Responsible Drivers

[Elvina Cannizzaro]

Butyou need to do more than just obey the rules. You must care about the safety of others on the road. Everyone is responsible for avoiding collisions. Even if someone else does something wrong, you may be found responsible for a collision if you could have done something to avoid it.

Because drivers have to co-operate to keep traffic moving safely, you must also be predictable, doing what other people using the road expect you to do. And you must be courteous. Courteous driving means giving other drivers space to change lanes, not cutting them off and signalling your turns and lane changes properly.

You must be able to see dangerous situations before they happen and to respond quickly and effectively to prevent them. This is called defensive or strategic driving. There are collision avoidance courses available where you can practice these techniques.

Visibility is about seeing and being seen. You should always be aware of traffic in front, behind and beside you. Keep your eyes constantly moving, scanning the road ahead and to the side and checking your mirrors every five seconds or so. The farther ahead you look, the less likely you will be surprised, and you will have time to avoid any hazards. Make sure other drivers can see you by using your signal lights as required.

Managing the space around your vehicle lets you see and be seen and gives you time and space to avoid a collision. Leave a cushion of space ahead, behind and to both sides. Because the greatest risk of a collision is in front of you, stay well back.

RoadSafetyBC refers drivers to the Responsible Driver Program. We do this when we have prohibited a driver because of alcohol or drugs. Research shows responsible driving programs reduce alcohol or drug related collisions and convictions. We will send a letter to drivers we refer to the program. It will let them know about the program and the status of their licence.

If you are eligible for a reconsideration, the process to follow is in the Notice to Refer to Remedial Programs letter we sent you. If you can't find your referral letter or need more information, contact ICBC or RoadSafetyBC.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Mtis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

These recorded events were compared to the number of fatal road accidents, which did not involve any of the factors, to find the states with the lowest rate of accidents attributed to irresponsibility and, therefore, the most responsible drivers.

According to the study, Florida has the second most responsible drivers in America, with 25.47% of fatal road accidents reported to have involved an identified contributing factor. This percentage equates to 3,907 out of a total of 15,342 fatal accidents in the state.

Nebraska has the third most responsible drivers, as identified by the study. Over the five-year period, the state experienced 1,032 fatal traffic accidents in total, and the number of recorded incidences of distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, speeding or hit-and-run remained low at 263, or 25.48% overall.

Rounding out the top five states with the most responsible drivers is Tennessee, as the state reported 1,521 fatal accidents over the five years analyzed. This accounts for 28.68% of the total 5,304 fatal accidents in the state.

Some car accidents can be unavoidable; however, the study highlights that a number of scenarios contribute to road accidents that could be prevented. Drivers must remember that they have a responsibility to drive with care and full attention whilst adhering strictly to driving laws.

You may qualify for a waiver for your parking ticket if you can provide proof that you took a responsible ride home (taxi, public transit such as bus, or ride-share). This waiver only applies to citations issued by NDOT paid parking spaces for violations related to paid parking. Other violations are not eligible for dismissal.

This form should ONLY be used to provide feedback about the website. If you need customer service such as a noise complaint, property violation or assistance from any Metro department, please submit a hubNashville request.

Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions. A properly worn safety belt reduces the chance of injury in a collision. Do not leave slack in the lap or shoulder portion of the belt. Never put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back.

Child passengers must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are 8 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches in height and the adultlap and shoulder belt fits them correctly. Infants must ride rear-facing until they reach two years of age.

Turning Quickly: In most cases, you can turn the vehicle more quickly than you can stop it. Scanning the area ahead will help you identify potential escape routes. If you will not stop in time to avoid a collision, turn away from it.

Speeding up: Sometimes it is best to speed up to avoid a collision. This may happen when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or from behind and there is room ahead of you to get out of danger.

If an oncoming vehicle is drifting into your lane, pull to the right as far as possible, slow down, and warn the other driver with your horn or lights. Never pull into the opposing lane, the oncoming driver may turn back sharply into that lane. In most cases, steering to the shoulder or ditch is safer than risking a head-on collision.

Stop your vehicle if a person riding on horseback or leading an animal raises a hand or it is obvious the animal is frightened, unless stopping would cause a collision. A raised hand means the animal is frightened. Do not use your horn or make other loud, sudden noises near the animal.

Using headlights will help other drivers see you at all times of the day. Headlights must be turned on from sunset to sunrise. Lights also must be on at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.

If using your high beams, you must dim your lights when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. Dim your lights when following another vehicle within 350 feet. Headlight glare in a rearview mirror can blind another driver. When you are required to dim your headlights, other auxiliary lights such as fog lights, must be off. These extra lights make it difficult for oncoming drivers to see.

It is illegal to drive a vehicle at night or in bad weather with only the parking lights on. A vehicle stopped or parked on a road or shoulder must have parking lights on in limited visibility conditions.

As visibility decreases, slow down. Be alert for slow or stopped vehicles and other obstacles. Be prepared to pull over and stop. If you choose to pull off the road, pull as far as you can to the right and turn on your hazard lights.

Rain impairs your ability to see ahead and increases the braking distance needed to stop your vehicle. When roads are wet, apply the brakes sooner and more gently than usual. Even summer showers can cause slippery roads when rain mixes with oil and dirt.

Snow and ice also impair your ability to see ahead and increase the braking distance needed to stop your vehicle. Drive at slower speeds and leave more room between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Keep windows clear of snow, ice and fog, and do not use cruise control.

Studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31. Because of the damage caused by studded tires, drivers are encouraged to use alternates such as chains or other traction tires.

Driving requires your full attention. There are many distractions that may prevent you from focusing on driving. Your mental and emotional state, as well as your physical health, affects the way you drive. Your overall health, fatigue, and even emotions, such as anger or worry, are a few of the conditions that can make you an unsafe driver. If you find yourself just going through the motions of driving, without really being aware of what you are doing or what is happening around you, it is time to stop for a rest or maybe quit for the day.

Anyone, regardless of age, should not ride in a pickup bed or on any external part of the vehicle. Oregon law prohibits anyone under 18 years of age from riding on the hood, fender, running board, or other external part of a vehicle, including a pickup bed.

You cannot carry a dog on an external part of a vehicle, including a pickup bed, unless the dog is protected by a framework, carrier, or other device to keep it from falling from the vehicle. Do not hold an animal in your lap or arms when driving.

One of the first steps towards being a responsible and safe driver is to have a good understanding about the number of risks involved in driving a vehicle, and being realistic, thoughtful, and wise when given such a great responsibility.

A vehicle is large, heavy and potentially very dangerous. For example, when someone drives aggressively on the freeway, goes too fast in a residential neighborhood where children are playing, is distracted or uses his/her cell phone while driving, or constantly breaks traffic laws, that person does not seem to understand the amount of risks that he/she poses to himself/herself and the community.

If you qualify, Accident Forgiveness is an optional feature you may be able to add to your car insurance policy that can help you avoid a rate increase after an accident. Accident forgiveness may be worth exploring if it is available in your state.**

With the Travelers Premier Responsible Driver Plan Decreasing Deductible feature,** on a six-month policy, for every six months that all drivers on the policy are accident- or major-violation-free, you can earn a $50 credit up to $500 to be applied toward your deductible in the event of a covered loss. On a year-long policy, for every 12 months that all drivers on the policy are accident- or major-violation-free, you can earn a $100 credit up to $500 to be applied toward your deductible in the event of a covered loss.

3a8082e126