Tips Tuesday: Super Bowl
February 4, 2026
| Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the people who matter most, whether that means dinner out, a night in, or time spent with friends and family. It is also a reminder that the most meaningful way to show care is making sure everyone gets home safely. Risky behaviors like distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving, and speeding continue to be leading factors in serious and fatal crashes nationwide – risks that can increase during evenings, weekends, and special occasions. Recent Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV) crash data underscores the impact of these behaviors. In 2025, distracted driving was involved in nearly 15% of all crashes, while impairment and speeding/aggressive driving contributed to a disproportionate share of traffic fatalities. Although impaired driving was reported in approximately 2% of total crashes, it played a factor in more than one in five fatalities, and speeding/aggressive driving contributed to over 13% of fatalities. These trends highlight a critical reality: even brief lapses in judgment can have life-altering consequences. Speeding reduces reaction time, distractions take attention away from the road, and impairment – whether from substances or fatigue – affects judgement and decision making long before a driver may realize it. Choosing to slow down, stay focused, and make a plan before getting behind the wheel helps ensure that celebrations don’t end in tragedy. Raising Internal Awareness: No matter what office you officially call “home,” we all can play a role in supporting safety 🌹Share the attached Valentine’s Day cards with colleagues and friends to show you care about everyone getting home safely. Consider including a small treat or note with it! 🌹Use the attached Teams background for a festive reminder that making safe choices behind the wheel is just one way to show we care. In the Community: Grass-roots outreach efforts greatly improve safety messaging effectiveness – these one-on-one conversations have far-reaching impacts 🌹Share the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s risky driving page with neighbors or others in your community as a one-stop shop for resources and information on the dangers of speeding, and impaired, distracted, and drowsy driving. 🌹Consider starting a conversation with loved ones on the personal choices you make to stay safe, both as a driver and a passenger. In Your Everyday Life: Even when you’re not “on-the-clock,” there are ways to improve safety culture in Florida 🌹Always buckle up for every ride, in every seat. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in a crash. 🌹Put down the phone and limit other distractions while on the road. Pull over safely to take a message, call, or adjust navigation. 🌹Follow speed limits and traffic signs, especially in high-risk areas with congestion, lots of foot traffic, school zones, and work zones. 🌹Plan your ride home if you’ll be drinking – whether it’s with a designated sober driver, ride-share, or public transit. 🌹Adjust plans when conditions change – fatigue, weather, or medication side effects can affect driving. Leaving early or staying overnight can be the safer choice. The best Valentine’s Day plans don’t end at dinner or dessert – they end at home. Making the safe choice behind the wheel is one of the simplest ways to show love and ensure that everyone arrives where they’re most wanted, because nothing says, “Happy Valentine’s Day” more than making it home safely. Thank you for everything you do to make our roads safer! Savannah & the Target Zero Team |
