March TRAFFIC SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

This month's traffic safety tip involves several topics that involve general safe driving skills and is brought to you by PennDOT.

Safety

General Driving Safety

When you are tired, you react slower, your judgment and your vision are impaired and you have problems understanding and remembering things.

Driving while fatigued has similar effects as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Being awake for 18 hours impairs driving about as much as a blood alcohol level of .05 percent.

Being awake for 24 consecutive hours impairs driving as much as having a blood alcohol level of .10 percent.

If you are tired enough, you will fall asleep and never even know it.

Sleeping behind the wheel for even a few seconds is enough to kill you.

Teens who sleep less than eight hours a night are at increased risk for vehicle crashes.

The best thing to do if you begin to feel tired while driving is to stop driving.

Get adequate sleep — most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day.

Schedule proper breaks — about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips.

Arrange for a travel companion — someone to talk with and share the driving.

Avoid alcohol and sedating medications — check your labels or ask your doctor.

Rural roads abound in Pennsylvania offering motorists breathtaking scenery and sites steeped in rich history and tradition.

In many areas across the state, it is not unusual to find yourself sharing the road with farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles.

While familiar fixtures on many roadways, these vehicles may also bring with them unfamiliar hazards.

Additionally, many rural roads offer less room to maneuver, loose gravel or grassy berms, and an array of sharp dips and unexpected turns.

When combined with the presence of slow-moving vehicles, these hazards offer motorists their share of driving challenges.

When Driving,

Start SMART

S - SEAT belt on, seat adjusted

M - MIRRORS adjusted and clear

A - AIR conditioning, heating and defrost controls set

R - RADIO and audio panel set

T - THOROUGHLY check the area for traffic, people or objects

Stay SMART

S - Watch your SPEED

M - Frequently check your MIRRORS

A - AVOID distractions

R - Remember the RULES of the road

T - Give yourself enough TIME to reach your destination

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Did you know that you can be exposed to Carbon Monoxide in your vehicle?

This PA Department of Health Fact Sheet(opens in a new tab) explains the risks and warning signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, no matter where you are.

Here are tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in vehicles.

Created Feb 23, 2026 @ 10:55 AM | Updated Mar 9, 2026 @ 7:00 AM