Download - Spring 2010 Safety Extension Newsletter
Spring, 2010
Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010 University ofUniversity ofUniversity of
And nothing says “Spring” better than a “Spring Fair”!
Delaware’s Distracted
Driving Debate
Safety in the First State -
Are YOU ready
for an Emergency?
Insurance News
You Can U$E!
Get Up and
Start Walking!
The Value of
Windshield Repair
2 UD Safety Extensions
Contact me:
(302) 856-2585 x584
Email:
T hank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to read the spring edition of the UD Safety Exten-sions online magazine. We are fortu-nate to have several guest contribu-tors cover a wide variety of traffic safety topics, including an article from
Karen Busby, the Director of SmartDrive, on the part-nership between Delaware SADD/YELL and the Chil-dren’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a three-page spread on several traffic safety fairs organized throughout the first state. Additionally, you will find articles on distracted driving, insurance costs, wind-shield repair safety and recreational vehicle safety checkups. At the end of the magazine be sure to pe-ruse the latest traffic statistics, our calendar of events and the website information section highlighting the Delaware Bicycle Council website.
As always, I am grateful for the contributions and support from our local traffic safety professionals. The mission of the CTSP program is to reduce fatali-ties and injuries on Delaware’s roads. Lastly, I would like to invite everyone to the second annual Cape Henlopen State Park Safety Day on April 24, 2010 from 10-2 pm. Cpl. Andy Manning and I ex-pect over 30 exhibitors covering all types of safety. We are also attempting to coordinate a fire/water rescue off the main bathhouse parking lot with the Lewes Fire Department, Slaughter Beach Fire Depart-ment, DNREC, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Dela-ware State Police Helicopter. For details on the event, please see our full-page flyer within the maga-zine. Drive safe and enjoy the nice weather!
The Delaware Distracted
Driving Debate
W here does the state of Delaware stand?
As of March 2010, the State of Delaware does not
have a distracted driving law on the books. There is
an inattentive driving law, but nothing that specifi-
cally directs the Delaware State Police to pull you
over for chatting away on a cell phone or text messag-
ing on your smart phone or Blackberry (watch out in
Wilmington or Elsmere). The question I have been
contemplating lately is should Delaware ban talking
on cell phones and texting on smart phones?
What do we know about cell phones and text messag-
ing? The National Highway Traffic Safety Admini-
stration (NHTSA) reports that on any given day there
are over 974,000 vehicles on the road being driven by
someone on a hand-held cell phone. We also know
that over 236 million people subscribe to wireless
communications and that cell phone use accounts for
2,600 vehicle deaths and 300,000 collisions annually.
In Delaware, traffic-related injuries and fatalities con-
nected to cell phone use are hard to uncover since the
term electronic device is not one of the official causes
on the DSP accident report.
According to an online report by AAA Public Rela-
tions, the State of Delaware has the following laws on
distracted driving: a teen driver ban on cell phones (as
part of the Graduated Driver Licensing program), a
school bus driver ban on cell phones, and a distracted
3 UD Safety Extensions
Contact me:
(302) 856-2585 x584
Email:
driving study in the works. Within the Delaware General Assembly this session, there is one bill in particular,
HS for HB 229, that would prohibit drivers from various mobile phone distractions. Below is a summary of
the actual legislation from the Delaware General Assembly website:
―This bill prohibits the use of electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehi-
cle on the highways of the State of Delaware unless the person engages in the use of hands-free
equipment.‖
Within the legislation, the legislators who wrote the bill created civil penalties from $50 for the first offense to
up to $200 for subsequent offenses. I am hopeful and optimistic that these fines will prevent parents and teens
from using electronic devices in motor vehicles. However, I am not quite sure a monetary fine will change
behavior, as I continue to view fellow drivers talking and typing away on phones every day.
