If you're on the long road to grandmother’s house or just going down to the local mall for some last minute shopping, it is essential for you to take these few precautions to prevent the holiday headache of a car accident.
But with the proper level of preparation, some necessary preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles the treacheries of the holiday season.
The true experts on holiday driving accidents, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts from Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, repair countless vehicles each and every year that have been battered in icy, snowy accidents. We're happy to offer these helpful tips to make holiday driving safer.
Keep In Mind:
• Check the route: Look at road conditions before the trip to know if there's going to be any delays
• Stay In Touch: Bring a cell phone in case of emergencies
• Turn down the Jingle Bells: Minimize distractions like loud music
• Don’t invite thieves: Presents lying around in the back seat are more inviting than cookies and milk is for Santa. Lock them securely in the trunk to prevent possible break-ins
• Take a break: If you are traveling a distance and you start to feel tired, take breaks or a quick catnap at a rest stop to stay alert
• Protect yourself: Never forget to wear a seatbelt
• Don't Text and Drive: Texting and driving can harm you and your family, not to mention the potential harm to other drivers. Keep the phone stored away for emergencies. When it becomes necessary for you to send a text message, safely pull to the side first.
Check Your Visibility:
• Fill your fluids: Add some de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
• Upgrade your wipers: Make sure that the windshield wipers on your car are free of ice before going out on the road and think about the possibility of updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits your area
• Check your visibility: Be sure that all of your mirrors are properly adjusted and clear
• Look at the lights: Clean any hazed headlights and check bulbs in all of your vehicle lights both in the front and rear
Slow Down and Stay Back:
• Keep it slow: If there's snow or ice on the ground, reduce your speed ten or 20 miles per hour under the speed limit
• Leave some space: Have at least two or three car lengths between your vehicle and the one in front of you
• Cruise with caution: Do not use your cruise control while traveling on icy roads
• Stay alert to the surface: Use caution while on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads as these could be slippery from ice and use extra caution when traveling on one-lane roads
Prepare for a Snow Day:
• Weight it down: If your car or truck has rear wheel drive, put a couple bags of sand, litter or bricks in the back to help keep your vehicle under control
• Stock up on supplies: Pack a snow day kit in the even that you get stuck in the snow. Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, compass, scissors, rope, wooden patches in waterproof container and first aid kit.
• Take some tools: Have a box of tools prepared for digging your car out if necessary with collapsible shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner
If an accident does occur for you this holiday season, we suggest that you have a collision plan in place so you don't find yourself stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance. CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville offers high-quality, reliable repair service in your area. Just give them a call at 618=345=4519 when you have an accident and they will send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your vehicle.
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