Passenger safety in vehicles is important for everyone, not just children. Do you buckle up every time you get behind the wheel? How close are you to the steering wheel? Do you text and drive?

In 2015 the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported a 7.7% increase in motor vehicle wrecks. An easy step you can take to prevent becoming one of the 35,000 people who are involved in a serious vehicle accident is to simply wear your seatbelt correctly and ensure all passengers in your vehicle are restrained properly as well. The lap belt portion of the seatbelt should ride low across your hips not up over your abdomen. The shoulder belt should be centered across your collarbone not over your neck or behind your shoulder. Ideally the driver should be 10-12 inches away from the steering wheel; improving control of the vehicle and vision of the road. Ensure the buckle is locked; listen for the click and give the seatbelt a tug to ensure it does not come out of the buckle. Don't start driving until all vehicle occupants are securely in their seatbelts.

With everyone safely in seatbelts, a second step of safe driving is to minimize distractions. The easiest distractions to eliminate are texting while driving, talking on the phone, allowing the radio to distract you and eating behind the wheel. Before you drive away turn down the radio or turn it off and leave your phone in your pocket or purse (don't answer it while you are driving). Safely pull over to the side of the road out of traffic if you need to answer the phone or answer a text. We look forward to everyone making it safely to his or her destination.