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How to be Safe—Not Sorry

Here are the things you sometimes do (you know you do) that drastically hike your chances of having an accident.

Talking or texting
Nearly 80 percent of crashes involve driver inattention, and one of the primary causes is—you guessed it—using a cell phone. Texting while driving is also a deadly trend, especially among teens.

Letting the sun shine in
Sunglasses reduce glare and prevent your eyes from tiring. Keep an extra pair in the car, or don a cap with a bill (like racing pros do) to block direct sunlight.

Speeding
Driving over the speed limit nearly triples your risk of being involved in a crash. Speeding is also a factor in almost one-third of all fatal car accidents.

Wearing bad shoes
Forget spiked heels (the heel can slide under pedals) and flip-flops and clogs (they fall off easily). Shoes should stay on your feet and offer good traction on pedals. “Low-top shoes with pliable, thin soles and smooth, rounded heels give you the best control,” says Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steam­boat Springs, Colorado.

Not buckling up
No matter the length of the trip or what you’re wearing (your linen jacket will survive a few wrinkles), buckling up is a must if you want to stay alive in an accident. In 2006, more than 50 percent of passengers killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts; 31 percent of all drivers killed also didn’t buckle up.

Driving while drowsy
Getting behind the wheel when you’re sleep deprived or driving long distances nonstop puts you at risk: Some 100,000 accidents are linked to driver fatigue, killing an estimated 1,550 people each year.

Not paying attention
Giving yourself a makeup check, yelling at the kids, eating those French fries, changing a CD—they all take your eyes off of the road. All it takes is just two seconds of distraction to double your risk of crashing or having a close call.


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Last Updated: July 16, 2009
Filed Under: Healthy Travel
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Comments (1)

The following content represents the opinions of Health.com users. It is not editorially reviewed for medical or factual accuracy. It does not constitute medical advice. See your doctor for medical advice.
  • Francis

    Drowsy driving s just as deadly as drunken driving, Children playing, people taking a walk have been victims of such accidents. All of us are at a risk of drowsy driving , we live in a twenty four hour society where a lot of people are tired all the time. At 60mph if you close your eyes only for a second you have traveled 88 feet.

    Can you prevent this from happening to you? Yes! By using No nap

    No Nap is a inexpensive automobile safety device, that prevents drivers falling asleep at the wheel. This intelligent device is designed to detect when the driver is in danger of DOZING off and immediately alerts him / co-passengers. Prevents a potential crash. The light weight gadget fits over drivers left ear and triggers alert buzzer observing the drivers drowsiness. No Nap is a essential safety device a MUST HAVE on all road travels. Buy online at http://www.thenonap.com free shipping by courier

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