On the Road Again: Safe Driving 101
by Michael Lyman, Director EHS
As a member of the CoolSys family, your safety is of upmost importance. That’s why we are bringing you these safe driving tips. So, before you head out on the road, remember these two basic rules:
- Buckle Up for Safety – Did you know that wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a crash? While seat belt use has increased 74 percent since 1981, it is estimated that 1 in 7 people still don’t buckle up.
If you’re one of those people who don’t always buckle up, consider these alarming stats on seat belt safety:
- Seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45 percent and cut the risk of serious injury by 50 percent.
- Seat belt use has saved over 300,000 lives.
- People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash. More than 3 out of 4 people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.
- Avoid Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a broad term that includes anything that takes your attention away from safe driving and the road. This can include talking or texting on your phone, reaching over to grab something that fell in the cab, eating or drinking, or fiddling with the radio or navigation system.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. So, we’re doing our part to bring you the facts on distracted driving:
- 3,166 people were killed by distracted diving in 2017[1].
- 10 percent of fatal crashes and 15 percent of injury crashes is caused by distraction[2].
- If you’re going 55 mph and take your eyes off the road for just five seconds, that’s like driving the length of the entire football field with your eyes closed.
There is no text, email or call that is worth getting in an accident over. So please pull over safely to the side of the road.
CoolSys family, please keep yourself and the roads safe. Remember to put that seatbelt on and to focus on driving without distractions. Stay safe out there!
[1] https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
[2] https://www.enddd.org/the-facts-about-distracted-driving/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qvlBRDiARIsAHme6ov5UgzN1o26HZ1U4j_i8CrgtyOsRQa-fatndDNOUT1tYgfSj_avWGUaAjm9EALw_wcB