Before leaving, ensure that your
vehicle is in good working order. Get
a tune up; check tire tread and pressure, oil and fluid levels, working lights
and windshield wipers, etc.
Buckle up for safety. In the majority of accidents, seat belts save lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seat belts reduce serious
crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50%. Adults who live in rural areas
are 10% less likely to wear seat belts (78% usage) than adults who live in
urban and suburban areas (87% usage). Also, secure your infants and children in
properly fitted car seats and booster seats.
Don’t drink and drive. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws
defining driving impaired as a crime with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
at or above a specified level, currently 0.08 percent (0.08 g alcohol per 100
ml blood). According to the CDC, one 12-ounce beer has about the same amount of
alcohol as one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. Drinking
alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgment and coordination, all skills
needed to drive a car safely. The more alcohol consumed, the greater the
impairment. If you drink, don’t drive or make friends with a designated driver
who does not imbibe. A 4-day weekend is not an automatic pass to drink and
drive.
Observe speed limits. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination.
Most likely you will have to share the road with thousands of other drivers,
road construction, and possible rain and summer storms, so get used to it.
You’re not in a race. Speeders don’t win.
Stay alert. Take a break when feeling drowsy. Take advantage of
rest stops. Drive defensively.
Put the distractions away. Don’t talk on your cell phone while driving. Worse,
don’t text while driving. Both require focus. You can only do one well. Program
your GPS prior to leaving or while stopped, never while driving. Ask your
passenger to change the CD's. Comb your hair and apply makeup upon arrival at
your destination never while driving. Don’t eat or open or close food packaging
while driving. Other vehicles may be getting in your lane, turning, or slowing
down. In-car distractions diminish your chances of driving defensively when you
need to most. One or two seconds of distractions can negatively impact your
life and the lives of others.
“Thousands and thousands die each
year as a result of distracted driving on our nation’s highway,” urges Attorney
Joel Feldman, father of a daughter who was killed by a distracted driver. “The
death toll rises dramatically during summer months especially for young
drivers. We can all make a difference if we just remember to keep our
hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and stop trying to multi -task while we
drive.”
Load SUVs properly. When loaded down with additional weight—such as
passengers, luggage, and equipment—SUVs become less stable. Compared to most
sedans and station wagons, SUVs have a higher center of gravity. With the extra
weight, which typically rides above a SUV’s center of gravity, the vehicle can
tip over more easily.
Drive cautiously on rural roads. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration (NHTSA), more accidents occur on rural roads than other venues.
Secure your pet. Most likely you wear a seat-belt. What about your dog?
Cats and dogs should be secured in crates that are secured by straps or bungee
cords in the event of a sudden stop. A loose pet or a hurling crate can crash
through the windshield. Protect your 4-legged friends.
