The Eid al-Adha holiday will take place between June 28 and July 1, and many citizens in our country are preparing for a 9-day holiday within the scope of administrative leave. Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener, reminding the importance of driving safety to prevent the recurrence of accidents that happen every year, states that breaks of at least 15 minutes should be taken every 2 hours, and during these breaks, the vehicle should be circled to perform checks. Şener, drawing attention to speed, also underlines that a 20-kilometer speed increase raises the risk of death 6-fold in the event of a possible accident.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi OHS Specialist, Lecturer Özgür Şener, offered recommendations and warnings about driving safety to those who will be traveling for the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Attention to driving safety during the 9-day holiday!
With this year's Eid al-Adha holiday covering June 28 - July 1, spanning 9 days, many people are preparing to go on vacation. Road and traffic safety consultant Şener, warning citizens who will travel for the holiday to pay attention to driving safety, said, “The first thing those traveling with their own vehicle should do is to have their vehicle serviced. To ensure your holiday is not interrupted or to prevent a more regrettable incident, make sure your vehicle's periodic maintenance is complete before setting off on your journey.”
Ensure you rest for at least 8 hours before setting off!
Emphasizing that sleep is another important issue to pay attention to, Şener advised, “Before setting off on your journey, make sure you have rested for at least 8 hours. Traveling with an energetic body is very important for your driving pleasure and safety. Also, before your trip, check the road, traffic, and weather conditions of the region you are going to, as well as any road work. Plan your rest stops and determine points you can visit in case of emergencies.”
Wearing a seatbelt takes 1 second; the pain if not worn lasts a lifetime
Şener, also touching upon preparations to be made before the journey, said, “Check your vehicle's functions such as tires, lighting, load security, and fuel. Make sure any deficiencies like windshield wiper fluid are topped up. Keep your vehicle's documents such as registration and driver's license ready.”
Drawing attention to the importance of wearing a seatbelt, road and traffic safety consultant Şener continued:
“Wearing a seatbelt takes no more than 1 second of your time. However, if not worn, the suffering can be unforgettable for a lifetime. Ensure all passengers in the vehicle wear their seatbelts. Make sure you use appropriate car seats for babies and children, and that the child seat is secured to the vehicle and the child is secured in the child seat.”
A 20-kilometer speed increase raises the risk of death 6-fold
Şener, stating that sensitivity should be shown regarding compliance with traffic rules, warned, “Exercise maximum caution during urban transit. Obey traffic police, municipal police, and all illuminated, horizontal, and vertical markings. Remember, rules exist to keep us alive. All research and accident analyses prove that danger increases with speed. A 20-kilometer per hour speed increase over a 500-kilometer road will save you a maximum of 40 minutes. However, in the event of a possible accident, it increases your risk of death 6-fold.”
Take a 15 min. break every 2 hours and check your vehicle!
Lecturer Özgür Şener, underlining that drivers should allow themselves time during travel, said, “Take 15-minute breaks every maximum of 2 hours. This way, you can also see the beauties around you during your journey. Don't forget to check your vehicle during these breaks. Your journey may be extended for many reasons. If you feel unwell, stop driving.”
Şener concluded by recommending final checks by walking around the vehicle after the journey:
“Every year, holiday news merges with accident news. Instead of having a happy, beautiful holiday with our loved ones, we can experience sorrow and mourning. Let's not live through the same scenarios this Eid. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday...”