The holiday season is a time for Joy, Fun and Travel. As many plan on traveling by car, let us all be more mindful and adhere to some simple Road Safety Basics to assure that we reach our destinations and return home safely this year.
Before setting out on your trip, make sure that ALL passengers are wearing their seatbelts, and that children are secured in car seats in the back seat of the vehicle.
1. Plan your route of choice before leaving.
When you have the choice, prefer the route that is less stressful to travel even if it gets you to your destination a bit later.
2. Manage your time well.
Try this exercise. The next time you drive a frequented journey that is a short distance, time yourself. The next time you travel the same route, consciously drive slower and and less stressfully. When you compare the driving time in both cases you will see that, regarding short distances, the actual difference in driving time is only a matter of a few minutes. Regarding a longer trip, let’s say, between 2 and 4 hours, the difference in total driving time is usually only between 20 and 30 minutes. Before you travel, think about whether the added stress, anxiety, increased accident risk factor and increased fuel consumption is actually worth the minimal gain in time.
3. Do not use your cell phone/CB
Using your cell phone while driving is a major cause of driver distraction which can lead to becoming involved in an accident. Do not be mistaken. Using a hands free device does not lower the risk. If you need to use your phone while you are driving, pull into a safe parking area first and stop your vehicle. In this way, you are not putting yourself, your passengers and other road users in danger.
4. Do not drink alcoholic beverages if you plan on being behind the wheel.
Driving under the influence can increase accident risk by 400%. If you are planning on going out for the evening and enjoying a drink, make sure that you won’t be driving. Plan on using public transportation, a taxi or appointing a designated driver who will be abstaining from alcoholic beverages. Don’t leave your safety up to chance.
5. Make sure you are well rested and paying attention to the road.
Driver fatigue is a main cause of accidents and can be avoided by taking short, frequent breaks during your trip. When stopping for a rest, make sure you get out of the vehicle, take a short walk, stretch and have a cup of tea or coffee. In the event you feel drowsy while at the wheel, slow down and stop as soon as you can. Remember, a 15 minute power nap can save your life.
6. Maintain a safety distance from the vehicle ahead.
Implement the 3 second rule.
The phrase “one one-thousand” has the duration of approximately 1 second. If you count “one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand” the safety distance maintained over this 3 second period from the vehicle traveling in front of you is sufficient to ensure that you can stop your vehicle without colliding with the vehicle ahead or, if necessary, successfully maneuver around it, thus avoiding an accident. You can calculate an adequate safety distance by applying the following example: No matter what your vehicle speed is, when the vehicle ahead of you passes a stationery object by the side of the road (such as a tree, traffic sign etc.), begin counting “one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. When your vehicle passes the same stationery object, you should have already have said “three one-thousand”. If not, slow down and increase the distance from the vehicle ahead
7. Always adjust vehicle speed to the driving conditιons.
The more we increase our vehicle speed, the higher the accident risk becomes. Even a minimal reduction in vehicle speed could save a life. Especially at night, vehicle speed must be such that the vehicle can stop in the same distance that the headlights illuminate the road ahead, which is approximately 30 meters.
8. All objects in the cabin and the trunk of the vehicle should be properly secured.
In the event of sudden breaking or an accident, objects that are not secured properly in the vehicle have enough momentum to seriously injure the driver and passengers.
9. Use your horn when necessary.
Many drivers are hesitant to use their horn. It is necessary, however, if another diver is distracted and has not seen you or you have reason to consider him/her a threat to your safety or his/her own. Keep in mind that the horn is a warning signal and should not be used to express anger or impatience.
10. Apply forward planning – Make sure you are also aware of what is happening on the road ahead of you in the far distance.
By applying forward planning, you will always have ample time to react safely to any potential hazards on the road. In the event that visibility is poor, slow down, and give yourself the opportunity to react safely and avoid possible dangers.
11. Read the Road Signs
Road signs provide us with important information so that we can adjust our diving to the conditions of the road. If you find yourself in an area where there is an increased number of road signs giving you a lot of information, it’s a good idea to slow down as there is surely an increased risk factor.
12. Take care to adjust your mirrors properly.
Before you leave, take a moment to ensure that your mirrors are adjusted properly and that they are giving you maximum visibility to the sides and toward the rear of your vehicle. When traveling, remember to check your mirrors every five seconds approximately so that you are aware of the traffic surrounding you. When overtaking another vehicle, further to checking your mirrors, make sure you also check over your shoulder for a vehicle that might be hidden in your blind spot. Finally, be careful not to remain in another vehicle’s blind spot whether it be a car or truck.
13. If you are aware of your surroundings on the road, nothing ever happens “suddenly”.
The majority of accidents are in fact avoidable if we remain focused, avoid distractions, and observe the driving conditions surrounding us. When we are aware of the road and the traffic conditions, we are in the position to use the information from the driving environment to foresee and avoid hazardous situations. In this way, we can minimize being “surprised” by the potentially dangerous actions of another road user.
14. Get rid of any anger or negative emotions before getting behind the wheel.
If you are angry, feeling disappointed or upset, it’s a good idea to find a way to release these negative emotions before getting behind the wheel of your vehicle. A brisk walk, sharing your feelings with someone or writing them down are all good remedies. Find what works best for you and apply it.
15. Other drivers are not your enemy.
Oftentimes, we feel impatient or annoyed on the road because we take the poor driving behavior of others personally. When we have negative attitudes toward other road users, we are more likely to react by driving dangerously ourselves. Try thinking of things in another light and being more accepting and patient. All drivers are bound to make mistakes on the road and they are certainly not a personal affront to you.
Always remember that safety comes first and that a safe driver is responsible for protecting him/herself, all passengers in the vehicle and other road users.
From the Team at Quality & Safety Ltd.
Safe Travels and Happy Holidays!