Tips For Safer Memorial Day Travel

HOUSTON, TEX. — Memorial Day is fast approaching, which means millions of motorists will be hitting the road as America ushers in the start of the summer travel season. And with more and more vehicles jockeying for position on the nation’s heavily traveled highways this holiday weekend, the need for safety has never been greater.

The fact is, driving smart and safe can be simple. All it takes is a little know-how. Shell Oil Company, which has national headquarters in Houston, Texas, has compiled a list of tips designed to help drivers avoid accidents and make sure this Memorial Day weekend is as safe and enjoyable as possible. These easy-to-follow tips are taken from the Count On Shell series of safety booklets, which address six specific driving issues: hazards on the road; driving with children; how to handle an accident; keeping safe while driving alone; keeping safe during roadside emergencies; and how to safely share the road with trucks, trains, and motorcycles. The booklets are available at more than 9,000 Shell stations in 39 states. The booklets can also be obtained by calling 800/376-0200 or by visiting Shell’s web site at www.countonshell.com.

1. If your tire blows out, don’t slam on the brakes. You could lose control completely.

Instead, take your foot off the gas and concentrate on staying in your lane. Slow down gradually and pull off the road to a safe location.

2. If your car starts to skid, take your foot off the gas pedal and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

3. If you are involved in an accident, stay calm, move out of traffic, and find a safe place to wait for the police and emergency crews. Sometimes the safest place to be is in your car.

Warn other motorists by turning on your flashers and raising your hood or trunk, and watch for traffic, fire, and wires. Also, turn off the ignition of all vehicles.

4. When transporting children, always use seatbelts. Properly used, child safety belts are life preservers. They reduce the risk of death to infants by 69 percent, and that of toddlers by 47 percent.

More than 1,000 children die every year because they are not buckled in.

5. The safest place in the car for children is the back seat – in the center, if you have center belts – and in an appropriate vehicle seat. The general rule is that the greater the distance from the point of impact, the greater the protection.

6. If you come upon an accident, pass well beyond the scene and out of harm’s way.

7. If emergency crews are racing to a crash ahead of you, pull over to let them safely pass. Also, do not assume the first ambulance or police car you see will be the only one. Watch for other emergency vehicles following closely behind the first.

8. Prevent driver fatigue on long trips by: avoiding night travel, as the glare of the lights outside and from the dashboard increases the chance of highway hypnosis; keeping the car temperature cool; snacking frequently; and taking frequent breaks.

9. To help avoid being cut off, make sure you are not driving in another driver’s blind spot. Glance into their rearview mirror. If you can’t see their face, assume they can’t see you.

10. When following trucks, do not tailgate. Trucks typically cannot see anything less than 30 feet behind the trailer.

Stay 100 or 250 feet back or follow the four-second rule: If you pass the same fixed point as a truck before reaching the count of four, you are following too closely. And when passing a truck, change lanes only when you can see both of the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror.

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