Road Resolutions: 6 Essentials for Safe and Responsible Driving
This year, you might want to think about making some New Year’s Resolutions that concern your car. It’s there for you day in and day out, but how much love do you really show it? Here are six ways you can do more for your trusty technological steed.
Wear Your Safety Belt
Always wear your seatbelt. This is the law in many states anyway. But, if you happen to live in a state where this isn’t the law, do it anyway. Seatbelts are important safety devices that help slow you down in a car accident and prevent you from rocketing through the windshield.
You’re a safe driver? That’s great. Other people aren’t. And, besides, you can’t always predict an accident. That’s why they’re called accidents.
Focus On Driving
Focus on driving and not being distracted behind the wheel. It’s so common these days to see people driving while texting. It’s really gotten out of hand. Don’t be one of those people. Driving while being distracted has been shown to be more dangerous than driving while drunk, according to some studies.
So, even though you may not get a ticket for texting while driving (unless your state is one of many that has outlawed it), it’s still a good idea to keep your eyes on the road. Answer your phone messages when you stop. Almost nothing is that urgent anyway.
Have a Spare Tire
Always have a spare tire handy. It used to be that vehicles came with spare tires. Nowadays, you have to check in the trunk to be sure. In an effort to reduce the weight of a vehicle, and improve gas mileage, some manufacturers have gotten rid of the spare tire in the trunk.
So, if your vehicle doesn't have it back there, you might want to buy one and put it in the wheel well (if your vehicle has one). Otherwise, you’ll have to stash it in the trunk. Your alternative is to go sans spare and call a road service company, like Towing San Francisco, when you get a blowout on the highway.
Stay Sober
This one should be obvious, but people still drive drunk, even though it’s completely illegal and the fines and penalties for it are steep. Staying sober not only keeps your insurance rates down, it keeps you and others on the road alive.
Keep an Emergency Bag In The Trunk
Always keep an emergency bag in your trunk. It should contain road flares, reflective triangles you can put down on the road if you’re stranded, a Faraday flashlight so that you have a portable source of light, a hunting knife, some twine, and a first-aid kit. You should also consider putting a spare change of clothes in there as well as two ways to make a fire. Finally, don’t forget about water. Having a way to filter water may keep you alive if you’re stranded in a strange place and you’re not near a town or city.
Keep Your Tank At least Half-Full
Running your gas tank down below 1/4 and keeping it there is a little hard on the gas pump. Always keep it at least a little full - half a tank should be enough to keep the pump from working too hard. It will increase the longevity of your fuel system and you’ll never run out of gas.
Source: Ashley Jacobs is a longtime driver and mother of two teens. She enjoys researching and writing articles that will help new drivers be safe on our roads.
