of teen drivers behind the wheel, but if they are not buckling up…  the fatality statistics will continue to be high.

To many of us, wearing your seatbelt is common sense… but the fact is, teens are underestimating the danger of not wearing their seat belts. To make matters worse, teen peers are dramatically influencing this risky behavior. Is your teen wearing his/her seat belt even if it’s considered uncool?

DriveSafeRideSafe is encouraging teen driving education that combines parental involvement and peer strategies in the learning process to increase teen seat belt use and the overall safety of young drivers.

Here are the Sad Seat Belt Facts for Teens

  • Two-thirds of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.
  • Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use in comparison to mature drivers.
  • In 2005, 10% of high school students reported they rarely or never wear seat belts when riding with someone else.
  • Male high school students (12.5%) were more likely than female students (7.8%) to rarely or never wear seat belts.
Take steps to improve your teen’s safety. Ask your teen about his/her seat belt habits. For more parental support, visit www.drivesaferidesafe.com for our DVD with advice for parents to help their teens before, during and after the time they’re learning to drive .

Photo credit to Butch Lysholm at oaire.com

Fact References:

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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What do I do if I see a drunk driver on the road?

Posted on by ronifredericks

What should I do if I witness drunk driving?

Unfortunately, drunk drivers travel our roads every day and every night. The New Year‘s Eve Holiday will be even more dangerous for drivers, possibly one of the worst nights to be on the road. While many of us responsible citizens use designated sober transport, the irresponsible drivers will be endangering our lives and the lives of our friends and family this New Year’s Holiday.

Sadly, It’s not uncommon to witness drunk drivers on the road… weaving in and out of lanes at unreasonable speeds, or worse yet, traveling in the wrong direction on a busy road. You may be left asking yourself— What should I do?

Number one: Stay as far away as possible! Which also means – Do not try to pass the vehicle. Keep yourself safe from any type of collision with the vehicle, stay focused and alert to the driver’s sudden changes in behaviors on the road.

Memorize the license plate number and vehicle details from a safe distance, only if it is safe to do so. Do not jeopardise your own safety while trying to record information. If possible, have a passenger record the information for you. It is most important to keep yourself safe!

If you do have success in recording vehicle’s information, pull over and dial 911. Give the exact location and the direction that the drunk driver is traveling along with the license plate and vehicle description.

Go home! Be at peace, you did your very best in helping keep our roads safe. Finally, let the police do their job!

Thank You from all of us at Drive Safe Ride Safe.
Thank You, to all of you sober drivers in this Happy New Year!

Please visit http://www.madd.org/ if you’d like to help in more ways, donate or volunteer.

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What kind of car should we buy for our Teen?

Posted on by Safe Driver

“Do you have any advice for us?”

Q: Dear Mike: My daughter will be getting her license soon and we’re getting ready to buy a car for her. Do you have any advice for us?
-Theresa of Hazlet, NJ

A: Dear Theresa: The first thing I’d say is to make sure you’ve given her plenty of practice time with you in the passenger seat. That’s always the most important point I want to make, because it’s the only way your daughter is going to be ready to drive safely without you, no matter what car she’s driving. As far as buying a car that’s especially for a teenager, you need to think about safety before anything else. Do your homework; you can go to  www.Crashtest.com to find out ratings for specific vehicles. Another good website is  www.IIHS.org.  That’s the site for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an organization supported by insurance companies to do research and crash tests above and beyond what the government requires. Your daughter probably wants you to make a decision based on looks or features like a sun-roof, but you really need to look at the impact studies for head-on collisions, t-bones AND rollovers. Know the details, not just the overall safety rating. Whatever you do, don’t buy a junker just because it’s cheap; there are some cars that are still on the road that I tell my students I’ll personally pay to have towed to the salvage yard because I consider them so unsafe in a collision.  -Mike Pehl
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