Andy's Auto Sport

Saturday, May 30, 2009

60 Percent of Motorists Admit to Losing Their Temper While Driving

/PRNewswire/ -- Aggressive driving kills, says AAA Michigan. More than half of fatal car crashes involve some form of aggressive driving--speeding, running another driver off the road, tailgating or yelling obscenities.

A 2008 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 80 percent of respondents consider aggressive drivers to be a serious traffic safety problem. However, many of those same people said they drive aggressively. Relatively minor driving infractions--changing lanes without signaling, following too closely, driving too slowly, honking at other drivers--can easily escalate into potentially deadly altercations. Not every incident turns violent, but 60 percent of motorists admit losing their temper while driving--also known as road rage.

AAA recommendations to avoid aggressive driving:

Don't offend

-- Signal when changing lanes and merging. Avoid cutting off other
drivers.

-- Do not drive slowly in the left lane. If faster traffic wants to pass,
move to the right lane.

-- Allow a two to four second space between your car and the vehicle
ahead of you to prevent tailgating.

-- Keep your hands on the wheel. Obscene gestures often incite other
drivers.

Don't engage

-- Do not take other driver's actions personally. There may be a reason
why another driver is speeding or driving erratically.

-- Give aggressive drivers lots of space.

-- Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers.

-- Get help. If possible, drive to a safe public place where you can park
and call police. Going to your home leads a potentially violent person
to where you and your loved ones live.

-- Do not get out of your car.

Adjust your behavior

-- Forget winning; driving is not a contest.

-- Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. Eliminate your
need to rush.

-- Practice relaxation. Soothing music and deep breathing help you arrive
at your destination in a calmer frame of mind.

-- If you find yourself driving angrily on a regular basis, ask for help.
An anger management course may dramatically change your attitude.

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Laurens: I-16 Westbound Reopened Yesterday

WHERE: I-16 westbound at US 441 Exit 51

WHAT: At 7:35 a.m. yesterday morning (Monday) Georgia DOT crews reopened the I-16 westbound travel lanes beginning at US 441 following damage to the State Route 257 bridge near Dublin. Crews continued round-the-clock repair efforts and were able to restore early morning access to the westbound lanes; additionally they kept detoured traffic flowing smoothly during the height of the holiday travel. Bryant Poole, Georgia DOT Director of Operations stated, “A lot of hard work and determination has been put forth to accomplish this huge and challenging task.” Thanks for everyone's support and patience.”

The next task involves awarding the final bridge repair work to contract so that it can be completed in its entirety.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Governor Perdue, Georgia DOT and State Farm Insurance Unveil New Sponsorship Initiative

Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia transportation officials and the State Farm Insurance Co. today announced a new collaborative sponsorship designed to create a long-term, supplemental funding source for the Department's Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program.

"We know that incident management is one of the most effective, efficient methods to relieving congestion," Governor Perdue said. "This partnership ensures sustainable funding is available to keep our HERO trucks busy clearing wrecks and keeping traffic moving."

As a result of this sponsorship agreement, Georgia DOT will receive over $5.1 million ($1.7m/yr) in sponsorship fees from State Farm over the next three years to support the HERO program. There is an option to renew the contract for an additional two years, with the Department receiving $1.825 million for each renewal year. All monies received will be used to support the HERO program. In return, State Farm logos will be placed on HERO vehicles, operator uniforms and signs delineating the HERO service area. And the program will henceforth be known as the Georgia DOT HERO Program, sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

"Our HERO motor service patrol is one of Georgia DOT's most acclaimed programs," noted State Transportation Board Member Brandon Beach, who was instrumental in advocating the sponsorship deal. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to create new revenue sources that will sustain funding for this critical program, both now and in the future. We're going to save the taxpayers millions of dollars in operating costs and allow Georgia DOT HEROs to continue doing what they do best... protecting lives and property; assisting motorists; and reducing incident delays."

"State Farm's support of this program underscores our commitment to help make our roads safer. The HERO program shares our good neighbor commitment and is a partner in our mission of helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams." said Tim McFadden, Senior Vice President with State Farm.

As the need for additional funding sources increased, Georgia DOT staff and State Transportation Board members began aggressively pursuing strategies to effectively overcome budget challenges. Recognizing that there may be interest in sponsoring various aspects of its operations in return for advertising privileges, Georgia DOT officials researched similar highway response programs in other states and concluded that a sponsorship program would prove beneficial to the Department. The State Transportation Board then directed the Department last December to pursue this type of sponsorship.

The sponsorship opportunity was advertised January 9, 2009, in a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal (RFQ/RFP); a Department selection committee, using criteria stipulated in the RFQ/RFP, awarded the sponsorship to State Farm from three respondents.

The resulting contract term is three years with a two-year renewal period. Sponsorship fees will be paid to the Department as follows:

. Year 1 - $1,700,000 payable upon execution of the Agreement

. Year 2 - $1,700,000 payable on or before May 1, 2010

. Year 3 - $1,700,000 payable on or before May 1, 2011

. (Renewal year) 4 - $1,825,000 payable on or before May 1, 2012

. (Renewal year) 5 - $1,825,000 payable on or before May 1, 2013

Sponsorship fees will be used solely to support and supplement the operation of the HERO program, which currently has an annual operating budget of approximately $7.5 million, 80 percent of which is provided by federal funds, 20 percent by state revenues.
Currently, HERO operators patrol 280 miles of freeways in 13 Metro counties, seven days per week. HERO assists increased nearly 100 percent in the last five years and now approach 100,000 annually.

