On The Road with Streetwise Special Delivery Inc.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

How To Handle Getting Flipped Off On The Road

Who among us can honestly say his or her driving hasn't, at one time or other, elicited "the finger" from a fellow motorist? We've ALL been "flipped off" from time to time.

My first incident happened when I was 21-years old, lean and dressed to the 9's in a tuxedo, heading to my parents house to pick them up for a wedding(not mine). I was about to turn right on to Curtner Ave. from Meridian Ave. in San Jose, California, when this gorgeous girl changed lanes from behind me, pulled along side and swiftly flipped me "the bird"!

I was stunned. (I must have accidentally cut her off.) All I could do was shrug my shoulders, as she flashed a quick smile and sped off. I guess that wasn't so bad, however, what happened two days ago...was even better!

Heading southbound on De La Cruz Blvd. in Santa Clara, California, I eased down to the speed limit as is a daily habit between Martin and Reed Avenue, because Santa Clara traffic cops constantly patrol that corridor with radar. In fact, I had just noticed a motorcycle unit about 100-yards up, pointing his lidar-gun in my direction....when at the same moment, this pick-up truck sped-up behind me from out of nowhere.

The driver laid on his horn, changed lanes and raced by while vigorously flipping me off, as he flew past. Unfortunately, whatever satisfaction he may have enjoyed was short-lived! From my rear-view mirror, I saw the motorcycle cop pull out and blow by me to flag down the fast-fingered driver.

Upon catching up, I noticed the stopped driver's right hand cupped over his forehead , displaying a much more civil gesture! Unfortunately, flipping someone off or getting flipped off seldom ends with a ticket or a peaceful chuckle. Thousands of road rage incidents stem from this foul hand gesture, leading to violence, injury and death...among other things.

Take what happened last year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. An Australian businessman living and working there got mad and flipped off a local driver, who then followed him home, beat him up, and called the police. The local driver happened to be an Arab-Emirates Government official. The Australian was immediately thrown in jail for a month, and then deported along with his working wife.

This past June, a 62-year old New Jersey man was killed after crazily chasing down a young woman who had flipped him off. His front bumper clipped her from behind, sending his car flipping out of control, and ejecting him.

"The bird" can get you into trouble elsewhere, too. At the Canadian Legislature in the province of New Brunswick recently, a Liberal Party official flipped-off a Progressive Conservative adversary during a debate, and was suspended for three days without pay!

Back on the road, the simplest rule is to never, never, flip anyone off! Ignore it, and AVOID danger. But, what about receiving the insulting gesture? A woman in Foster City, California suffered extreme anxiety following her first episode, when a man tailgated and flipped her off repeatedly, before finally turning the corner in another direction. She couldn't stop wondering what she'd done wrong. "Couldn't the man see I was helpless and alone, with a baby in the back seat?", she wondered.

After a week of poor sleep, the woman finally called a handful of girlfriends to see how they handled getting flipped off, and some of thier answers made sense. One would slap the side of her head and whisper the words 'I'm sorry'...which got an "ok, no problem" reaction.

Another woman met the bird by blowing back a kiss, while another, into Yoga yelled back "Go to Yoga" to any naughty hand signals. A final remedy was to pick up the cell phone and act as if you're calling the police! This usually did the trick, and these ideas finally gave the anxious woman some piece-of-mind.

As mentioned in a previous blog, the best way to deal with unkind, aggressive driving behavior is to steer clear of it, by driving safely, ignoring horns, verbal insults or the infamous bird flip which can often inflame road rage incidents..

Should danger persist despite avoidance or apology, use your cell phone to call for help, and drive to either a police station or other populated area...but, NEVER drive strait home....at least not until totally clear of of danger. This is all COMMON SENSE. Use it!

