road safety

8 things to do after a car accident

Driving, whether you’re slowly cruising down a local road or doing a long trek on the highway can be a dangerous. In 2016 alone there were 160,315 injuries from reported traffic collisions on Canadian roads. Chances are, at some point during your lifetime on the road you’ll be involved in a traffic collision.

When you’re in this situation it’s best to be prepared. The last thing you want to do is to be lost as to what to do next when involved in a traffic collision. Here’s what you need to know:

Keep calm

A car collision can bring a lot of emotions with it. Being calm and trying to stay calm throughout the next steps is vitally important to help you through the situation at hand. Whether you feel stressed, angry or scared (or something else entirely) it’s important to try and calm yourself down. Take a moment in your car to collect yourself, your thoughts and your emotions before taking any more action.

Prioritize safety

Avoid any further danger. Look for potential dangers—especially oncoming cars. If it is unsafe to get out of your car don’t venture out. Instead make sure to put on your hazard lights to notify other drivers.

Seek medical help

If you, or any passengers in your car are seriously injured call 911 for medial help.

Get their information

Collect as much information as you can. The key points you’ll need going forward are the personal details of the driver, or drivers, involved. They will likely ask for yours as well. Make sure you obtain all drivers’:

-full names

-phone numbers

-addresses

-license information

-insurance company names and policy numbers

Take photos

When collecting information, it’s best to go beyond just getting the necessary details from other people involved. Taking photos is an easy and fast way to collect evidence at the scene that can be very valuable later on. While taking photos after the traffic collision make sure that you have photos of any damage to your vehicle and the road, or property around the road, that happened as a result of the collision.

Look for witnesses

A traffic collision can draw the attention of onlookers. If there were people who saw the collision occur collect their personal information as well, including their full name and phone number, or other method of contact.

Contact your insurance company

Make sure to contact your insurance company to inform them about the collision.

Contact a personal injury lawyer

If you or someone in your vehicle has been injured during a traffic collision, it’s important to know your rights. The aftermath of a traffic collision injury can have a strong and lasting impact on your life. Contacting a personal injury lawyer after the accident is an important step on the road to recovery by connecting you with the legal, financial and personal support you need.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

May 18, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

Easy ways to improve your driving

Even though you may be an experienced driver, over time you can pick up bad habits. Not only do bad habits put you at risk on the road but they also endanger those driving around you.

If you are looking to progress your driving there are some simple ways to get better that will help keep you safer behind the wheel. Here are some quick tips:

Go back to basics

It’s nothing out of the ordinary to see drivers forgetting to execute the basics that you learn in driving school. But forgetting to do so is dangerous. Simple things, like entering the left lane of the street you’re turning on to when turning left at an intersection, signaling when changing lanes or when backing out of a parking spot, and coming to a full stop at stop signs, are key for your safety. Also, bad habits like driving when you’re in a rush, distracted or over-tired are all dangerous habits that can lead you to drive recklessly. Try to only drive when well rested, give yourself time to make the trip and put the phone away when you’re behind the wheel.

Adjust your mirrors

Make sure your side mirrors are adjusted properly. While you can’t completely eliminate blind spots, and need to fully turn your head to check them before changing lanes or turning, having your mirrors adjusted optimally can greatly reduce them. To adjust your driver’s side mirror, move the mirror so you can barely see the edge of the vehicle in the mirror’s right-hand side when your head is against the left-side car window. To adjust the passenger side mirror, move it so that you can barely see the side of the vehicle in the left-side of the mirror when your head is just above the center console. This will give you much better view around your vehicle while driving.

Learn high-beam protocol

High-beams are a key tool to help you see on poorly lit roads at night and extreme daytime weather, but they can also be blinding. Make sure to turn off your high-beams when approaching another vehicle to prevent other drivers from becoming blinded by your lights. If other drivers on the road fail to do this it’s recommended to look at the right side of the road and follow the painted edge line instead of looking directly at the lights.

Make your left turns safer

When waiting to make a left turn point your wheels straight rather than to the left. If a car strikes yours from behind and your wheels are turned left you will be pushed into oncoming traffic. Stay safe by keeping them straight.

Keep your eyes moving

Don’t go into auto-pilot with your eyes while driving. Make sure to be checking your mirrors, looking far ahead and at the vehicles around you. Some drivers have a tendency of focusing solely on the car in front of them which can make it harder to realize that you’re getting closer and closer to them.

