Massachusetts Crash Fatality Facts

• 430 people died in Massachusetts crashes in 2006
• 53% were not wearing seatbelts
• 40% (174) were alcohol related
• 34% (148) were speed related
• 21% (91) occurred at intersections
• 14% (61) were pedestrians
• 12% (50) were motorcycle riders
• 1% (6) were bicycle riders

Drive Safely To Work Week

1. Focus your attention on driving. Distracted driving is estimated to be a factor in 25% to 50% of all traffic crashes.
2. Keep your distance. Give yourself room to react. You’ll need it in a crisis.
3. Drive at a speed that is reasonable for conditions. Speed Limits are posted for ideal driving conditions. When traffic, roadway, weather or visibility conditions are less than ideal, consider driving at a slower speed. Crashes at higher speeds generally cause more severe crashes.
4. Scan your environment. Be aware of upcoming cross streets and decision points. Spotting a traffic sign or signal early allows you to be prepared to stop.
5. Maintain your vehicle. See that all cargo is properly secured. Set your temperature controls and pre-set the climate control, radio and CD player prior to driving.
6. Create a "Safety Cushion" around your vehicle. When merging into a lane make sure that you expand your “safety cushion” to allow adequate distance and reaction time between your vehicle and the vehicles in front of you.
7. Eliminate blind spots. Adjust your side and rear-view mirrors in advance of driving to provide as much sight-distance as possible.
8. Know your limitations. The decreasing daylight means you’ll be commuting in twilight or dark conditions. A driver’s vision, including depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision is affected by darkened conditions.
9. Know your surroundings. Be aware of trucks and buses as they need more room to turn, change lanes and stop in traffic. Trucks and buses take longer to accelerate from a stop or slowing pace, be patient.
10. Share the Road. When starting from a green light at an intersection, always check one last time to verify that there are no pedestrians crossing or bicyclists in your travel path. Be considerate of other road users.