Tag Archives: Safety Tips

Tips From Deputy Meyers

Dear Deputy Myers:

How can I become more involved with my community and the Sheriff’s Department?

Did you know the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has numerous volunteers that assist the department with many different aspects of their day to day operations?  It’s true, and there are hundreds of volunteers department wide that are vital to assisting the department in various ways. Being the volunteer coordinator, as well as many other things, I get to see just how valuable the volunteers are to us every day! I directly supervise the Explorers, Mounted Posse, and Citizen Volunteer Patrol.

Not everyone can be an Explorer (due to age restrictions), and not everyone can be a member of the volunteer Mounted Posse (due to not having a horse), but nearly anyone over the age of 18 can be a Citizen Volunteer. The Citizen Volunteer Patrol meets once a month (the fourth Wednesday of every month) at 630pm at the Jurupa Valley Station. They have the opportunity to work hand in hand with deputies on patrol, assist with major incidents, DUI checkpoints, provide an added level of eyes and ears on the streets, logistics, and assist with community events (just to name a few). The station Volunteer Citizen Patrol helps in the contract cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and the outer lying unincorporated county areas.

If this sounds like something that may interest you and you have the extra time, please come out to one of our meetings, learn about our program, meet some of our current volunteers, and possibly pick up a background packet to get started in something that can provide you with training and a sense of community.

Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department.  She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about nine years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.

 

Distracted Drivers

By Riverside Sheriff’s Department

Using an electronic device while driving is a serious safety problem. Most drivers know that texting while driving is a dangerous behavior, but many still use their cell phones and other mobile devices when they are behind the wheel, putting themselves and others at risk. Many drivers see distracted driving as risky when other drivers do it, but do not recognize how their own driving deteriorates.

In 2012, 3,328 people were killed and 421,000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, eleven percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

While anything that takes your eyes off the road (i.e. hands off the wheel) or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.  In addition, most drivers aren’t aware that just talking on a cell phone, hand held or hands free, can lead to “inattention blindness” as critical brain functions needed for driving are used for cell phone talking.

At any given daylight moment across America, there are about 660,000 drivers using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.  The Jurupa Valley Police Department is focusing on ways to change the behavior of drivers through enforcement, public awareness and education – the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat belt use.

In a national survey, almost half (48%) of drivers say they answer their cell phones while driving at least some of  the time, and more than half of those (58%) continue to drive after answering the call. Your Police Department recommends the following safety measures:

You can:

  • Turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive
  • Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving. Offer to make the call for the driver, so his or her full attention stays on the driving task

Parents can:

  • Be good role models for young drivers and set a good example. Talk with your teens about responsible driving
  • If you know your teen is on the road – don’t call or text them until you know they have reached their destination

Employers can:

  • Adopt, publicize, and enforce company policies that prohibit employees from texting or talking on hand-held cell phones while in a company vehicle, or in a personal vehicle while using a company issued cell phone.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.   For more information about distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov .

 

Distracted Driving Fact Sheet / Talking Points

Using electronic devices while driving is a serious safety problem

  • Most drivers know that texting while driving is a dangerous behavior, but many still use their cell phones and other mobile devices when they are behind the wheel, putting themselves and others at risk. Many drivers see distracted driving as risky when other drivers do it, but do not recognize how their own driving deteriorates.
  • Almost half (48.6%) of drivers say they answer incoming phone calls, and 1 of 4 drivers (23.9%) are willing to place calls on all, most, or some trips. About half (48.5%) said they never place calls while driving.
  • Considering there are more than 210 million licensed drivers in America, slightly more than 102 million drivers were answering calls and 50 million drivers were placing calls while driving in 2012.
  • At any given daylight moment across America, there are about 660,000 drivers using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.
  • Distracted Driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.

What Data Tells Us

  • At this very moment, there are some 660,000 drivers talking on hand-held cell phones – 5% of all American drivers at any given typical daylight moment. www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811718.pdf 
  • Almost double that number – 1.18 million drivers (9%) – were using some type of mobile device (either hand-held or hands free) at a typical daylight moment.
  • Use of an electronic device while driving can distract drivers from appropriately thinking about the driving task, watching the road and surrounding environment, and keeping their hands on the steering wheel. Texting while driving, a common activity in today’s world, involves all three types of distraction – visual, manual, and cognitive. (www.Distraction.gov )
  • Accurate reporting of distracted driving in fatal crashes poses a challenge for police officers who prepare crash reports after the incident. The highway safety community is working to create uniform reporting guidelines for distracted driving and to train officers to use them. In 2011, 7% of the drivers in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes, and of these, 12% were using cell phones. More than half the drivers in fatal crashes using cell phones were 5 to 29 years old. Almost 1 in 6 (17%) injury crashes involved distraction, resulting in 387,000 injured people in 2011. Cell phone use was reported in an estimated 21,000 distraction-affected crashes (www. Distraction.gov).

What People Tell Us

  • Almost half (48%) of drivers say they answer their cell phones while driving at least some of  the time, and more than half of those (58%) continue to drive after answering the call. This has not changed in the past two years. (www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/traffic_tech/tt407.pdf )
  • Fewer drivers (14%) say they send text messages or e-mails, but about one-third of those (35%) continue to drive when sending text messages.
  • Drivers of all ages use their phones while they are driving at least sometimes. More drivers recognize the risk and say they do not make or place calls or messages while driving than in 2010.
  • Most drivers support bans on hand-held cell phone use (74%) and texting while driving (94%), and they approve fines of $200 or higher for talking on cell phones or texting while driving.

