Advertisement
Tamika Echols
Be alert to the dangers of drowsy driving
By Tamika Echols & Bill Gallagher
State Farm® agent
Does it seem to you that the high- way is a much more hostile place than it used to be? Do you notice a lot of rude drivers tailgating you, cutting you off, blocking you
when you want to pass, weaving from lane to lane to beat the flow of traffic, maybe even making unfriendly gestures? If so, you’re not alone. Aggressive driving has become one of America’s most talked-about traf- fic safety issues. On occasion it may lead to “road rage” - use of violence to settle a dispute related to driving. A major reason for today’s aggressive driving is traffic con- gestion. Construction of new roads and widening of existing ones has lagged far behind the ever-increasing number of cars on the road. In some metropolitan areas, the concept of “rush hour” is virtually outdated because the roads seem to be packed at all times.
Another factor is that many of us lead fast-paced lives and are always in a hurry to get some-
where. This may lead to speeding and aggressive behavior toward motorists we believe are impeding our progress. In some areas, special law enforcement and public aware- ness programs have targeted aggressive driving. Counseling has been tried with some angry drivers, but many people seem to regard rude driving as “the other guy’s” problem.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) here are a few things you can do to avoid becoming an aggressive-driving victim or offender: * Don't tailgate. * Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver. * Don’t make obscene gestures or return those of others. * Use your horn sparingly. * Don’t block a passing lane. Avoid blocking a right-turn lane. * Signal before switching lanes. * Don’t weave in and out of traf- fic. * Allow adequate rest for your trip. Realize that you can’t control traffic - only your reaction to it. * If you think someone is driving dangerously and may be breaking the law, consider reporting that driver to the authorities. If you have a cellular phone and can do
Advertisement
Bill Gallagher
so safely, call the police. * When parking, don’t take up more than one space. Don’t allow your door to hit the car parked next to yours. If someone provokes you, take a deep breath and resist the urge to retaliate. The important thing is that you reach your destination safely.
Chicago Defender • ChicagoDefender.com• March 24-30, 2010
3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40