Inspect your investment:
Locate safety records for the vehicle of your interest. Check the research to see how occupants fare in crashes (insurance companies may have this information)
Vehicle history: Is this vehicle roadworthy? Does it have standard safety equipment? Have all recalls been handled?
Car maintenance is extremely important when assessing how safe a car is; properly inflated tires and maintained fluids are a necessity when increasing a vehicle’s ability to keep you and your family safe.
Routinely monitor:
- Braking ability and fluid
- Belts; i.e. alternator belts/serpentine belts
- Hose connection for cooling system
- Tire tread and pressure
- Hazard and turn signals; if inoperable get fixed promptly
- Wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
- All motor and transmission fluids
Always read the owner’s manual for your vehicle because it provides details on your vehicle’s maintenance and operating safety.
Carry an Emergency Kit in your vehicle that is tailored for motor vehicle needs.
Inclement Weather Handling
Rain
- Light rain creates a slick road surface due to water mixing with existing road oils; thus making the road very slippery. Reduce speed to decrease your vehicle’s ability to hydroplane and avoid sharp turns during rainy weather.
- Your vision will be hampered by rain and so will other driver’s on the road with you. Turn on your lights to provide you and other driver’s an easier way to identify your vehicle.
Fog
- Stay on the right hand side of the roadway; as oncoming traffic may be drifting to your lane.
- If you can no longer see a road edge; slowly pull off to the right and turn on your emergency flashers.
Ice or Snow
- Due to the thin amount of ground; bridges and overpasses are the first things to freeze. Do not accelerate too quickly on a bridge or overpass, in fact you should consider slowing down.
- Keep a scraper in your car to clean any snow or ice off of windows used for visibility.
- Do not break quickly as it will cause a brake lock-up; which in turn causes loss of steering control
- Try to maintain a slow and steady speed; utilize the cars momentum in deep snow and ice to keep vehicle moving.
- If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, accelerate slowly and keep your wheels straight to eliminate friction. Do not accelerate to the point that your tires are spinning; if this continues to happen try using sand or cinder underneath your driving wheels.
Emergency
If brake failure should occur, you need to tap the brake pedal to make use of any brake power that may be left; take foot of accelerator and shift to a lower gear. Steer off the road at the earliest convenience.
If your radiator should boil over; DO NOT TRY AND GET TO THE NEXT GAS STATION, doing so will ruin your engine. Make sure you pull your car well off the roadway and allow a substantial amount of time for your engine to cool. Now add water to radiator with the engine running.
If your vehicle stalls; immediately turn on the emergency flashing lights and if it is safe, try to get your vehicle off the road. Find help immediately.
If you are run off the road do not brake suddenly or swerve back; as the change in traction can quickly cause your vehicle to lose control. Slow down and get back on the road gently and safely.
If you are in an accident
Look for injures and tend to the ones that are within your capability
Immediately call police
Personally write down other driver’s information; this includes: names, license numbers, descriptions of vehicles, and insurance information.
Call your insurance agent and notify them of the accident
DO NOT SIGN ANY AGREEMENTS OR PAPER.
For more information:
How Safe is Your Vehicle?
Test Your Tire Safety Knowledge