Recently, two electronic device studies have shed new light
on cell phones and text messaging. The latest study from the
Highway Loss Data Institute, funded primarily by the insur-
ance industry, concluded there were no reductions in crashes
after hand-held phone bans took effect in NY, CT, Washing-
ton D.C. and CA. How could this be? The authors believe
that most users switched to hands-free devices which are just
as dangerous as hand-held cell phones. Talking on a hand-
held or hands-free device is still a distraction. Additionally, a
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study concluded that
text messaging was 20 times worse than driving while not
using a phone. There is no debate, texting while driving is
extremely dangerous while using a cell phone, hands-fee or
hand-held, is also very dangerous and should be discouraged.
I guess we will have to wait and see what happens in the Delaware General Assembly this spring. Until then,
the Community Traffic Safety Program will continue to educate motorists and non-motorists on the dangers of
distracted driving.
For more information on distracted driving programs or any traffic safety information please call the CTSP
program at (302) 856-2585 ext. 584, or email Merritt Burke at [email protected].
* * *
The topic of “Distracted Driving” is coming soon to the website of Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety
website. Check it out on www.OHS.Delaware.gov. Click on any of the SAFETY TOPICS for more
information on things such as Aggressive Driving, Impaired Driving, Teen Driving, and much more!
Don’t let these be YOUR last words!Don’t let these be YOUR last words!Don’t let these be YOUR last words!
Lol no im nt bsy im only driving
4 UD Safety Extensions
Ron Jester is a regu-
lar contributor to this
newsletter. Ron has
been the Safety Exten-
sion Agent at the Uni-
versity of Delaware
for more than 30
years. In addition, he
is the Executive Director of the
Delmarva Safety Association, a non
-profit organization he founded 33
years ago, and is still serving the
tri-state area. Ron is also dedicated
to the AgrAbility Project, which
helps farmers who have debilitating
conditions to continue working,
many times with the help of adap-
tive equipment. Since this is a time
of the year when farmers are get-
ting geared up to begin the spring
planting, this article seems timely!
N ow is the time of year to up-
date your CPR certification! If an
accident occurs at your farm, place
of business, or a member of your
family is stricken with a heart at-
tack, are you and your employees
prepared? Preparation includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
Being able to administer CPR
and the Heimlich maneuver.
Knowing how to disengage
power and shut off the engine if
someone becomes caught or
pinned under a piece of farm
equipment.
Knowing the Poison Control
Center number and when to di-
lute or induce vomiting in the
event of an accidental poison-
ing.
Having a first aid kit accessible
and in strategic locations.
Having emergency numbers
and directions posted in your
home or place of business.
Having an escape plan ready in
the event of a fire.
According to the National Safety
Council’s 2008 Injury Facts, agri-
cultural work-related deaths ac-
counted for over 700 deaths and
90,000 disabling injuries in the
U.S. alone. The welcome news is
that the number of fatalities and the
death rate are at an all-time low for
agriculture. Nevertheless, safety
experts agree the rate can be further
reduced if farm families work more
diligently at reducing risks and de-
veloping emergency preparedness
programs.
Recent surveys indicate that there
will be a disabling injury on one
out of every 14 farms on the Del-
marva Peninsula. Some of those
will be traumatic, life-threatening
injuries where every second counts.
If not an unintentional injury, con-
sider that nearly every 20 seconds
and American suffers from a heart
attack. Other emergency scenarios
on the farm include shock, severe
bleeding, poisonings, animal bites,
allergic reactions and, of course,
childhood injuries.
Most rural and farm family mem-
bers are aware of hazards on the
farm, but are probably not sure of
procedures to follow if they are the
first one on the scene of an emer-
gency. Such incidents are compli-
cated by the fact that they may be
isolated, involve entrapment in a
piece of farm equipment or farm
structure, such as a bin, and may
involve toxic chemicals. Since
farms are typically remote from
emergency services, it is critical
that procedures be established and
that all family members and em-
ployees are trained to deal quickly
and effectively with emergencies.
Everyone that ca use a telephone
should know how to quickly call
for help and give clear directions to
the scene of the incident.
