Do: Always Swim Near a Lifeguard

You probably do not want to hear it, but you are not an Olympic swimmer, and neither is your child. Always swim near a lifeguard no matter the body of water. Water is dangerous. Tides and currents change constantly. Do not enter the water overly confident that you can handle anything that comes your way. This beach etiquette tip might save your life or your child’s life one day.

Don’t: Feed the Seagulls

Since I am a lifelong Ocean City summer resident, I will stick with the laws at America’s Greatest Family Resort. It is illegal to feed the seagulls anywhere on this barrier island. The same goes for most places throughout Cape May County, including Cape May. You can face fines for feeding the seagulls in Ocean City. These birds have become very aggressive towards visitors due to being fed by beachgoers and those traversing the boardwalk. Just don’t do it.

Do: Watch Your Children When in the Water

You should always keep an eye on your children when at the beach, but this is especially important when they are in the water. This means you are going to have to get up from your blanket or beach chair and head towards the shoreline. It can be difficult to pick your child out of a group of people wading in the ocean when you are 50 yards up the beach listening to music or texting the day away. Don’t be lazy. Stand by the water’s edge. Even move your chair down to the water. Just always make sure you have an eye on your child. Things can go south in an instant.

Don’t: Crowd Others

We enjoyed our final beach day of the 2024 summer season on Sunday before heading home to prepare for the new school year. It was a beautiful day weather-wise, but it was frustrating with the amount of ignorant people present. One of the biggest beach etiquette tips out there is not to crowd others.

If you see a group of people already set up on the beach, do not drop your chair and towel directly on top of them to the point where they can reach out and poke you. This has always been a steadfast rule. I understand that some beach towns have very small beaches and the streets on the north end of the island in Ocean City have little room to maneuver. I get it. However, the south end beaches are vastly larger, giving you plenty of space to find a good spot to set up camp for the day. Do not crowd me.

Do: Take Your Trash With You

Just in case you have zero sense about you, every single beach street in Ocean City and many other barrier islands has trash cans at the entrances. Often, these entrances have trash and recycling cans, some with cans at the entrance on the street and once you emerge through the opening in the dunes. Take all of your trash with you and deposit it in the correct can when leaving. Too many times the boys have been digging in the sand to find wrappers, empty water ice cups, plastic spoons, empty cracker boxes and more.

Don’t: Play Loud Music

No one, and I mean no one, wants to hear your crappy music when spending the day on the beach. I don’t care if you are blaring classic rock or country, two of my favorite music genres. No one wants to hear your music.

I will go out on a limb and even say that I do not want to hear your livestream of a podcast, YouTube video, or even the broadcast of the Phillies game. I am on the beach to enjoy the sounds of summer: the waves crashing, kids playing, birds chirping and the lifeguard whistles whistling. This is an important beach etiquette tip you should always follow.

Do: Be Mindful of the Tide

One of my biggest pet peeves is when a family trapses down the beach to the shoreline with no idea of the tide, sets up all of their stuff, and then has to move back as the tide rises, ultimately setting up shop right on top of us. There are plenty of free apps out there that tell you the daily tide schedule.

You can also walk up to the lifeguard stand and ask. You will quickly make a lot of enemies on the beach by retreating from the incoming tide if you plop down on top of others who took the appropriate measures upon their arrival at the beach that day.

Don’t: Walk On Other People’s Towels

When you see beach towels laid out in the sand it is not an invitation for you to trapse all over them. Whether it is you or your child, be sure to watch where you step. Kicking sand all over someone else’s towel, or stepping on it when fresh out of the water can really upset fellow beachgoers.

Beach Etiquette is Common Sense

Even as I write that headline I know that common sense is rare these days. Please, for all of us who enjoy a day at the beach, have some common sense and follow these do’s and don’ts for a quality day in the sun.

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This rock orchestra has been thrilling audiences since their first show in Philadelphia back in 1999. We had the opportunity to see them perform for the first time in Manchester, New Hampshire over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

The orchestra doesn’t waste time opening their shows. The lights go dark, the orchestra comes onto the stage, and the performance begins with a lot of lasers, smoke, light and sound.

The orchestra is quite impressive. There are multiple guitarists, at least eight singers, a pianist, a drummer, a violinist a narrator and more. Every single member of the orchestra has a job to perform and they all do it quite well. It is truly amazing to see so many people mesh seamlessly in such a large-scale performance.

