Relax
Stress very often leads to aggressive driving that can cause accidents. Calm down
with slow breathing.
Be alert to signs of fatigue
If you start to feel tired when driving, pull over in a safe area and let someone
else drive. If you are alone, pull into a safe location such as a well-lit rest
stop and take a short nap. You can also get out of the car and walk around for a
few minutes. Stop as often as necessary. When travelling on long trips, eat light
as large, heavy meals can make you drowsy.
Practice common sense safety rules
Always wear your seat belt. Make sure all your passengers are buckled properly,
even on short trips. If travelling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds
of child safety seats and restraints. Choose the system that is best for your child
and always follow the directions. Make sure children aged 12 and under are always
buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to ride.
Keep your eyes on the road
Avoid taking your eyes off the road at all times. Try to eliminate all possible
distractions ahead of time. Before setting out on a drive, be sure that important
items are within easy reach, i.e. directions and maps, sunglasses, etc. Avoid changing
tapes or CDs and always pull over to a safe place to use your cell phone.
Anti-theft tips
Lock your vehicle and pocket the keys even if you are leaving the car for a few
moments. Never leave your vehicle with the engine running.
Secure valuables and parcels
Never leave your cheque books, credit cards or other such articles unattended in
the car. Lock valuables in the trunk. Park in well-lit and busy areas. This is important
for both your personal safety and the protection of your automobile and its contents.
Carry your vehicle registration papers with you.
Tips for night driving
Death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. These after-dark
dangers can be minimised by preparing your car and following special guidelines
while you drive:
- Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows once a week atleast.
- Don't drink and drive. Not only does alcohol severely impair your driving ability,
but it also acts as a depressant. Just one drink can induce fatigue. Also avoid
smoking when you drive. Smoke's nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.
- Aim your headlights properly. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce
your ability to see the road.
- Being seen is as important as seeing. Turn your headlights on if there are any doubts.
Lights will not help you see better in early twilight, but they'll make it easier
for other drivers to see you. Don't over dive (setting the beams down) your headlights.
You should be able to stop inside the illuminated area. If you're not, you are creating
a blind crash area in front of your vehicle. Keep your headlights on low beam when
following another vehicle so you don't blind the driver ahead of you by the reflection
of your headlight in his rearview mirror.
- If an oncoming vehicle doesn't lower beams from high to low, avoid the glare by
watching the left edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
- Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. It is more difficult to
judge other vehicle's speeds and distances at night.
- During long drives, make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're
too tired to drive, stop and get rest.
- If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Warn approaching
traffic at once by flashing the torch/flash light and place reflecting triangles
near your vehicle and 300 feet behind it. Turn on flashers and the dome light.
- Observe night driving safety rules as soon as the sun goes down. As your eyes are
adapting to the constant change in the amount of light, twilight is one of the most
difficult times to drive.