Ensuring the safety of motorists and pedestrians has long been a top priority of the City of La Mirada. Traffic safety issues are reviewed regularly by the City Council and the Public Safety Commission.

"Driver's Guide to Courtesy, Making La Mirada the Safest Place to Drie, Walk or Ride" was published by the City of La Mirada to ask residents' help in improving traffic safety in our community. Contact the City of La Mirada at (562) 943-0131 if you have any traffic safety concerns.

• Buckle-up and tell your passengers to do the same.
• Obey the posted speed limits. Driving too fast gives you less time to react
• Resist the temptation to run stop signs and stop lights
• Use your turn signal when you want to change lanes or turn
• Pause and double check to see that the intersection is clear before you enter, even if the light is green
• Keep music at a level that still allows you to hear sirens and horns
• Don’t drink and drive, or drive with anyone who has been drinking
• Don’t talk on the car phone, fiddle with the radio, comb your hair, put on make-up, or eat while the car is in motion. Wait until you stop. Looking away for only a few seconds can cause a major accident.
• Watch for motorcycles, pedestrians, and bikes.
• Watch out for children playing near the street or in driveways. Remember that they are smaller and harder for drivers to see.
• Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way.
• Never squeeze more people into your car than you have seatbelts for.
• Obey parking lot speed limits. Going too fast gives you less time to react and stop.
• Even prescription drugs can make you drowsy, so check the labels before you get behind the wheel.

There are five common factors that create driving problems for older motorists. Being aware of these factors can help prevent accidents and save lives.

• Loss of vision
• Diminished hearing
• Changes in physical strength
• Psychological changes
• Slower reaction time

Awareness of these changes allows older motorists to compensate and become better drivers. Loss of hearing, vision and physical strength occur gradually as a person ages. Because the impact of these factors is gradual, it is important for older drivers to do self assessments of their driving skills and comfort level behind the wheel.

• Checking right-of-way: This is the number one problem for older drivers. To compensate for the loss of vision, look both to the left and right several times to gauge the situation. Passengers may assist you.
• Making left turns: This is the second most common problem for older drivers. Try to put yourself in positions where there is a green arrow to provide a protected turn. If necessary, avoid these situations by making three right turns.
• Blind spots: Remember to glance over your shoulder when making lane changes.
• Entering and exiting freeways: Accelerate to the speed of traffic and merge at the safest point.
• Reversing: Turn your head and look out the rear window while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.
• Reaction time: Keep a three second distance between your car and the one in front of you. Add additional space during bad weather.

Even limited alcohol consumption can affect your driving. According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately half of all medication that older persons take can interact with alcohol. Talk to your doctor about the affects your prescriptions may have on driving. As a person ages, their metabolism slows down and alcohol is removed from the body more slowly. Carefully evaluate your reactions to alcohol and gauge your driving accordingly.

Arrange alternative transportation possibilities before you actually need them. Options include:

• Walking
• Carpooling with family and friends
• Taxi cabs
• La Mirada Transit
• Public buses and trains
• MTA and OCTA

Periodically evaluate your driving. One way to do this is to take a driver refresher course through the 55Alive/Mature Driving program at Kling Center. Ask family and friends about their concerns about your driving, and talk with your doctor regarding any concerns you may have.

• Keep a three second window between you and the car in front of you.
• Plan your trip before you start so you can concentrate on driving and not navigating
• Avoid driving in heavily traveled or high-speed areas.

• Always be alert for the unexpected

Even sunny Southern California sees a rainy day here and there. Driving in rain, fog or snow can add accidents, stress, and time to the daily commute. It is important to leave twice as much space as you regularly would between your car and the next. Allow for extra time to brake when the roads are slick. To enhance your visibility turn on your headlights when using your windshield wipers. To keep the windshield from fogging up roll down a window just enough to let some outside air in. Before you begin your trip, listen to radio traffic reports and test your brakes to determine how long it takes you to stop. Bad weather calls for added caution, so drive with care.

AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

Southern California, despite its bus systems, metrorail services, and dial-a-ride convenience, continues to be home to many individuals who prefer the comforts of their own vehicle. Due to the increasing number of vehicles on the streets and highways, commuting and local travel have become more of a challenge.

Extremely cautious and courteous drivers know that others on the road may not be. Incidents of aggressive driving have become more prevalent in the evening news and can be seen in daily excursions. Anyone can become an aggressive driver if they momentarily allow their anger to override their commonsense and safe driving skills. Matters that in retrospect may seem trivial, can often be the cause of accidents.

There are guidelines that residents can follow to build a safer community and lessen the chance of becoming the victim of an aggressive driver.

• Make sure you merge only when you have plenty of room to do so.

