Keeping your family safe on the road during the holiday weekend

July 4, 3:25 AMBaltimore Children's Health ExaminerTitia Dunn

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Baltimore Children's Health Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

AP Photo/ Mark Lennihan

Since Fourth of July weekend is known as one of the deadliest driving weekends in the calendar year, there are some things that you can do to keep your family safe on the road during this holiday weekend. The enormous rise in accidents during this time is because of many factors. One factor is increased traffic on the road and secondly people usually consume more alcohol during a holiday weekend. Over 40% of fatal automobile accidents are alcohol related.

The number of deaths is also directly related to the number of miles driven so the farther people drive the more they are at a risk. Also Saturdays in general are the deadliest day of the week to drive and as well as weekends from 9-10pm is the most dangerous hour. Instead of choosing the option of just staying at home to avoid harm, the following are suggestions of things you can do to keep your family safe while driving:

1) Think twice before drinking and driving.
2) Make sure your whole family is secure in their safety belts before leaving. In a crash, cause of death is often ejection from the vehicle (the single greatest cause of death in motor vehicle collisions).
3) Make sure the children are secured in a safety belt in the rear center of the car. Never put a child in the front seat because the air bags could kill them in a collision.
4) Remember that according to Maryland law, any child who is seven years old and younger or either less than 57 inches, or 65 pounds or less have to be in a child restraint/car seat.
5) Alert the police if you see what looks like a drunk driver on the road. Get the license plate number of the car and tell the police your location.
6) Try to avoid driving long distances late at night. Leave early to avoid the peak traffic.
7) Keep a safe distance from other cars. Since drivers never know the condition of the drivers around them, keeping a safe distance allows you to exercise defensive driving skills if necessary.
8) Be aware and pay attention to your surroundings. Try not to listen to loud noise, talk on the phone or text while driving with your family.
9) Encourage the driver to take breaks so he/she is fresh and alert at all times.
10) Always yield and stop at all red lights. Be careful at intersections. Pause just in case a drunk driver does not obey the traffic laws.
11) Always use your signal to indicate to the other driver that you are changing lanes.
12) Make sure the driver is well rested before getting in the vehicle.
13) Try to maintain a steady speed, while obeying the speed limit.