Safe Driving Tips

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

• A single drink can impair you're driving
• Zero tolerance for drivers under 21
• DUI's – can require jail time, fines, license suspension, & ignition interlock device

WEAR SEAT BELTS

• Drivers and passengers - it's the law
• Children under 12 – back seat
• Infant age 1 < 20lbs – rear facing back seat
• Children up to 6 - approved seat required

PRACTICE DEFENSIVE DRIVING

• Look at big picture 10 to 15 seconds ahead
• Keep a safe cushion – 3 second rule, don't tailgate
• Keep eyes moving, use mirrors every 3-5 seconds
• Leave yourself an out – reduce risk
• Simplify situations – Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
• Use lights, horn, make eye contact

PAY ATTENTION TO ROAD SIGNS

• Black & white signs – regulatory
• Yellow signs – warnings
• Orange signs – construction
• Green signs – directions/distances
• Blue signs – service related
• Brown signs – recreational facilities
• Flashing Yellow – proceed with caution
• Flashing red – stop, wait until clear
• Red arrow – stop
• Green arrow – proceed

SCHOOL ZONES

• 500ft in each direction from the school
• 25 mph @ 500ft when children are present

  BAD WEATHER DRIVING

• Roads are slick after the first rain
• Increase safe cushion to 4 seconds when it's raining

RIGHT OF WAY RULES

• Never insist on the right of way
• 4-way stop – the car that arrives first
• Stop/Yield – yield to the car that was there first, if at the same time, the car to the right
• Yield to pedestrians
• Yield to emergency vehicles – pull to the right
• Yield to school buses, stop for flashing red lights

HEADLIGHTS

• Dim lights 500ft for an approaching vehicle
• Dim lights 300ft when following a vehicle
• Dim lights in fog
• Dim lights when passing a vehicle
• Use headlights 30 min after sunset and until 30 min before sunrise
• Use headlight when windshield wipers are on

VEHICLE SAFETY

• Keep your vehicle maintained and safe – lights, mirrors, horn, brakes, tires, battery, & cooling system

TEEN SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR PARENTS

•  Know your teen – not all are mature enough to drive at the same age.

•  Be a responsible role model – have a direct positive influence on your teen

•  Choose a quality driving school – with professionally trained instructors

•  Supervise practice sessions – enhance learning & re-enforce proper techniques

•  No teen passengers at night – crashes increase with additional teens

•  Teens need sleep – affects vision, coordination, reaction time & judgment

•  Eliminate distractions – no cell phones

•  Create a contract – include rules, conditions, restrictions & consequences

•  Discuss and review – maintain parental involvement and communication

•  Smart vehicle choice – choose a safe vehicle – size, type, & safety technology

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