Driving With That Pet On Your Lap? Don't Do It

Driving around Lakewood all the time, I see a lot of pets on drivers' laps. We at Gordon Tower Insurance want you to be safe and want to help you avoid accidents while driving - keep Fido off your lap! We love our pets too, but you need to be concentrating on driving around our busy vibrant community, not distracted by your beloved pet. Also, on long road trips, learn to pull over when you need to. Do not drive tired. It’s just not worth it. Get plenty of sleep before you drive.

Do not drive impaired. Even many prescription drugs can negatively affect your driving ability. Don't drink alcohol, take drugs, or drive when you're sick. Your judgment is not as good when you have a cold or bacterial infection.

Pay maximum attention while driving. You are much more likely to make a grave error when distracted. Not only is texting illegal, but receiving a text prompt can be disturbing. Turn off your cell phone, and ladies, put your makeup on at home please! Make sure your makeup is okay before you leave so you’re not checking the mirror repeatedly. Read your newspaper with your cup of coffee before you leave, set your radio dial before you pull out of the driveway. You really need two hands to steer so don't let go of the steering wheel to eat, drink, or do other things that you shouldn’t be doing while driving.

Make sure if your vehicle is overloaded for a road trip that you have plenty of elbow and head room to drive. Also, don’t be tempted to stick extra items down by the driver’s side floor. You need substantial room around you while maneuvering your car.

Make sure you stay visually alert to everything around you, not just what’s ahead. Keep your eyes moving. Don't just fix your gaze straight ahead and get visually lazy - check your mirrors often and look out your side windows occasionally. You need to maintain an awareness of everything that's developing outside your car.

Use your turn signal any time you are switching lanes, exiting the highway or turning. If other drivers understand what you're doing, they're less likely to get in your way. Many accidents could have been avoided if drivers made using their turn signals a habit!

Make sure you are well-acquainted with your car. Know your vehicle intimately. How far is the front bumper from that car in front of you when you are parallel parking? How far out do your rear view mirrors extend? Do your tires have the proper air pressure? Make sure the car is serviced properly. Keep up with regular maintenance on your vehicle. Check tires, engine light, oil pressure, temperature etc.

Let people who want to drive faster pass you. Don't worry about speeding up to accommodate them. Who cares if they beat you to your destination? At least you will arrive in one piece! So what if you have to wait an extra light to get through the intersection. If someone blows their horn why not just let them pass? Be polite – let pedestrians have the right of way. Let other drivers merge in when waiting in a long queue. You are a better person for it. In other words, relax. It doesn’t pay to be angry. You will be more relaxed when you reach your destination and will have avoided an accident!

Call Gordon Tower Insurance today at 216/663-7777 for a free consultation.  Michael Bodnar will review your insurance policies and conduct a free insurance analysis. When you contact us at Gordon Tower Insurance, we’ll work together to help you select the insurance coverages you need for your auto, home, motorcycle, boat, business or life insurance that are right for you.

Lakewood resident, Mary Bodnar, is a professional freelance writer who has been published in a wide range of newspapers and magazines – Great Lakes Mariner Magazine, Your Boat Connection, Cleveland/Akron Family Magazine, Lake Erie Living Magazine, CBC (Cleveland Business Connect) Magazine, Cleveland Jewish News and many other newsletters and publications over the years. 

Mary Bodnar

Mary Bodnar is a professional freelance writer who has been published in a wide range of newspapers and magazines – Great Lakes Mariner Magazine, Your Boat Connection, Cleveland/Akron Family Magazine, Lake Erie Living Magazine, CBC (Cleveland Business Connect) Magazine, Cleveland Jewish News and many other newsletters and publications over the years.  She is also Editor and Press Agent for the book “Music of Our Spheres: A Collection of Ruminations” available on Amazon.com. She is co-host of Word Lovers Writers Retreats in Lakeside, OH w/writer friend Claudia Taller. In addition she was the Theater Critic for the Lakewood Observer Newspaper as well as being a regular contributing writer covering human interest stories for the Lakewood Observer.  Mary also conducted all the extensive interviews with five ordained women that formed the core of the multi-media production “Making Waves” play. She is also an established workshop presenter and has shared her love of poetry, not only through her dance performance programs but as a poetry writing educator with a variety of groups. Her Odes Writing Poetry Workshop has received accolades from attendees. As a volunteer, she also writes and is the copy editor for her church website and other church publications. 

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Volume 12, Issue 6, Posted 12:14 PM, 03.16.2016