Safe Driving Risky Business Week. Airbag Safety Did you know? Air bags come out of the dashboard at...
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Transcript of Safe Driving Risky Business Week. Airbag Safety Did you know? Air bags come out of the dashboard at...
Safe DrivingRisky Business Week
Airbag Safety
Did you know?
Air bags come out of the dashboard at up to 200 mph!
That’s faster than a blink of an eye!
Air Bag Safety
Prevent air bag-related injuries by following these important safety tips:
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
Airbag Safety Tips Continued:
Check your Owner’s Manual and Car Seat Manual for 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 following 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. This will you 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 signals 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. If 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.
There are many items you can inspect 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.
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
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
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.
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
Lights: Check all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers,
turn signals, brake lights and backup lights.Replace any burnt out bulbs. Clean the lenses and
refinish or replace lenses if yellowed.
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.
Summer and Winter Car Care Checklist
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 condition.
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
Travel Tips for Hitting 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
Travel Tips Continued:
Review tips for safe winter driving. Consider delaying trips if bad winter weather is
expected. Take advantage of AAA maps, AAA Tour Book guides,
and AAA TripTik travel program to create your adventure!
Preventing Drowsy Driving
Did you know?
Driver fatigue causes more than 100,000 crashes each year!
It has also lead to 71,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths.
Warning signs
How To Tell You Are Too Drowsy to Drive:
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 Drifting out of your driving lane Yawning repeatedly Accidentally tailgating other vehicles Missing traffic signs
Avoiding Drowsy Driving
To Avoid Driving While Drowsy:
Get a good night’s sleep◦ Experts recommend 7-9 hours per night
Plan to drive on long trips with a companion◦ Companions can watch for signs of driver fatigue◦ Switching drivers may be helpful
Take regular breaks◦ Rest every 100 miles or 2 hours even if you don’t
feel tired
Avoiding drowsy driving
Avoid Alcohol and Medications While Driving
Check if your medication causes drowsiness. If it does, avoid taking it before driving.
Remember alcohol increases fatigue. If you are already tired limit your alcohol intake. Even
a small amount can increase fatigue.
Driving while fatigued puts you and others at riskRecognize the signs that you are fatigued.Take the necessary 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
Safe 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. If they appear unsafe you may need to change routes, idle, or turn back.
Winter Driving
Turn on headlights for extra visibility
Stop periodically when taking long trips 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
Safe Driving in the Rain
Reduce your speed to the appropriate limit for the weather 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. 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 that 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 regains traction, continue steering
toward your intended path of travel.
If you get stuck
If You Are 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.
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.
Handling a Vehicle Breakdown
Safety First◦ Stay in your car as much as possible.◦ Use caution when interacting with others who offer
assistance.
Get Noticed◦ Alert passerby's that you need help by lifting your
hood, turning on your hazard lights, and/or using flares and reflective triangles.
Seek Help◦ If you don’t have a phone with you, when someone
does stop, ask them to contact local authorities and AAA.
◦ Look for a callbox, but don’t roam too far to find one.
Handling a Vehicle Breakdown
Know Your Area◦ Once 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 Right◦ If 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 Traffic◦ If you can’t move your vehicle off the road, exit the
car when it’s safe and stand away from traffic
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 of your planned route and the general time you should arrive. Have an agreed upon plan if they don’t hear from you.
Carry Water!
Most importantly…
Stay Safe!
Congratulations!! You have increased your risk awareness. Copy this icon onto the Risky Bingo card and submit the completed card to [email protected] to be entered into a drawing for prizes