◆ #1: America's Most Trusted
◆ Pause and Resume
◆ Real Support, 7 Days a Week
◆ Fastest Allowed by Law
◆ No Hidden Fees

◉ Valet Parking Safety

Category: Uncategorized

Valet parking is an option that is very convenient for drivers. It allows them to avoid searching for parking places, which is a great time saver. In the past, valet parking was something that people expected to see at fancy restaurants, but this is no longer the case.

In today’s world, valet parking can be found just about anywhere. Hotels, casinos, and even malls now offer valet parking for the convenience of their customers. While this is very convenient, there are some things that you should keep in mind when you are relying on valet parking.

Safety

In order to be safe, it is always best to only rely on valet parking when the service is one that you can trust. There are times when some companies do not provide the type of service that is required to keep your vehicle safe.

If possible, ask about the policies that are in place if your vehicle becomes damaged while in the care of the valet. You should also ask where your vehicle will be parked and what protection elements are involved. Knowing this information will help you to know if your vehicle is safe when you are using valet services.

Be Prepared

It is also a great idea to be prepared when you plan to use valet services. Straighten up your car a bit before you head out for the evening so that you are not embarrassed that someone else is driving your car. Also, make sure that you have some cash on hand so that you can tip the person who is parking your vehicle.

Before you leave for the evening, it is also best to remove any valuables from your car. Most often, valet services are not responsible for items that go missing in your vehicle, so it is best to leave them behind. When you drop off your car, be sure to grab anything that you may need for the evening. For example, make sure that you don’t leave your wallet or cell phone in the vehicle.

Pay Attention

You are probably not the only person who is choosing to use valet services at the location that you are visiting. Keeping your attention on the driver ahead of you as well as the parking attendants is important. The goal of the valet is to move cars in and out of the loading area as quickly as possible. However, this will not be possible if the drivers are not paying attention to the process in front of them.

Sometimes the valet will open the door for you and other times they won’t. This depends on the location that you are at. At fancy restaurants, this is considered to be a standard part of the process. In other places, this may not be the case. If the valet does open the door, they will treat female passengers to this service before male passengers. Allowing them to go through the process of taking care of your passengers is the best way to receive the best service from your valet.

Valet parking is something that many drivers rely on and can be very helpful in a multitude of circumstances. However, in order to receive the most value from the service, it is always best to know a little about the process before you begin.

Keeping these things in mind when you are using valet services will help to keep you safe and secure throughout the evening. They are also items that will help make sure that your vehicle is treated properly and that you remain safe throughout the entire valet parking process.

As a new driver, you might encounter some challenging terrain and weather conditions that you didn’t face during your driving lessons. One common scenario is driving alone in heavy rain. Trusting your instincts and following some essential tips can help you navigate safely.

Here are some tips for new drivers when they are driving in the rain, along with some valuable resources to help you stay safe on the road.

  • Turn on your headlights, no matter how light the rain is. This not only improves your visibility but also allows others to see you. Check your local laws for regulations on using headlights in rain.
  • Slow down. Prioritize your safety and that of other drivers and pedestrians by reducing your speed. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination. If someone is waiting for you, they will understand.
  • Exercise extra caution after a long dry spell. Oil and grease build up on the road, and after heavy rain, surfaces can become very slick. Drive carefully until the residue washes away.
  • Maintain a safe distance between vehicles. This gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.
  • When braking, apply gentle pressure and allow yourself more time to stop. This also gives the vehicles behind you more time to react.
  • Follow the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of you. This can help reduce the amount of water your tires have to displace.
  • Keep a safe distance from large trucks and buses. Their large tires can splash water onto your windshield, impairing your visibility. However, avoid passing them in the rain, if possible.
  • Ensure clear visibility through your windows at all times. Use your defrosters to prevent windows from fogging up.
  • Stay on the road. Avoid veering off onto muddy or unstable surfaces.
  • Approach puddles with caution. They could be deeper than they appear, so try to go around them if possible.
  • Never drive through moving water. You can’t accurately judge its depth, and your vehicle may be swept away.
  • Don’t hesitate to pull over if visibility becomes poor. In some situations, it’s much safer to stop driving until conditions improve.
  • If you hydroplane, remain calm and avoid overreacting. Instead of hitting the brakes or turning the wheel abruptly, release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until your car regains traction.
  • Prepare your car for rainy conditions. Maintain well-functioning windshield wipers, adequate tires, and brakes on your car.

