Commuting Daily Play it Safe

Contrary to popular belief and motoring beliefs, Americas (as well as Canada's) controlled access highways and byways are among the safest ' not the most dangerous roads to drive. Indeed the fatality average reported by Canadian authorities for highways in Canada is about ½ the national average (one half) that of the serious accident rates for all roads taken as a full average. However it can be said that even for the most experienced motorists these high speed routes present special challenges and demand quick and determined judgments. So notes experienced Winnipeg based auto industry analyst and pundit William S. Simpson

If you pre-plan your route you will not have to rely completely on sometimes misplaced or even misleading road signs, which can well distract you from safely paying attention to the road. It's always a good idea to have a notebook and working pen handy to jot down route and exit numbers as well as phone numbers. With hands free cell phones you can easily call phone numbers on the go - to solidify or clarify traffic data and information.

As you drive down the entrance ramp or ramps to enter a highway via acceleration lanes, signal your intention and intentions to best merge with highway traffic. If there is a car or vehicle ahead of you, don't make your move until that driver has merged fully and successfully. Trucks - especially those with wide or heavy loads, are far far less maneuverable than a novice or non professional driver might think. Truck tractor trailers require much more and additional distance and distances to stop than automobiles or even pick up trucks or SUVs . As a defensive driving motorist it is always best to increase your following distance and distances an extra truck length or second or two behind large commercial trucks. In addition beware of loose cargo and cargoes - and not even then. It's just too dangerous. Never mind the other driver. Imagine your vehicle - even a large truck or SUV being rammed at full speed from behind. Imagine being hit by a train and even your full size vehicle being reduced to a pancake - with you and your family inside.

It may not be a major highway you are traversing say a California freeway or a New York toll road. Indeed it may be a lonely stretch of the Alaska Highway - you being asked to deliver a Dodge Ram truck to Whitehorse or Yellowknife NWT north of Edmonton Alberta. Indeed it may be the caribou and elk on the road or the Wood Bison which may well be your the greatest safety road hazards during nighttime driving. At least 1 mile (1.55 km) before the exit. Always signal your intention and intention long and well ahead of the turn off. A merging vehicle must always as a matter of standard freeway safety routine always yield to highway traffic. Sadly this is seldom the case in real life highway and turnpike driving . Take care that when you approach an "entrance ramp", move one lane to the left if it safe to do so. According to the BC traffic safety school it is always best if not essential to plan an actual "escape " route just in case the merging automobile swerves directly in front of you. Note the posted ramp speed and speeds and be prepared to break for a tight curve. Vehicles entering and exiting high speed highways and roads are often forced to merge into a "weaving lane". It is always best to especially careful of vehicles crossing your path at high speeds - A hitchhiker anxious for a lift has one foot on the side of the pavement. When driving on a highway scan the shoulder for such smaller hazards, not just cars and trucks. Never stop unless it is an obvious emergency or you may well be a victim in a multi vehicle pileup. No doubt about that. After all shinder says "Drive Safe".

You can never play it too safe on the roads for yourself and your family - never mind your interactions with other "hogs of the road". Drive defensively.

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