The ability to make the right deci-
sions when an emergency occurs
depends on whether you have been
trained in assessing farm accident
scenes and knowledge of first aid
and emergency procedures. One
must be familiar with the operation
and hazards so that decisions made
will not further injure the victim or
put you in danger. For example,
knowing that high levels of toxic
hydrogen sulfide gas can accumu-
late in manure pits, and that such
structures should not be entered
without self-contained breathing
apparatus, can save your life.
The primary goal as
the first person on
the scene is to keep
the victim alive un-
til the ambulance
arrives. Training in
CPR and first aid is required to
judge whether the victim needs re-
suscitation, and then to perform the
procedure properly. Intuition can-
not be relied on in these situations.
Everyone should know first aid and
CPR. Those first 5-7 critical min-
utes between when something hap-
pens and when professional help
arrives can mean the difference
First on the Scene
5 UD Safety Extensions
First on the Scene (continued) between life and death.
Contact the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or your local fire department to locate the
nearest training center for training in your area. These courses are inexpensive, take little time, and yet can
help you save a life!
Remember, the first person on the scene of an accident can help turn a tragedy into a second chance! Are you,
your family members and employees prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to save a life?
~Ronald C. Jester, Safety Extension Agent (Retired)
Recreational Vehicle Spring Safety Checkup
W e certainly hope everyone sur-
vived the brutal winter we have experienced this year.
How about your camper? Here are a few items that
should be checked before you take that first trip of the
season.
With the unusually heavy snow falls we were blessed
with (even snow lovers are tired of it), recreational
vehicles should be check thoroughly for structural
damage. There is the possibility the weight of the
snow and downed tree limbs have crushed some part
of the roof.
Along with structural damage, rubber propane gas
lines may have become meals for hungry squirrels, so
these need to be checked and replaced, if necessary.
To prevent a flare-up or starting a fire, inspect your
propane furnace and water heater for nests before us-
ing for the first time to make sure mice and other ro-
dents have not built their winter homes inside.
After sitting all winter, check the 7-way plug and wir-
ing for your lights and brakes to verify they are work-
ing properly. Once you are on the road, you want to
make sure the other vehicles know you are stopping.
And finally, it is also a good idea to pull the wheels
and check the bearings, electric brake system, the tires
for dry rot and proper inflation.
All of these safety checks can be completed at the
dealership where you purchased your RV if you pre-
fer. Whether you take care of it or have someone else
do it, an RV that is mechanically and structurally
sound will keep your family and friends safe and
happy on your next road trip.
Have fun and make lots of memories on your adven-
tures and don’t forget to buckle up.
Article submitted by Delaware Camping Center, Inc.
in Georgetown, DE. We help you make memories one
mile at a time.
~Rita Baty, Delaware Camping Center
www.RedCross.org www.AmericanHeart.org
6 UD Safety Extensions
Are You Paying Too Much for
Insurance?
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a smart
way to save money. Sometimes, saving money can
come in the most unlikely places—such as your in-
surance.
There are several ways you may be able to cut your
auto insurance costs. Higher deductibles can lower
your premium as will
selecting only the
coverage you feel you
need. Many insur-
ance companies offer
different discounts.
When shopping for
auto insurance, be
sure to ask about the
availability of these discounts and whether the in-
surer offers them.
$ New business discount: May offer you a dis-
count as a new policyholder if you have been ac-
cident-free for a specific period of time.
$ Accident-free: Policyholders who have been ac-
cident-free while being insured with the same in-
surance company for several years may be eligi-
ble for reduced premiums.
$ Discounts for other insurance lines: Premiums
may be reduced if you insure your home, life or
health with the same company that covers your
car.
$ Multiple cars: Premiums may be reduced if there
are two or more private passenger cars in the
household insured by the same company.
$ Air bag/passive restraint: Cars that are 1993 or
older and are equipped with air bags or automatic
seat belts may receive this discount. Certain
makes and models of newer vehicles may receive
the Vehicle Safety discount because of the lower
medical payments associated with them. The Ve-
hicle Safety Discount is for autos 1994 or newer.
