A safe drive

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of workplace death. Preliminary estimates released in May by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show a 1.2% decrease in motor vehicle-related deaths in 2019 from the previous year.

“While we are heading in the right direction, more work needs to be done to ensure safety on our roadways,” NSC says. Keep it safe every time you get behind the wheel by following these best practices from NSC:

• Adjust your mirrors to limit your blind spots.
• Program your GPS before you leave.
• Set your cellphone to “Do Not Disturb” and put it and any other distracting devices or items away.
• Adjust your seat so you can reach any knobs and switches.
• Have an emergency kit stocked and stored in your vehicle. Inspect it before setting off.
• Make sure you’re in the right head space to drive – free of impairment, distraction and frustration.
• Obey all traffic signs and posted speed limits.
• Use your signals and lights when driving.
• Give pedestrians the right of way.
• Don’t drive if you’re tired. Try to take a nap before getting behind the wheel.
• Drive slowly and cautiously in parking lots and garages.
• Check the potential side effects of your medications before getting behind the wheel.
• Stop for breaks on long driving trips.
• Buckle up.
• Leave yourself enough time to safely reach your destination.

“Any drop in motor vehicle deaths should be well received, but the ultimate goal we need to reach is zero,” NSC says.