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Published on Tuesday, July 6, 2004
in the Florida Today
Use your seatbelt: Of 32 people killed statewide during the 2004 Fourth of July holiday, 13 were not properly restrained.
In 2003, 25 deaths were reported. Fourteen of those killed were not wearing seatbelts.
"When I speak at high schools, I tell kids that I usually don't unbuckle dead people," said Trooper Kim Miller, Florida Highway Patrol public information officer.
Alcohol's out: Twenty-two percent of state deaths this holiday weekend were alcohol-related; 45 percent were not and 33 percent are listed as unknown by FHP until final test results are in. Fifty percent of deaths on Florida roads over the 2003 July Fourth weekend were alcohol-related.
Watch for road debris: Often, making a good decision when road debris is involved means a quick judgment that can result in unexpected consquences, said Gregg Laskoski, spokesman for AAA South.
Highway experts advise decreasing speed and sometimes, hitting debris rather than trying to get away from it.
"If they're in the middle lane, they may not be aware of vehicles to the left and right, and their initial reaction is swerve out of the way," Laskoski said. "That can cause greater problems than if they drove over the debris."
Slow down: "You can see it in other drivers' eyes sometimes: 'I've gotta get there as quickly as possible,' " Miller said. "The Interstate isn't a raceway. There isn't a checkered flag at the end of I-4."
Miller advises leaving an hour earlier for a long trip rather than being in a hurry.
Leave space between you and the car in front of you: One of the major causes for accidents seen by Titusville Police Department is drivers following other drivers too closely.
"People see a spot between two cars that's barely a car length and they swerve right into it," said Warren Van Vuren, public information officer.
On the highway, AAA recommends at least four to five seconds between cars as a safe distance.
Pay attention: The No. 1 distraction for drivers? According to FHP, it's not using a cell phone, eating or putting on makeup: It's turning one's head to talk to a passenger. That severely minimizes the ability to be aware of vehicles around you and problems ahead of you, Miller said.
If you do go off the road: Take your foot off the gas and "ride it out," paying attention as you steer, said Miller.
Drivers have less than a second to decide what they'll do in an emergency situation, she said.
The natural reaction after leaving the road -- to slam on the brakes -- can be deadly. "They think the brake will make them stop - it will make you stop, but if you're on unstable ground, like gravel or grass, the vehicle can go out of control," Miller said.