Thanks, drive carefully, and stay out of harms way,

PeteCam4

"Best Wishes"--PTCJr

Saturday, February 20, 2010

WHAT TO DO AROUND THE BAY AREA

Cirque du Soleil via last.fm

If your looking for something to do this weekend here are a few suggestions of things to do for all age groups. For you chocolate lovers, you have the San Francisco Gourmet Chocolate Tour. San Jose has OVO presented by Cirque du Soleil and the Spring Festival Silicon Valley 2010 -Chinese New Year Gala these are events for the family. In Palo Alto you can take a Quilting class at the Muse of American Heritage. That is a little something to do in the Bay Area this weekend, so go out and enjoy.

http://www.gourmetwalks.com/html/chocolate_tour.html?gclid=CMHT45iU_Z8CFRwUawodgTaEmQ

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/tickets/san-jose.aspx?d=33&9gtype=search&9gkw=san%20jose%20entertainment&9gad=3701645510.1&9gag=1268670290

http://events.mercurynews.com/san-jose-ca/events/show/97428265-spring-festival-silicon-valley-2010-chinese-new-year-gala

http://events.mercurynews.com/palo-alto-ca/events/show/93505285-i-can-quilt

Saturday, February 13, 2010

What Not To Do During An Earthquake

Image via Wikipedia

You may have already read Streetwise blogger LM's fantastic article on earthquake survival in the Streetwise Courier, which details how to stock-up and prepare for life after a horrific quake. Now, I'm going to re-inform you on how to reach that point, in other words....how to survive during the initial moments of destruction and the collapse that follows, as happened in Haiti last month.

As school children we were all taught to "duck and cover", by getting under our desks to protect ourselves from falling debris....or to stand in an open doorway under the frame, which is the strongest part of the building.

However, according to Doug Copp, one of the top disaster rescue experts in the world, this is exactly what NOT to do, and is in fact....is dead wrong! Literally!

Copp is chief of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the most experienced disaster rescue team in the world, and claims his information in this article is both factual, and will save lives in an earthquake:

"I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, and worked in every major disaster since 1985. The first building I crawled into was a school in Mexico City during the '85 quake. Every child was under its desk, and every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles", said Copp.

"SIMPLY STATED, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceiling falling on objects or furniture crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call "the triangle of life". The larger and stronger the object, the less it will compact. The less it compacts, the larger the void and the greater the probability that the person in that safety void will NOT be injured."

The following is a list of Doug Copp's VALUABLE TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY:

1-Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death. Do not get under objects like desks or automobiles.

2-Cats, dogs and babies often curl up into the fetal position. You should too during an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct that allows one to survive in a small void. Get next to an object, sofa or large bulky object that will compress and leave a void next to it.

3-Wooden buildings are the safest to be in because wood is flexible, and moves with the force of the quake. Wood also has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks causing many injuries, but far less squashed bodies than with concrete slabs.

4-If you're in bed during an earthquake, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around it. Hotels should all post these rules on the back of every room door, insuring a greater survival rate.

5-If an earthquake occurs and you can't escape by door or window, lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa or large chair.

6-Don't get under an open doorway frame during a building collapse. Why? Because if the doorjam falls forward or backward, you'll be crushed by the ceiling above. If the doorjam falls sideways, you will be cut in half by the doorway. Either way, you will die!

7-NEVER go to the stairs! Stairs swing separately from the main part of the building, and continually smash into the other parts of the building until structural failure takes place. People on stairs are chopped up and mutilated by the stair treads. Even if left intact, stairwells may collapse when overloaded by fleeing people. Stay off the stairs!

8-Get near the outer walls of buildings, or OUTSIDE of them if possible. It's better to be outside the building than inside, because the further inside the perimeter, the less chance of escape.

9-People inside their cars during a quake are crushed to death when the road above caves in on them. This is exactly what happened between the decks of the 'Nimitz Freeway' in the Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area during the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. The victims all stayed inside of their vehicles and were killed. They could easily have survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their cars, because all of the crushed cars had voids 3-feet high next to them.

10-It was discovered that a collapsed newspaper office, and other offices with lots of stacked paper were much more earthquake safe, because paper does not compact! Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper!

Finally, Mr. Copp made a film 14-years ago that proved his survival methodology correct, by collapsing a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside, and then simulating with scientific detail....an actual earthquake.

Ten mannequins did "duck and cover", while the other ten used Copp's "triangle of life" survival method. After sifting through the rubble, Copp's ten mannequins had survived. The remaining ten....did not.

We should all be dummies not to want to save thousands of lives by sharing valuable information like this regarding earthquakes, and the many other natural calamities that threaten our existance.

