Driving Tests Around the World – Infographic

No one looks forward to their driving test; it’s something that strikes fear and nervousness in many. Nerves can even have a negative impact and cause the driver not to perform to the best of their abilities.

A driving test is sometimes pre-empted with a theory test to ensure that the driver understands and is familiar with the laws of the road. This is vital not only for the safety of the driver but also for other road users. At the end of the day, a vehicle is a moving weapon and needs to have someone controlling it carefully and with concentration.

This infographic from FA Wheels in the UK highlights some statistics about driving tests around the world and specifically sets out what it takes to get a license in some countries. Check it out…some of the facts may surprise you!

Getting a driver’s license does not guarantee that you will be safe on the road. Even experienced drivers can falter when driving. For new drivers, navigating the road can be risky since they’re bound to face several unexpected situations. In fact, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of U.S. teen deaths, finds Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System). And the problem is big enough.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2,163 U.S. teens aged between 16 and 19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2013. It also indicates that another 243,243 teens in the U.S. were admitted to the emergency departments for treating car crash related injuries in the same year. This means, almost six teens between 16 and 19 are killed daily in the country due to motor vehicle accidents.

CDC’s reports also suggest that although young people aged between 15 and 24 represent just 14% of the country’s population, they account for around $19 billion (30%) of the total costs related to motor vehicle damages among male population and $7 billion (28%) among females.

It is also found that young male drivers and passengers aged between 16 and 19 are mostly at risk; in fact, almost two times compared to their female counterparts. Car crash risk is extremely high for newly licensed drivers, particularly during the first months of their licensure. To help in this regard, this post presents a few tips that can make driving a relatively safer proposition for new drivers.

1. Get More Training

Even after you have passed your license test, you need to get more training to really start pulling away alone on a busy street. When you are preparing for your licensure and/or learning to drive, instructors usually show you the ropes in all possible conditions. But in real life you won’t be driving through quiet back streets but in busy towns and motorways. In addition, you will have to drive in bad weather as well as at night too. More often than not, you need to drive in less than favourable environments on a regular basis.

To be on the safer side, always opt for some further driving education workshops, either through your insurance company or a local safety organization. Completing advance level training helps you learn to drive on motorways, in busy towns, at night, in all kind of weather and in almost all sort of stressful environments that you are likely to experience in real life. It will not only help you become a better driver, these advance level training classes also help you find a cheaper insurance premium as they reduce your chances of getting involved in a car accident.

2. Follow the Safety Rules

No amount of training can help you on the road if you fail to follow the safety rules. And there are certain rules you must never break for you will not only be penalized for disobeying them if caught, they may even cost you your life. You should, for example, always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers  have buckled up before you start the car.

There are some other rules as well that you must always follow. These include:

• Never cross the speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit is one of the major reasons for teen car accidents as excess speed gives you less time to react or stop your car.
• Your windshield must also be clear as a dirty windshield will not only impair your visibility, light reflecting of them during sunrise and sunset can blind you momentarily.
• Never drink and drive. Driving under the influence is another reason for teen deaths in the U.S. You are not only putting your and your passenger(s) life at risk, but are also jeopardizing others on the road.
• Make sure the height of the headrest of your car is behind your head and not your neck. This will help you minimize whiplash, if you get into an accident.
• Stay away from distractions while you are driving. Distracted driving, which involves any other activities while driving that take your focus off the road, is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents in the country. A recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report found that distraction causes 58% of teen driver car accidents.

In addition, there are other safety rules you need to follow while on the road. In case you get involved into a motor vehicle crash, remember that the other parties involved in the crash will try to blame it on you even if they were at fault. And disobeying any of these rules and others will only give the opponent party’s car accident lawyers the much-needed opportunity they will be looking for to save their client’s skin.

3. Know Your Car

Before driving your new shiny car, take some time to get know it. Sit in your new car and turn it on and enjoy the feel. Take a look at the various buttons inside and learn about their functionalities. Where are the switches for your vehicle’s front and rear light or the hazard light? How do you switch on your corresponding warning lights? How do you turn your radio and GPS on/off?