This year’s tour is called The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. A narrator beautifully leads the audience through a wonderfully written story about Christmas Eves past. The story is intertwined with the music and it blends perfectly.

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo

One of the orchestra’s most popular songs is Christmas Eve/Sarajevo. It was originally released by Savatage, but was re-released by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a few members of Savatage had joined the band.

The song is an instrumental that combines “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Shchedryk” in a performance that is both soft and loud at times. It is easily one of the most recognizable songs that the orchestra performs.

See the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Live

You can watch hundreds of videos of the orchestra online, but until you see it in person, the videos just don’t do the band any justice. The orchestra will be coming to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on December 17 for two shows (3 pm and 7:30 pm).

Do yourself a favor and get tickets. Be prepared for a long show. The performance we saw in Manchester, New Hampshire, lasted close to three hours. It is worth every penny and every minute.

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Even though fire safety should be a year-round topic in your home, it becomes even more important during the holidays. You will likely be cooking a lot of meals at home, including a turkey on Thanksgiving. Whether you use the traditional oven or fry your turkey, a lot can go wrong if you are not careful.

Aside from cooking, Thanksgiving week/weekend is a popular time for people to decorate their homes for Christmas. This includes buying a Christmas tree, hanging lights on the exterior of homes, and possibly overloading outlets and circuits.

As you can see, fire safety at home during the holiday season doesn’t just involve cooking. There are plenty of ways you can be fire safe and we will discuss them in today’s post.

How to Be Fire Safe: Cooking During the Holidays

Cooking is the leading cause of home fire and injuries caused by home fires every year. The numbers from 2021 are staggering:

• Roughly 170,000 home cooking fires
• 135 deaths from home cooking fires
• 3,000 injuries
• $494 million in property loss

Now, for some life and property saving fire safety tips when cooking during the holidays:

• Never leave a pan unattended with the burner lit
• Put a lid on pots with boiling water
• Turn all pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove to avoid burns and knocking them over
• Keep a baking sheet within reach should you need to use it to cover a fire
• Move all flammable items away from the stove
• Do not wear overly loose or long clothing when cooking
• Do not plug any appliances into extension cords

Turkey Safety for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has become a popular time for people to experiment with new ways to cook their turkeys. For this reason alone, fire departments across the country respond to thousands of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day. Follow these tips to avoid a fire when cooking your turkey either in an over or in a fryer:

• Use the fryer outdoors and not on a porch or under an overhang
• Make sure the fryer is at least 10 feet from any structure
• Place the fryer on flat ground
• Do not let your children or pets near the fryer
• Lower and raise the turkey into the fryer slowly to prevent oil spills and fire
• Only use a turkey that has thawed completely and is dry
• Keep a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry powder) near the fryer in the event that oil catches fire

Fire Safe Holiday Decorating Tips

Cooking is not the only fire danger present during the holiday season. Decorating can also lead to home fires no matter the age of your property. Whether you decorate your home to the nines or only erect a single tree; you should still practice fire safety by following these tips:

• Check light strands each year and throw away those that are worn, torn, pinched or frayed
• If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure it is watered often – at least daily (a dry tree is more likely to catch fire)
• Use flameless candles operated by batteries
• Do not leave your tree plugged in and turned on when not at home
• If you do use real candles, leave them one foot away from anything flammable
• Read all of the manufacturer’s guidelines for your decorations and do not string together more than the recommended number of light strands
• Remove your Christmas tree not long after Christmas or when you notice it has dried out
• Set up your tree three feet from heat sources (fireplace, vents, space heaters, radiators or candles)
• Do not block any exits with the tree

Please watch the following video to see how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn if not watered properly:

Do you have tips for a fire safe holiday season? Have you experienced an unfortunate fire during a holiday? Your story might help save someone from that same stress. Please share it in the comments section.

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The light display features dozens of different Christmas themes, including the 12 Days of Christmas, candy canes, famous movie characters and legendary storybooks. The 12 Days of Christmas start off the holiday light show as you drive deeper into the farm. The ride lasts roughly 20 minutes, whether you take your own vehicle or jump on a hayride.

The Magic of Christmas: It’s Santa!

There is plenty to enjoy at Shady Brook Farm during the Christmas season, including shopping, smores over open bonfires, a lighted decorative walking path, farm animals, libations, snacks and even Santa Claus!

