Driving Safety Tips
Seat belt is made for the safety of a person using vehicle in case of an accident. It saves the person from a grievous injury. Regular use of safety belt may save a person at the time of crises. In case of sudden stop the vehicle, driver may go forward and hit the steering wheel or windscreen may cause a severe injury. This goes for everyone in your vehicle.
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 Bolin’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
2.CELL PHONE
Using cell phone is dangerous while driving the vehicle to the driver as well as public on the road. It is distract the attention of driver, which is most dangerous. It is an offence.
3.HELMET
Helmet is not made for fashion. The use of the helmet is not to impress others while riding two wheeler. It is most important safety gear, which saves the head injury and brake the scull in case of a serious accident. Helmet is must for safety of a two wheeler rider.
4.DEVELOP GOOD HABITS IN BUS
Be in "Q" at the bus stop. Enter in the bus from the rear door and get down from front door. Always stand in one side and keep a passage for the conductor. Offer your seat for the senior citizen or woman. Take exact change for the fare. Hold firmly while traveling, to avoid a serious accident if bus stops suddenly. Do not take out your hands out of the bus. if you find any unattended item in the bus, report to conductor or driver immediately.
5.THE ROAD-USER ON FOOT
* Where there is a footpath, you must use it.
* Where there is no footpath, walk on the extreme right of the road to face oncoming traffic. Walk in
single row and be constantly alert.
* Do not walk on cycle tracks.
* Do not step onto the road without ensuring that it is safe to do so.
* Do not loiter on the roadway and be particularly careful at blind corners.
* Before you step on the road stop at the kerb. Look right, if clear look left, if all clear look right again.
If all clear, cross and keeping a careful lookout all the time.
* Where available always use pedestrian crossings, central refuges, subways and footbridges.
* Do not step out from behind a stationary vehicle or slow moving bus or cars without making sure
the road is clear.
6.CROSSING THE ROAD
* Do not cross the road diagonally. Always cross at right angles. Walk briskly. Do not panic and run.
* Watch your step on wet and slippery roads. A fast moving vehicle will take longer to halt on a wet
road.
* When crossing at cross-road look out for vehicles coming round the corner.
* Do not cross until you have the "Cross Now Signal" or "Green Signal", even then look out for the
rash driver.
* Do not cross the road until the policeman directing traffic beckons you to cross. The signals given
by a policeman controlling traffic must be obeyed.
7.Never place the shoulder belt under your arm. Broken ribs can cause serious internal injuries.
8.The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. Child passenger safety seats should be properly installed in the middle of the back seat.
9.Secure loose articles throughout the car. Flying objects during a collision can cause injuries.
10.Be sure the car is in good mechanical condition. Check tires, hoses, fluid levels and batteries.
11.In case of an emergency during a long road trip, keep a first aid kit, a blanket and some food and water stored in your trunk.
12.Allow plenty of time for the trip. Be prepared to stop frequently for rest, food, exercise and restroom visits if you are traveling with children.
13.Provide children with a new activity (coloring book, crossword puzzle book, cassette tape) to keep them entertained.
14.Always STOP to rest if you feel tired. Don't wait for your chin to hit your chest. Also, stop if you feel agitated or are near an aggressive driver to give yourself a minute to calm down.
15.Consider refueling when you are down to 1/4 a tank of petrol in case the next petrol pump is far away.
16.If driving, sit at least 12 inches from the steering wheel to give the air bag room to inflate.
17.Obey the speed limits. Speeding tickets are expensive. Speeding also can cost us our lives.
18.Avoid becoming distracted while driving. Common distractions include talking on a cell phone, eating and applying make-up.
19.Do not drive under the influence of certain medications (read the warning label or ask your doctor). NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
20.If you have vehicle trouble, pull onto the shoulder of the road away from traffic. No one in your family should accept a ride with a stranger.
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.
- Cell Phones
Studies show that using a cell phone can put your driving safety at risk. Learn how to use your phone safely.
oPlace calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic.
oWhen available, use a hands free device.
oPosition your wireless phone within easy reach.
oDo not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.
oDo not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be distracting.
oUse your wireless phone to help others in emergencies.
oGet to know your wireless phone and its features such as speed dial and redial.
- 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.
oMake 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.
oCall the police to report the accident.
oContact your Insurance Company / Agent if you are insured or your vehicle is insured.
oDo 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.
oExchange 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.
o
- 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.
oOvertake other vehicles from the right
oAvoid blocking passing lanes
oMaintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles
oUse headlights in cloudy, rainy, and other low light conditions
oCome to a complete stop at stop signs
oStop for red traffic lights
oApproach intersections and pedestrians at slow speeds to show your intention and ability to stop
oDrive below posted speed limits when conditions warrant. Drive at slower speeds in construction zones
oUse vehicle turn signals for all turns and lane changes
oUse your horn sparingly around pedestrians, at night, around hospitals, etc. Avoid unnecessary use of highbeam headlights
oMake slow, deliberate U-turns
oAvoid challenging other drivers
oFocus on driving and avoid distracting activities (e.g., smoking, use of a car telephone, reading, shaving). Avoid driving when drowsy
oAvoid taking more than one parking space, Avoid parking in a disabled space (if you are not disabled)
oAvoid 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.
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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)
- Child Passenger Safety
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)
- 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
Eighteen-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
Eighteen 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.