Weekly Tip - Never Leave Kids, Pets, or Older Adults in a Parked Car

With the summer months upon us, now is the time to learn about the dangers of heatstroke and being trapped in a hot car. Learn how the temperature outside may affect the temperature inside your vehicle.

Heatstroke is dangerous and can be deadly. Never leave children, pets, or older adults unattended in a parked car.

Use the following life saving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind yourself and others to check the back seat before walking away from a vehicle. Children mistakenly being left in hot vehicles make up many of the tragedies reported each year.

·         Look Before You Lock. Get into the routine of always checking the back seat of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away.

·         A Gentle Reminder. Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it is empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Alternatively, place your phone, briefcase, or purse in the back seat when traveling with your child.

·         A Routine Check. If someone else is driving your child, or you alter your daily routine, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.

·         A Key to Safety. You know to keep your vehicle locked, but also keep your keys out of reach; nearly 3 in 10 heatstroke deaths happen when an unattended child gains access to a vehicle.

Learn more extreme heat preparedness at www.ready.gov/heat.  (Tips courtesy of Ready.gov)

Weekly Tip - Child Seat Safety

During the week of March 26, 2017 through April 1, 2017, the Arcadia Police Department Traffic Bureau will be conducting directed enforcement focused on child seat safety. During this week officers will be targeting drivers who allow children to ride in vehicles while not properly restrained.

Education is a significant deterrence when it comes to child seat safety. Educational materials will be handed out to area schools and officers will be available for questions regarding child seat safety.

Motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death for children and young adults. In 2014, over 6000 children under 14 were killed or seriously injured as a result of vehicle crashes in California. Sixty-three percent of children who died were unrestrained.

California law requires children to ride in a safety seat or booster, in the back seat, until they are at least eight years old. However, most children need a booster seat for proper belt fit until they are 10 to 12 years old. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. recommends that children ride in the back seat, which is 40% safer than the front, until they are old enough to learn to drive. For more information on child passenger safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

• Child Seat Safety Flyer
• The Perfect Gift - Your Child's Safety (Color Brochure)

This St. Patrick's Day, Plan Before You Party!

Remember: Impaired Driving, Drugs and Alcohol can Kill

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s favorite holidays to celebrate and party. Unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking, making the holiday one of our most dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 252 people lost their lives in drunk driving-related crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2011-2015. More than a fourth of them were killed in drunk driving crashes that occurred in the early morning, post-party hours (midnight to 5:59 a.m.). 

That’s why the Arcadia Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety are teaming up to reach all drivers with an important life-saving message and warning: Don’t Drive Impaired by Drugs or Alcohol.

The Arcadia Police Department will deploy additional officers on special DUI Saturation Patrols to stop and arrest drivers showing signs of alcohol or drug impairment. In addition to this St Patrick’s Day enforcement effort, all police, sheriff and the CHP will be on heightened alert ready to stop and arrest any impaired driver throughout the long weekend.

If you plan to celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day, follow these tips to stay safe:

●       Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive. You can’t do both.  “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving”

●       If you’re planning on driving, commit to staying sober. If you’ve been out drinking and then get behind the wheel, you run the risk of causing a crash or getting arrested for a DUI.

●       Drugs such as many prescription medications, marijuana or illicit drugs can also lead to impairment and unsafe driving, leading to a DUI. When mixed with even a small amount of alcohol the affects can be compounded.

●       If you have been drinking, call a taxi or sober friend or family member, or use public transportation. You can download the Designated Driver VIP free mobile app, “DDVIP,” for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more.  The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

●       Help those around you be responsible, too. Walking while impaired can also be deadly, as lack of attention could put you at risk of getting hit by a vehicle. If someone you know is impaired by alcohol or drugs, do not let them get behind the wheel and help them find a sober ride home. 

This enforcement effort is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone to be alert and ‘Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911’ if you see a dangerous driver call immediately!

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

Weekly Tip - Enjoy a Safe St. Patrick's Day!

On a holiday like St. Patrick's Day, there is no doubt that many folks will be celebrating long into the night. The Arcadia Police Department encourages everyone to party responsibly and to not drink and drive. Here are some quick statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Every day, 32 people in the United States die, in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 45 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion.

Here are a few tips to avoid becoming a DUI statistic:

• Designate a non-impaired driver to take you home or pick you up

• Celebrate at home and stay there

• Be a good host, offer those who have been drinking a place to spend the night

• Call a taxi

• Don't ignore the problem. If you are with someone who is intoxicated, don't let them drive. If you see someone attempting to drive that is under the influence, call the police. Stop the problem before it begins.

Don't become or cause a DUI statistic! Don't become an unwilling passenger in a police unit! Be responsible, Don't Drink and Drive!

Airbag Recall! Don't Risk Your Safety!

Certain vehicles, equipped with Takata Airbags are currently being recalled nationwide.

Customers are being urged to go to the NHTSA website; https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/and enter the vehicles Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their vehicle is included in this recall.  VIN numbers can also be checked through the OTS website; http://www.ots.ca.gov.  If the vehicle is included, they are to immediately contact their nearest dealer and schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired for free.

In particular, if you own a 2001-2003 Honda or Acura vehicle, you are asked to immediately take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for inspection. Even if you don't own this type of vehicle, please visit the SaferCar.gov website and check your vehicle VIN. It will identify other recalls as well.