CAA Saskatchewan wants you to be safe on the roads this summer.
"Planning ahead and staying attentive are key factors to staying safe on the road," says Lisa Wilson-Sturm, Director of Communications for CAA Saskatchewan. "SGI statistics show that driver distraction and inattention is responsible for about 25 percent of all collisions on Saskatchewan roads."
Tips for summer driving include planning ahead. This means keeping your vehicle in good operating condition. If travelling a fair distance to chart your route in order to gauge distances and time it will take to get from point A to point B. Before departing check if there will be delays along the way due to road construction, being informed makes for a less stressed driver who is attempting to be somewhere at a certain time.
Children tend to have shorter attention spans and may have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Keep them entertained by bringing along games, books, and other activities for them to partake in. Ensure child safety seats are installed properly and seatbelts are used by all in the vehicle.
It is a good idea to have, during both the summer and winter, an emergency vehicle kit. The kit should include a variety of items: flashlight, booster cables, first-aid kit, flares, drinking water, etc... Pre-made kits are available through various stores and through CAA. They are normally sold as a winter driving kit, but many of the items are useful year round.
Key to driving during the summer is to stay alert. Often staying up for most of the night around a campfire will result in a tired driver. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before you depart to keep from falling asleep behind the wheel. Taking short breaks to stretch your legs and rest is important. It is also suggested to spend the night somewhere as opposed to driving straight through. If tired it is difficult to stay awake during the day let alone at night.
It is very important to reduce any distractions while driving: reading a map, making a phone call or text, smoking, tending to children, and eating are all things to do while at a rest stop. Keeping volume of music low and having preset the stations before leaving is important. Also, avoid changing CD's while driving.
Finally an extremely important rule of the road is to slow down. Remember to obey the designated speed limit not only to help improve your safety, but to save money at the gas pumps. CAA also wants to remind drivers to abide the speed limit of 60 km/hr when passing tow trucks, emergency vehicles, and when passing construction crews.
"Of course, don't drink and drive," says Wilson-Sturm. "According to SGI, drinking and driving remains the number one contributing factor in fatal collisions in the province. CAA Saskatchewan urges drivers to be responsible and stay sober behind the wheel."
