Travel to your Destination Safely - An American Driver Safety Guide

Travelling by motor vehicle is the preferred method of daily transportation in most parts of The United States, and is also one of the country’s most beloved pastimes. But whether you are simply getting behind the wheel for your daily half-hour commute to work downtown, or you’re packing up the family for a day’s drive to your favorite vacation destination, there are several safety concerns a good driver should be educated about. Learning about effective car maintenance, proper child safety seat, airbag, and seatbelt usage, the dangers of “multitasking” while driving (or distracted driving), and how to handle any inclement weather conditions you may encounter on your travels all greatly reduce your risk of accidents and injuries. Don’t become another statistic; empower yourself by cultivating an awareness of the potential dangers on the highway, and then take a bit of time to learn how to drastically reduce your risk of injury from these common pitfalls of the road. Doing so will help keep you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road safe from preventable accidents. Happy travelling!

Car Maintenance Tips

Proper and conscientious car maintenance can greatly reduce your risk of a breakdown or accident while travelling. In fact, recent studies have shown that negligent car care and maintenance is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents. Following a maintenance schedule for your vehicle all year long will keep things running smoothly. Immediately before taking any long car trips, it’s also important to take the time to make sure several key components of your vehicle are in top shape. The most important things to check for are simple enough that most anyone can learn to identify and fix these potential problems without the help of a mechanic. A simple routine of checking motor oil and all fluid levels, examining tire treads and checking the air pressure in the tires, and ensuring that headlights, tail lights, windshield wipers and turn signals are all functioning properly is usually enough to remain safe for a shorter car trip. Before longer trips during which you will be putting excessive mileage on your car, and especially prior to trips that involve driving through rough terrain or in mountainous areas, you may want to have your mechanic check over your vehicle more thoroughly.

Child Safety Seats

When children are involved in travelling, it is essential to be conscientious about all potential safety issues. The single most important thing a parent to do to keep a child safe in the car is to be knowledgeable about current child safety seat laws, and to be sure that their safety seat is installed properly, and that the child is seated in it in a way that is recommended for the child’s age, weight and height. Most vehicle-related injuries and fatalities are due to improper child safety seat usage, so it’s vital to educate yourself on the subject. It’s also important to realize that these laws can vary slightly from state-to-state, so taking a few minutes to brush up on the particular laws of any state you plan on visiting or travelling through is the responsible thing to do. Also, make sure you are using car seats that are up-to-date; recalls have been issued for some older models. Second-hand safety seats should be used with caution, because there is always a risk that they have been involved in a previous car accident. Any safety seat that has been in an accident could be damaged or faulty and should never be used again.

Air Bag & Seatbelt Safety

For older children and adults, seatbelts and air bags are the two most important safety features of any vehicle, and may be responsible for saving your life in the unfortunate event of an accident. Seatbelts should be properly adjusted and worn at all times. In most states, wearing your seatbelt is the law. Air bags are a secondary safety measure, and it is crucial to observe a few precautions due to the high speeds at which air bags are deployed. Anyone riding in the front seat should make sure their seat is adjusted far enough back to avoid air bag injury, and small children should always ride in the backseat, because the impact force of an activated air bag can result in severe injury or death to young passengers.

Multitasking While Driving

Drivers should always be focused solely on the task at hand: safely operating their motor vehicle. In recent years, “multitasking” while driving has become a major cause of automobile accidents. Cell phone use, especially texting, has become a major concern in recent years. If you must take a call or answer a text, pull over before doing so. Not only is it extremely dangerous, but most states have implemented laws against phone use for the driver of a vehicle. Even seemingly simple tasks such as eating, flipping through radio stations, or adjusting makeup can severely distract a driver and lead to inattentive behavior on the highway that greatly increases the chances of being involved in an accident. Staying alert and aware behind the wheel can literally save lives. Wait until your next rest stop to perform any tasks that may be potentially distracting.

Inclement Weather Safety

Driving in bad weather conditions presents quite a few dangers that are usually out of the control of the driver. However, acquiring knowledge on how to handle anything Mother Nature throws your way is the responsibility of any car owner. Heavy fog, snow, sleet, ice, rain and even floods can all present potentially hazardous situations on the road. Knowing the best ways to handle these situations, and learning to realize when conditions have become too dangerous to continue driving, can help stop accidents and injuries. Winter driving is the most common time for accidents to occur, and being familiar with the basic tips on how to handle snow and ice are the most important tools in your arsenal. Making sure tires are properly inflated and have the sufficient tread, learning how to steer into a skid on ice, and adding extra weight in the trunk of your car are three of the most important things you can do to keep you and your passengers safe, but there are plenty more tips and tricks that will help you in snowy and icy conditions, and in other inclement weather conditions as well.

Travel to your Destination Safely - An American Driver Safety Guide

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