Certain makes and models may have a decrease
in their premiums because of lower medical pay-
ments associated with those
specific makes and models.
$ Antitheft devices: Some
insurance companies offer
discounts on comprehen-
sive coverage premiums
when certain antitheft de-
vices are installed or built
into a vehicle.
$ Defensive driving course:
Premium discounts some-
times are offered for the
voluntary completion of
specified driver improve-
ment courses.
$ Good Student: Full-time students (high school or
higher level) maintaining at least a ―B‖ average
may qualify for reduced premiums with many
companies.
These are just a few of the common discounts offered
by insurance companies. For more details, contact
your insurance company or agent. Above all. . .
Drive safely!
~Jeanine O’Donnell
State Farm Insurance Agent
Jeanine O’Donnell,
State Farm Agent
If you would like to contact Jeanine to discuss how you may be
able to reduce your insurance costs, her contact information is
below:
State Farm Insurance
32191 Nassau Road Unit 4
Lewes, DE 19958-3739
Landmark:The corner of New & Nassau Rd. in the BIG RED
BARN with the green roof, under the Nassau Bridge.
Phone: (302) 644-3276
Toll Free: (877) 644-3276
Fax: (302) 644-3551
Email:
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm
“Any other time you need by appointment-just ask!”
7 UD Safety Extensions
Warmer Weather Brings Time for Spring Cleaning
A serious fire hazard around our homes is simple clutter. Combustibles too close to
heat sources can cause a fire quickly. Never place paint, gasoline or hazardous mate-
rials near heaters or appliances.
Take all things recyclable to the nearest facility. Newspapers, boxes and magazines
can be a serious fire load and are easily discarded in a manner safe to the environ-
ment.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources also reminds us that:
No Person shall dispose of refuse by open burning.
No person shall have an open burn of a salvage nature.
No person shall burn fallen leaves.
You should also check with DNREC regarding others regulations that effect disposal of household materials.
Just a few simple rules and common sense will keep our homes safer from fire this Spring.
For further information regarding your families Safety from Fire contact the Delaware State Fire School 302-
739-4773.
~Mike Lowe, Senior Instructor for Public Education
Change Your Batteries
Statistics show an average of three children per day die in Home Fires. You can help prevent needless fire
deaths and injuries by remembering to change the batteries in your smoke alarms when you change your
clocks back to Daylight Savings time each Spring. Once you have changed your batteries, be sure to test your
smoke alarms. This simple act will cut the risk of dying in a home fire by at least half.
This lifesaving message is brought to you by the ―Change your
Clocks, Change your Batteries‖ Program, the Delaware State
Fire School, your local Fire Department and the International
Association of Fire Chiefs. For further information contact the
Mike Lowe, Delaware State Fire School, 302-739-4773.
~Mike Lowe, Senior Instructor for Public Education
8 Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010
April Focus on Aggressive Driving
and Motorcycle Safety
Beginning April 12th, the Office of Highway Safety will be running concurrent safety programs for aggressive driving and motorcycle safety.
The Delaware State Police will be conducting addi-tional speed-focused patrols and team en-forcement statewide. Speeding drivers will be stopped and ticketed. In addition, the City of Dover Police and the New Castle County Police will be conducting speed-focused pa-trols as part of their regularly scheduled highway safety grant activities. Last year 28% of fatal traffic crashes involved acts of aggressive driving.
The weekend of April 16-18, Delaware will participate as part of a regional motorcycle safety initiative that will include Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia,
West Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Dela-ware law enforcement will be conducting motorcycle safety patrols that weekend, targeting rider violations as well as motorist violations. Motorcycle safety ra-dio spots begin April 12th and motorcycle safety-themed billboards go up the week of April 18th. Last year 12% of all fatalities involved motorcycles.