Keep your distance

While driving we can get in the habit of not leaving enough room between our car and the one in front of us. Time the distance between your car and the one in front of you by noticing when the car in front of you passes a marker on the road. When it does, time how long it takes for you to reach that same marker. A recommended time-distance to leave between your car and the car in front of you is 4 seconds which gives you enough reaction time in case the car in front of you suddenly breaks.

Go back to class

Over time the rules of the road change. If it’s been a long time since you last took a driving course perhaps a driving refresher course would be good for you. Doing so can help keep you up to speed on changed driving rules as well as keep your driving skills sharp.

Study your car

Get a deep understanding of your car’s features. Vehicles today are coming out with an increasing number of safety features on them, like rear-view cameras and lane departure warnings. Take time to research to learn their abilities and limitations so you don’t over rely on them but also take advantage of all your vehicle has to offer.

Learn how to properly use a roundabout

The one thing that many experienced drivers are still daunted by is roundabouts. If you find roundabouts intimidating focus on learning how to use them properly. There is an online guide available from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Go to the optometrist

Having good eyesight is key for keeping your driving skills sharp. As you age eye problems can arise gradually, so they can be difficult to notice yourself. Getting your eyes checked regularly by an optometrist can help you catch any problems and allow you to have them addressed.

While you can be a very safe driver, sometimes accidents do happen. Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

March 30, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

As we grow older how we feel about our ability to drive shifts. When you get your driver’s license for the first time you get a new sense of freedom and independence. As an adult the privilege of being behind the wheel is one many of us rely on. Also, as you age more and more your driver’s license becomes a valued symbol of self-sufficiency.

However, aging can come with a number of common physical changes that can make driving increasingly difficult and eventually dangerous. Stiff joints and weaker muscles can make it harder to turn your head, brake in a safe manner, or turn the steering wheel quickly enough. Reduced quality of eyesight and hearing can become dangerous when it comes to taking in visual and auditory signals on the road. Also, slowed reflexes and side effects from medications can impact your driving ability.

If a loved one of yours is becoming an unsafe driver due to age, having a conversation with them about turning in their keys for good can be a difficult conversation to have. Following some of these tips might help make it smoother:

Avoid confrontational language

When initiating a conversation with an elderly loved one about their ability to drive it can be easy for them to feel like a calling-out of their deteriorating ability to drive is an attack rather than an expression of care and concern. Make sure to emphasize your concern. When deciding what you will say and how you will say it, structure your statements referencing yourself more than them.

Focus on safety

After a lifetime of driving to everything they love, feeling a push to give up driving can also feel like a push to give up everything else they love. Make it clear that the focus in getting them to stop driving is on safety, and that they can still continue doing the things they love.

Have alternatives prepared

Offering reliable alternatives instead of driving can make prospects of them giving up driving not as daunting. It’s possible that they may not be aware of what is available to them. Help them find more information if needed to start using alternative modes of transportation or, if possible, help by driving them.

Use specifics and multiple voices

You want your loved one to take this conversation seriously. Avoid sounding like one person nagging. If multiple people have concerns let them come together with you on this to show your elderly loved one that they have a group of people who care about them and are concerned about their safety. Also, when having the conversation voice generalizations less and offer specific examples instead.

Show empathy

This is likely a difficult conversation for your loved one to have or thing for them to hear. Make sure to approach the conversation with an empathetic view of how they may be feeling when facing these prospects. Be supportive, show respect and offer positivity.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

March 23, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

Car inspection basics: 21 parts you should be checking daily

With the new year here lots of people are working on their resolutions. A lot of people resolve to be better when it comes to their personal health—whether that’s eating healthier or exercising more, etc. But a new resolution that can be helpful for anyone’s health is to become safer.

Road safety is especially important. The safety measures you take on the road affect the health and safety of yourself, those in your vehicle and the public around you.

Being safe on the road starts with you. Also, as with any change in your life, these new resolutions require new habits. Thankfully, Road Safety at Work created a list of a number of things you can check in, on or around your vehicle every day. Many of them help to make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive before you even leave your driveway.

Engine Oil

Checking your engine oil regularly is important to keep your motor properly lubricated. You should check your oil level daily and top up as necessary, checking your owner’s manual to make sure you’re using the right kind of oil.

Tire Air Pressure

Take a walk around your vehicle. Check the air pressure on your tires looking to see that they’re all properly inflated, undamaged and wearing normally. This can keep your car in good condition and also prevent a dangerous surprise down the road.

