Whether you’re headed out of town or driving across town for the holidays, we know it can be a stressful experience. Just as in life, we have choices to make when we are behind the wheel. As California drivers we understand driving the freeways can be hazardous to our health which is why we offer these ten tips for driving safely:
1. Take a deep breath: Holiday traffic or workday traffic you KNOW there is going to be traffic. Take a deep breath and set your mind to what is ahead.
2. Plan ahead: Pack an emergency car kit including water and snacks. If you are stuck in a traffic jam or break down you have what you need for the short term.
3. Eating is not part of driving: While your trip may be long enough to include a pit stop, we recommend not eating while driving. Just as you should not use your phone while driving, eating distracts you from the road.
4. Speaking of texting and driving: If you are talking and texting you are driving distracted. Not only that but you are endangering yourself and your passengers. Check out http://www.distraction.gov/ for more information.
5. Directionally challenged: If you are a driver who need GPS to get beyond your neighborhood then you are directionally challenged. Consider bringing GPS with voice directions or better yet bring another person who can be your human GPS. Either way you will be safer than driving while reading directions.
6. Buckle up! No matter how long your trip is, remember to buckle up. Not being buckled costs one person their life every hour according to Buckle Up America. In fact, if 90% of Americans buckled up we would save more than 5.500 lives.
7. Honking is not the answer: If you cannot exit the freeway and remain stuck in a jam pay attention to the traffic flow. You don’t want to cause another traffic jam by getting into an accident.
8. The law is the law so get used to it: Regardless of what you think about particular laws like speed limits, it is important for your safety and that of others that we all comply.
9. Ambulance chasing is passé: Avoid being the person who lurks around accidents moving at 35 mph to see a wreck. It is more likely that you will cause an accident than be on the evening news as a traffic reporter.
Enjoy your time on the road this holiday season!