Driving in the rain can be intimidating, especially for new drivers. Give yourself extra time, drive cautiously, and remember that experience will help you become more comfortable over time.

If the rain is particularly heavy and you have the option, consider waiting for the downpour to pass before hitting the road. Assess whether your trip is necessary or if it can be postponed. If you’re already driving and visibility becomes dangerously low, pull over to the side of the road, ensuring that you’re completely off the roadway to avoid collisions with other drivers who may not see you.

If you’re not comfortable driving in the rain, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your parents or another experienced adult may be willing to accompany you during rainy conditions, helping you gain confidence and become a safer driver. You can also enroll in advanced driving courses that cover driving in adverse weather conditions, such as those offered by the Traffic School Online program.

Remember, practice and experience are the keys to becoming a skilled and confident driver in all types of weather. As you gain more experience driving in the rain, you’ll develop the skills needed to navigate safely and responsibly. Stay cautious, be prepared, and don’t be afraid to seek help or additional training when necessary.

Erase your traffic ticket fast and easy with America’s #1 Traffic School course.

Get started today!

There are plenty of reasons why you might not want to pay your red light camera ticket. Maybe you object to red light cameras on principle, maybe you don’t think you really ran the red light, or maybe you just object to handing over your hard-earned money.

If you got your ticket in Texas, you might have more options than you think.

Before you get out your credit card or checkbook, think through these questions to make sure you have to pay that ticket.

If I don’t pay, will the debt be sent to collections?

Yes. Your unpaid red light camera fine will eventually be sent to a collection agency, and you may begin receiving collections calls.

If that sounds like too much hassle, you might consider just paying for the ticket.

If not, read on!

Will the ticket show up on my driving record?

No. By state law, unpaid red light camera tickets cannot be reported on the vehicle owner’s driving record and an arrest warrant cannot be issued.

Will I be able to renew my vehicle registration?

If you fail to pay your ticket, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or your local county assessor-collector can refuse to register the vehicle allegedly involved in the violation. This is known as a “scofflaw block.”

If you try to renew online directly through the DMV, your registration will be blocked. But if you go to the county assessor-collector office in person, you might be in luck. It’s up to each county to decide whether to enforce a scofflaw block. Some counties have decided that it’s just not worth the extra time and hassle to force drivers to pay their fines to cities.

According to the website TrashYourTicket.com, the following counties do not block vehicle registrations for outstanding red light camera tickets:

  • Calhoun
  • Chambers
  • Galveston
  • Harris
  • Potter
  • Tarrant

Will the unpaid debt hurt my credit?

State law says that unpaid red light camera tickets cannot be reported to a credit bureau. But depending on when the city where you received your ticket started its red light camera program, you could still be on the hook.

The statewide law regulating red light cameras took effect in 2007. According to The Dallas Morning News, any city that had a red light camera contract before 2007 is grandfathered and may report unpaid fines to a credit bureau.

If you got your ticket in one of the following cities, failing to pay will mean a hit to your credit score:

  • Dallas
  • Arlington
  • Cedar Hill
  • Coppell
  • Denton
  • DeSoto
  • Duncanville
  • Farmers Branch
  • Frisco
  • Garland
  • Houston
  • Irving
  • Plano
  • Richardson
  • Rowlett
  • University Park

Please note that this may not be a complete list – make sure to check when your city’s program started before deciding not to pay!

What if the city already ended the program?

Several cities in Texas have voted to end their red light camera programs, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for a ticket you received while they were in effect.

Cities may still collect fines for violations that were caught by the cameras. Houston, which ended its program in 2010, still collects fines and advises that no statute of limitations would bar the city from collecting the debt.