License Plate

While walking around your vehicle make sure that both your license plates are on, attached firmly and visible.

Leak Check

Look underneath your vehicle to look for evidence of fluid either dripping from, pooling underneath or accumulating on your vehicle. Being mindful to look as you are driving in, or out, of regular parking spots to look for this fluid as well.

In-car ergonomics

When you enter your car adjust your seat, headrest and steering column, if necessary, to be in an ideal driving position.

Headlights

Check and make sure that your headlights are working properly. Turn on your low beams, high beams and fog lights to make sure they are all in good working order.

Tail Lights

Checking your tail lights before you begin driving is important as well.

Turn Signal

Turn on your left and right turn signals, making sure that the lights are working both in the front and back of your vehicle.

Emergency Signal

Turn on your emergency signal and confirm that it is working properly.

Windshield

In addition to checking your windshield for damage like chips and cracks, making sure your windshield is clean is important as well. Keep a clean cloth handy to clean the inside of your windshield.

Wipers

Check your wiper blade controls to make sure they work. Confirm that your wipers are clearing your windshield and replace them when you see them leaving streaks or gaps.

Heater/Defroster

In the winter and during changes in temperature heaters or defrosters play a key role in keeping your windshield clear and un-fogged. Test them before you take off to make sure the fan works well and that the flow direction is effective.

Horn

Toot your horn to make sure it’s working.

Seatbelt

Seatbelts are very important for your personal safety. Check to see that the seatbelt and its mechanisms are working properly.

Rear vision mirrors

Upon entering your car make sure that that the rear vision mirrors are set for optimal rear vision. When they are angled ideally also make sure that they’re all undamaged and clean.

Parking brake

Test your parking brake to make sure it is still functioning properly.

Brakes

While leaving your garage and before entering traffic gently tap the brakes to confirm that they are working effectively.

Instrument Panel – Gauges / Warning Lights

Looking at your instrument panel confirm that all the gauges indicate everything is in working order for a safe drive and that there are no warning lights on.

Vehicle Documentation

Before leaving in your vehicle make sure you have the proper documents with you. Check for your driver’s license and make sure there is a copy of the vehicle registration on board.

Engine Noises

Noises coming from your vehicle can indicate that something is wrong. While your engine is running listen for any unusual sounds.

Roadside Emergency / First Aid Kit

A roadside emergency and first aid kit are very important for your health and safety on the road. Make sure that you’re prepared and that all the essentials are in both.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

January 12, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

A pedestrian’s safety guide

5 road safety tips to protect you while walking

The Ontario government has been introducing more laws to protect pedestrians while crossing roads. While this is good news for pedestrian safety, it shouldn’t give a false sense of security to you while walking or running outside. Pedestrian safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not just up to cyclists and drivers to keep an eye out for you. Making sure that you’re watching out for your own safety is vitally important while you’re out and about.

In order to protect yourself as a pedestrian on Ontario roads here are five tips from the Ministry of Transportation to use while going out on your next walk or run:

1. Don’t jaywalk

Jaywalking is very dangerous. It puts you at risk of becoming injured by an automobile and the drivers on the road at risk of an accident in the process of avoiding you. As a pedestrian, you should always cross at a designated crosswalks or traffic lights where it is indicated for you to cross. Crossing in the middle of a block or between parked cars is dangerous no matter how tempting it might be to save you time or inconvenience. It’s not worth the risk of injury.

2. Communicate with drivers

It doesn’t hurt to make sure drivers are aware of your presence as you’re crossing the street. If a driver is stopped at the road or intersection you are crossing make eye contact with them before stepping out on to the road. That way you can make sure that they have seen you and are aware that you are likely to enter the road in front of them.

3. Make yourself visible

Make it easier for drivers to spot you. Wearing bright, light and/or reflective clothing can make it easier for drivers to see you crossing the street. This is especially important at night or at dusk as it can be much more difficult for drivers to see you.

4. Know what to do

When you’re at a designated crosswalk, traffic light or intersection with stop signs make sure you know what to do. Only cross when traffic has come to a complete stop. If you’re at a traffic light make sure to follow your signals. If they are provided, only walk at the beginning of the green light or walk signal, and if you are still crossing while the light turns yellow or the do not walk signal appears complete your crossing safely. However, if you approach to cross the street when the light is yellow, the do not walk signal appears or the light is red do not cross.

