This month, we address potholes – which will likely be more prevalent than usual, thanks to the harsh winter weather – plus gas station safety and tips for using GPS without putting your life, and the lives of others, at risk.
Pothole Alert
- Always be on the lookout for potholes as the temperature rises following a snowstorm. Potholes can cause severe damage to your vehicle. Hitting a large pothole can also cause a serious injury to you and/or your passengers.
- Maintain a slower speed than usual when potholes are visible. If you see a repair crew, there are probably a lot of potholes nearby. If you see a particularly large or dangerous pothole, report the location to the Department of Transportation and your base, so other drivers can be alerted.
- During this time of year, sun glare can also be a safety concern. When your vision is impaired by sun glare, use extra caution – especially when negotiating a turn in a pedestrian area.
Gas Station Accidents
- Always enter and exit a gas station cautiously, as motorists often recklessly use them to avoid a red traffic signal – which is illegal.
- Beware of other motorists who may cut in front of you to get to a gas pump.
- If entering a gas station at night in a rural or sparsely populated area, use extra caution. Gas stations can be targets for armed robbers.
- When you exit a gas station, be cautious. There may be oil or gas on the road.
- Never approach a cashier with a large amount of cash in your hand. Try to have the exact amount you need. There may be a thief or a potential armed robber watching and waiting to rob you.
- Always check your tires and fluids at a gas station. Preventive maintenance can dramatically reduce your chances of breaking down in an area with no shoulder, leaving you in a dangerous position.
- Never top off your gas tank. You do not want excess gasoline dripping down the side of your vehicle.
Using GPS Safely
To safely use GPS while driving, minimize interactions with the device while the vehicle is in motion and prioritize common sense over automated instructions.
- Set up your GPS before you hit the road. Input your destination and review the route before you start driving. Before departing, quickly look over the main turns and the general path to help avoid sudden reactions to unexpected turns. Many built-in GPS systems will lock editing functions while the car is in motion for this reason.
- Mount the device properly, positioning the unit or phone in a mount that is within your line of sight but does not obstruct your view of the road (e.g., on the dash or a windshield mount, if local laws permit). Avoid placing it in your lap or the center console, which requires you to look down and take your eyes entirely off the road.
- Turn on voice commands. Utilize the audio directions feature and ensure the volume is high enough to hear clearly over music or conversations. This allows you to follow the route without constantly looking at the screen.
- While driving, do not interact with the device. Avoid typing, scrolling or entering new information while driving. Physical interaction with a phone or GPS is a major distraction and often illegal.
- If you need to change the destination, search for a new location or make any other adjustments, pull over to a safe location, like a parking lot.
- Obey traffic signs over GPS instructions. Always follow actual road signs, traffic laws and advisories (like low bridge warnings or temporary detours), even if the GPS suggests a different action. Your judgment and road knowledge should override the system’s instructions.
- Don’t panic if you miss a turn. They happen. Do not make sudden lane changes or unsafe maneuvers. The GPS will simply re-route you. It’s better to arrive safely a few minutes late than to drive dangerously.
- Ignore unrelated distractions. Adhere to general distracted driving rules. Ignore incoming text messages or phone calls while the vehicle is in motion.
