Assignment 7/27

Part 1-
FCA's:
1.Describe the steps you used in changing your tire.
2.Describe the safety components involved in changing a tire.
3. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

First you want to set your parking brake and turn on 4 way flasher. Put tire blocks on back of opposite tire and front of tire diagonal opposite tire.Locate your tire changing equipment on vehicle. Next, lower spare tire from under the vehicle. Then use wheel wrench to remove decorative plastic nut caps. Barely loosen lug nuts. Once you do that set up and position jack in jack location nearest the tire that is being changed. Then you raise the tire just so it's off the ground. Take the lug nuts off and then the tire. Clean wheel off so there is not dirt or rust. After you do this put on the tire so it is lined with studs. Tighten nuts by hand so they don't cross thread. If the nut can't be tightened by hand then use the wheel wrench. Then you tighten bolts the wheel wrench. Tighten one nut and then tighten the nut opposite it. Continue this pattern until all the nuts are tightened. Next you want to completely lower and put away the jack. After you have done this tighten the nuts in the same pattern with the wheel wrench. Remove the wheel blocks and put away all tools. Tighten the plastic nuts on tire.

There are many things you want to keep in consideration when changing a tire. Put your 4 way flasher on so cars know you're pulled over because you are having difficulty with your car. When changing your tire change it on a flat surface so the car doesn't roll and the jack doesn't fall off. To also prevent rolling put your wheel blocks on properly, put your parking brake on and don't put your car into neutral.You want to find a public area with people around so there is less of a chance of you getting hurt. Changing your tire on the side of the road increases your risk of getting hit by a vehicle or injured by a person who means to harm you.

Part2 -
FCA's:
1. Describe the following types of coverages: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured and under insured bodily and property damage liability, and the term deductible and how it relates to collision and comprehensive coverages.
2.Describe what the state of Vermont requires for automobile insurance.
3.Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation

Bodily injury liability covers the driver at fault against claims.

Property damage liability protects the driver at fault from claims for damages to other's property.

A collision is when two or more objects come into contact.

Comprehensive gives coverage for replacement or repair of your vehicle that wasn't cause by a collision.

Deductible is the amount an insurance policyholder pays for vehicle repair or replacement.

Crash Site, Final Report

While visiting the police I was able to learn different statistics, what will happen to me if I'm pulled over and more. I learned that crashes are twice as likely when teenaged drivers have teenaged passengers. This is because of the distractions and influences made by the passengers. If I see a drunk driver or suspect someone of drinking and driving I should call 911 with they're license plate number. If I'm ever drinking or if one of my friends is drunk or under the influence then I should call a cab, sober friend or my parents for a ride home.

As for law regarding being under the influence of any substance while driving I learned a lot. One fact I learned was for states to get federal money, they are required to have zero tolerance laws for underage drinkers. This means if an underage driver has a blood alcohol level of any number, even the legal limit, they will be arrested for DUI.

As for the process of arresting a driver under the influence first the officer must pull them over for reasonable reason. This could be for your car weaving, speeding, turn signal on beyond a turn etc. The officer will then ask to see your insurance and driver's license. If the officer suspects you of being under the influence for any reason they will ask you how many drinks you have or your drug consumption. You must answer these questions. The officer will then put you through a series of field sobriety tests to see where your state of mind is. If you fail these tests you will be given your Miranda rights, hand cuffed and brought to the police station. At the station you will take a breath, urine or blood test depending on what type of test that particular station uses. After you're booked for DUI you will need to post bail or be released on own recognizance. When you are released you will be given a court date to plead guilty or not guilty. The judge will hear you in a bench trial (when the judge decides your fate). If found guilty your lawyer will give you further detail on what you will have to serve.

From here I went to the doctors. I first learned about smoking marijuana and the affect it has on the brain. When under the influence of marijuana and driving you misjudge speed and braking. It also affects perceptions. The parts of the brain marijuana affects are the cerebellum and the hippo campus. The cerebellum controls your balance and posture. When marijuana is in your system your cerebellum is affected causing you to have poor coordination and poor road tracking. The hippo campus is in charge of your memory. When marijuana is in your system you're affected by having memory loss and your attention is reduced.

