Precision Collision - Spring driving tips.

Precision Collision logo

Specializing in insurance repair with over 20 years experience!

Precision Collision front window

15704 Vonachen Dr
(Rte. 29 - next to the Shell Station in Rome)
Chillicothe, IL 61523
(309) 274-9550

Spring Driving Tips

Here are some expert tips for vehicle safety and security this spring

Do not drink and drive, and do not allow your guests to drink and drive. Appoint a designated driver or call a cab. Because alcohol is the number one contributor to highway traffic deaths, your actions may help save a life or prevent injuries. Remember, all 50 states have laws that prohibit driving while impaired with alcohol.

Buckle up correctly — every time, on every trip — and insist that all passengers do likewise. Properly restrain children in appropriate safety seats in the back seat. Most crashes occur within 25 miles of home, and the greatest numbers of deaths occur in crashes at speeds of less than 40 mph. For more information on proper restraint use, please refer to your Vehicle Owner's Manual, child restraint manual or go to www.preciouscargo.com

Do not drive while drowsy. On long trips, factor in ample time for breaks, and, if possible, share driving responsibilities.

Make sure your car is in good shape.

Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the typically rainy months of spring.

Thin tire treads create hazardous driving conditions when water builds up on the roadway, according to the Car Care Council. Deep tread accommodates accumulated water; thin tread does not. Thin tread causes the tire to hydroplane – ride up on a film of water, losing contact with the pavement, similar to driving on ice.

The simplest way to check tire tread depth is with a penny. Insert the penny into the grooves of the tread. If you are able to see all of Lincoln's head, the tire needs replacement.

Rainy weather also affects driver visibility. Because 90 percent of driving decisions depend on good vision, a clean windshield is imperative. Streaking and smearing impair vision and are caused by worn windshield blades. One out of every five vehicles usually has worn wiper blades.

"Replacing worn wiper blades is easy and inexpensive," said Rich White of the Car Care Council. "Why put it off until there's a downpour and your blades are chattering and smearing the windshield?"

Consult your Owner's Manual or authorized automobile dealer for recommended services. Pay close attention to engine coolant, brakes, tire condition and tire pressure, and belts and hoses. Don't overload your vehicle. Remember that if you tow a boat or trailer, some of that weight counts toward your vehicle load. You'll find your vehicle's load limit on the inside door sticker or in the Owner's Manual.

Be prepared. Keep emergency supplies in your car such as flares and hazard signs in case of a breakdown or flat. If your car overheats, let the engine cool and call for service; otherwise you risk damaging the vehicle. Make sure there's a jack in the car and that the spare is properly inflated. Pull completely off the road and avoid exiting the side of the vehicle facing traffic.

If you are in your car during a lightning storm, the vehicle's metal cage will conduct a charge into the ground and help protect you. Do not attempt to leave the vehicle and run for cover.

Obey posted speed limits, and keep your cool in construction zones.

Transporting passengers in the cargo bed of a pick-up truck is dangerous and, in many states, illegal. Don't do it.

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a few moments. On a warm, sunny day, a vehicle can heat up to potentially lethal levels in minutes. Children also are at risk if they gain access to a car trunk and can't get out. Always lock vehicles — even when parked in your own driveway — and put the keys in a secure location. Cover metal and plastic parts on child seats and safety belts to prevent burns. For more information, visit www.safekids.org.

Do not allow distractions such as eating, drinking and passenger/telephone conversations to interfere with the primary task of driving. Know your travel route ahead of time. For more information on distracted driving go to www.SenseAbledriving.com.

With the weather finally warming up, motorists share the road with bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. When changing lanes, keep in mind that motorcycles can be difficult to see. Anticipate that children will dart into the roadway without warning.

Lock your vehicle at all times. Park in well-lighted areas and be aware of your surroundings when you are getting in or out of your vehicle in a parking lot.