United Spinal Association Targets Safer Holiday Driving
Jackson Heights, NY––Every thirteen minutes there is a motor vehicle fatality in the United States and with the holiday season upon us drivers are facing even greater risks from alcohol-related accidents, fatigue, and increased traffic.
United Spinal Association’s Motorsafe campaign is aggressively promoting safe driving skills and urging all Americans to take special precautions this holiday season.
U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show that approximately 3 million car-related injuries occur annually. The most common causes include:
- Reckless and negligent driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Inexperienced and irresponsible drivers
- Inattentiveness to the road and other vehicles (i.e., tuning the radio, talking on a cell phone, tending to children in the backseat)
By planning ahead, allowing plenty of time for long trips, and observing the following basic rules, all drivers can help ensure highway safety this holiday season:
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Properly maintain your vehicle with routine tune-ups.
- Be aware of road conditions
- Avoid driving if you are intoxicated, tired, or on medication
- Take defensive driving classes.
- Obey traffic laws and speed limits
- Share the road with the many other holiday travelers on the road and make sure you leave plenty of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
United Spinal Association’s Motorsafe program is a nationwide public awareness campaign promoting safe motoring. The program targets all people who operate automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, motorboats, personal watercraft, and snowmobiles. United Spinal’s goal is to share information and knowledge of specific hazards involved in operating these types of equipment and to highlight good practices that will prevent serious injury or even death. For more information please call 800.404.2898 ext. 278 or email motorsafe@unitedspinal.org.
United Spinal Association is a national advocacy and disability rights organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Membership is free and open to all individuals with disabilities of the spinal cord.