June is National Safety Month, an annual effort to educate people and influence their behaviors on the leading causes of preventable injuries and death. As the summer nears, many families and friends will begin planning their road trips around the country. Staying safe on the road is one of the top priorities of National Safety Month, and those at the National Safety Council want to make sure that everyone does their part to keep the roads as safe as possible. For National Safety Month, here are some important driving safety tips:
Put Cell Phones Away And Out Of Reach
The National Safety Council found that as many as 1 in 4 car crashes involves cell phone distraction. It is no secret that cell phones take away your focus. To avoid the temptation to pick up your phone as you drive, leave it out of reach and on silent so you’re not tempted to pick it up and look at it.
Use Caution When Changing Lanes
Use extra caution when changing lanes to avoid causing an accident or upsetting other drivers. It is important to not cut in front of other drivers on the road and to instead make sure that there is plenty of room to get around someone. If the space allowed causes you to be a little hesitant, it’s probably not the best idea to pass. Always remember to use your signals so that other drivers know what you are doing. This applies to all vehicles on the road, including motorcycles too.
Have Everyone Wear Their Seatbelts
Make sure passengers in your car have their seatbelts on. This is a simple instruction your passengers can follow to remain safe in the case of an accident. Regarding children, it keeps them safely in their seats and doesn’t allow them to fight or climb around your car, causing a distraction.
Don’t Be A Drowsy Driver
Drowsy driving is another cause of car accidents today. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year, resulting in 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries. If you’re taking off on a long trip, split the driving responsibilities with another person. It’s also important to remember that if you’re driving alone, you can pull over at rest stops to take a quick power nap to rest up before wrapping up your drive.
It is important to be a safe driver to not only make sure you reach your destination unharmed, but also so that others are able to proceed on their journeys safely. For over three decades, Owen Patterson & Owen has been specializing in car accident cases and have helped 1,000’s of auto accident victims. Call us today at (800) 676-5295 if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident.
