Trauma Services - Meritus Medical Center

Steering clear of motor vehicle accidents

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Car accidents occur every day, and while some are unavoidable, many are preventable. According to trauma surgeon Marc Kross, motor vehicle crashes cause the majority of trauma cases at Meritus Medical Center. Dr. Kross urges drivers to focus on the task of driving, as an activity that distracts a driver visually or cognitively increases the risk of an accident.

With summer driving season upon us, it's a great time to test your street smarts! Take the quiz below to find out if you're really a safe driver.

Distracted driving means...
	Taking your eyes off the road
	Taking your hands off the wheel
	Taking your mind off what you are doing
	All of the above

It is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in Maryland.
	True
	False

What is the likelihood of a driver who uses a hand-held device being involved in a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries?
	Two times more likely
	Four times more likely
	There is not enough data available to determine this

Children should remain in a booster seat until...
	They are seven years old
	They reach four feet, nine inches and weigh more than sixty-five pounds
	They have grown too big for their car seat

When driving on the highway, you should leave a space equal to two to three car-lengths between you and the vehicle ahead.
	True
	False

Writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle is legal in Maryland as long as you are eighteen years of age or older.
	True
	False

How much alcohol can a person drink before his or her driving is affected?
	2 servings
	4 servings
	It depends

Using a GPS device (global positioning system) is not considered distracted driving because it helps a driver safely reach his or her destination.
	True
	False

Rolling down the window or turning up the radio will help offset drowsiness while driving.
	True
	False

Driving defensively means…
	Staying focused on the road
	Staying awake and alert
	Using your turn signals
	All of the above