3. Avoid driving while you

are fatigued or taking medication that will make you drowsy. According

to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the year 2000 there were

1773 traffic fatalities attributed to fatigue and drowsiness.

4.�Drive defensively and maintain

the speed limit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

the economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated

to be $27.4 billion per year. In 2000, speeding was a contributing factor

in 29 percent of all fatal crashes, and 12,350 lives were lost in speeding-related

crashes.

5. Anticipate problems before

they happen. On the highway, be alert to potential acts that may cause

crashes and adjust driving and speed accordingly.

6.�Keep an emergency kit in

your car, including a call-for-help sign, a flare and a first-aid kit.

7.�Practice routine car maintenance

to avoid highway breakdowns, including a check on brakes, hoses, belts,

horn, windshield solvent, wipers and headlights. Keep your car lubricated,

tuned and oiled. Never mix radial tires with other types of tires, and

make sure your tires, including your spare, are properly inflated as recommended

in your owner's manual.

8. Emergencies occur. Be ready

with a charged operable cellular phone, but don't use the phone while

you are driving. According to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, drivers

talking on their phones are responsible for about 6 percent of U.S. auto

accidents each year, killing an estimated 2,600 people and injuring 330,000.

9. For front-wheel skids, wait

for the front wheels to grip the road before straightening the car; for

rear-wheel skids, just before the rear wheels stop skidding counter steer

until you regain the desired direction.

10. Maintain safe following

distance in relation to existing weather conditions. Drive defensively

and reduce speed to a safe pace.