Much of the current misunderstanding over the left lane stems from the 55 mph national speed limit that was enacted in 1974, according to the National Motorists Association (NMA), a grassroots drivers’ alliance that lobbies for traffic regulations and safety issues. Before this, passing on the left was an unwritten rule of the road, but after the speed limit was enacted, drivers believed that if they were maintaining the posted speed limit then they could chill anywhere. “Because the speed limit was too low, drivers trying to pass weren’t allowed to and it caused a lot of problems, and it still does,” says Shelia Dunn, Communications Director of the NMA.
Reserving the left lane only for passing other cars—known as “lane courtesy”—reaps surprising benefits, however. Here’s why you should reserve your left-lane use for passing only.
Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Sunday, May 24, 2009
defensive driving
DON’T SPEED
According to the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), speeding is a
factor in about one-third of all fatal
crashes, which kill more than 1,000
Americans every month. In 2006, more
than 13,500 people died in fatal
crashes.
The faster you drive, the more likely
you are to die if you’re involved in a
crash. “Your vehicle’s safety features
and devices, such as air bags and safety
belts, are designed to protect you in the
event of a collision at speeds under 50
mph,” Solomon says. “But at higher
speeds, the force of the collision is
more dangerous to your body.”
Between 50 and 60 mph, your risk of
death from a collision is double what it
is at less than 50 mph. At 70 mph, the
risk of death doubles again. At 80
mph, it doubles again, and at 90 mph,
it doubles yet again.
OBEY THE THREE-SECOND RULE
Always leave plenty of room between
you and the vehicle in front of you. The
NSC recommends that you follow the
three-second rule, which provides a
cushion of space between your car and
the one in front of you. When that
vehicle’s rear bumper passes a stationary
object, such as a road sign, tree or
telephone pole, begin counting “onethousand-
and-one, one-thousand-andtwo,
one-thousand-and-three.” You
should be able to finish counting before
your front bumper crosses that same
point. “Add another second for each
deteriorating road condition, like snow,
rain, ice or fog,” Solomon says.
BEWARE OF TAILGATERS
When someone tailgates you, they’re
putting you at risk. The worst thing you
can do is contribute to the situation.
“Tailgating is aggressive driving,”
Solomon says. Don’t tap the brakes or
flash your lights. Doing so might make
the tailgater angry, and he or she might
pass you and cut you off, or worse.
Instead, let the car pass you, increase
your following distance and steer clear.
The tailgater is likely to tailgate the
vehicle in front of you. If that driver
reacts by braking quickly, you’ll need
extra stopping distance.
DRIVE IN THE PROPER LANE
When driving on the freeway, the left
lane is for passing. If you’re in the left
lane traveling the speed limit and cars
behind you want to pass, move to the
right and let them. If you don’t, they’ll
pass you on the right and possibly cut
back in front of you, increasing the
chances of an accident.
“Remember, on the freeway it’s
about survival, it’s not a contest; let
them go,” Solomon advises. “Your job
is not to be the police or to teach others
how to drive.”
Also try to avoid stopping on the left
shoulder in emergency situations.
“You’re only inches away from the left
lane and the fastest-moving cars on the
road,” Solomon warns. Instead, try to
move to the right, pulling off to the
right shoulder as far away from traffic
as possible.
DON’T GET DISTRACTED
A distraction is anything that diverts
your attention from the road, which
can include eating, reaching for something,
smoking, adjusting an iPod or
putting in a CD. According to the AAA
Foundation for Traffic Safety, inatten-
tive driving is a factor in more than 1
million crashes in North America
every year, and drivers are doing something
potentially distracting more than
15 percent of the time.
Cell phone use is one of the biggest
driving distractions. If you need to
make or take a call or text a message,
pull off the road. Better yet, turn off
your cell phone while you drive so you
won’t be tempted to answer calls.
“Using a cell phone while driving is
the equivalent, in terms of mental
impairment, of a blood-alcohol level
of .08,” Solomon says. “And if you’re
texting while driving, you’re as mentally
impaired as if you were on
cocaine.”
- GEICO DIRECT, Spring 2009
According to the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), speeding is a
factor in about one-third of all fatal
crashes, which kill more than 1,000
Americans every month. In 2006, more
than 13,500 people died in fatal
crashes.
The faster you drive, the more likely
you are to die if you’re involved in a
crash. “Your vehicle’s safety features
and devices, such as air bags and safety
belts, are designed to protect you in the
event of a collision at speeds under 50
mph,” Solomon says. “But at higher
speeds, the force of the collision is
more dangerous to your body.”
Between 50 and 60 mph, your risk of
death from a collision is double what it
is at less than 50 mph. At 70 mph, the
risk of death doubles again. At 80
mph, it doubles again, and at 90 mph,
it doubles yet again.
