Page 24 - AAA Northwest Ohio - AAA Now! May/June 2013

AAANow! AAA in Your
Community
24 may/june 2013 Call, Click or Visit AAA Northwest Ohio •AAA.com
AAANORTHWEST OHIOOFFICESTO SERVEYOU
Main Office
7150 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH 43617
(419) 843-1200 South (Branch & CCP)
5606 Airport Highway
Toledo, OH 43615
(419) 897-4455
Defiance
1007 North Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 782-3876
Port Clinton
2870-B East Harbor Road
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(419) 732-2161
Central CCP
6158 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH 43615
(419) 724-1490
HOURS OF OPERATION
Main Office
Monday-Friday • 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
HOURS OF OPERATION
Main Office
Monday-Friday • 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday • 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Branch Offices
Monday-Friday • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday • Vary by location
Car Care Plus Facilities
Monday-Friday • 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday • 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Perrysburg
26611 North Dixie Highway
Perrysburg, OH 43551
(419) 872-5000
North Towne (Branch & CCP)
308 New Towne Square Drive
Toledo, OH 43612
(419) 470-5665
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Drive CarefullyWhen School is Out
D uring summer break, children aren’t protected
by the confines of their schoolyards. It is also
more difficult for a child to judge traffic situations,
because their peripheral vision is one-third narrower
than an adult’s. So, it’s important to be alert when
driving throughout the day – especially since
children could be walking or playing anywhere and
might dart into traffic without notice.
AAA’s School’s Out – Drive Carefully campaign
advises all ages to use extra caution on roadways.
Maintaining a 20 to 30 second visual lead while
driving allows motorists time to identify unexpected
problems, and develop and execute a plan –
possibly preventing a tragedy.
Parents also need to instruct children to play in
their backyards or at playgrounds, away from traffic.
Children need to understand what to do if unsafe
situations arise, such as asking an adult to retrieve a
ball that goes into the street.
To help protect child pedestrians, AAA urges
motorists to follow these safety tips:
• When leaving for work or an appointment, leave a
few minutes early so you’re not rushed.
• Drive with your headlights on, even during the
day, so children and other drivers can see you.
• Look for areas, such as playgrounds, that indicate
children could be in the area.
• Slow down in or near residential areas and
playgrounds.
• Scan between parked cars and other objects for
signs that children could dart into the road. A ball
rolling into the street is usually followed by a child
chasing after it.
• Practice extra caution in inclement weather.
• Make eye contact with children who are about
to cross the street. Be aware of their next steps and
make them aware of yours.
Remember, summer recess from school means
children are at play – drive cautiously.
Motorcycle Safety
In 2010, more than 4,500 motorcycle
fatalities were reported.
Motorcycle fatalities have dropped during the past
few years according to the Governors Highway
Safety Association. Unfortunately, the reported use of
helmets has also declined, therefore many motorcycle
accidents cause serious head injuries.
States across the U.S. are hoping to decrease
the number of motorcycle-related injuries and
deaths by:
• Encouraging helmet use. Wearing a helmet is
required in more than 20 states
• Training police to identify drunken motorcyclists
and increasing high-visibility drunk driving
enforcement
• Enforcing speed limits. More than 35% of
motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were
speeding.
• Making rider training more accessible, with more
courses at convenient times.
• Educating motorists about sharing the road with
motorcycles.
Staying Safer on Your Motorcycle
One of the most common reasons drivers give for
cutting off or pulling out in front of a motorcycle is
that they “didn’t see it.”
Bikers can prevent crashes and injuries by:
• Keeping headlights, marker and taillights on at
dusk and in dark or rainy weather
• Staying three to four seconds behind a vehicle
they intend to pass, checking oncoming traffic
from the left side of the lane, signaling the
intention to turn, and then checking for oncoming
traffic before passing.
• Checking their rearviewmirror and quickly turning
their head to ensure the vehicle is a safe distance
behind themwhen completing a pass.
• Wearing helmets that meet a high protection
standard.
• Wearing proper clothing, eyewear and sturdy,
closed-toe footwear.
Sharing the Road with Bikers
Motorists can help to make the roads safer for
motorcyclists by taking some simple precautions:
• Be extra cautious on weekends, when more
motorcyclists take to the road.
• Provide motorcyclists adequate room to
maneuver. Follow at least three to four seconds
behind them.
• Allow extra maneuvering room in areas with
potholes, pavement transitions and railroad
crossings. Motorcyclists may need to slow down,
stop or adjust their lane position.
• Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle.
Motorcycles have the same right to lanes as any
other vehicle.
• If a motorcycle is nearby, check your mirrors
carefully before changing lanes. Motorcycles may
be in your blind spots or difficult to see because
of their smaller size.