5. Keep an eye out

While crossing it is important to be alert to turning cars. Even while walking or jogging down the sidewalk it’s important to remember this as cars turn into or out of driveways. It can be easy to become distracted while walking and crossing the street. Whether you’re glued to your cellphone, busy finding the perfect song to listen to on an iPod or lost in your own thoughts, it’s important to bring yourself back to attention in order to protect yourself while walking. When approaching a crossing, intersection or sidewalk with driveways, make sure you are aware and your eyes are up in order to protect yourself.

While you can be very cautious as a pedestrian, sometimes tragic accidents do happen.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

December 29, 2017 Driving, Road Safety

5 ways to avoid drowsy driving

It’s shocking how many Ontarians are driving fatigued or drowsy. A study estimates that 27% of crashes resulting in fatality or injury are related to fatigued driving. Also, a public opinion poll found nearly 60% of Ontario drivers admit to driving fatigued sometimes at the very least and 14.5% have admitted to falling asleep or nodding off while driving in the past year.

Here are five key ways to avoid driving while drowsy and stay safe on the road from The Canada Safety Council:

1. Drive only when rested

Getting behind the wheel when you’re fatigued or drowsy puts others at risk. If you are going to be driving in the near future plan ahead for a good night’s rest. If you are fatigued and need to drive somewhere either sleep first, find a way to cancel or postpone the trip to another time when you’ll be alert, or get a rested person to drive instead.

2. Keep your mind alert

While you’re driving do things that help keep you alert. Listening to up-tempo music, talking to company in the vehicle, and chewing gum are all things that might work for you. Make sure to actively watch road signs and traffic and keep your head up and shoulders back while changing position frequently.

3. Find a safe place to stop

If you’re taking a long trip you should be especially be aware of your energy levels and whether you’re feeling fatigued or drowsy. Relying on coffee to keep you awake and not stopping can be dangerous. Every couple hours you should take a break from driving and pull off the road for some exercise and fresh air. If you are sleepy find a safe place to take a nap or spend the night at a hotel.

4. Be careful about what you eat and drink

Make sure to hydrate and eat high-protein snacks over heavy or fatty foods that will make you sleepy. If you are going to be driving you should avoid alcohol and medications that can that can cause fatigue or drowsiness. If you need to take medication talk with your doctor to find out how to lessen it’s effects on driving.

5. Drive defensively

While driving make sure to be prepared to prevent a collision if other drivers around you are drowsy. Driving defensively is important to protect yourself.

Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

October 27, 2017 Driving, Road Safety, Uncategorized

What every parent ought to know about bike safety

Your guide to make your child’s ride to school a safe one.

Cycling to school can be a great opportunity for you and your children. Not only does it begin creating healthy fitness habits for your child, but it also creates a bonding activity for the both of you.

However, cycling poses some serious dangers to your child. Before you hit the road, or trail, with your kids make sure you read over these tips from Liv:

1. Pick an appropriate route

Before venturing out with your children on a bike-ride to school consider the route you are going to take. Ride it first on your own and notice any key aspects of the route. Are there bike paths available? What is the traffic like when you will be biking? How long or steep is the ride? If the route has lots of traffic, is too difficult for you child’s fitness level, or poses dangers for their experience level you should find a safe and appropriate route for them, or reconsider.

2. Prepare your child’s bike

Kids grow quickly, and that means they can grow out of their bicycles quickly. Make sure that your child’s bike still fits, and that it works properly. Teach your children to check the air pressure, breaks and chain before hopping on their bike each time to prevent an accident or injury. Also, your child’s bike should have a horn or bell, as well as proper lights in case of inclement weather or riding at night.

3. Get and adjust a certified helmet

According to Ontario law anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while cycling. But it takes more than just wearing one to protect your child. The helmet needs to fit properly. While purchasing a helmet make sure it is the correct size, as well as certified, and before your child wears the helmet make sure you adjust it for proper fit. Never let your child wear a helmet that has already experienced impact.

4. Avoid dangerous clothing

Wearing certain types of clothing while biking can create a safety hazard for your children. Children should avoid wearing footwear that could get caught in parts of the bike—like running shoes with untied shoe laces or loose sandals. Also, loose pant legs or other loose pieces of clothing below the waist can become caught in parts of the bike and should be avoided.

5. Educate on bike safety

Before you and your child leave home on your bikes you should talk to your child about bike safety. Going through the basics of yielding to and communicating with pedestrians, biking on the right side in a straight predictable line, and taking caution at intersections or driveways is a must. Also, have your children practice good communication with drivers. Making eye contact with drivers to make sure they are seen and using biking signals to communicate with drivers are skills they should learn as early as possible.