Santa can be found in the heated tent/store adjacent to the main store at the farm. He sits on a beautiful red velvet throne and is surrounded by his helpful elves. You can purchase a package of pictures available in print form and digital files.

Prepare for Crowds

We visited Shady Brook Farm this weekend, which wound up being opening night. We were presently surprised at how empty the place was. It won’t last long, though. The farm gets crazy busy after Thanksgiving. If you plan on going, be prepared to sit in traffic leading to the farm from both directions.

In the height of the magic of Christmas, Shady Brook Farm can be packed. You are often walking shoulder to shoulder on the grounds, in the store, and in the parking lots. However, the team there runs a tight ship, so do not let any of this deter you. Secure your tickets to this year’s Shady Brook Farm holiday light show before it’s too late.

Have you ever visited Shady Brook Farm during the Christmas season for their famous light show? If so, share your pictures with my readers in the comments section. If you have never been, be sure to enjoy the magic of Christmas at Shady Brook Farm this year with your family and friends.

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Frasier is in the midst of a reboot over on Paramount+, a streaming service. If you do not have access to the service, sign-up for a free trial or buy a plan because Frasier alone is worth the subscription.

Boston’s Favorite Son, Frasier, Returns

Frasier’s story began in Boston when he walked into the bar Cheers as the new love interest of Diane Chambers. His character launched one of the most popular sitcoms in television history when Frasier debuted on September 16, 1993.

The eccentric radio psychiatrist moved to Seattle, Washington to host a show on KACL and live with his recently injured police officer father, Martin Crane. Things started off rough between him and Martin before a wonderful father-son relationship blossomed before our eyes.

In the reboot of the popular series, Frasier is back in Boston where it all began for the sitcom character. This time, he is living with his adult son Freddy, who is a Boston firefighter, and reunited with an old friend from Oxford in a teaching position at Harvard.

An Honest Review

I am as biased as they come when talking about Frasier. He is my favorite character from Cheers and I am an avid watcher of the original sitcom. The first two episodes were decent. They weren’t earth shattering. But, they were good enough to keep my interest piqued.

Yes, there are times where the humor is dry and the laughs seem forced, but you get that at times with every sitcom in history. There are also times that are incredibly poignant. Specifically, an interaction in an early episode between Frasier and Freddy about Martin.

There is an episode released every Thursday on Paramount+. I recommend sticking with the series if you started it and aren’t sure. The last few episodes have been nothing short of hilarious.

Frasier once again finds himself stuck in a difficult situation involving two women (sound familiar?) and this time Niles or Martin aren’t there to help. It’s Freddy he has to rely on for assistance.

The reboot likely won’t win any awards. But, it is strong enough to warrant a second season, in my opinion.

What are your opinions of the sitcom reboot if you have seen it? Did you watch the original show? Let’s talk about it in the comments section.

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Sign #1: The Dog Gets More Excited to See Nonna Than Mom After a Long Day

With Nicole teaching, I am the only one home with Thelma during the day. She doesn’t move around much. I mean, she is a basset hound. She hops off the couch every now and then for a quick drink of water or a jaunt outside. Other than that, she doesn’t take part in much activity.

Thelma gets excited when I bring the boys home from school and she goes nuts when Nicole walks into the house. However, when Nonna comes for a visit, Thelma absolutely loses her mind. She howls louder for Nonna than anyone else to the point where it sounds like she is mooing like a cow.

Thelma runs around the family room, jumps on and off the couch, and can barely contain herself. Nonna brings out some of the best reactions in Thelma. They get even better when Chief walks through the door. She has full-fledged conversations with Chief, often barking at him from across the room.

Sign #2: Your Dog Has to Cuddle Nightly With Nonna

When we are in Ocean City for the summer, Thelma has to cuddle nightly with her Nonna. Thelma will sit at the top of the steps at the dog gate waiting for me to let her into Nonna’s room. She then sprints (well, moves at a pace faster than what she is used to) to Nonna’s bedside. Thelma waits there for me to lift her onto the bed. She will cuddle with Nonna for hours every night of the summer until it’s time for me to hit the hay.

