JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

DRIVING SAFETY

Week #1

June is National Safety Month, and this week we’re putting the spotlight on something many of us do every single day—drive. Whether you’re behind the wheel for work or on your personal time, the habits we build on the road can mean the difference between getting home safe and not getting home at all.

Let’s talk about four areas where small changes make a big difference.

1

Distracted Driving—Put It Down

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road today. Texting, adjusting the radio, eating, or even glancing at a navigation app takes your eyes off the road, and at 60 mph, a 5-second distraction means you’ve traveled the length of a football field without looking up.

The rule is simple: if it can wait, let it wait. If it cannot wait pull over to a safe location. Silence your phone, set your GPS before you leave, and keep your focus where it belongs—on the road ahead.

3

Speeding—The Risk Isn’t Worth It

Speed limits exist for a reason. Higher speeds reduce your reaction time and dramatically increase the severity of a crash. A collision at 40 mph is nearly twice as destructive as one at 30 mph. Factor in weather, road conditions, and traffic, and the posted limit may actually be too fast for the situation. Build in travel time so you’re never in a position where speeding feels necessary. The few minutes saved are never worth the risk.

2

Defensive Driving—Expect the Unexpected

You may be a great driver, but you can’t control everyone else on the road. Defensive driving means staying alert to what others are doing and always having an “out.” Keep a safe following distance (at least 3–4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead), scan intersections before entering, check your mirrors every 5–8 seconds, and anticipate hazards before they become emergencies. Assume the other driver might do the wrong thing (they often do), and be ready when they do.

4

The 360° Walk-Around—60 Seconds That Can Save A Life

Before you get in any vehicle, company or personal, take 60 seconds to do a quick walk-around. Here’s what to look for:

Tires
Visibly flat, low, or damaged?

Lights
Headlights, taillights, and turn signals working?

Underneath
Any fluid leaks on the ground?

Around the Vehicle
Objects, curbs, debris, or people (especially children) near the tires or bumpers?

Blind Spots
Anything behind or beside the vehicle you might back into?

This simple habit takes less than a minute and can prevent accidents before they ever happen. Make it part of your routine every time you get behind the wheel.