5 Common Sense Safety Tips for Drivers

There is no better feeling than the freedom of the open road.  Here at the best dealership at Lake of the Ozarks, we know the feeling all too well!  It's important to realize, however, that following proper etiquette and maintaining good driving discipline factor heavily into staying safe on your travels.  Follow these 5 common sense safety tips and stay proactive on the road!

1. Plenty of Sleep the Night Before

The road is not a place for weariness.  Getting enough sleep before you hit the open road is incredibly important - driving while fatigued leads to high amounts of accidents.  If you are driving and begin to feel tired, pull over and rest.  It's estimated that over 100,000 accidents happen each year due to driving while fatigued. Sleep deprivation causes lapses in attention, increases in stress, and an increase in drive speed.  Get some rest.

2. Use The Blinker

The blinker system is designed to show drivers both ahead of and behind you your intended direction of travel.  A great guideline is to indicate your turn at least 100 feet in advance.  Additionally, you can use your blinker to let other drivers know that you will be changing lanes.  Signal the drivers ahead of and behind you for 3-5 seconds before the lane change begins.  This extra communication between drivers will become even more important in the coming months as winter sets in and road conditions become hazardous.

3. The Passing Lane 

Believe it or not, the left-hand lane is designated "the passing lane".  This part of the road is only for vehicles that are traveling faster than others, and the American roadway system is designed so that emergency vehicles are able to have a quick avenue of transit when needed.  Stay in the right lane unless you're passing a vehicle in the right lane!

4. Get off the Phone!

It really shouldn't need to be said, but drivers, stay off of your phones!  Driving requires your complete attention and your eyes should rarely (if ever) divert from the road.  Newer cars have functions built in to assist drivers with answering calls via a hands-free device.  As far as texting goes, here are some simple facts from DoSomething.org:

• Texting while driving makes crashing 23 times more likely.
• Drivers who text spend 10% of the time outside their lane.
• When driving at 55 MPH and an average of 5 seconds per text, a driver will travel the length of a football field without ever looking at the road.

5. Safe Distance

Following too closely to the vehicle in front of you isn't just illegal, it isn't safe.  The recommendation is to keep a minimum of 3 seconds between vehicles moving at all times.  This means the distance increases as the vehicles increase in speed.  Doing so allows the driver in front of you a safe distance in which to turn, signal, or brake suddenly.  Additionally, it allows you the reaction time needed to navigate any obstacles that occur with time to spare.  

Driving Safe Means Arriving Safe

By following these 5 tips, drivers can significantly decrease the risks of an accident or injury while on the road.  When its time to buy a vehicle at the Lake of the Ozarks, ask the sales staff about the hands-free options available, and other important tips for driving safely.  Here at Hulett Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, we value our Lake Area - and more importantly, the safety of all on the road.

Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC
That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!

513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO  65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service:  573.317.4195

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