A majority of motor vehicle accidents happen after dark, even though we drive less at night than in the daytime. That being said think about Halloween evening when kids are running rampant. We'd like to share with you some safe driving tips but also protect yourself & family from drivers by ordering some glowsticks, flashlights, and reflective safety vests before Halloween.

The long evenings can put us at greater risk for fatal crashes this Autumn, as many of us commute both to and from work in the dark. In addition, our after-work errands, sports, and other activities put us out in the traffic in the dark.

Here are Some Tips to Protect You and Your Family In the Dark:
• Head to work early so you don't have to speed. Besides the darkness, there may be the problem of frost to remove from the windshield.
• Check your driving lights and signal lights regularly to make sure they are working and clear of obstructions.
• Turn your headlights on as soon as the light begins to get dim.
• Use your low beams when you are following another vehicle or when a vehicle approaches from the opposite direction. When you blind the other driver with your high beams, you are endangering yourself.
• Look beyond your own headlights. Use streetlights and the lights of vehicles in front of you to get an idea of what is happening down the road.
• Leave an extra space around your vehicle at night, to allow more reaction time for yourself and other drivers.
• Pay attention to warnings of animal crossings. Animals are most likely to be active around roads in the early morning and early evening.
• Drunk drivers are a danger to everyone on the road. Statistics suggest that one out of 13 drivers is drunk in the early morning hours, so give others plenty of space to maneuver.
• During a car problem where you have to pull over on the road, pull as far off the road as you can. Warn other drivers with your four-way flashers, headlights, interior lights and flares if you have them.

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The Prevention Status Reports from the CDC highlight—for all 50 states and the District of Columbia—the status of public health policies and practices designed to address 10 important public health problems and concerns. The following policies are recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because scientific studies support their effectiveness in preventing or reducing crash-related injuries and deaths:

• Implementing primary enforcement seat belt laws that cover occupants in all seating positions
• Mandating the use of car seats and booster seats for motor vehicle passengers through at least age 8 years
• Implementing comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems, which help new drivers gain experience under low-risk conditions by granting driving privileges in stages. Research shows that more comprehensive GDL systems prevent more crashes and deaths than less comprehensive GDL systems. Components of comprehensive GDL systems include
  • A minimum age of 16 years for learner’s permits
  • A mandatory holding period of at least 12 months for learner’s permits
  • Nighttime driving restrictions between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am (or longer) for intermediate or provisional license holders
  • A limit of zero or one young passengers who can ride with intermediate or provisional license holders without adult supervision
  • A minimum age of 18 years for unrestricted licensure
• Requiring the use of ignition interlock devices for everyone convicted of alcohol-impaired driving

Other strategies recommended by scientific evidence for preventing motor vehicle injuries include enhanced seat belt enforcement campaigns, 0.08% blood alcohol concentration laws, minimum legal drinking age laws, publicized sobriety checkpoint programs, alcohol-impaired driving mass media campaigns, increased alcohol taxes, car and booster seat distribution plus education campaigns, and community-wide car seat and booster seat information and enhanced enforcement campaigns.

• Remember Road Fatalities
• Safety on the Road: Or Death.
• Road Safety: Keeping Safe & Secure

Seat belt law

A primary enforcement seat belt law allows police to stop a vehicle solely because a driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt. A secondary enforcement seat belt law requires police to have another reason for stopping a vehicle before citing a driver or passenger for not buckling up. The most comprehensive policies are primary seat belt laws that cover all occupants, regardless of where they are sitting.

How These Ratings Were Determined
These ratings reflect the extent to which states’ seat belt laws allowed for primary enforcement and covered all seating positions. Ratings are based on data collected from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on July 1, 2015, and therefore reflect IIHS’s interpretation of each state’s policy at that time (20). The “as of” date referenced in the Motor Vehicle Injuries state reports—July 1, 2015—is the date CDC assessed the policy. The date does not reflect when the law was enacted or became effective.

Driving Safety

First Aid Store offers training products on Driving Safety to provide the information employees need to drive cars, vans and small trucks safely, both on and off the job. Topics covered in these products include: Inspecting the vehicle, Adjusting seats, mirrors and other equipment, Mental preparation and concentration, Passing another vehicle, Sharing the road with trucks and buses, School bus encounters, Driving at night, Adverse weather conditions, skidding and hydroplaning, Distracted driving, Road rage, What to do in case of an accident.

• About 90 people die each day from motor vehicle crashes on US roads, according to the latest CDC Vital Signs.
• The US crash death rate is more than twice the average of 19 other high-income countries.
• States can implement proven policies and strategies to prevent thousands of crash-related injuries and deaths.

Many people think that the possibility of being stuck in a car lockout is low. If you ask a random person on the street whether they have ever been in one, chances are they might “say” no. However, car lockouts are much more common than people would like to admit, and they occur in the most unlikely places at the most unlikely times. It is important that drivers and automobile owners are always aware of this looming danger, and that they are well equipped to handle these types of situations whenever they arise. Of course, there will be those who do not believe that there is any apparent danger in locking yourself out of your car. But there are, so you need to be ready to handle the situation and stay safe while you work at getting back into your vehicle. Here are some of the ways being stuck in a car lockout can put you, and your automobile, in the face of danger.

