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Step 1
Remember the obvious. When you commute, try to allow sufficient time to reach your destination. Be aware of weather conditions, road construction and unexpected obstacles such as accidents, celebrity traffic tie-ups, or potential problems. If those are apt to occur, allow extra time.
Watch for others, and drive defensively. Can that ever be repeated enough?
One thing that is woefully missing from driving in traffic nowadays: Vehicles leaving enough distance between them and other cars. Consequently, there are frequent fender-benders that don’t have to happen. Seems as if you leave enough room, and others cut in front of you? It’s a common dilemma that is repeated everywhere daily.
Wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in your car does, too.
DON’T drink and drive. Even one drink can impair your decision-making ability.
If weather is bad, let others know when you are leaving on your travels, and when you plan to arrive. Leave them also know your proposed route.
Make sure to carry a communications device, such as a cell phone—-and a charger.
On long trips, stay alert, and take breaks often.
Don't play with CDs, hot coffee, food, pets, or kids while driving. Injury can result at the minimum, and a devastating accident at most. -
Step 2
Keep tires functional. Avoiding a flat tire is crucial for travelers who not only want to remain safe, but also can’t afford the time delay. Although blowouts are unpredictable, preparing for safe travel is more likely if you watch the wear and tear on your tires.
Wear is caused by numerous things, such as tire maintenance and how you drive. Keeping tires under or over inflated makes tires wear faster, and can also void your warranty.
If belts/cords or fabric begin to wear through your tires, run—-do not walk or drive—-to your tire store, and replace them! Tire makers also add tread-wear to the patterns of the rubber that turn smooth across the tires when they are worn; if you can see at least three of these showing, it’s also Tire Time. In addition, look for cracks in the tread or sidewall, or if the cords are showing there as well, or if the tire is bulging or split anywhere.
If you do experience a flat tire, drive slowly to get out of traffic, or to the closest place that can help you. Try not to isolate yourself, even if it means damaging the tire irreperably. -
Step 3
Keep emergency supplies on hand. Drivers carry car insurance, but have no insurance against unfortunate events happening. However, feeling prepared can go a long way toward making us feel more comfortable in our auto surroundings—-and play into our safety as well. Always carry a flashlight, and a road flare, as well as a first aid kit. They don't take up much room but they can be real life savers in an emergency. Also, know where your spare tire is and how to remove it.
Make sure to include these items—and any more you happened to think of:
Blankets
A cell phone and car charger
A portable shovel and material for traction, like rock sale, kitty litter or sand
A dry and warm change of clothing, with an extra pair of shoes you don’t need daily, as well as a hat and extra gloves and a scarf
A long-lasting flashlight that either doesn’t need batteries, or with an extra set of batteries
A first-aid kit (monitor this for expiration of supplies)
Flares and extra windshield solvent
Ice-scraper and snow brush
Bottled water, and some type of snacks to munch on
Matches, kept in a waterproof container -
Step 4
Think safe. Once in your car, make sure your doors are locked. Take note of your surroundings and be aware of where you are by recalling street or town names or landmarks. This is important if you get stuck somewhere and need to call a tow-truck or friends to find you.
If you have symptoms of car trouble, act before it escalates to more than symptoms. Pull into a well-lit, preferably populated, area for help.
Beware of people masquerading as police officers, especially those not wearing uniforms and in unmarked cars. Experts suggest that you instead travel directly to a police station and park in a well-lit area, using your horn to summon officers inside. Better to be safe than sorry, they reason.
Likewise, if you suspect you are being followed, seek out a police station, too. Do NOT go home and direct any potential stalker there. Also, be aware that if the stalker then passes by you, it may not be error on your part; they may simply be waiting around the corner for you!
If another motorist signals you about a car problem, wait to pull into a public place before checking on it.
Park in well-lit and populated areas. And, don’t leave valuables in your car, or secure them where they are out of sight and temptation for passersby. Use a steering lock, like The Club.
Don’t put your name and address on your keyring. That’s just asking for trouble.
Approach your vehicle purposefully, ready to unlock and get inside. Make sure to glance around to see that no one is under, around or inside of your car, or that there is a van or other such vehicle on your driver’s side from which you could be grabbed. If so, return to your origin and ask someone to walk you back to your car.
If you are pulling into your garage, lock the garage door behind you, watching to make sure that no one slipped into the garage as you arrived. If you suspect they have, keep your car locked and use your cell to call police, or back out again and summon police from your locked car.
Comments
Clem-Media said
on 10/1/2008 That is so often a point we ignore--especially those cell-phone users who are oblivious to their surroundings.
Thims said
on 9/16/2008 This is really good advice. Always try to stay alert!
Clem-Media said
on 9/13/2008 Important safety issue--thanks! So many of these things escalate into far more than originally, due to immature driving.
Susanh said
on 9/11/2008 Excellent article! One other thing I do to keep myself and my girls safe is to pull over and allow a tailgater to go past me (as long as I'm in a well traveled area and it's daylight). The last thing I want is a case of road rage, so if someone is in that much of a hurry, I let them get around me.
acole said
on 5/29/2008 Great tips. Thanks!