You need to know these little things before you start driving down the street. In fact, you need to be absolutely sure about these features as activating/deactivating any of them in a hurry can take your focus away from the road, leading to an accident.

4. Take Care of the Blind Spot

Every time you turn right or change lanes, check your blind spot. This is the area that’s outside of your peripheral vision and your blind spot is a pretty large area where cars and bikes can lure undetected until it is too late. So whenever you are changing lanes or turning right, make sure you check your blind spot properly to avoid crashes.

Also, never drive in other driver’s blind spot. Not everyone is careful enough to practice defensive driving while on the road, but you can always put the onus on yourself and stay clear. For example, if you are driving to the right of and somewhat behind another car, the driver perhaps cannot see you.  In such situations

5. Your New Car is Your Friend

Enjoy your new car – it will be your buddy for a long time and you’ll have many adventures together and everyone remembers the their first car. As a new driver, you probably lack the experience but you can always be diligent to avoid accidents and unfavourable situations while behind the wheel. You’ll obviously want to keep your car in good shape for a long time, so following these tips mentioned above will help you save your life, your car and your money. Also, remain calm in frustrating situations as it is better to accept small delays than jeopardizing your life and those of others on the road with reckless driving.

Author Bio: Rachel Oliver is a thought leader in the field of Law. She is keen on gathering information and sharing her opinion on personal injury law, employment law and likes.

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Car Maintenance Checklist

“Using a Maintenance Checklist to Keep Your Car Safe: 6 Items to Check”

Eighty-four percent of vehicles on the road need parts or servicing, according to a 2014 Car Care Council survey. Performing routine maintenance checks on your car is the best way to avoid these issues and make sure you and your family stay safe on the road. Here is a checklist of some of the most important maintenance items you should maintain to keep your car safe.

1) Brakes

Maintaining your car’s braking system is the most vital part of keeping your vehicle safe, says Autos.com, which provides a comprehensive safety maintenance checklist. Bad brakes can cause you to slide into a car in front of you, into an intersection or off the road. You can do a simple check of your brakes by pumping them several times with the engine off until you feel the pedal become firm. You should be able to hold the pedal for 10 seconds without feeling movement. If you feel movement or softness, get your brakes checked.

2) Tires

Keeping your tires in good shape is vital to maintaining control of your vehicle on the road. Bad tires can cause you to skid or swerve, which can be especially dangerous in bad weather.

Begin your tire inspiration by checking the sidewalls for nicks or bulges. If your tires are worn, they need to be replaced. Finally, check the pressure with a gauge and inflate if necessary. Check your tires once a month or before you go on a long trip, and replace them at least once every 10 years.

3) Lights and Signals

Your lights and signals let other drivers know where you are and where you’re going. If these indicators are not working, another driver might not realize you’re about to turn, or they might miss you in the dark. A comprehensive check of your lights and signals should include your brake lights, front and rear blinkers, front and rear hazard flashers, rear reverse lights, side marker lights, and high and low beam headlights.

Find out why first-responders trust resqme in lifesaving emergencies…when seconds count

4) Fluids

Maintaining proper fluid levels will help you avoid mechanical problems. It will also keep you from getting stranded, which can become a safety issue in bad weather or driving in the desert. A general inspection of your fluid levels should cover your brake fluid, engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.

5) Electrical and Safety Systems

Checking your instrument panel can give you an early warning of issues such as engine problems. Check to make sure no warning lights are on, such as lights to check your engine or airbags. Make sure all dash and accessory lights work properly. You should also check safety features, which include your seatbelts and horn. If you have a small child, check the car seat.