Leaving You Stranded

As was stated earlier, being in a car lockout is never planned, which means that it can spring up on you at any time. In situations like this, you are normally left stranded without any means of moving from one location to another. Essentially making you a sitting duck. This is never an ideal situation to be in because it leaves you vulnerable to burglars and criminals who might want to either make off with your belongings or your car. Once you realize that you are locked out of your car, there are a few things you need to assess and take into account. First, you should quickly check your surroundings and make sure that there are people around you and that the area is a well lit (if you are stranded at night). This will make it much harder for anyone to get the drop on you, while simultaneously giving you a host of witnesses (the more eyes the better). In addition to this, you should make sure that you notify someone of your current location. This is extremely important if you realize that there is no one in your immediate vicinity while you are experiencing a car lockout. It is no fun to be stranded, and it is even worse to be stranded in a remote location with no one around you.

Your Vehicle Is Left Vulnerable

Most people never think about the fact that being in a car lockout also leaves your car susceptible to crime. It is completely understandable that in that moment of frustration, you pay little attention to the state of your vehicle, and much more attention to the fact that you need to go somewhere and that you are now locked out of your only means of transportation. If you happen to find yourself in a car lockout, it is imperative that you do not leave your car unattended at any given time. This is especially important when you lock your keys in the vehicle. In the event that you wander off and leave your car unattended, there is always the chance that burglars will make off with the solitary vehicle that you just left waiting for them. I do understand that sometimes it is hard to watch your car and get help at the same time, due to the varying nature of car lockouts. If you are traveling with someone at the time of your car lockout, make sure one person stays behind so that there is always a set of eyes on your car. In the instance that you are alone, and there is no way to get help without leaving your car, make sure that you hurry back as soon as you can. If you do not think that you will be back in quickly enough, make sure that you alert the authorities so that they can provide an extra layer of security for your car.

Children Are In Harm's Way

Now, in an ideal lockout situation, you might be left stranded with no way to your car and that is the end of it. There is no more hassle involved except figuring out how to get back into your vehicle. However, life doesn’t always work out in that cheery manner, and there have been instances where young children have been locked in a vehicle by accident. In most of these cases, the child is incapable of finding a way out of the car because they have no idea what is going on. Some of these kids can barely wiggle out of their car seats. I know there are people who think this might be made up, but there are times where parents, who are in a rush, mistakenly get locked out of their cars and lock their children inside the car at the same time. This poses a great deal of danger to your child since you will not be able to help them if they get hurt inside the car, and they will be in danger of getting heat stroke or severe burns if it is a hot day.

A car lockout can result in various dangerous scenarios playing out, so it is important that drivers are well aware of the dangers they can be faced with, and the information necessary to adequately deal with said danger. Let’s take a quick look at some of the ways you can battle a car lockout and come out on top.

How To Minimize The Danger Of Car Lockouts

Whenever you are faced with a car lockout, make sure that you calmly assess the environment around you, as this will help you prioritize which action to take first. It is of extreme importance that you remain calm and collected because this will only boost your rationality. There are people who have made their car lockouts far worse, simply because they did not assess the situation but instead tried all sorts of means to make their way back into their vehicle.

It is important to see how well lit the area you are in is and also to see just how many people are in your immediate vicinity. This will help you figure out how to best protect yourself and your vehicle when you are stuck in a situation like this. In addition, there are some preventative measures that you can have in place to make sure that lockouts are a thing of the past. Chief among these is having a spare key. Spare keys are invaluable and they come in handy for situations like this.

Another helpful method to mitigate the dangers of car lockouts, involves familiarizing oneself with simple DIY methods and tips that you can use to get back into your vehicle once you are locked out. These tips will not only minimize the amount of danger you are in, but they will also help reduce the cost you will incur to regain entry to your car.

Conclusion

See Roadside and Emergency Auto Supplies!

Car lockouts can turn into dangerous situations quickly, and it is best to minimize any apparent danger before it gets out of hand. As stated up above, the best way to do this is to identify the dangers that you face, and be readily prepared to combat these.

Author Bio

Ralph Goodman is a local locksmith and an expert writer on all things locks and security over at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety. They offer tips, advice and how-to's for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.

Seat Belts... lifesavers.

MYTH: My seat belt will trap me in the car if the car catches fire or goes underwater.
FACT: Only about one-half of one percent of accidents involve car fires or water. But even if
you did have such an accident, wearing a seat belt makes it more likely that you would remain
conscious—and able to get out of the car.

MYTH: If I'm not wearing a seat belt, I'll be more likely to be thrown clear in an accident.
FACT: You are more likely to be thrown out of the car if you're not wearing a seat belt. But that's not a plus. You're 25 times more likely to be killed if you're thrown out of the vehicle. You'll probably be thrown through the windshield or door and into traffic or a tree.

