| "If looks could kill," then NOT LOOKING must be even worse! |
| <> "One Last Look" before you go! |
 |
 |
|
| TOPICS |
| More for Mom |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| Your eyes are your RADAR But they can't see the road ahead, if you point them somewhere else! |
| After An Accident: RECOVERY Help is available |
A UNC study found that drivers were often distracted by a variety of things, from something outside their vehicle, to adjusting the radio, talking with occupants, adjusting vehicle climate controls, eating or drinking, phone use, and/or smoking. However, when you find yourself having just had an accident -- it doesn’t much matter which type of distraction caused the accident. It’s still an accident just the same. One type of distraction is no less serious than another. Let's be honest, Mom, at one time or another they have all been deadly to some poor soul. |
| "One last look, before you go,".... |
| “IF LOOKS COULD KILL” |
| LOOKING DOWN is a killer. LOOKING DOWN is not listed in the distractions list in the UNC study, or any others we have seen. However, in police accident reports (as well as our personal experiences) it ranks right near the top of the list. LOOKING SIDEWAYS is a killer too…and usually comes under the heading of “distractions outside the vehicle.” Store front “EVERYTHING ON SALE” signs, street signs, bill boards that catch our eye, are just a few of the many! Both sides of the road are loaded with distractions, but there is no law that says you have to look at them! Too often drivers aren't even aware of where their eyes are looking. They think they are driving their vehicle when in fact the car is on auto pilot because they're reading a bill board ad or admiring a new car on the auto dealer's lot. LOOKING BACKWARD is also just as big a problem. For example, imagine a tailgater is pushing your patience to the limit and he has you glancing into the rearview mirror 3 or 4 seconds at a time, several times a minute. If you happen to be close to the car in front of you while this is going on -- it’s possible you’ll be the one causing an accident! All it will take is for the driver in front of you to stop or slow while you’re glaring into the rearview mirror at the tailgater -- and BLAMO! Next thing you know you're explaining to the nice policeman that you normally don't drive that closely to other cars, but gee someone was tailgating you and you were paying attention to them instead of the car ahead of you, blah, blah, while he's telling you to save it for the judge! Unfortunately it happens all the time. The tailgater goes on his way while you and the other driver fill out police reports!But there is one thing you can do to help protect yourself during that brief moment when you have to look away from the road for whatever reason. Always work at increasing the space (SAF-T-SPACE) between you and the vehicles around you. This way you provide yourself with room for error -- which could be the difference between a nothing moment and a major tragedy. |
1) Keep looking forward 2) Keep expanding your SAF-T-SPACE so that if you have to take your eyes off the road you’ll have given yourself plenty of room for error! 3) NEVER FORGET TO BE twice as cautious when you're driving for two! |
 |
| University of North Carolina Conducted Studies |
| REMEMBER THREE IMPORTANT POINTS |
 |
| Learn More About Tailgating and how you may unaware you are doing it to others! |
| After An Accident: "RECOVERY" Help is available |
 |
 |
| © 2003 Safermom.com All Rights Reserved. See Privacy Statement. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| means if you look down for something in your car, or to change the radio station or CD track, it might be your LAST LOOK before you go to the great beyond! |