Learning To Drive

Choosing Safety First

Choosing Safety First

• You have important choices to make, sometimes even before you start your car, that will affect your safety when you are behind the wheel.

• Begin by making sure both you and your vehicle are “fit to drive.”

Vehicle Checks: Preparing To Drive

• Adjust the driver’s seat– You must be able to easily reach the pedals and other

controls and have a clear view out the windshield.

• Fasten your seat belt– Fasten both your lap and shoulder belt on every trip– In 2005, only 60% of people involved in crashes in Pa. were

wearing seat belts. Drivers ages 16-20 had the highest number of unbuckled injuries and fatalities of any other age group.

• Secure loose items in the passenger compartment– In a crash, loose items may become projectiles.

Vehicle Checks: Preparing To Drive

• Adjust rearview and side mirrors– To remove blind spots around your vehicle, the rearview and side view

mirrors may have to be adjusted differently for each driver. Set the mirrors after you adjust your seat.

• Adjust ventilation• Adjust head restraints

– A head restraint can reduce head and neck injuries– The head restraint should be positioned so that the top of the HR is at

least as high as the top of your ears.

• Wear your glasses or contact lenses• Lock your doors

– Locking your doors and wearing your seat beat will ensure you will not be thrown from your vehicle. Being thrown from your vehicle will increase your chances of death by 75%.

Safety First

The End