Category: Uncategorized

Q: Whose bright idea was it to start putting the rear turn signal lights on the bumper area a foot below the rest of the rear lights?

A: I’m going to abandon all tact and just say it. Low-mounted turn signals are dumb. Oh, and your opening pun is brilliant. As to whose idea it was, I have two answers: one wrong, one right, both not great.

The conspiracy theorists will tell you that big auto, big insurance, and big government have colluded to increase rear-end crashes through poor vehicle design. Car companies reap massive profit from parts and service on vehicle repairs, insurance companies jack up rates for more frequent crashes, the government gets to tax all that revenue, and the senators get paid off by the lobbyists. That’s the wrong answer, in case you’re wondering.

Continue reading “Terrible Turn Signal Design”

Continue reading “A Visual Approach to Cycling Crash Data”

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.

It is a high-profile global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world’s roads and to acknowledge the suffering of all affected victims, families and communities – millions added each year to countless millions already suffering: a truly tremendous cumulative toll.

This Day has also become an important tool for governments and all those whose work involves crash prevention or response to the aftermath of crashes, since it offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries, call for an end to the often trivial and inappropriate response to road death and injury and advocate for urgent concerted action to stop the carnage.

On World Day we too pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals, who deal daily with the traumatic aftermath of road crashes.

For the past several years in Whatcom County, we’ve held a World Day of Remembrance ceremony. This year, because of COVID-19, we were unable to gather together. Still, we want to remember those who have been killed in traffic crashes and honor the emergency workers who are called upon to respond. This video captures the words and actions of leaders and responders in our community:

Yes, there is a second episode of Donuts and Traffic. Does that officially make it a series? Just to be sure, episode three is in the works.

In this episode I interview Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Miriam Norman. She’s an impaired driving expert with some information that may surprise you (and possibly change how you think).

Note: Even though this video was posted on April 1, the actual filming took place before social distancing was in place here in Washington. We don’t want to give the impression we’re disregarding the very important practices needed to keep us safe during this time.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated to remember the many people killed and injured on our roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.  It is also a day on which we thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families and communities, and on ways to halt it. Our remembrance ceremony will include stories from emergency responders and a family member of a victim of a traffic crash, along with a memorial walk to honor the victims of traffic crashes in Whatcom County.

Continue reading “World Day of Remembrance 2019”

What if there was a movie reviewer that only cared about the traffic safety parts of the show? Yep, you’d get “Traffic Nerd Goes To The Movies.” This is the first of what will hopefully become a semi-regular feature at TheWiseDive.com. In this episode we consider the importance of seatbelts and the use of sports cars as a compensation tool.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated to remember the many people killed and injured on our roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.  It is also a day on which we thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families and communities, and on ways to halt it. This year’s theme is “Roads Have Stories.” Continue reading “World Day of Remembrance 2018”