tips

Illinois State Police Working Alongside Truckers to Curb Distracted Driving

June 25, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As of June 19, 2019, Illinois State Police Officers have begun taking an unconventional approach to monitoring highway safety in Chicago. Throughout this summer, don’t be surprised if you happen to see state troopers seated alongside truckers on the road. “Trooper in a Truck” is what the Illinois state police are calling the new program, which they partnered with the Illinois Trucking Association and Cadence Premier Logistics to make a possibility. Due to significant increases in the number of fatalities resulting from distracted driving all across the United States, the “Trooper in a Truck” program makes sense.

As WJOL recently reported, “the new program is helping officers spot and correct unsafe driving behaviors of passing motorists by riding in the cabs of commercial motor vehicles and watching primarily for distracted driving offenses. Troopers are able to observe the violation taking place and notify other police units ahead to take enforcement action.” Based on the initial results, the plan just might work. On a single day of working the program, on June 19^th, police were able to issue more than 20 tickets for a variety of violations including distracted driving and improper lane changes.

While the new program may be unique to Chicago, it’s important to mention that troopers have been doing this program throughout the state for roughly a year now, and for good cause. Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 3,450 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2016, which comes to roughly 9 people in the United States being killed each day by a distracted driver. Additionally, the CDC goes to great lengths to provide necessary information that any driver should know when it comes to distracted driving such as the types of distracted driving an individual may be practicing on the road. Such types of distractions include visual, such as taking your eyes off the road; manual, meaning taking your hands off the wheel; and cognitive, taking your mind off of driving. After seeing these three categories, it is easy to imagine just how dangerous our favorite electronic devices are when driving on the road. For example, using a cell phone while driving combines all three categories essentially rendering yourself blind while driving.

Maintaining Road Safety

Outside of Illinois with its Trooper in a Truck program, many other states have adopted stricter distracted driving laws than what Illinois currently imposes. For example, Illinois currently prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones, texting, or using other electronic devices while driving. Further, if a driver is involved in a crash resulting from a distracted driver, they may end up facing criminal penalties and incarceration. However, violators of the law will only be charged a $75 fine for their first offense, which if caught again will increase by $25 and eventually be capped at $150. On the other hand, states with similar driving laws have actually imposed far stricter penalties if caught with a cell phone. For example, in 2017, Oregon unveiled a new distracted driving law that fines individuals $1,000 for a first offense, with a maximum fine of $2,000. While it is clear that each state handles driver safety differently, you would be hard pressed to find someone willing to risk paying $1000 for using their cell phone while driving. All of this goes to say that distracted driving is an issue. State’s are adopting these new rules for good reasons and we need to make certain that we do our best to follow them.

Tips for Drivers

With Trooper in a Truck now making its way to Chicago, it is safe to say we can all expect our actions on the road to be watched much more closely. This isn’t a bad thing though. Chicagoans should be practicing safe driving no matter what. However, this is a great time to finally get yourself to put the phone away for good and practice additional safe driving tips. The Associated Press reported in April of 2019 that Floow, “a telematics-based provider of smarter and safer mobility solutions has studied billions of journey miles to identify a number of key behaviors that have a significant impact on driver safety.” As a result of their tests, Floow put together a list of driver safety tips and best practices that if done properly, will certainly result in safer roads. See below for their list:

Put your cell phone out of arm’s reach. If you can’t grab it while you’re driving, you’ll get in the habit of waiting to answer your phone when it’s safe.
If you must talk, do it hands-free. Some cities and states have banned texting while driving altogether. Either way, a hands-free Bluetooth device is the safer way to go.
Secure your mobile device. Put your cell phone in the glove compartment or some other place where it’s securely stowed. The Floow’s crash testing shows that a free-flying mobile device can cause further damage or injury during a collision.
Pick a safe time to travel. Studies indicate that you are statistically more likely to have an accident between 11pm and 7am than at any other time of day. Planning ahead and choosing a responsible travel time will minimize risk.
Take regular breaks during long journeys. The longer you drive, the harder it is to stay alert. During a longer trip, take a quick refresher break every two hours.
Consider the speed limit as a guide, not a target. All driving conditions aren’t equal. When the weather is bad, or the driving conditions are less-than-desirable, slow down to allow for a greater breaking distance.
Drive smoothly. Aggressive acceleration and deceleration are both potentially dangerous. The smoother you drive, the greater your reaction times will be.

Spring is Coming: 5 Ways to Prepare for Warm Weather in Chicago

March 9, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Here in the office, we are getting antsy for warm weather. In an effort to combat our winter blahs, we have compiled some activities to help get ready for spring – which is coming, we hope!

