Safe Driving: Everyone can benefit from safety tips
Everyone can benefit from safety tips
This week is the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week, which is a fancy way of saying truck drivers, law enforcement and companies are doing a little extra this week to remind us all about safe driving techniques.
While the focus appears to be on commercial drivers, the truth is everyone can benefit from paying a little more attention to being safe on the road. West Virginia Trucking Association President Jan Vineyard said the tips offered for drivers of commercial vehicles apply to us all.
Wear your seat belts — they reduce the risk of a fatal injury by 45 percent.
Obey the speed limit. Speeding and/or failing to leave a safe stopping distance ahead can be dangerous.
Do not drive under the influence or drugs or alcohol. Better yet, do not drive on too little sleep, either.
Speaking of commercial vehicles, do not cut in front of large trucks, for which the stopping distance is much longer than in passenger cars.
Pay attention to a truck driver’s blind spots, and stay out of them.
And, of course, do not drive distracted. Texting, talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, fiddling with a GPS or radio … it does not matter. Keep your eyes on the road.
It is difficult enough for drivers of commercial trucks to stay safe, without having to worry the drivers around them are engaging in risky behaviors.