Safe Stopping Distance

Did you know that it takes 292 ft to stop your car if you’re driving 60 MPH on the perfect road surface? Throw in some messy weather and all bets are off. In order to be able to stop safely, you need to keep some things in mind: It takes about three-quarters of a second to react to a situation and step on the brake pedal. You should always make sure that your brakes are in good working order and that the thread on your tires are good. Other braking tips are:

• Warn pedestrians, bicyclists, or other drivers of possible trouble. Brake early and gently when preparing to stop or turn.

• Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal while driving. (This is called riding your brakes.)

• If your vehicle has antilock brakes, never pump the brakes. (In 2010, 89% of new cars and 99% of new light trucks have antilock brakes.)

• Always slow down near a curve or an area where you cannot see clearly ahead.

Aggressive Drivers

We’ve all seen them.  They cut people off, run red lights, tailgate, weave through traffic, make rude gestures, and are dangerous to everyone around them.

What can you do when confronted by an Aggressive Driver?

• Attempt to get out of his/her way.
• Do not challenge that person.
• Avoid eye contact.
• Ignore rude gestures.
• Wear your safety belt. It will  protect you in a crash.
• If you simply cannot get away from the aggressor, attempt to drive to the closest police station

Even if someone else is being aggressive towards you, do not react to them so that you can get home safely in the end.

Dangerous Cell Phone Use

Recently, the subject of texting while driving has gotten a lot of press. But, did you know how dangerous it can be just to use a cell phone while driving? According to a study by the University of Utah, distraction from cell phone use while driving, whether the phone is hand-held or hands-free, extends a driver's reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%.

As of October, 2010, here are guidelines by state for using cell phones while driving:

Handheld Cell Phones: 8 states (Calif., Conn., Del., Md., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. Except for Maryland, all laws are primary enforcement - an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld phone without any other traffic offense taking place.

All Cell Phone Use: No state bans all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by Novice Driver.

Go to http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html for more information.