Hydroplaning 101



Actual photo of my
cousin, the Facebook
caption read "wish I
took pics of my arms,
they were much worse"

All of these random summer storms and occasional flooding
have gotten me thinking about hydroplaning. I’ve felt it happen before but only for a few seconds. Two years ago my cousin actually hydroplaned on a major highway and crashed into the guardrail. Luckily nobody was badly injured but they needed to use the Jaws of Life to get her out of the driver’s seat and she suffered from various cuts from glass shards.

So what exactly is hydroplaning? Well, when roads are wet traction is diminished. When a layer of standing water builds between the tires and the pavement you lose even more traction which causes the vehicle to stop responding to control inputs like the steering wheel and brakes. When all four tires hydroplane simultaneously, attempting to maneuver the car is similar to operating an uncontrollable sled.

Safety and prevention are always better than dealing with the aftermath.

Ways to prevent hydroplaning include: 

• Making sure your tires are at the proper pressure.
• Using narrow and unworn tires; always replace balding tires.
• Driving below the speed limit.
  The speeds posted are generally calculated for drier weather and
  less slippery terrain.
• Avoiding standing water if you are aware of it.

If you find yourself hydroplaning, try to keep your natural instincts from kicking in as attempting to control the vehicle can be counterproductive:

• NEVER slam on the brakes
• Easing off the accelerator may slow down the vehicle enough to regain traction if the car is not in a turn.
• Trying to steer may cause the car to skid which is even more difficult to recover from. If breaking is unavoidable do it very smoothly and prepare for instability.
• Over-steering occurs when the car turns more than the driver wants it to. If this happens the driver should steer in the direction of the skid until traction is regained and then rapidly steer in the opposite direction to straighten the vehicle.

Hopefully you will never find yourself in the situation but, if you do, try to keep this information in mind. 

Road Rash

Most people appreciate a good looking pair of worn-out jeans and a sleeveless biker vest. I say most people because there are a few exceptions to that rule; motorcyclists who have fallen, were not properly covered, and suffered from road rash.

Road rash is more common in motorcycle accidents because the rider is not shielded by an automobile’s interior. This type of skin abrasion occurs when a body hits pavement at an accelerated speed and the dermal tissue is scraped off.

Sounds painful? That’s because it is. Since accidents can’t always be prevented here are some tips to lessen the chance of having severe road rash:

1)   Know the motorcycle you are driving before heading out. Each one handles differently and while you may be an experienced rider you still need experience with that particular machine.

2)  Wear proper clothing when riding. Padding and leather can be your best friends and reflective and bright-colored clothing are great ways to make sure other vehicles notice you share the road with them (see links below for examples). No flip-flops please, those aren’t even safe to wear on a bicycle much less something with an engine.

3)   Eye protection is essential. Any time you get some dust in your eye you take your eyes off the road. Tinted eyewear is also great so you avoid the glare and can see at all times. Remember not to wear sunglasses after sunset.

4)   Even if it’s not a legal requirement, helmets are always highly recommended. The leading death in motorcycle accidents is the lack of proper headgear. Make sure your helmet is DOT certified!

5)   Avoid riding in rainstorms. If you have to ride in the rain, try to stay in the tracks of the car in front of you to limit the chance of hydroplaning and increase road traction.

*Keep in mind that other people you share the road with may not be as aware of your presence as you are of theirs. Always know your surroundings and try to look at least fourteen seconds ahead of you at all times.

Links for protecive gear, as promised:

• Reflective Jackets
• DOT Certified Helmets 
• Padded Eyewear

Carpooling: Know Your Driver

Carpooling is great! Nobody can argue that it saves some green (gas money and the environment!) but is it always the best choice? If you know your driver’s history and are personally acquainted with them by all means drive each other to work, on errands, etc. If you’ve acquired this possible carpooler through other means then think twice before getting in a vehicle with them.

First, in a non-offensive manner try to find out about the potential driver’s record. Have they ever been at fault in a car accident? Did they receive a speeding ticket recently? If you found this person through a friend ask if the driver has any bad habits that they know of.

Second, once you have decided to ride together make sure this person is focused. Texting is the most common driving distraction but some people also eat difficult foods and apply make-up or shave. If you notice your driver is doing anything you do not feel comfortable with, speak up. I know it’s embarrassing but if you think about it just because they are willing to risk their life to do some task does not mean you are willing to risk yours.