6) Engine Issues and Other Items

The checklist covers the most essential safety maintenance items, but there are a number of other issues that come up periodically. For instance, if your engine isn’t running properly, you might need to pop the hood to give it a look. Items you can glance at include your radiator, belts, hoses and spark plug wires, among others.  Occasionally, engine valves may need maintenance. Most valves use nitrile-based seals. These can become brittle from long-term overheating, causing problems such as low lubrication or flooding. Eric the Car Guy demonstrates how you can do a compression test to check the condition of your valves. It’s a good way to get a baseline of the mechanical health of your engine.

Source: Ruth Ann Monti/Social Monsters. Ruth Ann provides copywriting and content development for all things webby. Her interests include content development and SEO topics and small business issues, including technologies that support them.

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Distracted driving is gaining attention as a serious issue and combine it with the epidemic of selfies behind the wheel and you have a potentially lethal combination. When you look at the statistics surrounding road traffic accidents and the fact that taking a selfie is considered to be more dangerous than drunk-driving, it soon becomes painfully clear that something needs to be done to address this problem.

The dangerous act of taking a selfie

There is a valid argument to suggest that taking a selfie whilst behind the wheel of your car is actually a more dangerous activity than driving your car whilst drunk, which is worrying as that is a pretty irresponsible act in its own right.

The problem of taking  selfies whilst driving is not necessarily confined to younger drivers, but according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, close to 20% of drivers aged under 35 years of age admitted to the act when questioned in a survey, compared to 9% overall. Whichever way you look at it, these figures can be considered alarmingly high.

Testing driver’s reactions

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) have provided a driver distraction fact sheet which highlights the inherent dangers of distracted driving due to the use of mobile phones in vehicles. In simple terms, a driver is distracted when they are trying to pay attention to a secondary activity rather than concentrating solely on ensuring they are driving their vehicle safely.

Just as simple to understand is the fact that despite our conviction to the contrary, most of us are not actually hardwired to safely multi-task and this is even more the case when the extra activity is considered time consuming or slightly complex. The extra demands placed on our attention such as the act of taking a selfie while driving, leads us to become less observant and make worse driving decisions, so our reactions are diminished. Simulator tests consistently back up this observation and show that our reactions are slower when we are driving distracted, therefore increasing our chances of being involved in an accident.

Selfies are just the beginning

Whatever your opinion of the act of taking a selfie in general, it seems that this form of distracted driving could be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to irresponsible behaviour behind the wheel.
A disturbingly high number of one in 12 motorists actually admitted to using Skype or FaceTime to video call someone while they were driving and an incredible seven percent of motorists surveyed by motoring organisations, admitted to watching TV behind the wheel.

With so many people seemingly willing to take selfies, send emails or even watch TV whilst trying to drive, it is not surprising that distracted driving incidents and accidents are currently on the increase, despite the clear dangers to the driver and fellow motorists.

By Danielle Estrella – Danielle Estrella works as a commercial driving instructor and always likes to take the chance to discuss hot topics like distracted driving with an online audience. She is a regular writer for a number of motoring-inspired websites.

Driving is a necessary activity, and the lifeline of a whole gamut of human activities. With the number of vehicle owners rising, as well as the number of accidents, it is essential to have responsible and efficient drivers on the road who ensure safety and risk- free roads for their selves and others. Excellent hand eye coordination, good judgment, sharp dimensional understanding, love for your vehicle and a genuine sensitivity towards others on the road are key attributes of a responsible and confident driver. But remember, driving is a skill that can constantly be bettered. So whether you are a new driver, or have a few decades behind the wheel, the following nine tips will be  helpful to you.

1) Keep Your Vehicle in Good Condition

Equipment failure is a major cause of road accidents. However, the car is not to be blamed. It is human error that the car was not checked properly. It is absolutely a must to get your car periodically checked, and ensure that all parts are in good condition. Keeping a vehicle in an impeccable condition is the foremost duty of a good driver. Vehicle engine, brakes, seat belts, headlights, tires, steering wheel, fog lights, and wipers should all be functioning properly.

