Be Aware of Your Surroundings While Driving
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”3651″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
Now That Spring is Here, Drivers Need to be Aware of Their Surroundings
Spring is here, which means people are getting out and enjoying the nice weather. Spring is an important time for drivers to be cautious of outside surroundings such as children and pets. Although many children are taught to look both ways before going on the road, they often dart on the road without paying attention. Pets, such as dogs, are also out more now that the weather is nice and will run freely when given the chance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Children who Dart Onto the Road and the Risk for Drivers
Most parents teach their children to look both ways before going on the road, or not to go on the road at all without a parent present. However, spring is the time when children are excited to be outside playing, and in the moment children may not listen to what their parents taught them. Young children can have a difficult time making a safe judgment, so they are at risk for being hit by drivers. A good tip for drivers is to be cautious of children outside of school hours and on the weekend, which is when children are going to be out the most.
Children are small, and drivers can have a difficult time seeing them when they are backing out of a driveway. It is vital for drivers to look behind their car when they are in reverse, drivers should not rely on a rear view mirror to ensure the back of the car is free from children.
Pets on the Road
Pets, especially dogs, love to run and play. Most pet owners get their pets out and about during the spring season. Pets, such as dogs, can get overly excited and pull away from their owners or escape from a fenced yard. It is nearly impossible to teach a dog to stay off of the road, so they are at a high risk for being struck by drivers.
Pets can appear from nowhere and give drivers little chance to avoid hitting them, so it is crucial that drivers keep their eyes on the road at all times. There are many people who think they can multitask when driving, but this increases the risk for striking a pet. Below are tips, which are taught in driving school, that can help drivers avoid hitting both children and pets.
Stay off of Cell Phones
Cell phones are extremely dangerous for drivers. According to Distraction.gov, a driver using a cell phone is as dangerous as a driver who is intoxicated. Drivers education teaches students to stay off of cell phones while driving, which will keep drivers fully focused on the road and their surroundings. If a driver is on a cell phone, then it can be hard for him to spot a child or pet darting on the road and can result in a pet or child being hit and injured.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road at all Times
It is also important for drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times, which keeps drivers alert of their surroundings. Although most drivers think they can safely perform tasks while driving, such as applying makeup, looking for something in the car, or even changing the radio station, the fact is they are not practicing safe driving habits. If drivers need to perform a task that takes their eyes off the road, then they should pull over.
Follow the Speed Limit and Watch out For Cautionary Signs
Neighborhoods often have cautionary signs that warn drivers of children playing in the area. Drivers should look out for these signs and always follow the speed limit. When an area is heavily populated with children and pets, there is often a slower speed limit. If drivers are following the speed limit, then they can brake easier and avoid hitting a child or pet that darts on the road.
Spring is the season when children and pets come out of hibernation. They want to be outside and enjoy the weather. Children can lack safe judgment and make decisions that can put them in danger, which can include darting on the road to retrieve a ball. Pets have no sense of the dangers that can come from darting on the road. To ensure drivers are aware of their surroundings, they should be free from distractions, follow the speed limit, and keep their eyes on the road at all times.
If you are a new driver or a teen, then enrolling in a drivers education class can be beneficial. The information that is taught at drivers school can ensure new drivers learn how to drive safely and confidently with hands-on experience. Driving school teaches students how to avoid hitting pets or children and the risk that drivers take when they do not take cautionary measures.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Frequently asked questions
Why are kids more likely to dart into the road in spring?
Once the weather warms up, more children are outside playing, riding bikes, and chasing balls into the street. Young kids are still developing the judgment to gauge speed and distance, so even children who have been taught to look both ways may forget in the excitement of play. Spring evenings, weekends, and the hours right after school let out are the highest-risk times. Slow down in neighborhoods, watch for kids between parked cars, and never assume a child has seen you just because they are facing your direction.
How can I avoid hitting a child or pet when backing out of my driveway?
Children and pets are short, and rearview mirrors alone do not cover the blind zone directly behind your vehicle. Before getting in the car, walk around the back to confirm the area is clear. Once you are in the driver's seat, use your backup camera if you have one, but also turn your head and look over your shoulder through the rear window. Back out slowly, tap the horn lightly if you live on a busy block, and stop the moment you lose sight of the area behind your car. Many residential backover crashes happen at speeds under five miles per hour.
Is using a hands-free cell phone safer while driving?
Hands-free is legal in many places, but it is not the same as distraction-free. Distraction.gov has compared cell phone use behind the wheel to driving while intoxicated because the cognitive load pulls your attention off the road even when your hands are on the wheel. A driver mid-conversation is less likely to notice a child running after a ball or a dog darting from a yard. Top Driver instructors recommend keeping phone calls for after you arrive. If you absolutely have to take a call, pull into a parking lot first.
What should I do if I need to change the radio or look at my phone while driving?
If a task pulls your eyes off the road for more than a second or two, it is too long. Either set up the music, navigation, and climate controls before you put the car in drive, or pull over to a safe spot to handle it. At highway speeds, two seconds of looking away covers more than a football field of distance with no eyes on the road. New drivers are particularly vulnerable because they have not yet built the muscle memory to adjust controls by feel.
How does the speed limit affect my reaction time around kids and pets?
Lower speed limits in residential neighborhoods, school zones, and parks exist because braking distance increases dramatically with speed. At 20 mph, a typical car can stop in roughly 40 feet from the moment the driver sees a hazard. At 35 mph, that same stop takes closer to 100 feet. A child or pet that darts out from behind a parked car gives you only a fraction of a second to react. Watch for yellow caution signs warning of children, school zones, and pedestrian crossings, and obey the posted limit even when the street looks empty.
What are the most important habits for staying aware of your surroundings?
Top Driver teaches three habits that cover most situations: keep your eyes moving and scanning ahead, to the sides, and in your mirrors every few seconds; eliminate distractions before you start moving, especially phones and loose items in the cabin; and adjust your speed to the conditions, including weather, lighting, and how many people or pets are likely to be near the road. Combining these habits gives you the time and information you need to react to the unexpected, which is the most common cause of residential crashes.
