, The Tribune has had the sad responsibility having to report a number of vehicle accidents. On the "positive" side, most of the incidents have ended with the driver and passengers unharmed or with minor injuries. On the flip side of the same coin, other incidents have resulted in one death (thus far) and others seriously injured.

Again, we cannot urge how important it is to travel safely and not take unnecessary risks -- for your own sake as well as for the sake of others.

Trucks

Don't press your luck and leave room for the trucks who share the highway with you. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, aggressive driving is a major cause of collisions between cars and trucks, that result in thousands of deaths and injuries each year. They report that cars are responsible for 2/3s of all collisions between cars and trucks.

The commander of the highway patrol offers these tips for sharing the road with truckers.

Big trucks need big space to maneuver and stop in emergencies; Don't cut off trucks; When passing a truck, allow at least one car length for every 10 miles per hour of speed before merging; Don't tailgate; When following a truck, leave yourself enough room to stop safely; Don't speed; Use a safe speed when passing a truck.

There is also the following warning: Aggressive drivers who cut off trucks will get ticketed.

For safety's sake, leave more space for trucks, this will help save lives and reduce injuries. Concentrate on driving safely.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol now employs 1,820 troopers to cover more than 78,000 miles of North Carolina roadways. The agency prides themselves on spotting situations where a driver seems a little wobbly, or is driving suspiciously. This often indicates a possibility of being impaired while driving which magnifies the possibility of causing or being in a serious accident.

Holiday travel

Traveling during holidays can be stressful. The following are a few tips to help you arrive at your destination safely. Buckle up - drivers and passengers; Allow plenty of time to get to your destination; Avoid crowded roads by starting as early as possible. Traffic picks up on the highways the day before a holiday and continues through the weekend. If you are driving through any major metropolitan areas, leave time for construction delays and other congestion. Check the weather in your town, your destination, and points along the way. Be prepared by having a good travel kit for your trunk including snow chains, an ice scraper, a good pair of gloves, flares and a flashlight. Warm blankets, water and snacks are a good idea, too. Let the people you are visiting know your route and your expected time of arrival. Don't speed. The leading cause of collisions in North Carolina is speed. Every 17 minutes, someone is killed or injured on N.C. highways in a speed-related accident. Speeding doesn't save that much time on a longer trip. Take breaks when going long distances. AAA recommends that drivers stop every two hours for a 15-minute break. Turn on your headlights and leave them on throughout the trip. Stay out of the pack of cars to leave you room for any sudden stops. Steer into a skid. Take your foot off the gas, but do not brake. If you have to brake and you have anti-lock brakes, apply a firm and steady pressure to the brake pedal. In older cars without anti-lock brakes, gently pump the brake pedal.

Don't drink and drive

Alcohol effects judgement. If you drink alcohol, don't make a bad decision to drive.

If you drink, either stay home, or have a designated driver or take a cab.

Don't let your designated driver drink alcohol.

Remember that it doesn't take a lot of alcohol to reach the legal limit of .08. Many people who are

arrested don't feel impaired.

Party hosts should make sure their guests don't drink and drive. Either offer them a place to spend the

night or get them a taxi.

Over-the-counter breath analyzers may not be as accurate as the ones used by law enforcement -- so

don't trust their results as to whether you are sober enough to drive. When in doubt, don't drive.

Motorists with cellular phones can report safety hazards, including suspected drunken drivers, to the

Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) toll free.

Being charged with driving while impaired is an expensive experience. For a first offender who hires a lawyer for a trial, the cost can be at a minimum of $2,500. The fines alone can add up to $4,000.

Use your cell phones responsibly

Cell phones are the cause of many car crashes and bump-ups. Talking on your cell phone is a distraction when you are driving regardless of how careful you think you are. If you are paying attention to the caller on the other end of the call, your attention is not fully on your driving. Trying to place a call while driving most often takes your eyes off the road and draws them to the cell phone. Answering, or trying to answer your cell phone when it may be in the bottom of your briefcase or purse can not only draw your eyes away, but also as you lean with your body to reach, your vehicle drifts with your movement. If another vehicle happens to be close by, an accident can occur. Be responsible and wait until you pull over for a break, or stop on the side of the road if it's a necessity that you talk to the person calling immediately. Please remember that although cell phones are a great modern convenience, they can also be one of the culprits in a fatal crash. Do you really want to have to live with the knowledge that a child or a mother of children, grandparent, sister, father, brother, etc., etc., lost their life because you just couldn't wait to speak to someone on the phone?

Be safe and travel responsibly this holiday season. It is the season for joy and good will. Practice it on the highway too.