Crashes

  • Some 6% of drivers say they were involved in a crash and 7% were in a near-crash situation in the past year. Of those, 2% say they were using cell phones at the time, and 3% were sending or reading text messages.

Communities can

  • Enforce strong laws banning texting and handheld cell phone use to let drivers know distracted driving is a serious safety matter.
  • Conduct high-visibility enforcement campaigns of existing texting and cell phone laws
  • Publicize the results of enforcement campaigns
  • Work with partners such as advocacy groups, youth groups, schools, traffic safety agencies, law enforcement agencies, and public health agencies to continue the discussion on the dangers of distracted driving.
  • Go to www.distraction.gov  for comprehensive information about distracted driving and see Blueprint to End Distracted Driving.

Employers can

  • Adopt, publicize, and enforce company policies that prohibit employees from texting or talking on hand-held cell phones while in a company vehicle, or in a personal vehicle while using a company issued cell phone.

You can

  • Turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive.
  • Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving. Offer to make the call for the driver, so his or her full attention stays on the driving task.
  • Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts are the best defense against other unsafe drivers.

Parents can

  • Be good role models for young drivers and set a good example. Talk with your teens about responsible driving.
  • Make sure your community and State laws include electronic device bans in graduated driver licensing laws for young novice drivers, and make them part of your teen’s driving responsibilities.

While driving:

  • 1 in 2 drivers answer calls
  • 1 in 4 drivers place calls
  • 3 in 5 young drivers answer calls
  • 1 in 3 young drivers place calls
  • 2 in 5 young drivers were observed manipulating a hand-held device.

 

Tips From Deputy Myers

School’s out, kids are out, protect yourself

Deputy Myers

Deputy Myers

By Deanna Myers

 

Is it July already?! Seems like we were just having end of the year parties and graduation celebrations. Well, the extra daylight and heat tends to bring more criminal activity. Make sure to keep your eyes open for suspicious activity. If you see a vehicle or person in your neighborhood that seems to be out of place or acting strangely, SAY SOMETHING!! The best way to protect yourself and your community is to be vigilant at contacting law enforcement.

Be sure when you call to have some very important information handy.

1) Your location. If we don’t know where you are we can’t get to you to help you.

2) What’s happening. We need to know what’s going on so we know what kind of help to send.

3) Description of individuals or vehicles that may be suspicious. The best way to get all the descriptive information you need to the dispatcher is to do it the same way every time; you have a better chance of remembering what to look for if it becomes routine. For example, describe a person from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet; male/female, race, hair color/eye color, clothing, shoes, direction of travel. When it comes to a vehicle, describe it from the rear to the front; make/model/color/license plate number, approximate year, type truck/SUV/sedan, direction of travel.

Also, the summer months are a great way to re-connect with your neighborhood watch groups with BBQs and block parties. Summertime is the best time to have your neighbors come together to protect each other as many travel away from home during this season. Let your close neighbors know when you are leaving and when you will be home so they can keep an extra eye out for your property. Let everyone know the proper contact numbers for law enforcement: emergency-911; non-emergency 951-776-1099.

Stay safe out there Eastvale! An important date to remember is August 9th for the next National Night Out!! It will be in your neighboring city of Norco this year at 1290 Hamner Ave. in front of the Target store. Hope to see all of you out there as the cities come together with Law Enforcement and first responders to provide information to all of you about safety!

Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department.  She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about eight years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.

 

Seven Tips For Children’s Summer Safety

Protect your kids while playing outside this summer

By Waste Management

Waste Management of Southern California encourages parents to review summer safety tips around waste and recycling collection trucks. Now that summertime is in full swing, the company has issued seven tips to help you be mindful of your family’s safety during this fun and adventurous season when everyone enjoys more time playing outside.

“Children are fascinated by our beautiful green waste and recycling trucks,” said Eloisa Orozco spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “Because safety is top priority for us, we encourage parents to take a moment to review these important safety tips with their kids to help prevent dangerous situations.”

Summer Safety Tips:

  •  Learn Collection Schedules: Learn the schedule of when service vehicles are in the area and share the schedule with your children. Waste and recycling trucks, postal vehicles and other package delivery services keep regular schedules within each neighborhood.
  • Keep a Safe Distance: Keep a safe distance from the truck – at least 15 feet. Never climb on the truck. Do not play or stand in or around waste and recycling bins or cans, since you may not know when the truck is coming to empty them.
  • Stay Clear: Do not attempt or allow children to help with loading any materials into the truck. In addition to moving truck parts, debris can come out of the truck when its contents are being compressed.
  • Stay Alert: Vehicles like Waste Management trucks make frequent stops and often back-up, so don’t follow the truck closely while walking, running, biking or skating. Stay alert and listen for the back-up alarm with “beep-beep-beep” sounds.
  • Stay Visible: There are several areas where the visibility is restricted for the driver. If you can’t see him/her in the eyes, they most likely can’t see you.
  • No Sudden Stops: It takes service vehicles about twice as long to stop as a passenger car, so never cut in front of or stop suddenly in front of one. Always keep a safe distance from a truck.
  • Listen for Alarms: Every Waste Management truck is equipped with a back-up alarm. Whether you are walking or driving near one of our trucks, if you hear this sound or see the white back-up lights, be sure to move out of the way of the truck.