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 Drive
Safe. Drive Smart.
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Car
trouble? Pull over to the right.
In the event of a breakdown,
try to pull your vehicle to the extreme right-hand side
of the highway’s shoulder. When possible, avoid getting
out of the vehicle. If you have a mobile phone, use it to
call for assistance.
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Exit with
caution. Make your presence known.
If you
must exit your
vehicle on the highway, do so CAREFULLY. Do not assume
other drivers will see you. Use flares and reflective signage to make your vehicle visible,
and never attempt to push a vehicle along
the road.
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Avoid "Road Rage"
with common courtesy.
The best way to
deter Road Rage is by following some general
courtesy guidelines. Avoid cutting drivers off, following
too close, driving slowly in the left-hand lane, tailgating,
and any offensive gestures.
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Mind animal crossings.
This is especially true at dusk and dawn. If you
do encounter an animal in the road, attempt to blow your horn
rather than flash your lights. Flashing
your headlights may cause the animal to further fixate on
the vehicle.
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Brake
first.
If you feel you might strike
another vehicle, animal, or debris on the highway, try braking rather than swerving.
By swerving, you run the risk of losing control of your
own vehicle, possibly
hitting fixed structures, trees, or oncoming traffic. If
you have anti-lock brakes, don't "pump" them. Instead, press
the brake pedal hard in an emergency and don't let up
until you've stopped.
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Get off the
phone.
The statistics are mounting, the common sense was always
there. Driving and cell phones don't mix. Stay alert. Keep
your mind on the road. If you must use your cell phone, pull
over.
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Don't drive
tired.
Before a long trip, be sure
to get plenty of rest the night before. Sleepiness slows
reaction time and impairs judgment. On long trips, take a break every two hours or so in order to refresh.
Don’t think sleep fatigue is a problem for you? Take our
sleep quiz and find out.
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Drive
Defensively.
You hear it often, yet very few of us employ all of
the tasks associated with proper defensive driving skills.
Be aware of your surroundings, allow braking distance
between yourself and other vehicles, use your turn signals,
check your mirrors, slow down in poor weather, turn your
lights on, obey signs, come to complete stops, don't speed,
and of course ... watch out for the other guy.
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