Calendar Year 2009 Traffic Fatalities Continue Record Downward Trend The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, declining for the 15th consecutive quarter. According to early projections, the fatality rate, which takes into account the number of miles traveled, reached the lowest level ever recorded. “This is exciting news, but there are still far too many people dying in traffic accidents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Drivers need to keep their hands on the steering wheel and their focus on the road in order to stay safe.” The projected fatality data for 2009 places the highway death count at 33,963, a drop of 8.9 percent as compared to the 37,261 deaths reported in 2008. The fatality rate for 2009 declined to the lowest on record, to 1.16 fatalities per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) down from 1.25 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2008. “This continuing decline in highway deaths is encouraging, but our work is far from over,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland. “We want to see those numbers drop further. We will not stop as long as there are still lives lost on our nation’s highways. We must continue our efforts to ensure seat belts are always used and stay focused on reducing distracted and impaired driving.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes the decline in 2009 to a combination of factors that include, high visibility campaigns like Click It or Ticket to increase seat belt use, and Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest which helps with the enforcement of state laws to prevent drunk driving and distracted driving. In addition, the decline is also the result of safer roads, safer vehicles and motorists driving less. NHTSA annually collects crash statistics from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to produce annual reports on traffic fatality trends. The agency intends to update 2009 estimates regularly as more data becomes available. The final counts for 2009 will be made available in the summer of 2010. To view the preliminary fatality statistics visit: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811291.PDF
A decline in highway deaths of 8.9% from 2008 to 2009 The lowest fatality rate--1.16 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled--on record The lowest overall number of deaths--33,963--since 1954 15 straight quarters of decline in the number of overall roadway deaths But, I am also disturbed that we are still talking about nearly 34,000 preventable deaths a year...
What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that needs diagnosis and treatment by a doctor.OSA is caused by a blockage in your airway that can disrupt your breathing while you sleep. This disruption in breathing can cause you to wake up repeatedly throughout the night.1-3 You may not be aware that this is happening, but it can prevent you from a good night's sleep.The anatomy of a blocked airway
An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.4Despite being so common, many people may not know they have OSA. Up to 82% of men and 93% of women with moderate to severe OSA have not been diagnosed and, therefore, don't get treated.5
People with certain conditions are at a higher risk for OSA. You should talk to your doctor about OSA if you have6:Type 2 diabetesObesity StrokeCongestive heart failureHigh blood pressure that continues even with treatmentOther heart problems
You should also talk to your doctor about OSA if you are preparing for bariatric surgery.Why is it important to see a doctor about OSA?
People with OSA are at increased risk for:High blood pressure7Heart disease7Stroke8Diabetes9Depression10Death11
For these reasons, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment for your blocked airway.Do you know the symptoms of OSA?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should talk to your doctor because you may be suffering from OSA:Loud snoring1,6Feeling tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the day (also known as excessive sleepiness or ES)6Frequent sleep disruptions caused by pauses in breathing or trips to the bathroom1,6Trouble concentrating6Mood/behavior change6,8Gasping or choking at night6Sleeping more than normal or difficulty staying asleep6Morning headaches6Lowered sex drive6Memory loss6
For information on sleep disorders go to the following link.
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus:
Exposures to blood and other body fluids occur across a wide variety of occupations. Health care workers, emergency response and public safety personnel, and other workers can be exposed to blood through needlestick and other sharps injuries, mucus membrane, and skin exposures. The pathogens of primary concern are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Workers and employers are urged to take advantage of available engineering controls and work practices to prevent exposure to blood and other body fluids.
You probably realize it’s possible to get a bloodborne disease if you are exposed to an infected inmate’s blood. However, you may also feel your chances of exposure are low if you do things properly. So, what does it mean to “do things properly”?
Simple and Safe Work Practices Through regular use of safe work practices, you can lower your chances of being exposed to a bloodborne disease.
Encourage Your Workers to Report Exposures: Report exposures to blood or other body fluids* for many reasons. Some may feel it’s too time consuming to report. Others may believe an exposure is their fault or may be worried about loosing their job if an exposure is reported. Why is it important for your workers to report exposures? Reporting exposures better ensures your workers get the right care and treatment.
Understanding exposures will help you focus their training on common problems to keep these problems from happening again.
"Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)" refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.
Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and face the greatest risk of injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented. Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. In a study conducted by the United Auto Workers (UAW), 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members between 1973 and 1995 were attributed to inadequate hazardous energy control procedures specifically, lockout/tagout procedures.
The following questions link to information relevant to the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) in the workplace.
New distracted driving restrictions on commercial truck and bus drivers We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe.
So today I’m announcing the latest in a series of actions DOT is taking to curb distracted driving and help make our roads much safer for everyone.
Our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, led by Administrator Anne Ferro, will prohibit commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving and from using any handheld cellphone or other device that takes a driver’s attention off the road:
"Our regulations will help prevent unsafe activity within the cab, and we want to make it crystal clear that texting is one of those unsafe activities these regulations prohibit."
This policy has serious implications for inter-state drivers who carry cargo or passengers for a living, but we're not trying to deny anyone the opportunity to earn a living at the wheel of a truck or bus.
We’re simply sending a message: when we advise drivers to share the road responsibly, we mean it.
Look, we know that a commercial truck or bus driven by someone texting or talking on a cell phone is a lethal weapon.
Now, in a perfect world, that knowledge would be the end of the story. Sadly, we know it's not. Many of us know the tragic consequences of this behavior firsthand. The rest of us have heard the stories.
'Distracted driving' gets more attentionAs evidence piles up that using a cell phone while driving carries significant -- and often fatal -- risks, aggressive efforts are under way to end talking and texting behind the wheel. That's not a ring tone. It's a siren.
In some places, cruising down the highway while texting on your cell phone now can hold the same consequences as downing a martini before jumping behind the wheel. In other areas, simply having a phone to your ear can merit a stop.
The federal government is ramping up an educational campaign against "distracted driving," reinforced by an array of new state laws against texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. Some penalize the behavior; others even criminalize it.Feds ban texting and driving trucks, busesGo to Nightly NewsThe measures come as insurers have begun seeking ways to avoid shouldering massive liability for inattentive customers. And the families of those killed or injured have begun organizing highly visible, sometimes wrenching campaigns to battle the perception that cell phone use is a harmless part of a driver's daily routine.
It's not a small problem: Nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving distracted driving in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's 16% of all traffic fatalities for that year. In addition, 500,000 were injured in 2008 in accidents involving some form of driver distraction, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports.
Despite the potential dangers, more than two-thirds of people in a 2009 AAA survey admitted talking on a cell phone while driving.
Local jurisdictions in many states have introduced laws clamping down on distracted drivers. In all but six states, local jurisdictions can pass additional restrictions. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving outright or have enacted limited texting bans.
Novice drivers are banned from texting in nine states.
Six states and the District of Columbia have banned handheld cell phones for all drivers.
The use of all cell phones, handheld or otherwise, by novice drivers is restricted in 21 states and the District of Columbia.
The use of all cell phones while driving a school bus with passengers is prohibited in 17 states and the District of Columbia.
The consequences of breaking cell phone driving laws vary by state. In five states, drivers can be pulled over for using a cell phone illegally without first committing another offense, such as speeding. Texting while driving is a primary offense in 17 states. Stupid things people do while drivingIn Missouri, for example, sending messages while driving is a primary offense for drivers under 21. Offenders can be fined up to $200 and get two points against their licenses.
In New York or Connecticut, you can get pulled over and ticketed just for holding your phone while driving.
There have been cases with more extreme consequences. A Seattle man was recently sentenced to five years in prison for vehicular homicide because he was texting while driving when he hit and killed a bicyclist. According to The Seattle Times, the prosecutor used phone records to prove the accident occurred while the driver was sending a text.
The following table summarizes the HOS regulations for property-carrying and passenger-carrying CMV drivers.
HOURS-OF-SERVICE RULES Property-Carrying CMV Drivers Passenger-Carrying CMV Drivers 11-Hour Driving Limit May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. 10-Hour Driving Limit May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty. 14-Hour Limit May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period. 15-Hour On-Duty Limit May not drive after having been on duty for 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time is not included in the 15-hour period. 60/70-Hour On-Duty Limit May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. 60/70-Hour On-Duty Limit May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. Sleeper Berth Provision Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two. Sleeper Berth Provision Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at least 8 hours in the sleeper berth, and may split the sleeper-berth time into two periods provided neither is less than 2 hours.
