Stay Safe on the Highway

The world is forever changing and the roads are becoming more and more busy. Therefore, we should take extra precautions to assure us of a safer trip, even if it is only down to the corner store. Here are a few steps that may help us all to stay safe on the highway.

Steps

  1. Stay alert and buckle up.
  2. Focus on your driving, as well as the vehicle behind you, in front of you, and to either side of you; make sure that your rear-view mirror and side mirrors are adjusted.
  3. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
  4. Drive cautiously. Stay at a safe speed to allow you time to stop.
  5. Respect others. Do not drive with a cellphone stuck to your ear. Pull over if you plan or need to talk on the phone.
  6. Turn your radio or car stereo down. Don't have it blaring because if an ambulance, fire truck or a police car are needing to get by, you need to be able to hear their sirens. Otherwise you could end up in a wreck and riding in an ambulance.
  7. Make sure that you have a good spare tire and tire jack in your trunk, as well as a jumper cable and any other tools that may be needed. It is also a good idea to carry a warning triangle (in some European countries this is required by law).
  8. Pay attention and obey road signs, such as STOP signs; come to a complete stop, and look both ways, before advancing. Keep an eye out for the people that may not obey road signs. Also watch out for motorcycles.
  9. Slow down, below normal speed, while driving on winding roads... meaning lots of curves in the road.
  10. Pull over to the shoulder of the road: If your car is driving harshly over the roads, and is even causing a problem with your power steering, then the first thing to look into is your tires. It is possible to have substantial damage to the tread without it being visible from the side as a flat would be.



Tips

  • If you have bought new tires, a lot of places will check your them out for you each month meaning air pressure and other wear issues. You may want to inquire about it.
  • Keeping good tires on your car can save you money on gas, for you'll get better gas mileage. Better tires may save you from getting in to a serious wreck. Discount Tires is a great place to purchase new tires, check for one in your area.
  • Ref. to Step #5: Now, if you are being chased by another motorist that is another issue; by all means stay on the phone and call the cops. Try to stay where there are lights and people.
  • Keep your air filter changed, for better gas mileage and vehicle performance.
  • Keep your vehicle tuned up and windshield wiper blades changed out. Be sure that your brakes are good, keep brake pads changed out once the pedal becomes too slippery.
  • Keep coolant in your radiator to prevent rust, and in order to keep your vehicle from over heating.
  • You might consider having your tires filled with nitrogen by a trained mechanic. This can reduce the risk of minor air leaks caused by bumps or simple wear and tear.
  • Keep a tire gauge in your glove box, and make sure that your tires have the right amount of air pressure. Check them quite often during the summer, when the weather's hotter; also, check for tire rot.
  • Keep your tires rotating and balance, the best tires always go to the front.

Warnings

  • If you are a woman driver, and making a long trip, at night wear a baseball cap and tuck your hair up inside. That way, you may not attract unwelcome attention. If you are driving alone, use two pillows (long wise) in order to make it appear that a person is sleeping in the back seat, simply add a blanket over the pillows.
  • Watch out for children that are playing on or near the street. If you should see a ball roll out in front of your path, a child is probably nearby. Therefore, slow down and take precaution.
  • Keep your vehicle's doors locked while driving, so that an attacker cannot force a way in by wrenching open a door. Don't worry about being trapped inside in the event of an accident; most modern cars have locks that spring open should this happen, so the emergency services will definitely be able to get you out.
  • Watch out for deer or other animal life crossing.
  • Try to stay 'low key' while driving in rush hour traffic & in other words, don't lose your temper, for there's a lot of road-rage these days.
  • Never try to outrace a moving train. Back away from the railroad track until the train has passed, wait for the signal light to go off and the protective arms to come up.
  • Do not be a hothead, nor use foul or finger language with fellow drivers, especially in these days and times. Try not to cut other drivers off, for that does fire them up.
  • Watch out for large holes in the roads. There are holes that are big enough to fit an entire tire in, due to lots of wear and tear from traffic.
  • Don't drive while under the influence of alcohol, nor while you are sleepy. Also, don't be talked into riding with a drunk driver and try to get them not to drive.
  • Don't give a young adult a set of car keys, nor buy them a car, until they take driver's education or have been taught to drive well. They need to fully understand the dangers of driving.

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