National Public Health Week: Safety behind the wheel: Buckle up!

There are inherent risks that come along with day-to-day life, and many of those involve simply getting around town. If we all take a moment to consider some aspects of transportation safety, we can help reduce the risk of an accident or injury while behind the wheel.

Simply obeying the law and driving defensively can reduce your risk of an accident and help to avoid expensive traffic tickets. Speed limits and traffic laws are there for a reason, and breaking them puts you and others at risk for an accident. If you consistently feel rushed to get to where you need to be, plan ahead and leave early enough to allow ample time to reach your destination. Also, yielding when you have the right-of-way can help avoid an accident with a driver who may be lost, confused or distracted.

Distracted driving is a major safety concern. Cell phone use while driving, especially text messaging, may not be against the law in Nevada yet, but that doesn't make these habits any less dangerous. According to the U.S. Department of Trans-portation website for distracted driving (www.distraction.gov), 20 percent of traffic accidents that caused injuries and 16 percent of all accident deaths in 2009 were a result of distracted driving. For your own safety and that of others, please keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. If you must communicate by phone, please find a safe place to pull over and stop your car before you answer that text.

Finally, there is the tried-and-true way to avoid serious injury if involved in a traffic accident: Wear your seatbelt. Be sure that you buckle up every trip, and see to it that all other passengers do as well. Be sure that children are properly secured in appropriate car seats and booster seats, and that the seats are in good repair and properly installed in your car.