Summertime heightens the importance of traffic safety

In my role as a personal injury attorney, I have worked with hundreds of people who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents resulting from negligence or oversight that often could have been prevented with the implementation of proper traffic safety procedures. Listening to their accounts and witnessing the profound impact these accidents have on all those involved has fueled my determination as a county legislator to make traffic safety a top priority.

In Nassau County, car accidents are the fourth-leading cause of injury-related death and the second-leading cause of hospitalizations and ER visits. These sobering statistics make a strong case for reducing those numbers through traffic safety education.

As we embrace the summer season and enjoy the beautiful weather, the importance of traffic safety takes on even greater significance. Summertime brings more outdoor activities, road trips and vacations, but with the added enjoyment come increased risks on the road. I’ve compiled some helpful tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on summer safety.

The paramount tip to keep all passengers in motor vehicles safe is simple: always buckle your seatbelt. That may sound like common-sense advice, but according to the NHTSA, in 2022 there were 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants killed nationwide in motor vehicle collisions, and about 50 percent of those fatalities involved victims not wearing seat belts. If you buckle up in the front seat of a passenger car, you can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.

Many states across the country have adopted the saying, “Buckle up, phone down,” and it has stuck with me, because it shows how two simple actions can drastically reduce your risk of a crash. In New York, as in most states, it’s the law to wear a seat belt and keep your phone hands-free. And many people aren’t aware that New York now also requires all passengers, front and back, to buckle up.

Ensuring that children riding in vehicles are properly secured is another way to greatly reduce the risk of injury in a collision. While the use of child car seats is prevalent today, you might be surprised to know that three out of four child car seats are installed incorrectly. I’m pleased to participate in an ongoing program in conjunction with County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Police Department that offers child car seat safety checks free of charge.

While warmer temperatures inspire more people to walk and ride bikes, pedestrians and cyclists need to always exercise caution. Drivers also need to be more aware of this increased activity. Pedestrians and cyclists should make sure they always cross at marked crosswalks and intersections, and utilize traffic walk buttons before crossing streets. It’s also recommended that walkers and bike riders also put away their phones to avoid being distracted.

During the summer, it’s important to double-check your vehicle’s condition. The increased heat puts extra stress on all of its parts, especially the air conditioning, brakes and tires. Make sure that your tire pressure and tread are at appropriate levels, your cooling system has enough fluid, and that your brakes are functioning properly. Doing this can help prevent breakdowns and crashes caused by vehicle malfunctions.

The sun’s glare can also diminish your field of vision when driving. To help avoid a collision caused by poor visibility, keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle.

Granted, these tips are seemingly simple, yet they can greatly contribute to everyone’s safety while we navigate our congested roads. The NHTSA website, nhta.gov, is a great place to find additional traffic safety tips and a variety of other vehicle safety topics in an easy-to-navigate format.

My sincerest best wishes for an enjoyable and safe summer.

John Giuffré represents Nassau County’s 8th Legislative District.