Make sure to find out the situation in the city where you received your ticket.

What are my other options?

If you want to fight or contest the ticket, follow the directions listed on the ticket to request this option from your court.

Don’t assume that because the violation was issued by a camera no one will be there to oppose you. According to Texas police departments, an officer reviews the footage of each violation and signs off before a ticket is issued. Be prepared to present your case, or consider hiring an attorney.

In many ways, the day your teenager comes home with their driver’s license is one of the greatest steps they’ll take toward independence. Suddenly, they can transport themselves anywhere they want to go–and that’s a huge milestone. As a parent, you’re understandably concerned about letting go. Thankfully, you have the power to positively influence your child’s driving behavior, even when you can’t be there to see it.

Experience

Provide plenty of driving experience before letting your teen behind the wheel alone. Even a teenager who seems to take naturally to driving need to have plenty of experience before they get behind the wheel on their own. According to the CDC, you should provide at least thirty to fifty hours of supervised driving time before allowing your child out on the road alone. They also recommend giving your teen plenty of experience in different driving conditions.

It’s tempting to only let your permit-holding teen drive under the best of conditions. When it starts raining, instead of having your teen pull over so you can take the wheel, let them experience wet roads. Is your teen having trouble exhibiting safe driving behavior in the rain? That’s when it’s time for you to take over. Instead of avoiding rainy driving conditions for a while, however, make it a priority to take them out driving the next few times it rains. Even if it means driving around a little-used parking lot for an hour or two before venturing back out on the road, give your teen the experience they need to feel competent behind the wheel when the time comes for them to drive alone.

The same goes for night driving. Driving at night can be very disorienting, especially for a new driver. You might be tempted to simply limit your teenager to driving during daylight hours until they have the chance to become more comfortable, but you don’t know when circumstances will arise that will require them to drive after the sun goes down. A practice that runs late, a visit to a friend’s house that lasts longer than intended, or a trip out to pick up a few things can quickly become disastrous if your teen hasn’t learned night driving skills ahead of time. Instead, make night driving a regular part of their driving experience. If you need to run an errand after the sun goes down, bring your teen along and let them take the wheel. They should learn how to drive at night under controlled circumstances, with you there to help, and that they have that experience for the first time when they’re driving alone.

Modeling

Model safe driving behavior. As much as they don’t want to admit it, your teenager is watching you, and they’ll be prone to the same distractions you are. Guilty of “just glancing” at your cell phone if you get a text message while you’re driving? Your teen will be more likely to justify the same behavior. Fiddle with the radio when you should be paying attention to traffic. “Well, Mom does it.” It’s not a conscious thought on the part of your teen as much as it is an automatic behavior that they likely aren’t even thinking about. Do you always wear your seat belt when you’re behind the wheel and insist on the proper seat belt use in the car, or are you a little lax with how often you actually remember to put it on? If you always practice car safety, your teenager will be more likely to do it, too.

Teaching Safety

Teach your teen to retain a state of relaxed awareness on the road. One way to do this is by presenting “what if” scenarios as your teen is driving. “What if that car over there were to pull out in front of you?” “What if the car in front of you slammed on its brakes?” “What if that truck tried to change lanes before you were out of the way?” By teaching your teenager to anticipate problems on the road, you help them learn what to do if something does happen–and teach them why it’s so important to maintain a safe distance between themselves and other drivers on the road.

Following the Rules

Adhere to your state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules. These rules will vary according to state but may include such restrictions as how late at night your teen can drive, how many people are allowed to be in the car with them when they’re driving alone, and the hours of driving experience your teen has to have before they can move to the next stage of licensing.

At times, these rules may not seem to make any sense. Why can’t your teenager drive alone with his younger brother and sister in the car–or with two of his friends, when all three of them are going to the same destination? It would be easier on all of you if he could just drive himself there! Unfortunately, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents among teenage drivers–and two or three other teenagers in the car is a distraction. So is driving tired, late at night, after he shouldn’t be on the road anymore. These restrictions weren’t put in place to be an inconvenience; they were put in place to keep your teen, his passengers, and other drivers on the road as safe as possible.