Thank You, and stay safe,

PeteCam4

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

NEW ORLEANS BISTRO IN SAN JOSE

Jambalaya with chicken, sausage, rice, tomatoe...

Image via Wikipedia

NEW ORLEANS BISTRO IN SAN JOSE

Have you ever been to New Orleans Louisiana? The sound of music is everywhere, the smell of food cooking makes you want to eat! eat! eat!.
San Jose has two New Orleans style bistro’s. There’s the Poor House Bistro at 91 S. Autumn Street in near downtown San Jose. You can go to this joint and get your grub on with some Jambalaya, Crawfish Pasta, and Sausage Bread just to name a few of my favorites. While your grubbing down, you can listen to some good soul music by Lara Price & Yesterday Band on Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm. The Poor House Bistro is one of the joints you want to be at you have your choice of days Tuesday through Sunday. The other bistro is Bourbon Street Bistro located at 5635 Silver Creek Valley Road in San Jose, opened last July 2009. I went to Bourbon Street Bistro this month and I can say I was pleasantly surprised, the menu had a variety of taste of New Orleans. A few of my favorites dishes were Gumbo, Etouffee and Shrimp PoBoy Sandwich, The music was a collection of Jazz and Blues, the band was Noel & Friends you can catch them on Wednesdays between 7pm and 10pm.. I think Bourbon Street Bistro is going to be the place to go for good food and good music.

http://poorhousebistro.allappetite.com/

http://www.bourbonstreetbistro.net/

LM

HAITI’S CHALLENGES

Image via Wikipedia

HAITI’S CHALLENGES

The country of Haiti has had serious challenges throughout it’s past and present. The years between 1791 through 1803 there was the Haitian Revolution, this was a violent time in Haiti’s history. In the 1900s, U.S.
Marines occupied Haiti from 1915 through 1934, another violent and bloody part of Haiti’s past. Haiti once was the richest colony in the New World, with the man made and natural disasters it is one of the poorest of the Caribbean. With this last earthquake on January 12, 2010 Port-au-Prince is in ruins, with the Hundreds of thousand of lives lost and millions of homeless is going to take years to rebuild Haiti. It’s going to take help from the international community, to help rebuild this poor country. We can all help by going www.redcross.org to find out what we can do to help this country to heal. If everyone donated 50 cents that would be a great start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Revolution

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/25/the-sad-history-of-how-poor-haiti-got-that-way/

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/01/2010125173052160977.html

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=dd1c3004ae666210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

LM

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Move Over Law

Image via Wikipedia

How many California drivers don't know there's a law requiring motorists to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles with lights flashing while stopped on the side of the road? The law is SB1610, and it includes safely steering clear of CalTrans workers, police officers, fire trucks, ambulances, and tow trucks.

We are already required to pull over and make way for approaching emergency vehicles with sirens or lights flashing. This law instructs drivers to safely slow down and/or change lanes (more than one lane adjacent to) any stopped emergency vehicle. Violators face a $50 fine.

The California Highway Patrol originally rejected this law in 2005, arguing that pulling over violators would place traffic and drivers in more danger. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed by vetoing the bill, saying, "This law could result in unintended consequences and additional road hazzards".

However, SB1610 was eventually passed in 2006 before expiring last month, and then re-instated by the Governor on January 1, 2010. Sponsoring Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto says the "Move Over, Slow Down" law closely resembles similiar laws in more than 40 states.

"This bill is about promoting highway safety, plain and simple, says Simitian. "I hope it puts a stop to the senseless deaths of police officers, tow truck drivers, paramedics and other emergency personnel out there simply helping stranded motorists".

Over the past five years more than a dozen police and state road workers have been killed along California roads. The latest was CalTrans worker Don Lichliter, who was struck down by a passing truck in Lodi on July 23, 2009. Since 1924, 176 CalTrans employees have died from roadside accidents.

North Carolina was the first of 45 states to pass such a law in 2002, following the injury or death of 66 state troopers over three-year period. Violators there are fined $250.

If you think that's expensive try Virginia, where passing a stopped police officer without changing lanes is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a $2500 fine! This may be a bit steep, however, the message here seems clear!

Use common sense! Drive defensively by seeing the BIG picture! (Remember drivers ed. class?) Above all, pay attention around, and, ahead of you....particularly with emergency vehicles.