MYTH: I have automatic shoulder belts in my car, so I don't need to use a lap belt.
FACT: The combination of lap and a shoulder belt will keep you safer. Use them together.
The lap belt will keep you in place so the shoulder belt can restrain you properly.

MYTH: My car has air bags, so I don't need to wear a seat belt.
FACT: Air bags provide valuable protection, but they're not meant to be used alone. For one thing, they only inflate in a head-on collision. To be safe in a rear or side crash, you need both a lap and a shoulder belt. You also have to wear a seat belt to stay in position and get the safety benefits of an air bag in a head-on crash.

MYTH: I'm just going a short distance. I don't need my belt.
FACT: There are more crashes—and more fatal crashes—on local roads than on highways. No trip is too short to be dangerous!

Read more: Search driving Driving Tips To Keep Your Business Safe, Sobering Facts about Drunk Driving, Driving Safety and Preventable Death: 9 Lifesaving Resources

This weekend, many will be traveling to spend time with family, have outings with children, and "celebrate".

While Easter is not a holiday typically known as a "party weekend", people, do, nevertheless, imbibe. What is different about Easter is that often the drinking occurs earlier in the day... while typically you can judge the "odds" of other drivers being under the influence by the time of day (or rather night) - on Easter, you should consider that many may be having a liquid brunch as well.

Here are some other tips for road safety this weekend:

? Road Safety: Keeping Safe & Secure

? Driving Safety and Preventable Death: 9 Lifesaving Resources

? Remember Road Fatalities

? Driving During Thunderstorms

? Sobering Facts about Drunk Driving

DOT Chart showing typical alcohol impaired driving by hour:

What your state can do to prevent car crash injuries... According to the CDC:

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death a in the U.S. More than 2.5 million drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments as the result of being injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2012. The economic impact is also notable: in a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $80 billion.

While these numbers are disturbing, there are effective measures that can help prevent motor vehicle injuries and deaths.

• Motor vehicle crash deaths cost the nation $44 billion in medical expenses and lost work in a single year.
• CDC’s updated fact sheets break down these costs by state and describe proven strategies to reduce crash-related injuries and deaths.

AAA Road Kits keep you rolling safely

A free, interactive state cost calculator—MV PICCS, 2.0—can help states select from 14 effective interventions to prevent motor vehicle injuries. (Prioritizing Interventions and Cost Calculator for States), pronounced “picks”. This tool will help state decision makers prioritize and select from a suite of 14 effective motor vehicle injury prevention interventions. It is designed to calculate the expected number and monetized value of injuries prevented and lives saved at the state level. The calculator also includes the costs of implementation, while taking into account available resources. A fact sheet for each intervention and a final report with a user guide are included. 

We always share info on safe holiday travels, but here's a twist to consider...

Road Safety: Surge in Semi Truck Accidents

One person is injured or killed in a truck accident every 16 minutes. It’s not too often trucking accidents garner national attention, but the United States Department of Transportation estimates over 500,000 accidents occur every year. No wonder instantaneous, and perhaps previously considered irrational, fear sets in when caught in an 18-wheeler sandwich.

Unfortunately truck-crash fatalities are rising, with an 18 percent increase from 2009 to 2012, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Breaking the numbers down further, there are 10 fatal crashes and over 284 injuries a day. However, the number of trucks and their annual distance traveled are both down by over two percent.

So who is to blame? Apparently, it’s debatable. In talking with safety advocates and trucking companies, blame is most often shifted between tired or distracted commercial truck drivers and companies and passenger vehicle drivers. Politics aside, there are safety tips commercial and noncommercial drivers should be aware of to avoid becoming part of these tragic national statistics.

Noncommercial Driver Safety

Semi trucks weigh exponentially more than the typical car, and with that comes limitations in braking and visibility- something the hurried driver may not think about when following too closely or jumping directly in front of. Below are safety tips for sharing the road with semis:

Avoid “No-Zones”: areas behind and beside semi trucks where the driver has large blind spots.
Do not abruptly change lanes in front of a truck; use your blinker and allow the driver time to notice your intentions.
Avoid driving between semi trucks.
When merging or pulling into traffic from the roadside, accelerate with enough speed to prevent the driver from needing to quickly brake.
Avoid any type of unsafe passing when semi trucks are in close proximity.
Avoid abandoning your vehicle in a travel lane; if possible, move the car completely off the shoulder and then wait for help.
Do not maneuver around a semi truck making a right turn.

Commercial Driver Safety

Driving semi trucks or any large vehicle requires adequate training and comfortability with long travel days. It’s important drivers and their respective companies keep safety in mind amidst the continuously booming business. Safety tips for commercial drivers include:

Stay current on training and driving techniques for your semi truck
Set realistic schedules and mileage expectations to avoid driving while tired
As is the law for all drivers, do not use cell phones or any other devices carrying the potential for driver distraction
To prevent rollovers: avoid sudden movements, control your load on turns, control speed while maintaining proper “speed cushions”.
Identify high risk areas on roads beforehand.
Monitor weather conditions during your cross country travels.

Jenna Murrell writes on behalf of Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, PC, truck accident attorneys in Alabama.