Unit 4: Safety in Unit 4: Safety in TransportationTransportation

Chapter 13: A Need for SafetyChapter 13: A Need for Safety

A need for safetyA need for safety

In this chapter you will look at such In this chapter you will look at such things as: factors that lead to traffic things as: factors that lead to traffic accidents, reaction time and accidents, reaction time and collisions, common injuries resulting collisions, common injuries resulting from collisions, and road/vehicle from collisions, and road/vehicle safetysafety

Analyzing the DangerAnalyzing the Danger An automobile accident can result in a An automobile accident can result in a

variety of injuries ranging from scratches variety of injuries ranging from scratches and bruises to deathand bruises to death

So you say that it cant happen to you?So you say that it cant happen to you?– You are 50X more likely to die from a road You are 50X more likely to die from a road

collision than you are to die in an airplane collision than you are to die in an airplane accidentaccident

– You are 5X more likely to die in a car accident You are 5X more likely to die in a car accident than you are to being murderedthan you are to being murdered

Did you know that almost all vehicle Did you know that almost all vehicle collisions are preventable?collisions are preventable?– Some would say you are an accident waiting to Some would say you are an accident waiting to

happen!happen!

Reaction TimeReaction Time Reaction timeReaction time is the time it takes you to is the time it takes you to

recognize a problem and act on it.recognize a problem and act on it. Even if you are alert and react quickly, there Even if you are alert and react quickly, there

are many factors that affect a drivers ability are many factors that affect a drivers ability to stop in time to prevent an accident.to stop in time to prevent an accident.– Anything that takes your attention away from Anything that takes your attention away from

what you are suppose to be doing is called a what you are suppose to be doing is called a distraction.distraction. Most Most outsideoutside distractions can not be stopped/controlled. distractions can not be stopped/controlled.

i.e.) flashing lights, road signs, big TVs, i.e.) flashing lights, road signs, big TVs, butbut inside inside distracters can and distracters can and mustmust be controlled to help prevent be controlled to help prevent an accident from occurring. Such thing as cell phones, an accident from occurring. Such thing as cell phones, music, and talking to friends are distracters that occur music, and talking to friends are distracters that occur inside of the car and can be controlled.inside of the car and can be controlled.

Statistics are beginning to show that talking on cell Statistics are beginning to show that talking on cell phones is a leading cause of accidents and now phones is a leading cause of accidents and now Governments are trying to implement laws preventing Governments are trying to implement laws preventing people from using their cell phones while driving. people from using their cell phones while driving.

What are some possible ways you can get around using What are some possible ways you can get around using your cell phone in the car?your cell phone in the car?

Fatigue and Reaction timeFatigue and Reaction time 15% of drivers surveyed have admitted to 15% of drivers surveyed have admitted to

falling asleep while driving!!falling asleep while driving!! Sleeping divers are not only a danger to Sleeping divers are not only a danger to

themselves, but to all others on the road as themselves, but to all others on the road as well.well.– Drivers that fall asleep can: run off the road, roll Drivers that fall asleep can: run off the road, roll

their vehicles, cross on to on coming traffic, etc. their vehicles, cross on to on coming traffic, etc. – Most people think that coffee will keep them up, Most people think that coffee will keep them up,

this is true, but since coffee is a this is true, but since coffee is a stimulantstimulant, it will , it will keep you up for a short period of time, but you keep you up for a short period of time, but you will soon crash and feel more tired than you did will soon crash and feel more tired than you did before you had the coffee, so be careful!before you had the coffee, so be careful!

– The best thing to do when you get tired is to pull The best thing to do when you get tired is to pull over and take a nap.over and take a nap.

Reaction Time and DrugsReaction Time and Drugs AnytimeAnytime you put drugs into your body, you put drugs into your body,

whether they be prescription or illegal, you whether they be prescription or illegal, you become become impairedimpaired. This means that you are . This means that you are unable to function as you normally would.unable to function as you normally would.