Insistence on safety may get you eye rolls and complaints, but in the end, you don’t need your teen’s approval–you need to know that they’re practicing road safety. As the parent, you’re the person in the best place to teach your teen to be a safe driver, and that means that you’re the one keeping them from making a decision on the road that could change their lives forever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day in the U.S. more than nine people are killed and more than 1,153 are injured in accidents that involve distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aiming to raise awareness about the detrimental consequences of driving while distracted in April. State highway patrols and organizations like the American Trucking Association have joined the NHTSA to spread the word throughout their networks. What do you need to know about distracted driving?

It’s About More than Phones

When we hear “distracted driving,” most of us immediately think of texting or talking on the phone while driving. While using your mobile device is extremely dangerous and accounts for many accidents, there are other ways to get distracted. The CDC groups distracted driving into these three categories:

  1. Visual distraction involves taking your eyes off the road. This might be to look at something on the road, to reach for an item that has fallen on the floorboard, to look at a passenger in the back seat or even just to find another station on the radio.
  2. Manual distraction means you’ve taken your hands off the wheel. Drivers often try to eat while steering with a leg or knee, or they attempt to use just one hand to drive while reaching for another item they feel they need at that moment.
  3. Cognitive distraction means you’ve taken your mind off driving. The reasons for this distraction are endless. Daydreaming, thinking about an upsetting situation, planning out what to do when you get to work or get home, or any other distraction that makes you not pay attention to navigating your vehicle.

While distractions include many things other than phones and electronic devices, these items are so dangerous because they involve all three types of distraction. Using your phone, or even the navigation system that comes with your vehicle, requires that you take your eyes off the road, take your hands off the wheel, and take your mind off the task of driving. Even hands-free devices require your brain, creating a cognitive distraction.

Our Youth at Greater Risk

Studies from the CDC and the NHTSA point to the added risk for young people. The NHTSA found that 10 percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal accidents were distracted at the time of the crash. This younger age group makes up the largest group of drivers who were distracted at the time of the crash.

What can be done?

Many states have enacted laws forbidding the use of electronic devices while driving. You can find distracted driving laws by state through the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. Additionally, organizations like the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have banned employees from using their electronic devices while driving. However, prosecuting offenders is difficult. No one is monitoring individual drivers. And, what about all the other distractions that are not illegal? Consider the following tips.

  • Silence devices and put them out of reach before you begin driving. Check for messages once you arrive safely at your destination.
  • Be a role model. Don’t let your children see you texting, talking on the phone, eating, or performing other unnecessary tasks while driving. Set a good example.
  • Raise awareness. Talk to your teens about driver safety. Encourage them to not ride with others who drive while distracted.
  • As a passenger, tell the driver not to use his or her electronic device and offer to make the call, send the text, select the music, or program the destination into the GPS for them.

A NHTSA survey found that at any given moment, 660,000 drivers are using electronic devices. Don’t let one of them be you.

Learn the 6 early warning signs and what you can do about it.

It’s not easy to make the decision to tell a loved one to stop driving or to have to admit that the time has come. Many elderly people may feel a loss of freedom or experience frustration when they are no longer able to drive. While these emotions are normal, it is important to recognize the signs that it is dangerous for someone to get behind the wheel of a car.

Warning Signs

The aging process takes a toll on hearing, vision, and reaction times, all of which are vital to maintaining safety while on the road. It is important for families to be able to evaluate a loved one’s driving skills or for senior citizens to be able to recognize when their safety may be compromised.

If you or a family member has experienced the following symptoms, the American Association of Retired Persons suggests that it may be time to stop driving:

  • Getting lost in familiar locations
  • Responding slowly to unexpected circumstances
  • Difficulty moving a foot from the brake to the gas or confusing the pedals
  • Frequent “close calls” or near-crashes
  • Inability to accurately judge gaps in traffic
  • Getting distracted easily

Senior citizens who have a difficult time turning to check for oncoming traffic or seeing traffic signs should also consider turning over the keys.

