Spring travel safety part of 101 Critical Days of Summer Published May 2, 2007 By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel 48th Fighter Wing commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The weather is warm, the sun is shining and many of you are in the mood to explore England and Europe. Spring is a great time to see the sites of our host nation and Europe, but it is also a time for extra precautions on the roads. For those of you who didn't read my commentary last week, which included a perspective from Master Sgt. Michael Agnew who is currently serving a two-year sentence in a British prison for causing death by dangerous driving, I ask you to go back and read it, here. For those of you who did read it, read it again but to your spouse, your teenager, your young Airmen, or your unit on Safety Day. It's a big wake-up call as to how dangerous the local roads can be, even during sunny, beautiful spring weather. As we gear up for the start of the 101 Critical Days of Summer with our Wing Safety Day May 7, I challenge all Liberty Warriors in this wing-wide goal: zero traveling mishaps for the months May - August. By adhering to a few simple rules, we can easily accomplish this goal. First step in preparing for any trip is adequate planning. Traveling can be a great adventure, but irresponsible behavior and not planning appropriately can bring your vacation to a screeching halt. - Chart your course with a GPS, the internet, or a simple map - Plan rest stops every two-to-three hours when driving--fatigue is one of the biggest factors of accidents. If you're tired, take a break and stretch your legs. If you have to, find a good place to park and take a nap - Drive during daylight hours, if at all possible. A high percentage of drivers on the road after dark are usually fatigued or have been drinking, with the likelihood of a mishap increasing with each passing mile - Ensure your car is in proper working order before heading out on the road, even for short trips - Be prepared to prevent collisions in spite of the actions of others--drive defensively and do not overcompensate if you go off the road. Simple take your foot off the gas, and slowly ease yourself back into your lane. Over correcting causes the severity of accidents to increase drastically. Next, if your car should break down and you're not near a safe spots, follow these steps: - Get off the roadway, out of the path of oncoming traffic, even if you to have to drive on a flat tire. The tire is replaceable - Turn on your emergency flashers. If you have emergency roadway flares, position them in a visible location. - Raise the hood and tie a handkerchief to the aerial or door handle. - If a mobile phone, roadside telephone or call-box is handy, use it. If not, sit in your locked car and wait for help. - If a motorist stops to render assistance, it's better to remain in the car, and ask him to get help. Likewise, if you see a stranded motorist, it's better not to stop. Notify the police Finally, and simply, do not speed. Saving a few minutes by pushing the envelope is not worth the risk to anyone--you or fellow drivers. When you drive, you are making the choices that affect your safety, your family's safety and the safety of drivers around you. Your actions affect the driving community sharing the road with you. Car accidents claim the lives of too many of us each year. With the help of all Liberty Warriors, I feel we can reach our goal of zero traveling mishaps. Remember, preparing, planning and executing your trip effectively will not only save you time, but could also save your life and the lives of your family, friends and neighbors.