These efforts are intended to improve traffic safety in Delaware, through public awareness and the enforcement of existing traffic safety laws. Please slow down and follow all posted
speed limits, and be alert to other drivers’ behavior. If you witness aggressive driving behaviors, please call 911 and report the vehicle. As the weather warms up, expect to see more motorcycles on the roads; be alert and cautious. Motorcyclists are urged to wear all appropriate safety gear, follow posted speed limits, and never ride impaired. Arrive alive, Delaware!
What They Do: They roll through stop signs and run red lights They speed - 15 miles over the limit or more on a daily basis They ride on people‟s bumpers to “encourage” them to move out of their way They pass on shoulders They change lanes frequently, without signaling and come very close to the vehicle they‟re passing when they do it. Unable to judge the speed of oncoming traffic, they don‟t merge, they just drive right in and expect oth-ers to make way for them.
What They Think:
They see driving as a contest. . . Whether against the clock or another driver. They believe that everyone else is a bad driver, displaying an „it‟s not me‟ mentality. They don‟t think that going 70 mph or more in a 55 mph zone is speeding. They believe the law should be changed to increase the speed limits. They don‟t think speeding is dangerous because it‟s something „everybody does‟. They blame others for their actions.
They take other people‟s driving behavior personally. . . “they‟re blocking me to keep me from passing them”.
How they Behave:
They become frustrated at other drivers and retaliate: by tailgating them, making obscene gestures when passing, yelling at other drivers and cutting close to the front.
If TWO or more of these behaviors describe you, YOU ARE AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER!YOU ARE AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER!YOU ARE AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER!
Find out more about
Aggressive Driving, and
“Aggressive
Driving vs. Road Rage” on
www.OHS.Delaware.gov
Photos provided and published with permission by the Delaware Public Archives office.
9 Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010
Purnell Coll, Delaware Cycle Company, 407 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington,
Delaware (1910’s)
Another rainy March!
(Left Photo)
Kirkwood to Tybouts Corner, north of Red Lion.
March 15, 1923
SmartDrive and Delaware SADD/YELL programs join
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s “Ride like a Friend Campaign”
S martDrive and Delaware’s SADD/YELL programs are joining the Children’s Hospital of Philadel-
phia (CHOP) in promoting CHOP’s “Ride like a Friend Campaign” for the fall of 2010. “Ride like a
Friend” (RLAF) is a program designed to promote safe passenger behavior in order to reduce distrac-
tions, reduce crashes and promote seatbelt use. This year in Delaware, public service announcements,
student-run events and peer-mentoring events between high school and middle school students will be
held leading up to National Teen Safe Driving Week in October.
Both SmartDrive and SADD/YELL operate state-wide to promote safe driving and safe behavior and
decision-making among Delaware’s young people. SmartDrive, www.smartdrivede.org, is a free, online
program of defensive driving offered to students in all Delaware high schools to help students to help
them develop good driving judgment while earning an insurance discount. SADD/YELL is a national
club offered in Delaware high schools but is facilitated by the YMCA Resource Center to help promote
safe behavior and positive community service activities.
―Joining forces with CHOP’s RLAF campaign is a natural,‖ said Kathy Ward, Associate Executive Di-
rector of the YMCA Resource Center and state administrator for SADD/YELL. ―The RLAF program is
a perfect vehicle to assist us in promoting National Teen Safe Driving Week all summer long to raise
awareness of this important event.‖
Focus groups are being held with students statewide to gather ideas and commitments for RLAF.
For more information or to help with plan-
ning of events, please contact Kathy Ward at
[email protected] or Karen Busby at
For more on the “Ride like a Friend” cam-
paign visit www.ridelikeafriend.com.
10 Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010
In the photo, Joe Alan, DJ from Eagle 97.7 in Milford meets with students from one of the focus groups "in studio". A fun and productive time was had by all!
SS pring 2010 is a time for pring 2010 is a time for
renewal and exercise!renewal and exercise! After a long, cold winter parents and children look forward to weekends full of activities and events. What better way to spend a weekend than at a local safety fair? There are lots of fun, yet educational opportunities for the whole family this month!
