Category Archive: Safe Driving

Nissan recalling vehicles

Nissan Recalling Almost 1 Million Vehicles For Airbag Failures

Nissan Motors is recalling almost 1 million vehicles for problems that could cause the driver side airbag to fail to inflate in a crash. This is in addition to the recall by Nissan one year ago for passenger airbag issues. Read more: Nissan recalls nearly 1M cars for air bag failure

Safety during spring break

Guidelines For Spring Break Designated Drivers

Is a designated driver someone who drinks less than everyone else? Enjoying your spring break safely and responsibly means choosing to use designated drivers who elect not to drink. Here are some tips on how to be a superstar designated driver. Read More: How To Be a Good Designated Driver

Don't run a red light at Gibraltar Airport

Running A Red Light Here Is Bad; Very Bad!

We all know that running a red light is wrong but there are places where running a red light could cause a bigger crash than you imagine!

Read more: Strange Airport: Gibraltar, World’s Only Airport Runway Intersecting a Road

Worst state for drivers

Florida Ranks Sixth Among Worst States For Drivers

In December of 2013, CarInsuranceComparison.com published a list of the Worst Drivers By State. Florida unfortunately, was listed as the sixth worst state for drivers in the country but to those who live and drive in the state, the news may not come as a complete surprise.

CarInsuranceComparison.com compiled this list by gathering data from various sources including; the National Highway Transportation Safety administration (NHTSA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving, (MADD), and the National Motorists Association (NMA). They scored each state according to five categories:

  • Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled
  • Failure to Obey (Traffic Signals + Seat Belts)
  • Drunk Driving
  • Tickets
  • Careless Driving

Each state, including the District of Columbia was given a ranking based on the data in each category. The higher the number, the worst the state scored. After each category was tallied, the state was given an overall score and ranked in comparison to other states. Florida’s score in each category was:

  • Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled – 33
  • Failure to Obey (Traffic Signals + Seat Belts) – 38
  • Drunk Driving – 18
  • Tickets – 48
  • Careless Driving – 51

That gave Florida an overall score of 188 placing the state in sixth place for the worst states for drivers. Florida received the first place rank in careless driving with a score of 51.

The top ten worst states for drivers along with their worst ranking are:

  1. Louisiana – Careless Driving # 48
  2. South Carolina – Careless Driving # 50
  3. Mississippi – Fatality Rate # 47
  4. Texas – Drunk Driving # 47
  5. Alabama – Tickets # 49
  6. Florida – Careless Driving # 51 (First place)
  7. Missouri – Failure to Obey # 48
  8. North Carolina – (Tied with Missouri) Careless Driving # 44
  9. Montana Fatality Rate and Drunk Driving # 51
  10. North Dakota – Drunk Driving #50

Which state was listed as the best? Vermont was ranked as the least most dangerous state for drivers with a top ranking category of 1 in careless driving.

Older drivers

Death Rate For Older Drivers Continues To Decline

In 2009, we wrote about studies showing that the death rate for older drivers (70 and older) were declining even as the older population was growing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has come out with a new study that shows that trend is increasing.

Thanks to the baby boom of the late 40s and early 50s, the older population continues to grow but, according to the IIHS, older drivers are not only involved in fewer crashes, they are less likely to be killed or injured if they are involved in a crash.

While in the past, it was true that older drivers drove fewer miles than younger drivers, statistics show that, per vehicle miles driven, older drivers have actually increased their annual mileage rate compared to middle aged drivers (age 35-54). Continue Reading