Summer Road-Safety Tips

 Posted on May 17, 2017 in Personal Injury

This summer, many people will be opting for long road trips on their vacations.If you plan on taking an extended drive this summer, make sure you’re prepared by taking these safety precautions so that you and your loved ones aren't faced with a serious car accident.

Maintenance Your Car

Upkeep whatever vehicle you will be taking on the road this summer. It’ll be hotter than normal, so you don’t want to be caught on the side of the highway in the heat. Take your car for regular oil changes, battery checks, tune-ups, and tire rotations. Also, ensure you invest in a good roadside assistance service in case your car requires a tow.

Check Your Car for Recalls

One thing your mechanic may not do if you’re not taking it to the dealership is to check for product recalls. However, you can look forany potential problems with your car by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) search tool to enter your vehicleidentification number (VIN). The website will identify any vehicle that has not been repaired as a part of a safety recall in the last 15 years.

Pack an Emergency Roadside Kit

It never hurts to be over-prepared for any situation. In the event your car breaks down, you should be prepared to deal with it. A roadside kit includes a cell phone and car charger, first aid kit, flashlight, water and paper towels, basic repair tools, duct tape, flares, a white flag,jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, jack, spare tire, work gloves, a change of clothes, nonperishable food, medicine, drinking water, extra windshield washer fluid, emergency blankets, maps, extra towels, and an extra coat.

Buckle Your Seat belt

This may seem obvious, but some people think they can forgo buckling up during the summer, particularly for a short trip. However, every person in the car should always be buckled when the car is on. Even if you’re just going down the driveway, you can prepare for any accident if you buckle up.

Keep Your Kids Safe

Children and adults don’t usually have the same problems when it comes to car safety. Kids are more delicate, which means children ages13 and younger should always ride in the back seat. This precaution is mainly due to the danger caused by airbags. While airbags protect people from severe brain injuries, they can strike with tremendous force, which may be too much for a smaller individual. Smaller children should also be buckled in with a booster seat or car seat. When you exit your vehicle,make sure you never leave your child unattended in or around it. Also,always lock the car after you and your kids leave the vehicle, so they do not play or get trapped inside.

Do Tasks Before Beginning to Drive

People have the bad habit of performing last-minute checks and mirror adjustments while they are already in the process of driving. Make sure to adjus tyour seat and other car equipment before you take the car out of park.Likewise, other activities such as texting, eating, drinking, or returning calls should be done on the side of the road, rather than while you’removing. Many car accidents are caused by driver inattention related to something that took their focus away from the process of driving. If your phone is too tempting, keep it in the backseat or truck where you can’t reach it.

Drive Defensively

Because the weather is better, more people will have social gatherings that involve alcohol. These gatherings will likely lead to an increase in the number of drunk drivers on the road. If you notice a driver who seems to be swerving or driving in an otherwise unsafe manner, stay awayfrom them as much as possible. You can also call the police and inform them of the dangerous driver. Defensive driving involves being alert and aware of the road around you. If you defensively driver, you also realize everyone else on the road is unpredictable. You can never be sure if someone else will follow the rules of the road, which is why defensive drivers are always prepared for a sudden or unexpected turn of events. Likewise,being alert to your environment will ensure you give bikers and motorcyclists enough space.

Make sure to stay safe this summer. However, if you or a loved one hasbeen harmed and requires an experienced Greenwich personal injury attorney,don’t hesitate to give us a call. Ivey Barnum & O’Mara,LLC has a team of skilled lawyers with more than 30 years of legal experienceto offer you.Contact us at 203-661-6000 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.