Van Pools Blog
Extended Family
February 17th, 2010 0 Comments
From left to right: Julie, Michelle, Mike, Sonya, Mary Ellen, Nelson
By Michelle, Pasadena, California
I would like to tell you about the best VPSI vanpool.
Our group has been together for about a year and a half. We commute 20 miles one way in the Southern California traffic. That means we can be in the van together between 30 and 70 minutes each way (depending on the day of the week and the weather). Our group has grown to be an extended family as we talk, nap or laugh all the way to and from work. We have even celebrated our vanpool anniversary, retirements, birthdays and holidays together as a family.
In May 2009 I had a seizure at home that prevented me from driving for six months. If not for vanpooling, I don’t know how I would have gotten to work everyday. When I was cleared by the DMV to drive again, my vanpoolers would casually make sure I drove out of the parking lot first, then follow me, just to make sure I was doing okay behind the wheel (no one told me this was happening for several months). Read More
Caution: Winter Weather is Predicted
December 8th, 2009 2 CommentsBy Andy Bawden
VPSI’s Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
In many areas, winter weather presents challenges to drivers. The van driver, the vanpool group and the van must be prepared and ready to expect the unexpected.
Prepare the driver
A driver prepares by getting an early start each day. Adequate rest and proper nourishment may sound old fashioned, but they are still great preparation. A driver should watch or listen to the weather the evening before bed and in the morning before departing. Also know what the traffic report is for the commute.
If weather is too severe, have a plan to cancel the commute. Crashes, injuries and loss of life can be avoided by making the decision to NOT drive the van if conditions are dangerous. Read More
Vanpool Drivers: Please Put that Phone Away!
September 14th, 2009 0 CommentsFor years, you’ve heard that cell phones and driving don’t mix. Now, according to a recent USA Today article, the National Transportation Safety Board is barring NTSB employees from using their cell phones while driving. Read the full story here.
Of course, we at VPSI know that our vanpool drivers would never think of gabbing on their cell phones while sitting behind the wheel. They’re way too smart for that. If a driver really needs to get a message out, they’ve got a van full of passengers who are willing and able to make the call for them.
But what about sending text messages? According to a new study, sending text messages while driving is even more dangerous than driving drunk! So please, don’t do that either. Find out more here.
Marveling at the Ways People Multitask While Driving
September 2nd, 2009 0 CommentsThe following post was written by vanpooler Michael Branigan from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It was originally submitted to our iPhone contest, but it was so enjoyable that we had to share it with our readers.
One of the ways we pass the time in the van when we are going home is marveling at the ways people multitask (texting, cellphones, computers, eating, reading the paper) while driving 70-90 miles an hour on Route 80. But what took the cake was we once saw a guy playing the accordion while reading his sheet music on the steering wheel and doing 80 miles an hour in the fast lane. We still talk about that one.
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Testimonials
“I just gave myself a raise!” is a familiar exclamation as a new rider boards the van for the first ... Read More
The South Florida Vanpool Program [operated by VPSI] has been a real benefit! The cost savings alone makes the venture ... Read More
Have you considered starting a vanpool? Jump on the vanwagon! Beginning in January of 2005 I teamed-up with 13 other American ... Read More
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