Additionally, people who have noticed scrapes or dents on their garage doors, fences, mailboxes, and curbs may not be aware that their driving skills have waned over the years. While law enforcement may issue multiple warnings or traffic tickets, it is often up to the individual to recognize that it is time to stop driving.

Recognize the Emotions Associated with Driving

The first step in talking to an elderly relative or friend about driving is to understand the emotions that may come into play. Drivers of all ages enjoy the flexibility and independence that operating a vehicle provides. You may have already noticed that the senior citizen in your life has stopped driving under certain conditions, such as in bad weather or at night. Yet giving up those privileges for a short amount of time is quite different from doing so permanently.

The AARP notes that people who have to quit driving often experience emotions including frustration, anger, and even depression. They may feel that they will be socially isolated or that they are now a burden to family members who will have to transport them. Part of the conversation you will have with your loved one may involve allowing them to talk about how they are feeling and validating those concerns.

How to Have the Conversation

Before suggesting that a senior citizen stop driving, you might want to have smaller, frequent conversations about driving safety. This way, you are starting to lay the groundwork for the big discussion ahead. You may want to think about structuring your approach through a days- or weeks-long process, such as this:

  • Step One: Start by merely discussing road conditions, traffic, or cars in general.
  • Step Two: Talk about the elderly person’s current driving behaviors and why they need to change them.
  • Step Three: Tell the driver that the time has come to stop getting behind the wheel.

During the second phase, you may want to suggest driver improvement courses. These can often help elderly people either rectify their behavior or make the decision to stop driving on their own.

Alternative Transportation Resources

Before having those conversations, you can plan out some alternative ways for your loved one to still participate in his or her routine. For example, you can outline friends or family members who can take individual grocery shopping or exercise classes. There are also public transportation services that may be appropriate for your loved one, depending on where he or she lives.

There are also special transportation services provided through nonprofit organizations as well as private companies. For example, many of these services cater to clients who have disabilities that prevent them from taking public transportation. You should be aware that these services will often come at a cost, so budgeting for that may be a step you have to take before speaking with your loved one.

We understand that the topic of senior citizen driving is a sensitive one. These tips are designed to help ease the situation. If you found a method that worked well with your elderly family member please share in the comments.

First, take a deep breath, flashing lights behind you don’t necessarily mean you are receiving a traffic violation. In fact, a police officer can turn on their lights and signal a driver to pull over in order to alert them to a problem with their vehicle.

In The Event of the Real Thing

However, when you do see the flashing lights behind you, it’s important to follow certain etiquette and protocol to avoid getting more than a traffic ticket because contempt or resisting a police officer is a much more serious charge. You do not want to run the risk of increasing the potential fine you are already courting when the police officer turns on his lights and pulls behind you.

So, remember what you learned in driver’s education training when those lights start flashing behind you, and be sure to obey the following advice:

  • Continue driving until you find a safe place to stop; never just slam on the brakes.
  • Be sure to pull your car off to the right, if you need to make a turn to pull into a parking lot for stopping, be sure to signal.
  • Always signal when you are ready to pull over or off the road
  • Do not remove your seat belt and do not get out of your car
  • Keep your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions when the officer approaches the window
  • When the police officer requests your license, registration, and/or proof of insurance, tell the officer where it is before you reach for it especially if your hands have to go out of sight
  • Smile, be polite, and listen to the officer. Don’t joke, don’t argue, and don’t get belligerent
  • If you have passengers in your car, be sure to tell them to be quiet and well-behaved and that they should also keep their hands where they can be seen
  • If it’s nighttime, turn on the dome light inside your car. if the officer shines a bright light in your face, don’t get combative
  • If you have to reach into your purse to get anything, open it wide enough that the officer can see inside it
  • If the officer asks you to step out of the car, cooperate
  • If you want to debate the offense, be reasonable and never yell

Your Driver’s License, Your Life

If you still end up getting a traffic ticket at the end of the day, you have the option of going to court and fighting it or typically you can take a traffic school course to keep it off your driver’s record. If your traffic ticket is for expired inspection, expired license plates, or other failed paperwork, getting it all up to date and in order before you pay your traffic violation fine may actually get the fine reduced or dismissed.

