A 34 year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department who has spent the last 29 years as a motor officer in the Phoenix Police Department, Traffic Bureau. He is nationally recognized as a leader in traffic safety and has taught officers across the United States about traffic issues. He is continually called upon by civic leaders to address traffic safety issues at public gatherings as well as presentations for media outlets. He is currently the Traffic Complaint Coordinator which oversees traffic issues raised by citizens of Phoenix and surrounding communities and is an advisor to other City Departments on decisions about traffic concerns.
RACING ON THE HIGHWAYS
By: Officer Terry Sills
Almost everyone has marveled at the speed of a racing vehicle. Hardly anyone hasn’t tried that little “speedup” in their life and put a speeding bullet on the road. Yes I said a speeding bullet. Media gives us visual graphics of racing cars and the horrendous crashes. Unlike the professional race car drivers, most of us on the highways are not as protected by flying bullets. Yes I said bullets again and some are thinking “what is this guy thinking”?
A motor vehicle, operated in the wrong manner, by a careless driver is similar to a person shooting a gun recklessly. You aim a gun, pull the trigger, and an object called a bullet travels at 3000 Feet per Second (FPS) and hits a target (unintended or intended) and the force of the bullet collides with the target. A bullet weighs less than an ounce and a car about 3500 LBS. A car can’t go 3000 FPS, but at 100 MPH is going 150 feet per second and in 2 seconds you have covered a football field, 4 seconds 2 football fields (600 feet).
Stopping distance for a vehicle going 100 MPH is 476 feet plus the national average for reaction time of 1second and you have about 625 feet to come to a complete stop. (providing ALL equipment is working properly). Fast cars are fun, but not on the public roadways. Take it to the track, get professional guidance and when you pull the trigger, (gas pedal) don’t put yourself and others in the line of fire.
Lastly, media footage rarely covers the aftermath of a drag racing crash. They don’t cover the time spent in a hospital, rehab, the financial impact to families, and most importantly, when did you last see footage of a funeral where someone was shot by a speeding car (bullet)? Slow down, drive defensively, and buckle up.
Officer Terry Sills
TRICK OR TREAT SAFELY
TRICK OR TREAT SAFELY
By: Officer Terry Sills
OK, everyone knows it’s getting that time of the year for ghost and goblins to come out and fill the neighborhoods with little and big kids trick or treating. Just a few simple things to remember so you and your family can have a safe holiday. If you are going to be out on Halloween night, be extra careful when driving and walking around the neighborhoods. Children are so excited about getting their bags full of goodies that they are not watching for cars or really paying attention to being safe.
Since it’s on Saturday this year, we are expecting an increase in the number of trick or treaters. Many parents choose to start trick or treating before the sun goes down simply for safety reasons. But if you choose to go out after dark, make sure the costumes have some reflective material so as to be easily seen. At the least, those of you escorting the little ones should wear bright colored clothes. And don’t forget to check the goodies before consumption so as not to spoil a very happy holiday.
Many hospitals and medical facilities may offer free x-ray screening for candy. Lastly, since this Halloween does fall on Saturday, many of you will attend a costume party to celebrate the holiday. Don’t drink and drive. Get a designated driver. Take a cab. Stay where you party if you decide to drink alcohol or use any type of drug. Remember, this is a happy celebration, don’t ruin it by doing something stupid. HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Officer Terry Sills -Traffic Complaint Coordinator
Phoenix Police Department -602-534-SPEED (7733)
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
Pedestrian Safety Tips for Halloween
CHAPEL HILL, NC – The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center offers the following tips for safety-related and general interest stories surrounding the upcoming Halloween holiday weekend.
Guidelines for safe walking at Halloween
1. Parents and Adults Should be Involved
Young children need a parent or other adult to go trick or reating with them. There is no magic age when children are old enough to walk alone. Parents need to judge when their children are mature enough to go without an adult.
Review crossing safety rules with children. Tell them to:
- Even when adults are looking, always look for cars for yourself.
- Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again for traffic.
- Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing. Keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
-
When crossing the street at an intersection, obey traffic signs and signals and look for yourself to see if cars are coming. Look left, right and left and then behind you and in front of you for turning cars.
- Walk, don't run across the street.
2. Cross Safely
Choose the safest routes to walk.
- Pick places where there are sidewalks or paths separated from traffic if possible.
- Look for well-lit streets with slow traffic.
- Remind children to watch for cars turning or pulling out of driveways.
Limit the number of street crossings. Avoid crossing busy or high-speed roads.
3. Be Visible
Think visibility. Wear bright colors, use retro reflective materials. Carry flashlights. In bad weather, visibility is even more important.
Choose homes that welcome Halloween visitors. Look for well lit driveways, walkways or paths to the front door.
Do a costume check. Can the children walk easily in the outfit? Make sure the masks or head gear allow the children to see clearly what is around them. Be sure they can safely negotiate steps on dimly lit walkways.
