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High Beams
February 20, 2024
If there is one thing I love, it is the hit song Blinded by the Light, which was written by Bruce Springsteen (A.K.A. The Boss). If there is one thing I hate, it is being blinded by the light: especially while driving! Let’s see what The Boss has to say about this dangerous driving behavior.
Using your high beams at night is a great idea when you want increased visibility. The projected light makes it easier to see Further on (up the road). However, they can cause real Trouble in Paradise for other motorists. Bright lights can cause temporary blindness, Sad Eyes, and confusion when shined directly in another driver’s windshield.
Not only is it unsafe to shine your high beams Out in the Street, but it is also a violation of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Law. In fact, you can receive a 60 dollar fine if you fail to lower your high beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are approaching from the rear. This fine increases to 70 dollars if you do not lower your high beams within 500 feet of approaching another motorist from the front.
Speaking of bright Party Lights, you may think that using bright aftermarket lights on your Pink Cadillac is a good idea, but it isn’t. The citation for glaring and dazzling lights is also 70 dollars.
Whether you have trouble seeing or just want the added visibility while you Drive All Night, be sure to lower your high beams when you are sharing the road with other motorists. You may think those lights are giving you a Brilliant Disguise, but in reality, they are causing trouble for everyone else. Besides, the last thing you want to do is cause a crash and have to sing “I’m on Fire”!
(How many Bruce Springsteen references were you able to find?)
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
Traffic Circle Tips
February 13, 2024
We hope you enjoy this special Valentine’s Day edition of Traffic Tip Tuesday (on a Wednesday!)
Love is a roundabout journey, full of unexpected twists and turns. But unlike your love life, navigating a traffic circle doesn’t have to be confusing or heart-stopping. This Valentine’s Day, show your love for smooth sailing and traffic safety by mastering the art of the roundabout!
Cupid’s Guide to Conquering the Circle:
- Yield your heart (and the right of way). Entering the circle? Remember, love means patience! Yield to traffic already inside, entering from your left. Think of it as giving others the space they deserve, just like you’d give your special someone a rose.
- Keep calm and carry on (slowly). Don’t speed up as you approach. Maintain a steady, gentle pace like a slow dance with your Valentine. Remember, smooth moves keep everyone safe.
- Signal your intentions (clearly). Don’t be shy! Use your turn signals to tell others where your love story is headed (when exiting). It’s like sending a flirty signal across the room, but with turn signals instead of winks.
- Avoid cutting corners (literally and figuratively). Stay in your lane as you navigate the circle. No need for dramatic shortcuts that could lead to a messy crash (and a broken heart).
- Exit gracefully (with a smile). Once you’ve reached your desired exit, signal again and merge smoothly out of the circle. Leave everyone behind with a positive impression, just like you would after a successful date.
Remember, love may be blind, but when it comes to traffic circles, a little awareness goes a long way. So, this Valentine’s Day, show your love for yourself and others by navigating the roundabout with confidence and care. Happy (and safe) driving!
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
Driving in the Rain
January 9, 2024
Raining Cats and Hydroplaning Dogs: A Guide to Not Wrecking Your Ride (and Everyone Else’s)
Okay, folks, the skies have opened up and Mother Nature’s doing her impression of a leaky showerhead. Let’s not turn the roads into a slip-and-slide nightmare.
Here’s your cheat sheet to surviving the watery apocalypse behind the wheel:
Slow down. Wet roads are like ice rinks for your ego. Treat the accelerator like you’re holding a tiny, grumpy chihuahua – gentle pats, not angry stomps.
Headlights on. Visibility goes away faster than your landlord when you tell him that your hot water heater is leaking. Don’t be the driver hiding in their own personal fog bank. Make sure others can see you.
Puddles? More like “personal hydroplaning playgrounds.” Deep water and your car are not BFFs. Steer clear.
Tailgating? More like “rear-ending someone while wearing a raincoat of shame.” Keep a safe distance. Remember, rain makes brake lights blurry and difficult to see.
Don’t panic, and for the love of all things dry, don’t slam on the brakes! Smooth and gentle is the name of the wet-road game. Panic attacks only make your car do the tango with physics.
Put the phone down. Texting and driving is bad enough in sunshine, let alone when you can’t see the car in front of you.
Remember, you’re not James Bond. Driving through flooded streets is not a heroic act, it’s just plain dumb. Your car is not a submarine, and neither are you (unless you’re Aquaman, in which case, carry on).
Bonus tip: If you see someone driving like they’re auditioning for “Fast and Furious: Monsoon Drift,” steer clear and wish them the best. You don’t want to be involved in a crash because you are trying to outpace an idiot with a death wish.
P.S. Don’t forget the floaties (just kidding…unless?).
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
Drunk Driving Arrests
January 2, 2024
This week I am going to change things up a bit. Instead of giving you fun facts, this week I am going to give you a serious number. That number is 344. In 2023, Deputies assigned to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office made 344 drunk driving arrests. This means that 344 times, someone had too much to drink and then made the poor decision to drive and was subsequently arrested. 79 of these DUI arrests were the result of a traffic crash. In addition to that, 8.3% of Harford County’s fatal crashes were alcohol related.
This has got to stop. One study estimates that only about 2-3% of drunk drivers are actually caught. This means that thousands and thousands of drivers are sharing the roadway with you and your loved ones under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In 2024, there are dozens of ways to get home safely. Ride-share programs, taxi services (yes, they still exist), friends and neighbors, public transportation. The list goes on and on.
Let’s all work together to make 2024 the year that we do our part to keep Harford County roads safe. If you are planning on drinking, have a plan. Remember, if you feel different you drive different.
I hope everyone has a SAFE and wonderful new 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
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