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Safe Driver Tips
Over the past several years, driving has gotten a lot more…shall we
say…complicated. That's why, InsuranceFirst Services has assembled
an updated list of safety and anti-theft tips.
Safe Drivers...
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DO
wear your seatbelt.
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DO
make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt (or sits in an
appropriate child-safety seat) before you start the car.
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DO
park wisely. Choose a well-lit area of a parking lot or street.
And if you're in an unfamiliar area, try to stay near
well-traveled streets.
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DO
ignore sign language from other drivers.
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DO
look into cars with airbags and anti-lock brakes.
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DO
remember that speed limits are not posted arbitrarily. They're
set to keep traffic moving steadily and to reduce accidents--and
they're based on years of studying traffic patterns and
conditions. Also, remember that accidents increase as the speed
limit does.
DON'T be a lousy driver. There are a lot of people out there setting
an example, but you don't have to follow. Slow down. Back off. Use
your signals. Yield. Remember the basics.
-
DON'T
drink and drive. DO call a cab, designate a driver, take public
transportation, call a spontaneous slumber party. Just use your
head.
-
DON'T
try to do too many things at once. Talking on a cellular phone
or biting into a fully-loaded cheeseburger while you drive is
flirting with disaster.
-
DON'T
choose a car for its aesthetic appeal alone.
-
DON'T
slack off on the maintenance. Letting the fluids or tires get
low or letting bulbs burn out can get you in a lot of trouble.
-
DON'T
let the cats out of their carriers on the way to the vet. Trust
us.
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DID
we mention your seatbelt?
Safety isn't the first thing on a person's mind when they're looking
at a sporty little roadster, but it is something to keep in mind.
Generally, the larger the car, the greater protection it will
provide in an accident. Check out the Highway Loss Data Institute's
ratings of car makes and models at
www.carsafety.org.
You're Less Likely To Have Your Car Stolen If You...
-
DO
always close your windows and lock the doors when you leave your
vehicle.
-
DO
park in the garage (that is, if you have one). Cars are rarely
stolen from garages, but frequently "disappear" from driveways
and open spaces near homes.
-
DO
use your antitheft device. If you keep it turned off, it's not a
deterrent, it's a waste of money.
-
DO,
when you park, turn your wheels toward the street until the
steering wheel locks. This makes it a lot more difficult to push
or tow your car away.
-
DON'T
leave your keys in the car while it's unattended--running or
not. In fact, never leave it running if you have to step away.
Even for a second.
-
DON'T
leave your house keys behind. If your car were stolen, you'd
want to be the one that winds up with keys to your home.
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DON'T
leave anything of value--a roll of $100 bills, your wallet, your
trombone--in the car. You'd be amazed at what people might
steal. If you must leave something, make sure it's out of sight.
-
DON'T
wait until you've found your parking spot to stow things out of
sight. You never know who might be watching you take the extra
effort to put things away.
-
DON'T
forget that it's just a car. If someone wants it badly enough to
stop you and ask you for it--however impolitely--don't take any
unnecessary risks. Cars can be replaced.
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