D on't miss the opportunity to at-tend Safe Kid's Day in New Castle County! Their flyer with all the details is on page 13.
T he second annual Cape Henlopen State Park Safety Day in
Lewes. At each event, attendees will have the opportunity to pick up infor-mation on a variety of safety topics in-cluding fire, home, wa-ter, boating, seat belts, impaired driving, health, insurance, and medical. If you are a new parent,
or have an infant on the way, be sure to check out the Child Passenger Fitting Station at the Safe Kid's event in New Castle County. Certified car seat tech-nicians will be on hand to install child safety seats. Additionally, at both events, emer-gency personnel from local fire and po-lice departments will be on hand to showcase their respective apparatus.
L astly, don't forget to bring your child's bicycle – both events will have local bicycle club volunteers per-forming bike rodeos where kids learn invaluable skills like strapping on a hel-met correctly and navigating a bike course. There is no better way than to spend a Saturday with our local safety profes-sionals! For more information on each event, please see the enclosed brochures within the online magazine.
12 Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010
15 UD Safety Extensions
Here is the Sun! Get up
and Start Walking—
Safely!
I am writing this article today
and it is St. Patrick’s Day. To top it off—it is actually
sunny!!! It reminds me of an Irish Prayer, “May God
grant you always…A sunbeam to warm you, A moon-
beam to charm you, A sheltering angel, So nothing
can harm you…” I know I am appreciating the milder
weather and the warmth of the sun. A lot of other
folks have been telling me that they feel the same
way. It seems a long time since we have had consecu-
tive days of sun. The arrival of the sun is perfect tim-
ing, as the first day of spring, will be March 21. The
sunshine is encouraging me to take my dog for a walk
in the neighborhood. It is time to get up, get outside,
and get moving. Dust off the winter blahs and those
extra pounds. Everywhere I go, I hear or read more
information about what an obese society we are. So
what is the easiest and cheapest way to fix this? Walk-
ing is the final answer. I must caution
you though ---it needs to be done safely.
As the Irish prayer reminds us, we some-
times we need an angel. To help our an-
gel, we also need to follow some plain
old safety tips.
Delaware is averaging a fatal crash every
four and half days!!! Of the 17 traffic
deaths this year, five of them have been
pedestrians. In at least four of these
cases, the crashes occurred at night and
involved the pedestrian walking into the
path of a vehicle. Alcohol is believed to
be a factor in at least two of the pedes-
trian deaths. So if walking is your chosen method of
starting to think about fitting into your shorts, t-shirts,
and bathing suits, be sure to plan ahead for those
walks. You want to get to your destination and home
in one piece—uninjured. Now that it is daylight sav-
ings time, it stays lighter longer (YEAH!). But if you
still have to walk in dim light or in the dark, it is very
important to make yourself visible. The best way is to
carry a flashlight with you. Drivers of cars will pick
you out more easily. Most of us feel safe walking in
our neighborhoods, but the truth is if you don’t use a
flashlight or wear reflective clothing nobody can see
you, you children, or your dog. Use crosswalks and
cross only at intersections. These are Delaware’s
laws. We all think it is okay to cross at midblock, we
are adults after all, but even adults make mistakes.
The fact is that most of the pedestrian crashes have
happened at night where the pedestrian ignored those
rules. Be reminded that pedestrians don’t automati-
cally have the right of way. The cause of the pedes-
trian fatality of March 8th was that the pedestrian
walked out in front of the car and the driver just could
not stop in time. It is important for pedestrians to wait
until traffic has stopped and not to cross in areas
where cars aren’t expecting you, or can’t see you be-
cause you are not in the crosswalk or at the intersec-
tion, stop sign or stoplight. So don’t cross where you
aren’t protected. Drivers need to slow down but they
tend to drive faster than they should in neighborhoods.
A recent article I read stated that walking in our cities
is vital for America’s public health. The
article indicated that a nationwide survey
of obesity shows it has increased from
12% of adults in 1991 to 20% in 2000.
