Psychology Today blogs here on some of the new engineering methods being used to stop texting while driving, and comes to an interesting conclusion regarding "shock" video PSAs:
Gory shock films (fear appeals) sure are effective. Everyone knows that. Except if you look at anything remotely approaching a scientific standard of testing, you know that these persuasion tactics have little or no effect on actual behavior leading to fewer accidents and deaths. They just make the folks doing the scolding feel good about themselves.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Crash Sends 14 Year Old to Hospital in Critical Condition
Reporting today from the New Haven Independent about a very severe crash on a section of Quinnipiac Avenue notorious for crashes and speeding, but scheduled to be rebuilt over the next year using Federal stimulus dollars. An excerpt:
But neighbors also said that the intersection has been unsafe for years, with unpainted crosswalks, a dim light, and unenforced speed limits. This is the most recent of a number of bike- and pedestrian-related accidents in the city.
The three girls who had been biking were “sobbing” together on the corner near Stahl’s house, she said. When she went over to talk to them, she realized that they were standing on the spraypaint memorial for Mike Padua, the boy who had died in 2005.
While Tuesday’s accident seems to have been the boy’s fault, Stahl indicated that the fact that it is the second accident at the corner suggests a need for action. “If it happens once, shame on them. If it happens twice, shame on us,” Stahl said.
She suggested that a speed bump near the bottom of Clifton Street might serve as a deterrent for daredevil youth. Stahl has other ideas about how the intersection could be improved also. She and Rose said that they have contacted the city repeatedly to try to have crosswalks repainted. “They haven’t been repainted in ten years.”
But neighbors also said that the intersection has been unsafe for years, with unpainted crosswalks, a dim light, and unenforced speed limits. This is the most recent of a number of bike- and pedestrian-related accidents in the city.
The three girls who had been biking were “sobbing” together on the corner near Stahl’s house, she said. When she went over to talk to them, she realized that they were standing on the spraypaint memorial for Mike Padua, the boy who had died in 2005.
While Tuesday’s accident seems to have been the boy’s fault, Stahl indicated that the fact that it is the second accident at the corner suggests a need for action. “If it happens once, shame on them. If it happens twice, shame on us,” Stahl said.
She suggested that a speed bump near the bottom of Clifton Street might serve as a deterrent for daredevil youth. Stahl has other ideas about how the intersection could be improved also. She and Rose said that they have contacted the city repeatedly to try to have crosswalks repainted. “They haven’t been repainted in ten years.”
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Pedestrian Struck; Killed in Downtown New Haven
A woman struck by a van driver at State and Elm Streets Wednesday died of her injuries Thursday morning. The accident occurred Wednesday around 1:17 p.m.
The woman, Margo DeMaio, 68, of Hamden, died at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. DeMaio suffered “severe head trauma” in the accident.
Avery said an investigation continues into the accident. No arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
Reported in the New Haven Independent, August 6, 2009: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/08/pedestrian_hit.php
Also see NH Register coverage here.
The woman, Margo DeMaio, 68, of Hamden, died at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. DeMaio suffered “severe head trauma” in the accident.
Avery said an investigation continues into the accident. No arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
Reported in the New Haven Independent, August 6, 2009: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/08/pedestrian_hit.php
Also see NH Register coverage here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)