Traffic Tip Tuesday 09-29-15
Sergeant Matt Lillibridge and the Traffic Deputies want to take a moment to provide the following information…..
There are a wide variety of drivers on the roadways, both young and old.
If you think either of the links below would be helpful to you or to someone you know, please take a look and/or share the information.
By having these discussions with our children, our parents and/or our grandparents, we can help make our roadways safer for us all.
Talking With Older Drivers About Safe Driving
Getting older does not necessarily mean a person’s driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road. NHTSA offers free materials to help you learn more about how to recognize and discuss changes in your older loved one’s driving.
If you think you need to have a conversation with an older driver about his or her driving abilities, remember that many older drivers look at driving as a form of independence. Bringing up the subject of their driving abilities can make some drivers defensive. So, be prepared with your observations and questions, and – if necessary – provide possible transportation alternatives.
Answering the following questions may help you decide if you need to initiate a conversation with an older driver about driving safely:
Getting lost on routes that should be familiar?
Noticing new dents or scratches to the vehicle?
Receiving a ticket for a driving violation?
Experiencing a near miss or crash recently?
Being advised to limit/stop driving due to a health reason?
Overwhelmed by road signs and markings while driving?
Taking any medication that might affect driving safely?
Speeding or driving too slowly for no reason?
Suffering of any illnesses that may affect driving skills?
If you answered yes to any of these questions we suggest this web site to assist you with materials that might help with your conversation with an older driver:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/…/Talking+with+Older+Drivers+about+Saf…
What Can I Do to Keep My Teen Driver Safe on the Road?
http://www.safercar.gov/parents/TeenDriving/groundrules.htm
Get Involved
1. Share important driving tips in these fact sheets for novice drivers with your teenager.
2. Set ground rules and consequences for your teen driver, and get it in writing.
3. Know and understand the rules of Florida’s Restricted Driver’s License.
4. Be a role model – practice safe driving habits every time you drive.
Explore Driving School Options
Ask the right questions. Go to The Driving School Association of The America’s driving school index for more information on professional driving schools in your state.
Fact Sheets for Novice Drivers
5. Alcohol and Driving – Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40 percent of all traffic crashes in which someone is killed each year.
6. Blindzone Glare Elimination – With enhanced mirror settings, you can avoid turning and looking into the blindzones. All that’s required is a glance outside the mirror to see if a car is there.
7. Driver Distractions – Although any distraction while driving has the potential to cause a crash, some are particularly hazardous to young drivers under 20.
8. Efficient Steering Techniques – Crash statistics indicate that driver errors involving steering techniques are the main causes of crashes where drivers run off the road. Teens are more likely to overcompensate when their vehicle drops off the shoulder than older drivers.
9. Proper Seat Belt Use – In 2013, 55 percent of all 15- to 19-year-old occupants killed in passenger vehicles were not wearing their seat belts.
10. Risk Management – Low-risk drivers are those who identify potential hazards, reduce risk by adjusting their speed or position, and communicate their intentions to others.
11. Visual Search/Perception – Scanning helps you anticipate having to change speed or roadway position because of problems ahead, such as vehicles or people that may be in the roadway or signs warning of problems ahead.
12. Work/Construction Zones – When approaching a work zone watch for cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go.
