Safe Driving this Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is the on-ramp to the summer driving season, the deadliest time on the road. Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety officials are reminding motorists to make safe, smart decisions during the historically deadly and high-traffic weekend.

Weekend Road Trip Safety Tips

• ·         Buckle up, drive at safe speeds, drive sober and pay attention — nearly all crashes are caused by human error. These are the four primary keys to staying safe on the road.
• ·         Be patient — expect more traffic and give yourself extra time to arrive at your destination safely.
• ·         Drive well-rested — get good night’s sleep before traveling and rotate drivers.
• ·         Look twice for motorcyclists — check blind spots, and look for riders at intersections, especially when turning.
• ·         Motorcyclists — wear the protective gear, ride sober and ride at safe speeds.
• ·         Work zones — slow down in work zones; visit 511mn.org for road construction updates.
• ·         Move over — move over a lane for emergency vehicles that have lights flashing on the shoulder of the road.

In Rice County during the three year period of 2010-2012, there were 8 motor vehicle fatalities.  Five of those fatalities were not buckled.  Please remember wearing your seat is your best defense against an impaired driver.  You might be the safest driver on the road, but not everyone else is.  So buckle up, every seat, every age, every time.