You know most of this, but a reminder never hurts—and an accident always does.
— Always wear safety belts.
— Children should ride in the back seat with safety belts on and/or in a child safety seat.
— Drive defensively, defensively, defensively.
— Dusk is a particularly dangerous time on intercity highways because some drivers delay turning on their headlights until after dark. Oncoming traffic can be very difficult to see.
— Situational awareness is imperative.
— Use the horn to get pedestrians’ attention.
— Use horn and lights to get the attention of other drivers.
— Pay attention when other drivers use their horns.
— Check all mirrors and use directional signals for lane changes.
Don’t be impatient… |
— Check right side mirror in particular.
— Confirm with direct visual check. Do not rely solely on mirrors.
— Use four-way flashers to warn drivers behind of slowed/blocked traffic to avoid being hit from behind.
— Drive defensively! This is not a catch phrase to be taken lightly.
— Expect the unexpected.
— Drive each day as though you were on a mission: the goal of which is not to be involved in an accident, cause an accident or strike a pedestrian.
— Watch out for trucks and buses that take the right-of-way without signaling, whether they are entitled to it or not.
— Make sure your lights, signals, horn and brakes are in proper order.
— During rain and snowstorms, drivers must be extremely attentive and situationally aware. Accidents increase dramatically during storms and particularly at night.
— Assume nothing! Make no assumptions about what another driver may do or how they will react in a situation. Do not assume that they have seen your vehicle or will do the “right” thing, or that you have the right of way.
—by Tom Brosnahan
Highway Signs |