Buick Enclave: Distracted Driving. Defensive Driving. Drunk Driving
Distracted Driving
Distraction can appear in many different ways, and even a brief loss of attention can take your focus away from the responsibility of driving. A driver may be distracted by a phone, navigation device, conversation, food, passengers, pets, climate settings, or anything else that pulls attention away from the road. Good judgment is essential every time the vehicle is in motion. Many local governments have enacted laws that limit or prohibit certain driver distractions, especially the use of handheld electronic devices while driving.
Become familiar with the local laws in your area before operating the vehicle. Laws may vary from one place to another, and the driver is responsible for understanding and following the rules that apply.
To help avoid distracted driving, always keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind focused on driving. The Buick Enclave is equipped with comfort, audio, and available infotainment features, but these features should be set up before driving whenever possible.
► Do not use a phone in demanding driving situations, such as heavy traffic, bad weather, construction zones, school areas, unfamiliar roads, or during complicated maneuvers.Use a hands-free method to place or receive necessary phone calls. Even when using hands-free operation, keep the conversation brief and avoid calls that may become emotional, stressful, or distracting.
► Watch the road. Do not read messages, take notes, search for information, enter addresses, or look at phones, tablets, or other electronic devices while driving. ► Designate a front seat passenger to handle potential distractions. A passenger can adjust the navigation system, answer a phone, choose music, help with children, or retrieve small items so the driver can remain focused. ► Become familiar with vehicle features before driving, such as programming favorite radio stations, setting mirrors, adjusting climate control, selecting seat positions, and understanding basic infotainment controls.Program all trip information into any navigation device before driving. If a route needs to be changed, stop the vehicle in a safe and legal place before entering new information.
► Wait until the vehicle is parked to retrieve items that have fallen to the floor. Reaching down while driving can remove your eyes from the road and your hands from the wheel at the same time.► Stop or park the vehicle to tend to children. Children may need attention during a trip, but the safest way to respond is to pull over first where it is safe to do so. ► Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or restraint. Unrestrained pets can move through the cabin, distract the driver, or interfere with safe vehicle operation. ► Avoid stressful conversations while driving, whether with a passenger or on a cell phone. Strong emotions can reduce concentration and slow reaction time.
WARNING
Taking your eyes off the road too long or too often could cause a crash resulting
in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the Infotainment section for more information on using that system, including pairing and using a cell phone. Learn the controls while the vehicle is parked, and use voice commands or steering wheel controls only when they can be operated safely.
If equipped, refer to the navigation manual for information on that system, including pairing and using a cell phone. Taking a few minutes to understand the system before a trip can reduce distractions later and help make driving more controlled and comfortable.
Safe driving requires continuous attention. Even a well-equipped vehicle cannot replace an alert driver. Use the available features in a thoughtful way, and make the road your first priority at all times.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means driving with awareness, patience, and the expectation that unexpected situations can happen at any time. It means watching not only the vehicle directly ahead, but also the surrounding traffic, road surface, pedestrians, bicyclists, signs, signals, weather conditions, and possible escape paths.
The first step in defensive driving is to wear the safety belt. See Safety Belts. A safety belt helps protect occupants when a sudden stop, collision, or evasive maneuver occurs. In a Buick Enclave, every seating position should be used with the proper restraint system for the occupant.
► Assume that other road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, and other drivers, may be careless, distracted, or may make mistakes.Anticipate what they might do and be ready. A parked vehicle may open a door, a pedestrian may step into the roadway, or another driver may change lanes without warning.
► Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you. Extra distance gives more time to see a problem, react smoothly, and avoid sudden braking.► Focus on the task of driving. Keep scanning ahead, check mirrors regularly, and remain aware of vehicles beside and behind you.
Good defensive driving also means adjusting to conditions. Slow down when visibility is reduced, roads are wet or icy, traffic is heavy, or the route is unfamiliar. A controlled speed gives the driver more time to respond and helps the vehicle remain stable.
Patience is an important part of defensive driving. Avoid aggressive acceleration, abrupt lane changes, tailgating, and unnecessary horn use. Smooth driving improves comfort for passengers and helps reduce risk during everyday travel.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy. Alcohol can affect judgment, coordination, vision, attention, and reaction time. These effects may begin with even a small amount of alcohol, and a person may not always realize how much their ability to drive has been reduced.
WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness,
and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.
Plan ahead before alcohol is served. Choose a sober driver, use a taxi or ride service, stay where you are, or arrange another safe way home. Never rely on confidence, habit, or a short distance as a reason to drive after drinking.
Passengers also have a role in safety. Do not encourage or allow an impaired person to drive. Taking the keys, arranging transportation, or waiting for a sober driver can prevent a serious or fatal crash.
