Adjust Your Mirrors, Stay Alive

With this being the most traveled day of the year, I wanted to share a short auto safety article I recently came across.

The past few years have seen an explosion of new electronic safety features in vehicles of all types and price ranges. One of the most talked about and most praised is the Lane Change Collision Avoidance System (CAS). It is also commonly referred to as the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) or the Lane Keeping System (LKS) This system alerts the driver to hazards in adjacent lanes or automatically steadies the car to avoid drifting into the adjacent lane. Some refer to it as the "blind spot" alarm. It appears to be a life saving feature and has so far proven its worth enough to be included on some base model cars.

However, some of us with older vehicles cannot take advantage of this new technology.

Fortunately we can ALL do something to get the same effect.  ADJUST THE SIDE MIRRORS. In 1995 the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper suggesting how the outside mirrors can be used to prevent blind spots. The diagram complied from their conclusions is below (click here for the Car and Driver article).

Basically, the side view mirrors should be angled in such a way that YOUR car is NOT visible. This may take a little getting used to for some drivers, but it is definitely worth the switch.





Just goes to show that once again, small changes can have BIG effects.  You can get thousands of dollars worth of new technology just be making a simple, free change to your existing system.

Stay safe on those roads!!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Until next time.....

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD

If you have more questions about chiropractic care, contact us at 301-474-5505 or sign-up at www.GreenBeltChiropracticRehab.com for a free consultation!

Greenbelt Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us. 

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

The Worst Drivers in America

Allstate insurance company recently published its "Best Drivers Report" and Washington, DC finished dead last and earned the title "Worst Drivers in America". Its drivers were found to be 107.3% more likely to be in a collision compared the national average. Washington, DC also has the lowest amount of years between collisions with 4.8.  The average American city has an approximate 10 years between collisions average.

Washington DC shouldn't feel so alone because Baltimore, MD came in second to last. Drivers in Baltimore were found to be 88.7% more likely to be in a collision than the national average.  The amount of years between collisions was 5.3. Again, the national average is about 10 years between collisions.

So why would I cite such unpleasant statistics on a blog that is supposed to be about health, wellness, and chiropractic? The answer is simple, the city of Greenbelt, MD is located approximately 16 miles from Washington, DC and approximately 25 miles from Baltimore, MD.  Greenbelt Rehab is literally located in the center of the 2 worst driving cities in America.

It is estimated that there are 3 million NEW whiplash injuries each year.  Considering the location of my office, I would be an irresponsible member of the community if I didn't focus on those injured in automobile collisions. I have undergone specialty training from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and am 1 of only 10 chiropractors in MD to have achieved their Certificate of Advanced Competency.

So while we are out there focusing on our driving (eyes on the road!) and actively trying to avoid collisions, the reality is that most of us in the DC/Baltimore area will eventually get into one. A significant percentage of those collisions will result in an injury of some type. These injuries often require some form of therapeutic intervention. Chiropractic care is THE treatment of choice for those involved in automobile collisions.  Patients receiving chiropractic care following a collision get better faster and tend to stay better longer.

So, if I may borrow a phrase from Allstate, if you find yourself injured following an automobile collision, PUT YOURSELF IN GOOD HANDS......GO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD (right in the thick of it)

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

 301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com