Fragile and imperfectly fitting seat belts are a huge safety hazard. Seat belts diminish the impact of the collision on passengers and prevent thrusting out of the dashboard and windshield when there is a really heavy crash at high speeds. Seat belts have been known to save lives. Keeping your vehicle seat-belts in good conditions may prevent many unforeseen injuries. A responsible driver always wears his seat belt, and ensures that the other passengers are wearing them correctly as well before beginning to drive.

2) Avoid Speeding and Overtaking

Sure you may like speed, but speeding beyond the given limits and constant overtaking is the mark of a callous and careless driver. Thrill does not come before life. It has been established that speeding leads to maximum accidents. The greater the speed, the longer time and distance it takes to brake. The vehicle is also less under the driver’s control when the speeds are very high. On wet roads, the risk is double when you are speeding.

A responsible and confident driver always follows speed limits, and makes sure their speedometer is functioning properly. Being a confident driver is different than being overly confident and obsessively overtaking every vehicle on the road can result in a reckless driving charge.

3) Driving Under the Influence

Consumption of alcohol or drugs create changes in our body that basically make us unfit to drive. It slows or accelerates reactions to driving obstacles.  At the same time, alcohol affects coordination and the overall control over the vehicle. Sometimes you also tend to fall asleep behind the wheel. It’s a well-known fact – you cannot drive properly when you are intoxicated.

Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous. It is extremely risky for you (and others on the road) to drive in a drug induced state, and not to mention illegal. And if you thought we were just talking about the banned drugs, think again. Cough syrups, analgesics, and over-the-counter sedatives can be just as dangerous, causing drowsiness, vision problems and the like.

4) Be Cautious While Changing Lanes

Check your blind spots before changing lanes. It is easy to miss motorbikes and cyclists as they are not prominently seen. Also keep a lookout for emergency vehicles in general, and more so while changing lanes. They may operate without sirens or lights during the day but will be just as fast. Similar to overtaking a vehicle, don’t change lanes recklessly or unnecessarily.

5) Follow the Two-Second-Gap-Rule

A safe separation distance that takes a minimum of two seconds to meet must be established between you and the vehicle in front. Increase this gap in hazardous weather conditions. This is important to establish as this will prevent you from getting too close to the vehicle and simultaneously gives you more time and space to react in case something goes wrong.

6) Minimize Distractions

Many falsely believe that once you learn how to drive, you do not really need to concentrate on the task anymore. You can drive and call, text, read, smoke, and even type, right? Wrong. While you are indulging in all these activities, only half or probably even less of your attention is on driving. Driving requires unparalleled concentration at all times. You never know which vehicle suddenly turns or stops, where the road gets slippery or, the light gets dimmer, or a cyclist comes in from nowhere. When you’re in a state of semi concentration you might even press the accelerator instead of the brake.

All of these can be hugely dangerous. A responsible driver does not indulge in any distractions on the road. However, if you have unintentionally been doing the above, take a good reality check. The text message can wait, the food can wait; life lost is never retrieved. So minimize the distractions and pay attention to the roads and vehicles when you are driving.

7) Think of Others on the Roads

With your airbags, and the most modern safety systems in your car, you may be less vulnerable in case of an accident. But what about those who aren’t as well equipped to deal with them? Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are the most vulnerable on the roads. You have to take care of their safety as well when you are driving, especially at the roundabouts, and crossings.

8) Traffic Rules are for Your Security – Follow Them

Never trespass on footpaths or past closed-road crossings. Remember that traffic laws and road rules have been designed for a purpose. Many people have gotten into life-threatening situations because they drove their car past a closed-road warning sign. Keep in mind that during floods or road work, authorities will close road passings for good reason. You don’t want to subject yourself and those in your vehicle to mud slides or flood zones. If the sign says “Keep Out,” there will often be a detour route close by.

9) Take Notice of Directions and Read Maps Prior to Journey

While I swear by a GPS and its utility myself, I have realized that it does take my attention off the road sometimes. The best option is to take a good look at the map of where you need to go – before you even start your vehicle. If you are traveling very far, keep a tab on the GPS periodically. For detailed check ups, and direction, pull over to a safe place and take a good look.

