Driving Safety

Safe driving habits can protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle. Learn more about how accidents, cell phones, road rage, and drinking and driving can affect your driving safety. We'll also tell you about steps you can take to ensure the driving safety of your kids.


Good driving safety habits

• Accidents
  When safe driving habits fail, accidents happen. Car accidents can be very stressful -- it can be difficult to think clearly. Read the tips below to learn what you should do to minimize the damage after a car accident.
  1. Make sure you and your passengers are OK.
     Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights or setting flares.
  2. Call the police to report the accident.
  3. Contact your Insurance Company / Agent if you are insured or your vehicle is insured.
  4. Do not admit fault for the car accident or discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your claims representative. Stay calm and resist the temptation to get upset or argue with the other driver, even if you believe the car accident was his or her fault.
  5. Exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the car accident. Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident.
     
     
  6. Cell Phones
     Studies show that using a cell phone can put your driving safety at risk. Learn how to use your phone safely.
     1. Place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic.
     2. When available, use a hands free device.
     3. Position your wireless phone within easy reach.
     4. Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.
     5. Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be distracting.
     6. Use your wireless phone to help others in emergencies.
     7. Get to know your wireless phone and its features such as speed dial and redial. 
        
        
     8. Drinking & Driving
        Avoid driving after drinking. Let someone else like your friend / spouse drive the car if you have been drinking. Pursue the drunk driver to let someone else drive the vehicle.
     9. Road Rage
        Does your blood pressure rise with every minute you spend in traffic? See if you have developed aggressive habits that could threaten your safety, the safety of your passengers and others driving on the road. You can also learn how to reduce the stress of dealing with the aggressive driving habits of others.
        1. Overtake other vehicles from the right
        2. Avoid blocking passing lanes
        3. Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles
        4. Use headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions
        5. Come to a complete stop at stop signs
        6. Stop for red traffic lights
        7. Approach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop
        8. Drive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant. Drive at slower speeds in construction zones
        9. Use vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes
        10. Use your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc. Avoid unnecessary use of highbeam headlights
        11. Make slow, deliberate U-turns
        12. Avoid challenging other drivers
        13. Focus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, shaving). Avoid driving when drowsy
        14. Avoid taking more than one parking space, Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)
        15. Avoid stopping in the road to talk with a pedestrian or other driver

