Teaching your teens about distracted driving hazards

Via MattarMedia - We have been blogging about distracted driving since last week. The statistics show that teens are not getting the message about how dangerous and deadly the consequences really can be.

There are so many distractions that drivers need to be aware of - music, eating, cell phones, other people in the car, etc. As parents, we need to take the time to talk to our teenagers about safe driving techniques. Have your teen take this quiz to see how much they really know about the hazards of texting while driving. Then have them watch the graphic texting while driving video.

Most importantly, as parents we need to model safe driving in our own vehicles. Practice what you preach.

Strange stories about distracted driving

Via MattarMedia - We hear a lot of talk in the media about the problem of texting and driving, or cell phone use and driving, but what about other types of distracted driving? Most of us have witnessed another driver doing something ridiculous, like applying makeup, eating, or navigating with a large road map, while driving. Why are so many Americans convinced that driving is a great time to show off their multi-tasking skills?

A local radio call-in show covered this topic a few weeks ago. Callers shared some outrageous stories regarding distracted driving. We have a highlighted a couple here:

One caller recalled a story about driving behind a car that was swerving all over the road. When he found an opportunity to safely pass the driver, he discovered that she was reading! She had a hardcover novel spread out on the steering wheel and was actively reading it.

Another caller told the audience about a time when they passed a car and saw that the driver was brushing his teeth - complete with toothbrush, a tube of paste and a bottle of water (for rinsing, of course).

Do you have a distracted driving story that you would like to share? We would love to hear it - feel free to comment below.

Distracted driving kills people every day. Moral of the story: Just wait until you get where you are going. The time "saved" isn't worth the risk taken.

Anyone up for a summer road trip?

Via MattarMedia - Summer is here and the kids are out of school. So, what does this mean for a lot of people this summer? Road trip!

Whether you're planning a one day trip or a cross country trek, it's best to plan ahead. To help you stay prepared and safely enjoy your getaway, we introduce our Road Trip Series. For the next couple of weeks, we will be blogging about various topics, including:

*Preparing Your Car
*WNY Road Trips
*Road Safety
*Games to Play in the Car

Check back for some useful travel information as we revv up our July Road Trip Series.

Stay prepared with an emergency kit in your car

Via MattarMedia - Hindsight is 20/20, and unfortunately, until we are faced with a calamitous situation, we don't think about being prepared for those events. After writing last week's Survival Series, we realized how unprepared we are to deal with those life-and-death scenarios and have decided to dedicate this post to correcting that.

Many retailers sell emergency car kits for around $25, but you can make one that's better suited to a variety of potential problems yourself. Grab a duffel bag and fill it with these items:

Basic First Aid Kit
Blanket
Cell phone charger (adapted for use in your car)
Center punch (to break the windows)
A couple bottles of water
Non-perishable food items (trail mix or granola bars)
Flashlight (with an extra set of batteries)
Candles (which give out a surprising amount of heat)
Matches (stored in a ziploc bag)
Multipurpose pocket tool (Swiss Army Knife)
Duct tape
Flares
Jumper cables
Tire inflator (such as Fix-A-Flat)
Anti-bacterial hand gel

Store the bag in your trunk for use in an emergency. If you already own a store bought kit, take a look at the contents and see if you should supplement in any of the items listed above.

It's also a good idea to have a second first aid kit under the driver's seat for easy access in the event that you can't get out of the vehicle. If you have a special medical condition, like diabetes or asthma, you should consider keeping a supply of your medication handy.

This list is a great start, but we recommend checking a few different sites and tailoring the kit to your needs.

"My car has plunged into a river!": What do you do in this worst-case scenario?

Via MattarMedia - Today we continue our Survival Series. If you missed Monday's blog post, we recommend checking it out now.

Today's scenario:

You swerve to avoid a dog in the road and lose control of your vehicle. Before you know what's happening, you have gone off the road and your car has plunged into a river. What is the first thing you should do (if possible):

1. Text for help.
2. Open your car window.
3. Try to kick out the windshield.
4. Change into your bathing suit.

Yes, we all want to look good at the beach, but this isn't the time to get "dolled up". How about #3, you ask? A car windshield is made of several layers of glass and would take too much effort to try to break.

So, now that we have eliminated #4 and #3 as options, the best choice (when possible) is #2. Your car window should be your primary escape route and if you are able to open your window and get out of the vehicle before it submerges completely, do so. At some point, your electric windows and doors will short out and you will lose the "window" of opportunity to open them.

If you are unable to open your window or your car has completely submerged under water, things get a bit trickier. The water pressure outside of the car will be extremely high and opening the door will be next to impossible. What you need to do is wait for the water pressure inside and outside of the vehicle to equalize, which means letting the interior of the car (almost) fill up with water. When the water reaches about neck level, you should be able to open your car door - or use something sharp to break a side window - and swim out.

When you escape from the vehicle, it's important to note the direction that the bubbles are going in. You can be surprisingly disoriented under the water and your car may have turned or flipped while sinking. The last thing you want to do is swim in the wrong direction.

Come back on Friday as we wrap up our Survival Series.