SEPTA Talks Safety at Malvern Station, and Everywhere Else

Safety officers and counterterrorism policemen talked to commuters at train stations Wednesday morning.

Do not underestimate the danger of a railroad. That was the underlying message of SEPTA officials who blanketed the region Wednesday, aka SEPTA Safety Awareness Day. During the morning commute hours, they met with and handed pamphlets to people using the station. Their message to the general public: Don't cross or walk along railroad tracks on foot, stick to tunnels and bridges. "Unfortunately, railroads separate neighborhoods," SEPTA Safety Officer Jim Bahn said. And to rail passengers specifically: Don't run or jump to get to the train. Don't stand too close to the tracks. Trains can run 70 mph past a station, and climb to 120 mph between stations. Sounds like commonsense advice, right? Tell that to the woman who ignored a barricade and …

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Free Gun Locks Available at Malvern Police Department

The department still has plenty of free locks distributed through a Justice Department grant.

Fire Marshal: Fireplaces and Stoves Require Inspection, Cleaning

Chimneys need to be examined and cleaned regularly to prevent chimney fires, according to the county fire marshal.

Editor's note: The following information comes from Chester County Chief Fire Marshal Harrison “Digger” Holt via Chester County Department of Emergency Services. County Fire Marshal’s Office advises now is the time to get your fireplace chimney checked West Chester, PA _ The Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents to be careful while using their fireplaces and woodstoves during this Winter season. Chimneys should be examined regularly for any creosote buildup that would result in a possible damaging chimney fire. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned by a reputable company at the beginning of the heating season and more often if the unit is used on a regular basis. Metal chimneys should be inspected for any damage to the …

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Green Arrows Coming to Tricky Worthington Exit

PennDOT replies to a Malvern Patch reader's safety concerns.

Have you had a close encounter with another vehicle as you exited Uptown Worthington onto Matthews Road? One Malvern Patch reader says the intersection, which is still under construction, is dangerous. A PennDOT spokesman said the finished intersection will have two protected turn lanes. Read the full exchange below: Patch reader Norma wrote: I would hope that the traffic light coming out of the Wegmans exit from Downtown Worthington could be modified, so that there is a left turn arrow heading from the parking lot into Matthews Road (towards Wawa and Ruby Tuesday's). Traffic comes off of 202 pretty rapidly and many people don't stop (or even know to slow down) to see if anyone is trying to left turn from Wegmans. It's a hazardous …

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PennDOT Seeks Driver Opinions

A new survey asks users for their thoughts on highway safety issues.

Editor's note: The following information comes from PennDOT. PennDOT is asking Pennsylvania motorists to help the department monitor its highway safety efforts by sharing their opinions on traffic safety enforcement and driving behaviors through an online survey available through July 27 at www.JustDrivePA.com. The 22-question survey focuses on highway safety issues, including seat belts, impaired driving, speeding, motorcycles and distracted driving. People completing the survey may remain anonymous, but are asked to provide their gender, age and ZIP code. More than 3,500 people responded to last year’s survey. Last year’s notable results included that, in the previous 60 days, nearly 77 percent of respondents had not driven a motor …

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July 4 Safety Tips from the Red Cross

Tips for traveling, using fireworks and preparing for a heat wave or power outage.

Editor's note: The following information comes from the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia. The release came with two PDF documents containing safety tips for heat and power outages—they are attached to this article. TRAVEL SAFETY: Taking a trip for the Fourth? Follow these steps to stay safe: FIREWORKS SAFETY Nothing says “Fourth of July” like fireworks. To stay safe while enjoying them, follow these Red Cross safety steps: GRILLING SAFETY If a picnic and grilled goodies are part of your plans, you should follow these steps:

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PA Has 30th Highest Rate of Injury Deaths in U.S.

PA joins states such as Texas and Iowa by making only half of 10 key safety indicators.

We all know Pennsylvania is beautiful—but is it safe? A new report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says Pennsylvania ranks higher than the national average for injury-related deaths.  The national survey found Pennsylvania had the 30th highest rate of injury-related deaths for Americans at 59.4 per 100,000 people suffering injury fatalities.  The national average is 57.9 per 100,000 people. The report looked at what the state did—or did not—do to prevent injury, such as whether they had a booster seat law up to age eight (Pennsylvania does) or require motorcycle helmets of all riders (the state does not.)  Other safety suggestions Pennsylvania has so far not undertaken: mandatory ignition …

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Statewide Ban on Texting and Driving Goes Into Effect Thursday

Pennsylvania is the 35th in the country to ban handheld cell phone use.

Back in November, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett approved a bill to outlaw text messaging while behind the wheel of a car. On March 8, exactly 120 days later, Senate Bill 314 will go into effect, making the Keystone State the 35th in the country to ban handheld cell phone use. Though the ban was already enacted in cities like Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre and Erie, texting while driving will now be illegal throughout the entire state, giving officers the freedom to stop and cite drivers for texting alone, resulting in a $50 fine. Text messaging while driving  is also prohibited in the District of Columbia, as well as in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky…

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Regina Fried

7:47 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012

This is a ban on texting only. Philadelphia had a law banning texting and handheld cell phone use, and this one supersedes it if I understand it correctly. And a $50 fine is laughable.   more ›

Transportation Secretary: Eight in 10 Child Seats Installed Wrong

Is yours one of them? PennDOT and the State Police are offering free inspections, plus the tips below, as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week.

As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs Sept. 18-24, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police are joining to help prevent injuries to children. In 2010, nine Pennsylvania children lost their lives in vehicle crashes and more than 2,000 were injured. According to PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch, "Nearly eight of every 10 child safety seats is installed incorrectly.” In an effort to improve those statistics, there will be a series of free car seat inspections held in the area throughout the week. Here are some nearby inspection events (full list here): The Bureau of Patrol offers the following tips: More information on Child Passenger Safety Week can be found in the attached PDF.

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PennDOT Offers Tips on Waiting for the School Bus

Keep at least 10 feet from the bus unless getting on or off. Young walkers are advised not to wear earbuds or headphones.

In 2010, there were 43,446 licensed school bus drivers in Pennsylvania hauling more than 1.5 million students to and from school daily, according to the DMV. PennDOT secretary Barry Schoch offers the following tips as a way to keep kids safe at the bus stop. Students who walk to school should avoid using cell phones or wearing headphones to prevent distractions while walking near traffic. If walking in low light or dark conditions, wear bright colored clothing or reflective tape strips to be seen. For more tips, visit the School Bus Safety link under the Traffic Safety Information Center on PennDOT’s highway safety website at www.DriveSafePA.org. 

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