Ten Things Not to Do While Driving

1. Although I am sure many people have done this, I for one have on several occasions but this is not a good habit to get into.

I have actually seen some people take this to the next level. I once saw a person eating a huge slice of pizza while attempting to hold the steering wheel and trying not to let the pizza drip on their white shirt they were wearing. This was obviously too much for this person to handle as they started to encroach upon my lane and when I honked at them it was almost the death of the slice for that poor man. I also witnessed when I was a passenger in a car a person driving while eating with a fork and a plate. I was impressed of course (and scared to death) I mean that takes great eye and hand coordination I can barely get food in my mouth when I am at the table let alone while trying to maneuver a vehicle. But placing a plate in ones lap and being able to maneuver the vehicle while taking bites of spaghetti of all things is simply amazing.


2. I can completely understand the importance of looking your best wherever you might be going but honestly can you really get your hair looking right or shaving your beard while driving down the street and looking in the rearview mirror? 

I don’t think so. I was actually rear-ended by a woman who was brushing her hair while driving. She had actually dropped her brush, tried to retrieve it and BAM! Hit my car. Just recently I have seen more and more men shaving as they are driving down the road obviously on their way to work maybe even woke up late. The amount of time it takes to shave or brush your hair is so short do it before you get in the car or just as you get out while you are parked somewhere; this might not save time but it will sure save you from an accident.

3. The only thing I can think of is more power to you because I am afraid of being poked in the eye while putting on mascara in front of my mirror at home I can only imagine what happens while driving, one wrong move and the worst that can happen is you poke your eye out or else come out looking like a clown in the circus.

I understand that putting on make up takes some time and being able to do it on the drive in will save some time. However how can you concentrate on the road if you are constantly looking in your mirror to make sure you are not messing up? Take a few moments to put your make up on before you start driving or at least when you are at a red light.

4. This is the latest trend that I have been seeing especially since talking on the cell phone without a hands-free kit is against the law in most states.

This trend has got to be the most annoying one. I have heard horror stories about the things that happen when someone is texting while driving. From bus crashes to train crashes and everything in between texting is truly causing major accidents. I even have an acquaintance that is currently recovering from an accident he was in while texting. He now has a steel plate in his leg and has finished almost six months of rehab. His car was totaled all because he just had to send a text while driving. Is that message really that important?

5. Unless you have those new and hip flossers then this is really a two hand activity.

But yet I have seen several people flossing their teeth using their elbows or knees to drive while they make sure their teeth are taken care of. I have also seen people brushing their teeth as well. And while I am all about good oral hygiene I truly think that there is a limit, I mean really people there is a time and a place for everything. I understand that it needs to be done but at least wait until your car is stopped so that you can really get whatever crap there is stuck between your teeth.

6. Now I have changed clothes in the car before just out of necessity but not while driving.

It just seems so simple to pull over change quickly and then get back on the road. When you are changing clothes you are not watching the road, especially if you are pulling a shirt over your head those are precious seconds even moments when you are unable to see anything at all. I can understand if you have to take off your jacket because you are hot but honestly this is something that can be done when you are at a stop just so that you and those on the road are safe.

7. Normally I would never discuss anything of this type but after witnessing more than one person doing this while driving I feel that it is necessary to mention.

Although I am impressed since it takes great hand eye coordination this truly seems like a no brainer. I mean first of all it is completely illegal to do in public and second of all if it is a thrill factor you are seeking try something where other lives are not at risk. It might serve you better to hold that thought until you are in a different location.

8. This goes out to those drivers that eat, drink, talk on the phone and drive all at the same time.

For them it is not simply drive and do something else, no they need to be doing five different things while driving just to increase those chances of something happening. I have to say multitasking period is a difficult venture but doing it while driving is taking it to a completely different level. And while I applaud the efforts I still feel it best if those things were done while the car was at a stop or parked to decrease the chances of something fatal occurring.

9. Now this simply amazes me.

Of course I live by the mantra “Easily Distracted” I even have a shirt that I wear that says just that. Only because it is true I am easily distracted. I enjoy reading a good book just like any one else but I still cannot understand how one can read while driving. I like to get involved in my book and if I get involved in the book then my focus would not be on the road. I am still not sure how someone could completely focus on both possibly because it is impossible. So put down that book and pick up before you go to bed or when you have free time; remember free time does not mean while you are driving down the highway.

10. And just like with number four I would never think of mentioning something like this if I had not seen it with my own eyes.

Very disturbing I might add. Now don’t get me wrong I understand the excitement angle on this one but the danger involved is simply over the top. Sure it sounds like fun or does it?!? Again there is a time and place for everything and driving down the street is just not a good choice. Excitement or not there are other ways to get that over the top excitement without endangering others.

Driving Safety

Driving is risky business. As a defensive driver, you can avoid crashes and help lower your risk behind the wheel.

If you've been out on the roads, you know that not everyone drives well. Some people speed aggressively. Others wander into another lane because they aren't paying attention. Drivers may follow too closely, make sudden turns without signaling, or weave in and out of traffic.

Aggressive drivers are known road hazards, causing one third of all traffic crashes. But inattentive driving is becoming more of a problem as people "multitask" by talking on the phone, texting or checking messages, eating, or even watching TV as they drive.

You can't control the actions of other drivers. But updating your defensive driving skills can help you avoid the dangers caused by other people's bad driving.

Safety Riding - Bycycle Riding

Bicycle riding is a fun and popular activity among kids. And with more and more kids becoming overweight, encouraging kids to be more active and ride their bikes regularly can lead to a healthier lifestyle.
Unfortunately, bicycle riding can also lead to kids getting injured or even dying, especially when they don't wear a helmet. According to the CDC, 'more than 500,000 children go to hospital emergency rooms or doctors' offices due to bicycle injuries' each year.

Although it is a simple way to avoid getting hurt, far too many kids don't wear a helmet when riding their bike. In fact, one survey by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign found that 'only 41 percent of all children observed on bicycles, inline skates, skateboards and scooters wear helmets' and that '35 percent of all children observed wearing helmets wear them improperly', either because the chin strap was unattached, loose, or the helmet was tilted. In our own Bicycle Helmet Poll, only about half of children 'always' wear a helmet.

In addition to setting a good example and always wearing a helmet yourself, here are ten tips to teach your children to encourage safe bike riding:

Always wear a bike helmet
Stop and check traffic before riding into a street
Don't ride at night
Obey traffic signs and signals
Ride on the right-hand side of the street
Check your brakes before riding.
Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way
Wear light or bright-colored clothing so that motorists can see you
Be extra careful turning left - motorists don't expect it
Avoid broken pavement, loose gravel and leaves - which can cause you to lose control of your bike.
But remember that simply wearing a helmet is not enough. Your child has to wear it correctly for it to keep him safe. You should choose a bike helmet that meets current safety standards. Other tips to help you select and correctly use a bike helmet include that you should:

Start children wearing helmets with their first tricycles or play vehicles.
Use foam pads inside to fit the helmet snugly so it doesn't move on the head.
Fit the helmet so the front is just above the top of the eyebrows.
Teach your child to wear a helmet so that it covers the upper part of the forehead and sits level on the head.
Adjust the two side straps so they meet in a "V" right under each ear.
Adjust the chin strap snugly under the chin.
Make it tight enough so the helmet pulls down when the child opens his mouth.
Check often to make sure straps stay snug and the helmet stays level on the head.