Getting Ready for the Trip
* Plan ahead to give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.
* Stay informed about weather conditions, potential traffic hazards and highway closures.
* Check road conditions by visiting www.TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1.
* Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving starting with good tires, a good battery, and a full tank of gas.
* Carry an emergency kit and chains or traction tires, especially if traveling over mountain passes.
* Snacks and bottled water also are a good idea for long trips, especially with children.
* Carry a map in case weather or road conditions force you to take a detour. Keep family members or friends aware of any significant changes in your planned route before you take the unplanned route.
* Get plenty of rest before you leave on any trip.
* Clear snow, ice or frost from windows and headlights before you leave.
* Make sure everyone is using safety restraints and secure any cargo.
* Always have a designated driver for any holiday activities that include alcohol.

On the Road:
* Drive according to conditions. If it’s wet, icy, snowy or foggy, slow down and increase your following distance behind other vehicles to at least a four-second distance. Keep in mind that conditions may not be perfect to drive at the posted speed.
* Use headlights even in daylight to help other drivers see you.
* Don’t use cruise control in wet, icy, snowy or foggy conditions.
* Be patient with all the other traffic on the highways.
* Watch out for pedestrians now that the days are shorter and darker, and remember they’re often in dark clothing.
* If you get tired or drowsy, stop and rest during your trip or get a rested and sober licensed driver behind the wheel.
* There are still many construction zones on our highways, and even though work will be inactive over the holiday weekend there may be equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway. Stay alert and slow down because all work zone speed limits still apply and fines increase in these areas.
* Don’t drink and drive or get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Drive slowly, and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.

Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call, text, or surf. Get more mobile phone safety tips.

Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.

Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street.

Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.

Consider indoor community Halloween programs for younger kids. Some communities also offer to help you inspect your kids’ treats to make sure they’re safe to eat.

Brighten them up. Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.

Tips courtesy of: NHTSA

• Make adjustments for the light Did you know we lose a minute of daylight everday until the clocks are set back in November? Fewer hours of daylight mean it’s harder to see pedestrians, cyclists, and children playing in the late afternoon. Also, later sunrises mean that driver’s need to adjust to the brighter sun at different times of the morning. Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car to block the sun.

• Avoid driving over wet leaves. Fall foliage is beautiful but once those leaves start falling and get wet from rain, they can become a serious driving hazard. Wet leaves are slippery and reduce traction.
• Don’t Veer for Deer. If a crash with a deer is unavoidable, remember don’t swerve. Be sure to brake firmly and hold onto the steering wheel with both hands. Come to a controlled stop and move the vehicle out of traffic to a safe location.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your car. Carrying an emergency kit in your car trunk or cargo area can be a real lifesaver. Be sure to include a flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit, jumper cables, extra washer fluid, nonperishable food, a jug of water, and a few basic tools such as wrenches, a ratchet/socket set, screwdrivers, and pliers.
• Watch for frost. Low nighttime temperatures cause frost on windshields and roads. Be sure to clear your windshield completely before driving. Also, slow down when approaching bridges and overpasses, as these structures are more prone to collect frost on the roadway surface. Stay alert for shaded areas that could create black ice during early morning and evening hours.
• Plan ahead for changing weather conditions. Have your car winterized before the winter storm season sets in. Keeping your car in good condition decreases your chance of being stranded in cold weather. Also, be sure to have a first-aid kit, thermal blanket, a working flashlight, a shovel and sand in your car.
• Watch for construction work zones. Construction work zones may still be active. Consult MDOT’s Mi Drive traffic Web site to plan your route. Please remember to slow down and pay attention in work zones. The life you save could be your own.

Enjoy this time of year from the scenery to the weather, but always remember to be safe.

Around the country, children are heading back to school if they have not already. It is a nerve wracking time of year for the little ones and their parents. One less thing they need to worry about, is if they are going to be safe. When leaving for work, look behind you and in all directions before backing up, especially if you live near a bus stop. Be mindful of school zones; your call, email, or text can surely wait. Along with those tips, here are 5 more to follow all year, but especially as you get used to the kids being out and about again.

