AARP suggests the following preventative driving practices to stay safe:

- Keep a three-second safety cushion between you and the car in front of you.

- Plan your trip before you start out, and concentrate on driving, not navigating.

- Avoid driving on busy roads or at high speeds during rush hour or bad weather. Choose a less-demanding route.

- Drive at least the minimum speed on interstates and highways. If that's too fast for you, avoid the interstate and use another route.

- Change your route to avoid making difficult left turns. If you have to make a left, instead make three right turns onto side roads. Or, turn at a protected intersection -- one with a green left-turn arrow.

- If you are planning to take an unfamiliar route at night, do a trial run during the day.

- Avoid driving at dawn or dusk. If you have to, increase your following distance and slow down.

- Always be alert for the unexpected.

- Look about a half-block down the road to get a big picture of what's ahead.

- Turn off your radio or keep it at a very low volume.

- Turn down your air-conditioning or heater fan to keep noise levels down.

- Don't drive when you are under stress.

- Ask passengers to help you navigate. Otherwise, keep conversation to a minimum.

- Don't daydream.

- Take a driver refresher course.

- Ask family and friends if they have any concerns about your driving.

- Consult your doctor about vision, hearing and other physical changes that may affect your driving.

- Consult with your doctor or pharmacist about all the medication you're taking, and how they could affect your driving.

- Always avoid drinking alcohol before driving.

- Remember that bridges and shady areas develop ice first during cold weather and keep it longer when the temperature increases.

- Move your head and eyes frequently on long trips. Pull over at rest stops if you get sleepy.

- Clean the inside and outside of your windshield and windows.

- Clean the mirrors and headlights, too. Dirt can reduce headlight output by as much as 70 percent.

- Turn on your lights when driving in the rain or other poor weather conditions, no matter what time of day it is.

- Always turn lights on when driving during the half hour before sunset and the half hour after sunrise.

- Have the aim of your car's headlights checked twice a year.

- Avoid buying cars with heavily-tinted windshields and windows, and don't wear tinted glasses or sunglasses when driving in low light.

- Always tell other drivers what you intend to do. Use your directional signals. Position your car in the proper lane.

- Glance over your shoulder and in your mirrors before changing lanes. Don't assume that using your turn signal makes the move safe.

- Always look behind you before you put your car in reverse, and turn around in your seat to look out the back window while backing.

- Use the day/night settings on the rear-view mirror to cut down on headlight glare.

- Watch for flashing lights from emergency vehicles. You can't always hear the siren or warning bells.

- Choose an anti-lock braking system.

- Make sure your seats have firm cushions that give you better support.

- To protect against whiplash, place your head restraint so its center is even with your ears. Never position your restraint at the base or curve of your neck.

- Use your safety belt each time you use your car. Insist that passengers do the same. Airbags provide additional protection for the driver and/or front seat passenger in a frontal crash -- it's not a substitute for a safety belt.

- Keep at least a foot between the tip of your nose and the steering wheel if you have an airbag.

- Keep wiper blades clean. Replace them when they start to wear, streak, or smear your windshield.

- Periodically have your tires checked for excessive tread wear.

- Learn the location of all displays and controls on your dashboard. Then, you can keep your eyes on the road instead of searching for the function switch you need.

- Always expect a train at a crossing.