Beware of Dangers posed by Numerous Drunk Drivers on Thanksgiving Weekend

Although Thanksgiving weekend is thought of as a special family time, it is statistically the most dangerous holiday weekend due to the high volume of people on the road and 4-day-length of overindulgence that always begins on a Thursday.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's report on motor vehicle deaths, Thanksgiving weekend is number one and July 4th weekend is number two as the most dangerous holidays for drivers.  The other long weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day come in fourth and fifth most dangerous.  New Years is number six because it often does not not fall on a weekend or near the weekend.

Most people don't realize that for the average person, each drink adds 0.02% to the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) per hour and in that hour only about 0.01% is removed by the body's metabolic processing. This is why blood alcohol concentrations build steadily throughout a long day of holiday celebration causing levels to often rise beyond the legal driving limit (0.08% BAC in Michigan).  Be aware that you cannot speed your body's processing of alcohol with coffee or other urban-myth-remedies. 

Be a safe driver and do all you can to prevent a serious auto accident or death related to drunk driving!

Bike lanes on the rise on Michigan

"Bicyclists have a right to be on the road."  This comes from Josh DeBruyn during a recent interview on Michigan public radio, where the bike and pedestrian coordinator for Michigan Department of Transportation explained the rise in bike lanes.  He says that according to state and national laws, bikes are as much a part of the road as motor vehicles.

Recent additions to the number of bike lanes in numerous cities across the state, including Detroit and Grand Rapids, have drivers of motor vehicles anxious and angry about bicyclists.  It is a two-way road; while bicyclists must follow the same road laws that a car must follow, cars have to allow bicyclists the proper space and attention.  DeBruyn says that the two biggest mistakes cars make are not giving enough space when passing a bike and cutting in front of bicyclists.

The data is premature on whether or not bike lanes decrease accidents.  Nevertheless, there is no doubt that both motorists and bicyclists must follow road laws no matter the circumstance, it will reduce accidents and boost vehicle cooperation.

 

Proposed Crosswalk City Advisory Committee

 

Following the death of Sharita Williams in August who passed away from injuries sustained when she was hit by a car on Plymouth road, the city of Ann Arbor and its residents have raised concerns about the efficacy of crosswalks and their notification systems.  Two different Ann Arbor city council members are proposing a City Advisory Committee.  The committee would spend six to nine months studying crosswalks, ways to make them safer, and ideas to make vehicles more aware of their existence.

A recent article in the Ann Arbor News highlights the current debate about keeping or getting rid of the recent changes to the crosswalk law.  Those against the changes argue that the new wording confuses drivers, puts pressure on them, and causes automobile accidents.  However; those who are in favor of the change suggest that it ensures the safety of children and people with disabilities.

The new wording, enacted in Ann Arbor two years ago, requires cars to stop when a pedestrian is at the crosswalk, it does not matter if the pedestrian is stepping off the curb or waiting at the curb.

The proposed City Advisory Committee would be a group of city officials as well as city residents who are interested in the matter.  Those citizens who wish to take part in the committee can download the standard application form for city boards from the city clerk's website.

Included in those who favor keeping the new wording is The Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition.  According to the Ann Arbor News article, they have "launched a petition urging the City Council not to repeal the ordinance."  

This coalition has also recorded and produced facts about the effectiveness of the new ordinance. The WBWC claims that after observing a crosswalk on Plymouth road, they claim that in 2010, cars stopped 1.7 percent of the time, 9.5 percent in 2011, and 63.5 in 2012.  These figures cover the time period before and after the city ordinance was passed and put into place.  These facts cannot be ignored.  There is always more that can be done, but these statistics shed light on how far the city has come since revising the language of the local crosswalk law.