One of the important techniques they teach Special Agents at the FBI’s Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (TEVOC) in Quantico, Va. is how to get out of a skid. Most crashes are preceded by a skid, typically caused by a driver over-steering or over-braking. The TEVOC teaches techniques which apply not only to highly-trained federal agents, but also everyday citizens: the FBI teaches students not only what to do in a skid, but also how to get out of it.

• Counter-steering: Steer the vehicle in the direction you want the car to go.
• Maintain smooth movements and grip the steering wheel properly.
• Most importantly: avoid the skid. You are better off avoiding the skid than having to recover from it.

As the summer travel season gets under way, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned that the national terror threat level is high, or orange, for all domestic and international flights. That means the current threat is only one level below severe—the highest danger. Airlines are scaling back flights this year, and airports will be more crowded. With still over 200 million passengers flying this summer, do you know how all of these factors might affect your family’s travel plans? Are you doing your part to protect your family from a safety threat? If you are planning on taking a flight this summer, there are a few things you need to be thinking about before you head to the airport to help keep you and your family safe. Continue reading Help Protect Against Safety Threats When Traveling This Summer »

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 700 bicycle-related deaths in the United States, and another half million injuries, each year.  With concern for the environment and gas prices increasingly on our minds, more and more of us are opting for bicycles as an option for getting around town.

After a tragedy such as the untimely death of Alice Swanson, a cyclist killed Tuesday on her way to work in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle, we are reminded of the real dangers that do exist for bicycles on the road.

When getting on your bike, safety should always be a prime concern in order to try to avoid serious injury.  Wearing the proper safety equipment is important for riders of all ages in reducing injuries, but the experts remind us that in many cases a rider’s actions and reactions are just as important in avoiding an accident. Continue reading Follow A Safe Path When Bicycling On The Road »

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 40 million Americans have some level of disability, and depending on the type of disability, it might affect a family member’s mobility. This summer, as you plan your family’s excursions, you may have to do some advanced preparation if traveling and you or a family member is affected by a disability. The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality has some tips for preparing for your trip. Continue reading Traveling With A Disabled Family Member »