` Road Watch col., for 8-22
(Distracted Drivers with Dogs in Vehicle)
About 31 percent of dog owners admitted to distracted behavior while driving with their pet dogs, according to a recent survey by AAA and Kurgo.
Nearly one out of three of the participants surveyed admitted to being distracted by their dog while driving. About 59 percent of the respondents said they have participated in at least one distracting behavior while driving with their dog.
In a nation that boasts an estimated 50 to 68 million dog owners, the survey found that many drivers not only love to bring the family dog along, but most of them also owned up to engaging often in risky behaviors when man’s best friend is along for the ride.
“Here’s the upshot: Dog owners are distracted by their dogs while driving, researchers who conducted the survey found,” said Jim Lardear, AAA Mid-Atlantic director of public and government affairs.
“The trouble is, many don’t realize it,” Lardear said. “That’s not only shocking, it’s also dangerous.”
BULLET More than half (55 percent) have pet their dog while driving.
BULLET One in five allowed their dog to sit in their lap – 21 percent.
BULLET Seven percent confess to engaging in other distracting behaviors, such as giving food and water to their dog.
BULLET Five percent admit to playing with their dogs while driving.
These behaviors can distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash, Lardear said. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash. “That’s also true when you are distracted by your dog,” he said.
Only 17 percent of those surveyed use any form of pet restraint system when driving with their dog. Use of a pet restraint system can aid in limiting distractions and help protect your pet.
There are a variety of reasonably priced products available to help dog owners reduce distractions their pets might cause while driving while keeping them safe, Lardear said.
Padded harnesses with sturdy connectors and straps are available to connect to a vehicle’s seatbelt or LATCH system. Both hard- and soft-sided crates can also be used in vehicles, but should always be strapped down.
Lardear recommends that owners utilize a restraint system anytime they are driving with their pet – even close to home.
“Just as we put on our seatbelt before we hit the road, we need to do the same for our canine companions,” he said.
Back to School
It soon will be that time of year again for children to go back to school and motorists should pay attention as student pedestrians and school buses fill the roads again.
This can be both an exciting and distracting time for children, which means motorists need to be extra careful – especially at peak times for buses and pedestrians, said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“Motorists need to watch for students who are boarding and exiting buses, obey school crossing guards and follow all traffic laws regarding stopped school buses and school zones,” Biehler said.
Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus.
Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop.
However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop. Lanes of a divided highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grassy medians.
Motorists convicted of violating the state’s school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, five points on their record and a 60-day license suspension.
Motorists must exercise caution in school zones.
Schools are hubs of pedestrian and vehicle traffic so motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 mph in school zones. Violations carry a fine and three points on the driver’s record.
Road Rant (See Video)
Back in April, Road Watcher focused on the need for more chevron signs on the busy, curvy stretch of Lawrence Road near Ellis Road in Haverford.
It’s a high-traffic area and connection to the West Chester Pike (Route 3) on-ramps to the Blue Route (I-476).
Back then, I suggested there should be more chevron signs – the yellow kind with black v-shaped lines – closer to the intersection of Ellis Road, which has a stop sign.
Well, PennDOT has finally installed brand-new chevron signs on top of the 30-mph speed limit signs – not that anyone was obeying the speed limit when I stopped by Friday afternoon.
A nearby resident who requested anonymity said he welcomed the new signs although he was skeptical about what effect they would have.
He said what is really needed in the 1800 block of Lawrence Road are guard rails to protect the homeowners and their children (Hear his comments on video).
Ben Franklin Bridge
The pedestrian walkway on the Ben Franklin Bridge will reopen to the public Monday.
Walkway hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. With the reopening of the south walkway, the north walkway will be closed to the public.
DRPA Police
Delaware River Port Authority Police began Friday – and through Sept. 6 – along with local and state police will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” statewide crackdown.
They will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for drivers who may be driving while intoxicated.
Special variable message signs about the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving will be located at all four DRPA bridges over the Delaware River.
Cheyney Road Closing
The West Chester Railroad will close Cheyney Road between Creek Road and Station Road in Thornbury beginning Monday through Friday for rail crossing replacement, PennDOT said.
During construction, Cheyney Road through traffic will be detoured over Creek Road, Benefits Lane and Station Road. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
Traffic Delays
Upper Darby – Township Line Road (U.S. Route 1), traffic signal upgrades with lane restrictions between Dermond Road and Harding Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Nether Providence – Beatty Road, closed/detoured between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road for bridge rehabilitation through Aug. 27.
Chester Pike (U.S. Route 13) – Ridley Township, bridge construction with lane closure between Morton Avenue and Acres Drive, 24-hour restrictions through October 2011.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through October. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement with lane restrictions between Darlington and Station roads, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.