1.) Observe School Zone Speeds

Although you should be obeying posted speed limits all the time, it is especially important during the school year. Children are continually crossing roads on their way to and from school and often aren’t paying attention, so going slowly and being vigilant is extremely crucial to keeping kids safe. In addition, children are often out at recess, lunch hour, and for certain classes, so it’s important to drive slowly the whole day and not just during high traffic times in the morning and afternoon.

2.) Obey the Crossing Guard

The crossing guard is there to keep children safe. So, if you come up to a set of lights, and the light turns green in your favour, but the crossing guard still says stop, his/her direction takes precedence. There might be a child still crossing the street that you can’t see or something else. Whatever the reason, they are trying to keep kids from harm, so it’s important to do what they say.

3.) Exercise Caution around School Buses

The school bus is a great way for kids to get to and from school, however, because of the large amount of children entering and exiting the bus at various stops, it’s imperative that extra caution is used when driving around a school bus. Obviously, you shouldn’t pass a school bus when the signal lights are flashing (as kids are often crossing the road at that time), and in addition, you should always watch your speed around school buses as a generally precautionary measure.

4.) Watch for Darting Children

Kids are small, excitable creatures and unfortunately for drivers, this can create dangerous situations on the roads. It’s important to be continually vigilant and alert behind the wheel this back to school season. You never know when a small child might dart out from between two parked cars and your fast reflexes are what’s needed to prevent an accident.

5.) Don’t Forget about the Frosh

It’s back to school season for more than just little kids. If you live in an area that has a college or university, you’re probably used to the massive number of students invading your home town each fall, and probably don’t think much of it. However these students are often not as cautious as they normally would be (especially if it’s their freshman year), and cross the roads without looking. Being extra vigilant around these students could save both an accident and a life.

Tips courtesy of AAA.

Many managers and supervisors say that one of their biggest safety challenges
is preventing experienced drivers and other front-line workers who get
complacent after years on the route or at a landfill from having accidents or
getting hurt. After driving the same route or assembling truck bodies for five or
10 years without an accident, it may be human nature to be a little less attentive
to potential hazards.

This would be a mistake.

Many accidents that occur in solid waste collection involve older drivers or
helpers who have been with their companies for a long time. Some workers get
into a “comfort zone” and think they are invincible because they haven’t had
any incidents. This creates a false sense that “it isn’t going to happen to me.”
For hundreds of collection crews each year, this is shattered by being involved
in a serious or even fatal accident.

Treat every day like it’s your first day on the job. Don’t rush. Keep your eyes
and ears open at all times. Follow the safety rules. Expect the unexpected.
Bring your “A game” to your job, and you are much more likely to go home to
your family, healthy, every Day.

Blog post courtesy of NSWMA WASTEC Safety Monday.

Exhibiting in Booth #304, AWTI will take part in expo and conference activities as a proud member of the APWA organization and will feature the company’s latest innovations in MobileVision™ and safety camera technology. Built with the highest military specs and heavy-duty equipment in the industry, AWTI will be conducting on-site demos of DriveSafe™, their cutting-edge safety solution that manages driver behavior with in-cab observation and SD recording.

All of AWTI’s safety solutions and mobile camera systems will be on display throughout the duration of the show, beginning Wednesday, May 25 through Thursday, May 26.

Follow AWTI during the event via Twitter and Facebook and feel free to visit AWTI on the web at www.awti.net.

Facebook.com/AWTI3rdEye

Twitter.com/AWTI3rdEye

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About Alliance Wireless Technologies, Inc.

Alliance Wireless Technologies, Inc. is the leader in safety camera system and risk mitigation technology. Creator of 3^rd Eye MobileVision™, AWTI is known for setting the standard in safety by providing heavy-duty (HD) equipment purposed for complete risk mitigation.

AWTI’s full product line is judiciously designed, manufactured and implemented to solve the toughest challenges facing the industry including Safety and Driver Management, Risk Management and Litigation Defense and Operations Management for increased efficiency and total fleet performance. For more information, visit Alliance Wireless Technologies, Inc. on the web at www.AWTI.net.

