Florida Department of Transportation
Safety Advisor
MARCH 2014
March is Florida Bicycle Month
Tips for Safe
Bicycling
Select a bike that fits
Rely on the experts at
a good bicycle shop.
Choose the correct
Stay cool and well
fic on the street , obey
hydrated
all traffic signs, signals,
Wear light-weight
and lane markings.
clothes and drink
Yield to Traffic When
plenty of water.
Appropriate
Wear the proper
shoes
helmet
Make sure it is approved and fits prop-
Wear shoes with rigid
soles and avoid flip
flops.
erly.
It’s better to yield
than “be in the right”
and risk injury.
Be Predictable
Ride in a straight line
Keep your bike well
and be sure those
maintained
around you under-
Routine maintenance
stand your intentions.
is a must.
Stay visible
Wear bright and re-
Be Visible
Teach your children
Spend a little extra on
well
lights to get a bright
Take the time to teach
headlight and taillight,
your kids the rules of
and always use them
safe biking.
at night. Position your-
Inside this issue:
flective clothing and
Avoid biking in bad
self in the lane so oth-
use lights front and
weather whenever
ers can easily see you,
possible
especially at intersec-
back.
Maintain good form
Avoid rainy, foggy, and tions.
while riding and stay
icy conditions.
in shape
Obey All Traffic Laws
Watch for Parked Cars
Don’t ride in the “door
Proper posture while
A bicycle is a vehicle zone” of parked cars
biking reduces the
and you’re a driver. even when the bike
likelihood of discom-
You should ride in the lane is adjacent to
fort.
same direction of traf- them.
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
Bicycle Safety Tips
1
TWW
2
Spring Forward
3
Awake and Safe
4
Vernal Equinox
7
Pictograms
8
Word Search
9
Safety Slogan
10
Satisfaction Survey 11
Calendar
Page 1
12
Florida Department of Transportation
Texting While Walking (TWW)
A female tourist in Australia walks off the St. Kilda pier in Melbourne. A Pennsylvania shopper plunges headlong into a
mall fountain. A pedestrian falls into a Lake Michigan tributary. These people are all victims of the modern epidemic
known as "texting while walking (TWW)."
The rise of texting while walking and its associated perils have been well documented by the Pew Research Center,
which has posted an analysis of the situation based on a survey from mid 2012. The findings? Fifty-three percent of all
adult mobile phone owners have been either on the giving or receiving end of a "distracted walking encounter." Not to be
confused with an "illicit encounter" or a "missed connection," these behaviors are most prevalent amongst the young (in
particular ages 18-24). Those with a smartphone are especially likely to engage in said behavior (32 percent of users
compared with 14 percent of non-smartphone owners), according to the study.
The best reason not to text and walk is one that's best relayed by statistics. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission says 1,152 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms in 2011 upon being injured while using a cell
phone or other electronic device. Injuries from TWW can range from facial fractures, nosebleeds, and lacerations to foot
and ankle injuries as result of missing steps or walking into telephone poles. Not to mention collisions with other pedestrians or vehicles while crossing the street, the potential for self injury as well as injury to other pedestrians becomes a
real danger with the use of hand-held or smartphone technology.
Pew has distilled the hazards in a chart. Behold, the percentage of cell-phone owners in each age bracket who have
bumped into something or been bumped into by others who were distracted by their phones:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/02/more-than-half-of-cell-owners-affected-by-distracted-walking/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2012/07/31/texting-while-walking-think-twice/
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
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Florida Department of Transportation
Tips for overcoming “spring ahead” sleepiness and making the upcoming time change—and every
other morning—safer and easier:
1. Gradually transition into the time change—To minimize the impact of the switch to daylight
saving time make gradual adjustments. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier starting several days before
the change.
2. Sleepy? Take a quick nap—If you feel sleepy after the change take a short 15-minute nap in
the afternoon (on break or lunch).
3. Commit to getting seven to eight hours of sleep—Work backward from your wake time and
commit to getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
4. Keep regular sleep hours—Make sleep a priority by keeping consistent sleep and wake schedules, even on weekends.
5. Exercise during the day—Even moderate exercise such as walking can help you sleep better,
but don’t work out within two hours of bedtime.
6. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed—Alcohol and caffeine interfere with sleep. Smokers
should also avoid tobacco before bed.
7. Eat light at night—Finish eating at least two to three hours before bed. Eating too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep quality.