Your hippo campus is also affected when you drink along with your medulla and frontal lobe. When you drink you're affected by having black outs and not remembering actions you took while drunk. Your medulla controls your basic life functions like your heart rate and breathing. When drinking you start to have shortness of breath, leading into less oxygen getting to the brain thus passing out or having brain failure. Your frontal lobe is in charge of decision making. When drinking your front lobe is being numbed which leads into bad decision making. Drinking overall slows down messages to the brain, slurs your speech, blurs your vision and makes you have poor judgement.

I also learned about head injuries. Head injuries can make it so you can't concentrate, forget things, lose your sense of taste and smell, difficulty with motor skills and you can have little to big mood swings. One cause of head injuries can be from not wearing your seat belt. There are three different types of hittings. Car hitting object, heading hitting object and brain hitting scull. The use of a seat belt reduces your risk of dieing in a car crash by 60%. More teens die each year then any age group by 80% because they didn't wear their seat belts. Princess Diana died because she was unbelted, in a car crash and had severe chest injuries.

I then went to the school. I learned that for every teen killed in a motor vehicle crash, about 100 others suffered non-fatal injuries. I also learned safer alternatives for having a friend or you getting home safely when under the influence. You can ask for the keys before they start drinking or marijuana so you have control over the keys. You can also find another driver who isn't under the influence for a ride home. You can also delay the person from driving by keeping them where they are. Using another angle works as well. Instead of saying "I'll drive because you're drunk" you can say "I'll drive because you look tired". This way the person isn't embarrassed and doesn't think you're treating them with disrespect. There will also be less a risk of angering them. You never want to let them go without trying though. People who let their friend go when they don't know they're condition or don't want to start a problem. You can use a couple of these at once. You should always use a direct approach so they don't get embarrassed. Use a relax approach as well so they don't get defensive which results in them not letting you give them a ride.

I finally went to the lawyer. I learned that the definition of a total car was the cost to repair the damage is greater than the value of the car. She then led me through the costs that you have to pay for getting into a crash and having a DUI charge. It's $50 for the towing fee of your car and $137 per day for storing your car. You then need to get a restricted license which costs $100. The insurance costs $10,800. You then need to take alcohol education program which costs $585. The minimum fee is $480. Your defense attorney will cost $2000 and the court costs will be $406. Your probation fee will be $44. The fund for head injuries will be $120. The lawyer said this was on average and is different in each state. While looking at a real case I learned that malice was to committing a wrongful act that results in harm to another without just reason or cause.

At the end of the program I found out that I was the bicyclists. I survived the crash with minor injuries. I learned that when you or someone is under the influence and is about to drive you are responsible for not stopping them or making that poor decision. Driving is a responsibility and it needs to be taken more seriously. You can end up going to jail, killing someone or killing yourself. However, something might never happen to you or your friend while under the influence, but if you want to be safe and not risk your lives by taking that chance you should take the alternative options.

Assignment 7/23

Part 1-
1.) No passing on roads going uphill- You don't want to pass while going up a hill because the hill crest blocks your line of sight. Therefore when you pass another oncoming car will come and hit your car.

2.) No passing at intersections- You don't want to pass at an intersection because if you have a red light another oncoming car who has a green light will come and hit your car without warning.

3.) No passing on curves- You don't want to pass on a curve because you have a line of sight restriction while going around the curve. Therefore you might not see another oncoming car and you will get hit.

4.) No passing when LOS is restricted by fog, snow or rain- You don't want to pass during these conditions because you won't be able to see on coming traffic through the weather. The roads might also be slick so you won't be able to execute the pass safely.

5.) No passing when several vehicles are ahead of you- You don't want to pass because you might have time to execute a proper pass with one car, but if you don't have room to pull in front of the car, and you have to keep driving in the left lane so you can pass the cars then you might hit an oncoming car.

6.) No passing when oncoming traffic is to close- You don't want to pass because you won't have enough time to execute a proper pass, and it will result in a crash.

7.) No passing 100 feet before a railroad crossing- You don't want to pass even if there are no lights up ahead flashing for no train. If you do pass then you won't have enough time to pull back in and you might get in a collision on the tracks and a train might come and make things worst.

