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Archive for the ‘Car Safety’ Category

Preparing Your Vehicle for Emergency Situations

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

No matter where you live, the springtime months are a time to be on high alert for potential severe weather situations.  Although many people take a few extra precautions at home in order to be prepared for severe weather, many fail to consider getting their vehicles prepared for potential severe weather events.  Yet, many people spend over an hour of their time each day in their vehicles.  What would you do if you encountered severe weather or another emergency situation while on the road?  If you carry a basic emergency kit of supplies with you, you will be certain to be better prepared for these potential situations.

What to Include in Your Basic Kit

There are several items that you should include in the basic emergency kit that you carry with you at all times.  These include:

  •  Bag of sand or kitty litter
  •  Blanket
  •  Can opener
  •  Candles and matches (be sure to place them in a waterproof container)
  •  Collapsible shovel
  •  First-aid kit
  •  Flares
  •  Flashlight (don’t forget the extra batteries)
  •  Gloves (one pair of latex gloves and one pair of leather gloves is ideal)
  •  Poncho
  •  Rags
  •  Snack foods (high-calorie, non-perishable foods are best)
  •  Snow scraper and brush
  •  Tool kit
  •  Tow rope
  •  Water
  •  Window washer fluid

While some of these items are geared more toward winter weather conditions, such as the snow scraper and the kitty litter, it is still a good idea to keep these basic items with you at all times unless you live in a part of the country where winter weather conditions are rarely seen.  This way, you can be certain to have the items you need on hand when winter weather conditions do strike. 

Additional Items to Consider Adding to Your Emergency Kit

There are a few additional items that you might want to consider adding to your emergency kit for extra safety and preparedness.  Some of these items include:

  •  Disposable camera
  •  Emergency strobes
  •  Light sticks
  •  Reflective vest
  •  Siphon pump
  •  Spare clothing
  •  Tire chains
  •  Toilet paper
  •  Whistle

While it may be tough to give up the trunk space for these emergency items, it will be space well used when you enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you will be prepared if an emergency strikes.

Posted in Car Safety | No Comments »

State of Kansas Passes New Teen Driver Safety Laws

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Are you the parent of a teenage driver? If so, you probably feel quite nervous every time your teen gets behind the wheel.  It is for that very reason that some Kansas lawmakers have decided to make some changes in their state laws regarding teen drivers.

According to an article in The Wichita Eagle, tees account for about 6% of the drivers on the state’s roads.  Yet, they are involved in 20% of the state’s accidents.  Furthermore, 68 teenagers died in crashes in Kansas in 2007, with another 4,500 getting injured in auto accidents.  Faced with these statistics as well as testimony from experts stating that states with stricter teenage driver laws experience less accidents, the lawmakers didn’t have to put too much thought into whether or not they would pass the bill.  In fact, it passed through the Senate with an overwhelming 35-5 vote.

The new bill increases the age at which a teen can get an unrestricted license from 16 to 17.  In addition, drivers under the age of 17 ill not be allowed to drive late at night without having an adult in the vehicle. Furthermore, they cannot use their cell phones while driving.  The new law only allows 16-year-old drivers to drive between 5 am and 9 pm unless they are driving to school or to work and they can only have one passenger below the age of 18 in the car.

As a parent, however, you don’t have to depend upon the law to help keep your teenager safe.  You can take additional steps to make certain your teen stays as safe as possible.  First, give your teen plenty of opportunities to practice driving with you in the car.  The more practice your teen gets, the better he or she will get at driving.  If possible, enroll your teen in driver’s education classes in order to help him or her get even more experience and help with learning how to drive.  You should also be sure to consider the weather and other environmental factors when your teen is driving.  Try to avoid sending your teen out in poor weather conditions or at night until after he or she has become a more skilled driver. As he or she continues to prove his or her skills, extend driving privileges further and encourage the continued following of safety procedures.

Posted in Car Insurance News, Car Safety | No Comments »

How to Handle an Automobile Accident

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

Getting involved in an automobile accident can be a truly terrifying experience.  Therefore, it is important for you to have a clear understanding of the steps you should take if you are ever involved in an automobile accident.  This way, you will have a better chance of remaining clearheaded and taking the steps that are necessary to keep both your health and your finances safe.

Make Sure Everyone is Safe

Undoubtedly, the first step you should take if you are involved in an automobile accident is to make certain everyone who was involved is safe.  Everyone who is capable of moving should clear out of the area in order to stay out of the way of danger.  If anyone is injured, you should call 911 right away.  Remember, now isn’t the time to argue over who is at fault – taking care of everyone’s safety is the top priority.

Get a Report Filed with the Police

After you make certain everyone is clear of danger and that an ambulance is on the way to help anyone who was injured, it is time to notify the police.  Even if you are involved in a small fender-bender, you need to call the police in order to file a report.  In many states, it is illegal to fail to notify the police about an accident you are involved in.  Whether it is the law or not, however, filing a report will help make everything go smoothly when it comes time to file a claim with your insurance company.  Not only will an unbiased description of the accident be included in the report, you will also have all of the information your insurance company needs regarding the other party involved in the accident.

Call Your Insurance Company

Although the police report will have information regarding the other driver, you should still ask that driver to provide you with his or her name, phone number and insurance information.  Then, contact your insurance company and pass this information on to the representative.  The insurance company representative will then tell you the next steps you need to take in order to file your claim and receive payment for the accident.

Getting involved in an accident can be a highly emotional experience. By remaining levelheaded throughout the entire experience, however, you will be able to handle the situation as smoothly as possible.

Posted in Car Insurance Tips, Car Safety | No Comments »
 
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