            Safety Equipment Seat belts, air bags, and head restraints can keep you safe when used properly. Air Bag Safety Automotive air bags are supplemental passenger restraint systems designed to cushion the contact between a vehicle passenger and the steering wheel, dashboard and, in some cases, vehicle doors. Air bags do not restrain the passenger in the seat, nor do they prevent backseat passengers from being thrown forward during a front-end collision. Clearly, air bags save lives. Unfortunately, some drivers assume that air bag safety reduces the importance of seat belts. This simply isn't true. In fact, the lack of seat restraint can actually reduce the air bag safety due to the increase in the potentially damaging impact force between the vehicle occupant and the deploying air bag. Remember, air bags are deployed with explosive power. To practice good air bag safety, place children 12 years and under in the rear seat, with seat belts securely fastened. The Science of Seat Belts The modern three-point automotive seat belt was the brainchild of Swedish aircraft engineer Nils Ivar Bohlin, who, ironically, spent the early years of his career designing aircraft ejector seats. Nevertheless, Bohlin's invention - a three-point combination lap and diagonal belt positioned across the pelvis and rib cage - has saved thousands of lives since its introduction in 1959. Seat belts today, of course, are an accepted part of routine vehicle operation for millions of drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, millions of other vehicle occupants continue to put their lives at risk by ignoring these critical restraint systems. Seat belts are a marvel of complexity and simplicity. They combine Bohlin's strong three-point harness with a relatively simple pendulum and ratchet mechanism that locks the belt in sudden-stop situations. This design helps improve the comfort of belt wearers, as the belt is not locked in position under normal operation. As with any safety system, however, seat belt performance is dependent on proper use and fit. If the belt is not positioned correctly on the vehicle occupant's body, it can fail to provide adequate safety in the event of a collision or rapid deceleration. Here are some tips to ensure that your belts provide the safety you and your passengers deserve Always wear your seat belt, and insist that your passengers do the same. One non-restrained passenger can seriously injure others in the vehicle. Seat belts help prevent internal injuries by spreading the force of a collision across two of the human body's strongest areas - the pelvis and upper chest. To ensure the proper distribution of force, the lap belt should be positioned across the upper thighs, and the diagonal belt across the chest. Never slip the diagonal belt behind your body; the lap belt alone cannot prevent you from being thrown forward and out of the vehicle. The lap belt also must be used at all times. Without this restraint, your body would simply be thrown under the diagonal belt and into the dashboard or steering wheel. Make sure your belt fits snugly against your body; if it is too loose, you could be injured by being thrown against the belt itself. If your seat belts don't seem to operate correctly, or you cannot adequately adjust them, return the car to a dealership or qualified repair shop for assistance. If your vehicle is fitted only with lap belts (pre-1974 models), contact a dealership for an upgrade to a three-point harness. Aftermarket kits are available for many vehicle makes and models. Facts Three of five people killed in vehicle accidents would have survived their injuries had they been wearing their seat belts. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Seat belts save an estimated 9,500 lives in the United States each year. (Source: NHTSA) Every 13 minutes, someone is killed in a traffic accident. (Source: NHTSA) Knowing About Head Restraint    Five Simple Steps to Adjust Your Head Restraint Whether you're the driver or passenger, check out your head restraint before getting into the car. Get to know how it works. Does it adjust up and down? Does it tilt? Does it lock into place? This will help you find the best position for you. Once you're in the car, be sure your seat back is in an upright and comfortable driving or sitting position. Facing forward, reach behind you to adjust the height of your head restraint. In the optimal position, the top of the head restraint should be as high as the top of your head and no lower than 2 ½" below the top of your head. If your restraint locks into position, make sure it is locked in after you've found the right height for you. Still facing forward, feel how close the head restraint is to your head. In the optimal position, it should be as close as possible to the back of your head, no farther than 2 ½" away. If your restraint tilts, this can help you find the right distance. Adjusting the height of your seat can help too. To be sure you've positioned your head restraint properly, you or someone in the car with you can use a ruler to measure the height and distance. It's important to note that not all adjustable head restraints can be locked into place or positioned properly for all drivers. In these cases, do everything you can to protect yourself, such as adjusting your seat back to achieve proper head restraint position. Facts about head restraints and neck injuries Nearly two million rear-impact vehicle crashes occur each year. Industry data shows that more than 20 percent of drivers in rear-impact crashes report neck injuries. A 1999 IIHS study of rear-end crashes shows that the risk of neck pain can be reduced by more than 40 percent when a head restraint is properly positioned. A recent Progressive survey found that Only 14 percent of drivers know the optimal positioning of a head restraint. 40 percent of drivers do not adjust their head restraint when driving a newly purchased vehicle. 18 percent of drivers think all vehicles come with head restraints already properly positioned.

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            Tips for safe driving with your kids

            Child Passenger Safety Car seats, seat belts, and other devices are essential to safe driving with your kids. Learn more about what you can do to keep your kids safe in case of an accident. Child safety seats and seat belts are essential for protecting your children in case of a car accident. However, these child passenger safety devices must be used properly to be effective. As a driver, you are responsible for child passenger safety -- we can help you understand how to keep kids safe while driving. Facts On average, seven children age 14 and under are killed in traffic accidents each day. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Non-use of seat belts is a conscious, albeit life-threatening, decision by thousands of adult drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, children often are the unwitting victims of this behavior. In fact, research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that when a driver is unbuckled, children in the same car are properly restrained less than 25 percent of the time. A recent survey of 423 grade school children conducted by Progressive found that 67 percent of children surveyed said they learn driving safety "from a parent." Only 47 percent of children surveyed, however, said that the first thing their parents do when getting into a car is put on a seat belt. Facts such as these have led Progressive to support programs like Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children, which proposes stronger enforcement nationwide of child passenger safety laws. Progressive also has developed television Public Service Announcements calling attention to the importance of the use of proper child safety restraints. Seat belt tips for child passenger safety: All children age 12 and under should be buckled up in the rear seat of the vehicle. Children should ride in an appropriate child safety seat until 8 years of age. Holding a child in your lap provides no additional safety. An unrestrained 10-pound infant would instantly be ripped from an adult's arms in a 30-mph collision. Don't place a single belt over yourself and a child. The child could be crushed by your body in the case of a front-end collision. A seat belt must be adjusted to the size of a child. As is the case with adults, the lap belt should cross the child's upper thighs and the diagonal belt should cross the upper chest and a point between the neck and the center of the shoulder. Children should continue to use a belt-positioning booster until the lap/shoulder belts fit properly and the child's legs are long enough to bend at the edge of the seat. Child safety seat tips: Safety requirements change as children grow. Learn the basic facts for proper use of child safety seats. Infants - From birth to one year or 20 lbs., infants should be placed in rear-facing child safety seats in the back seat of the car. The harness straps should be at or below shoulder level. Toddlers - From one year/20 lbs., to 40 lbs., toddlers should be placed in forward-facing child safety seats in the back seat of the car. The harness straps should be at or above the shoulders. Young children - Children over 40 lbs., but less than 4'9" in height should be placed in forward-facing booster seats in the back seat of the car. Lap belts should fit low and tight across the thights, and shoulder belts should fit snugly across the chest and shoulder to prevent abdominal injuries. Child passenger safety facts: Safety education is working. Car accident fatalities for childern under five dropped from 706 in 2000 to 668 in 2001. The number of fatalities for childern ages five to 15 dropped from 2,105 to 1,990 in 2001. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Child safety seats save lives. Correct use of a child safety seat can reduce the risk of accident-related injuries and deaths by more than 70 percent. (Source: NHTSA) Seat belts can ensure child passenger safety. Six out of 10 childern who die in passenger vehicle crashes are unbelted. (Source: NHTSA)

