Flag Day 2010 falls 233 years after the Continental Congress approved the first American flag in 1777. Flag Day also falls midway through National Safety Month. As always, we’re concerned with keeping families and communities safe, both ours and yours. And in our line of business (“Mobile video solutions for enhanced safety”), we’re especially intent on keeping our roadways safe. We encourage you to do the same, whether driving in a professional capacity or striking out on the road for summer vacation.

One of our Houston colleagues shares our concern for personal, family, and public safety and has published a helpful summertime safety blog post on the topic: “5 Tips to Keep You Safe On That Next Road Trip.” So before you pack up the water goggles and coolers, check out these tips on Google maps and coolants. Schipul’s Jennifer Ulmer has included how-to links on everything from planning alternate routes to checking radiator fluid. Practical stuff, here: plan ahead, prepare for emergencies. (Don’t forget the duct tape. And if it’s patriotic duct tape, all the better!)

Happy trails to you, wherever the summer takes you. Have a safe drive!

Frankly, we were alarmed at the news story regarding two airline pilots who overshot their destination by 150 miles and were out of communication for 1.5 hours, allegedly (and against company policy) because they were diddling with laptops rather than deploying landing gear. So, what’s to keep pilot and co-pilot from whipping out their iPhones for a wicked round of dueling apps when they should be checking other instruments? Scary thought, for air travelers.

Transportation secretary Ray LaHood likewise takes a dim view of distracted navigators: “Any kind of distraction, whether it’s trains, planes or automobiles is a distraction and we should figure out ways to get these cell phones, the texting, … and the use of laptops out of the hands of people who are supposed to be delivering the public … somewhere safely.”

That’s not a lot for the public to expect. Don’t we deserve to be ferried about safely? Shouldn’t we rest assured that we’re in good hands and under watchful eyes? I’m not being facetious when I say, “Too bad the cockpit wasn’t equipped with a SafeDrive MiniDVR.” This new windshield-mounted mobile DVR is helping our clients in other mobile industries monitor and record what’s going on outside the windshield and inside the vehicle cabin.

Scary but true: Careless or distracted drivers are putting personnel, property, and the public in peril. But that’s where we come in. Our onboard cameras and mobile DVRs may deter unsafe driving en route; and when such behaviors are detected, fleet owners can work with their drivers to modify bad habits. Meanwhile, we encourage all drivers–professional and private–to “Pocket it ’til you park it!”

Drive safe; live safe!

I encountered two other stories about water safety, today. The first, also courtesy of NPR,  cautioned Florida boaters to watch for manatees in the water, as many of these endangered marine mammals (also called sea cows and described as gentle) have lost their lives to watercraft strikes. And the second was a piece in policeone.com, an article by a marine enforcement officer about the rise in BUI (Boating Under the Influence) incidents. Whether by land or by sea, don’t drink and drive!

At Safety Vision, we’re also trying to raise awareness of the perils of texting while driving. Here’s a good rule of thumb: “Put it in your pocket ’til you park it!” We posted a disturbing but relevant public service announcement video produced by a group of British teens to our Facebook page, this week. Check it out (warning: it is graphic) and while you’re there, become a fan of Safety Vision: It’s as easy as clicking a button!

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the attached picture as much as I do. That’s my niece Kalysta (daughter of Safety Vision sales veep Rex Colorado) belly-riding with a dolphin and wearing her life vest like a good girl! It’s a great shot of two lovely creatures enjoying a little water play and each other’s company: Look at the grin on both their faces! For additional photos of Rex and his family having good, clean, safe fun with nature, check out the Rex & Family set in our Flickr photostream.

Happy Labor Day: Keep it real, keep it safe…

The incident was captured by Safety Vision’s PatrolRecorder 4C RHD (removable hard drive) mobile DVR. It all began when Sergeant Matthew Davidson of the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office came to the aid of a “nervous” motorist changing a flat on a narrow bridge shoulder as traffic rushed by. Moments before the semi tire rolled onto the scene, the motorist looked up and spied the oncoming tire. And just in the nick of time: His startled exclamation of warning prompted Sgt. Davidson to move out of harm’s way, not a moment or millimeter too soon.

We’re happy to report that Sgt. Davidson sustained only minor injuries while proclaiming major gratitude at  his good fortune. It’s true what they say: One good deed deserves another.

See the story as reported on Houston’s KTRK Channel 13, (C) 2009-KTRK-TV/DT.