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Children are disproportionately adversely affected when it comes to traffic safety.  And when it comes to bicycle safety, kids are at an even greater risk than adults.

Here we will focus on children and bicycle safety, although almost all the safety tips outlined below are applicable to adults as well.  Safekids Worldwide provides the following guidelines:

This public service announcement is not for the faint of heart.  Hide your families.  Secure your pets.  In fact, secure all your loose items floating around in your vehicle.  You know, the box of tissues, the umbrella resting on the rear dashboard, the miscellaneous kids toys strewn all over the rear seat.  Because when you brake hard, all those things have the potential to become missiles that will fly forward and continue their momentum as the vehicle comes to a sudden stop and may strike you or another passenger.

A few months ago we brought you information on Pedestrian Crossing Signs.  We featured different types of crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signs you are likely to encounter on your road travels—they are designed to protect the most vulnerable road users.

When people drive, they tend to put the cart before the horse—figuratively speaking.  Remember that your vehicle is an instrument, an extension of your driving ability.  If your instrument is in peak working condition, then your driving abilities should be able to reach 100%.  If, however, your instrument falls short of expectations because of underperforming or non-functioning parts, then your performance will suffer before you ever start the ignition.  So, make sure that your vehicle is prime operating condition before you drive away.

The snow is still present, which means it's cold enough for ice to linger as well.  In these trying driving conditions it makes sense to slow down and practice your very best defensive driving.  Let’s stress patience, and employ these tactics when driving during the winter months and snowy conditions:

You no longer need to fret about being in a school classroom or hotel conference room to take traffic school.  Cramped facilities, early start and late release times, 30 minutes tops for lunch.  You have a full schedule already, so let’s take traffic school on your terms.

Falling in line with our earlier blog on Adverse Weather Conditions, let’s make sure you can properly survive any such situation if you happened to get stranded in your vehicle.

You can purchase a standard emergency roadside kit at most major retailers, automotive supplies stores, or online at driver training products and supplies websites.  Do not buy the first kit advertised, and you need not purchase the most expensive kit available either.  Instead, do your homework and ensure that the kit includes, at a minimum, the following items:

Do you know what to expect when you take a driver improvement clinic?  Is this your first time taking one, or are you a veteran traffic school attendee?  Will you sit in a classroom with other students, or study at home on your computer, tablet, or phone?  Have you been ordered by the Department of Motor Vehicles to take such a course?  Will a judge dismiss your ticket if you complete the training?  How about a reduction in insurance premiums?  Or, are you simply curious what will be offered in such a course?

With the season’s first snowfall behind us, let’s take a closer look at the kinds of adverse weather conditions you can encounter while driving.