Staying Safe in Your Vehicle

By now, even if you reside in a state without seat belt regulations, you’re aware that buckling up can save your life. But buckling up is not the only way you can proactively act to keep you and your loved ones safe in your car.

1. Properly arm your airbags: If your car contains air bags, make sure they are properly armed. If they have been triggered, you’ll need to have them armed again.

2. Utilize your seat belt properly: There is a purpose for seat belts stretching across our chests and not only our waists. These chest straps prevent us from hitting the dashboard, the seat in front of us, or getting an extreme case of whiplash. Make sure to utilize your seat belt as it was designed so you can get the maximum level of protection.

3. Practice suitable and timely vehicle maintenance: Transmission problems can cause your vehicle to seize up in the middle of the street; improperly filled tires can impede your brake system—there’s no limit to the prospective collisions that car maintenance issues can cause. Bring your vehicle to the mechanic regularly so he or she can test for these issues before they help cause a collision.

4. Practice airbag safety: Airbags have saved many of lives, but they can also be damaging in some instances. Kids under age twelve should not sit in the front seat with driver’s side airbags. If they must, they should be correctly buckled up with the seat pulled away from the dashboard, since airbags can actually injure anyone who is 2-3 inches from the point of inflation. Because the driver’s airbag is located in the steering wheel, he or she can be hurt, too. Measure your standard seating position when you drive and ensure that you are located at least 10 inches away from the middle of the steering wheel.

5. Purchase rear facing car seats: Airbags are not the only in-car hazard to a child’s safety. Children less than one year old or who weigh less than 20 lbs. should always be strapped into rear-facing car seats in the back seat of the car. Kids under 4’ 9” should also use booster seats when riding in the car. This prevents seat belt injuries in case of an accident.

6. Adjust your mirrors: It’s easy to get into your car after another driver has ridden in it and forget to adjust your mirrors. This can cause blind spots that let you back into an obstacle or change lanes without seeing a neighboring driver. Always be sure that your mirrors are properly adjusted and that you check your mirror’s blind spots before making any moves in traffic.

Exercising these easy auto safety precautions will give you peace of mind and might eventually even save a life.

For more information about Flint car insurance, give Security First Insurance Agency a call at 810-732-5800.