8.) No passing when you can't complete a pass before a no passing zone- You don't want to pass because if you're still passing the car while in the no passing zone then you can get a ticket or hit by an oncoming car.

Part 2-

60mph= 90 feet per second

3 seconds= 270 feet

10 seconds= 900 feet

2 seconds= 180 feet

In the time to execute a proper pass you will cover 1350 feet. This equals the length of 4 1/2 football fields.





Part 3-
Commuter Train Hits Truck In Braintree
(WBZ) BRAINTREE An MBTA commuter train hit a delivery truck in Braintree Wednesday afternoon.70 passengers were on board when the train hit the rear end of a Stop & Shop Peapod truck at Hancock and Plain Streets.MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said no one was hurt. The train was heading for North Station.Pesaturo said the truck's rear end was in the crossing when the crash occurred. Officials say the gates, lights and other safety equipment at the intersection were working properly when tested after the collision.A section of track was closed while authorities investigated, Pesaturo said. He could not say when it would reopen.Passengers on the train, traveling from Middleborough to South Station in Boston, were taken by bus to the Braintree station, where they could take the subway into Boston.

The articles says that the lights and gates were working properly after they tested them. Even if the lights were working the truck should of made a 90 degree examination of the railroad. Then he would of seen the train, waited for it to pass and then pass safely.

Cows Wander Onto Interstate 95 During Rush Hour
(AP) HOPKINTON, R.I. Transportation officials have vowed to figure out how a group of cows wandered onto Interstate 95, most recently on Tuesday morning when several Holsteins stopped rush hour traffic.The cows from Brook-Knoll Farm walked onto the highway near Exit 2 about 8 a.m. State Police stopped traffic while two troopers used air horns to shoo away the bovines, which can weigh about 1,500 pounds each."If a vehicle hits them, it could cause a serious, serious accident," Sgt. Nicholas Tella said.Brook-Knoll Farm co-owner Dorothy Reynolds said the bovine backups normally happen when the farm's cows walk through a 100-foot gap in a fence near the highway.Reynolds said the state Department of Transportation is responsible for mending the barrier since it took the land by eminent domain to build the highway. Although state workers installed a portion of the fence last fall, Reynolds said they left 100 feet unfinished."Last year, they were out every day," she said.DOT spokeswoman Heidi Cote said agency records indicate workers did install a fence in the area in October. But she said the department planned to look into Reynolds' complaint."We don't want anything to hurt motorists or the animals," she said. "We will certainly investigate."

They said there were no crashes which is a good thing and also lucky. Its good that the cows were discovered or else there would of been a crash because someone would of hit the cows or someone would have to stop for the cows which might result in traffic build up or a rear end. The back up of traffic could also make people mad because they would try to get to work and it might result in un-necessary road rage.

Several Motorcycle Accidents Reported Across State

DERRY, N.H. -- Several motorcycle crashes were reported across the state as the final weekend of Motorcycle Week got underway.
Police said that a person was seriously injured in a collision between a motorcycle and a car Friday afternoon in Derry.
There were no immediate details available about how the collision occurred, but the motorcycle was left lodged under the front of the car on East Derry Road.

Police said that one person was taken to a local hospital. There was no word on the nature of the injuries.
A collision between two motorcycles and a car in Belmont shut down part of Route 106. Three people were injured, and one was flown to a hospital.
Rescue crews were also at the scene of a motorcycle accident on Route 25 in Tamworth. A helicopter was requested for that accident.

Motorcycle week is fun for people who are interested in motorcycles. However, if this isn't the first motorcycle week then it probably isn't the first time motorcycle accidents have happen during this week. The people who are in charge of putting this week together should also take more precautions in educating their riders in the affects of going fast, having road rage, and being under the influence.

7/19

Part 1-

Concrete Smashes Cars On Route 495

(WBZ) LOWELL Chunks of concrete hit as many as four cars on Route 495 North in Lowell late Wednesday night.

It happened near the Boylston Street overpass between Exits 37 and 38 around 11 p.m. State and Lowell police say they don't know if it was construction debris falling from the bridge or an act of vandalism.

