Chicago, IL – August 28, 2012 – With
Labor Day weekend approaching, millions of drivers will begin taking to the
road and the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB)
advises drivers to practice safe driving to avoid potential accidents.
According to an AAA travel survey, it is forecasted
that 33 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the
Labor Day holiday weekend, a 2.9 percent decrease from the 31.2 million people
who traveled one year ago.
The National
Safety Council has released traffic fatality information for the upcoming
Labor Day weekend, estimating across the country 368
traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries will
occur.
“We all look forward to celebrating with family and friends this Labor Day
weekend, but it’s vital to practice safe, effective travel when going to your
special events,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business
Bureau serving Chicago and Illinois. “By planning ahead and being a
conscientious driver, everyone can enjoy a safer weekend, especially while on
the road.”
The BBB provides the following safety tips for traveling:
Before You Go:
·
Create
a car safety kit. Bad weather can lead to accidents, car troubles,
long delays and road closures. Basics for the kit include: a blanket,
flashlight with extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable
foods like granola bars and nuts, bottled water, family medicine and emergency
telephone numbers.
·
Take
the car in for a checkup. If your car is due for a checkup, take it
in before making that long haul. At the very least, check the car’s fluid levels,
wipers and tire pressure. Check the condition of your tires and make sure they
are properly inflated.
·
Know
the weather. Check local websites for traveling information
for states you may be traveling through to allow extra time for bad weather.
·
Check your
gadgets. Charge your cell phone and make sure your GPS is running properly.
·
Get
some rest. Tired drivers are a hazard to themselves, those
in their vehicle and often fatal or devastating mistakes can be made to other
drivers on the road.
On The Road:
·
Buckle up. Make sure everyone is properly
buckled up and that young children are in age appropriate safety seats, and are
properly secured.
·
Remember the rules of the road. Don’t tailgate and remember the three-second
rule when following vehicles. Don’t rely just on mirrors when changing
lanes; turn around to check your blind spot. Obey all traffic signals.
·
Watch your speed. Law enforcement will be out to
ensure everyone is obeying all speed limits and laws.
·
Don’t drink and drive.
·
Don’t text and drive. When behind the wheel, pull over
if you have to do anything that would take your full concentration off of driving.
·
Keep an eye out for emergency
vehicles. When
you see an emergency vehicle’s lights flashing, slow down and pull over. If you
want to help, it would be best to call 911 and report the accident.
·
Use caution. Drive defensively and exercise
caution, especially during inclement weather.
·
Keep the BBB with you on the road. The BBB has a free app for
iPhones on iTunes. Look for “bbbsearch” to receive this free service in
the App Store. For those who do not have this app, visit www.bbb.org
Get
The Most From Your Gas:
- Monitor your speed. Stay
within posted speed limits - gas mileage decreases at speeds above 60 miles
per hour.
- Don’t frequently start and
stop. Improve your mileage up to 5% by avoiding
quick starts and stops.
- Avoid unnecessary idling.
Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
- Make the most of highway
time. Use overdrive gears or cruise control when
appropriate to improve highway fuel economy.
- Don’t carry extra weight. Remove
items from your trunk; an extra 100 pounds can reduce fuel economy by up
to 2%. Remove
items on top of your car; wind resistance reduces fuel economy by 5%.
For more information on keeping yourself and others safe
on the road, visit www.bbb.org
###
As a private, non-profit organization, the
purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace.
BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation
and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices
and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reviews on businesses
and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or
charity before making a purchase or donation.
