Last Friday was a total rotten day at work. Do not pass go do not collect $200 rotten. I was home and it was about 7:30 in the evening and I wanted to go get Culver’s for dinner. As I’m driving to Culver’s sun roof open and XM radio turned up high—trying to forget my awful day, I saw a family stranded on the side of the road. They car had broken down. I immediately felt a prompting to do a u-turn and go and see who I could help.
The dad, named John, was from Eastern Europe, Croatia I think and he had a thick accent. He said he was the head chef at a restaurant in Neenah. His car ran out of gas and he and his wife and 2 kids were on their way to the grocery store. I was able to help him get gas and on their way very quickly.
After that, the worries of my Friday was washed away.
What a blessing it was not to ask for answers to a prayer, but to possibly BE AN ANSWER!
Hey kids, for today’s Tommylog I want to talk about safe driving. I have been behind the wheel for almost 30 years -YIKES- and I have logged a lot of miles in the cars I have owned. These days I travel about 35 miles each way to work so I have a little experience in the area of driving safely.
So, lets jump right into some tips:
1. Use the Right lane. Most of my daily mileage is highway mileage and I see hundreds of cars each day. Folks, you need to drive in the right hand lane, PASS in the left lane. Too often people, and myself included as I forget, just set their cruise control and sail down the road in the left lane. That’s not safe. The left lane should be for passing or getting over so you can be safe when passing an emergency vehicle or someone stopped on the shoulder.
2. Keep A Safe Distance. This is a big one. It is imperative that you keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. Leading driving experts, including well as SmartMoterest.com, talk about the 3-second following distance rule. Driving at 65 MPH, your car travels almost 100 feet in one second. You need to keep almost 300 feet distance between you and the car in front of you in order to adhere to the 3-second rule. Your reaction time isn’t what you think it is- especially while driving at 65 (or maybe just a little more…). For more on the topic, please click here.
3. Use Your Mirrors. How many people do you know that do not use their 2 side or rear view mirrors? These 3 things are the BEST tools you have in your car. A quick glance backwards, and then to the left and right help keep you safe. Always knowing what’s going on around you is key to being a safe driver.
4. Have a Backup Plan. Your brain can do millions and millions of calculations per second and while you are driving you always need to be thinking one step ahead of the cars in front of you. Being a defensive driver is key. You always need to ask yourself “What if?” What if this guy merging comes over into my lane…where will I go? What if the car in front of me stops quickly, what will I do? Knowing your surroundings and playing a few what if scenarios in your mind as you travel will help keep you safe.
5. Focus. Nothing should be more important than what you are doing on the road. Your job is to get from point A to point B and do it safely. No phone call, no text message, and no one behind you is more important than your life. You need to focus on your task a hand. Everything else can wait till you are safely at your destination.
So there you have it. My 5 safe driving tips to making sure you arrive safe and sound at your destination. None are very difficult, but each one if followed can make a difference.
Another great resource to check out is Ford’s Driving Skills For Life. https://drivingskillsforlife.com/
Disclosure: I receive a fee for participating in certain promotional campaigns for Ford Motor Company. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
I remember, as a kid, car safety and seat belts were not the daily mantra like they are today. Heck, I still remember cars that just had lap belts and no shoulder belts. I think I still recall some that had no seat belts at all. Boy, does that date me. Growing up, we used to joke as a family that I was brought home from the hospital in the back of my parents Buick; just placing me all bundled up on the rear deck between the speakers and the back glass. At about age 7, my father would ask us if we were all buckled in, offering us a “bribe” of $1 if we were.
One very powerful childhood memory on the topic was a public service announcement on seat belt safety put on by Head Captain of the NY State Troopers. The gist of the ad was this: He said, “In the 25 years I have served on the force, I have never had to unbuckle a dead body.” Here I am, 30 plus years later and that commercial is still embossed in my mind. What a powerful message!
Fast forward to November 2014, there are many safety messages for new drivers, each more important than the next, but I want to remind you of most basic of all–seat belts. They are first line of safety in your car. You need to do that first, before you turn the ignition key, put the car into reverse and begin your journey. To quote the State Trooper seat belt ad mentioned above, “Seat belts: It’s Not Just a Good Idea, It’s the Law!”
To find the seat belt laws in your state, here’s a great page for your to reference from the Governors Highway Safety Association http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/seatbelt_laws.html
Another great resource to check out is Ford’s Driving Skills For Life. https://drivingskillsforlife.com/
Disclosure: I receive a fee for participating in certain promotional campaigns for Ford Motor Company. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
In a world of 24/7 news and social media communication, how should Toyota have handled their recent recalls that affected 2.3 million vehicles? Tommy and Lisa discuss crisis communications and examples of how companies have handled similar situations. What would be your advice to Toyota? #redshoesspeak
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