Road Safety: Twelve Tips For the Summer and Beyond…

"Call on me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you." Psalm 50:15

Recently, a road trip accident on my way to Canada on Highway I-190 reminded me about the importance of learning and practicing road safety habits that could save lives and help us be cognizant of what we do while driving.  I wrote about my harrowing tire blow-out incident on my WordPress blog Mirth and Motivation and how we were saved by God's grace and a calm, focused reaction to the incident.

While I was not violating any of the safety tips listed below or driving distracted, it still took grace and effort to steer the car to safety. The fact that I was clearheaded and focused helped tremendously and that is why it is imperative that we take these simple life-saving suggestions to heart. In an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness, I am seizing the moment to share tips and hopefully save lives.

For most drivers, getting into a car and driving to work or to complete errands is something simple; we do it without much forethought.  Yet road accidents accounted for about 33,963 fatalities in the USA last year. Taking the simple precautions/tips below can make a great difference and help save lives. 


According to statistics from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the numbers for 2009  (33,963 as above) showed a reduction in fatalities from the year before. We hope and pray that the numbers for 2010 will be even lower.

As a parent of teenagers, one thing I noticed is that summer time brings a lot more new/inexperienced drivers to our streets. School is out, kids are on vacation, and many a bored teen or young college adult might be sorely tempted to practice their fantasy NASCAR dreams to tragic results. Of course we must also remember that NASCAR drivers are experienced, expert car-racing professionals in a controlled environment and, in case we forget, they sometimes get hurt too.

Please follow the road safety tips listed below to ensure that the rest of the summer and beyond remain joyful memories spent with our loved ones doing things that lengthen our lives. 

"The door to safety swings on the hinges of common sense." ~Author Unknown

♥ Drive safely within requisite speed limits

♥ Reduce speeds in poor weather conditions: use these tips: for thunderstorms/rain, heavy fog and other poor weather conditions 
♥ Make sure you and all passengers have seat-belts on; it's the law.

♥ Pay attention to the road, cars and surroundings; distracted driving kills.

♥ Don’t drink, do drugs and drive – you need your wits (calmness/logic).

♥ Don’t text or chat on cell phones while driving; that text or call is not worth dying for.

♥ Make sure car and tires are checked; click the links to learn how to handle a highway tire blow-out and to use other important tips too.

♥ Skip the flip flops and dark shades; wearing proper shoes and eye wear/frames you can see through clearly rule
♥ Stay focused, calm and confident on the road.

♥ Make sure you have had enough sleep before driving.

♥ Take a defensive driving course; the points you earn reduces your insurance premiums and gives you life saving skills like these from Smart Motorist.com.

♥ Pull off the road when necessary (head for the right shoulder unless there is a clearly defined left shoulder) and call immediately for assistance.

Our roads get crowded in the summer with seasonal drivers out and about. It is imperative that we exercise care and vigilance on the road. Follow the tips above to shore up your confidence on the road.; this is particularly key for the elderly, new/recently licensed, and young drivers.  

Even with our good driving habits, accidents do occur. If you are in an accident, stay calm/positive, again follow the suggestions offered via the links and above, trust and pray that all will be well and ask for the help you need; it will be provided and you will be fine.

Have you had any driving incidents you’d like to share? What insights have you learned?  Any tips and thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you!

PHOTO CREDITS:
All photos ~ courtesy of Google Images

Until Next Time…

Ask. Believe. Receive. ©

Elizabeth Obih-Frank