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AAA

Health officials recommend against traveling at the holidays

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As the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise, health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending against travel during the Christmas holidays.

Travelers and employees at Tampa International Airport are wearing masks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of Tampa International Airport)

The CDC’s website warns: “Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19.”

It also advises: “Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”

CDC health experts also note that even if you and your travel companions, including children, feel well and are not exhibiting symptoms, you can still spread COVID-19 to family, friends and community after travel.

“If you have a known exposure to COVID-19, you should delay travel, quarantine yourself from other people, get tested, and monitor your health,” the website advises.

If you do decide to travel, be sure to take these steps during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, the CDC recommends:

  • Check travel restrictions before you go
  • Get your flu shot before you travel
  • Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer
  • Do not travel if you or your travel companions are sick
  • Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs, such as airports and stations
  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart, about two arm-lengths, from anyone who is not from your travel group
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Traveling by air?
Here is some information that will prove useful to those traveling through Tampa International Airport:

  • Masks are required for all employees, passengers and visitors at Tampa International Airport. The airport will provide masks to passengers, if necessary, which can be found at the information kiosk, in the main terminal. Masks are available for purchase at the airport’s newsstands. Masks should be worn over your mouth and nose at all times, except for when you are eating or drinking.
  • There are social distancing stickers and markers throughout the airport, to keep passengers and employees at a safe distance from one another. Blocked seating exists at all gates, and there are plexiglass shields where passengers may interact with employees. Try to observe the CDC’s recommended 6 feet of social distance. As a point of reference, 6 feet is about the length of two rolling carryon bags.
  • Wash/sanitize your hands frequently. There are plenty of sinks and soap, and also strategically placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the airport. Hand sanitizer and wipes also can be purchased at newsstands, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in carry-on luggage.
  • Go touchless. Use mobile boarding passes, fill a reusable bottle at water bottle-filling stations, and use touchless payment at shops and restaurants. All of the airport’s shops, restaurants and kiosks accept credits cards, and some allow you to swipe your card in front of sensors to pay without ever pressing a button. If you do have to exchange cards or cash with an employee, be sure to wash or sanitize your hands immediately after.
  • Carry on your luggage when possible; that limits the number of hands touching bags. It also allows passengers to bypass baggage claims areas, and streamlines your journey from curbside to the gate, and back.
  • Arrive early. For domestic flights, plan on arriving at least two hours early; for international flights, plan on arriving at least three hours early. That’s especially important, to avoid congestion at TSA checkpoints.

Traveling by car? These tips from AAA’s newsroom may prove useful:

  • Plan ahead: Check with state and local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place.
  • Follow public health guidance. Also, be sure to pack face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health. Also pack water and extra snacks to reduce the need to stop along your trip.
  • Before any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions they are taking to protect guests. Ask about social distancing protocols, such as capacity reductions in common spaces, hotel staff requirements to wear masks at all times and if all amenities are available, such as restaurant dining.
  • Car rentals – If renting a car, ask what has been done to clean the vehicle. For extra peace of mind, use disinfecting wipes to wipe down door handles, steering wheels, shifters and control panels.

Published December 16, 2020

Safety first, when viewing holiday lights

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A great way to get into the holiday spirit is to enjoy holiday lights from your car, while maintaining social distance.

As you visit a community display or check out decorations in your neighborhood, though, remember to stay safe on the road to avoid unnecessary risks behind the wheel.

“Drive-thru events and activities have been a go-to for family fun throughout 2020,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA-The Auto Club Group, said  in a news release.

“Personal vehicles can help you safely share in the joys of the season, but combining driving with other activities could land you on the naughty list,” Jenkins said.

The Auto Club reminds offers these safety reminders, to help you keep safe when you are viewing light displays, while driving:

  • Watch for pedestrians, especially in residential areas. People on foot may be more interested in the lights, than oncoming traffic.
  • Remain seated and buckled, even while parked on the roadside.
  • Pull over if you need to program your navigation system, check a map, take pictures, or do anything that will take your attention off the task of driving. You can also delegate those tasks to a passenger.
  • Do not come to a complete stop in a traffic lane. If you encounter someone who has stopped, only pass if it is safe and legal to do so.
  • If you visit a drive-thru event and are asked to turn off your headlights, remember to turn them back on when you exit the display.

As always, check weather and roadway conditions before you go out.

Published December 16, 2020

Auto Club urges driver awareness as classes resume

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As Florida students begin the school year, either virtually or in-person, AAA – the Auto Club Group is urging motorists to slow down and stay alert in both neighborhoods and school zones.

“This pandemic could create risky conditions on the roadway,” Mark Jenkins, Auto Club Group spokesman, said in a AAA news release.

“Schools are reopening in different phases and drivers may be unsure of where they’ll encounter students. Regardless, AAA urges drivers to be extremely cautious around school zones and bus stops. You should also treat neighborhoods like school zones, as students doing virtual classes could be outside at various times throughout the day,” Jenkins said.

Here are driver tips from AAA’s School’s Open-Drive Carefully campaign:

• Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster, according to AAA.
• Come to a complete stop. More than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Check carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• Eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles the chances of crashing. Children can move quickly — crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging from between two parked cars. Do not use a cellphone or eat while driving, for example.
• Follow the law. Florida drivers can be cited for using a handheld device while driving through designated school crossings or active school zones. The noncriminal traffic infraction is punishable as a moving violation and carries a base $60 fine, which does not include court costs or other fees. Three points will be assessed against the driver’s license.
• Watch for school buses. Drivers are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arm extended.
• Watch for bicycles. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a cyclist. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wears a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.
• Talk to your teen. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one-in-four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurs during the afterschool hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit AAA.com and click on the Community link.

Published August 19, 2020

Deadliest days ahead for teen drivers

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The combination of closed schools, canceled activities and COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, could prove deadly as teens take to the road this summer.

Nationwide, more than 30% of deaths involving teen drivers occur during the “100 Deadliest Days,” a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to AAA – The Auto Group, in a news release.

Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashes. According to the new AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers, ages 16 to 18, admitted to engaging in at least one of these risky behaviors in the past 30 days:

  • Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a resident street (47%)
  • Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)
  • Texting (35%)
  • Red light running (32%)
  • Aggressive driving (31%)
  • Drowsy driving (25%)
  • Driving without a seatbelt (17%)

To keep roads safer this summer, AAA encourages parents to:

  • Talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior while behind the wheel.
  • Teach by example to help minimize risky behavior.
  • Set up a parent-teen driving agreement with family rules.
  • Supervise at least 50 hours of practice driving with the teen.

To support parents to conduct practice driving sessions, AAA is providing a free four-page guide to help parents coach their teens. The guide, “Coaching Your New Driver – An In-Car Guide for Parents,” can be found online at TeenDriving.AAA.com/FL/.

The auto group website also offers other resources, including how to set driving parameters with the AAA Mobile app.

Published June 17, 2020

A bit of help, for safety on the roadway

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As Floridians seek outdoor exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, cities are seeing an increase in bicycling.

Members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a donation of 500 bicycle helmets to distribute to children and those in need. (Courtesy of AAA-The Auto Group)

While the American Automobile Association (AAA) urges residents to follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it also wants to help to make sure people are safe when out on the roadway.

To promote bicycle safety, AAA-The Auto Club Group has donated 1,000 bicycle helmets to be distributed to children and others in need throughout Hillsborough County.

“School-aged children are staying closer to home right now, which means more time spent riding their bicycles. Florida law requires children 16 years and under to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, not everyone does,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in a news release.

That led AAA to partner with local law enforcement to ensure children can get a helmet if they do not have one, added Jenkins.

Recently, 500 helmets were delivered to both the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police Department. Deputies and officers are planning to distribute the helmet.

For information on how to fit a helmet, COVID-related tips, and general bicycle safety, visit AAA’s Bike Basics Guide at tinyurl.com/y7wdcexz.

Published May 13, 2020

Protect your vehicle while it sits unused

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Many cars will be parked in the driveway or garage for at least another month, as a result of the statewide Stay-At-Home Order urging residents to shelter in place, unless they are making essential trips, as outlined by the executive order.

According to a news release from AAA-The Auto Club Group, state figures show that residents already are driving less, in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’

“Leaving the car unused for an extended period of time could leave it vulnerable to problems with your battery, brakes and tires,” said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in the release.

“There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your vehicle is ready to roll when it’s time to hit the road again,” Jenkins added.

The auto group offers these tips for longer-than-expected parked vehicles:

  • Battery boost. Start your vehicle every couple of days to keep the battery at a full state and prevent deterioration. Let the engine run for a few minutes to recharge, then turn it off.
  • Tire pressure. Add 10 psi of pressure (more than usual) to each tire to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. You can also move the vehicle a couple of feet periodically.
  • Windshield wiper placement. Prop up the wiper arms so the blades are off the windshield. This way the wipers will not get stuck to the glass.
  • No parking brake. Do not use the parking brake when storing the vehicle. The brake could become frozen, and the brake pads could rust the rotors or the brake shoes could distort the drums. For an automatic transmission, simply put the vehicle in park. For a manual transmission, put it in first gear or reverse gear and use wheel chocks to help hold the vehicle in place.
  • Sun shade. If your car is always outdoors and exposed to the sun, use a sun shade to prevent UV rays from deteriorating the dashboard and steering wheel.

Published April 15, 2020

Slow down, move over – for safety

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The American Automobile Association (AAA) is urging drivers to help protect the lives of tow truck operators and first responders, by launching the Slow Down, Move Over campaign.

The towing industry is 15 times deadlier than all other private industries combined — one tow operator is killed in the line of duty every other week in the United States, according to a AAA news release.

While all 50 states have Move Over Laws for emergency responders, which includes tow trucks, fewer than 30% of Americans know about these laws, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.

In Florida, the Move Over Law requires drivers to:

  • Move over as soon as it is safe to do so for any authorized vehicles displaying visible signs while stopped on the roadside.
  • Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching an emergency vehicle with lights flashing parked on the side of a two-lane road, and proceed with caution.
  • Change lanes if you can, or reduce your speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle on the side of a multi-lane roadway.
  • Slow down and maintain a safe speed while passing, if you are unable to move over due to road or weather conditions, or traffic congestion.

Failure to adhere to the Move Over Law can result in a $60 fine.

Drivers should Slow Down and Move Over for stopped vehicles, including tow trucks or wreckers; law enforcement; fire department; emergency medical service; Department of Transportation; and, utility and sanitation service.

For information on the laws, visit DrivingLaws.aaa.com.

Published February 05, 2020

Learn to share the road, for everyone’s safety

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According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), about 2 percent of deaths in motor vehicle crashes each year are bicyclists.

The American Automobile Association urges bicyclists and motorists to properly share the roadways, including bicyclists riding in the same direction as traffic and wearing properly fitted helmets. (Christine Holtzman)

Although child bicyclist deaths have declined over the years, deaths among bicyclists age 20 and older have tripled since 1975.

Florida leads the nation in bicycle fatalities. Of the 783 pedalcyclists killed in 2017 in the United States, 125 (16 percent) were in Florida, as shown by the latest figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

A recent AAA survey of Florida cyclists reveals that 36 percent do not wear a helmet; 56 percent ride with traffic, 21 percent ride against traffic; and 74 percent of those who ride against traffic do so because they prefer to see approaching vehicles.

As Ride to Work Day nears on June 17, the NHTSA and AAA offer these safety tips to those on the road:

Bicyclist safety tips

  • Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, instead of on sidewalks.
  • Follow the same road rules as other roadway users do, including riding in the same direction as traffic, and obeying all the same traffic signs and signals.
  • Signal all turns.
  • Wear a properly fitted helmet every time, on every ride.
  • Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low-light conditions, and use head and tail lights at night.
  • Show motorists the same courtesy you expect from them. Respect is a two-way street.

Safety tips for motorists

  • Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.
  • Yield to bicyclists while turning.
  • Check mirrors and blind spots for bicyclists.
  • Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.
  • Give bicyclists extra passing room in bad weather.
  • Do not honk the horn at a bicyclist, as it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway.
  • Check for bicyclists before opening your car door.
  • Expect the unexpected from children on bicycles.

Published June 12, 2019

Florida agency offers safety tips for holiday travelers

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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, there is expected to be an influx of events, as well as travelers heading out on the road.

To better prepare drivers for a safe and fun weekend, the Florida Highway Patrol is offering several tips for the road.

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Florida is expected to have an influx of motorists on the road. The Florida Highway Patrol has several safety tips to help keep travelers out of harm’s way. (File)

With a 20-cent decline in Florida’s average gas price compared to last year, this is seen as an incentive for more motorists on the road, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The agency anticipates an uptick in the holiday’s traffic from last year – an estimated two million drivers statewide.

“Pasco [County] is a rapidly growing community,” said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, public affairs officer for the Florida Highway Patrol Tampa branch.

He noted that with the current traffic that already consumes Interstate 75 and U.S. 301, there will most likely be additional motorists coming into the county for the holiday.

Whether for an occasion or not, the No. 1 priority should always be wearing seatbelts before taking off, the sergeant mentioned.

“They’re the device that’s going to keep you safe, keep you inside the vehicle,” he added. “You have a lot of injuries that could be avoided if you put the seatbelts on.”

Multitasking while behind the wheel can be habitual for some drivers.

However, putting aside any distractions, especially those requiring the use of hands – such as a phone or food – is the best course of action, Gaskins recommended.

He also stated that while others in the vehicle may be preoccupied, the driver’s task should be solely focused on the road.

And, provided that there are other occupants with valid driver’s licenses in the vehicle, it is wise to assign rotating drivers when taking lengthy road trips.

This helps to lessen the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, Gaskin reasoned.

In addition, those who are the single designated driver on a long trip should consider taking frequent pit-stops to rest and replenish themselves.

The sergeant also noted that designated drivers should also be assigned to those who maybe intoxicated. If that individual cannot be accompanied by someone sober to drive, taking a driving service such as Uber or Lyft should be planned ahead of time.

Gaskin also emphasized that “a designated driver is the one who drinks nothing – not the least.”

With road rage as a reoccurring issue, the sergeant encourages motorists to exercise patience and prepare for a busier than usual wait time.

“If you see someone driving aggressively, back off – give them space,” he advised, also discouraging shouting or using obscene hand gestures.

One prevention method is for motorists to pre-plan their schedule, giving themselves extra leeway to reach their destination on time.

This lessens the need to race on the road and lowers anxiety, Gaskin said.

The sergeant assures that State Troopers will be working around the clock for the holiday as a DUI squad, but hopes that citations and arrests will not be an issue.

To report accidents or erratic behavior on the road, motorists are encouraged to dial *347 (FHP).

For additional tips or updates, those on Twitter can follow the Florida Highway Patrol at: @FLHSMV, or visit its website at FLHSMV.gov.

Published May 22, 2019

Florida aims to stop motorists from texting while driving

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign into law a measure that would allow tickets to be issued to motorists for texting while driving — as a primary offense.

The current law considers texting while driving a secondary offense — meaning motorists can only be cited for the offense, if they are initially pulled over for another violation.

A new Florida statute would constitute texting while driving as a primary offense. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the measure into law, and if he does, it will take effect on July 1. (Christine Holtzman)

The Florida House passed a bill on April 29 to limit distracted drivers, several days after the Senate version of the bill was passed.

“We’ve been very happy with the Legislature passing the bill,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for the American Automobile Association (AAA). “This shows that lawmakers are dedicated to making the road safer and taking distracted driving very seriously.”

Jenkins said a driver is eight times more likely to be involved in an accident when texting.

If DeSantis signs the measure, motorists will be able to text while stationary, such as at a stoplight, and will be able use their phones for navigation purposes.

Talking on the phone will not be generally prohibited for drivers, but there will be hands-free areas, such as school or work zones. In these areas, devices such as Bluetooth would be acceptable.

In Pasco County, eight citations and 13 warnings regarding texting on the road were issued last year.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco expressed his approval for the bill, mentioning several key lawmakers who sponsored it.

“We thank Sen. (Wilton) Simpson and Rep. (Chris) Sprowls for their leadership in addressing the important issue of distracted driving. We believe this bill will help keep our citizens safe and look forward to it becoming law in the near future,” Nocco said, in a statement.

Florida is set to  join 43 states that have made texting while driving a primary offense.

Once signed by the governor, the law would go into effect on July 1.

The hands-free requirement while talking in zones would take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, following a three-month warning period.

Published May 08, 2019