Safe Driving Tips
May 24, 2007. Regardless of high gas prices, this weekend marks the beginning of summer for the luxury vacation rental market. That means the nation's highways and byways will be carrying more automobiles. The Today Show offered some safe driving tips on its website we would like to share with our readers.
1. Practice preventative maintenance
Don't want to end up on the side of the road? Take your car to a repair shop before the big trip and have them perform a thorough check. Throughout the trip, continue checking engine oil and tire pressure.
2. Make sure you have the emergency roadside essentials
Before you leave, make sure you have everything you need to put on the spare tire. A working cell phone will also be a huge help if you need to call a tow truck or 911. Emergency roadside repair kits with air compressors and reflective triangles will also come in handy.
3. Know when and where should you pull over
"Studies have shown that cars parked on the roadside are often struck by passing traffic, especially at night," according to the article. If you can, continue to the next exit. If you must, park as far onto the shoulder as possible, turn on emergency flashers and place reflective triangles, and wait several feet away from the car (out of the reach of errant vehicles.)
4. Load the car properly
Check you car's weight limit, which has a major effect on how well it can brake or swerve in an emergency when loaded down. An overloaded car simply won't function properly. Also, make sure that loads won't shift during sudden braking – you don't want a cooler to the back of the head, do you?
5. Be aware of rest stop surroundings
"General alertness is key," the article says. Whether at a rest stop, gas station or attraction, use common sense: be aware of your surroundings, travel in groups, keep the car locked, and put valuables out of sight.
