safe driving - csaa insurance group · safe driving risky business week ... summer and winter car...
TRANSCRIPT
Airbag Safety Tips
Did you know? Air bags come out of the dashboard at up to 200 mph!
That’s faster than a blink of an eye
Prevent air bag-related injuries by following these important safety tips
Air Bag Safety
Sit back at least 10 inches from the steering wheel or dashboard
Wear your seatbelts properly
Always seat children 12 years and under, including infants, in the back seat.
If you have small children and your car has back-seat airbags, check with your vehicle manufacturer to find out if the airbags have been activated
Air Bag Safety
Check your owner’s manual and car seat manual for car seat installation advice and warnings
If your steering wheel tilts, direct it toward your chest, not your head
If you are pregnant, place the lap belt low on your abdomen with the shoulder portion over the collarbone and tilt the steering wheel toward your chest
Defensive Driving Tips
Be aware and ready for whatever happens effectively manage visibility, time, and space to avoid crashes
Check out the eight tips to avoid crashes
Defensive Driving
1. Pay attention
Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us do and it deserves our full attention
Consciously analyze what you see while you drive. This will help you recognize hazards and avoid collisions
Avoid distracting yourself with your phone, food, radio, or passengers.
Don’t take your eyes off the road or break your concentration
Defensive Driving
2. Allow enough space ahead 30% of crashes involve rear end collisions
Allow 3-4 seconds between you and the car ahead of you.
At highway speeds, increase the gap to 4-5 seconds or more.
If driving in rain or poor weather conditions, increase the gap to 6 or more seconds.
Maintain safe space as cars around you change position
Defensive Driving
3. Look Ahead
Scan the road and surrounding area for potential road hazards, conditions, and information that can help you plan a clear route
4. Have an Escape Route
Check your mirrors every few seconds to see what is beside and behind you, so you can maneuver safely to a avoid a crash
Defensive Driving
5. Separate Risks
If faced with multiple risks, it’s necessary to address them by separating the risks.
Your task is to avoid having to cope with too many risk factors at the same time.
6. Communicate with Other Drivers-Use Turn signals
Neglecting to use turn signatures can have catastrophic consequences
Defensive Driving
7. Don’t Depend on Other Drivers
Be considerate of other drivers – but look out for yourself! You can’t always depend on other drivers to drive as expected
8. Keep a Positive Attitude
Aggressive, irresponsible driving puts lives in danger. Of you encounter aggressive drivers, don’t engage in behavior that will escalate the situation
Preparing for Road Trips
Summer and Winter Car Care
Check to make sure your car is properly maintained and ready for the road
You can inspect many items yourself
Other items should be inspected by a certified technician
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Battery and charging system
A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold or hot weather
Battery cables and terminals
Make sure all connections are secure and remove any corrosion
Drive belts
Inspect for cracks or fraying Turn them over and check the grooved underside Replace if older than 5 years or 100,000 miles
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Engine hoses
Visually inspect cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks, or loose clamps Squeeze the hoses to check for any that may be brittle or excessively spongy and in need of replacement
Replace if older than 5 years or 100,000 miles
Tire type and tread
Examine tires for uneven and excessive tread wear If less than 3/32-inches of tread, it should be replaced Uneven wear on tires can indicate alignment, suspension, or wheel balance problems
In winter weather, changing to snow tires on all four wheels provides the best traction
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Tire pressure
Check tire pressure frequently in cold weather
Proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb or glove box
Don’t forget to check the spare
Air filter
Hold air filter up to a 60-watt light bulb If light can be seen through it, it is still clean enough to work effectively
Lights
Check all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights, backup lights
Replace any burnt out bulbs Clean the lenses and refinish or replace lenses if yellowed
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Antifreeze/coolant levels
Check coolant level when the engine is cold Refill with 50/50 solution of coolant and water Check antifreeze level using a tester available at an auto parts store
Wiper blades
Blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe
Consider installing winter wiper blades in snowy conditions
Washer fluid
Fill with washer fluid that has antifreeze components for cold weather use
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Brakes
Have a certified technician ensure all components are in good working order
Motor oil, transmission, brake and power steering fluid
Make sure all fluids are at or above minimum safe levels and conditions
If you plan to drive in extreme conditions, switch to a motor oil with higher viscosity
Check owner’s manual for specific oil and lubricant recommendations
Emergency Road Kit
Keep these items in your car : Flashlight with extra batteries Window washer solution Cloth or a roll of paper towels Jumper cables Warning devices (flares or triangles) Drinking water and non-perishable snacks First-aid kit with rubber gloves Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable
wrench)
Emergency Road Kit
In winter, add these items
Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
Snow shovel, ice scraper, and small broom to keep windows clear of snow
Tire chains or traction devices Gloves, hats, and extra clothing
In summer, add these items
umbrella sunblock
Before you hit the road
Give your itinerary to a family member or friend
Program your mobile phone with important numbers, including AAA Emergency Road Service
Make sure you have a mobile phone charger for your car
Check road conditions before you depart
Review tips for dealing with a breakdown so you are prepared and can stay safe in case of unexpected breakdown
Before you hit the road
Review tips for safe winter driving
Consider delaying trips if bad winter weather is expected
Take advantage of AAA maps, AAA TourBook guides, and AAA TripTiktravel program to create your adventure!
