Page 7 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – January/February 2019

WITH YOU ON
THE ROAD OF LIFE
AAA
TM
RESOLVE TO BE A SAFER DRIVER By Matthew D. Frampton, Coordinator, South Central PA Highway Safety
2018 is now behind us, and 2019 lies ahead.
Many people use the new year as an incentive to
try something new, to start something fresh, or to change unwanted habits. I’ve seen individuals make New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, watch less television, pay off debt, and travel more. However, I can’t recall anyone I know vowing to develop better driving habits so they are safer on the roadways, including those who’ve resolved to travel more. Let me encourage you to make better driving habits a priority in 2019. So, what can you do?
Make sure you are prepared for the road.
1. Plan your trip and allow enough time to get to your destination without rushing. Consider factors for which you may need additional time, such as bad weather, school buses, traffic, and construction zones. Allow yourself a little extra time for those unexpected delays, too.
2. Never get behind the wheel when you’re drowsy. Always ensure that you have had enough sleep before you get behind the wheel. And, if you get drowsy once you’ve started driving, find a safe
place to pull over, get out of your vehicle, and shake off that drowsy feeling.
3. Make sure that you are prepared to have your mind on your driving, i.e. get into the driving mindset.
Mental distractions while driving a vehicle can be as dangerous as driving while
intoxicated. Remember the acronym Lou Holtz, Notre Dame football coach, used: “WIN – What’s Important Now?”When you are behind the wheel, the answer is attentive driving.
Now that you’ve made sure you are ready for the road, let’s not stop there. Here are some subjects to keep in mind while you’re driving to better ensure your safety and the safety of others.
1. Manage your speed. The faster you drive, the less space and time you will have to react to hazards and potential hazards. The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions. So, when conditions are
best, travel no faster than the posted speed limit. And, when hazardous conditions exist (including nighttime driving), reduce your speed accordingly.
2. Eliminate distractions from your vehicle.
Silence your cell phone and stow it in the glovebox or console. Let your passenger change the music on
your radio and media players, or set up your favorite music before you pull out of your driveway. Limit
or eliminate eating and drinking in the vehicle. Anytime your hands are off the wheel, your eyes are off the road, or your mind is off your driving, then you are distracted.
3. Wear your seatbelt.
Every trip. Every time. As the driver, an appropriately adjusted and fastened seatbelt will help keep you behind the wheel in
a sudden braking or steering maneuver. Used properly, seat belts work in conjunction with other safety systems (air bags,
crumple zones) to mitigate and perhaps even eliminate injuries in a crash.
Maybe you’ve heard some of this advice before, or maybe all of this is new. Either way, I hope this has given you something to think about and hopefully encourages you to make a change for the better. So, as we begin this new year, let’s all resolve to be safer drivers (and passengers) while on the roadways.
For more information, I may be reached at: South Central PA Highway Safety, c/o American Trauma Society-PA Division, 2 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, Ph: 717-766-1616 ext. 104.
Traffic Law Update Presentations
RSVP by calling 717-657-2244 ext. 2719
South Central PA Highway Safety and The Center for Traffic Safety will be presenting updates and answering questions on PA Traffic Laws. This is a fun, interactive 1-hour session to learn more about the traffic laws in Pennsylvania. At
the end of the presentation, a retired PA State Trooper will answer questions. This presentation is free to the public.
January 11 January 16 January 18 January 22 January 28 January 29 February 4 February 26
10:00 – 11:00AM 4:00 – 5:00PM 10:30 – 11:30AM 3:30 – 4:30PM 10:00 – 11:00AM 3:00 – 4:00PM 1:00 – 2:00PM 10:30 – 11:30AM
@ Estelle Drive office location - Lancaster
@ Estelle Drive office location - Lancaster
@ Harbaugh Library, 59 W York St, Biglerville, PA 17307 @ Harbaugh Library, 59 W York St, Biglerville, PA 17307 @ Paxton Church Road office location - Harrisburg
@ West Shore office location - Camp Hill
@ Paxton Church Road office location - Harrisburg
@ West Shore office location - Camp Hill
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
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Now!