1. Unit 4: Safety in Transportation Chapter 13: A Need for Safety

2. A need for safety In this chapter you will look at such things as: factors that lead to traffic accidents, reaction time and collisions, common injuries resulting from collisions, and road/vehicle safety In this chapter you will look at such things as: factors that lead to traffic accidents, reaction time and collisions, common injuries resulting from collisions, and road/vehicle safety

3. Analyzing the Danger An automobile accident can result in a variety of injuries ranging from scratches and bruises to death An automobile accident can result in a variety of injuries ranging from scratches and bruises to death So you say that it cant happen to you? So you say that it cant happen to you? –You are 50X more likely to die from a road collision than you are to die in an airplane accident –You are 5X more likely to die in a car accident than you are to being murdered Did you know that almost all vehicle collisions are preventable? Did you know that almost all vehicle collisions are preventable? –Some would say you are an accident waiting to happen!

4. Reaction Time Reaction time is the time it takes you to recognize a problem and act on it. Reaction time is the time it takes you to recognize a problem and act on it. Even if you are alert and react quickly, there are many factors that affect a drivers ability to stop in time to prevent an accident. Even if you are alert and react quickly, there are many factors that affect a drivers ability to stop in time to prevent an accident. –Anything that takes your attention away from what you are suppose to be doing is called a distraction.  Most outside distractions can not be stopped/controlled. i.e.) flashing lights, road signs, big TVs, but inside distracters can and must be controlled to help prevent an accident from occurring. Such thing as cell phones, music, and talking to friends are distracters that occur inside of the car and can be controlled.  Statistics are beginning to show that talking on cell phones is a leading cause of accidents and now Governments are trying to implement laws preventing people from using their cell phones while driving.  What are some possible ways you can get around using your cell phone in the car?

5. Fatigue and Reaction time 15% of drivers surveyed have admitted to falling asleep while driving!! 15% of drivers surveyed have admitted to falling asleep while driving!! Sleeping divers are not only a danger to themselves, but to all others on the road as well. Sleeping divers are not only a danger to themselves, but to all others on the road as well. –Drivers that fall asleep can: run off the road, roll their vehicles, cross on to on coming traffic, etc. –Most people think that coffee will keep them up, this is true, but since coffee is a stimulant, it will keep you up for a short period of time, but you will soon crash and feel more tired than you did before you had the coffee, so be careful! –The best thing to do when you get tired is to pull over and take a nap.

6. Reaction Time and Drugs Anytime you put drugs into your body, whether they be prescription or illegal, you become impaired. This means that you are unable to function as you normally would. Anytime you put drugs into your body, whether they be prescription or illegal, you become impaired. This means that you are unable to function as you normally would. Prescription drugs, alcohol, illegal drugs all make it dangerous for a person to drive while under the influence of them. Prescription drugs, alcohol, illegal drugs all make it dangerous for a person to drive while under the influence of them. Alcohol is a depressant drug, meaning that it slows the reaction time, lowers co-ordination, and makes the drinker sleepy when it reached the brain tissues Alcohol is a depressant drug, meaning that it slows the reaction time, lowers co-ordination, and makes the drinker sleepy when it reached the brain tissues

7. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) BAC are used in courts to determine if a person has had too much to drink and should not be driving BAC are used in courts to determine if a person has had too much to drink and should not be driving BAC is the number of milligrams of alcohol in a milliliter of blood BAC is the number of milligrams of alcohol in a milliliter of blood –Ex. A BAC of 0.08 means that 0.08 mg of alcohol is in 1ml of your blood BAC depends on the number of drinks consumed and the body weight, which differs for all individuals BAC depends on the number of drinks consumed and the body weight, which differs for all individuals –One drink is often defined as 45ml of hard liquor, 150ml of wine, or 350ml of beer –Usually, the higher the body weight the more drinks a person can have without being over the 0.08 limit to drive….BUT this is not always a good judge!! –Also, BAC does not take into account how tired or how hungry a person is, someone who is tired or hungry can become impaired very quickly off one drink –BAC does not take into account age or experience. An older person might be able to have a BAC of 0.08 and not show any signs of impairment, while a teenager can drink the same amount and show more signs of impairment In Canada, driving with a BAC over 0.08 will cause you to be arrested and charged with impaired driving, BUT if officers smell any type of alcohol on your breath you can also be fined as well. In Canada, driving with a BAC over 0.08 will cause you to be arrested and charged with impaired driving, BUT if officers smell any type of alcohol on your breath you can also be fined as well. –Officers usually look for slurred speech, slow reaction times, poor walking (walking the line and touching your nose), etc

