Driving is an everyday part of our lives, be it work related or recreational. Below you will find several tips that can be used when holding safety meetings.
If you have been drinking don't drive.
Drinking alcoholic beverages diminishes your brain's ability to
make accurate judgments. Each year 23,000 people are killed
by drunk drivers, and almost twice that number are injured.
Maintain your car in good condition.
The first action you can take as a defensive driver is to make sure
your car is in good running condition. Check your tires regularly
for worn treads. Worn tires can blow out, skid and cause
accidents.
Do what you can to avoid collisions.
Driving the legal speed limit and keeping one car length
between you and the car in front of you for every 10 miles
per hour you are driving can help minimize the risk of a collision.
Be cautious at intersections.
Over 2/3 of all traffic injuries occur at intersections, so be prepared when you approach one. Always use your turn signal if you plan to make a turn, and assume the other drivers don't see your signal. Don't assume other drivers will give you the right-of-way.
Don't drive if you are taking medication or are tired.
Many cold remedies cause drowsiness. Driving when you are tired increases the potential for injuries. If you are tired, do not drive. Pull off the road at a safety rest area and sleep until you are rested and alert enough to continue.
Always wear your seat belt.
You can increase your chance for survival in an accident if you get into the habit of wearing your seat belt. If you have a lap belt and a shoulder belt, it's highly recommended that you wear both. A shoulder belt should not be worn alone.
Yield as often as possible.
A defensive driver will yield as often as possible to other drivers who are determined to go first. If you approach an intersection at the same time as another vehicle, allow the other driver to proceed first unless he or she signals to you other wise. A little patience can save time and injury.
General Louisiana Traffic Safety Facts
- In 1999, Louisiana lost 951 people in 831 traffic crashes.
- There were 77,300 people injured in traffic crashes in 1999 in Louisiana.
- In 1999, 44% of all Louisiana traffic fatalities involved alcohol. The national average in 1999 was 34%.
- In 1999, in Louisiana, 59% of the occupants killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts. The national average was 56%.
- In 1999, in Louisiana, 42% of the 107 pedestrian fatalities were alcohol related. The national average was 37%.
- In 1999, 28 people were killed on bicycles, up 56% from 1998.
- There were 42 motorcycle fatalities in 199,; up 20% from 1998.
- Interstate fatal crashes decreased 6.3% from 1998 to 1999, but fatalities on interstates increased 9.8%.