Teen driving is a privilege — drive safe, and protect your driver’s license and your life.

Receiving a traffic ticket is never a fun experience for a parent or a teenager. What makes it even more difficult is there is rarely a guide to follow that will help you and your teenager understand what happens when they get a traffic ticket. There are many reasons why teen drivers may be issued a ticket, including but not limited to driving in violation of a restriction on their driver’s license, speeding, or failing to produce proof of insurance during a routine traffic stop. As a parent, you will most likely be required to appear with your teen driver in court. In the event that court attendance is mandatory, the best defense is to be prepared.

Consider What It Means To Go To Court

Before you go to court, you should become familiar with the particular law your teen allegedly broke. Research prior cases that are similar to see what the result was of those court cases. There are several resources available online, such as Nolo’s Traffic Tickets guide, that can help you understand the laws and consequences. Depending on how the court hearing goes, your teen may receive points on their driver’s license as well as heavy fines. It’s possible that this ticket could remain on your teen’s driving record and could lead to a suspension. Having a plan and researching before the court will hopefully help make sure that the experience is not negative.

Be Prepared

If your teen plans to contest the ticket, be thoroughly prepared to contest it with documentation as well. Bring a diagram of where the infraction occurred. You can bring case evidence or even a passenger who witnessed your actions. Remember, the police officer who issued the ticket will most likely be there and the officer will have his documentation validating the purpose for issuing the ticket.

If there were traffic cameras available or the officer filmed the infraction, you can demand the right to review that information. Be smart and get that information before your court date. The last thing you need is to be surprised. If it comes down to deciding between your testimony and a police officer’s testimony, chances are the judge is going to rule in favor of the police officer.

What if the Police Officer isn’t there?

If the officer who issued the ticket is not present, there is every chance that the judge will dismiss the ticket if the ticket depends on the officer’s testimony.

If your teen’s driver’s license is restricted and they violated the restriction, that is easily verifiable. It does not require a police officer to be present. If you go through the whole court procedure and your teen is found guilty of the violation, most states won’t let you go to traffic school or defensive driving classes, and your teen will end up paying the fine, getting the points, and having a bad mark on their driving record.

So, if you and your teen driver do decide to go to court, be prepared and understand that actions have consequences. While it is not ideal for your teenager to ever receive a traffic ticket, try to look at this as a learning experience. Many young drivers who receive small moving violation tickets at a young age and face the judge in a courtroom are better and more alert drivers for it. Consider enrolling your teen in a defensive driving course

With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to alter our driving habits and pay closer attention to the roads. In this article, we offer useful advice to make your driving a little less stressful this holiday season. If you’re a new driver — or a driver still taking driver’s ed — you’ll find these tips especially helpful as you practice your driving habits in real-world environments.

Beware of Increased Pedestrian Traffic

With Christmas break right around the corner, you’re going to see a lot more young children playing in neighborhoods. From snowball fights to a game of catch children love to congregate outside while they’re not in school.

You must take extra precautions while traveling through neighborhoods. This time of year, it’s even more important to watch out for young people playing outside. Poor weather conditions combined with streets getting dark earlier make it hard to see pedestrians clearly. Be aware of children who may jump out into the street to fetch a ball. Be on the lookout for kids who might not be able to tell where their snow-covered front yard ends and where the snow-covered road begins.

Be Aware of Changing Road Conditions

Christmas is synonymous with snow. Even parts of California have reported snowfall in December at one time or another. As the snow falls, you need to alter your driving habits. Cold weather can create slippery road conditions. If you must drive, reduce your speed and don’t follow too close to the vehicle ahead of you. You never know when you’ll need to slam on the brakes.

If you live or are visiting an area where you expect snow, make sure you have tire chains or cables with you. It’s a good idea to practice putting them on your vehicle to ensure you are familiar with how to install them before you’re in a situation that requires them.

