With Americans logging more than 3.25 million miles behind the wheel each year, driving is an everyday part of life. And while you’re probably already aware of the importance of motor vehicle safety, wearing a seatbelt and the dangers of impaired driving, did you know that there are other hazards you might be subjecting yourself to while traveling in a vehicle?
From hair accessories to footwear, read on to learn about some of these lesser-known motor vehicle safety risks and steps you can take to keep yourself and your passengers safe.
1. AVOID CLAW CLIPS AND OTHER PLASTIC HAIR ACCESSORIES
Claw clips are a popular hair accessory that rose to popularity in the 1990s but have reemerged as regular accessories over the past few years. They get their name from the two rows of teeth on either side of a clamp that together form a “claw.” But wearing them may not be the best way to insure safe driving.
After numerous accidents drove claw clips into the back of the head of the driver wearing them, videos warning of the danger of wearing claw clips while driving circulated on TikTok.
O danger isn’t limited to claw clips either. Any other hard or large hair accessory or having sunglasses balanced on the top of your head.
2. KEEP YOUR SHOES ON WHILE DRIVING
Are you currently thinking, “Wait, isn’t it illegal to drive barefoot?” The belief that driving without wearing shoes is against the law is a common urban myth that’s persisted for decades, but driving without shoes has actually never been illegal in Massachusetts (or any other U.S. state for that matter). Even though it isn’t illegal to drive barefoot, it is still considered dangerous and isn’t ideal for motor vehicle safety. Driving without anything on your feet can feel strange and can lead to issues—if your feet are wet they can slip off the pedal and the pressure applied by a shoe is different than by a bare foot.
“It requires you to put more pressure on the pedals than you usually do when wearing shoes, says Laura Adams, a safety and education analyst at DriversEd.com. “That could affect your braking time, putting you at risk.”
3. SECURE METAL DRINKING CONTAINERS
Reusable water bottles do a lot of good for the world; they reduce the use of plastic and serve as friendly reminders to drink more water. But when placed loosely on a seat instead of being secured in a cupholder, stainless steel water bottles can easily become a dangerous projectile during a sudden stop or car accident.
A vehicle moves with a lot of force. When a car comes to an abrupt stop, passengers continue moving forward but the seat belt holds them in place. The same logic applies to the loose items in the car; the heavier the item, the bigger the threat when it comes hurling through the car at high rates of speed.
California police officer Brent Miller learned this lesson the hard way when his SUV was struck, resulting in a cell phone hitting Miller’s 1-year-old son and cracking his skull. Fortunately the boy was OK after 10 days in intensive care. According to Sean Kane of Safety Research and Strategies, ordinary objects in cars and trucks are responsible for 13,000 injuries each year.
4. LOCK YOUR DOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION
Do you keep your doors locked or unlocked while you’re driving? There’s a common belief that it’s best to keep the doors unlocked to ensure first responders can get to you quickly if you’re in an accident. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned motor vehicle safety practice is actually pretty dangerous.
Keeping the door locked while you’re driving reduces the chance of the door accidentally opening in the case of a crash, keeping you and your passengers from being ejected from the vehicle. Research is clear that the risk of dying or suffering serious injury in a car crash is significantly higher when the passenger is ejected from the vehicle. The door also serves as a protective barrier from trees, telephone poles, debris, or any structures your car might slide into during a crash.
The door is also a key part of your vehicle’s structural integrity, holding up the roof and keeping the body of the car from twisting. In the event of a rollover crash, a locked door could prevent the roof from collapsing and causing further serious injury.
>> BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRAFFIC, ACCIDENTS
5. HANDS-FREE DOESN’T MEAN DISTRACTION-FREE
As of Feb. 23, 2020, it became law in Massachusetts that drivers aren’t allowed to use electronic devices like cell phones unless they’re in hands-free mode. The ‘Hands-Free’ law was created to cut down on distracted driving. But does device-free equal distraction-free?
In a recent article, Dr. David Stayer, found that hands-free technology doesn’t stop you from being distracted on the road. Between 25-58% of car accidents are caused by driver inattention. Strayer finds touch screens, talking to Siri, or carrying on conversations that aren’t in person are all more distracting than listening to music or having an in-person conversation.
According to a study from the University of Utah and AAA, hands-free technology use cause distractions for up to 27 seconds after giving a voice command.
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WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED HELP
Drivers surveyed by U.S. News and World Report admit to many bad habits on the road. More than half admit they speed, 64% said they have experienced road rage, and 31% say they have driven while tired.
While everyone could do better when driving, it is making the little improvements that help make the road safer for everyone. Hopefully these tips help you practice better motor vehicle safety!
If you have been injured in a car accident, or are in an insurance dispute, let Keches Law Group help you.
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