USAG Stuttgart Safety Office
Whether you’re heading out of town or staying local, provided below are some safety tips you may want to consider to be safe and not sorry this holiday season.
- Prepare your vehicle for long-distance travel. Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road.
- Plan ahead. Before you get on a highway, know your exit, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.
- Be aware of truck blind spots. When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.
- Check your emergency kit. Contents should include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire-repair kit and flares.
- Keep your eyes on the road. Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
- Leave early and avoid risks. Leave early so you won’t be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate delays. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic conditions.
- Avoid extreme weather conditions. Ice, hail and snow make roads difficult to travel. Try to avoid driving through extreme weather conditions, and travel during daylight.
- Remove ice and snow from your vehicle. Clear snow from your windows and roof to ensure that you have maximum visibility and are not creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Don’t allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle.
- Be aware of the vehicle in front of you. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front so you can avoid snow and ice blowing onto your windshield or maneuver around patches of ice.
- Slow down. With the extra highway congestion due to holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space and reduce your speed.
- Buckle up. Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.
Best wishes for a happy and enjoyable Holiday!