Driver Awareness Tips

The holidays are a great time for family and friends to create many memories together.  Safety when you leave the house and travel is an obvious concern but please remember, safety begins with you. (https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/holidaytravel/holiday-safety/ )

Please take into consideration some precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  You can view more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html or https://www.flgov.com/covid-19/.

Follow these tips to help ensure we all Arrive Alive this holiday season:

  • Never drive impaired. Celebrate responsibly and do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or took drugs that cause impairment. Plan ahead and find a safe way home every time – designate a driver or use a ride service.
  • Check your tires. Tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road. Check your tire pressure, tread depth and spare tire especially before long trips.  Do not over load your vehicle, it can result in premature wear and tire blowouts.
  • Buckle up. A seat belt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature. Florida law requires that all drivers, all front seat passengers and all passengers under the age of 18 wear seat belts or the appropriate child restraints.  Seat belts save lives, so buckle up every trip, every time.
  • Register or update your Emergency Contact Information (ECI). ECI is a secure system allowing law enforcement, nationwide, to contact designated family or friends in response to an emergency situation.
  • Observe and obey all speed limits. Speed limits may change as you drive through different types of roadways, so make sure you adjust your speed accordingly. In Florida, the limit will never be over 70 mph.

Keeping Your Home Safe

  • We all want our homes to reflect the joy of the season, but avoid displaying gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
  • Arrange to have packages delivered to a neighbor if you’re not home to receive them. Packages left on porches or doorsteps are “easy picking” for thieves. It also draws unwanted attention to your home.
  • Consider simple outside decorations. Elaborate decorations are sometimes stolen right off the lawn.
  • Be sure not to obscure the view from your windows. You need a clear view of your property.
  • Always lock your home’s doors and windows, even if you’re only gone for a few minutes.
  • Dispose of gift packaging discreetly. Often criminals will spot something you’ve discarded and can target you for their next burglary or theft.

Remain Alert While Shopping

  • Always lock your car and close the windows, even if you’re only gone a few moments. When possible, lock all merchandise or packages in the trunk of your car. Load your packages before departing and not at the next destination.
  • Shop with at least one other person. Have your car or house key in your hand as you approach the door.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Look inside your car and around it as you approach.
  • Be mindful of your purses and wallets. Be sure that your purse is secured as you travel to and from the store and don’t leave it in a shopping cart unattended. Keep wallets in a side pant pocket or an inside pocket of a coat, if possible.
  • Avoid carrying large quantities of cash.
  • Plan your trips to the stores. Instead of one big shopping trip, try several small ones. This will cut down on the amount of money you carry, the packages you will be overloaded with, and it will make your shopping less stressful.
  • Park in well-lighted areas that will be well-lighted when you return.

There will be members of the Lady Lake Police Department on specialized patrol details during this holiday season. You may also see members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on mounted patrol in shopping plazas around Lake County including locally here.  But you still must stay vigilant to avoid becoming a victim.  There are those who are looking to take advantage of opportunities watching what you are doing.

The men and women of the Lady Lake Police Department would like to wish you a safe and healthy holiday season.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CEP – Click to learn more

Subscribe to Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required
Newsletter and/or digital publication