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Focus on Driving Safely  National Drive Safely Work Week is Oct. 3-7. The NTTA joins the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety and the U.S. Department of Transportation in encouraging all drivers to focus on driving and arriving safely. As part of its campaign, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety offers these 10 tips for ensuring safety behind the wheel.
Buckle up. Properly secure all cargo you may be transporting, including pets, potted plants and casseroles. And buckle yourself in on every trip. It’s your best defense should you have a “run-in” with distracted drivers sharing the road with you.
Texting and driving don’t mix. There is no way to drive safely while texting. Just don’t do it!
Stow your phone. Silence your mobile device and store it in the glove box. This way you won’t be tempted by the flashing lights and pings of incoming messages.
Use technology to manage your technology. Consider using a call-blocking application to let callers know you are driving and to queue calls and texts until you are safely pulled over. Be sure to check in with your insurance company; they may offer a policy discount.
Have a plan. Don’t wait until you are driving to become familiar with your route. Consider using navigation devices with voice directions, but be sure to pull over to a safe location if you need to re-program the system or consult printed directions.
Increase your following distance. Driver training experts suggest a following distance of four seconds under normal driving conditions. The four-second following rule increases visibility and gives more time to react to what’s happening in front of you, thus reducing the risk to you and your passengers. If roads are wet or icy, following distance should be increased.
Be in control. Pre-set the climate control, radio and CD player to your preferences. If driving an unfamiliar vehicle, take the time to identify the location of signals, wipers and lights before you begin driving.
Fine tune your tunes. Digital music devices (iPods, MP3 players) can pose a major distraction. Pre-set a driving playlist to provide continuous tunes without the need for adjustments.
Keep your mind on the drive. You cannot focus on driving if your mind is on work or family pressure or your to-do list. Take a moment before you drive to get your mind focused on the task at hand — safely getting to your destination.
Look at the big picture. Making or receiving a phone call while driving makes you four times more likely to be involved in a traffic crash. Take a moment to focus on those who are counting on you to get home safely every day before you make a choice to divert your full attention from the road.
For more information about the Drive Safely Work Week, visit trafficsafety.org. |
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