New Jersey State Police Holiday Vehicle Safety Tips

NJ.Gov, Dec 29, 2005

Vehicle Safety:

Foul Weather Driving

 
Make sure your windshield wipers, tires, brakes and lights are all in good condition. Leave extra room for stopping on wet and especially icy roadways. Assume your trip will take longer than it usually would during non-holiday, fair weather travels.

Actions Of "the other guy" 

Be aware of those around you. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you and watch for traffic at all intersections. Monitor traffic several hundred feet ahead of you for dangerous activity since those actions will affect you in a matter of seconds.

Driving At Your Best  
Make sure you get enough rest before long drives. Avoid distractions such as tending to children in the back seats, using handheld electronic devices and talking on handheld phones. Careless driving is both dangerous and illegal. Of course, do not drive after consuming alcohol. Every drink reduces a driver's ability to quickly react to traffic conditions.

Prepared For Action  
If you have a soda in your hand, you can't drive like a champion when that critical moment arrives. It is crucial to wear safety belts correctly whether your going across the country or around the block. Statistics show that the 14 percent of those driving without wearing seatbelts account for more than half of the traffic fatalities.