Labor Day Driving Tips - Keep Safe During The Long Weekend

• Remember that speed is the number one cause of accidents.  Long weekend vacations could be stressful, especially with more traffic on the road than normal. But be very careful of your speed -- take your time and enjoy the trip. You'll not only have a more relaxing time with your family, but you will be safer, too.
  
• Get your car checked up before a longer trip. Many times, car crashes are not due to anything that the driver did wrong, but rather a malfunction in the car, such as worn brakes or blown tires. If you are going to be putting more miles on your car or truck than usual this weekend, bring your car in for a check up and oil change to make sure you get your trip off on the right foot.
  
• Buckle up.  Very simply, making sure everyone's seat belt is tightly and correctly buckled is the easiest way to keep your family safer while traveling. Although it might be tempting to unbuckle your seat belt to take a nap in the back seat during a long car ride, it is dangerous and could be the difference between minor injuries during an accident and fatalities.
  
• Know where you are going. Review your directions well before you leave, and if there is more than one person in the car, have a map reader at your side. Accidents are more likely to occur if you are trying to read a map while driving, or if you try to make sudden turns at the last moment. Leave earlier in the day so that you do not feel stressed or rushed.
  
• Don't drive impaired, and be aware that others may be. During long holiday weekends, there are more drunk drivers on the road, more  tired drivers on the road, and more distracted drivers on the road. First of all, don't be one of those drivers! Secondly, be aware that other drivers may not have been as responsible as you are. Drive defensively.