Before turning on the car engine, make sure everyone is belted in, including the driver, then lock the doors.

Keep pace with the flow of traffic. Driving too fast or too slow increases the probability of a collision.

Stay alert on the road and don’t let a distraction inside the car pull your attention away from the road.

Monitor other cars around you. If another car looks as if it is straddling a center line, weaving, making wider than normal turns or abrupt stops at traffic signals, it could be driven by an impaired driver, Distance yourself or even pull off the road, if possible.

If an oncoming car is crossing into your lane, pull over to the side of the road, honk the horn and flash your lights. Contact police immediately if you witness a driver who appears to be driving suspiciously.

Keep a cool head on the road. Don’t speed up to beat another vehicle to a traffic merge. Respect the right of way rule.

Don’t tailgate another car. Always practice the three-second following distance or a three-second plus following distance.

If you want to go out after work to celebrate a birthday or big promotion, find someone who won’t drink alcohol and can serve as the designated driver. Drunken driving accounts for nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle crashes.