The Chief’s View

With summer in full swing here are some driving tips to keep you and your family safe.
(1) Avoid driving at dawn or dusk. Visibility is limited and animals are active at these times, especially in rural areas.
(2) Have a driving plan and know your route. Where can you stop for an emergency? What resources can be found along the way?
(3) Inspect your vehicle before you leave and before you return home. Do a quick walk around and look at the tires and condition of your vehicle. Are you leaking fluids? Do all of your lights work? Do you have supplies in case you break down?
(4) Avoid driving between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. as 55% of alcohol-related fatal crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m. and another 36% of them occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
(5) Tell friends and family where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you should arrive. Call or text them to let them know you made it to your destination. People have been saved because a call wasn’t made and a friend or family member called 911 to report their loved one missing.
(6) Drive defensively and a few miles under the speed limit. Avoid tickets by obeying traffic laws. Expect others to NOT be paying attention. Look out for aggressive drivers who are speeding, passing when it is not safe, tailgating, and driving up to intersections too fast. It is best to let them go and move away from you. I have seen these people miles down the road either in the ditch or talking to a cop.
(7) It is always a good idea to check the current and future weather along the route you are taking. You don’t want to drive into a problem and it can be very dangerous assuming that you can out-drive a storm. It may be safest to stop and let it pass.
These are just a few tips that will keep you safe and save you money.