How do you rate as a responsible and confident driver?

Patience, alertness, tactful maneuvering, and an overall sensitivity towards others on the road make a confident and responsible driver. However, while we do hope that drivers everywhere become more cautious, and aware of their driving rules and responsibilities, there is no denying that there is no dearth of reckless drivers either. If you or your loved one suffers or gets injured in a road accident in the Indiana area, take care of them and contact Indianapolis family law and personal injury lawyer.

How NASCAR Made Our Cars Safer

Daytona Speedway saw one of its most horrific crashes at the Coke Zero 400 in July when Austin Dillon’s car clipped the wall at the finish line and sailed into the crash fence, injuring five fans. Dillon walked away from the crash, but events like these are sobering reminders of how far we still have to go with auto safety—both in NASCAR and on the civilian streets.

An 850 horsepower NASCAR and the Toyota Camry you drive to work aren’t mutually exclusive when it comes to safety. Many of the technologies that keep us secure on America’s streets and highways started in a stock car lab, where engineers and crew members designed features to protect drivers under the most extreme conditions (and NASCAR has seen some very extreme conditions). That same engineering saved Austin Dillon’s life in July, and they could save yours in even the mildest collision.

1. Fuel Cells
Most people think fuel cells and relate it to something in science fiction, but fuel cells are nothing more than gas tanks, and they’ve come a long way. Until 1964, fuel cells were just welded metal containers that would leak after a crash and risk a fire or explosion. But when was the last time you saw a car catch fire after a crash, NASCAR or otherwise? Fuel cells are now reinforced with a rubber bladder and foam to absorb the shock of a crash and reduce the chance of leaks. After a series of fires from races in the early 60s, the metal gas tanks of the past were finally obsolete.

2. Tires
Blowouts were another issue plaguing drivers in the 1960s. They were even causing fatalities at high speeds, so designers at Goodyear went to work on an internal lining that would protect the walls of a tire and prevent blowouts at high speeds and during sharp turns. That same technology is now standard in even the cheapest tires we buy at the body shop and save possibly thousands of lives every year.

3. Better Seats
Your mid-size sedan may not have standard racing seats, but the comforts you take for granted started in racing. After NASCAR figured out how to make fuel cells and tires safer, they turned efforts to better seats. Drivers were experiencing terrible whiplash during collisions, and the mandatory padded head rest was born in the 70s and 80s (where it was greatly improved). Even the smallest fender bender can leave your neck in pain for weeks, and much of that is avoided with a simple head rest.

4. Crumple Zones
Baby boomers and older generations look back on the “golden age” of cars that were made with “real American steel” and not “plastic from China.” There’s no doubt that American classic cars are some of the most beautiful machines ever engineered, but they also got drivers killed.

“Crumple zones” are areas of the vehicle that classic car enthusiasts might label as cheap because its designed to, as the name suggests, crumple upon impact, absorbing as much shock as possible to protect the driver. NASCAR stock cars are surrounded by crumple zones to absorb high-impact crashes, and regular cars on the road use the same technology.

source: Social Monsters

Teach Your Teens About Cold Weather Driving

Autumn is here and the nation is cooling off. We’re falling off Daylight Savings Time (except in Arizona, Hawaii and most U.S. Territories), so it’s getting darker sooner, too. While many of us welcome cooler weather, you need to adjust your driving behavior and make sure your teen drivers are doing the same. Winter brings pretty much all the dangerous conditions for the roads: ice, sleet and snow. Throw in holiday shopping traffic and it’s quite a challenging mix.

Talk About Cold Weather Driving with Your Teens

Driving in cold weather is an experience that can’t be easily replicated, so you need to have a serious conversation with the younger drivers in your home.

You have already discussed the dangers posed by distractions, speeding and alcohol with your teens, but now it’s time to discuss the challenges posed by the end of Daylight Savings. Remind them that driving in the dark requires more concentration to see what’s out there and because roads start to freeze over when the sun goes down.

