October 1st-5th is Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW). This national campaign is sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) and encourages safe driving by employees while commuting to and from their workplace. Employers should encourage everyone to pay attention behind the wheel, obey speed limits, practice good defensive driving skills and stay educated on driving laws.
This year’s campaign “Your Decisions Drive Your Safety” focuses on Safely Parking and Backing, Setting Mirrors and Technology.
Tips for Safe Parking
- Back in, not out – It is safest to back into or pull through a parking space so your vehicle is facing out when it’s time to exit.
- Get the full picture – Have your mirrors properly adjusted for the best possible view.
- Get in straight – Once you’ve backed in, turn the wheel to straighten your tires so they are ready for you to drive out safely.
- Embrace the walk – Take advantage of pull-through parking spaces and walk the extra distance. Not only will your body benefit from the bonus physical activity, you’ll be less likely to get a door ding.
- Approach slowly – When pulling-through to a parking space, go slowly and be alert for other drivers coming from the opposite side. Then, exit with caution – go slowly and be aware of pedestrians and other vehicles. Moving slowly will also give others more time to see you.
- We’re all pedestrians – Remember, the moment your exit your vehicle, you become a pedestrian. Especially in parking lots, keep your head up and alert to your surroundings.
- If you MUST back out – Complete a vehicle walk-around to check for children and other objects before backing out. Once the walk-around is complete and all is clear, make your exit promptly and cautiously as conditions may change.
Tips for Preventing Backover Incidents
- Teach children not to play in or around cards and to move away from a vehicle when a driver gets in it or if the engine is started.
- Walk around and behind your vehicle prior to moving it.
- Roll down your windows while backing out of a driveway or parking space so you can hear what is happening outside of your vehicle.
- Know where your kids are. Make children move away from your vehicle to a place where they are in full view before moving the car.
- Be aware that steep inclines and large SUV’s, vans and trucks add to the difficulty of seeing behind a vehicle.
Setting your Mirrors
- To set your mirrors, sit in the normal driving position with the vehicle safely parked.
- Center the rearview mirror and then adjust the left and right side-view mirrors until you can slightly see the edge of the rear of your vehicle in the mirror.
- This mirror adjustment will enable you to see adjoining traffic lanes, as well as hazards next to the vehicle.
Technology Saves Lives
- The combination of a review camera, rear cross-traffic alert/sensors and rear autobrake is reducing backing crashes reported to police by 78%.
- 62% fewer backing crashes with rear automatic braking
- 22% fewer backing crashes with rear cross-traffic alert
- 17% fewer backing crashes with rearview cameras
Check out campaign materials & graphics here – http://trafficsafety.org/road-safety-resources/parking-and-backing-basics/parking-and-backing-basics-campaign-materials-graphics/.