Prescription drugs, alcohol, illegal drugs all Prescription drugs, alcohol, illegal drugs all make it dangerous for a person to drive make it dangerous for a person to drive while under the influence of them.while under the influence of them.

Alcohol is a Alcohol is a depressant depressant drug, meaning drug, meaning that it slows the reaction time, lowers co-that it slows the reaction time, lowers co-ordination, and makes the drinker sleepy ordination, and makes the drinker sleepy when it reached the brain tissueswhen it reached the brain tissues

Blood Alcohol Concentration Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)(BAC) BAC are used in courts to determine if a person has had too BAC are used in courts to determine if a person has had too

much to drink and should much to drink and should notnot be driving be driving BACBAC is the number of milligrams of alcohol in a milliliter of blood is the number of milligrams of alcohol in a milliliter of blood

– Ex. A BAC of 0.08 means that 0.08 mg of alcohol is in 1ml of your Ex. A BAC of 0.08 means that 0.08 mg of alcohol is in 1ml of your bloodblood

BAC depends on the BAC depends on the number of drinks consumednumber of drinks consumed and the and the body body weightweight, which differs for all individuals, which differs for all individuals– One drink is often defined as 45ml of hard liquor, 150ml of wine, or One drink is often defined as 45ml of hard liquor, 150ml of wine, or

350ml of beer350ml of beer– Usually, the higher the body weight the more drinks a person can Usually, the higher the body weight the more drinks a person can

have without being over the 0.08 limit to drive….BUT this is not have without being over the 0.08 limit to drive….BUT this is not always a good judge!!always a good judge!!

– Also, BAC does not take into account how tired or how hungry a Also, BAC does not take into account how tired or how hungry a person is, someone who is tired or hungry can become impaired very person is, someone who is tired or hungry can become impaired very quickly off one drinkquickly off one drink

– BAC does not take into account age or experience. An older person BAC does not take into account age or experience. An older person might be able to have a BAC of 0.08 and not show any signs of might be able to have a BAC of 0.08 and not show any signs of impairment, while a teenager can drink the same amount and show impairment, while a teenager can drink the same amount and show more signs of impairmentmore signs of impairment

In Canada, driving with a BAC In Canada, driving with a BAC over 0.08over 0.08 will cause you to be will cause you to be arrested and charged with impaired driving, BUT if officers smell arrested and charged with impaired driving, BUT if officers smell any type of alcohol on your breath you can also be fined as well. any type of alcohol on your breath you can also be fined as well. – Officers usually look for slurred speech, slow reaction times, poor Officers usually look for slurred speech, slow reaction times, poor

walking walking (walking the line and touching your nose),(walking the line and touching your nose), etc etc

BAC EffectsBAC Effects At .020 light to moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects. At .020 light to moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects. At .040 most people begin to feel relaxed. At .040 most people begin to feel relaxed. At .060 judgment is somewhat impaired, people are less able to At .060 judgment is somewhat impaired, people are less able to

make rational decisions about their capabilities (for example, make rational decisions about their capabilities (for example, driving). driving).

At .080 there is a definite impairment of muscle coordination and At .080 there is a definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills; this is legal level for intoxication in most states. driving skills; this is legal level for intoxication in most states.

At .10 there is a clear deterioration of reaction time and control; At .10 there is a clear deterioration of reaction time and control; this is legally drunk in all states. this is legally drunk in all states.

At .120, vomiting usually occurs. Unless this level is reached At .120, vomiting usually occurs. Unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance to alcohol. slowly or a person has developed a tolerance to alcohol.

At .150, balance and movement are impaired. This blood-alcohol At .150, balance and movement are impaired. This blood-alcohol level means the equivalent of 1/2 pint of whiskey is circulating in level means the equivalent of 1/2 pint of whiskey is circulating in the blood stream. the blood stream.