A family from Maine was in the area at that time when concrete shattered the window of their SUV. The driver had to have shattered glass washed out of his eyes.

Other cars were hit on the hood and doors by debris. There were no serious injuries.

Police looked at the overpass, but saw no signs of crumbling.

A double high chain link fence is already on the bridge to make it difficult for people to launch debris on the highway.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

In this article is said that four cars were effected by this. If cars coming the other way had seen this happen then they should of flicked there headlights to warn other drivers. This could of prevented the other 3 cars from getting smashed with the debris. The driver (s) that had the debris hit them could of put on their 4 way flasher as well to warn vehicles that are coming behind them.

No serious injuries after two-car crash in Chesterfield

Reformer.com

Thursday, July 19

CHESTERFIELD, N.H. -- A Bedford woman was sent to the hospital after a two-car crash at the intersection of Routes 9 and 63 in Chesterfield, Wednesday.

Teresa Geib, 43, had to be extracted from her 2007 Honda Civic using the Jaws of Life. Both the front and back driver's side door had to be removed, according to Chesterfield Police Lt. Duane Chickering.

Geib was transported to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene with injuries that were not life-threatening, Chickering said.

According to Chickering, Geib was driving west on Route 9 with her husband Eric, when the car of George Idelkope, 54, of Chesterfield, heading north on Route 63 across Route 9, hit the driver's side of the Geib car, and eventually came to a stop down a bank 30 feet from the roadway.

Neither Idelkope nor Eric Geib were hurt in the collision. "All parties were wearing seat belts," Chickering said. He also said due to the deployment of air bags in the Geib car, injuries were likely reduced.

Responding to the scene were Chesterfield police, fire and rescue, Spofford Rescue and the Keene Fire Department. Traffic was slowed in both lanes of Route 9, but continued to move. Traffic along the end of Route 63 to the south of Route 9 was halted while the scene was cleaned up. Both cars were towed from the scene.

The driver that was hit from the side should of made a safe 45 degree check of the intersection. From where she was hit you can tell she didn't check her left side safely. A cause of not checking the intersection properly could of been from the distraction of having another person, her husband, in the car while she was driving.

Wellesley Crash Closes 95, Severely Injures 1

(WBZ) WELLESLEY One person was seriously injured during a crash on Route 95 South in Wellesley Monday afternoon.

According to state police, 53-year-old Ladir Oliveira of Malden lost control of her car, crossed the highway and was hit by a van driving in the left-hand lane. Oliveira's car then slammed into the median, where it came to rest.

Oliveira and her passenger, 41 year-old Maria D. Ferreira of Everett, were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, police say. Oliveira sustained only minor injuries, but Ferreira was seriously hurt and had to be medflighted to Beth Israel Hospital.

The driver of the van, Joseph Antonellis, 60, and his passenger Carol Antonellis, 61, were not injured.

All lanes of Route 95 South were closed immediately following the crash. Forty-five minutes after the accident, two lanes were opened up to traffic, which caused a major backup for Monday evening's commute.

Both sides of the highway were shut down for 20 minutes, so the medical helicopter could land and pick up the seriously injured passenger.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

There are lots of things that could of made the driver lost control. One factor could of been the fact that she is 53 which isn't that old but as you start getting older you start becoming more of a risk. This could of also been caused by the 41 year old in the car who could of been distracting her. If she was distracted then she might of seen something come out in front of her and tried to avoid it and gone into a skid.

Part 2-

When timing your arrival at an intersection you need to see what color the light in your target area is. If the light is red then you need to treat is like a red front zone. Then you need to check your rear zone to see if it's open or not. If it's closed then you need to alert by tapping your brakes. This is so they know that you are going to stop if necessary. You should then start your constant braking and timing your arrival into the open zone. If the light is green when you reach it then search the intersection. If the light is red when you reach is then stop smoothly by using controlled then trail braking.

Part 3-

There are many benefits to keeping a 4 second following distance. It opens your view so you can find a process important information. By using this information you will be able to make a plan of what you are going to maneuver. This also reduces surprises and gives you more reaction space. It decreases your chance of rear ending the car in front of you. It also gives you space to move around the car in front of you in case you're going to get rear ended or if the car in front of you stalls.

