READING ON THE INTERSTATE
WRECK-LESS DRIVING FOR SENIORS
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
READING ON THE INTERSTATE
MARSHALL, LA.: Writes Gloria, M., " One recent night I was driving East on I-20 towards Shreveport, and passed a late model sedan with its interior lights ablaze. Curious, I took a long look into the vehicle and saw the hairy faced driver reading a book and paying scant attention to me or anything else about the highway. I stepped on the gas, momentarily speeded, to get quickly to a safer location".
It is absolutely amazing the dumb things drivers of any age will do at 70 mph, or at any other speed. Especially for older drivers, inattention is a major cause of highway disasters. They just don't get it - that not only their life and limb is threatened but also that of innocent persons driving safely and sanely. There is not any better reason for the remainder of us to be wary and at full attention whenever we drive.
Actively search for trouble spots in the traffic and roadway you are traveling. Here are some special driving situations where we need to be totally in control by taking extra care, getting help, or letting someone else drive:
Conditions where contrast is low offer potential trouble. Beware in snow, rain, fog, and at dusk and twilight. In these situations the sight of all drivers is diminished.
Headlights (not just parking lights) should be turned on 30 minutes before sunset, until 30 minutes after sunrise. The most modern autos have light sensors which turn on front and rear lights whenever there is insufficient natural light.
Soiled or scratched windshields, eyeglasses, and headlights break light beams into scatter patterns which make seeing the road very difficult. Older persons eyes frequently have nighttime conditions making it difficult to see clearly and to drive with safety to self and others.
Once more, alcohol and many drugs make otherwise safe drivers into very bad drivers. Eighty-five million Americans have been either a designated driver or have been smart enough to use a designated driver. Join that group when necessary.
GHD102 all rights reserved
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist
READING ON THE INTERSTATE
MARSHALL, LA.: Writes Gloria, M., " One recent night I was driving East on I-20 towards Shreveport, and passed a late model sedan with its interior lights ablaze. Curious, I took a long look into the vehicle and saw the hairy faced driver reading a book and paying scant attention to me or anything else about the highway. I stepped on the gas, momentarily speeded, to get quickly to a safer location".
It is absolutely amazing the dumb things drivers of any age will do at 70 mph, or at any other speed. Especially for older drivers, inattention is a major cause of highway disasters. They just don't get it - that not only their life and limb is threatened but also that of innocent persons driving safely and sanely. There is not any better reason for the remainder of us to be wary and at full attention whenever we drive.
Actively search for trouble spots in the traffic and roadway you are traveling. Here are some special driving situations where we need to be totally in control by taking extra care, getting help, or letting someone else drive:
Conditions where contrast is low offer potential trouble. Beware in snow, rain, fog, and at dusk and twilight. In these situations the sight of all drivers is diminished.
Headlights (not just parking lights) should be turned on 30 minutes before sunset, until 30 minutes after sunrise. The most modern autos have light sensors which turn on front and rear lights whenever there is insufficient natural light.
Soiled or scratched windshields, eyeglasses, and headlights break light beams into scatter patterns which make seeing the road very difficult. Older persons eyes frequently have nighttime conditions making it difficult to see clearly and to drive with safety to self and others.
Once more, alcohol and many drugs make otherwise safe drivers into very bad drivers. Eighty-five million Americans have been either a designated driver or have been smart enough to use a designated driver. Join that group when necessary.
GHD102 all rights reserved
posted by WRECK-LESS at Sunday, January 22, 2006
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