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Watch Your Speed: Operation Safe Driver
Speeding alone has caused more than one-quarter of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents in the last decade, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Prepare for the presence of law enforcement. Follow these six best practices and take a giant step toward avoiding warnings, citations or accidents on the road every week of the year.
1. Drive under the posted speed limit. Excessive speed is the most frequent driver-related crash factor in CMVs and passenger cars, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
2. Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t use a cell phone while driving; avoid distractions like eating or changing radio stations. Distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
3. Wear your seatbelt. It’s the law in all 50 states. Seatbelts save nearly 15,000 lives each year on average, says NHTSA.
4. Avoid alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving alone caused 12,429 deaths in 2023, says NHTSA.
5. Check your aggression. Law enforcement officers will look for tailgating, improper lane changes, improper passing and other aggressive driving behaviors. And remember to always drive defensively.
6. Follow the rules of the road. Watch for work zone speed limits, stop signs and stoplights, pedestrian crossings and other traffic control devices, and always obey them.