1. As the snow begins to melt, and you start seeing green, make plans for a vegetable garden. Re-connect with Mother Nature and find your green thumb! Draw a diagram of where you hope to plant, and make a list of the seeds and gardening supplies you will need, so you will be ready to plant as soon as the weather allows!

This article has some great links for beginners to help you prepare for your garden.

2. Re-vamp your wardrobe — start taking inventory of your spring and summer clothing. New bathing suit styles are available in late winter (and on sale!). If you run or exercise outdoors during spring, start looking for new fitness clothing that will help you stay cool outside.

3. Speaking of outside — go outside. When the days start getting longer and the air starts getting less frigid, go for a walk and start planning all the spring and summer activities you have to look forward to!

4. Clean up. There’s a reason it’s called “Spring Cleaning” – because the best home improvement projects happen in the spring. Make plans now to spruce up the coat of paint that you’ve been meaning to get to, tidy up the garage, or start the garden (see tip number 1). If you need ideas, there’s no shortage of “DIY” projects that can be done on a budget — just check out Pinterest.

5. Whether you’re a commuter from the suburbs or you’ve let your car get buried under feet of snow while parked on your street, your car deserves some TLC after this winter. The slush, salt, and cold weather really take a toll on your vehicle. If you visit most car centers, they will be happy to rotate your tires, check your tire pressure, change your oil and fluids, and inspect your vehicle for winter damage. And, they will make sure your tires have enough tread for the rainy spring weather ahead!

As always, please feel free to reach out and share with us any other ways you and your family are getting ready for spring!

Best Parent Practices and Safety Tips for a New School Year

August 29, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again: Time for pens and pencils, notebooks and notepads, stencil boxes and three ring binders. It’s back to school season, and for many parents it’s a time to prepare for the unexpected as only parents can do. We’ve rounded up a list of best-practices and school safety tips from a few reputable sources, as your toddlers, tykes and tweens embark on a new school year filled with new adventures, new learning and, most importantly, a better appreciation for secure and safe environments.

Back to School Chicago — Image credit: Deptartmentofed Flickr (US Dept. of Education)

Check, please.
The National Safety Council—a national non-profit whose mission is to “save lives” by promoting safety in an around the home, school, and the workplace—offers a comprehensive checklist of best-practices and safety tips in anticipation of those initial first days of school. The standard applies (e.g. teaching your child to look both ways before crossing the street, fitting them with a helmet before they ride a bicycle), but there’s more to this checklist than meets the eye. A recent report by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission estimated that 7,300 backpack-related injuries occur every year, and for those kids taking the bus to school, it’s important to stress the unpredictability of large vehicles on the road. In a nutshell: there’s lots to love about this list.

What’s up, doc?
For most students, back to school is an exciting time of year. But for others the transition to a new grade, even a different classroom, can have adverse effects on students who might not adjust as easily as others. Preparing your child mentally for the eventual return to school can be extraordinarily beneficial safety measure. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends scheduling doctor and dental appointments in advance or in the early stages of school, which can make you aware of potential red flags before that momentous first day of class.

Spoiler alert.
A healthy and productive mental state can make all the difference for young students. And believe it or not, your child’s mental health has the potential to rub off on others. Scholastic offers a smorgasbord of tips and tricks to make your child’s school year the best it can possibly be, one of which includes designing his or her very own work station, complete with a tailored aesthetic and good vibes. By catering the design to your child’s study habits, you can influence what happens in and outside your home by (slightly) spoiling your future Ivy Leaguer.

Just breathe.
This time of year can be particularly troublesome for kids with asthma. Given the unpredictability of the seasons thus far, it behooves any parent to ensure that kids are well-prepared for the ill-effects of the summer-to-fall transition. The Public News Service recently interviewed Kathleen Shanovich, a former school nurse and pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who suggests parents meet with a school’s resident nurse to discuss a detailed action-plan, should a problem arise. Shanovich also advises parents to leave an extra inhaler with the school nurse should any unforeseen issues occur.

I’ll be back.
The Washington Post recently provided parents with back-to-school tips and tricks for the upcoming school year. A surprising, if not overlooked aspect of the back-to-school process is establishing the concept of “leaving and returning.” This seemingly miniscule detail might sneak by most parents, especially if they’re in a hurry, but it’s a detail worth remembering. Reinforcing the idea at drop-off that you’re leaving but will return later to can save your kiddos any unwanted heartache.