Show someone how much you care: Drive safely

Valentine’s Day means different things to different people. Today can be a day of romance, a day to celebrate with friends or even treating yourself to that extra piece of chocolate.

Whether you are celebrating today, or looking forward to the discounted candy tomorrow, keep in mind there are many ways to express that you care about others. One of those ways is by driving responsibly and teaching others to do the same.

You can teach those you care about to protect themselves every time they get in a vehicle by explaining the importance of seat belt use. Lead by example and wear a seat belt each and every time you get behind the wheel. They’ll get the message.

Driving while distracted, especially with other people in the vehicle can seem like it’s not a big deal. At the same time, if someone is looking at their phone and texting while driving, a message is sent in more ways than one. It only takes a few seconds for a seemingly harmless message to change the lives of the people in  your vehicle forever.

Similarly, driving over the speed limit or not following the rules of the road can send the message that getting to your destination is more important than the lives of the people you share the road with.

Showing care for others is both a verb and a choice. By making smart decisions, like wearing a seat belt, ditching the distractions, driving sober and obeying the speed limit, you express to everyone how much you truly care.

What message will you send the next time you get behind the wheel?

Avoid a Valentine’s Day tragedy: Apps that can help you get home

Ah, Valentine’s Day. For some, this is a day of celebration with your significant other. For others, it is a reminder that tomorrow discounted chocolate and candy will be readily available. 

If you have special plans this evening that could include alcohol, or if you simply need a quick getaway from that awkward date, keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Transportation has designed apps that can help you keep this day from ending in heartbreak. Here are a few options that you can check out:

SaferRide:

This app is brought to you by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and it provides a simple way to get home safely. It has three easy-to-use buttons on the home screen. Features of this app include:

Get Taxi: Taxi service information for  your area with the ability to press a button to call for a ride home.

Call Friend:  You can pre-program contact information for a friend who has identified themselves as a reliable source of transportation, and the app gives you the option to call them if you need a ride.

Where Am I?:  Are you lost and need to figure out where you are? This button provides a map to help you.

You can download that app here: 

SaferRide for iOS[external link]
SaferRide for Android[external link]

SaferBus:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created an app based on hits “Look before you book,” program. Since  not every bus company is safe and up-to-date on the federal safety regulations, and others simply operate illegally, it is always best to book your next bus ride with careful research.

This app allows you to do the following:

Check to see if the bus company is allowed to operate.

Review the bus’s safety performance.File complaints.

You can download the app here:

SaferBus for iOS[external link]

SaferBus for Android[external link]

For a full list of other helpful transportation mobile apps, click here.

Don’t forget to have a conversation about traffic safety with your sweethearts!