Safety Corner: Road/Driving Safety

Road Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death or injury both on and off the job. Statistics show that every 12 minute someone dies in a motor vehicle crash, every 10 seconds an injury occurs and every five seconds a crash occurs.

The Good Driver

If you anyone how good a driver they are, most likely they would answer "Good, I have never been in an accident that was my fault". But having not been in a motor vehicle accident doesn't really determine how good a driver you really are. Let's face if, some people haven't been in an accident because of sheer luck. Being a good driver means more than simply avoiding accidents. It includes obeying laws, showing courtesy to other drivers and using defensive driving skills. The driver’s main objective when it comes to avoiding accidents is not only to avoid situations that could contribute to an accident, but also to make himself/herself hard to be hit by others. Road users have to work as a team just to keep the flow of traffic steady and avoid collisions on the roadways.

To be a good driver one should:

	Obey traffic laws and speed limits
	Avoid tailgating or following other vehicle too closely, even during rush hour
	Position your vehicle so that you are not continuously in others’ blind spots
	Avoid frequent lane changes
	ALWAYS signal when you change lanes or turn
	Avoid abrupt stops by scanning the activities immediately near and ahead of your vehicle
	Give your full attention to the operation of your vehicle and avoid activities such as talking on a cell phone, eating, changing radio dials, writing or reading while driving your vehicle
	Remain calm and courteous to other drivers even when you are running late or they are driving carelessly
	Familiar with road signage and their meanings
	Always walk around the vehicle before starting to operate it to make sure it is free of obstructions, children or other hazards
	When in areas where there are children or pedestrians, you should alert them that you are getting ready to operate your vehicle by tapping your horn before proceeding
	Remain calm and cool when traffic gets congested or when another driver cuts you off
	Pass only when there is a clear view and no obstructions
	Anticipate the failure of other drivers to stop at stop signs or obey traffic laws
	Avoid driving under the influence of liquor, even if you only have a “buzz” and are not totally drunk

TIPS TO AVOID VEHICULAR ACCIDENT:

Vehicle Inspection

	Pre-trip inspection - conduct pre-trip inspection to ensure your vehicle is in good condition for the the trip and discover problems that could cause a crash and breakdown.
	Circle of inspection - Look around before you operate your vehicle for obstructions, other vehicles, children and other objects that might be hit as you pull out of the parking area.
	During the trip - watch gauges for signs of troubles, use your sense to detect problem in your vehicle (look, listen, smell and fell) and when you stop, check the tires, rims, brakes and lights.

Communicating your presence

	When passing - tap your horn lightly or flash you headlight to signal other vehicles, cyclist or pedestrians.
	When visibility is low - At dawn, dusk, during rain or fog, turn on your headlights at low beam to inform other drivers of your presence.
	When park on the side of the road - turn on your emergency flasher, don't trust your taillights to give warnings. If you must stay longer than 10 minutes, switch off your emergency flasher and install your early warning device to warn oncoming drivers.

Communicate your intentions

	Turns - Signal early, at least 30 feet, before you make the turn. Signal continuously until you have completed the turn and don't forget to cancel your signal after you've turned.
	Changing lanes - put your signal on before changing lanes to inform other drivers of your intention.
	Slowing down - warn the drivers behind you when you need to slow down. A light tap on the brake pedal, enough to flash the brake light, should warn the drivers of the vehicle behind you that you intend to slow down or stop soon.

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