Silicon Valley Auto Repair

The CHP has joined the American Occupational Therapy Association to recognize Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 5-9.The ability to drive safely can be affected by physical, emotional, and mental conditions. If family and friends discuss potential changes before they become an issue, older drivers can be involved in the planning. Proactive, early planning is essential for continued independence and safety on the road.According to the CHP, drivers should plan for their changing needs just as they do with financial planning. “Most people want to maintain their independence, and that usually means driving,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Discussing how long it is safe to continue driving may be difficult for family and friends, but it is important.”In 2014, motorists over 65 make up some 15 percent of the licensed drivers in California. According to information from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, seniors were involved in 10 percent of the fatal collisi ... read more

A new national campaign aims to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries for children younger than 10. Parents chauffeuring between events sometimes neglect to properly buckle their children, according to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Administration. More than half of the 1,552 children who died in traffic-related injuries during the past 5 years were not wearing seatbelts. “Buckling up is an important habit to instill in children at a young age,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “As parents, we need to lead by example and reinforce the message to make sure it sticks. This campaign urges parents to never give up until their kids buckle up.” The campaign by NTHSA encourages parents to consistently and properly buckle their children before the vehicle is moving. NHTSA data show that as children get older they are less likely to buckle up. Riding unrestrained generally is most pronounced among 13- and 14-year-olds regardless of seating position. “Kid ... read more

Perhaps no holiday is more associated with drinking than St. Patrick’s Day. Pints of Guinness flow from taps nationwide as revelers engage in pub crawls and happy hours. The carefree nature of the holiday can lead to lapses in judgment and severe consequences. Collisions caused by drunk drivers claimed 31 lives on St. Patrick’s Day in 2013. Government agencies and safety advocates urge everyone who plans to drink during the annual celebration to designate a sober driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created the SaferRide app to call a taxi. Both Google Play and the iTunes store offer the app. The agency also stressed the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times. “A seat belt is still your best defense against drunk drivers,” said Derrell Lyles, a spokesperson for the NHTSA. Buoyed by federal grants, law enforcement agencies across the nation will increase patrols that evening and host checkpoints specifically for the purpose of arresting ... read more