Temperatures and Bike Safety

October 22, 2024

It’s that time of year when the weather simply can’t make up its mind. It is 35° in the morning and then 75° in the afternoon. It’s also the time of year when motorcycle riders are trying to squeeze in those last few miles before they pack their bikes away for the winter. This week I want to go over some basic motorcycle safety tips for my two-wheeled friends out there.

First, your ride starts before you even get onto your bike. Make sure you’re doing your pre-ride checklist to ensure that everything on your motorcycle is in proper working order. You don’t want to have to deal with an emergency part way through your ride. All my riders know what T-CLOCS stands for. Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil and other fluids, Chassis, Stands.

Make yourself visible. I can’t tell you how many crashes I have investigated where a vehicle driver told me that they didn’t see the motorcycle. Bright colors during the day and reflective clothing at night is a must.

Wear appropriate gear. Always wear a DOT-approved helmet, eye protection, leather jacket, gloves, sturdy pants, and over-the-ankle boots. Studies how that 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in serious injuries or death. The right gear can go a long way to keeping you safe.

Finally, don’t let the fall weather ruin your ride. Wet leaves on the road can be as slick as ice. Also, with the sun hanging so low in the sky, it is easily to becoming blinded while riding of into the sunset.

So get out there, ride safe and enjoy the last few weeks of nice weather before winter rears her ugly head.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Fall Reminders

October 15, 2024

This week for #traffictiptuesday I want to LEAF the puns behind and FALL Into some basic driving tips. Grab your pumpkin spice latte, buckle up, and get ready to brush up on some safe driving tips for autumn.

Watch out for leafy camouflage – those sneaky wet leaves can hide potholes or make roads slick as ice. Don’t let them trick you into a slippery surprise.
The days are getting shorter, but your patience shouldn’t be. Keep a safe distance, especially with reduced visibility during dusk and dawn. Remember your sunglasses. The sun is hanging lower in the sky which can make it very difficult to see in front of you.

Don’t let the beautiful fall colors distract you from the road. You should save the sightseeing for when you’re not behind the wheel.

Remember, morning fog isn’t a spooky Halloween special effect. It’s a driving hazard. Slow down, leave more distance from the car in front of you and use your low beams to navigate safely.

Stay frosty (but not literally). Cold weather is right around the corner. Watch out for icy patches on these particularly cold mornings, or you might find yourself performing an unintentional pirouette in your car.

Deer and other animals are on the move, so keep an eye out for these woodland friends. They don’t know the rules of the road, and even if they did, I am not sure racoons really care where the cross walks are.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Pet Peeves

October 8, 2024

I’ll bet, if we are being honest, every one of us could identify some pet peeves that drive us crazy. Some people can’t stand it when other people use words like ‘supposably.’ Others of us want to fling silverware at diners who chew with their mouths open. And I am sure there are still a few more of us who are ready to explode anytime a coworker cuts them off, mid-sentence (I’m guilty). Well, here are a few of Traffic Sergeant Eaton’s personal pet peeves when it comes to driving behaviors.

• Passing on the shoulder. A great way to see me turn on my lights and give a big fat citation is by driving down the shoulder past a long line of cars to make a right turn at a red light. If there isn’t a deceleration lane, be still and wait your turn. Otherwise, you could end up with a $110 fine and 1 point on your license.
• Tailgating. Speaking of taking your time, nothing miffs my muffler more than a bumper pirate. We should always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of us. Trying to push the car ahead of you off the road is not only dangerous, but you are also likely causing undo stress to your fellow motorists. Not to mention the fact that your wallet will be $110 lighter, and your license will be 1 point heavier if you do this.
• Waiting until the last minute to merge – While this isn’t a direct violation of traffic law, it does make me want to come unglued. How many times have we seen the sign indicating that a lane is closed one mile ahead and some doofus decides to ride it out as looooooong as possible, only to whip over in front of you at the last possible second? The warning signs are there to give you ample time to prepare to merge without having to make things more hazardous for everyone else. Again, while this is usually not a specific violation, it could potentially cost you $90 and 1 point for an unsafe lane change.

So, what driving pet peeves do you have? Leave a comment below so we can all agree with one another while shaking our fists at the sky like a bunch of grumpy old men.
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Reminder to Pay Attention

October 1, 2024

Pop Quiz: What do school buildings, crosswalks, and a raccoon playing the banjo have in common? Answer: You should slow down and pay attention when you see them.
Schools have been back in session, which means buses, pedestrians and a huge increase in vehicle traffic. Here are a few commonsense tips to make navigating the 2024-2025 school safer for everyone.

As I have said too many times to count. Slow down. No one plans on crashing their car, but if you do end up in a fender bender, the slower your speed, the less likely someone will be injured.

Pay attention to crosswalks and, equally importantly, pay attention to the crossing guards manning those crosswalks. Those stop signs on a stick aren’t just fashion accessories. Failing to obey the direction of a school crossing guard could land you a $290 fine and one point on your license.

Watch for school buses and prepare to stop when you see the amber lights. Those red lights are not far behind. A past Fast Fact Friday taught us that there were over 7300 school bus camera violations last year. Let’s all work together to drive that number down to zero.

Finally, for the kids. When you are walking to school, pay attention. If you have your face buried in a TikTok video, you aren’t paying attention to the vehicles around you. Plus, you may miss the opportunity to see a raccoon jamming out a musical instrument.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun school year!

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org