Driving Tips Aid Holiday Travelers
23 November 1999
Driving Tips Aid Holiday Travelers '10 Tips for Safer Holiday Travel' Helps Drivers Prepare for
the Stress of Driving During the Holiday Season
HOUSTON, Nov. 23 -- As families prepare for their long
getaways, many do not properly prepare their vehicles or themselves for such
journeys; more time is spent deciding what clothes to pack rather than knowing
the simple ways to save their lives this season. "10 Tips for Safer Holiday
Driving," which was released today by Shell Oil Company, provides families
with the simple driving tips necessary to make this holiday season a safer
one.
The 10 essential driving safety tips were compiled from the "Count On
Shell" series of booklets published by Shell Oil Company. The five booklets in
the series address specific driving safety issues including hazards on the
road, driving with children, how to handle an accident, keeping safe while
driving alone and during roadside emergencies.
"Shell is committed to the safety of drivers, particularly during the
holiday season when driving conditions can be so hazardous," said Sixtus
Oechsle, manager, Corporate Communications for Shell Oil Company. "We hope
this advice will help drivers face their travel with less stress and increased
safety."
10 Tips for Holiday Driving
1. If you get a flat tire, firmly grip the wheel and slowly pull off the
road as far as possible. If you're in an unsafe area or on a busy
roadway, don't change the tire. Drive slower to a safer place. This
may damage your rim, but it is better to risk your rim than risk your
life.
2. Road rage can be a common problem during the stressful holiday season.
Some suggestions to avoid this aggression include being more patient
behind the wheel, don't take up more than one parking spot, don't
block the passing lane, don't tailgate and don't honk your horn
excessively.
3. If you are involved in an accident, stay calm, move out of traffic and
find a safe place to wait for the police and emergency crews.
Sometimes the safest place to be is in your car.
4. When travelling with infants and toddlers, make sure they are seated
in a properly fitted child safety seat. When correctly used, child
safety seats are life preservers. They reduce an infant's risk of
death by 69 percent and a toddler's by 47 percent. To make sure your
child is seated correctly in the child safety seat, read the
instructions that come with the seat. Also, read all sections in your
vehicle's owner's manual which discuss child safety seat installation.
5. Never put any infant seat in the passenger seat of a car when there is
a passenger air bag. A safety seat in the front puts the child too
close to the bag when it inflates, which can cause serious injury or
death.
6. When your car is experiencing trouble, pull over by reducing
distractions inside your car, gradually reduce speed, use your turn
signal and not your emergency flashers so other drivers will know you
need to get over and when it's clear, move one lane at time to the
shoulder.
7. To help avoid being cut off, check to make sure you are not driving in
someone's blind spot. To tell if you are in someone's blind spot,
glance into their rearview mirror. If you can't see their face,
assume they can't see you.
8. When driving on long trips, the best ways to avoid driver fatigue is
to: avoid long trips at night, the glare of the lights outside and
from the dashboard increases the chance of highway hypnosis; keep the
car temperature cool; snack frequently; vary speed and take frequent
breaks.
9. Never jam on the brakes if a tire blows out. Take your foot off the
gas pedal, hang on to the steering wheel and glide to a stop. By
jamming on the brakes you could lose control of the car completely.
10. Every car should have a properly equipped first aid kit in case of
emergencies. The key ingredients for a well-equipped first aid kit
are: bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, blankets, protective gloves, a
mouth guard, flashlights, flares, blankets, flares or reflectors.
Additionally, keep change for a pay phone even if you have a cell
phone.
The "Count on Shell" booklet series is available at any one of more than
9,000 Shell branded stations in 39 states across the country. The booklets can
also be obtained by calling Shell at 800-376-0200 or by visiting Shell's web
site: http://www.countonshell.com.
