- Just because you are driving an SUV does not mean you are immune to the hazards of driving. Unfortunately, many SUV drivers believe they can plow through snow, drive through water or speed over bumpy terrain. While an SUV might handle better than a car in such situations, it can still lose traction and sustain damage.
- An SUV is a heavy vehicle and is heavier still when it is loaded with passengers and cargo. For this reason, be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. Also, avoid having to slam on your brakes by braking well in advance of your stopping point.
- Because SUVs are top heavy, they are more likely than cars to rollover. Rollovers are generally caused by sudden sharp turns and sudden over-correcting. To reduce the risk of rollovers, take corners and curves at a safe speed. Also, be mindful of abrupt corrective actions (such as swerving to avoid something in the road, trying to turn out of a skid, or jerking the wheel to attempt to regain control) and try to avoid them.
- It should probably go without saying but you should always wear your seatbelt when driving or riding in your SUV. Each year, more than half of all fatal crash victims were not wearing seatbelts at the time of impact. It is further estimated that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of dying in a crash by 45 percent.
- Airbags are a valuable safety feature and should be maintained and kept activated. If the airbag light on your dashboard comes on, have your SUV serviced immediately because your airbag system is not engaged. If your SUV come equipped with a switch to disable the airbags, do not use it unless there is a young child in the front seat. For safety's sake, though, children should always ride in the back seat of any vehicle when possible.
- Like any other vehicle, an SUV needs regular maintenance to ensure it is running smoothly and safely. Pay particular attention to your tires and your brakes, having them checked regularly and serviced or replaced as needed.
