Many people travel more during the summer. Whether you’re going to a beach, to visit family & friends, or just going to work or running errands, you’ll see an increase in traffic. It’s important to always be safe when driving. Here’s our top 8 tips for staying safe:
Wear a seatbelt
The lap belt and shoulder belt should be secured across the pelvis and rib cage.
Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach.
NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm.
Adjust the headrest to appropriate height
Headrests should be positioned two inches or less from the rear of the driver's head, and never more than four inches.
When adjusting for height, the bulk of the headrest should stand directly behind the driver's head, at ear-level.
Avoid distracted driving
Stay off of cell phones & electronics
Proper distance from the steering wheel
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that roughly 10 inches or further is an optimal distance between a driver and their steering wheel, due to the amount of power that an airbag can produce when it deploys.
Placing hands in lap at red light / Relax your body when driving
You’re less likely to stiffen up when getting rear ended because most of the time you don’t know it’s coming. The airbags come out fast enough to break your forearms.
Relax with a gentle bend in the elbow. Or consider using the arm rests on either side of you to help take the load off your shoulders and spine.
Don't put feet on dash
Putting your feet on the dashboard is dangerous and potentially fatal. Upon impact passenger airbags are deployed from inside the dashboard and if your feet are up at the height of the dash, your legs will be pushed upward rather than keeping your legs and lower body secured in a seated position.
Slow down
Posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions. It's your responsibility to ensure that your speed matches conditions. In addition, higher speeds make controlling your vehicle that much more difficult if things go wrong. It also takes longer to come to a safe stop at a higher rate of speed.
Be aware of your surroundings
Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If a vehicle is showing signs of aggressive driving, slow down or pull over to avoid it. If the driver is driving so dangerously that you're worried, try to get off the roadway by turning right or taking the next exit if it's safe to do so. Also, keep an eye on pedestrians, bicyclists, and pets along the road.
