Traveling during the holidays?

November is the beginning of a busy driving season. Many of you will be taking road trips to visit families and friends. I have an upcoming trip scheduled and am planning to let my 16 year old handle most of the driving. It will be a good learning experience for her. If only the auto-makers could install the passenger side brake….. With that thought in mind, here is a top ten list of injury prevention tips that I have learned from being a passenger with a teen driver.

10) Seat belts are your best defense against impaired or distracted drivers
9) Keep loose items secured in the car
8) And do pull off the road to take a break and enjoy a meal
7) DVD’s are for back seat passengers only!
6) Dogs are our best friend, but NOT in the driver’s seat
5) And NO grooming of any kind—human or pet
4) Truck pick up beds are for carrying non-living objects
3) And make sure those objects are safely tied down
2) Program your GPS BEFORE leaving the driveway

And the top injury prevention driving tip this holiday season—
1) NEVER TEXT WHILE DRIVING

Thanks, and have a safe Happy Thanksgiving!!!

- Mary Ann Contreras RN
Injury Prevention Coordinator