When taking a group of kids trick or treating:
Have a good ratio of parents/adults to children. For young children, consider 1 adult for every 3 children.
Arrange the adults so that there is an adult in the front and one in the back. This is to prevent children from getting ahead or lagging behind the group.
Plan how to cross streets:
- Avoid busy, high-speed or multi-lane roads.
- Give children exiting the street room to enter the sidewalk area.
Remember children are not miniature adults.
- They often act before thinking.
- They have one-third narrower side vision.
- They can't judge speed
- They are shorter than adults and can't see over cars and bushes.
Make sure the children understand what is expected of them. Have a plan for dealing with disruptive kids.
Messages for Motorists:
Drive slowly through residential streets and areas where pedestrians trick-or-treating could be expected.
Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
HAWK
High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Pedestrian Beacon
By: Terry Sills
City of Phoenix has installed 2 new pedestrian crosswalks (7th Ave and Glenrosa and 19th Ave north of Thunderbird at the entrance to Thunderbird High School) to cross streets safely. It was developed in Tucson and has traditional traffic and pedestrian signal heads but in a different configuration.
Here’s how it works. First off the signal can only be activated by a pedestrian pushing a button to cross the street. Once pushed, the signals flash yellow for a few seconds and then go to solid yellow to signal a stop prior to the crosswalk. After the solid yellow, the signals go to solid red for a few seconds and then flashing red lights.
When the lights are solid red, ALL traffic must stop and the pedestrian gets a “walk” signal. After about 8 seconds, the lights start flashing red and the pedestrian gets a countdown of about 15 seconds to finish crossing the street. Cars that have stopped for the solid red light and now face a flashing red light, may proceed providing the pedestrian(s) have gone passed their half of the roadway. Cars approaching the flashing red lights must stop and if no pedestrians are on their half of the roadway (or so close as to be unsafe) they may proceed with caution. When the lights stop flashing, the pedestrian faces a “Don’t Walk” signal and the signals will go dark until activated again by a pedestrian.
REMEMBER, pedestrians, DO NOT assume cars are going to stop or cars will see you. Always look both ways before crossing the street. Drivers, if in doubt as to what to do, YIELD to the pedestrian that is legally in the crosswalk. Slow for the flashing yellow, prepare to stop for the solid yellow and stop on the solid red and flashing red lights. If used properly, everyone will be safer. Any questions call or e-mail me.
TRAFFIC SAFETY COP
Officer Terry Sills
Traffic Enforcement and Safety Unit
Phoenix Police Department
602-534-SPEED (7733)
terry.sills@phoenix.gov
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
COPS CORNER
I’VE BEEN IN A CRASH – WHAT DO I DO?
By: Officer Terry Sills
One of the most stressful times in a drivers’ life is being involved in an automobile crash. You notice I have avoided using the word “ACCIDENT” since we believe accidents cannot be prevented and car crashes are preventable.
The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash MUST stop the vehicle at the scene and provide information to the other driver(s) involved. That information must include the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle involved. A driver must provide proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer investigating a collision.
If it’s a minor collision and the vehicles are drivable, please move the vehicles off the traveled portion of the roadway for your safety and that of other drivers.
If someone has not contacted Police, do so if you are able and be prepared to answer a few simple questions so responding emergency personnel are properly prepared.
Refrain from calling family, friends, or your insurance agent until the situation is stabilized. Many times those you call will try and rush to the scene, placing themselves and others in jeopardy.
Police and Fire will arrive and assess the crash scene after speaking to drivers, passengers, and witnesses to determine what happened. Police officers in general do not determine who is at fault but they do have the authority to cite a driver they feel has violated the law which may have caused the collision. If you are cited and disagree, you have the right to dispute the ticket in court.
Remember, “accidents” are not preventable, “crashes” are preventable. Drive defensively and if you are involved in a crash, follow these few simple guidelines to get through a difficult time.
Officer Terry Sills
Traffic Complaint Coordinator
Phoenix Police Department
602-534-SPEED (7733)
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
Holiday driving is not always pleasant…
It's that time of year when everyone gets in a hurry, relatives come to visit, going to an office party beats working and the last thing you need is a call or a bad contact from law enforcement. Believe me, we would just as soon not be the
bearer of bad news. A few simple tips to keep your holidays merry and safe. Don't drink and drive, everyone knows but have you ever seen an ignition interlock device or had to explain to your boss you lost your license? Neither one is pleasant. Try your very best to slow down, take a deep breath and plan your trip. You plan a vacation, why not do simple mini plans on how you will spend the day shopping so as to reduce the stress. We all know photo speed cameras are everywhere and they do not make good pictures for x-mas cards. Speaking of photo enforcement, running red lights is dangerous, but failing to come to a complete stop before turning right on red can be just as dangerous and carries the same penalty. For those who have out of town guests for the holidays or who loan your car to family and friends be aware of the laws in Arizona. Anyone caught driving a motor vehicle who has a suspended license or has never had a license will be subjected to having the vehicle they are driving impounded. The actual owner must show proof of ownership, a valid driver's license, valid insurance, and a couple of hundred dollars in order to get the vehicle out of impound. Check out who drives your vehicles. Last but not least, pay attention to all the signs around LIGHT RAIL, stay off the tracks, and watch out for the train (it's really quiet). Have a great holiday, be safe, and usher in the New Year with a resolution to drive defensively.
