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Our first core value at Hunton Services’ reflects our commitment to safety. We will live safely every day. Nobody Gets Hurt.. Safety is important in the field, office and out on the road. Driving is likely the most dangerous thing you ever do, and most of us are in a vehicle nearly every day!

Did you know that reaction time is delayed for a driver talking on a cell phone as much as it is for a driver who is legally drunk? More texting leads to more crashes. With each additional 1 million text messages, fatalities from distracted driving rose more than 75%. Studies show that drivers who send or receive text messages focus their attention away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded!

Here are 7 tips to keep in mind when you are behind the wheel:

1. Stay Alert – Actively pay attention to your actions and those of the drivers around you when you are driving. Drowsy driving can be as bad as driving drunk, so make sure you are getting plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel. 

2. Use Turn Signals – While you can’t depend on others always signaling their intentions when driving, you can certainly control whether or not they have realistic expectations for your actions. Always use your turn signals in advance of making a lane change or turning.

3. Know Where You Are Going – Plan your travel route ahead of time so that you aren’t struggling to figure out where to go while you are operating a motorized vehicle.

4. Avoid Distractions – Sending text messages isn’t the only dangerous distraction that drivers need to avoid while operating a vehicle. Changing the radio, talking on the phone, eating, and interacting with passengers are just a few examples of the types of distractions that you should take care to avoid when driving.

5. Share the Road – Remember that you are not the only driver on the road. An important safety trip that everyone needs to follow is the need to share the road with others graciously, recognizing that all drivers deserve to be treated with respect.

6. Recognize Stopped Vehicles – When passing vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, move over to get out of the way if the way is clear for you to change lanes. If changing lanes is not possible, slow down while passing stopped vehicles.

7. Go the Speed Limit – When driving, it’s important to stick to the posted speed limit at all times. Did you know that driving too fast is linked to the majority of all traffic accidents? About one-third of all traffic fatalities are caused, in part, due to driving too fast.

Every year, our roadways improve and our vehicles are better designed. It’s important for drivers to keep safety at the very top of the priority list. Safety is the essence of our culture at Hunton and driving is a part of living safely everyday.