Even if you and your children are practicing safe cycling, sometimes you can still be injured by others. If you or someone you love has been injured by another party’s negligence while cycling we can help with their recovery journey.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

September 29, 2017 Road Safety, Uncategorized

Safety Tips for Bikers this Spring

Cycling is a great way to get around—it get’s you from point A to point B all while keeping you fit and helping the environment. Some studies have even shown that it is the safest mode of transportation, particularly for young adults. Even so, around 7,500 cyclists suffer severe injuries every year in Canada, while 70, 000 are treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to cycling, according to the CBC.

Over half of the Toronto population cycles, that’s 54 per cent of Torontonians. Luckily, the Toronto Cycling Network Plan is working on making Toronto a more bike friendly city. Hopefully Canadian cities will one day be as welcoming to cyclists as European cities, where cyclist injury and death rates are substantially lower. As this eco-friendly method of transportation becomes more popular, cyclists and drivers will become more aware of their places on the roads and fewer accidents will occur.

Until then, there are many things cyclists can be aware of to ensure their safety on the roads. Here are some bike safety tips and tricks based on facts from the CBC and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation:

Where you can and cannot ride

Cyclists must stay as close to the right side of the road as possible, especially if you’re slower than other traffic.

Cyclists cannot ride on controlled access highways, such as Ontario’s 400-series highways

Cyclists are only allowed to walk their bikes through pedestrian crossovers.

Where and when it’s best to ride

If cyclists aren’t planning to ride to and from work, they should avoid riding during the afternoon rush hour—17 per cent of cyclist deaths and 23 per cent of cyclist injuries occur during this time.

The worst time for a cyclist to ride is at night—30 per cent of cyclist deaths occur at this time. Avoiding busy cities and intersections is ideal for a cyclist’s safety—despite traffic control signs, cyclists are more likely to be injured in an area with these features. Cyclists should also avoid rural areas where the speed limits are 80km/h or more—44 per cent of cyclist deaths happen on these roads.

Wearing a helmet

It is illegal for any cyclist under the age of 18 to ride without a helmet.

For any cyclist under the age of 16, a parent or guardian must ensure that they are not riding without a helmet. Adults are not required to wear a helmet, although it is strongly recommended, as it lowers a cyclist’s chance of injury by 90 per cent.

Additional cycling laws

The following are changes made regarding cycling law after the passing of Bill 31- Transportation Statute Law Amendment Act , effective September 1, 2015:

All drivers of motor vehicles are required to maintain a minimum distance of one metre, where practical, when passing cyclists on highways;
Persons who improperly open or leave opened the doors of motor vehicles on highways face increased penalties (commonly known as “dooring”).
The fine for non-compliance with bicycle light, reflector and reflective requirements will increase; and
Cyclists are permitted to use lamps that produce intermittent flashes of red light.

For more information on Ontario bike laws, visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

May 9, 2016 Uncategorized

What Happens When Your Car Gets Hit by Lightning?

There has been a long-standing fallacy that vehicles can provide full protection when lightning strikes. That’s not entirely the case. The National Lightning Safety Institute reports that some vehicles struck by lightning experience external damage, including pitting and arcing, as well as internal damage to electronic systems and components.

In layman’s terms, what happens to most cars is that the lighting will flow around the outside of a car, with the majority of the current flowing from the car’s metal cage into the ground below.

What to do when driving in a lighting storm?

The National Lightning Safety Institute strongly suggests safely pulling off to the side of the road, waiting out the storm, turning off the engine, putting one’s hands in one’s lap and not touching inside items such as door and window handles, steering wheels and gear shifts.

What is safe – and what isn’t

Heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes with rollover canopies are safe during thunderstorms,
Riding mowers and golf carts are not safe to be in.

Roll up the windows and don’t touch any part of the metal frame – this means resting your arm on the window or any wired device that might be in the vehicle. For example, the steering wheel or a cell phone that is plugged into the car.

Should a direct strike hit your car, the electric current will flow through the entire frame of the vehicle and typically jump over or through the tires to reach the ground. Most recorded lightning strikes to vehicles typically result in one or more flat tires occurring and damage to the entire electrical system – but no injury to the occupants as long as they stayed away from any metal framework.

Safety Reminder:

You also should not to touch the radio,
Do not talk on the cell phone,
If you are driving, pull to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, turn off the engine and wait out the storm.