Sign #3: Sleepovers at Nonna’s House Are Special

Thelma had a sleepover at Nonna and Chief’s in February while we visited Woodloch for President’s Day weekend. She is slated for another one this Thanksgiving. Thelma loves staying at Nonna and Chief’s house. She has full reign of the first floor just like in Ocean City. Whenever Nonna turns around, Thelma is right there with her.

Sign #4: Nonna is the Only One Who Can Give Thelma “Food”

We have made it a habit to avoid giving Thelma people food. We got into that bad habit with our first basset, Phoebe, and it was difficult to break her of it. When Thelma arrived in our lives we made it a point to avoid too much people food, especially since she is on the heavier side.

Nonna is the only one who can give Thelma people food and get away with it. Isn’t that what grandparents are for? They are here to spoil their grandkids and granddogs without repercussions.

Sign #5: The Pup Gets So Excited They Pant for Hours

We visited Nonna and Chief last night and brought Thelma with us. She got so excited to be at their house that she panted excessively for the entire time we were there and for hours upon our return home.

How are your pets treated by their grandparents? Are they spoiled to no end? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Jimmy V Archives. You will only receive an email when I publish new content. Thanks for reading!

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Chris had recently hit his fifth decade on Earth, had lost both of his parents, and was reveling in being a grandfather for the first time. Tony had turned one not long before we lost Chris. He only remembers things about him through pictures and stories we have told him through the years.

The Loss of a Loved one and Grief

It is never easy to lose a loved one. However, the blow is softened just a little bit when you expect it. For example, losing a grandparent in their 90s who has been battling health issues for months or years. But, losing a parent in your late 20s when you imagine them holding your child for years to come is unfathomable.

We lost my Uncle Steve to pancreatic cancer years before Chris. I will never forget my Aunt Val telling my mother-in-law Peg that their situations were completely different. Aunt Val and my cousins had time to come to terms (whatever that may be) with Uncle Steve passing away. Aunt Val flat out told Peg that Chris was ripped away from us.

While I tend to agree with that, it is still hard losing a loved one in any capacity. I have always struggled with grief. My Uncle Domenico died when I was in fourth grade. We lost my maternal grandmom, Rose, when I was in fifth grade. It took me a long time to process her death.

My paternal grandfather, Albert, died when I was in college. That one hurt a lot despite seeing him battle Alzheimer’s for so long. Then, not long before we got married, we lost Nicole’s paternal grandparents, Nan and Pop (Jane and John).

Just a few months after Chris died we lost Nicole’s paternal grandfather, Joe. In March of 2022, I lost my maternal grandfather, Jim, at the age of 98. Grief has been and always will be a part of everyone’s life. It can be debilitating at times. It can also be eye-opening if you know how to learn from it.

Uncle Domenico and Grandmom Rose

When Uncle Domenico and Grandmom Rose died while I was in grade school, I would see the school counselor. It was helpful to a point, but I still struggled with replaying those days in my mind. I have a very photographic memory and I also remember a lot of what people say to me.

I will never forget what my other grandmother, Gia, told myself and my brother the day before Rose died. Her and my Pop-Pop, Al, had been staying with us in Marlton while my dad worked and my mom sat at Rose’s bedside. Gia told us that her and Pop-Pop would only be at our house after school the next day if it was absolutely necessary.

Fast forward to the following day. My brother and I exit the school bus. I see Gia standing on the steps of our old townhouse. Right then and there I knew that Grandmom Rose had died. I didn’t need anyone to tell me.

The Loss of a Loved One: How I Deal With Grief

When we lost Chris in 2013 I never properly processed his death or dealt with my grief. I had to keep it together for a reeling family. Nicole and I had been first-time parents for just around 14 months at the time. My brother-in-law was in his senior year at Temple University. Nicole was in her third year of teaching.

It was on me to hold it together and keep the family moving forward, as much as we all wanted to give up. I did not process my grief. Contrary to movies, books, and many families; Chris and I were close.

You always hear horror stories of how in-laws fail to get along. That wasn’t the case with our two families. We all truly got along, and still do. As someone coming to date Chris’ daughter and eventually marry her, he and I always got along. We always saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things. We both loved the Phillies, Ocean City, and food. There was rarely, if ever, an uncomfortable moment or conversation between us.

The day Chris died I truly lost a father figure in my life. I looked up to him and valued his opinion as much as my own father’s. It took until last October for me to finally process my grief from losing Chris. Couple that with the recent loss of my grandmother Gia and grandfather Jim, and I decided it was time to seek help from a therapist.

