 Safe Roads Alliance was formed in 2006 as a not-for-profit Massachusetts organization to promote safer driving.
One of our primary programs is to provide drivers of all ages with access to driver training that far surpasses classes taken to obtain a license. Closed-course, hands-on, advanced driver strategies and techniques are learned in a safe, controlled environment with one goal: to make all drivers better drivers. Statistically teen drivers are the most important group for this training, but it’s our feeling that every driver can improve their skills and would benefit from this program.
Safe Roads Alliance has partnered with In Control Advanced Driver Training and Safety Insurance to help reach these goals.
In Control Advanced Driver Training has successfully trained over 9,000 students and has been shown to reduce crashes in new drivers by over 70%.
Advanced driver training classes are currently available in a variety of areas throughout Massachusetts in South Weymouth, North Andover, Seekonk, Worcester, and at the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod.
A principal program of Safe Roads Alliance is our High School Outreach Program. We offer free presentations to students and parent groups by professional drivers and others on emergency driving skills. Please see School Visits for more information.
Safe Roads Alliance also provides educational services to other groups on the many different aspects of driving safety. Safe Roads’ educational programs include:
Issues Confronting Elderly Drivers
It’s a reality of life. Our skills as drivers change as we age. The ability to drive allows one freedom and control to do the things that enable independent living. However, for many of us, there will be a time when we need to make the decision to limit or stop driving.
For those elderly persons who drive, there remain many concerns. Changing physical conditions affect driving skills, including, slower reflexes, night blindness, medication and hearing impairment.
For the family and friends of an elderly driver, the concerns grow further. We want our loved ones to maintain a sense of independence, but we don’t want to see them hurt themselves or others in the process.
To better understand this issue, the following websites and groups provide comprehensive information on the challenges that confront elderly drivers:
In addition, the USAA Educational Foundation, AARP, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developed a very informative booklet entitled, Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully.
Maintaining a Vehicle for Safe Operation
This is an issue that often takes a back seat through lack of time, finances or just plain denial. Scheduled maintenance of our vehicles over time ensures that you’re not only less likely to break down, but will have a safer ride overall.
Keeping your tires, brakes, and suspension systems in good condition can help you to avoid a collision and keep you free of injury.
The following websites are available to provide tips on keeping you and passengers safe while driving:
Child Restraint Systems
This is a critical issue for parents with young children. Children should be placed in the back seat of the car in a car seat. This sounds like a simple solution, but children of different ages and sizes require different restraints. It raises questions about what type of car seat might be best. How do you know that your child is properly secured in the seat should an emergency occur?
The following websites provide pertinent information on child restraint systems, including child restraint laws:
Seat Belt Usage
Wear your seat belt. It is safer. Seat belts save lives. You are less likely to be injured in an accident and will be better prepared to deal with an emergency situation if you are wearing your seat belt. If you need to take emergency action while driving, a seat belt can help to keep you better positioned behind the wheel so that you can more effectively maintain control of your vehicle.
Reducing Driving Distractions
Driving distractions are serious and have become an increasingly problematic issue, particularly with the ongoing use of cell phones and blackberries. At the least, a cell phone conversation while driving takes away much of your attention. More serious, and recently with fatal consequences, is text messaging while driving. Texting not only distracts drivers from the mental processes required for driving, but it forces drivers to look away from the road, often for extended periods.
In addition, the combination of loud music and chattering passengers can take our focus off the road. Things happen fast while we’re driving, and keeping this in mind can reduce accidents and prevent the potential for tragic events that all too often occur due to driving distractions.
Driver Courtesy and Reduction of Road Rage
How do you deal with road rage? It is essential to keep calm while driving, and dealing with road rage is no exception. There are two main components when road rage is involved: you and the other driver. By maintaining a courteous mindset, we can make our roads safer by remaining confident and controlled and ultimately, safe on the road. Losing control of your emotions behind the wheel can mean losing control of your vehicle. It is important to learn to ‘let go’ when another driver becomes angry or angers us. Avoiding eye contact is a good start.
The following websites provide tips on what to do when confronted with road rage:
Get Involved
Our programs are made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and donors. You can make a big difference in your community by becoming a sponsor, as contributions of any amount will help us save lives.
Contributions to Safe Roads Alliance, Inc. are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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