But estimates based on weight and height
indicates 31% of the adult population to
be obese. Why? Easy–lack of exercise.
Walking is the cheapest, most reliable and
practical way to increase physical exer-
cise.
So get up, and get moving by getting out
and walking more. You will feel better,
have fewer aches and pains, be more fo-
cused at work, be happier, and lose
weight in the process.
There are a lot of facilities in Newark to help you do
this—the Hall trail, White Clay Creek Park trails and
lots of sidewalks in local neighborhoods—use them.
Just use basic safety pedestrian safety laws. Hope to
see you out in the sunshine hitting the pavement!
Contact me:
(302) 831-4973
Email:
www.ag.udel.edu/ncc
16 UD Safety Extensions
Vehicle Safety - The Value of Windshield Repair
Continued next page. . .
It’s been a long winter on Delmarva and the
snow and ice resulted in tons of salt, gravel, and
other materials to be spread on our roads. Un-
fortunately for many of us, that debris made its
way off the road and onto the windshields of
our vehicles. The result may have been a chip
or crack to your windshield. Chips and cracks
weaken the strength of the windshield which is
why it is important for your safety to have the
windshield repaired or replaced as quickly as
possible.
Most people do not realize that after your air-
bags and seatbelts the windshield is the most
important safety feature in your vehicle. The
windshield serves three primary safety func-
tions:
Keep occupants in the vehicle in case of a
crash regardless of seatbelt use
Prevent the roof from crushing in during a
rollover accident
Ensure the safe functioning of the passenger
side airbag
In addition, an undamaged windshield is critical
to having a clear view of the road.
Windshield damage can take many forms and
the size, type and location determine whether a
replacement or repair is appropriate. Cracks of
any size almost always require a full replace-
ment by a certified technician. However, chips
can often be repaired if they meet four criteria:
Size of the damaged area is about the size of
a quarter or smaller. (Larger cracks can be re-
paired, but often result in poor customer satis-
faction and/or vehicle inspection failure.)
The damage is not within 3‖ of the edge of
the windshield.
The damage did not penetrate through the
windshield.
The damage is not in the Drivers Primary View-
ing Area which is 12 inches (300 mm) wide;
centered on the driver’s position, and extends
from the top to the bottom of the wiper sweep.
The repair process is fairly simple in concept,
but is best done by a trained technician with
professional equipment. The steps in repairing
a windshield are:
Remove any outside damage or debris
Using a professional repair tool, remove the
moisture, air, and dirt using a vacuum technique
Inject a special clear liquid resin with opti-
cal qualities similar to the windshield
Cure the resin using an ultraviolet lamp or
through natural sunlight
While the majority of repairs are successful, it is
possible for the windshield to crack during the
repair process because of existing weaknesses
and imperfections in the glass. When that oc-
curs a replacement is required. Repairs also
usually leave small, cosmetic marks on the out-
side of the glass.
17 Volume II, Issue 1 ~ 2010
Where Can I Get My Car Seat Checked if I Can't Make a Community Car Seat Check? Fitting Stations!!!
A Child Restraint Fitting Station is a location that is open year-round, where parents can go to have their child safety seats inspected. Most of the services are free. Below is a list of
Fitting Stations located throughout Sussex County:
Georgetown DMV, Rt. 113, Georgetown. Appointments as needed. Call Nadine Holleger at (302) 853-1014.
U of DE Cooperative Extension office. Contact Mike Love at (302) 856-7303 for an appoint-ment.
Sussex County Pregnancy Center - Located at 5 Burger King Drive in Georgetown. Appoint-ments recommended. Call Teresa Bolden at (302) 856-4344.
Troop 7, Lewes, Delaware every other Thursday from 10-2. Public is asked to call (302) 853-1014 to schedule an appointment.