State Farm is a leading advocate for safer roads and provides ongoing support of auto safety initiatives through partnerships with automotive safety organizations as well as financial and operational resources. For more information on State Farm, visit www.StateFarm.com .
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, visit www.dot.ga.gov.
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Coweta: Lane Closures on US 29 and Near Exit 41 on I-85

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces lane closures on US 29 near Interstate 85 and Exit 41(State Route 14/US 27 Alt) beginning Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 29. The closures are subject to change based on weather conditions.

US 29 at I-85 (Exit 35) East and Westbound Lane Closures
Wednesday, May 27, nightly through Friday, May 29
Near mileposts 10 - 11
TIME: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
1 right and left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic in both directions

Interstate 85 Northbound Lane Closures
Tuesday, May 26
Near mileposts 41 – 42
TIME: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1 left lane closed; 1 lane remains open to traffic, for work near Exit 41 (State Route 14/US 27 Alt)

The scheduled completion date for this project is December 31, 2009. Motorists should expect shoulder and lane closures on a continuing basis and are advised to use extra caution in construction work zones.

Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert and channel motorists through the area.
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Coweta: Road Closure & Temporary Traffic Signal

Canongate Road will be closed from June 1st through early August at Persimmon Creek in northeast Coweta County. A faulty culvert will be replaced where Canongate Road crosses Persimmon Creek, just south of the entrance of Persimmon Creek subdivision.

Message boards have been placed on Canongate Road to notify the public of this closure. The detour route has been established along Palmetto-Tyrone Road, Weldon Road and Collinsworth Road. A temporary 3-way traffic signal has been placed at Palmetto-Tyrone and Weldon Roads to help deal with the additional traffic caused by the detour. The signal began flashing today, May 22, and will be operational on Tuesday, May 26.

It is expected that this project will take approximately 10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sumter County: Traffic Shift to Occur on US 19 / State Route 3

WHEN: Monday, May 18

WHERE: US 19/State Route 3, near its intersection with US 280

WHAT: The Georgia Department of Transportation advises motorists on US 19/State Route 3 of an upcoming traffic shift onto the newly constructed lanes, near US 280 in Sumter County. This shift will occur during the late afternoon hours of Monday, May 18.

This is a WORK ZONE and extreme caution is necessary. Motorists are advised to reduce speeds and expect congestion as they travel through this construction work zone.

Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert and channel motorists through the area.
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Monday, May 11, 2009

Time To Request School Attendance Form For Summer Driver Testing

As Summer approaches, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) reminds students needing to test for an instructional permit or driver’s license over the long vacation to obtain a “DDS Certificate of Attendance Form” from their school administration before the end of the school year. Students planning for an on-the-road test will also need a Georgia Alcohol Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) certificate of completion.

DDS Certificate of Attendance Forms must be signed and notarized from the student’s school and presented at the time of applying for a permit or Class D driver’s license. Typically, the form is valid for one month. However, the Certificate of Attendance Forms issued in May 2009 will be accepted until September 30, 2009.

All applicants under the age of 18 not enrolled in school must provide a GED diploma, high school diploma, or an attendance form from the student’s local Board of Education if enrolled in an approved home school program.

The ADAP course is taught in both public and private schools typically with the 9th grade Health curriculum. Makeup classes are also conducted and certificates must be obtained from the student’s instructor.

For complete Georgia driver licensing and testing requirements, please visit http://www.dds.ga.gov/.
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Henry: I-75 NB South of I-675- Accident

Multiple lanes are blocked on I-75 NB south of I-675 in Henry County due to an accident involving a tractor trailer. Northbound traffic on I-75 is backed up all the way to McDonough. Motorists are strongly advised to AVOID I-75 NB and use alternate routes until further notice.

Call 511 for updates.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Coweta: Lane Closures on US 29 and SR 34 Near I-85

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces daily lane closures on US 29 and State Route 34 near Interstate 85 beginning Monday, May 11, through Thursday, May 14. The closures are subject to change based on weather conditions.

US 29 at I-85 (Exit 35) East and Westbound Lane Closures
Monday, May 11, nightly through Thursday, May 14
Near mileposts 10 - 11
TIME: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
1 right and left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic in both directions

State Route 34 at I-85 (Exit 47) East and Westbound Lane Closures
Tuesday, May 12, nightly through Thursday, May 14
Near mileposts 15 - 16
TIME: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
1 right and left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic in both directions

The scheduled completion date for this project is December 31, 2009. Motorists should expect shoulder and lane closures on a continuing basis and are advised to use extra caution in construction work zones.

Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert and channel motorists through the area.
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Friday, May 1, 2009

Coweta: I-85 Lane Closures Near Exits 35 and 41

The Georgia Department of Transportation announces daily lane closures on Interstate 85 near Exit 35 (State Route 14/US 29) and Exit 41 (State Route 14/US 27 Alt) beginning Monday, May 4, through Saturday, May 9. The closures are subject to change based on weather conditions.

Interstate 85 North and Southbound Lane Closures
Monday, May 4
Near mileposts 41 – 43 northbound and mileposts 43 -41 southbound
TIME: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1 left lane closed; 1 lane remains open to traffic, for work beginning near Exit 41 (State Route 14/US 27 Alt)

US 29 at I-85 (Exit 35) East and Westbound Lane Closures
Wednesday, May 6, nightly through Saturday, May 9
Near mileposts 10 - 11
TIME: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
1 right and left lane closed; 1 remains open to traffic to traffic in both directions

The scheduled completion date for this project is December 31, 2009. Motorists should expect shoulder and lane closures on a continuing basis and are advised to use extra caution in construction work zones.

Speed limits have been reduced and will be strictly enforced. Message boards, signs, barricades, barrels and cones will be utilized to alert and channel motorists through the area.
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