Focus on Driver Safety
If you stop and think about it….driving a car is quite a complicated process. Once we’ve adjusted the mirrors and put the wheels in motion, navigating through the streets and by other vehicles to our destination can be quite challenging. 
Distractions outside our cars are difficult enough, but distractions inside the car can be just as dangerous as what goes on in the world around us.
In Scottsdale, there were 18 fatal crashes at major intersections over the last two years.
- 12 of the 18 fatal crashes were either on Scottsdale or Hayden roads
- The majority of these crashes occurred in the northern part of the city where speed was a factor in the crash
Keep it simple. Be aware of your surroundings and stay focused on driving. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you get behind the wheel.
- Wear Your Seat Belt – every passenger should buckle up (this includes kids and pets too!)
- Use Your Turn Signals – it communicates to other drivers your intentions and gets you to where you’re going safely.
- Drive the Posted Speed Limit – it’s the law. Avoid a costly citation and a potential increase in your insurance premiums.
- Don’t Trust Anybody – we all make mistakes. Keep your eyes peeled for inattentive drivers and leave plenty of room between you and the other car so you don’t become a traffic collision statistic.
- Red Means Stop – running red lights is dangerous for everyone.
- Pay Attention – this means no eating, drinking, changing the radio station, talking on the cell phone, texting your friends, disciplining your children, arguing with your spouse, putting on make up or reading the paper while you’re driving.
- Pay Closer Attention at Intersections – the majority of collisions occur at intersections with traffic signals. As you approach an intersection, make sure you look left, then right, then left again. This will give you a better picture of the surrounding area and give you a heads up for pedestrians, bicyclists and others who are also trying to cross the intersection safely.
- Yield to Pedestrians – especially at intersections; whether they are in a crosswalk or not.
- Share the Road with Bicyclists – allow them room to maneuver around hazards in the road and never park or stop your car in a bike lane. When passing a bicyclist, give at least three feet of room between your vehicle and the cyclist – it’s the law.
- Don’t Drink and Drive – enough said.
Focus on Safety…your life depends on it!
