Important Drivers’ Safety Tips – Reduce Road Accidents

In the digital age, drivers’ safety is a more relevant topic than ever. Consumers these days are inundated with gadgets and devices from MP3 players to smart phones, all of which are designed to be as attention-grabbing as possible, including while you are driving. There are more distractions to be faced in the car as well. Satellite TV, GPSs, CD players, not to mention the dozens of buttons and knobs on some center consoles, can all shift a driver’s focus away from the road and decrease drivers’ safety. 
 

The Canadian Automobile Association estimates that driver distraction is a factor in about 4 million crashes in North America every year. Provincial governments have started stepping in with cell phone/distracted driving laws in an attempt to help enforce drivers’ safety. Newfoundland and Labrador introduced distracted driving legislation as early as 2003. Quebec and Ontario followed not long after, in 2008 and 2009, respectively. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island introduced distracted driving legislation in 2010. Alberta, New Brunswick, and the Yukon came on board in 2011. In 2012, the Northwest Territories introduced its own distracted driving legislation. Penalties in some provinces can be as severe as a fine of $400 and the addition of four demerits to your driver’s license. Drivers’ safety is something that most of Canada’s provinces and territories appear to take very seriously.

So what is considered a distraction on the road? Besides cell phones, an obvious culprit, the CAA points a finger at multiple threats to drivers’ safety. Inside the car, drivers are likely to be distracted by passengers and conversation, pets, GPSs, the radio or CD player, and the vehicle controls, among other things. It also identifies distractions outside of the car; these include scenery and street noise. The CAA notes that drivers who text on a cell phone are 23 times more likely to get in an accident.Talking on a cell phone makes drivers 4 to 5 times more likely to get in an accident, while dialing on a hand-held device makes drivers 3 times more likely to get in an accident. 

What can you do to ensure drivers’ safety on the road? Here are some helpful tips: 

• Get your important calls, emails, or texts out of the way before getting into the car. 
• Always wear your seat belt. 
• Turn off your devices before starting your car. This way you won’t be distracted by push notifications or email alerts. 
• Put any CD's into the stereo before leaving your driveway. Don’t listen to music during bad weather or challenging road conditions. 
• If you absolutely must make or receive a call, pull over to the side of the road to do so.

Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes forward. When driving with passengers, do not look at them during conversation. Don’t speak with passengers during bad weather or challenging road conditions. Avoid stressful or emotional conversations while driving. Remember, drivers’ safety is up to you as well.