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            Teen Drivers Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 18 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. Speeding Eigthteen-year-old drivers have a higher rate of crashes in which excessive speed is a factor. Single-vehicle crashes More of 18 year-olds' fatal crashes involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes in which the driver lost control. Passengers Eightteen year-olds' fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. Night driving This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driving, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 18 year-olds is about twice as high as during the day. Low belt use Teenagers generally are less likely than adults to use safety belts. What Parents of Teenagers Can Do When parents understand the risk factors involved in letting 18 year-olds get behind the wheel, they can act to improve the situation for their own children. Don't rely solely on driver education High school driver education may be the most convenient way to learn driving skills, but it doesn't produce safer drivers. Poor skills aren't always to blame for teens' crashes. Their attitudes and decision-making skills matter more. Young people naturally tend to rebel, and peer pressure influences them more than advice from adults. They often think they're immune to harm, which is why they don't use safety belts as much and why they deliberately seek thrills like speeding. Training and education don't change these tendencies. Restrict night driving Most nighttime fatal crashes among young drivers occur between 9 PM and midnight, so teenagers shouldn't be driving much later than 9 PM. The problem isn't just that late-night driving requires more skill. Outings late at night tend to be recreational. In these circumstances, even teens who usually follow all the rules can be easily distracted or encouraged to take risks. Restrict passengers Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking. Because young drivers often transport their friends, there's a teen passenger problem as well as a teen driver problem. Almost two of every three teen passenger deaths (62 percent) occur in crashes with a teen driver. While night driving with passengers is particularly lethal, many fatal crashes with teen passengers occur during the day. The best policy is to restrict teen passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time. Supervise practice driving Take an active role in helping your teenager learn how to drive. Plan a series of practice sessions in a wide variety of situations, including night driving. Give beginners time to work up to challenges like driving in heavy traffic or on the freeway. Supervised practice should be spread over at least six months and continue even after a teenager graduates from a learner's permit to a restricted or full license. Remember you are a role model New drivers learn a lot by example, so practice safe driving. Teens with crashes and violations often have parents with poor driving records. Require safety belt use Don't assume that belt use when you're in the car with your 15 year-old means belts will be used all the time, especially when your child is out with peers. Remember that belt use is lower among teenagers than older people. Insist on belts all the time. Prohibit driving after drinking Make it clear that it's illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to drive after drinking alcohol or using any other drug. While alcohol isn't a factor in most crashes of 18 year-old drivers, even small amounts of alcohol are impairing for teens. Choose vehicles for safety, not image Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a crash and offer protection in case they do crash. For example, small cars don't offer the best protection in a crash. Avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding. Avoid trucks and sport utility vehicles - the smaller ones, especially, are more prone to roll over.

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            Be prepared Often, we don't think about what we need in an emergency situation until we're in one. Whether you have a flat tire or another roadside emergency, you should have the following items in your car: Spare tire (be sure to have it checked each time you have your tires rotated) Jack, Scissors, Tool box with screwdrivers and wrenches, Small hammer, Jumper cables Car Owner's Manual Blanket Flares Fuses Snack food Sealant for small leaks in tires Duct tape Fire extinguisher Empty Petrol can, Can of motor oil Portable radio with spare batteries Emergency phone numbers of family and friends Insurance information Car registration Flash light with spare batteries First aid kit Bottled water, Pre-moistened towelettes Tire pressure gauge Paper and Pen or pencil Window scraper for ice Cellular phone Reflective vest