I tried therapy a few years before Gia died, but the woman I picked was very unprofessional. She actually told me that, “Well, everyone dies.” Yes, everyone dies. But, not everyone knows how to handle death, especially when it is the loss of a loved one. I quickly stopped seeing her. The therapist I have been seeing since October 2022 has been much more helpful.

How to Find Peace in Death

You can find peace in death after losing a loved one or close friend by doing the following:

• Accept the reality of your loss no matter how painful
• Cope through the pain by feeling your feelings instead of avoiding them
• Adjust to your new life without the person in it
• Do not forget your loved one; move forward by remaining connected to your memories of them instead of trying to forget them
• Seek grief counseling

Grief is one of the most difficult feelings to overcome. It can cripple your daily life. How do you deal with grief after death? Let’s talk about it in the comments section. Maybe what you do can help someone else work through their grief.

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Balancing your personal and family life with work is a daunting task at any stage of your self-employed career. One of the most important things you can do is learn how to say no. It is a word that many people have probably had an easy time telling you, but until you can utter this short phrase, you truly won’t have a great work-life balance.

Work-Life Balance: Set Limits for Your Work Schedule

One of the most important things you can do to balance your work and life is to set limits for your schedule. I will admit, when I first started out as a freelance writer 15 years ago I didn’t know how to do this. I worked constantly. There are times to this day where I have to force myself to take a step back.

I worked late into the night. Weekends also included random times where I pounded away at the keyboard. It almost felt like I had to work whenever possible because I did not have a commute or a boss looking over my shoulder.

Once I finally learned how to say no to clients I was able to start moving my schedule in the right direction. I was always worried that turning down rush projects or additional pieces on a current content order would lead to the client walking away from me.

I quickly discovered that saying no to a client was not the end of the world. In fact, it showed them I had a backbone and was capable of valuing my personal life over work. Because I worked as hard as I did and provided strongly written content, the clients were willing to wait for their content. Now, I don’t skip assigned deadlines. Instead, I openly communicate with clients as to what they can expect when it comes to turnaround time.

Do Not Value Work Over Family

When I first started working as a freelance writer I valued work over anything else all the time. I missed out on a lot of family events, time out with friends, and overall downtime that could have led to better mental and physical health.

Missing out on soccer practices when the boys were young or some events at school in years past took a toll on me. I felt guilty a lot. However, it was always, “No, I have to work.”

Once I finally built a good work-life balance I began to enjoy life much more. Now, I take the boys to almost every practice or game on their schedule, to doctor’s appointments, and we do a lot more as a family on weekends.

No More Work Weekends

Work weekends, for the most part, are a thing of the past for me. Even though my clientbase is much stronger than it was just three years ago, I make it a point to avoid working on weekends. There might be an hour or two here or there early in the morning or late at night. But, other than that, there are no more extended work weekends.

The Benefits of a Strong Work-Life Balance

There are plenty of benefits of having a strong work-life balance, including the following:

• Better physical and mental health
• You are able to be more present in the moment
• You can experience less stress related to your job
• You will become a well-rounded person
• Your productivity will increase
• You will be more engaged when working

Have you struggled with balancing your work and personal life? What has worked for you when it comes to balancing your work and family life. Let’s discuss it in the comments section.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Jimmy V Archives. You will only receive an email whenever I publish new content. Thanks for reading!

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I am someone who loves the sunlight. There needs to be plenty of sun at all times. Cloudy and dreary days are fine every once in a while, but having the sun set daily prior to 5 pm is just too much.

Maybe it’s the fact that I spend my summers at the shore. Or, maybe it’s the fact that more sunshine makes me happier. Either way, when the sun is out, I am in a better mood and I would go out on a limb to say that is how the majority of people out there feel.

The Impact of Daylight Saving Time on Our Health and Safety

The time change twice per year has a profound impact on our health and safety for the two weeks immediately following each event. The most impactful ways the time change affects our health and safety are as follows:

• Disruption of sleep patterns and circadian rhythm
• Weight gain
• Mood changes
• An increased risk of accidents at work and while driving
• Disproportionate impacts for seniors and children
• $1.7 billion in losses for the economy

It is Time to Do Away With the Changing of the Clocks

Legislation was introduced in the United States Senate in 2022 that would make Daylight Saving time permanent. This means that we would no longer change the clocks twice per year. It would give us that extra hour of sunlight every day of the year too.

