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:

[email protected]

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


Contact me:

(302) 856-2585 x584

Email:

[email protected]

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

mailto:[email protected]


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


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

http://www.americanheart.org/

http://www.redcross.org/


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!”

http://www.statefarm.com/index.asp


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.


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

[email protected].

For more on the “Ride like a Friend” cam-

paign visit www.ridelikeafriend.com.


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!

http://www.smartdrivede.org



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.



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:

[email protected]

www.ag.udel.edu/ncc


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.


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:

Documents

Spring 2010 Safety Extension Newsletter