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As a WasteExpo attendee, make sure to stop by the AWTI 3rd Eye MobileVision™ booth for the exclusive chance to meet former Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champs Preston Pearson and Ed “Too Tall” Jones along with Hall of Famer and “Ring of Honor” pro Randy White. AWTI will host a complimentary autograph signing and “Photos With the Pros” during select show hours on Tuesday and Wednesday in Booth #4367.

Steadfast in our commitment to safety, AWTI will also offer on-site demos of the latest in video camera safety systems and risk mitigation technology. We invite you to come check out our heavy-duty (HD) safety and security systems built to last, designed to reduce accidents, diminish risk and help save lives. AWTI will host the Dallas Cowboys pros signing and pictures in Booth #4376 during the below-listed times…

Tuesday, May 10
Randy White, 11-2 pm

Wednesday, May 11
Preston Pearson, 11-2 pm
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, 1-3 pm

Don’t miss your chance to visit AWTI and mingle with the pros! We look forward to a fantastic week with you at WasteExpo!

AWTI 3rd Eye MobileVision™
Booth #4367

P.S. You can also follow us during the show for more pics of the pros and to receive player updates on Facebook (Facebook.com/AWTI3rdEye) and Twitter (Twitter.com/AWTI3rdEye)!

Monday May 9

EIA Golf Invitational at Cowboys Golf Club @8am

Labrie Distributor Round Up Dinner (Invitation Only) @6:30pm

Tuesday May 10-Exhibit Hall opens at 10am

Randy White Autograph Signing -  11-2

Wednesday May 11

T. Boone Pickens Speaks @9am

Preston Pearson Autograph Signing  11-2

Ed “Too Tall” Jones Autograph Signing  1-3

Environmental Solutions Group Customer Appreciation Event (invitation only) @ 5:30

It’s going to be the best show yet! Stop by our booth for photo ops, golf goodies, football goodies, and much much more! Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for up to the minute pictures and info all week long. If you are at Waste Expo 2011, you don’t want to miss us!

Reduce Your Risk

Driving in wet weather can be stressful, so it makes sense to minimize any other risk factors. Try to postpone your travel if you are also facing a long night drive, or if you are angry, upset or fatigued.

Foul weather gear can be cumbersome. Remove bulky coats and gloves before you get into the driver’s seat.

“Waterproof” Your Vehicle

Rain, slush and mud are hard on your vehicle. Be prepared for the rainy season by thoroughly checking your tires, brakes, heating and cooling system, battery and ignition system, wipers, and lights.

Head Into the Storm, or Wait It Out?
Driving in the rain is often most dangerous in the first 10 minutes of heavy downpour. When rain initially begins, it brings oil and debris to the surface of the road and the ground does not have time to absorb the moisture. This makes it more likely that cars will hydroplane, skid, or get stuck in the mud. If you can, delay you travel for a few minutes.

Review Your Wet Weather Driving Skills
You’ve prepared your vehicle, so it is roadworthy even in bad weather. You know you should remain aware of road conditions and reduce your speed. What else can you do to minimize your risks?

Brush up on your response to wet weather driving risks:

• Steer around an obstacle rather than braking, if possible. In wet weather, sudden braking can put you into a skid. Review the push-pull-slide method and fixed-hand method of steering.
• Do not rely on cruise control in wet weather.
• Control speed and avoid hard braking and sharp turns to reduce your risk of hydroplaning and skidding.
• Increase your following distance. Focus your attention as far ahead as possible – at least 20 to 30 seconds.
• If you become stuck, and you are driving a vehicle with manual transmission, rock your way out by using second gear.
• If you become stuck, and you are driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission, use low gear. Move forward until the vehicle stops, then shift into reverse and move backwards until momentum stops. Repeat this process using minimum power to prevent wheels from spinning and digging in deeper.
• If necessary, create traction by using mats, gravel, or kitty litter.

While we wait out the April Showers for the May flowers, be cautious. Large trucks, please remember the little guys on the road too. Sometimes the spray from a truck is more dangerous for visibility than the storm itself. Drive safe out there this month.

Need the tools to make your drivers safe? Always check back with AWTI.net for products.