Tips for Driving & Dialing Safely

You have heard it before and you will hear it again. Auto accidents because of distracted drivers who are concentrating on their cell phones more than the road. Here are some tips for drivers who must have their cell phone with them when driving:

1. Pay attention. Just as it's unsafe to look at a map or read directions while driving, it's unsafe to focus on your cell phone.
2. Do not have a conversation that may be emotional. This will distract you from your primary focus - safe and responsible driving.
   
3. Use speed dial only - you can find the speed dial and redial features without taking your eyes off the road.
4. Position your phone where you can reach it easily, without diverting your attention from driving.
5. Always use a hands-free unit so that your hands can remain on the steering wheel. Many states are now requiring a head set for all cell phone users. This is a great idea that encourages safe driving and will decrease accidents caused by cell phone use.
6. Hang up if conditions become hazardous (e.g., if the traffic's congested or the weather turns bad) so that you can pay full attention to the situation in front of you.

Get off the road and out of the way!!!

I live in a fairly big city (SF). I grew up near an even bigger city (NY). NY is notorious for crazy drivers but SF drivers are by far more dangerous. Why you ask? Because they are clueless and inconsiderate.

Cause in point. I was driving to the office this morning and found myself stuck in the Broadway tunnel for 10 minutes. I could not understand why. And if you have ever been stuck in a tunnel, you know that it just plain sucks. Finally, when I emerged from the tunnel and was still stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Finally, 1 1/2 blocks up the road (between Powell and Stockton), some old woman was double parked, waiting for her friend/family to come out of the grocery. Damn, I was angry.

Why I am mentioning this story? Answer - To remind all drivers, new and old, that double parking is inconsiderate, illegal and dangerous! If you cannot find a parking space, go around the block. Use you cellphone to coordinate with your friend/family about picking he/she up. But do not clog up the road!

The Two-Second Rule

Tailgating can be defined as a driver who is following the car in front of him/her much too closely. Driving schools will correctly teach students to invoke the two-second rule to determine a safe following distance. To invoke this rule, please select a fixed object on the road and count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two". You should not reach the object before you count to one-thousand-two. If you do, you are following too closely. Most rear-end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely.

Source: Cyberdriveillinois.com

Driving on Slippery Surfaces

Hey everyone - do not let anyone tell you that is does not rain in California. It does! And when the road is wet, going too fast can cause your car to "hydroplain", which is not only dangerous for you, but for other drivers.

Therefore, take my advice - when you are driving on wet roads, do not "gun" the accelerator. Drive the speed limit and be aware of others who are either walking or driving. If you hit the accelerator and you feel the wheels spin but you have no traction, let up on the accelerator until you feel the traction return to your wheels.

Safe and responsible driving is cool! Be cool and not a fool!!!

Driving Tip #3: Seating Position

Here's another Driving Tip that everyone should consider...seating position.

Driving Tips

I found a couple of driving tips on YouTube, which I found very informative.

Tip #1: Look Forward!

Tip #2: Slow Down

Written by Dave Arizabal

Stop Reckless Driving

WASHINGTON, DC / PRNewswire / - Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S. and The Advertising Council wants to put the brakes on this alarming situation. In partnership with a coalition of state Attorneys General and consumer protection agencies, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and AAA (American Automobile Association), the organization launched the UR the Spokesperson campaign to save lives by reducing youth reckless driving.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that, on average, more than 300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year, nearly 8,000 are involved in fatal crashes and more than 3,500 are killed. NHTSA research also shows that teen drivers are involved in more than five times as many fatal crashes as adults. Young drivers are more likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, and die in an SUV rollover.

Don't be part of the statistics. Avoid all the risks involved with drunk driving and driving recklessly because once the damage is done, you have to deal with the consequences and you could never turn back in time and change the decisions you made.

We all need to remember that driving is not a RIGHT, it's a PRIVILEGE. Be responsible and considerate of others and it's critical to make the right choice when you're behind-the-wheel so make sure you follow the rules of the road.

Please join our efforts to spread awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Written by Dave Arizabal