Driving forces, by the numbers

Click on the photo at top left to read different driving numbers.

Compiled by MICHAEL NEWCOMER, Tarpon Springs High
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Ad Council, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, www.heraldtribune.com, www.usnews.com, www.cars.com

A driving don't
Thank goodness this tale has a happy ending. Even if you’re lucky enough to drive a newer car, things can go wrong with your beloved vehicle. If it’s less than new, more things can malfunction. Like the gauge that tells you how much gas you have in your tank. If your gas gauge is faulty, you might not want to drive on the interstate. At night. Where traffic roars past and the nearest gas station is not so near. Tb-two* staffers Nicole Zakrzewski, pictured in photo at bottom, and Alexa Tsongranis left the tb-two* offices after an afternoon of hard work recently, heading north on Interstate 275 when Nicole’s car slowed peculiarly, then rolled to a stop. EMPTY! Fortunately fellow staffer Michael Newcomer was driving home, too, saw his colleagues on the side of the road and brought gas (don’t ask about the container he used).

That's what we said: What people are saying about dangerous behavior
We asked some students  what they were certain they WOULDN’T do, then asked them if they ever text while driving.  --Compiled by Liz Tsourakis, Hillsborough High and Nicole Zakrzewski, Palm Harbor University High

Sarah Nettle, Palm Harbor U. senior
I would never hug a shark, unless it was a whale shark.
I do not text and drive because I can’t do anything else when I drive but drive.

Jordan Singletary, Hillsborough soph.
I would never ride a fire-breathing dragon.
I don’t text and drive; I keep my phone in the back seat. Texting and driving is dangerous and could get me killed.

Shirun Gazar, Hillsborough soph.
“I would never dive into a pool filled with live, angry sharks while wearing a meat suit.
I don’t text and drive, because taking your eyes of the road is stupid.

Ryan Frankel, Palm Harbor U. senior
I would never skydive without a parachute.
I do text and drive, whenever it’s important enough.

Brianna Honeywell, Hillsborough soph.
I would never do the “no-look” driving like they do in the movies where you stare at the person next to you and speed up. I don’t text and drive, because I’ve heard too many bad circumstances where someone was seriously hurt or injured.

Chandler Maass, Hillsborough soph.
I would never play leapfrog on a spike-bed with 400-pound weights on my back.
I text and drive when necessary. I won’t have a conversation, but I’ll text if it’s urgent.

Accident tips
We hope you’ll be lucky and never need it, but just in case, here’s a checklist for what to do if you get in a car accident:
1. Make sure no one is hurt. If they are, call 911 immediately.
2. Assess the damage and determine if you’d like to call the police. (Police are usually involved only if the damage is significant.) If the police arrive, be ready to give them your:
• Driver’s license and car registration
• Insurance card
3. Before you move your car, take pictures of it, the road and the other car(s) involved car.
4. Check for any witnesses. If there are witnesses, make sure you get:
• First and last name
• Cell phone number/ Email address
5. Talk to the other driver(s) involved. Make sure you get their:
• First and last name
•  Cell phone number/ Email address
• Insurance information (provider and policy number)
6. Call your parents or other adult.
7. Be calm and breathe.
— Tori Lawhorn, Newsome High