While we must factor in roadway design and the size and safety of vehicles, human error accounts for a majority of crashes on our roads. Click on any topic below to learn more.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for 16–24 year olds at 48.5%
- Nationwide, 43% of first-year drivers and 37% of second-year drivers are involved in car crashes
- Advanced driver training has reduced that rate to 4.6% of first-year drivers
Smart Driving Tips
- Get advanced driver training for all ages
- Smart driving position: hands at 9 and 3 o’clock
- Speed appropriate to laws and conditions
- Follow the 3-second rule
- Look as far ahead as possible
- Know your ABS (anti-lock braking system) operation
- Drive a safe, well-maintained car
- If your car has an infotainment screen, use it only for navigation
- If you are using your wipers, your headlights should be on as well
Driving distractions are serious and have become an increasingly problematic issue, particularly with the ongoing use of cell phones. 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.
- Do not use cell phones while driving; pull over if necessary
- Music can be helpful on long journeys, but your focus must be on the road at all times
- Do not allow extraneous distractions such as eating, reading, applying makeup, texting, or using electronic devices
- Do not allow disruptive passengers to ride with you
- 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 crashes and prevent tragic events that all too often occur due to driving distractions.
Seat belts save lives. You are less likely to be injured in a crash and will be better prepared to deal with an emergency situation if you are wearing your seat belt.
- Ensure that all seatbelts are fastened for every passenger, front seats and back seats
- 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
More information: buckleupamerica.org; https://www.youtube.com/@HSDMA
The vast majority of teen crashes are due to inexperience. The more supervised time you spend behind the wheel with your learner’s permit, the more experience you’ll gain and the lower your risk of crashing.
- GDL laws are in place in all 50 states to help teen drivers safely and gradually gain driving experience
- Of teens involved in crashes, 58% were speeding at the time
- 65% of teen passenger deaths occur when another teenager is driving
- Nearly half of fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers were single vehicle crashes
- In the last decade, over 68,000 teens have died in car crashes
Check out our free RoadReady app to log your supervised driving hours.
Resources: Teen Driver Source • GDL Laws by State
Safe Roads Alliance developed The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program, which partners with licensing agencies in 27 states, plus Washington D.C., to provide guidebooks at no cost.
Tips from AAA for Parents:
- Size up your teen’s maturity. Social skills have a direct correlation to the psychomotor skills required behind the wheel.
- Drive the way you expect your child to drive. A teen’s driving behavior is a reflection of their parents’ driving behavior.
- Practice, practice, practice. Become your teen’s practice coach; schedule regular sessions and provide praise when they do well.
- Just say no to peer passengers and night driving. The more passengers, the higher the risk.
- Limit other distractions. Cell phones, food, music — model safe behavior yourself.
- Set clear consequences and stick to them. Reward good behavior too.
- Put everything in writing. A written contract hammers home that driving is serious business.
- Schedule “Sunday summits.” Regular check-ins to review driving performance.
- Let your teen use the safest car. The least experienced driver should use the car with the highest crash ratings.
Download the free RoadReady app to easily log required supervised driving hours.
There are 30 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older in the United States. When injured in motor vehicle crashes, older drivers are more likely to die than younger drivers.
The ability to drive allows one freedom and control for independent living. However, for many of us, there will be a time when we need to limit or stop driving. Changing physical conditions affect driving skills, including slower reflexes, night blindness, medication effects, and hearing impairment.
Resources
- AAA Senior Driving
- Beth Israel Deaconess: DriveWise and DriveAdvise — 3rd party assessment programs
- Aging Parents and Elder Care
- AARP Driver Safety
Road Rage & Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is extremely dangerous and accounts for a significant number of crashes. Keep calm, avoid engaging with aggressive drivers, and focus on getting to your destination safely.
- Don’t take other drivers’ actions personally
- Leave plenty of time for your trip to reduce stress
- If confronted by an aggressive driver, avoid eye contact and don’t respond to gestures
Resources: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is impaired driving. Getting behind the wheel when fatigued is dangerous and can be fatal.
- Get a full night’s sleep before driving
- Take breaks every 2 hours on long trips
- If you feel drowsy, pull over in a safe place and rest
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the road. Always have a designated driver or use a ride service.
Scheduled maintenance 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 avoid a collision.
Tire Safety
- Check tread depth regularly. Tread should not be less than 1/16 of an inch. Hint: use a penny — if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires
- Keep tire pressure at recommended PSI
- Use snow tires in winter in areas where snow falls
New Car Technology
Features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning keep us all safer, but only if they’re used correctly. Remember: these are driver assistance features, not driver replacement features. Review your car’s manual to understand how they work.
Children under 12 should always be placed in the back seat of the car in a car seat. Children of different ages and sizes require different restraints.