8. BAC Effects At.020 light to moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects. At.020 light to moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects. At.040 most people begin to feel relaxed. At.040 most people begin to feel relaxed. At.060 judgment is somewhat impaired, people are less able to make rational decisions about their capabilities (for example, driving). At.060 judgment is somewhat impaired, people are less able to make rational decisions about their capabilities (for example, driving). At.080 there is a definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills; this is legal level for intoxication in most states. At.080 there is a definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills; this is legal level for intoxication in most states. At.10 there is a clear deterioration of reaction time and control; this is legally drunk in all states. At.10 there is a clear deterioration of reaction time and control; this is legally drunk in all states. At.120, vomiting usually occurs. Unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance to alcohol. At.120, vomiting usually occurs. Unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance to alcohol. At.150, balance and movement are impaired. This blood-alcohol level means the equivalent of 1/2 pint of whiskey is circulating in the blood stream. At.150, balance and movement are impaired. This blood-alcohol level means the equivalent of 1/2 pint of whiskey is circulating in the blood stream. At.300 many people lose consciousness, lose bowel control. At.300 many people lose consciousness, lose bowel control. At.400 most people lose consciousness; some die. At.400 most people lose consciousness; some die. At.450, breathing stops; this is a fatal dose for most people At.450, breathing stops; this is a fatal dose for most people

9. Collision Injuries Each year, more than 200 000 Canadians are injured in motor vehicle crashes, there injuries include: Each year, more than 200 000 Canadians are injured in motor vehicle crashes, there injuries include: –Cuts, bruises, broken bones (possible amputations and physiotherapy) –Whiplash –Serious burns –Internal injuries –Head and spinal injuries, which may lead to blindness, paralysis, or brain damage –Physical and emotional stress, also called trauma  fear of driving, grief over deaths, regret

10. Whiplash Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of a person’s neck are sprained Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of a person’s neck are sprained Usually occurs to people in the front of a car of a rear-end collision Usually occurs to people in the front of a car of a rear-end collision Seatbelts keep the body secure, but if the headrest is not properly adjusted your head will be ‘whipped’ forward and backwards quickly. Seatbelts keep the body secure, but if the headrest is not properly adjusted your head will be ‘whipped’ forward and backwards quickly. Neck braces are normally worn to keep the neck stabilized and neck injuries usually appear for years to come Neck braces are normally worn to keep the neck stabilized and neck injuries usually appear for years to come Symptoms: Symptoms: –Neck pain and stiffness –Headaches –Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades –Low back pain –Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand –Dizziness –Ringing in the ears or blurred vision –Difficulty concentrating or remembering –Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue

11. Grief When it takes a long time to get over the feelings of regret and sadness, this is called grief When it takes a long time to get over the feelings of regret and sadness, this is called grief –Sometimes, when people are unable to talk about their feelings or do not allow themselves enough adjustment time after an emotional incident, people go into a deep emotional hole, usually professional help, family and friends are needed to bring them back to normal. –Just think, how would you cope or feel if you were driving carelessly and killed an innocent child?  Close your eyes and try putting yourselves in somebody else’s shoes, a careless accident can have a ‘Butterfly Effect’ on all people involved in the incident

12. Protection and Prevention Now-a-days, many safety features are built into vehicles and roads to protect you incase of a road accident Now-a-days, many safety features are built into vehicles and roads to protect you incase of a road accident In Alberta, the law states that ALL passengers in a motor vehicle must buckle up and wear a seat belt In Alberta, the law states that ALL passengers in a motor vehicle must buckle up and wear a seat belt –If you do not wear a seat belt, you are 3X as likely to be injured while driving in a motor vehicle Other safety features include: air bags, anti-lock brake systems (ABS), crumple zones, side impact beams- see pg. 245 for a description of these Other safety features include: air bags, anti-lock brake systems (ABS), crumple zones, side impact beams- see pg. 245 for a description of these Also, vehicle maintenance is another important aspect of car safety. To ensure the safest environment of driving, make sure to check tires, steering, lights, and windshield wipers Also, vehicle maintenance is another important aspect of car safety. To ensure the safest environment of driving, make sure to check tires, steering, lights, and windshield wipers