United Spinal Association Urges Motorists to Take Precaution this Summer
Summer is here; the roads are filled with travelers and their vehicles, and many accidents occur. The United Spinal Association would like to urge motorists to take precaution when motoring during this season. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are approximately 3 million car-related injuries per year, 2 million permanent injuries, and 40,000 deaths in the U.S. annually – indicating that these statistics are related to irresponsible driving behavior.
As part of its nationwide Motorsafe campaign to promote safe motoring and raise awareness about spinal cord injury, United Spinal reminds the public that automobile accidents are the number one killer of people ages 1 to 37, and the number one cause of spinal cord injuries. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that young drivers are four times more likely to die in car accidents and are much more prone to speed, drive recklessly or intoxicated, and not wear their seat belts, than middle-aged drivers. Practicing and implementing the necessary safety procedures is vital for all motorists while operating vehicles.
United Spinal’s Motorsafe program stresses the following precautions in order to protect yourself from injuries:
• Pay attention.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Properly maintain your vehicle with routine tune-ups.
• Avoid driving if you are intoxicated, tired, or on medication.
• Take defensive driving classes.
• Obey traffic laws and speed limits.
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, or to download a free Motorsafe brochure and safety tips card, please visit www.unitedspinal.org and click, Motorsafe.
United Spinal Association is a national membership organization committed to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries or disorders. Approximately 700,000 Americans have disabilities of the spinal cord as a result of traumatic injury, or multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and other disorders. Membership in United Spinal is free and open to any individual with these disabilities, regardless of age. For more information on United Spinal Association, visit www.unitedspinal.org.