At Dye & Russell we understand the laws that affect your rights to compensation. Our legal experience within the insurance industry provides the insights required to expedite and secure top results as quickly as possible.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

May 7, 2016 Road Safety

Safety Tips to be a Focused and Diligent Driver

According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), distracted driving is a factor in over 4 million motor vehicle collisions every year in North America. Distracted driving is considered to be at equal level with impaired driving because a driver’s judgment is jeopardized when they take their focus away from the road. 80 per cent of collisions and 65 per cent of near crashes have some form of driver inattention as contributing factors. A study has shown that in 80 per cent of collisions, the driver had looked away from the road 3 seconds prior to the crash.

In Ontario, it is illegal to:

Operate hand-held communication and electronic entertainment devices while driving. This includes typing, talking, texting, scrolling or dialing on a phone, and manually programming a GPS device.

View display screens unrelated to driving.

If convicted of distracted driving in Ontario, the driver will face a minimum fine of $490, up to $1000. Additionally, three demerit points will be applied to the driver’s record. The consequences can be much worse if the driver is found to endanger others with their distracted driving—this may include a six month jail term, or up to five years with a dangerous driving charge.

Despite being Ontario’s biggest road killer, distracted driving is easy to avoid. Here are a few things drivers can do to stay focused on the roads:

Keep cellular devices in the backseat

The most common form of distracted driving is using a cellphone while driving—this includes talking, texting, emailing, adjusting playlists, scrolling, etc. Reduce the temptation to pick it up by putting it somewhere out of arm’s reach. Even if the driver knows it’s wrong to be on their phone while driving, it’s easy to pick up when traffic is heavy and the driver is bored. In any situation, it is dangerous and illegal to be on the phone when driving.

“Drivers talking on cellphones are in many cases just as impaired as drunk drivers” – Insurance Bureau of Canada

Go hands-free

Any device that doesn’t need to be touched to operate other than to turn it on and off is considered “hands-free.” If the driver turns their GPS on before they begin driving it is okay, but it is technically illegal to manually program the GPS while driving.

Another great option is getting a Bluetooth device that securely attaches to the ear or the car. If for whatever reason, a driver feels that they need to answer calls while driving, this is a safe and legal option—given that the device is only being touched when activating and deactivating it.

Map out the route beforehand

Before getting in the car, the driver should have a good idea of where they are going. A driver’s eyes should always be on the road—not looking for street signs. Furthermore, planning the route ahead of time ensures that the driver isn’t constantly looking down at a map or the GPS on their phone. If the driver has a GPS secured to the dashboard, it should be turned on before driving begins, with the instructions read aloud so the driver won’t have to continuously look at the screen.

Don’t let passengers be a distraction

There’s a reason graduated licensing in many provinces puts restrictions on the number of passengers a young driver is allowed to carry at one time—passengers can be a major distraction. Talking to or listening to a passenger while driving is similar to talking on a cellphone. It is important for a driver to warn passengers to be quiet when entering a risky situation on the road.

“Children are four times more distracting than adults as passengers, and infants are eight times more distracting than adults as passengers.”

Children are particularly distracting to drivers. One way to keep children quiet during a car ride is to supply a book, movie or some other entertainment for them.

Be mindful of music choices

If a driver wants to listen to music from their phone instead of the radio, they should create a playlist beforehand so that they aren’t on their phones scanning through songs while driving.

Drivers should also pay attention to the type of music they are listening. A 2013 study by a music psychologist in Israel has shown that music that creates a psychological response in the brain leads to daydreaming. A study of crash reports conducted by Erie Insurance found that daydreaming caused 62 per cent of distracted driving-related deaths. Hence, drivers should be mindful of their music selection, making sure that music inducing a strong positive or negative psychological response for them is left for another occasion.

So drivers, keep your eyes on the road. Distracted driving is Ontario’s biggest road killer, and that text message isn’t worth it. That’s why we’re a proud sponsor of idont.ca; take the pledge today to put a stop to distracted driving.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

May 5, 2016 Road Safety

8 things to do after a car accident

Easy ways to improve your driving

How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

Car inspection basics: 21 parts you should be checking daily

A pedestrian’s safety guide

5 ways to avoid drowsy driving

What every parent ought to know about bike safety

Safety Tips for Bikers this Spring

What Happens When Your Car Gets Hit by Lightning?

Safety Tips to be a Focused and Diligent Driver

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