Education and Resources

Always Buckle Up

Click It or Ticket
Seat belt usage is the lowest among teen drivers with 58% of fatal crashes in 2016 involving drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelt. Remember… IT’S THE LAW.

Impaired Driving

Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over
31% of teen driver fatalities were speed related while 20% were alcohol related in 2016.
If you are younger than 21, it is illegal to purchase, possess, and drink alcoholic beverages. If you or the person you are riding with have consumed alcohol or participated in drug-related activities, do not drive.

Drowsy Driving is as dangerous as Driving Drunk
Busy schedules lead to lack of sleep. Teens need more sleep than ever, and studies suggest that teen drivers (aged 15-18) accounted for almost 10% of fatal drowsy driving crashes. Drowsy driving affects a driver’s alertness, motor coordination, reaction time, judgment, and decision-making capabilities.
Sleep is the only remedy for drowsy driving!

Educate your teen on the warning signs of drowsy driving which include:

• Having trouble keeping your eyes open and focused or the inability to keep your head up
• Daydreaming or having wandering, disconnected thoughts
• Drifting from your lane or off the road, or tailgating
• Yawning frequently or rubbing your eyes repeatedly
• Missing or not remembering signs of your intended turn or exit, how far you have traveled, or being unable to remember how far you have traveled, or landmarks you have passed

Here’s the Bottom Line

Set a Good Example
Teens are influenced by your actions more than you think. Get involved in their driving habits and remind them that safe driving practices are essential.

Speak Up
Don’t stop at driving safely when you are the passenger. Be a good co-pilot by keeping the driver from distractions and making sure they are alert, awake, and able to drive safely.

Ready to Start Driving? Get a License!
Here’s how you can jumpstart safe driving. First step? Traffic safety and driver education. Look no further than
Ohio’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles for more information about eligibility and requirements and to find testing in your area.

Learn More:
• Distraction.gov
• Impactteendrivers.org
• Noys.org
• Nhtsa.gov
• Statepatrol.ohio.gov
• https://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-greater-toledo

When Sharing the Road with Trucks and Buses:

Give them plenty of room

Trucks and buses cannot maneuver quickly. A commercial driver is trained to leave plenty of space around the truck or bus. In our smaller vehicles, we often see this space as a convenient avenue to a lane change. Do not cut in front too soon after passing a truck or bus. You should not pull back in until you see both of the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror.

Do not follow closely

If you are too close behind the bus, truck or RV, the driver probably cannot see you. You also cannot see the road in front of the driver. Leave yourself extra following distance, so you have more time to react and a better view of the road ahead.

Watch for the commercial driver’s signals

Trucks and buses make wide turns. A collision may occur when a truck or bus swings left to make a wide right turn, and an unaware driver tries to pass on the right as the bigger vehicle starts to swing right again.

Beware of no-zones

Places where a truck driver cannot see you are referred to as “no-zones.” No-zones are immediately in front of trucks, in back of trucks and to the side of trucks. If you cannot see the truck or bus driver in their side view mirror, the driver cannot see you.

Source: AARP
 

Drivers:

Watch the Road

•     Leave 15 seconds of time and space to slow down

Don't Drive Drowsy. Take A Break. Drive Awake.

•     Watch for signs of drowsiness like blurry or heavy eyes, spacing out, or the inability to remember road signs
•     Pull over and take a break; take a walk and stretch to get your body and blood flow moving again
•     Adhere to continuous driving hour restrictions and do not exceed the limit

Buckle Up

•     Without a seatbelt, you are 25 times more likely to be thrown from your vehicle.
•     It's the Law!

Don't Speed

•     Follow safe driving and speed limits while being mindful of turns and road curves

Check Blindspots Frequently

•     Continuously checking blind spots and your mirrors will help eliminate missed vehicles surrounding you as you drive, merge, or turn

Be Aware of Weather

•     Weather Conditions can make the road mor hazardous than normal
•     Slow down and take precautions! Ice and limited visibility due to weather could impact your driving at any time

For additional information,  see the state of Ohio CDL manual or visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

Planning a roadtrip or just out for a long drive? Check out these helpful tricks and tips to stay safe and undistracted on the road!