Preventing Drowsy Driving
Did you know?
Driver fatigue cases more than 100,000 crashes each year!
and 71,000 injuries
and 1,500 deaths
Warning signs that you are experiencing drowsiness
Inability to recall the last few miles traveled
Having disconnected or wandering thoughts
Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
Feeling as though your head is very heavy
Warning signs that you are experiencing drowsiness
and . . .
Drifting out of your driving lane
Yawning repeatedly
Accidentally tailgating other vehicles
Missing traffic signs
Avoiding drowsy driving
Get a good night’s sleepExperts recommend 7-9 hours per night
Plan to drive on long trips with a companionCompanions can watch for signs of driver fatigue
Switching drivers may be helpful
Take regular breaksRest every 100 miles or 2 hours even if you don’t feel tired
Avoiding drowsy driving
Avoid alcohol and medications
Check if your medicines cause drowsiness, if they do, avoid taking them before driving
Alcohol increases fatigue
If you are already tired, even a small amount of alcohol increases your fatigue even if you are well below the legal limit.
Driving while fatigued
Driving while fatigued puts you and others at risk
Recognize the signs that you are fatigued
Take the steps to avoid fatigued driving!
Winter Driving
Winter brings a variety of inclement driving conditions to the roadways
Make sure you are prepared and know how to drive in winter conditions
Winter Driving
Drive at a speed that matches the prevailing visibility, traffic and road conditions
Be prepared for challenging situations
Keep your gas tank full. Fill up when approaching mountain passes. You may need to change routes, idle, or turn back
Winter Driving
Turn on headlights for extra visibility
Stop periodically during a long trip to clean headlights of mud and dirt
Steering in snowy or icy conditions requires smooth, careful movements
Anticipate lane changes, turns and curves. Slow down in advance
Braking on slippery surfaces requires more distance
Increase your following distance and allow for long slow and steady stops
Driving in Rain
Reduce speed to a speed appropriate for the conditions
Drive in middle lanes to avoid pools of water
Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you
After driving through standing water, lightly apply breaks to dry them
Driving in Rain
Don’t speed up when driving through standing water, it can cause tires to lose contact with the road (hydroplane)
If you are following another car, drive in its tracks
If it is raining so hard you can’t see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out
Front Tire Skid
Front Tire Skid: Your vehicle pushes wide through the turn and tends
to run off the outside of the turn
Continue to look and steer toward your intended path of travel
Smoothly ease up on the accelerator. Lifting off the accelerator too quickly in a skid may cause the rear of the vehicle to slide sideways.
You may need to smoothly apply the brakes a bit to regain traction to turn toward your intended path of travel
Rear Tire Skid
Rear Tire Skid: The rear of your vehicle begins to slide sideways; the front
of the vehicle may deviate from your intended path of travel
If you do not take corrective action, the vehicle may spin around completely.
Continue to look and steer toward your intended path of travel
Avoid using the brakes
As the rear tire regain traction, continue steering toward your intended path of travel
If you get stuck
Apply power slowly. Do not spin your wheels – it makes it worse
Turn your front wheels side to side a few times to clear the snow
Then, keep wheels pointed straight ahead while trying to move
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car
Pour sand, kitty litter, or salt in the path of the wheels to help get traction
Shift from forward to reverse, and back again trying to move a little more each time
Tips for Handling a Vehicle Breakdown
Safety FirstStay in your car as much as possibleUse caution when interacting with others who offer assistance
Get NoticedAlert passerby's that you need help by lifting your hood, turning on your hazard lights, and/or using flares and reflective triangles
Seek HelpIf you don’t have a phone with you, when someone does stop, ask them to contact local authorities and AAALook for a callbox, but don’t roam too far to find one
Tips for Handling a Vehicle Breakdown
Know Your AreaOnce you reach AAA or local authorities, tell as much as you can about your surroundings, where you came from, where you are headed, and nearby landmarks or road signs
Move to the RightIf you are in a left lane, signal and begin moving to the right if it’s safe. Make slow and deliberate motions to alert other drivers
Keep Away From TrafficIf you can’t move your vehicle off the road, exit the car when it’s safe and stand away from traffic
Tips for Handling a Vehicle Breakdown
Send Text MessagesEven if you are out of cell phone range, sometimes a text will still go through.
Let Others Know Your RouteTell a friend or family member your planned route and the general time you should arrive. Have an agreed upon plan if they don’t hear from you
Carry Water