• They must drive more slowly when roads are icy or wet.
• Everyone must wear seat belts.
• Apply brakes sooner and more gently in icy conditions.
• Put more distance between the car and the vehicle in front of it.
• If they start to spin or slide, turn the wheel into the direction the car is going. It doesn’t sound right, but it’s the only way to get the car to straighten out.

Look Over Your Car With Your Teens

Before you take the car in for a seasonal tuneup, check it over yourself with your teens. DriveTime suggests a few basic things to review:

• Check wiper blades, which degrade more quickly in hot weather.
• Test your heater and defroster.
• Make sure there’s enough antifreeze.
• Verify all the lights are working, particularly backup and brake lights.
• Perform some basic battery and tire maintenance.

Once you have an idea about the shape your car is in and have done whatever maintenance you can on your own, schedule an oil change and tire rotation. Most shops do free checks on larger systems as well. Then show your kids the bill, so they understand the expenses associated with car maintenance.

Put Together a Car Emergency Kit

You should have basic emergency tools in your vehicle, even if you only drive locally. While you can buy kits online or at auto part stores, they often include items you have at home, such as a blanket, waterproof rain jacket, drinking water, duct tape, tools and flashlights. DMV.org lists 30 items you can easily put in a milk crate or sturdy box and put in your trunk. Buy items you don’t have at home, including charger cables, towing ropes, light sticks, emergency triangles and emergency instructions (you can download these from sites like the Red Cross and Popular Mechanics).

Review your first aid kit. If you haven’t checked yours since last year, pull it out and replace items that have frayed, melted or expired. Or buy one of our auto emergency kits for your teen driver today!

prepareme™ – Lifesaver Kits

Source: Social Monsters

Car Maintenance Checklist

Eighty-four percent of vehicles on the road need parts or servicing, according to a 2014 Car Care Council survey. Performing routine maintenance checks on your car is the best way to avoid these issues and make sure you and your family stay safe on the road. Here is a checklist of some of the most important maintenance items you should maintain to keep your car safe.

1) Brakes

Maintaining your car’s braking system is the most vital part of keeping your vehicle safe, says Autos.com, which provides a comprehensive safety maintenance checklist. Bad brakes can cause you to slide into a car in front of you, into an intersection or off the road. You can do a simple check of your brakes by pumping them several times with the engine off until you feel the pedal become firm. You should be able to hold the pedal for 10 seconds without feeling movement. If you feel movement or softness, get your brakes checked.

2) Tires

Keeping your tires in good shape is vital to maintaining control of your vehicle on the road. Bad tires can cause you to skid or swerve, which can be especially dangerous in bad weather.

Begin your tire inspiration by checking the sidewalls for nicks or bulges. If your tires are worn, they need to be replaced. Finally, check the pressure with a gauge and inflate if necessary. Check your tires once a month or before you go on a long trip, and replace them at least once every 10 years.

3) Lights and Signals

Your lights and signals let other drivers know where you are and where you’re going. If these indicators are not working, another driver might not realize you’re about to turn, or they might miss you in the dark. A comprehensive check of your lights and signals should include your brake lights, front and rear blinkers, front and rear hazard flashers, rear reverse lights, side marker lights, and high and low beam headlights.

4) Fluids

Maintaining proper fluid levels will help you avoid mechanical problems. It will also keep you from getting stranded, which can become a safety issue in bad weather or driving in the desert. A general inspection of your fluid levels should cover your brake fluid, engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.

5) Electrical and Safety Systems

Checking your instrument panel can give you an early warning of issues such as engine problems. Check to make sure no warning lights are on, such as lights to check your engine or airbags. Make sure all dash and accessory lights work properly. You should also check safety features, which include your seatbelts and horn. If you have a small child, check the car seat.

