ANGRY DRIVERS ARE CRASH PRONE

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

ANGRY DRIVERS ARE CRASH PRONE
KINGSPORT, TN; Last evening I got all uptight about the political games being played with our Country's future. Stewed about it most of the night, dreamed "if I were in charge", and awoke angry. Do you believe this affected my driving skills this morning? It sure did! Our attitude and state of mind do affect our driving. When we are worried, angry, distracted, ill, or otherwise preoccupied we become crash prone. Safe driving and being upset are not compatible. Getting angry at other drivers fits here, too.

So, cool down or let someone else do the driving. A crash would really wreck your day. Older persons, especially, seem to fasten onto some bothersome subject at bedtime and can't let it go. Keeps them awake half the night. If so, we need to be extra careful behind the wheel the next morning. Just as with alcohol, give someone else the keys.

On average, every DAY there are 18,000 auto crashes (don't call them accidents). No doubt many are caused by emotionally upset drivers. After the crash they are even more upset!
GHD165 all rights reserved

BACKING THRU THE REAR WINDOW

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

BACKING THRU THE REAR WINDOW
CLEMSON, SC: Tony K. was backing out of his driveway by holding the driver door open and sort of leaning out. He has been doing this for years and believed it the best way to get up the narrow, tree-lined drive to the street. Only thing is, he got too close to a small tree along his side of the drive and ripped the car door off its hinges. Tony no longer believes in the open door backup method. He was lucky, the tree could have caught his head, a small child could have run behind his car from the other side, who knows what else?

Also unsafe is relying entirely on the mirrors. Turn your head and look out the rear window while backing. Older persons may find it difficult to turn their head far enough and should compensate by turning the shoulder also. Backing onto or on a busy street offers even more hazard's, especially to those who have impaired acuities. When it is unavoidable, be extra aware of all that is happening around you. An additional minute is insignificant compared to the hours demanded to arrange for repair of a wreck or healing of a body.
GHD164 all rights reserved

36 STATES REWARD DRIVERS

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

36 STATES REWARD DRIVERS
COLUMBIA, MD: Surprisingly, most of our Country's drivers do not know whether their state legislature has given them the benefit of an extra insurance premium reduction. This incentive would be given to those who complete a safe driving classroom program. It is the best bargain the legislature can offer. This takes no tax dollars to make the roadways and streets safer.
The insurance companies give up a little premium and gain a significant reduction in injury and death claims. One major auto insurer says that its 10% extra discount is fully justified by its claims experience. Those completing the program have significantly fewer injury and fatal crashes and fewer moving violation convictions. Employers save money too. They have lower medical insurance premiums and less lost time and retraining costs because fewer employees are injured.

Everybody wins in these 36 states (and DC): AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, KS, KY, ID, IL, LA, MN, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY. In the remaining 17 states and territories sponsors of such legislative incentives need your help in getting their bills passed. Meantime, be one of those who says, "Safety Does Sell" and take a few hours to become a better mature driver. The premier safe driving course, easily found in both live classroom or on Internet, can be reviewed at www.aarp.org/drive.
GHD 163all rights reserved

STUMPING ON THE INTERSTATE

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

STUMPING ON THE INTERSTATE
LAREDO, TX: Howie X. was driving on I-35 after a quick trip across the Rio Grande to get some truly hot salsa. He saw what could have been his own crash about to happen. There was an ancient auto stopped in the right driving lane and several young men were outside the vehicle looking at a tire.

It is absolutely foolhardy to stop on a busy highway unless the vehicle simply will not move another inch. On Interstates, vehicles are not permitted to stop on the roadway except in dire emergency. If your auto breaks down, move it off the road to the service lane. Raise the hood or tie a white cloth on the door handle or antenna. Stay inside your locked auto until reliable help arrives.

A woman alone invites real danger by using the CB radio to call for help. Every kook within hearing could go looking for her. Does anyone except truck drivers use a CB anymore? A cell phone on a minimum cost contract is an inexpensive safety device for all drivers. I carry an old retired cell which, by law, is allowed free connection to only 911. Be aware, cell phones do not "connect" everywhere – esp. outside of civilization in the wide open West.

Finally, do not walk along the service lane to obtain help. Stay put! Each year more than 90,000 pedestrians are hit by autos. About 5,500 of them die from the injuries.
GHD162 all rights reserved