NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — This last installment, though there could be many more, is devoted to other safe and sensible driving tips. Most of the stuff here is pretty basic;
but a few tips, even if they are only reminders, just might help.
- Safe and sensible driving requires a safe vehicle.
Never drive a vehicle with bad tires, brakes, suspension or nonfunctioning lights and signals. Pilots check over their planes before each flight. Truck drivers are required to check their trucks and trailers every day. It's only safe and sensible for drivers of cars, vans, pickup trucks and motorcycles to do the same on a regular basis.
Regular safety checks can prevent breakdowns along the highways and save both time and money.
But, even more importantly, safety checks can prevent accidents and save lives. It’s just worththe extra time and effort to look over your vehicle before you head down the road at 60 mph.
- Safe and sensible drivers wear their seat belts and insist that their passengers also do the same.
You never know when an accident might occur - they happen even to the safest of drivers and often not far from home.
Not using seat belts greatly increases the chance of injury or death.
Statistics clearly show the benefits of seat belt use;
but if statistics seem too impersonal, ask a law enforcement officer or emergency medical technician who has had to respond to accidents where drivers and passengers have hit the windshield or beenejected from the vehicle.
I don't need a law to make me buckle up; I've seen what can happen to those who don't!
- Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Not only is it illegal; it's unsafe. Alcohol and drugs impair your vision and judgment, slow your reaction time and greatly reduce your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Again, statistics speak volumes when the numbers of alcohol- and drugrelated traffic deaths are tallied. If you think statistics are just talking about somebody or someplace else, again, ask a local law enforcement officer or EMT. It only takes about two beers, one glass ofwine, one mixed drink or any amount of an illegal drug to put you over the legal limit and get you a DUI (or DWI); so don't take any chances. Don't drink and drive! It's not safe or sensible.
- Never drive when you become drowsy and have to struggle to stay awake.
Whether you believe it or not, sleepy drivers drive a lot like drunk drivers, often slowing down and speeding up, crossing center lines or driving onto the shoulder. Reactions are slowed; and, of course, there is the very real danger that one may fall asleep entirely and hit another vehicle or run off the road. It's far better to pull off in a safe place and sleep a little, or to getout and walk around until you're awake and alert, than to press on and risk an accident or death.
Certainly, these tips don’t cover everything;
but if drivers would think a little bit about what they’re doing and practice some common sense, a lot of accidents could be prevented.
Accidents will continue to happen, and drivers and their passengers will still suffer injuries and death; but I’m hoping that, by practicing safe and sensible driving, it won’t be you!
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by email at rmoll@ nwaonline.com.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 08/29/2012