After all, our law enforcement and emergency professionals put thier lives on the line to protect us every day! Slowing down or changing lanes to give these first responders enough room to work safely, is the least we can do in return! Move over California! It's the law!

Thanks again, and drive safely!

PeteCam4

Sunday, January 10, 2010

How to avoid a 2nd accident!

Image via Wikipedia

It is often more dangerous the first moments after a traffic accident, than during the initial collision. I witnessed a close call Thursday afternoon in Santa Clara, California that reminded me of this.

I was coming out of the lobby of a company I deliver to daily at the intersection of De La Cruz Blvd. and Martin Avenue which runs just west of The San Jose Airport. A two car accident had just happened at that intersecting stop light. I know because I was only in the office five-minutes, and was just returning to my car.

Two badly damaged vehicles were facing south, side by side on the right portion of the intersection and light. Both drivers had been escorted by witnesses to the south lawn of a strip mall across the street, and while dazed and shaken...neither looked seriously injured.

However, I did notice heavy traffic sifting through the intersection at a bumper to bumper pace, passing very close on both sides of the vehicles. It looked like another accident waiting to happen, and almost did!

As the sirens began sounding in the distance, one of the drivers got up from the lawn and began to stagger crookedly toward her car, probably to retrieve something...and came dangerously close to getting struck down by passing motorists.

Luckily, a transportation officer grabbed her just as she was about to stumble and fall. This could have been a disaster that's happened many times before! All it takes is a victim wandering recklessly without realizing they're in shock and/or suffering from a concussion. Add to that rubber-necking drivers who often smash into one another as well as roadside pedestrians.

Years ago I was a passenger during a t-bone collision in East San Jose that left me pretty beat-up and bruised. We were all very lucky, however, I do remember waking up sitting on the curb after blacking out! I also had a caring bystander standing by to catch me after I began to stumble around in the intersection...with a concussion.

Here are a few ways to avoid a potential second or third accident at the same scene. If you're there to actually help out, carefully secure yourself and any victims far away from traffic or other danger....while consoling and comforting them until help arrives.

When driving past an accident, be cautious, courtious and aware of obstacles, pedestrians, the car in front of you, and any traffic instructions. Help out by being careful....and don't rubber-neck! That way we'll always keep it down to just ONE accident, which is bad enough as it is.

Thanks, take care and drive safely,

PeteCam4

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

An Expensive U-Turn

They say bikes get in the way of traffic

Have you ever made an illegal u-turn without realizing it? Perhaps you didn't notice the posted sign, but your passenger sure did, and loudly called it to your attention!

Have you ever scoped out the area for cops before intentionally making that u-turn anyway? Be honest! I'll bet at least 90-percent of you have!

I have....once or twice over the years. Like most of You I got away with it....but, I wouldn't recommend making a habit of it. These days there are lots of camera's out there filling in for police, and the tickets you get in the mail are just as expensive. It's also dangerous!

This brings to mind two personal experiences on the road. The first happened last year in Fremont, California. I was cited for what I considered a bogus grid-lock violation at the Southland Mall on Mowry Avenue.

I took the ticket to court and won when the cop never showed, but before that I watched several other cases fail miserably. Most were photo traffic citations caught on video cameras! The judge actually called each driver up to his bench, and had them watch their violation play-out....right there on his computer monitor!

They had little or no room to argue, against something much tougher that any citing police officer. I also noted a good many illegal u-turn cases. I'll bet each driver THOUGHT they'd gotten away with it...but didn't!

The other personal event happened today in Santa Clara. I was westbound on Lafayette Street waiting for a green light where it intersects at El Camino Real. To my right was a motorcycle cop also waiting to cross sorthbound.

Directly across from me was a lady who made a poor decision. When our signal turned green she decided to cross the double-yellow line in front of the light, and make a forced u-turn. Sure enough she stranded herself illegally against the curb blocking me and two lanes of traffic.

I cautiously eased forward while glancing toward to cop to my right, and we both shook our heads. He quickly cracked a smile, cut in front of me and flashed his red lights to pull her over.

My point is, either way you may want to try it....don't do it again unless it's legal, especially in front of motorcycle police, and more specifically in Fremont, Newark and Campbell, California where most photo ticketing occurs.