At .300 many people lose consciousness, lose bowel control. At .300 many people lose consciousness, lose bowel control. At .400 most people lose consciousness; some die. At .400 most people lose consciousness; some die. At .450, breathing stops; this is a fatal dose for most people At .450, breathing stops; this is a fatal dose for most people

Collision InjuriesCollision Injuries Each year, more than 200 000 Canadians Each year, more than 200 000 Canadians

are injured in motor vehicle crashes, there are injured in motor vehicle crashes, there injuries include:injuries include:– Cuts, bruises, broken bones (possible Cuts, bruises, broken bones (possible

amputations and physiotherapy)amputations and physiotherapy)– WhiplashWhiplash– Serious burnsSerious burns– Internal injuriesInternal injuries– Head and spinal injuries, which may lead to Head and spinal injuries, which may lead to

blindness, paralysis, or brain damageblindness, paralysis, or brain damage– Physical and emotional stress, also called Physical and emotional stress, also called

traumatrauma fear of driving, grief over deaths, regretfear of driving, grief over deaths, regret

WhiplashWhiplash Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of a Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of a

person’s neck are sprainedperson’s neck are sprained Usually occurs to people in the front of a car of a rear-end Usually occurs to people in the front of a car of a rear-end

collisioncollision Seatbelts keep the body secure, but if the headrest is not Seatbelts keep the body secure, but if the headrest is not

properly adjusted your head will be ‘whipped’ forward and properly adjusted your head will be ‘whipped’ forward and backwards quickly.backwards quickly.

Neck braces are normally worn to keep the neck Neck braces are normally worn to keep the neck stabilizedstabilized and neck injuries usually appear for years to comeand neck injuries usually appear for years to come

Symptoms: Symptoms: – Neck pain and stiffness Neck pain and stiffness – Headaches Headaches – Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades – Low back pain Low back pain – Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand – Dizziness Dizziness – Ringing in the ears or blurred vision Ringing in the ears or blurred vision – Difficulty concentrating or remembering Difficulty concentrating or remembering – Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigueIrritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue

GriefGrief When it takes a long time to get over the When it takes a long time to get over the

feelings of regret and sadness, this is called feelings of regret and sadness, this is called griefgrief– Sometimes, when people are unable to talk Sometimes, when people are unable to talk

about their feelings or do not allow themselves about their feelings or do not allow themselves enough adjustment time after an emotional enough adjustment time after an emotional incident, people go into a deep emotional hole, incident, people go into a deep emotional hole, usually professional help, family and friends are usually professional help, family and friends are needed to bring them back to normal.needed to bring them back to normal.

– Just think, how would you cope or feel if you Just think, how would you cope or feel if you were driving carelessly and killed an innocent were driving carelessly and killed an innocent child?child? Close your eyes and try putting yourselves in Close your eyes and try putting yourselves in

somebody else’s shoes, a careless accident can have a somebody else’s shoes, a careless accident can have a ‘Butterfly Effect’ on all people involved in the incident‘Butterfly Effect’ on all people involved in the incident

Protection and PreventionProtection and Prevention Now-a-days, many safety features are built into Now-a-days, many safety features are built into

vehicles and roads to protect you incase of a road vehicles and roads to protect you incase of a road accidentaccident

In Alberta, the law states that In Alberta, the law states that ALLALL passengers in a passengers in a motor vehicle motor vehicle must buckle up and wear a seat must buckle up and wear a seat beltbelt– If you do not wear a seat belt, you are 3X as likely to be If you do not wear a seat belt, you are 3X as likely to be

injured while driving in a motor vehicleinjured while driving in a motor vehicle Other safety features include: air bags, anti-lock Other safety features include: air bags, anti-lock

brake systems (ABS), crumple zones, side impact brake systems (ABS), crumple zones, side impact beams- see pg. 245 for a description of thesebeams- see pg. 245 for a description of these

Also, Also, vehicle maintenancevehicle maintenance is another important is another important aspect of car safety. To ensure the safest aspect of car safety. To ensure the safest environment of driving, make sure to check tires, environment of driving, make sure to check tires, steering, lights, and windshield wipers steering, lights, and windshield wipers