8. Relax before bed—Create a bedtime ritual that is relaxing. Experts recommend reading a book,
listening to soothing music or soaking in a hot bath or shower.
9. Create a sleep sanctuary—Transform your room into a haven of comfort and relaxation. Make
sure your room is cool, quiet and free of distraction for the best possible sleep.
10. Evaluate your mattress and pillows—Evaluate your mattress and pillows for proper comfort
and support. If your mattress is seven years old or older, it may be time for a new one. In general, pillows should be replaced every year.
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
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Florida Department of Transportation
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Florida Department of Transportation
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Florida Department of Transportation
FUN FACT FILLER
Pi Day is the unofficial holiday that celebrates the mathematical constant pi (π) on March 14 in the
month/day date format because the digits in this date correspond with the first three digits of π
(3.14). It has become an international observance that is celebrated live and online and also
celebrates Albert Einstein’s birthday
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
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Florida Department of Transportation
Spring begins (Northern) History
Spring traditionally marks the end of Winter and the beginning of a season that signifies longer days
and warmer temperatures. The first day of Spring is also know as the Vernal Equinox. This marks
the day that the Suns path is directly over the equator. This day also contains equal amounts of day
time and night time. This day typically occurs each year on March 20, and on March 21 on some
years.
Spring begins (Northern) Facts
In 2014 the beginning of spring is Thursday, March 20th at 12:57 P.M. EDT. Here’s more information about the equinox:



The First Day of Spring is also called the Vernal Equinox.
The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” Days and nights are
approximately equal everywhere and the Sun rises and sets due east and west.
At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis
neither points toward nor away from the Sun. (However, the tilt of Earth relative to its plane of
orbit, called the ecliptic plane, is always about 23.5 degrees.)
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/march-equinox.html
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
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Florida Department of Transportation
(Non-Mandatory)-The pictogram is not required, because environmental hazards or events related to hazardous ozone layers are not within OSHA’s jurisdiction but within that of the Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA) - See more at: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/hazcom-faq.html
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PICTOGRAM
PREDICTABLE
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VISIBILITY
WALKING
WEATHER
The Safety Advisor puzzle is generated from the
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/puzzle maker.
Omissions or errors are possible and are the sole responsibility of the program
and not the producers of this Newsletter.
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
Page 9
“Rain or fog, turn your lights on…
the life you save may be your own.”
Ginger Hackney
Resident Compliance Specialist
FDOT-District One
Sebring Operations Center
This monthly newsletter is produced by the State Safety Office by Mark Eacker.
For content information, please call or email the editor, Mark Eacker, at:
850-414-4176 / mark.eacker@dot.state.fl.us
Our internet address is:www.dot.state.fl.us/safety
Our intranet address is:Infonet.dot.state.fl.us/safetyoffice/
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter
Page 10
Safety Advisor Customer Satisfaction Survey
We are interested in your opinion. In order to better serve your needs,
please take a moment to fill out this brief questionnaire. Send to:
Local Fax: 850 414-4221
Via US Postal Service (or inter-office mail) to the address shown below.
Attention: Industrial Safety
Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street, MS 53
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450
Yes
Survey Questions
Are the Safety Advisor topics relevant to your day to day job?
No
Do you use the Safety Advisor in any manner other than read it ?
What would you suggest to improve the suitability of the Safety Advisor to your needs or to improve the overall
quality? (Please be specific)
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Do you have any questions regarding Industrial Safety programs and/or operations? Please feel free to include your questions
or comments.
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Safety Slogan of the Month Entry Form
You are encouraged to submit safety slogans at any time.
Slogans are judged on originality.
You may also email your slogans to mark.eacker@dot.state.fl.us
In the subject line of your email please write “Safety Slogan Entry”.
Please Print
Safety Slogan
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ____________________________ Location/Office: ______________________
District: ________________ Phone: (__)_________________
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March 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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27
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1
2
3
4
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8
PAY DAY
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DAYLIGHT
SAVING
TIME
BEGINS
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SPRING
BEGINS
PAY DAY
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THE MONTH OF MARCH
March 2014 is Observed as
Birthstone
March Flower
Astrological Signs
Other Notable March Events
Women's History Month; National Nutrition Month; Save Your Vision Month; Workplace Eye
Wellness Month; Colorectal Cancer Awareness; American Red Cross Month; and
Irish-American Heritage Month.
Aquamarine, Bloodstone & Jade
Daffodil
Pisces (till 20th) & Aries (21th→)
Florida Bicycle Month
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