Driver Behavior; Driving Environment - Pontiac 2001 Aztek Owner's Manual

Your Driving, the Road and
Your Vehicle
Whenever we drive, we're taking on an important
responsibility. This is true for any motor
--
vehicle passenger car, van, truck or sport utility.
Driver behavior, the driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a vehicle performs.
But statistics show that the most important factor,
by far, is how we drive.
4-2
Knowing how these three factors work together can help
you understand how your vehicle handles and what you
can do to avoid many types of crashes, including a
rollover crash.

Driver Behavior

The single most important thing is this: everyone in the
vehicle, including the driver, should buckle up. See
"Safety Belts" in the Index. In fact, most serious injuries
and fatalities to unbelted occupants can be reduced or
prevented by the use of safety belts. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. In addition, avoiding
excessive speed, sudden or abrupt turns and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make trips safer and avoid
the possibility of a crash, especially a rollover crash.
This section provides many useful tips to help you drive
more safely.

Driving Environment

You can also help avoid a rollover or other type of crash
by being prepared for driving in inclement weather, at
night, or during other times where visibility or traction
may be limited (such as on curves, slippery roads or
hilly terrain). Unfamiliar surroundings can also have
hidden hazards.