The legislation was approved by the Senate but stalled in the United States House of Representatives. This led to it being reintroduced in early 2023 in the Senate. The measure is known as the Sunshine Protection Act.

The National Conference of State Legislation reports that there have been some 450 resolutions and bills created by state legislatures that would permit year-round Daylight Saving Time should a bill pass at the federal level.

As of November 5, 2023, the following states have passed legislation that would permit year-round daylight saving time if done so at the federal level:

• Colorado
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• Utah
• Wyoming
• Delaware
• Maine
• Oregon
• Tennessee
• Washington
• Florida
• California

The discussion of ending the time change is nothing new. Studies have been conducted to determine if changing the clocks twice a year actually does any good. Some of those studies have found that ending the practice of changing the time can reduce heart problems and the risk of stroke.

Are you ready to see the changing of the clocks go away? Do you prefer having sunset prior to 5 pm? Either way, let’s talk about it in the comments section. Remember to subscribe to The Jimmy V Archives so you are notified when I publish new content. Thanks for reading!

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The sense of entitlement both on the road and everywhere else has skyrocketed. Everyone seems to think that their lives, their schedules, and their destinations are more important than everyone else around them.

What Are the Rules of the Road?

In almost every state, the rules of the road are as follows:

• Vehicles drive on the right side of the road
• Do not drink and drive or drive high
• The right of way is given, not taken
• Vehicles are to proceed in the order in which they arrive at a stop sign
• Stop for all school buses picking up or dropping off children that have their red lights activated
• Yield to emergency vehicles that have their lights/sirens activated
• Turn right on red unless otherwise noted
• Left turn must always yield on green
• Keep right, pass on the left
• Traffic is to proceed counterclockwise in a roundabout (circle)
• Obey posted speed limits
• Slow your vehicle when approaching an intersection with a yellow light
• Stop at a red light
• Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Pedestrians should not simply step out into traffic

The Dangers of Driving in 2023

With millions of vehicles on the road each day commuting to school, work, the doctor’s office, errands, concerts, sporting events, and more; you can only imagine how many accidents there are annually in New Jersey.

According to the unofficial statistics from the New Jersey State Police, there were 649 crashes that resulted in 692 fatalities in the state in 2022. These fatal accidents occurred on state highways, interstate highways, county roads, local streets and in parking lots.

Your head has to be on a swivel at all times when driving, biking, riding a motorcycle, or going for a walk today. In Burlington County alone there were 60 traffic fatalities in 2022.

Road Rage and Driving Behavior

The Zebra conducts an annual survey on road rage and driving behavior. Despite all of the frustrations drivers experience on the roads each day, most cited being cut off while driving as their highest frustration in 2022. The rest of frustrations, from highest to lowest, are as follows:

• Tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Failing to use a turn signal
• Slow drivers
• Traffic jams

In New Jersey, drivers named sitting in traffic jams as their number-one frustration while driving. The behavior they admitted to doing is honking in anger. When it comes to road rage, 92% of people who responded to the nationwide survey reported having witnessed at least one road rage incident in the previous year. Of them, 89% reported having being the victim of a road rage incident.

Safe Driving Tips

One of the best ways to ensure you arrive at your intended destination free of harm is to be a defensive driver. Try to anticipate what other drivers are going to do when you approach an intersection. Do not trust that oncoming traffic will see you, that vehicles on cross streets will actually stop at a red light or a stop sign, and always be aware of your surroundings.

Some important safe driving tips include the following:

• Always wear your seat belt
• Children under 12 should remain in the rear of the vehicle, according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Avoid distractions from passengers, pets, mobile devices (phones, tablets, the radio, GPS)
• Keep a safe following distance (at least one car length for every 10 MPH)
• Do not drive drunk, high, fatigued or angry
• Keep your car well maintained
• Keep an emergency roadside kit in your trunk
• Come to a complete stop at all stop signs and red lights
• Obey posted speed limits, especially in school zones

While not an exhaustive list, it is important that you start with the tips listed here. Have you experienced a lack of safety from other drivers recently? Do you believe the rules of the road no longer apply? Let’s talk about it in the comments section. And, don’t forget, sign up for the Jimmy V Archives newsletter on the right side of the page. You will only receive an email when new content is posted. Thanks for reading.

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