Yes, like the cartoon suggests, texting while driving could cut your life--as well as some one else's--short. Ditto with drinking and driving. But you already knew that, right?Drive Defensively
The best advice my mom gave me when I was learning to drive was to drive defensively. Instead of having other drivers watch out for you, keep your own eyes on the road at all times. Watch out for potential problems--deer, objects falling off the back of trucks, a motorist who can't stay in his lane, slower moving traffic up ahead, new drivers on the road. The list is endless. When you are alert, you can help prevent many accidents from ever taking place.
Accelerator Stuck
I was in my early 20's when the gas pedal stuck on my '73 Ford Mustang. Learning what to do was never taught in Driver's Ed. Thankfully, regaining my composure helped find a logical solution.
Here's what you do if your car's accelerator gets stuck and the engine is revving and you keep going faster:
* Don't panic
* Floor the breaks and ride them
* Throw the car into neutral
* Pull over to the side of the road
* Turn the car off
You could also just turn your car off and steer your vehicle to the side of the road, but be aware that you will loose power steering. The steering wheel will feel stiff, so you'll need to use some muscle to move off of the road.
Of course you need to be mindful of traffic. If you're on a highway, turning on your safety hazards will alert other drivers that there is something wrong and to beware.
Live Wire
Unfortunately, I've had this happen to me, too.If you notice an overhead wire on the road, or if one should fall on top of your vehicle while you are driving:
* Stay inside your car and continue to drive away from the wire
* If your car's engine stalls out, stay in your vehicle
* Call 911, or ask someone else to call them or the local electric company
* Warn other well-meaning people not to touch the vehicle or the wire
And remember: even a wire that's not dancing or "snaking" around can still be a deadly live wire.
Car Dies
A friend of mine was driving several of us through Pennsylvania on I-80 when the car's engine stopped with no warning. After trying several times to unsuccessfully re-start the car, he coasted us safely over to the side of the highway.
If this should happen to you, try the above, or just pull over to the shoulder of the road and call for help. If you are in the middle of traffic, putting your hazards on will alert other motorists that you are not going to be going the speed limit.
Tornado
If a tornado is visible and still off in the distance, you may be able to drive away from it by moving out of its path. Drive at right angles from the position of the tornado's location.
If it's too close, as quickly and as safely as possible, park the car at the side of the road. Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building.
If you are out in the country and surrounded by fields, run to low ground away from cars, power lines, or trees. Lie flat and face-down. Protect the back of your head and neck with your arms.
Never ever seek shelter under a bridge. Think "wind tunnel".
Fall Into Deep Water
God forbid this should ever happen to anyone, but if your car goes off the road or a bridge and into water:
* If you act quickly, you should either open the door right away before it starts to sink, or open a window and escape. You will only have a few seconds to open the door.
* If you can't do either, make sure the doors are unlocked and the key is still in the ignition.
* Calmly wait until you car is completely submerged and wait for the pressure to be equalized.
* Open the door, and follow the air bubbles up.
The below video demonstrates the acronymn, POGO, which stands for:
Pop seatbelt
Open window
Get
Out
It's always good to know what to do in case of such emergencies. But, above all, remind yourself to stay calm in any situation and you will be able to think things through. --LKR
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