6) Engine Issues and Other Items

The checklist covers the most essential safety maintenance items, but there are a number of other issues that come up periodically. For instance, if your engine isn’t running properly, you might need to pop the hood to give it a look. Items you can glance at include your radiator, belts, hoses and spark plug wires, among others.  Occasionally, engine valves may need maintenance. Most valves use nitrile-based seals. These can become brittle from long-term overheating, causing problems such as low lubrication or flooding. Eric the Car Guy demonstrates how you can do a compression test to check the condition of your valves. It’s a good way to get a baseline of the mechanical health of your engine.

Source: Ruth Ann Monti/Social Monsters. Ruth Ann provides copywriting and content development for all things webby. Her interests include content development and SEO topics and small business issues, including technologies that support them.

For Donna Uzzi, the tragic death of her son, Anthony, in a car accident that flipped the vehicle into a canal, was a wake-up call to the threat of getting trapped in a car. Car entrapment in a submerged vehicle is a serious threat, however, it doesn’t get much attention. Whether it’s due to flood or car accident, seconds count when it comes to escaping your vehicle. As the anniversary of Anthony Almonte’s memorial approaches, we’d like to touch on the importance of sharing awareness about car entrapment and driver safety. Share this article with someone you love and get the word out.

Anthony Almonte

In the fall of 2009, Anthony, 17, was in the car with friends. While on the main road, the boys were involved in a car accident and hit a guard rail causing the posts to collapse and act as a ramp, which in turn, helped flip the car into the water of the canal. The car wound up upside down in the water. Only one of the boys was able to get out. The other three, including Anthony, were not saved in time.

“Before this accident, it never occurred to me that it would be so difficult to get out of your car when it’s under water,” Donna Uzzi said. “I am amazed how little people think of the possibility when it happens so often. Now I notice so many canals that are not properly protected by guard rails.”

Wanting to honor her son and prevent another parent from ever experiencing her same pain, Uzzi started Think First For Safety Corp. In this video, she shares with the audience the experience of what it is like to be trapped in a car and how difficult it is to maneuver in the dark.

Uzzi believes the resqme tool can help with her cause of not only spreading the world about submerged vehicle entrapment, but saving people’s lives if they find their selves in similar situations. “[The emergency response team ] ended up having to break the windows,” she said. “I know they ended up having to call for knives to cut the seatbelts.”

Despite the pain, Uzzi believes there is something valuable the public can learn from her son’s death. She continues to educate the community about teen driver safety awareness and safety on the road, in general.

“We all need to THINK, Together we can Help Inspire Necessary Knowledge,” said Uzzi. “Educate ourselves and save our loved ones. It is now my personal mission to make sure everyone has a resqme and knows what to do if they should ever find themselves trapped in a car.”

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Finally, share this article with someone and let’s get the word out about submerged vehicle entrapment and make safety your priority.

It’s widely known that speeding, drink-driving and failing to wear a seatbelt are all highly dangerous when behind the wheel, but just as potentially lethal is the failure of drivers to give their full attention to the road. Drivers who become distracted pose a danger not just to themselves, but to pedestrians and other road users, and with the rise of smartphones, people are becoming further inclined to take their focus away from where it should be.

Every year, more than 1.2 million people around the world are killed in car crashes or road traffic incidents. Did you know that driver behavior is responsible for nearly 90 percent of such crashes? Or that road traffic fatalities are projected to become a more common cause of death than HIV/AIDS, violence or all forms of cancer?

3 Main Categories of Distracted Driving

This infographic by Southside Motor Factors identifies the main categories of distracted driving, while pinpointing 8 common reasons as to why drivers dangerously divert their attention from the road – reasons such as 1) eating or drinking 2) changing the song on their iPod 3)taking a phone call 4) texting 5) applying cosmetics 6) sleeping 7) checking their social media profiles 8) and even slowing down to check out another accident.

The infographic is intended to call our attention to the factors that affect our attention while driving. If you are guilty of any of these distractions, or if you continue to engage in some of them, hopefully it will make you realize just how dangerous it can be. It’s better to lose one second of your life than to lose your life in one second.

Source: Southside Motor Factors