Some consumers feel it is better to ―just get it replaced‖ but there are some benefits to the repair
process compared to replacement:
Repairs cost less
Repairs take about 30 minutes vs. 2 hours or more with a replacement
Successful repairs restore and maintain the structural integrity of the windshield
Replacement windshields end up in landfills because no economical recycling technology has been
developed
Whether you choose a repair or replacement, you should only hire reputable companies with trained
technicians to complete the work on your vehicle.
Mr. Go-Glass is a leading auto glass installation company
on the Delmarva Peninsula.
TRAFFIC DEATHS
Statistics on left of page are for 2010 from Jan. 1st - March 23, 2010 Statistics on right side of page are from Jan 1st. - March 23, 2009
2010 2009
Total 19 Total 24
Alcohol Related 3 Alcohol Related 4
Vehicle Occupants 13 Vehicle Occupants 21
Seatbelts Not Used 5 Seatbelts Not Used 14
Pedestrians 6 Pedestrians 2
Bicyclists 0 Bicyclists 0
Motorcyclists 0 Motorcyclists 1
Pedestrian deaths are up this year already. Never drink & walk, always cross at an intersection or crosswalk, and be always be visible. Walk Smart. Arrive Alive DE!
The Delaware Bicycle Council was established in May of 1990 by House Bill 505 to "consider, re-
view and work on matters pertaining to bicycling, bicycle safety and bicycle safety education and
to make recommendations to various state agencies." Originally organized with nine members,
the Council was expanded to 15 members in May of 1996 by House Bill 556. Members are ap-
pointed by the Governor with staggered terms and include representatives from the Department
of Transportation, The Council on Transportation, The Department of Education, The Delaware
State Police, The Office of Highway Safety, The Division of Parks and Recreation, The Council on
Greenways and Trails, The Division of Public Health. In addition, seven citizen members are ap-
pointed - two from New Castle County, one from Kent County, one from Sussex County and three
At-large. The Council meets at least five times a year. Staff support is provided by DelDOT's Bicy-
cle/Pedestrian Coordinator at 760-BIKE.
Calendar of Events (April 2010Calendar of Events (April 2010Calendar of Events (April 2010———June 2010)June 2010)June 2010) April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Find out more by visiting: www.centurycouncil.org.
April 17, 2010
New Castle Safe Kids’ Day, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cindy Genau: (302) 831-8965
April 20, 2010
Hispanic Outreach Meeting, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Trish Bachman: (302) 744-2731
April 24, 2010
2nd Annual Cape Henlopen State Park Safety Day, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Merritt Burke: (302) 856-2585 x584
April 28, 2010 Delmar High Mock DUI Crash Program, 8:00 a.m.
Merritt Burke: (302) 856-2585 x584
May, 2010 Motorcycle Safety Month
Delaware Office of Highway Safety: (302) 744-2746
May 24th - June 6th, 2010 Click It or Ticket Law Enforcement Campaign
Andrea Summers: (302) 744-2743
June 11, 2010 Fenwick Island Pedestrian Safety Checkpoint, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Burke: (302) 856-2585 x584
Elbert N. And Anne V. Carvel
Research and Education
Center
16483 County Seat Hwy.
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 856-7303
Fax: (302) 856-1845
University of Delaware
Cooperative Extension
DE Office of Highway Safety www.ohs.delaware.gov
University of Delaware
Cooperative Extension
www.rec.udel.edu
DE Safe Kids Coalition
www.usa.safekids.org/
state_display.cfm
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
www.nhtsa.gov
For information on impaired
vision goggles and the SIDNE
go-kart:
www.fatalvision.com
HERO Campaign
www.herocampaign.org
Virtual Bar Educator
www.b4udrink.org
Delaware YMCA
www.ymcade.org
"Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the United States
Department of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Delaware Cooperative Extension, University of Delaware. It is the policy of the Delaware
Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin."
Check out this month’s featured website:
Delaware Bicycle Council http://www.deldot.gov/information/
community_programs_and_services/bike/
Informative Webs ites:Informative Webs ites:Informative Webs ites: