Escaping from a Submerged Vehicle

The need to escape from a sinking vehicle is a rarity. According to available data less than one-half of 1 percent of all auto crashes involve submersion. Yet, it does happen, and we need to ask the question whether we would be able to survive such an experience?

With enough know-how, survival is definitely possible and we need to equip motorists with information that will enable them to survive. Motorists seldom have to confront a bridge collapsing underneath them and the risks are more often associated with cars driving off quay-sides or into rivers. Also included are problems that arise when the parking brake isn't applied properly with cars simply rolling down embankments into lakes or rivers.

More common occurrences include being swept off the road in a flash flood as a result of a natural disaster. It is important to acknowledge that not all experts agree on all the survival tips and the precise sequence of escape - but there are some common threads that need to be identified and learnt from. On balance, it seems that the best course of action is to try and get out as soon as possible.

What to expect from a sinking vehicle?

•             The speed at which a car will sink depends on several factors, including the distance of the fall, speed and angle of entry and the physical characteristics of the vehicle.

•             Most entries of vehicles into the water are smooth entries with the water cushioning the blow.  Most people survive the initial impact with minimal or no injury at all.

•             If you remain relatively calm there should be enough time for you to take action to save your life and the lives of your passengers.

•             Newer cars that are better at keeping sound out will likely also be better at keeping water out.

•             Most vehicles will float for a minute or two before beginning to sink. Cars usually sink at an angle, with the weight of the engine pulling down the front first. A rear-engine car sinks trunk-first.

•             It is possible that the vehicle might flip onto its roof in deeper water.

•             In a test in a controlled environment experts from the police tried to sink a car and were surprised to find that it took 5 minutes for the vehicle to sink.

•             In a car that sinks front first, there will be a bubble of air in the back, but you should stay in the front ... the front windows are often bigger and easier to get out of — for all passengers.

 

Basic Survival Tips

1. Staying calm

•             Experts agree that before you leap into action you should take a few deep breaths and calm yourself down.

•             Making educated decisions could mean the difference between life and death.

•             Once you have panicked you can't think clearly, you can't focus and you won't be able to save yourself.

•             Staying calm and helping any passengers to stay calm is the single most important thing you can do to survive a car sinking in water.

 

2. Seatbelt

•             Many people fear that if they are wearing a seatbelt they will not be able to unbuckle it and will be trapped in the vehicle.

•             This fear is however unfound - A seatbelt is designed for quick release, and without it there is nothing to hold you in place, nothing to keep your head from slamming into the steering wheel or dashboard. (Hitting water at speed is comparable to hitting a wall.) 

•             If you were knocked unconscious you would be helpless. You wouldn’t have a chance to save yourself, let alone help anyone else. If you and any passengers are wearing seatbelts, chances of survival are much greater.

•             The first instinct may be to unbuckle your seat belt and try to escape, but experts warn that passengers should first check their surroundings.

•             You want to make sure the impact is over before you take off your seat belt. This might include the possibility of other cars or foreign objects heading toward the vehicle.

•             If a belt won’t release, find something with which to cut it.

•             Unbuckling your seat belt will allow greater freedom of movement.

•             Be aware that the seatbelts might not retract; take care not to get tangled.

•             If your head restraints are removable, pull them out when you release your seatbelt to enable easy passage for rear passengers.

 

3. Opening windows / doors

•             Once a vehicle sinks it may turn sideways or upside down.

•             Occupants who are not buckled in with a seat belt will float within the vehicle and can easily become disoriented. It then becomes extremely difficult for them to find the windows or door handles.

•             If you remain in your seated position (as you will if your seatbelt remains fastened) you will retain your orientation regardless of what position the vehicle is in.

•             In some instances, the vehicle will sink quickly and you won’t have time to roll down the windows. Again, stay calm, unbuckle your seat belt and check on passengers.

•             If you are sinking rapidly, you need to wait for the water pressure inside the vehicle to become equal to the pressure outside.

•             Even though it might sound strange, it might be best to let the vehicle sink further and wait until things settle. Let the vehicle fill up with more water before attempting to open a window or door.

•             This is because water rushing against a vehicle weighs thousands of pounds.

•             Trying to open a door or window with that kind of pressure wastes valuable time and energy. And if you were successful, the onrush of water most likely would push you away, even pin you under the dash.

•             It's only when internal pressure is equal to outside pressure that you can open the car door.

•             When you are ready to open a door, the recommendation is to always choose a door on the side away from the water flow. It's much easier to open a door on the down river side of flowing water.

•             Once you have escaped via the door or an open window the next best thing might be the roof of the vehicle and to consider from there the safest way of moving to safety.

Equip yourself with a few necessities

•             If the door does not open and the window does not turn down you might have to break the window

•             This might be t is easier said than done - automotive windows are made of tempered glass which is extremely strong.

•             It takes a concentrated force against a very small area of the glass to shatter it.

•             If you have a window shattering tool, use it to break either the side or rear window to escape.

•             Spring-loaded punch has a steel tip that can shatter a window. Hardware stores call this an “automatic center punch” because it’s used to mark wood or metal before drilling a hole.

•             Even though you might not have the best surviving tools for an “under water escape” there are everyday tools that might help you to shatter the window. 

•             An old spark plug, kept in your glove compartment, is heavy and strong enough to break a window.

Golden safety rules

•             It may seem obvious - but don't try to save anything except lives. Computers, phones, purses, jewellery, etc. can be replaced - you can't!

•             What about passengers in the vehicle?  - Before you can save anyone else, you have to first save yourself!

•             Once you reach the surface, take a few seconds to get your bearings, and if you have the swimming skills, take a deep breath and go back down. Hopefully, you can help someone else escape.

•             Unless there is another person in the car that you are trying to save, you should never go back into a sinking or submerged vehicle. There is nothing, short of saving another person that is worth the risk.

•             You and your passengers need to focus on one goal only and that is “to exit the car as quickly as possible”.

Escape and Safety from Vehicle Fire

Tens of thousands of lives have been lost globally in the last few decades due to car entrapment deaths. In this section we will analyze the threat of vehicle fires and provide advice on how to act in these emergencies.

Data from the United States reveals the importance of awareness about this threat to safety on the road:

•             More people die in vehicle fires than in apartment fires each year in the United States where nearly 1 out of 5 fires involve motor vehicles.

•             U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 278,000 vehicle fires in the United States during 2006. These fires caused an estimated 490 civilian deaths and 1,200 civilian injuries.

•             Of those fires, 75 percent were caused by bad maintenance, mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions. Collisions or overturns caused only 3% of these fires but 57% of the associated deaths.

•             Older teens and young adults are age groups at highest risk of highway vehicle fire death.

•             One-third of non-fatal vehicle fire injuries occurred when civilians attempted to fight the fire themselves.

Nature of the threat:

While explosions from car fires are rare, the true danger is the toxic fumes. Motor vehicles are made of many synthetic materials that emit harmful and deadly gases when they burn. A main by-product of fires is a lethal concentration of carbon monoxide, which is odourless, colourless and tasteless gas.

Fire can cause fatal or depilating burn injuries. A vehicle fire can generate heat upwards of 1,500 F. Flames in vehicles can often shoot out distances of 10 feet or more. Parts of the vehicle can burst because of heat, shooting debris great distances.  Bumper and hatchback door unit, two-piece tire rims, magnesium wheels, drive shafts, grease seals, axle, and engine parts, all can become lethal shrapnel. Fires may also cause air bags to deploy.

Hazardous materials such as battery acid can cause injury even without burning.

Cause of Vehicle Fires

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the US reports that about one fifth of all fires reported are motor vehicle fires, and the majority of vehicle fires are not related to crashes. These fires do not seem to attract much attention or investigation, because they do not usually result in injury or property claims beyond the vehicle replacement cost.

Vehicle fires usually progress slowly in the early stages, allowing occupants time to escape injury. Injury or fatalities usually occur in cases where an occupant is asleep, disabled, intoxicated, or too young to escape.

Most vehicle fires start in the engine compartment. A motor vehicle contains many flammable materials, including flammable liquids like gasoline and oil as well as solid combustibles such as upholstery. Fuel leaks from ruptured fuel lines also can rapidly ignite.

Leakage of fuel, motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, or even coolant can lead to engine fires, and the leakage of a flammable or combustible liquid in an engine compartment results from some kind of failure. The failure may be a result of normal wear and tear, failure of a mechanic to make repairs safely, design failure which leads to rupture or abrasion of hoses or manufacturing defects in hoses, gaskets or fluid connections.

When a brand new vehicle (or one which has had very recent repairs) burns, failure of the manufacturer (or a mechanic) to safely tighten all fluid connections is the most likely cause.

Car batteries pose a fairly unique hazard - hydrogen gas evolved in the electrolysis reaction ignites readily in fire conditions and can result in an explosive dispersion of battery acid.

About 15 percent of motor vehicle fires originate in the passenger compartment. The main causes of these are electrical short circuits and cigarettes.

Preventing Vehicle Fires

Vehicle maintenance and inspection is crucial to preventing vehicle fires. The following suggestion might prevent vehicle fires:

•             Have your vehicles inspected at least annually by a trained, professional technician.

•             Check for any malfunctioning parts and hanging electrical wirings. Do not leave them hanging.

•             Include a check of the fuel system in your regular maintenance schedule. Electrical and fuel system or problems are the major causes of car fires.

•             Watch for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blistered hoses, or wiring that is loose, has exposed metal or has cracked insulation.

•             Have vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible if exhaust or emission control problems are suspected.

•             An early indication of a problem is a fuse that blows more than once. The source of the triggered fuse could be either a faulty component or a wiring problem.

•             Check for oil leaks and always use a funnel when adding oil. Oil spilled on a hot exhaust manifold can cause a fire.

•             If a filling station attendant adds oil, double check that the cap is on securely. This sounds obvious, but better to check than end up with oil all over your engine compartment at best, or an engine fire at worst.

•             Clean the vehicle regularly - Do not allow your trash to settle in the vehicle.

•             Avoid throwing cigarette butts anywhere

•             When driving - Be alert to changes in the way your vehicle sounds when running, or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the tailpipe. A louder than usual exhaust tone, smoke coming from the tailpipe or a backfiring exhaust could mean problems or damage to the high-temperature exhaust and emission control system on the vehicle.

•             Observe your gauge frequently - Check if the temperature is rising.

 

Advice when Vehicle is on Fire

In the automotive world, smoke does not necessarily mean fire. Depending on the age of the vehicle, it could be steam from the radiator, often caused by a broken fan belt or over-heated engine. The simple fact is if your vehicle is smoking or putting off odours, something's gone wrong. A burning car is a death trap. Smoke accumulates quickly within the sealed doors and windows and rising heat and the fire itself make a time bomb out of the gas tank. Escape from a burning car is a challenge that requires fast thinking and even faster acting.

Here are safety suggestions to follow when your vehicle is smoking/ on fire:

•             Stay as calm as you can. The worst possible thing that you can do is panic. Panic will cause you to waste precious seconds and make mistakes that could end up being tragic.

•             If the vehicle is moving, signal and move to the side of the road.

•             Fire feeds off oxygen and even slow forward motion will force air into the engine compartment, basically stoking the fire.

•             Pulling to the side makes it possible for everyone to get out of the vehicle safely.

•             Turn off the ignition to shut off the electric current and stop the flow of gasoline.

•             Put the vehicle in park or set the emergency brake; you don't want the vehicle to move after your leave it.

•             Make sure everyone gets out of the vehicle, but do not waste time and increase your risk by removing personal belongings.

•             Move at least 100 feet away. Keep traffic in mind and keep everyone together. There is not only danger from the fire, but also from other vehicles moving in the area.

•             Keep onlookers and others away.

•             Do not go back into a burning vehicle

•             Warn oncoming traffic.

•             Notify emergency services from a safe distance

•             Do not open the hood or trunk if you suspect a fire under it. Air could rush in, enlarging the fire leading to injury.

•             Be cautious of attempting to put out the fire yourself –There is a risk of explosion and toxic fumes emanating from vehicles fires. Inhalation of toxic fumes is the most common form of fire-related death.

•             One thing is certain - An emergency is not the time to start reading the instructions on your fire extinguisher. Everyone should have a fire extinguisher easily accessible in the passenger compartment.

•             If the fire is relatively small and in the interior, use your extinguisher. If there's a small amount of smoke coming from under the hood, pop the release but don't lift the hood. Quickly spray through the gap, from several feet away, aiming at the base of the fire rather than the flames. The logic is based on the fact that fire feeds off oxygen and lifting the hood can turn a little fire into a large one, instantly. If the fire is large or located in the rear of the vehicle, near the gas tank, your chances of safely extinguishing it are small.

If in an accident and not possible to get out immediately:

•             Unlock the doors and windows. Do whatever you can to accomplish this critical step.

•             Even if you cannot open the door yourself, unlocking the doors will give bystanders or rescuers a good shot of getting you out of the burning vehicle quickly.

•             Get your seat belt off. This must be done quickly so the heat of the fire does not fuse the metal of the buckle to its anchor.

•             If the metal is too hot to touch, use a piece of cloth to cover your hand so that you can release the buckle.

•             If the buckle won't release, push the shoulder strap over your head and try lifting your legs out from underneath the waist strap.

•             Kick out a window. If you cannot get the door open, the next best thing is to kick out a window. Getting a window open will allow smoke to exit the car and will also give you an escape route.

•             Use both feet against a side window, if possible, to shatter and then pop the window out of the frame.

 

 

Tools for Escaping from a Vehicle on Fire

Fire Fighters realise that in any life or death situation a person's chance for survival is greatest if they are able to successfully conduct a self-rescue. Getting trapped inside the car is a serious situation and could further lead to graver results.

It is often difficult after an accident to escape when a vehicle's doors are jammed or when a vehicle's rear doors are locked via the child safety locks. Car crashes often jam seatbelt buckles & brackets. Fact is that the bracket does not even have to jam to prevent you from safe escape.  If the vehicle is upside down, your own weight could prevent you from releasing the connection.

To prevent injuries and fatalities, road authorities recommend that vehicle owners should be equipped with auto escape tools. These simple tools could save lives, protect in case of emergencies and give peace of mind for travellers.

It is extremely difficult to break a car window with anything except a tool that is specially made to do the job. When you're trapped in your car…and it's on fire…and smoke is pouring in…you only have seconds to escape.

These tools include:

•             LifeHammer(R) "The Original Escape Tool". The LifeHammer(R) delivers a fast and efficient escape from an upturned, submerged, or immobilized vehicle. Its accurate steel points cut windows with one strike. The razor-sharp blade slashes easily through jammed seatbelts. The auto escape tool is compact, easy to install, and always conspicuous on the dashboard or console because of its luminescent pin.

•             ResQMe(TM), the keychain tool to cut through a seat belt like a hot knife through butter. The tool is a revolutionary hand-held rescue device that is equally powerful as its predecessors despite being tiny. A powerful center-punch cuts side windows and slices through a jammed seatbelt to avoid auto entrapment. ResQMe could be attached to a keychain so that car occupants are always prepared for the unexpected.

•             The Escape Tip™ can greatly increase your safety when utilized in the appropriate situation. This is a tiny “tip”, positioned on the forward edge of a seatbelt latch plate and can be used as a glass breaking device for the purpose of exiting a vehicle in an emergency.

Road Safety & Tyre Safety

Introduction to Tyre Safety:

The failure to attend to tyre safety is a vital factor in thousands of road accidents every year. Research by the CSIR indicates that nearly 20% of accidents involving minibuses have tyre failure as a contributing factor. It won't help if you have the best brakes on the market, but your tyres are worn. When braking, the idea is to have sufficient friction between the road surface and tyre to bring the vehicle to a standstill. If the tyres are worn there will not be enough friction and the tyre will slide over the road surface, not stopping the vehicle. This is also true for handling and steer ability.

 

Basic rules about tyre safety:

Always spend time to ensure you have correct, safe tyres on your vehicle:

•             Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation as recommended by the vehicle or tyre manufacturer.

•             Tyre brand, size and tread pattern must be the same on each axle.

•             All four tyres should be of the same size, speed rating and construction (radial or cross ply).

•             Guard against used tyre imports, many of which are beyond retreading but are retreaded and sold illicitly. Similarly watch out for counterfeit tyres - illicit copies of respected brands. The advice is to always look for the SABS stamp of approval.

•             When two radial tyres are used with two cross ply, put the radials on the rear axle. In some cases (especially commercial vehicles) the manufacturer might recommend different-sized tyres for the front and rear axles.

•             Never assume that the tyres on your vehicle are correct, even if you have newly purchased it. Unless you bought new from an authorised dealer your vehicle may already be fitted with potentially lethal tyres.

Over inflation/ Under Inflation

•             Over and under-inflation reduces tyre to road contact and shortens tyre life.

•             The tyre responds in the same manner to under inflation as to overloading.

•             The same applies to over inflation / under loading.

Over inflation / under loading: Reduces cushioning power of tyre. Tyre is more susceptible to impact, penetrations and abrasion. Reduced road-tyre contact. Negatively affects the handling characteristics of the vehicle. (Excessive centre wear.)

Under inflation / Overloading: The biggest single cause of "burst" tyres. Under inflation cases excessive flexing of the tyre sidewall which leads to overheating and ultimately, casing break-up and tread separation. Reduced tyre-road contact leads to poor handling and faster wear. (Excessive shoulder wear.)

 

Tyre Pressure

The importance of the correct pressure cannot be over-emphasised.

•             Check tyre pressure, including the spare, once a week or before undertaking a long journey – or before 10 km have been driven.

•             Check tyre pressure early morning (low ambient temperature)

•             Always use a reliable pressure gauge

•             Only use tyre sizes recommended by the manufacturers at the recommended inflation pressure

•             If the pressure is too low it affects the tyre in a number of ways.

As speed rises, excessive contact patch deformation leads to a wave being formed in the tread, which generates excessive heat, causing structural damage or even tyre failure. The extra flexibility will affect steering behaviour, directional stability, durability and rolling resistance. Even occasional low pressure driving, or periodic vehicle overloading, may cause damage that only shows up much later as a blowout.

Inspecting the tyres / Driver Checklist for tyres

Tyres should be inspected often, and the following list highlights some of the faults to focus on:

•             Check tyres regularly for punctures, penetrations, cuts and bulges.

•             Cuts in the tyre could permit damp to reach the casing plies. This is harmful for both textile and steel casings and will affect safety and tyre life.

•             Wheel alignment - misaligned wheels will lead to excessive tyre wear.

•             A worn steering mechanism, ball joints and wheel bearings will also reduce tyre life.

•             Consult your vehicle manual for the proper size and speed rating. Some tyres are now marked with letters to indicate their speed ratings. Tyre speed ratings do not imply that vehicles can be driven safely at the maximum speed for which the tyre is rated, particularly under adverse road and weather conditions, or if the vehicle has unusual characteristics.

•             One-sided wear. This takes various forms. A regular smooth band of wear all around the tyre on the inside or the outside of the tread is a sign of incorrect camber. Too much toe-in causes irregular one-sided wear.

•             Tread-centre wear. Regular wear of this kind is normally a sign of high tyre pressure. Driving fast for long distances may cause this on low-profile tyres, because traveling at 120 km/h wears a tyre out twice as fast as travelling at 70 km/h.

•             Inner- and outer-edge wear. If both inner and outer edges are worn, it usually implies that the tyres have been run at too low a pressure at normal speeds.

•             Irregular bald spotting. Known as cupping, this is usually caused by worn shock absorbers, worn suspension bushes, or even loose wheel bearings.

•             Missing valve caps should be replaced, since they are there to prevent dirt from clogging the valves, which could cause a loss of air pressure.

•             Torque wheel studs /nuts to correct setting when mounting new tyres - check for loose or missing wheel nuts.

•             Check tread depth on all tyres and replace well before they reach regulatory minimum depth of 1.00 mm to reduce the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads.

 

General Advice on Tyre Maintenance

•             Tyres, sizes speed / load ratings must conform to the specifications in the Vehicle Owner’s Manual.

•             Check tyres and rims for any accidental damage after impacting with potholes/curb stones or other obstacles in the road.

•             Tyres, brakes, shock absorbers and rims should always be checked when servicing the vehicle.

•             Vehicle wheel alignment should be tested at regular intervals to obtain even tread wear and maximum service life.

•             No matter how good your car, or its tyres, this is not justification for breaking speed limits. If a tyre burst, do not apply the brakes; rather use the momentum and gears to slow down the vehicle. A sudden change in direction or braking will result in loss of control over the vehicle. Rather lose one rim than your car and probably your life!

•             Tyre rotation is a very contentious area, with some companies recommending it, other companies saying nothing, and BMW for one advising against it. Rotating the tyres regularly evens out the wear, but eventually all the tyres will have to be replaced at the same time, which is expensive.

Conclusion:

Always refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for all tyre pressure specifications and other related information. Never forget that four tyres are the most important components between you and the road. If you suspect any damage to the tyres - consult a tyre expert!

Introduction to Alzheimer’s and Safety

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is described as an incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease diagnosed in people over 65 years of age. Less prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. An estimated 26.6 million people worldwide had Alzheimer's in 2006 – A number that may quadruple by 2050.

Although each sufferer experiences Alzheimer's in a unique way, there are many common symptoms including memory loss. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as his or her senses decline.

It is estimated that people with Alzheimer’s disease drive, on average, 2.5 years following diagnosis. It does not mean that everyone with Alzheimer’s should  - as it affects people in different ways and some more quickly than others. People with early stage, very mild Alzheimer’s disease, can and do drive safely, however when the disease progresses to the moderate or severe stages, then driving must stop.

This poses a social dilemma for most as driving is seen as a fundamental right. It represents freedom, independence, self-worth, inclusion and access. Where the country lacks effective public transportation quitting too soon restricts independence for someone who otherwise may function well for several years. When Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed it is one of the many issues that have to be evaluated and the future considered.

Risks of Alzheimer’s to Safe Driving

Driving is a complex activity that requires good judgment, quick thinking and fast reactions, as well as good perceptual abilities. For a person with Alzheimer’s, driving inevitably becomes difficult, and he or she may become unsafe on the roads. With dementia, an individual's capacity to assess his or her driving abilities may also diminish. People with Alzheimer’s are especially likely to minimize the complexity of driving and overestimate their abilities.

There are a number of research studies that illustrate the dangers of driving and Alzheimer’s disease. For example, a Swedish study by Johansson and others found between 47-53 per cent of drivers over 65 years who died in accidents showed either early signs or actually had Alzheimer’s disease.

Poor driving performance increases with increased dementia severity. However, not all people with Alzheimer’s are unsafe drivers at a given point in time and Alzheimer’s should not be the sole justification for suspending driving privileges. Instead, an on-the-road driving test, or other functional test, is the best way to assess driving skills in dementia. A decline in visuospatial skills, which help drivers judge distances and predict upcoming traffic problems, plays a large role in making people with Alzheimer's unsafe drivers. Small occurrences in their vision such as a dog jumping behind a fence may distract them, so they fail to notice important cues, such as brake lights or traffic signs.

Alzheimer’s should not be compared to other changes in later life that affect driving, such as eyesight problems and slow reaction times. Many older adults who don't have dementia can assess their driving without family intervention and make gradual changes to the way they drive.

The progression of this disease is usually gradual and somewhat unpredictable. Everyone with Alzheimer's disease or other irreversible causes of dementia will eventually lose the ability to drive safely, due to problems with:

•             judgment

•             multi-tasking

•             slowed reaction times

•             impaired spatial skills

•             Other cognitive deficits.

Scientists and researchers have found that people with Alzheimer’s gradually scale back their driving. They have found that those with mild Alzheimer’s tend to:

•             drive shorter distances

•             stick to familiar routes

•             don't drive at night

•             don't drive in bad weather

•             don't travel on busy roads

•             avoid driving on weekdays or in peak traffic flow

•             always try use the same vehicle.

These scientists are now creating tests to show when it is time for people with early Alzheimer’s disease to stop driving. In recent studies researchers recruited 40 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s who still had their driver’s licenses to take the road test, and compared how 115 older drivers without dementia handled the same trip.

The results, reported in the journal Neurology, are striking. On average, the Alzheimer’s drivers committed 42 safety mistakes, compared with 33 for the other drivers. Lane violations, such as swerving or hugging the centre line as another car approaches, were the biggest problem for the Alzheimer’s drivers.

Measures to stop the Alzheimer’s Patient from Driving

Families struggle with the decision to limit or stop the family member from driving and the sense of dependence may prevent people with dementia from giving up the car keys. Unfortunately, no examination or single indicator exists to determine when a person with dementia poses a danger to himself or others. Families must determine when a person's attention span, distance perception or ability to process information makes it difficult for him or her to respond safely in driving situations.

What are the warning signs?

Everyone with irreversible dementia will eventually become unsafe to drive because of the degenerative, progressive nature of the brain disease. The question will always be: - at what point is someone unable to continue to drive safely?

Most specialists feel it's important to help the person with dementia to stop driving as soon as possible. A rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you feel safe riding in a car or having your family members, including children, riding in a car that the person with dementia is driving.

This is not an easy question for a family and as Alzheimer’s is increasingly diagnosed in its earliest stages, it can be hard to tell when a loved one is becoming a danger.

The person with Alzheimer’s will often make excuses to the family such as

•             "I've driven for years without an accident."

•             "Just because I got lost doesn't mean I can't drive."

•             "I make sure I look where I'm going."

It is important for the family to observe and keep a written record of observations to share with the person, family members and health care professionals. Observations that might indicate the need to stop driving are:

•             Forgetting how to locate familiar places

•             Failing to observe traffic signals

•             Incorrect signalling

•             Making slow or poor decisions

•             Driving at inappropriate speeds

•             Becoming angry and confused while driving

•             Hitting curbs

•             Poor lane control

•             Confusing the brake and gas pedals

•             Returning from a routine drive later than usual. The person may be wandering and getting lost in the car.

•             Decrease in confidence while driving

•             Difficulty turning to see when reversing

•             Riding the brake

•             Easily distracted while driving

•             Difficulty parking within a defined space

•             Failure to notice activity on the side of the road

•             Not anticipating potential dangerous situations

•             Near misses

•             Delayed response to unexpected situations

•             Confusion at exits

•             Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason

In hindsight, many family members and caregivers regret permitting a loved one to drive longer than it was safe. The result is always prolonged anxiety for caregivers and placing others at risk. It is best to get support when making and implementing decisions about driving. The more people who are asked to help, the less any one person has to do and the greater the likelihood that the person with dementia will get the best support.

How do we stop the person with Alzheimer’s from driving?

It is important to consider the person’s feelings and perceived loss of independence when explaining why he or she can no longer drive. Helping the person with dementia make the decision to stop driving — before you have to force the person to stop — can help maintain a positive sense of self-esteem.

The most effective approach to limit or stop driving involves progressive steps and a combination of strategies that fit the family's circumstances, resources and relationships. For people in the early stages of dementia, driving is best reduced over time rather than all at once.

You can ask your doctor to advise the person with dementia not to drive. Involving your doctor in a family discussion on driving is probably more effective than trying by yourself to persuade the person not to drive. Ask the doctor to write a letter stating that the person with Alzheimer’s must not drive or a prescription that says, “No driving.”

Explain your concerns about his or her unsafe driving with the person, giving specific examples, and ask the person to voluntarily stop driving. The following steps might assist in explaining the need to stop driving:

•             Assure the person that a ride will be available if he or she needs to go somewhere.

•             Ease the transition. Arrange for alternative transportation or you may even be able to establish a payment account with a taxi service so that your loved one won't have to handle money.

•             This option may work for people with mild dementia living in urban areas and already accustomed to using these methods where available.

•             Reduce the need to drive - Have prescription medicines, groceries or meals delivered and have hairdressers make home visits.

•             Friends, neighbours, relatives or caregivers can offer to drive the person with dementia to appointments or other social events.

•             Arrange for family and friends to visit regularly and to take your loved one out to run errands.

•             When you're together, focus on activities your loved one can still do and enjoy.

•             With some foresight, family members can create natural, non-confrontational ways to make driving less appealing or necessary - Relocation may encourage the individual with dementia to limit or stop driving.

•             Family members can use financial issues to initiate a change, such as building a case for selling the car by itemizing the many costs of operating a car.

•             It is also important to note that if the driver has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s there is a risk that a vehicle insurance claim may be rejected in the case of an accident occurring after diagnosis.

 

 

Role of Caretakers and Family

Because Alzheimer’s cannot be cured and is degenerative, management of patients is essential. Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers/family; the pressures can be wide-ranging, involving social, psychological, physical, and economic elements of the caregiver's life.

No two families dealing with dementia will resolve transportation issues in exactly the same way. Roles and relationships within families can affect decisions about when and how a person should stop driving.

Caregivers can reduce stress and increase their chances of success by relying on others for emotional support, transportation assistance, financial assistance or to meet other needs. Caregivers need to remember that family members tend to follow long-established patterns for making decisions. It is unrealistic to think that patterns will change when handling a difficult issue like driving safety.

Disagreements in families are often the result when individuals do not have the same opportunities to assess driving abilities. Having factual information about driving behaviour does not guarantee families will reach consensus on when to limit driving. However, frequent, open communication about specific, observed behaviours and concerns may help to lessen differences.

Everyone involved in caring for the person with dementia can help by focusing on the key issues - the self-respect of the person with dementia and the safety of everyone on the road.

What if the person won’t stop driving?

If the person insists on driving it might require more drastic measures:

•             More desperate measures will include control of access to the car and keys and disabling the car as a last resort.

•             Designate one person who will do all the driving and give that individual exclusive access to the car keys.

•             Consider selling the car. By selling the car, you may be able to save enough in insurance premiums, fuel and oil, and maintenance costs to pay for public transportation, including taxi rides.

•             It might even be best advice to alert the local traffic authorities. Write a letter directly to the authorities and express your concerns, or request that the person’s license be revoked. The letter should state that “(the person’s full name) is a hazard on the road,” and offer the reason (Alzheimer’s disease).

•             To the family member in the early stages of the disease, such actions seem extreme, disrespectful and punitive. People with mild dementia may ignore, undo or maneuver around those strategies by driving without a license, enabling the disabled car or buying a new car to replace one that was sold.

•             Although this may seem extreme, the consequences of having someone on the road with severe Alzheimer’s can be devastating.

Conclusion

It is suggested that a person with dementia should make the transition from driver to passenger over a period of time. Open, early and continual communication can help the person with Alzheimer’s and the family to agree on a course of action before a crisis occurs. Once that decision is taken it should however be a firm and final decision. It is important that the safety of the person with Alzheimer’s and that of other road users be protected at all times!

Is it necessary for a child to wear a seatbelt?

 

You are 10 times more likely to be killed in a road crash if you are not wearing a seat belt.

 

Children are extremely vulnerable as their build differs from an adult in that the head is large and heavy in relation to the body, which in a collision will cause the child to be flung forwards, head first, at an incredibly high speed if he/she is not buckled up. This can result in serious neck and facial injuries, brain damage and death. By adhering to the following tips may you never have to say "If only…" Remember that life is precious and your child is irreplaceable.                                                                                                               

• 
  Children who are not buckled up will be seriously injured or die if the vehicle in which they are travelling is involved in a collision. Always buckle your child up even if you are only travelling short distances or at a low speed;

• 
  Babies and children should be seated in the vehicle in a suitable child-seat. Even a small collision can be fatal for a small child who is not buckled in;

• 
  There are a variety of excellent rear-facing and front-facing child-seats on the market. Child-seats should be SABS approved and appropriate to the child’s age, weight, build and stage of development. It is important to install the restraint according to the manufacturer’s instructions;

• 
  Never place a front-facing child-seat in the front passenger seat if your vehicle is fitted with air-bags. When the air-bag is released on impact your baby or child may be suffocated by it;

• 
  Never travel with your child on your lap! Should a collision occur, he or she will be thrown against the dashboard or through the windscreen;

• 
  Never let your child share your seatbelt because if you are involved in a collision he/she will be crushed between your body and the seatbelt;

• 
  A carrycot is not a child restraint. A collision will cause the carrycot to be flung around inside the vehicle, injuring the child as well as other passengers;

• 
  Seat belts and child restraints also serve as a restraining device against boisterous youngsters, who may distract the driver;

• 
  Your child should not be given the choice of whether or not to use a child restraint. It is the responsibility and legal obligation of the driver to ensure that children are buckled up;

• 
  Regularly check that the straps that secure the child-seat into your vehicle have not worked themselves loose.

 

Wear the Seat Belt Correctly

"Properly worn" means with both straps snugly fitted to transfer the impact of the collision to the parts of your body that can take it - your hipbones and shoulder bones. With just the shoulder strap on, you can still slide out from under it and be strangled, while the lap belt alone doesn't keep your face from hitting the steering wheel.

How to keep safe on the roads during the holiday season

The December period is one of celebration, and many of us find ourselves preparing the entire year for road trips or long vacations to visit relatives we haven’t seen for a long time. However, the same period is notorious for hazardous conditions and fatal road accidents on the long roads, and for this reason it is especially important to prepare in advance and be ready for the trip. Here are a few tips on how to safely tackle any long distance trips you might be making this festive season:

 

1.      Plan your route

 

Everyone knows how easily something can go wrong on a long trip; the last thing you want is to get lost along the way. Sure, you might get to see some extra scenery, but it will cut into your travel time and more often than not cost you more than you budgeted, and with the way the petrol price seems to be increasing, no one wants to waste too much time refilling their tanks.

 

2.      Don’t drive tired

 

If you’re driving in a group, which is anything bigger than one person, taking shifts behind the wheel will make the trip a lot more enjoyable as everyone will be able to rest up when they get tired without having to stop for too long and wasting valuable time in the process. Let each person with a driver’s license take an equal amount of the driving time. This will make your trip a lot more time efficient and is safer than running the risk of fatigue with only one driver.

 

3.      Rest as much as you can

 

Even if you don’t feel tired after driving for a few hours, or you feel that you should keep going to make up for some time you lost earlier, it is never a good idea to spend too much time in your vehicle without taking a break, at least for a few minutes at a time. It is recommended that you stop every 2 hours or so and take a walk around your car, or get out and do some stretching exercises for a few minutes. This helps improve circulation and reduces fatigue. It also provides a good opportunity to have some snacks or rehydrate yourself with water and other liquids.

The development of the Hybrid car

The hybrid vehicles we have available to us today are some of the most technologically advanced machines on the planet. Most new models are fully functional vehicles, and have all of the capabilities of regular fossil fuel operated ones. They range from petrol/battery hybrids and petrol/diesel hybrids to fully electric vehicles with backup petrol tanks, and even models fueled by hydrogen compounds.

 

These vehicles have come a long way from their origins, but as with most modern technology retains most of the elements of the original ideas. It could easily be argued that Robert Anderson in Aberdeen Scotland built the first version of the electrically propelled vehicle as early as 1839, where for the previous 200 years the automobile industry had been dominated by the steam engine.

 

Possibly the most significant improvement in battery technology came with the lead-acid and nickel-iron batteries created by H. Tudor and Edison respectively. These versions ultimately lead to the engines used in Ford’s Model T and more recent designs.

FAQs on Distracted Driving

 

The best way to help fight distracted driving is to get educated, and this page is a great place to start. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions that will help you better understand the safety threat posed by texting and cell phone use on South Africa's roadways.

 

Is distracted driving really a problem?

 

Distracted driving kills. The friends, family, and neighbors of the thousands of people killed each year in distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a very serious safety problem. The nearly half a million people injured each year will agree.

 

What is distracted driving?

 

Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

 

If it's so dangerous, why do people do it?

 

Some people still don't know how dangerous distracted driving is. Others know about the risks of texting and talking while driving, but still choose to do so anyway. They make the mistake of thinking the statistics don't apply to them, that they can defy the odds. Still others simply lead busy, stressful lives and use cell phones and smartphones to stay connected with their families, friends, and workplaces. They forget or choose not to shut these devices off when they get behind the wheel.

 

Who are the most serious offenders?

 

Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are most at risk, with *16% of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under 20. But they are not alone. At any given moment during daylight hours, over *800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

 

Sending or reading one text is pretty quick, unlike a phone conversation - wouldn't that be okay?

 

Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 90 kph, that's like driving the length of an entire sportsfield, blindfolded. It's extraordinarily dangerous.

 

Is it safe to use a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving?

 

So far, the research indicates that the cognitive distraction of having a hands-free phone conversation causes drivers to miss the important visual and audio cues that would ordinarily help you avoid a crash.

 

What can I do to help?

 

We're glad you asked! You've already taken the first step by visiting this site and learning about the dangers of distracted driving. The next thing you'll want to do is protect yourself. Take the pledge to drive phone-free and turn your cell phone off when you turn your ignition on. And if you're a passenger, make sure your driver does the same.

 

(* U.S. Statistics) 

Is That ‘New Car Smell’ Toxic?

New Rankings Uncover Toxic Chemicals in Top 10 Unhealthy Car Interiors

 

That “new car smell” may come from toxic chemicals, according to new research.

 

A new study suggests that new car smell comes from toxic chemicals off-gassing in a car’s interior, like brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chromium, and lead. In all, researchers identified more than 275 different chemicals in vehicle interiors, including those associated with birth defects, impaired learning, liver problems, and cancer.

 

The 2012 new vehicle study from the nonprofit Ecology Center in the United States analyzed the chemical content of more than 200 new cars for its top 10 healthy and unhealthy car interiors. The higher the vehicle rating in the study, the higher the level of these chemicals was, based on their testing methods.

 

At the top of the list for the most healthy car interior is the 2012 Honda Civic. Researchers say it earned strong marks for not having any bromine-based flame retardants, while boasting polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free interior fabrics and trim, and low levels of heavy metals.

 

At the bottom of the list are the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and 2011 Chrysler 200 SC, which both had scores in the “high” range. For example, the Mitsubishi Outlander had bromine and antimony-based flame retardants in seating and other areas, chromium-treated leather, and lead in seating materials.

 

Top 10 Healthy Car Interiors

 

Model Year	Make	Model	Vehicle Rating
2012	Honda	Civic	0.46
2011	Toyota	Prius	0.55
2011	Honda	CR-Z	0.63
2011	Nissan	Cube	0.65
2012	Acura	RDX	0.74
2012	Acura	ZDX	0.74
2012	Audi	S5	0.74
2011	Smart	Coupe	0.74
2011	Toyota	Venza	0.77
2011	Smart	Passion	0.79

 

Top 10 Unhealthy Car Interiors

 

(Worst at bottom) 

  

Model Year	Make	Model	Vehicle Rating
2012	Mini Cooper	S. Clubman	2.84
2012	VW	Eos	2.85
2011	Kia	Sportage	2.87
2011	Chevy	Aveo5	2.89
2012	Hyundai	Accent	2.98
2011	Mazda	CX-7	3.08
2011	Nissan	Versa	3.08
2011	Kia	Soul	3.11
2011	Chrysler	200 SC	3.17
2011	Mitsubishi	Outlander Sport	3.17

 

What the Ratings Mean

 

Researchers say that immediately after delivery, new cars have unusually high concentrations of a variety of chemicals, hence that “new car smell.”

 

In their study, the interiors of more than 200 cars from the 2011-2012 model year were analyzed using a portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. The analyzer detects chemical elements such as lead, cadmium, chlorine, arsenic, mercury, tin, and antimony.

 

Common areas checked in the car interiors were seats, arm rests, steering wheels, door trim, and shift knobs, among others.

 

Researchers say the elemental composition of the materials reveals the presence of potentially hazardous chemicals, such as BFRs, PVC, and possibly phthalate plastics. They say car interiors are like chemical reactors, with temperatures reaching extremes of up to 88 degrees celsius. These high temperatures can increase the concentration of volatile compounds in the car and speed the breakdown of materials.

 

Exposure to toxic chemicals can be high indoors and in enclosed spaces like a car interior. Drivers are exposed to these chemicals by breathing and contact with dust.

 

Indoor air pollution is one of the top environmental threats to public health, since people spend 90% of their time indoors. Next to homes and offices, people spend the most time in automobiles, an average of one-and-a-half hours per day.

 

Rating the Automakers

 

Overall, researchers say vehicle ratings are improving thanks to the reduction in the use of PVC and bromine-based flame retardants by some automakers.

 

They say the top-rated automaker for healthy interiors in 2012 was Honda and has been since it started testing in 2007. Hyundai-Kia has been the lowest-ranked manufacturer for the last two years.

 

German automaker VW, along with Mitsubishi and Ford, earned the title of most-improved automakers. Their scores improved by 30% to 42% from the 2009-2010 model year to the 2011-2012 model year.

 

Daimler AG and Volvo were the only two automakers with declining average scores, -29% and -13%, respectively.

 

For a complete list of ratings, see www.HealthyStuff.org