• Move to the right lane if you notice that you are going slower than the cars behind you. Even if you are going the speed limit, it is better to change to the slower lane to avoid placing yourself and your passengers in danger by making the drivers behind you angry.

• Don’t follow to closely to the car in front of you. Tailgating can be avoided by leaving a two second space between your car and the car ahead.

• Avoid making gestures to other drivers, even if they may seem harmless to you.

• Keep your distance from angry drivers. Giving them room can help to diffuse their anger.

• Keep it impersonal by avoiding eye contact.

• If a driver won’t leave you alone, drive to a place where there are a lot of people around so you can get help. If you have a cell phone, call the police.

• Driving is not a contest. Try to stay relaxed and forget about "winning".

• Try to put yourself in the position of other drivers. Give them the benefit of the doubt when judging their situation. Don’t take another driver’s actions personally.

• Individuals who still have a difficult time dealing with anger on the road, should seek help through anger management classes and self-help books on stress reduction.

By avoiding aggressive driving and following these guidelines, motorists can help create a safer driving environment, while at the same time making the driving experience more relaxing and enjoyable.

Students who recently acquired their driver’s license or who are looking forward to getting one, should be aware of some simple guidelines drivers can follow to protect themselves, their passengers, pedestrians, and fellow drivers. Driving is a privilege, and along with the freedom it allows, comes responsibility. These tips can save your life and the lives of others:

• Arrive at school 10-15 minutes early and leave 10-15 minutes late to avoid having to rush into and out of the parking lots.

• Watch students as they get on and off buses before you proceed.

• Drive slowly through or exiting parking lots.

Tickets and accidents not only raise your insurance rates, but they also put your life and the lives of others in danger. Be a smart driver and reduce the chance that you will do harm to yourself or others.

Failure to obey laws set in place to make travel to school safer, can result in fines of $100 and more. Repeat offenders can be fined as much as $271. The failure of a vehicle to yield to pedestrians in a cross walk or to the flashing red lights on a school bus can also result in a stiff fine. Motorists should remember that speeds in excess of 25 mph near school campuses not only endangers pedestrians and passengers in other cars, but are punishable by hefty fines.

Bicycles are considered vehicles, and therefore riders must obey the same rules as motorists. Remember to always ride on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic. Riding against traffic puts you where motorists don’t expect you.          

• Use caution at intersections. Check left, right, and then left again before entering a street or intersection.
• Never ride a bicycle without a helmet.  It's against the law.
• Always use hand signals to alert others of your movements.
• Wear clothing that allows people to see you.  White, florescent, or other bright colors work well.
• Properly equip your bike with reflectors and lights for night rides.

• Attach a horn or a bell to the bike to alert drivers.

It is a good idea for pedestrians to keep some rules in mind when they are out and about. The use of common sense combined with the following guidelines will help make the streets safer for pedestrians:

• Cross only at intersections. Use cautin and common sense, not only painted lines, to keep you safe.
• Never cross between parked cars, or anything that would make it hard for a driver to see you
• Before crossing the street check to the left, the right and then to the left again before stepping into the street
• Understand that traffic signs and signals are for pedestrians as well, and must be obeyed
• Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic to insure that you are in view
• Wear white or light clothing at night so that you will be seen by those on the road
• Don't play in the street.

Speed
Alcohol and Drugs
Ignoring right-of-way
Tailgating
Improper passing and driving to the left of center
Fatigue
Reckless Driving

DRIVER COURTESY CHECKLIST

• Slow Down, Live Longer!
  Excessive speed is a frequent cause of traffic deaths and injuries.

• Road Rage Kills
  A momentary temper tantrum behind the wheel can be deadly.

• Red Lights and Stop Signs Mean Stop!
  Ignoring these basic rules of the road ranks as one of the leading causes of serious accidents.

• Use Seatbelts
  More than half of the children injured in automobile accidents are not wearing seatbelts.

• Child Safety Seats
  Child safety seats are required for children under four years of age or 40 pounds.

• Make Sure Your Vehicle’s Lighting System Works
  Make sure your headlights, taillights, reflectors and signal lights are operational. Use them properly.

• Turn Signals
  Letting other drivers know your intentions through the use of turn signals can help prevent accidents.

• Check Your Tires
  Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Excessive wear makes tires unsafe.

• Don’t Drink & Drive
  California law makes it a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08 for adults. Juveniles are not permitted to have any alcohol in their system.

• Open Containers
  It is illegal to have any open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle.

• Bicycle Helmets
  Helmets offer bicyclists the best protection from head injuries resulting from bicycle crashes.

• Motorcycle Helmets
  Serious injuries can be prevented when motorcyclists wear helmets required in California.