Here are some suggestions to approaching these touchy subjects:

    ·     Offer to read their texts to them if they are that
   important.

    ·     Recommend they do their make-up at home, if they
   don’t want to you can offer to be picked up earlier so
   they can apply it in the parking lot at your destination.

    ·     You decide to drive! Instead of switching off you can
   have them pay you gas money instead. Yes, it’s more
   miles on your vehicle but it may lead to more miles on
   your life.

    ·     Be truthful, “I’m sorry, I’m not comfortable when you…”
   is a good way to start. Most people will respect that you
   addressed the situation instead of making excuses.

Even if you are close with the person you are considering carpooling with, that’s not always a good reason to get in the car with them behind the wheel. For example, this past school year my roommate went from having a clean driving record to totaling two different vehicles in three separate accidents. While she was not at fault in any of the scenarios I still don’t ask her for a ride because she seems to be an accident magnet.

If you realize after the fact that you may not be carpooling with the best driver don’t worry, it’s never too late to change your mind and get out of a bad situation. There are alternative ways of finding a ride including programs similar to Zimride, something the university I attend has implemented.

Hope this article helped you make a decision! If you do choose to carpool check out these Ten Commandments to being a great carpool buddy. 

Have you had an excellent/terrible carpool experience? Share your stories below!

Happy 4th of July!

Amazingly, as wonderful as the holidays are, they are also some of the deadliest days for traffic-related deaths and the 4^th of July is no exception!  In addition to the traffic hazards we also celebrate our independence by launching gunpowder-filled shells into the sky. Hmm…

This year the Florida Safety Council predicts that as many as 1,200 potentially fatal car crashes may occur. Also, up to 9,000 will visit the hospital to receive treatments for injuries caused by fireworks; forty percent of which will include children under 15 years old.

Some of the injury images are too gruesome but this home video shows what can happen when fireworks malfunction, so keep a safe distance.

“Independence Day is a great reason for celebration, but we all need to remember the threat this holiday represents to personal safety,” said Glenn Victor, Spokesperson for the Florida Safety Council. “Fatalities caused by traffic accidents and fireworks are some of the worst kind, because they all can be prevented.”

To help in you in your preventative efforts, here are some safety reminders:

Holiday Traffic Safety

•  Be aware of and avoid drunk drivers. Some signs include:

o Drivers who turn with a wide radius.

o Drivers at speeds 10 miles below the speed limit or speeding excessively.

o Drivers who are following too closely.

o Drivers who have a slow response to traffic signals.

•  Never drink and drive. Alcohol is the single largest factor involved in motor vehicle
    deaths. Have a responsible designated driver when you head out for Fourth of July
    activities.

•  Don’t allow the holiday rush to affect your driving. A few extra minutes saved by
 reckless driving aren’t worth the injuries you may cause to yourself and others.

•  When attending firework displays and special events, remember to obey all traffic
     lanes and signals, and avoid cutting directly across parking lots. Never race other
     drivers to an open parking space. When leaving the festivities, pay attention while
     backing out of your parking space to avoid hitting other vehicles or pedestrians.

Outdoor Grill Safety

•  The first step to cookout safety is to have fresh food. Store meats and other
    perishables in an insulated cooler to prevent bacterial growth.

•  Keep grills away from all flammable materials,
    including trees and shrubbery. Store unused
    starter fluid and charcoal briquettes away from
    the grill, preferably in a fireproof container.

•  Keep your children away from the grill. Gas
    grills can have an interior temperature of more
    than 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

   •  Never add starter fluid to an already burning
    grill. The fire can spread up the stream of starter
    fluid and into the can causing an explosion.
    Also, wash your hands  after using starter fluid
    to avoid setting yourself on fire.
Firework Safety
The State of Florida’s strict policy on fireworks limits residents to little more than the use of sparklers. However, there are many organized Fourth of July events you can attend if you wish to see more elaborate fireworks. Some safety precautions to take while attending these events include:
•  Be sure that the fireworks display you plan on attending is a legitimate one.

        Legitimate firework events will have proper authorities and medical staff in
        attendance.
   •  Never take pets to a firework display. Animals can become spooked very easily by

       the loud noises fireworks make.
•  Remember that bug spray! Mosquitoes and other insects are en masse this
  time of year.