KEVIN SPROUL: Avoid the stress of driving

Summer is almost here, and with that, more kids are outside. The rest of us need to remember that while the kids are having fun, they may forget to watch for traffic. Be extra careful when passing children who are on bicycles, roller skates or just playing at the side of the road. If you’re driving toward parked vehicles on residential roads, always watch for youngsters running out from behind them.

We all hope that summertime will bring opportunities to relax. Try not to let driving be a source of stress. Here are six tips to help make your driving experience safer and more pleasant:

1. If you are making a left-hand turn at an intersection that doesn’t have a green arrow, go ahead and ease into the intersection while you are waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. That way, if the light changes, you are already in the intersection, which gives you the right-of-way to continue through the intersection and complete your turn.

2. Never assume that drivers will do the right thing – or even what they are signaling what they will do. The only thing you can assume about another driver with a turn signal on is that he has a turn signal on. He might not be turning at all but simply forgot to turn it off the last time he used it. If you assume that other drivers will do the wrong thing, and plan accordingly, you will be better prepared to avoid them when they do make mistakes.

3. Remember that a person in a traffic lane has the right-of-way over someone wishing to enter that same lane. If there is an obstruction in your lane, wait for oncoming traffic to clear before you pull around. Just because someone’s blocking your lane doesn’t give you the right of way in the next or oncoming lane. If you are behind a vehicle on an on-ramp and they don’t have an opening to merge into traffic, they may have to come to a complete stop until they get a break in traffic.

4. Don’t do anything that will cause another driver to react quickly, like slam on the brakes or swerve. Remember, the other driver may not be paying attention. He may be on the phone or adjusting the radio station. If your action requires him to react, but he doesn’t see you, there may be an accident.

5. Driving is a responsibility. When you take on the role of “driver” you give up certain rights; like the right to text, horseplay, apply makeup, or engage in other activities that can distract you from paying attention to traffic. Nearly a half-million accidents per year are caused by distracted driving. Over three-quarters of those were caused by drivers who were texting. Every one of them was caused by a driver who thought it wouldn’t happen to them.

6. The roadway is an excellent place to demonstrate kindness and patience. Drivers who are angry, rude or aggressive are a danger to everyone. When you leave “point A,” the ultimate goal is to arrive safely at “point B.” Even if you are pressed for time, you should remember that rushing increases your chances of getting into an accident or getting a citation. You are more likely to arrive sooner if you drive patiently and carefully.

Thank you for helping keep Dougherty County a safe and pleasant place to drive.

Sheriff Kevin Sproul is a longtime resident of Dougherty County. He is a graduate of Albany High School, Darton College and LaGrange College of Albany. Sproul has been employed with the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office since 1982.