Wednesday, December 17, 2003
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Wednesday, December 17, 2003 |
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Safe driving tips for this holiday season 1. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol and never permit someone else who has been drinking to drive. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol was involved in 52 percent of the 705 traffic fatalities that occurred around Christmas and New Year's 2002. 2. Wear a seat belt. It’s more than a law; it’s proven to reduce fatalities. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that lap/shoulder safety belts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. For light truck occupants, safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent. 3. Avoid driving while you are fatigued or taking medication that will make you drowsy. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the year 2000 there were 1773 traffic fatalities attributed to fatigue and drowsiness. 4. Drive defensively and maintain the speed limit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated to be $27.4 billion per year. In 2000, speeding was a contributing factor in 29 percent of all fatal crashes, and 12,350 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes. 5. Anticipate problems before they happen. On the highway, be alert to potential acts that may cause crashes and adjust driving and speed accordingly. 6. Keep an emergency kit in your car, including a call-for-help sign, a flare and a first-aid kit. 7. Practice routine car maintenance to avoid highway breakdowns, including a check on brakes, hoses, belts, horn, windshield solvent, wipers and headlights. Keep your car lubricated, tuned and oiled. Never mix radial tires with other types of tires, and make sure your tires, including your spare, are properly inflated as recommended in your owner's manual. 8. Emergencies occur. Be ready with a charged operable cellular phone, but don’t use the phone while you are driving. According to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, drivers talking on their phones are responsible for about 6 percent of U.S. auto accidents each year, killing an estimated 2,600 people and injuring 330,000. 9. For front-wheel skids, wait for the front wheels to grip the road before straightening the car; for rear-wheel skids, just before the rear wheels stop skidding counter steer until you regain the desired direction. 10. Maintain safe following distance in relation to existing weather conditions. Drive defensively and reduce speed to a safe pace.
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