Posts Tagged ‘risk’

What Violation Marks the Number One Crash Predictor for Trucks? Study has the Answer

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

truck crash riskIf someone asked you what conviction on a truck driver’s record represented the number one likelihood of them getting into a future accident, you may be prompted to say, “a prior crash history,” but according to researchers, there is another citation that ranks a driver more at risk.

A recent study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) analyzed the history of 582,772 truck drivers, finding twelve citations in particular to more than double a driver’s risk of having an accident, an article in truckinginfo.com notes.

According to the site, it was a driver’s failure to use a turn signal that gave him or her a 96% chance of being involved in a future crash!

Prior accidents ranked second along with improper passing violations with an 88% greater risk.  Also ranked at high threats were (provided by http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=73563):
-Improper turn conviction (84%)
-Improper or erratic lane change (80%)
-Improper lane/location (68%)
-Failure to obey traffic sign (68%)
-Speeding more than 15 mpg over speed limit (67%)
-Any conviction (65%)
-Reckless/careless/inattentive/negligent driving (64%)

Although these percentages seem striking, Dan Murray, vice president of research at ATRI, explains that “Truck-car crash rates are now the lowest they’ve ever been,” with the number of convictions dropping sharply since 2005 (http://fleetowner.com/management/news/study-traffic-violations-risk-0421/?cid=nl_flo_dn&YM_RID=&imw=Y).

Part of this is the result of safer driving practices and procedures by drivers and companies such as Road Scholar Transport.

Road Scholar only hires the safest drivers to transport your LTL/TL freight and conducts procedures, such as daily inspections and background checks, to uphold safety on the road.

If you are a safe driver who wants to work for a reputable company that not only provides excellent pay and equipment, flexible schedules, and a friendly, courteous operations team, but excellent, distinguishable equipment that also serves a purpose (click here to view our awareness campaign) than apply today at http://www.roadscholar.com/employment.php.

Are you surprised to see prior crash history in second when it comes to its effect on future accidents?  What needs to be done to lower these risks?

Apply Today

Apply Today!

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Time Span Between Pregnancies Can Increase Second Child’s Risk of Autism by Three Times

Monday, January 10th, 2011

One look into your baby’s eyes may make you want to have another.  But before you do, you must consider the timing and effects that it may have on your child.

A recent study was conducted by the Lazarsfeld Center for the Social Sciences at Columbia University, testing whether the span between pregnancies had any effect on the child’s risk of autism.

Researchers found that pregnancies within twelve months apart resulted in a three times more likely chance of the second child developing autism and double the risk for those born 1-2 years apart (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/213245.php).

According to Medical News Today, the study was conducted by examining information based on the births of 660,000 second born children from the years 1992 to 2002, finding that regardless of whether other autism risk factors were present, the span between births were significant.

Why is this?  Researchers do not know just yet but believe that it may have something to do with the inability to fully recover nutrients lost from the first birth fast enough, the site notes.

As the article explains, around 1 in 110 children a year are born with autism.

With more and more people being aware of the condition through initiatives such as Road Scholar Transport’s 10 Million Miles to a Cure Awareness Campaign, it is becoming more easily detected.

To learn more about Road Scholar’s autism awareness trailer visit www.roadscholarawareness.org.
autism trailer

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Where You Live Might Affect Your Child’s Risk of Autism

Friday, December 17th, 2010

A recent study found a correlation between the environment in which a person lives and the risk of their child developing autism.

Researchers found that babies who live within 309 meters, or 1013.7 feet, “of a freeway had double the risk of having autism compared to other babies” (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/211959.php).

According to medicalnewstoday.com, other variables believed to affect a child’s risk of autism were adjusted, such as the mother’s age or ethnicity, however, the child still had double the risk of being born with autism when living nearby freeways.

Why is this?  The site notes that autism is thought to be caused in part from inflammation and oxidative stress, which is triggered by traffic air pollutants, given off in great excess from the massive amounts of traffic found on freeways.  (It’s a good thing Road Scholar Transport has taken numerous “green” measures, including reducing the amount of diesel particulate emitted from its trucks.)

Autism is a growing concern in the United States with more people being diagnosed each year.  According to medicalnewstoday.com, the number of autism diagnoses increased between 2002 and 2006 by 57%.  This is in part due to an increase in autism awareness, such as that promoted by Road Scholar Transport’s awareness campaign.

Learn more about how Road Scholar Transport is spreading autism awareness by visiting

http://www.roadscholarawareness.org/our-charities/autism-speaks/.

Autism Trailer

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How Great is Your Risk of Prostate Cancer? Just Check Your Hand

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

In a recent study, scientists discovered a simple test that could determine whether a male is more prone to developing prostate cancer.  All you need to do is look at your hand.

According to medicalnewstoday.com, men have one third of a lower risk of developing prostate cancer if their index finger is longer than their ring finger, with those under the age of 60 having an 87% lower risk.

More than 1,500 prostate cancer patients underwent the experiment, finding that most of them had index fingers that were shorter than their ring finger, with 19% having an equal length, the article states.

Medical News Today notes that “the more testosterone the baby is exposed to (in the womb) the shorter his index finger will be” (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/209868.php).  This makes sense since, as eHealthMD.com explains, testosterone feeds the growth of prostate cancer, which is would account for the scientists’ findings.

Road Scholar Transport created an awareness trailer for spreading prostate cancer awareness, after one of their drivers was diagnosed.  This was the second awareness trailer to be created (Breast Cancer Awareness being the first).  From there, more and more awareness trailers evolved for various charities/organizations and the awareness campaign took off.

Prostate Cancer Awareness

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This Fast Food Item Can Increase Your Risk of Neurological Conditions

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Are you sure you want fries with that?  Maybe not.french fries

According to an article in Medical News Today, french fries contain type-2 alkenes, chemicals that are found to increase an individual’s risk of developing neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Why is this?  According to the site, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by “the very early loss of function of nerve endings in the brain,” which are known to get damaged by type-2 alkenes.

Other common exposures that contain these chemicals and can increase your risk are cigarette smoke and exhaust from automobiles.  It’s a good thing Road Scholar Transport runs tractor trailers that emit way less diesel particulate than the 2004 engines!

So how can you avoid the risk when it’s all around you?

Researchers note that the skin of apples, curry spice, and wine contain chemicals that can neutralize type-2 alkenes and reduce harmful effects (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/208352.php).

The saying is true.  An apple a day can really keep the doctor away.

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Fish Oil Helps Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

View this post on  our new Awareness blog site @

http://www.roadscholarawareness.org/fish-oil-helps-reduce-risk-of-breast-cancer/

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