National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Issues Consumer Advisory for a Safe Summer Driving Season
Concerns about poor safety decisions behind the wheel and not paying attention to vehicle maintenance have prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a consumer advisory, including a list of the NHTSAS top safety tips for summer. The major concerns are distracted driving and improper tire inflation. Distraction is such a big problem that there is a website devoted to it: www.distraction.gov. The top tips are: Never leave children unattended in or near a vehicle, especially in hot weather when the temperatures inside a car can rapidly climb to deadly levels. Parents should make sure you know where your children are when moving a vehicle and pay particular attention when backing up. Always keep children, aged 12 and under, secured in age appropriate child restraints in the back seat where they are safest. Always buckle up, day and night and remember that law enforcement will be ticketing for seatbelt violations. Drinking and driving dont mix. To avoid fatigue and reduce stress, drivers should get plenty of rest the day before travel and leave plenty of time to get to their destinations. Check to see that your windshield wipers and all lights are working correctly. Check your vehicles oil and other fluids to make sure that they are at the proper levels. Distracted Driving: Talking or texting on cell phones are just two of the dangerous driver distractions that claimed nearly 6,000 lives across the U.S. in 2008 include talking or texting on cell phones, eating, drinking and using in-vehicle technologies. Distractions behind the wheel can become even more deadly when combined with crowded highways, rural roads and city streets clogged with summer travelers. If it is necessary to make a phone call, drivers should pull off the road to a safe location. Parents of teen drivers on school break should remind their teens that talking or texting behind the wheel is not worth the risk. Tire Inflation: Hot weather combined with underinflated tires or worn out tread are a recipe for disaster, especially when vehicles are loaded with family members and luggage. Motorists should make sure that tires are kept properly inflated and mind vehicle load limits during the hot summer months. Consumers can check tire inflation with an inexpensive gauge, and should consult their owners manual for the manufacturers recommended pressures. While tire condition is important for all vehicles, statistics show that it is especially critical for those vehicles more prone to rollover crashes, such as SUVs. Owners of these vehicles, particularly if the vehicles or tires are older, need to exercise special care with regard to tire inflation and tire condition in warm weather. The lawyers at Levine & Slavit have decades of experience handling personal injury claims including those involving auto accidents. For over 50 years spanning 3 generations, we have obtained results for satisfied clients. We have offices in Manhattan and Long Island, handling cases in New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and surrounding areas. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Levine & Slavit for their help. To learn more, watch our videos.
