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Very clear video of pedal error as it happens

2/27/2014

Here is CCTV footage of a low-speed crash into an Au Bon Pain restaurant in Williamsburg Virginia. Easy to see the exact moment when pedal error occurred, as the vehicle very slowly pulls into a space and then suddenly speeds up and goes easily over the curb and impacts the side of the building.

No one was hurt, but this video shows the parking lot angle (she crashed through a patio dining area) and also an interior angle that shows just how close an employee came to being injured.

Pedal error accounts for over 40% of crashes when a vehicle in a parking lot suddenly crashes into a building. As our recent 2013 statistics show, these accidents are very common. The driver's age in this case (77) puts her in the highest risk group, as 51 percent of such accidents involved drivers over 60. See our just released crash statistics here.

http://wydaily.com/2014/02/27/elderly-woman-crashes-into-potterys-au-bon-pain/

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Three Crash and Grab Ram Raids in Three Days at Florida Cell Phone Stores -- Here is a video news report from ABC 10 News Miami

2/26/2014

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Three crash and grab ram raids in 24 hours is not THAT unusual in certain areas. In this case, they are all cell phone stores, vehicles were used to break into the stores, and the thieves seem to be spreading the love around. A Verizon store, a Sprint store, and a T Mobile store were each hit by the robbers -- if I had an ATT store I would be VERY nervous tonight. See link to story and video HERE

The problem of crash and grabs is very serious. ATMs and electronics are always attractive targets, as are guns, jewelry, liquor, tools, and cash in the till. Organized Retail Crime (ORC) is a phenomenon that loss control and risk management executives have had to deal with for years -- but this new surge in using vehicles to gain entry is lowering the bar in terms of planning, necessary resources, and risk.

Once again, prevention is the only means that will defeat these sorts of crimes. A quick search of YouTube will give you hundreds of surveillance camera videos showing thieves at work -- but by then, of course, it is too late. All of these crashes in Florida will cost FAR MORE in terms of repairs to structures and lost business than the thieves will earn selling stolen goods on eBay.

Store owners, you do not have to turn your store into a fortress -- preventing vehicle incursions takes simple planning and simple measures. The investment required is probably no more than the cost of the repairs that one crash and grab ram raid would be. Just having the measures in place tells thieves that you are the hardest target on the block -- and that they should move onto the softer targets down the street who have not yet taken measures to prevent these sorts of incidents.

http://www.local10.com/news/hialeah-verizon-store-broken-into-early-wednesday-morning/24677330

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Driving While High -- Are We At Risk For More Storefront Crashes?

2/24/2014

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The legalization of marijuana sales in certain states is creating some concern about an increase in traffic accidents. There is some anecdotal evidence that as many as 10% of drivers in fatal accidents are under the influence of THC, and the State of California is already seeing as many as 7% of drivers on the road at night test positively for marijuana in their system.

With pedal error already the #1 identified cause of storefront crashes (accounting for as many as 46% of all incidents) and the "under the influence" identified at the #2 identified cause at over 20%, it is clear that there is a risk of increase in both these categories as more people "drive while high."

The California research figure is cited here:
http://kosu.org/2014/02/with-support-for-marijuana-concern-over-driving-high-grows/

The statistics on causes of storefront crashes is our own analytical data which can be found here:
http://www.storefrontcrashexpert.com/storefront-crash-statistics.html

What are your thoughts? Is this a risk management issue that is one of those "unintended consequences?"

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Wheel Stops Do Not Stop

2/23/2014

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Wheel stops -- they simply do not stop. Anything.

They cause more trips and falls in parking lots than any other factor, they are a maintenance problem for litter, snow, and ice, and they can cause damage to expensive air dams on low-slung vehicles.

All of which begs the question -- why put up with all of these negative factors if the stupid things do not work in the first place?

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Very clear video of pedal error as it happens

Three Crash and Grab Ram Raids in Three Days at Florida Cell Phone Stores -- Here is a video news report from ABC 10 News Miami

Driving While High -- Are We At Risk For More Storefront Crashes?

Wheel Stops Do Not Stop

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