Assignment Posted 7/6

Part 1-
1) Turn Signals
2) Brake Lights
3) Horn
4) Headlights
5) Lane Position

Part 2-

FCA's :
1) explain what the Vermont Graduated License Law is all about
2) Express in your own words how you feel about the law and would you suggest any changes to the law
3) correct spelling and grammar. Click on the link below and use the site to do your paper.

The Vermont Graduated License Law is required for people between the ages of 15 and 18 to experience the stages of driving. These stages are learners permit, junior operators licence and driver's education. These stages are to ensure that the teen has more knowledge of the road ways and will be able to prevent more crashes and keep the roadways safe.

I like this law very much. I think it's good for teenagers to get driving experience and have knowledge of the responsibility that they hold as a driver. What I would change is the fact that driver's ed is only mandatory until you're 18. I think it should be mandatory no matter what so you can get the proper education of how to execute driving tasks, and learn what needs to be known about the roadways.

Part 3-

22 Arrested At Portsmouth DUI Checkpoints

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Portsmouth police said they arrested 22 drivers at DUI checkpoints over the weekend. Stops were set up this weekend in Portsmouth. Police said they will follow up with more sobriety checkpoints through the summer.

This is a short article but it's very concerning. So far the police have arrest 22 drunk drivers! If these check points weren't set up these people might kill other people. Or they might not have been caught and thought that it was ok and then they end up killing people and themselves.

6-year-old bicyclist hit by car
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007
BURLINGTON - A 6-year-old boy was struck by a car on North Street Monday after losing control of his bike, said Burlington police.

The unidentified boy was riding on the sidewalk at about 5 p.m., when he lost control and veered into the road. The boy was struck by a vehicle driven by a 41-year-old female who was traveling at about 20 mph, police said.

The boy suffered a laceration to his head and other minor injuries, said police. He was taken to Fletcher Allen Health Care, where is was listed in stable condition.

Police said the boy was not supervised by an adult at the time of the accident and was not wearing a helmet.

This is a very common story that is always heard. A person on a bicycle gets hit by a car and it's by someone that was paying attention but it happened all to fast. This kid should have been wearing a helmet and adults should of been watching him. Imagine if this was the kids second time riding a bike by himself, just a couple of days after his parents had taught him. When the kid starts driving it will probably be the same story only there will be dire consequences.

'Click It' campaign just the ticket

July 12, 2007

By Alan J. Keays Herald Staff

A statewide campaign aimed at encouraging more Vermonters to buckle up did the trick, and has put the state on pace to receive $3.7 million in federal funding if the seat belt campaign yields similar results next year.

"Preliminary numbers show that the seat belt rate is up," Steve Reckers, acting coordinator of the Governor's Highway Safety Program, said Wednesday. "We need one more year now above 85 percent."

Law enforcement agencies around the state this spring took part in the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign, designed to increase seat belt use. The effort included media and public education components followed by two weeks of stepped-up enforcement of the state's seat belt law, which took place around the Memorial Day holiday.

A usage rate of at least 85 percent for two years running puts the state in line for an additional $3.7 million in federal funding for highway safety and transportation programs.

Preliminary numbers from a post-campaign survey found that about 87 percent of drivers and passengers in Vermont were using seat belts, Reckers said Wednesday.

"The preliminary numbers, very preliminary, from the observers, is going to be about 87 percent, I can't tell you any more breakdown that," Reckers said. "Once we have official numbers, I can give you a breakdown by region."

Asked when the officials numbers would be released, Reckers replied, "I asked the researchers and they said, 'Soon.'"

A survey taken a couple of weeks prior to this year's "Click It or Ticket" campaign revealed a compliance rate of about 83 percent.

"The campaign gave us a four point bump; I'd say it worked," Reckers said.

Rutland City Police Lt. Kevin Geno, coordinator of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign in Rutland County, said Wednesday he was pleased with the news.

"We got 5 percent more of the motorists to buckle up, so that's a good thing," Geno said. "If we can continue that road it's great."