OBEY THE THREE-SECOND RULE
Always leave plenty of room between
you and the vehicle in front of you. The
NSC recommends that you follow the
three-second rule, which provides a
cushion of space between your car and
the one in front of you. When that
vehicle’s rear bumper passes a stationary
object, such as a road sign, tree or
telephone pole, begin counting “onethousand-
and-one, one-thousand-andtwo,
one-thousand-and-three.” You
should be able to finish counting before
your front bumper crosses that same
point. “Add another second for each
deteriorating road condition, like snow,
rain, ice or fog,” Solomon says.
BEWARE OF TAILGATERS
When someone tailgates you, they’re
putting you at risk. The worst thing you
can do is contribute to the situation.
“Tailgating is aggressive driving,”
Solomon says. Don’t tap the brakes or
flash your lights. Doing so might make
the tailgater angry, and he or she might
pass you and cut you off, or worse.
Instead, let the car pass you, increase
your following distance and steer clear.
The tailgater is likely to tailgate the
vehicle in front of you. If that driver
reacts by braking quickly, you’ll need
extra stopping distance.
DRIVE IN THE PROPER LANE
When driving on the freeway, the left
lane is for passing. If you’re in the left
lane traveling the speed limit and cars
behind you want to pass, move to the
right and let them. If you don’t, they’ll
pass you on the right and possibly cut
back in front of you, increasing the
chances of an accident.
“Remember, on the freeway it’s
about survival, it’s not a contest; let
them go,” Solomon advises. “Your job
is not to be the police or to teach others
how to drive.”
Also try to avoid stopping on the left
shoulder in emergency situations.
“You’re only inches away from the left
lane and the fastest-moving cars on the
road,” Solomon warns. Instead, try to
move to the right, pulling off to the
right shoulder as far away from traffic
as possible.
DON’T GET DISTRACTED
A distraction is anything that diverts
your attention from the road, which
can include eating, reaching for something,
smoking, adjusting an iPod or
putting in a CD. According to the AAA
Foundation for Traffic Safety, inatten-
tive driving is a factor in more than 1
million crashes in North America
every year, and drivers are doing something
potentially distracting more than
15 percent of the time.
Cell phone use is one of the biggest
driving distractions. If you need to
make or take a call or text a message,
pull off the road. Better yet, turn off
your cell phone while you drive so you
won’t be tempted to answer calls.
“Using a cell phone while driving is
the equivalent, in terms of mental
impairment, of a blood-alcohol level
of .08,” Solomon says. “And if you’re
texting while driving, you’re as mentally
impaired as if you were on
cocaine.”
- GEICO DIRECT, Spring 2009
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
new rules of the road
Old habit: Set your outside mirrors so you can see the sides of your car.
New rule: Adjust the mirrors outward so the sides of the car are just outside your view, advises John McElroy. This greatly reduces or eliminates blind spots.
[from State Farm 2003] By properly adjusting your side-view mirrors and continuing to use your rear-view mirror you can reduce the 'blind spot.' For the driver-side mirror, place the left side of your face against the inside drivers side window, and set the mirror so you can just see the lst side of your car. For the passenger-side mirror, sit in the center of the front seat (if your car has bucket seats, lean to get your head as close to the center of the front seat (if your car has bucket seats, lean to get your head as close to the center of the windshield as possible) and set the mirror so you can just see the right side of your car. If you have adjusted your mirrors properly, you won't be able to see either side of your car in the mirrors while driving.
[1/11/09 starbulletin] Adjust the driver’s seat to the correct position. Lean your head and torso over to the left until your head contacts the window glass. I know, that seems too far. But trust me. Now, adjust the left-side mirror outward until you can barely see your own fender in it. Next, lean over to the right a similar distance, and adjust the right-side mirror so you can just see your own rear fender. Sit up straight. Your mirrors are now set to allow you to see other cars in your blind spot. You won’t need to swivel your neck around to be aware of traffic hiding at 60 mph right beside you. And the interior mirror will still let you see the traffic directly behind.
New rule: Adjust the mirrors outward so the sides of the car are just outside your view, advises John McElroy. This greatly reduces or eliminates blind spots.
[from State Farm 2003] By properly adjusting your side-view mirrors and continuing to use your rear-view mirror you can reduce the 'blind spot.' For the driver-side mirror, place the left side of your face against the inside drivers side window, and set the mirror so you can just see the lst side of your car. For the passenger-side mirror, sit in the center of the front seat (if your car has bucket seats, lean to get your head as close to the center of the front seat (if your car has bucket seats, lean to get your head as close to the center of the windshield as possible) and set the mirror so you can just see the right side of your car. If you have adjusted your mirrors properly, you won't be able to see either side of your car in the mirrors while driving.
[1/11/09 starbulletin] Adjust the driver’s seat to the correct position. Lean your head and torso over to the left until your head contacts the window glass. I know, that seems too far. But trust me. Now, adjust the left-side mirror outward until you can barely see your own fender in it. Next, lean over to the right a similar distance, and adjust the right-side mirror so you can just see your own rear fender. Sit up straight. Your mirrors are now set to allow you to see other cars in your blind spot. You won’t need to swivel your neck around to be aware of traffic hiding at 60 mph right beside you. And the interior mirror will still let you see the traffic directly behind.
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