Traffic Safety

The city is witnessing an increase in residential developments and business expansions, resulting in more drivers within the City. The City of Suffolk is comprised of 430 square miles with both rural and urban areas. The City's boundaries border the state of North Carolina, the cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton.

The City has a large number of high volume, primary traffic routes and is part of an interstate highway system that experiences heavy traffic from commercial trucks. The rural nature of many of Suffolk's roadways, coupled with an increasingly higher population, requires drivers to exercise greater caution, when traveling at higher speeds in heavily populated areas.

Decreasing the Chance of an Accident

The following are some suggestions to help decrease the chance of an accident:

• Don't drink alcohol and drive.
• Drive at a safe speed and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Driver inattention is an important cause of accidents. Refrain from engaging in activities that will cause a distraction such as reading a map, talking on a cell phone, eating, etc.
• If a vehicle is traveling too fast and you sense a collision is likely, move your vehicle ahead slightly. This will reduce the impact on your vehicle as well as your chance of serious injury.
• Reduce speeds during inclement weather.
• Refrain from using a cell phone while driving. Although it is legal to use a cell phone while driving, it can also be distracting.
• While stopped at a traffic signal, pay close attention to the traffic signal and be prepared to drive through the intersection once the light turns green.

Vehicle Safety

Remember these tips to insure you are safe while operating your vehicle:

• Always lock your car doors when you exit your car.
• Do not attach a name-tag to your key ring.
• Do not give rides to strangers.
• Do not keep an extra key "hidden" on the car.
• Do not leave items such as credit cards, checkbooks or other valuables in your car's glove compartment.
• Drive with your gas tank nearly full.
• Engrave the VIN on all expensive removable parts such as stereos, CB radios and wheels and wheel covers.
• Have your keys in your hand when you approach your car.
• Keep safety items (jumper cables, cell phone, flashlight) in your car at all times.
• Keep your car doors locked when you are traveling.
• Never leave your car running unattended.
• Never tell a parking attendant how long you will be away from your vehicle.
• Park in well-lit areas. Choose an attended lot when possible.
• Remember to take your keys out of the ignition.
• Roll all windows up completely.
• Turn your wheels toward the curb when parking on the street.