Summertime usually means more people on the roads for vacations, road trips and other traveling. Axis wants to remind our employees, families, customers, and friends to stay focused on the road and practice safe driving habits. Axis is committed to safety at every turn, and we constantly remind our employees who drive for work to adhere to our policies and safety protocols.

According to the National Safety Council, nearly 3,000 people are killed on U.S. roads every year in distracted driving crashes. A major distraction while on the road is cell phone usage. At Axis, our cell phone policy strictly prohibits cell phone usage while driving. No text, call or social media is worth the risk of veering your eyes from the road. A few seconds is all it takes to make a fatal mistake.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting, which includes messaging, is considered the most dangerous type of distracted driving because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distraction. Other forms of distracted driving include taking selfies, adjusting the radio, setting your navigation, applying makeup, eating, or drinking. It’s wise to avoid doing any of these while driving. If you need to perform any of these tasks, it’s best to pull over and park.

Follow these simple ways to stay safe while on the road:

• Stay off your phone (no texting, calls, social media or taking pictures)
• Stay alert and focused
• Leave early and plan accordingly – allow for traffic and weather conditions
• Follow the speed limits
• Remember to wear your seat belt
• Allow for space between your car and others
• If tired, pull over

Additionally, look out for road hazards:

• Luggage or other objects strapped on top of cars during summer traveling that might get unhooked and fly off while driving
• People slamming on their brakes
• Construction on the roads
• Drowsy, stressed, or other impaired drivers
• Inclement weather