Despite regulations that are in place to keep people safe in their cars, thousands of people die each year in accidents, many of which could have been prevented. In 2010, the NHTSA reported approximately 30,000 vehicular deaths, a number far below the 40,000 reached in the late 1970s, but still an astronomical amount. As many people die in car accidents every two years as there were soldiers killed in the Vietnam War, underscoring the magnitude of auto safety.
You and your passengers can avoid becoming a statistic by following five safety tips when riding in a car.
1. Stay buckled -- Require everyone in your car to buckle up. Rear seat passengers can slam into the driver when navigating a tight curve, putting everyone at risk. Young children should be in safety seats, babies in car seats and no one should be permitted to move around the cabin when the car is in motion. Tip: have your fire or police department inspect car seats to ensure that these are properly tethered to seat backs.
2. Hang up and drive -- Your state may not forbid the use of cell phones, but talking while driving should be a practice avoided by all drivers. Hands free talking is less risky, but consider the cognitive distractions drivers experience when they're mind is on the phone conversation and not the road. If you must take a call, pull over to the shoulder of the road and put on your flashers.
3. Get some sleep -- Driving while tired is a recipe for disaster. Fatigued drivers are much more prone to falling asleep behind the wheel or reacting slower when quick action is necessary. If you're tired, switch drivers or pull off to a safe place to park and take a nap. Certain medications can make you drowsy too. Read labels and avoid getting behind the wheel of a car when medicated.
4. Maintain your speed -- Observe posted speed limits and maintain your speed, avoiding quick lane changes or other actions that suggest erratic behavior. Use your turn signals and be mindful of how your actions can effect, even upset, other drivers. Carefully accelerate and brake, allowing plenty of distance between you and other vehicles.
5. Observe road conditions -- Wet or slick roads means you should reduce your speed. Decreased visibility including fog, precipitation and night driving means driving at slower speeds. If you skid, pump your brakes and turn your wheels into the skid to avoid an accident. Practice your winter driving skills before heading out on a long trip.
Other points of concern are tires that are under-inflated, vehicles that are top heavy and items on the roof that are not secured. A combination of these problems can increase the likelihood of an accident, bringing much heartache to your family and to other drivers
By Matthew Keegan
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