Even if you're in a hurry, take the time to make it legal, safe and, less expensive!

Thanks, and take it easy out there on the road!

PeteCam4

Monday, December 21, 2009

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA

The Oakland Museum of California was established in 1969 as a museum for
the people, to tells the stories of California. Back then the main focus
was on art, history and natural sciences. Oakland museum is undergoing
renovation and transformation, the grand opening will be in May 2010.
With the new transformation Oakland Museum of California will also focus
on visitor participation, interpretive tools, interactive features, new
gathering spaces and program areas that will engage and encourage
visitors to share their perspectives questions and stories of California.
Oakland Museum of California has always had strong ties to the community,
so schools, scholars, local audiences and visitors will be welcome to
participate in events and activities and be part of California’s past,
present, and future. A local artists has already gave the Oakland Museum
of California a face lift with a new mural at the Oak Street Entry, this
mural is beautiful. If this is any indication of what the museum to be
like, Oakland Museum of California this is going to be something to see.
I can’t wait until it reopens.

http://museumca.org/node/738/photos

LM

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Holiday Checkpoint Season

It's holiday checkpoint season again, and time for local police and The California Highway Patrol to put up random sobriety roadblocks. But, just how necessary are they, and what restrictions govern them regarding the rights of motorists?

The fourth amendment to the Constitution protects people from being stopped without a search warrant, or at least "probable cause" that they've committed a crime. While the US Supreme Court did make an exemption regarding DUI checkpoints, eleven states have still outlawed them...following a landmark 1990 ruling in Michigan that granted permission to uphold outstanding state law.

Here in California, the CHP maintains that checkpoints reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads and highways, and diminishes the amount of pain, suffering and death that result from drunk driving. Still, 51-percent of all drivers in America fall victim to at least one alchohol-related accident, while one person dies every 22 minutes from a drunk driving accident. The current annual death toll is at 11, 888.

No matter how grim the numbers, sobriety checkpoints must still follow strict protocol laid out by the California Supreme Court. Checkpoint locations must be chosen by supervisory police officers, not field officers. Advanced notice must also be given, while location of road blocks is not required. Police must also us a a neutral mathematical formula when stopping drivers, such as....every car, or every 3rd car etc.

Motorist safety must be a primary concern, with police providing proper lighting, warning signs and signals. Checkpoints should be only open when traffic volume allows safe operation. In fact, checkpoints open during late evening hours on major holidays. Here in San Jose, the next checkpoints are scheduled for December 31st between 8pm and 3am.

Officers are also not allowed to detain drivers longer than it takes to ask a few questions, while looking and smelling for obvious signs of intoxication. If cleared, the driver should be swiftly waived through, while those showing signs of impairment are taken to a seperate area for a field sobriety test. I recently discovered one other, unusual restriction during a personal road experience.

While driving north-bound on Bascom Avenue in San Jose this past Labor Day weekend, I came upon a checkpoint just past the stoplight at Stokes Avenue. As I eased behind a slow line of cars heading for the blinking signs, I noticed a few cars making sudden U-turns in an obvious attempt to avoid the road block. Even the driver in front of me darted left onto a double-yellow line and into a 7'11 parking lot. Isn't that illegal, I thought? Can't the cops stop them for that? None were around to see them!

According to the Supreme Court, motorists may NOT be stopped while seeking to avoid a checkpoint. However, if the ditching driver commits a vehicle code violation, or shows obvious signs of intoxication...police can pull them over. Next evening the Bascom Avenue checkpoint was back up, but a half-mile closer to Valley Medical Center this time,and pointed North.

Curiously, I joined the checkpoint line again, but, this time a half-dozen patrol cars were stationed BEHIND the line, partially hidden in dark parking lots. Up front and past the checkpoint to the right, was a very well lighted parking lot...filled with cars and their drivers performing drunk tests.

That scene reminds me of the age-old advice which always provides the best way around such a scenerio. DON'T drink and drive!!

If you MUST drink....either stay home, take a cab or ride next to a designated driver. That way you'll sail through all your checkpoints...without checking into jail or checking OUT for good!

Stay safe and stay sober,

PeteCam4

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Monday, December 21, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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