Officer Terry Sills
Phoenix Police Department
Traffic Complaint Hotline
602-534-SPEED (7733)
SCHOOL”S BACK IN – watch out for the children.
In today’s society, physically taking your child to school is more of the norm than putting them on a bus or letting them walk to school. Most schools have “TRAFFIC CHAOS” during arrival and pick up times on streets in and around schools. We preach, WATCH KIDS AROUND SCHOOLS and especially slow down and obey the 15 MPH signs in school zones. One other reminder, STOP for everyone in a yellow school zone crosswalk and remain stopped until EVERYONE (x-guard included) is off the street and out of the crosswalk.
Another problem is the sheer volume of vehicular traffic generated by parents and/or guardians who come to pick up the children. We are seeing a total disregard for any and all signs that are posted on the streets around schools. Parents/guardians are ignoring no parking signs, stopping where signs clearly state NO STOOPING, and dropping off and picking up kids in the middle of the school zone. Some are even picking up or dropping off kids on the street opposite the side of the school, forcing children to unsafely cross where traffic is flowing. This is against the law and fines can reach $200.
SOLUTION. Everyone who goes on vacation plans the trip by seeing the best route to get to a destination. Parents, PLAN THE DESTINATION to your child’s school. Call the school and find out the proper location for drop off and pick up, go to the school during off hours and familiarize yourself with the signs, and last but not least, if at all possible WALK them to school. For everyone who simply gets caught up in the TRAFFIC CHAOS, please try to avoid the area during those times but if unable, take a deep breath and drive carefully, CHILDREN COUNT ON US.
Officer Terry Sills
Traffic Complaint Coordinator
Phoenix Police Department
602-534-SPEED (7733)
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
WHY IS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION SO DIFFICULT?
Rush hour traffic and the light turns green. No green arrow so you have to wait until the oncoming traffic clears to safely make your left turn. You inch out into the intersection and suddenly the light goes to yellow. Cars are still coming, cars behind you are honking their horn all alone and afraid to move. What do I do?
Left turns are at the top for collisions and more left turn arrows are being installed. So just how do you confront the above scenario? First, after the light for your direction turns green, and the opposite direction is cleared, you can pull into the center and wait for oncoming traffic to clear. The actual intersection is the imaginary elongation of the curb line from curb to curb. The crosswalk is usually before this imaginary line. Your vehicle must be past that imaginary elongation of the curb line in order to be lawfully in the intersection. So if you merely “inch out” you may not even be in the intersection when the light goes from yellow to red and you try and make a left turn. In other words, if you are not clearly out in the intersection and you wait until all traffic is cleared and the light has changed to red, you may have just run a red light.
The law mandates that anyone making a left turn at an intersection MUST yield the right of way to oncoming traffic that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. Simply put, when the light turns yellow, make sure oncoming traffic is slowing to a stop, even if the light is turning to red, before making your left turn. All of this takes place in about a minute, was it worth it or would right turns be easier?
Drive safe - next month – THE SCOOTER RAGE, LEGAL OR NOT?
Officer Terry Sills
Phoenix Police Department
Traffic Complaint Coordinator
602-534-SPEED (7733)
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
SEAT BELTS……everyone knows that seat belts save lives. We hear it, read it, our kids remind us because the nice officer at school said they MUST wear one, and we make the right decision and actually buckle up everyone before hitting the road. When, if ever, should a seat belt or car seat be replaced? Did you know that if you are involved in a significant automobile crash, the seat belts and child safety seats that are used by the occupants should be replaced?
A significant crash can be an activation of air bags, disabling damage to vehicle, or injury to any occupant. When an occupant protection device is used in a significant crash, the nylon webbing usually stretches and weakens the fiber. If a child safety seat is used, the nylon webbing attached to the car seat as well as the seat belt or latch system could also be stretched and lessen its safety capabilities. The webbing helps the occupant “ride down” the forces of the crash. When the restraint system works properly, occupants are held in but the webbing stretches somewhat to allow the ride down affect of the crash.
Some of you out there have driven by a yard sale and see a new looking child safety seat for sale “cheap” and you know it’s a nice neighborhood so it must be good. Others have been offered a “free” child safety seat from a friend or relative and are using it. Do you know the true history of that “good deal”? Do you know how to tell how old it is? Car seats are not that expensive, especially compared to what it carries and what it was designed to protect. Precious Cargo.
Next time……WHY IS MAKING A LEFT TURN SO HARD TO DO?
Officer Terry Sills
Phoenix Police Department
602-534-SPEED (7733)
traffic.complaints@phoenix.gov
Silent Witness
Safety Cop - Officer Terry Sills