Ways to protect yourself when driving this Thanksgiving
This week people will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is important for people to be careful because many people travel for the holiday. It is important for people to take a few steps to prevent themselves from having to file an auto insurance claim.
The first step is to give your vehicle a tune up before you travel anywhere. You should have the oil changed, the brakes checked, and the fluid replaced before you go anywhere. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that you have a full tank of gas. You should have a set of jumper cables and a first aid kit in your trunk in case you break down or are involved in an automobile accident.
The next thing to do is to avoid drinking any alcohol before driving. Drunk driving accidents happen all the time during Thanksgiving so make sure to have a designated driver. If you are tired from all of the turkey and great food then stop at a rest stop and relax. Never drive while tired because you could fall asleep and end up getting into an accident.
The third thing to do is to plan ahead. Many people want to get to their destination quickly and speed or drive for hours on end. This is not safe at all. You should stop and pull over every two hours to relax and get a snack and have something to drink so that you can have the right amount of concentration that is needed to be safe while on the roads.
The fourth thing to do is make sure that you and your passengers are secured. Everyone should be wearing a seat belt while the car is moving and children under age 7 should be in booster seats. It is important to have seat belts on at all times because they can restrain you from being thrown in the event of an automobile collision.
The fifth thing to do is to have what you need. Make sure to have bottled water, a flash light, a map, a GPS if you have it, your driver’s license, registration, and your auto insurance card. Keep these things together in the console or glove compartment so that they are readily available.
If you do get into an accident then you need to call your auto insurance company as soon as possible after you have first notified the police. You will need to have a police report taken in order to have your insurance claim processed by a claims adjuster. The holidays are a time to be thankful and no one wants to be hurt or killed so it is important to be vigilant. Keep your eyes on the road and report any drivers who are driving erratically to the local authorities. You need to be on the offense and protect yourself and your passengers so you need to be sure to be as safe as possible when behind the week of a car this holiday season.
Source: Market Watch