Geno said some motorists still need education, especially those making short trips.

"You've still got the people out there driving from their house to the store who are not buckling up," he said.

Last year's campaign revealed 82 percent of drivers and passengers in vehicles in Vermont used seat belts. And following the 2005 "Click It or Ticket" campaign the state registered an 84.7 percent compliance rate.

Vermont's seat belt law requires police to have probable cause for another moving violation before issuing a fine to someone for not buckling their seat belt. The penalty is $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second one and $100 for each additional offense.

In addition, the law requires anyone younger than age 8 to be restrained in a safety seat in a vehicle. Also, the law allows police to pull over a vehicle if anyone in it younger than 16 is not wearing a seat belt.

Generally, counties along the New Hampshire border are among the lowest in seat belt usage. That's likely because New Hampshire has no seat belt law for adult motorists, Satterfield said.

In addition, counties bordering New York typically have some of the better rates. New York has a primary seat belt law, which allows police to pull over and ticket motorists not wearing seatbelts.

Across the nation, 2006 compliance rates ranged from a high of 96.3 percent in Washington to a low of 63.5 percent in New Hampshire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.

Nationwide, the compliance rate was 81 percent, according to NHTSA .

A bill this year in the Vermont Legislature that failed to gain approval would have put in place a primary seat belt law in Vermont, meaning police would not need approval for another motor vehicle violation before issuing a ticket for failing to wearing a seat belt.

Reckers said even though the measure did not pass, it did raise awareness.

"The discussion of the bill, the potential for a primary enforcement law, helped," Reckers said. "Just simply talking about it in the general public in my mind had an effect."

I think that the statistics for this incredible. People may not think that it going from 82% to 84.7% isn't a lot because it's only 2.7% difference but it really it. This law saves lives, pertains to every age group and puts money right back into protecting our highways and roadways. Personally, I believe the fine should be greater. Like it said before people don't wear seat belts on short trips, but that's where you need to wear them the most. If the police can catch these people and fine them a great fine then that might make them think twice about wearing a seat belt.



Part 4- It's easy to see where these statistics come from after watching this video. This video shows all different types of crashes in different types of driving and earth environments. Some of these crashes were at intersections, in the rain and snow, and there were people ejected from their cars. This shows that your life can change and that you can become one of those statistics very easily if you don't take the time to do simple things.

Part 5-
FCA's :
1) Describe the three parts of the zone control system are
2) Choose 5 of the 12 zone control management principles and explain how you might use each one in a particular situation to solve a problem.
3) correct spelling and grammar.

The three parts of the zone control system are the target area range, 15 second range and 4 second danger zone. The target area range is evaluating your target path for any LOS-POT blockages. The 15 second range is to look for other ways of travel or what zones are opened in case you need to use them. The 4 second danger zone is to double check that your decision is still safe.

1.

1) When the front zone is closed, adjust speed to arrive into an open zone. If the car in front of you has stalled then you can check your left and right front zones to move around them.

2) Use acceleration, steering and braking controls in such a manner as to achieve a smooth balance of the vehicle. Before going around a curve slow down your car by taking your foot off the acceleration, or if you're going too fast then slowly apply the brake. Use slow continuous steering. These steps will make sure that there isn't too much roll while going around a curve and you will have more control over the car.

1.3) While operating within a targeting path, keep the most open space away from the worst problem. Usually after a long rain or a hard rainstorm the sides of the roads will wash out which leaves big ditches. To avoid getting your car stuck in the ditches perform lane position 2 so you're still in your lane but there is a less chance of driving into the ditch.

5.4) When following a vehicle, keep four seconds of space. You should always keep a 4 second following distance so when the car in front of you needs to communicate with you then you'll have more time to react.

5.5) When stopped in traffic be able to see the rear tires of the car in front touching the pavement. You should be able to see the rear tires of the car in front so if you're rear ended then you'll have time to steer out of the way so you won't hit the car in front of you.

1.

1.

Part 6-

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008845.html
http://www.snopes.com/autos/accident/seatbelt.asp
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2005/07/01/wear-your-stupid-seat-belt/