There are so many more drivers on the road today, especially drivers in a hurry and tailgating. While it’s sometimes easy to get influenced by the bad habits we see, we should not let them influence us on the road. It’s important to practice road safety each time we get in our cars. And we should encourage others to do the same. Here are some important reminders to keep us and our love ones safe.
Never text and drive
The message is clear. Distracted driving is any activity can deflect a person’s focus away from the primary task of driving. All distractions will endanger the driver, the passenger, and the pedestrian. Even pets in cars can pose as a distraction. Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is one of the most dangerous ways to get into an accident. According to the US Department of Transportation, sending and receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. This means that we are driving the length of an entire football field (at 55 mph), blind.
Always wear your seat belt
Safety belts save lives. It’s simple, but there are still many of us who still don’t use them. Wearing one improves our chance of survival during an accident. So even if we are driving to the market around the block, we still need to wear one. Why so? Because up to 80% of traffic illusions and fatalities occur within 25 miles of home and under 40 miles an hour. However, safety belts are designed for adults, not for children. It’s important to always use a booster seat to lift our children in order to prevent injuries in a crash. Also, babies must be placed safely in appropriate baby seats because it’s crucial to adhere to guidelines specific to their age and weight.
Drive defensively
It’s hard to miss the drivers who are busy applying lipstick, reading, or talking on the phone while driving. Some even brush their teeth on the road. But they don’t understand how extremely dangerous this is for themselves and others. As drivers we need to be aware of our surroundings. Not even for a moment should we forget the task at hand and let our guard down. More importantly, it’s essential for us to train ourselves to observe and respond to any unexpected event other drivers might do. If we notice someone swerving and texting move to another lane. Remember driving is a privilege, not a right.