Watch Out For Drunk Drivers

It’s sad but true. As more and more people attend holiday parties, more and more people will make the mistake of driving drunk. Make sure that you can identify when someone is too drunk to drive. If you notice a drunk driver on the road, call the police. You could help prevent a serious accident.

Be Aware of What’s Going On Inside Your Car

It’s important for all drivers to be aware of what’s going on inside their vehicles. During the holiday season, it’s common for friends to travel together. Whether a long-distance road trip is in the cards or you’re just traveling to the local ice skating rink down the street, you might find yourself driving friends and family more often.

Keep passenger safety in mind. Ensure that all passengers in your vehicle have their seatbelts fastened. If someone chooses not to wear a seatbelt, refuse to move the car out of the park. Chances are, if they’re threatened with losing their ride, they’ll buckle up pretty quickly. It’s your responsibility as the driver to ensure your passengers are safe.

Don’t Get Distracted With Holiday Lights

There are a lot more distractions around town this time of year as well. As you take note of the beautifully lit trees and brightly decorated homes this holiday season, it’s important to take note of the traffic lights and signals that those holiday lights may drown out.

Pay attention to the road ahead. Be aware of all conditions around you. Check your mirrors every 3-5 seconds and don’t get distracted by those holiday lights. They may look good, but the traffic light ahead is where your eyes should be focused.

Watch for Emergencies

Remember, with more people on the road this holiday season — and with poor road conditions in some parts of the country — you’re likely to see several emergency vehicles out on the road. Help promote safe driving. Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars will make their presence known with flashing lights. Remember the importance of letting emergency vehicles pass. Be sure to pull over to the right as soon as you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle.

Have Fun Out There!

The holidays are a time for celebration. So fasten your seatbelt, drive safe, and have a great time out there — no matter where you’re headed and whom you’re headed there with.

There are various situations that might leave you uncertain about how to handle being around intoxicated individuals. We’re here to offer guidance on some of the most prevalent drunk driving scenarios you may encounter. It’s essential to know how to address potential drunk driving situations to promote safety on the road for everyone.

My Friend Doesn’t Believe They’re Drunk

You’re at a gathering, and your friend has had a bit too much to drink. Despite this, they insist they’re fine and able to drive home. They head to their car, ready to drive away.

We cannot emphasize this enough: do everything in your power to prevent your friend from getting behind the wheel. Attempt various approaches to take their keys away. Use humor, be serious, confuse them, distract them. Remind them that drunk driving endangers not only their life but also the lives of everyone else on the road. In their hands, the key becomes a weapon. Impaired judgment leads to poor decision-making.

Offer to drive them home safely yourself. If you don’t have a car, volunteer to drive theirs. If you can’t drive, call a taxi or rideshare service.

Intoxicated individuals can become aggressive. If your friend is adamant about driving, call the police. Doing so could prevent a severe accident on the road. Remember, you’re not reporting your friend to the authorities, but rather alerting them to a hazardous situation and promoting driver safety. If your friend drives while intoxicated, they could lose their life.

I Think I Witnessed Drunk Driving

You’re on your evening walk with your dog in your usually quiet neighborhood. The only sound you hear is your dog’s panting. Suddenly, a car races toward you, driving erratically. The driver accelerates, decelerates, swerves, runs stop signs, and seemingly breaks every traffic rule.

It seems the driver is intoxicated. However, you can’t be entirely sure. Perhaps it’s just a new driver still learning or someone adjusting to driving a manual transmission vehicle.

Regardless, the appropriate action is to call the police and report the unusual behavior. Providing the license plate number, if available, is helpful. However, any description, including the car’s direction, will be useful. The police can then determine the reason behind the unsafe driving and intervene accordingly.

Take Every Necessary Measure

Ensuring everyone’s safety on the road is a collective responsibility. If you witness an impaired driver attempting to operate a vehicle or are already on the road, it’s crucial to help stop them. Not only are they breaking the law, but they’re also putting lives at risk through unsafe driving.

Each year in this country, thousands of people die in alcohol-related driving accidents, and hundreds of thousands suffer injuries. If we can contribute to reducing that number by preventing a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel, everyone benefits.