DriveSmart
Print this Email this diggDigg this! del.icio.us
road trip safety

According to the Federal Government, something on the order of 80 percent of all crashes is due to driver error. This means, they didn't have to happen. In fact, some people are of the strong conviction that essentially all crashes are due to driver error.


If we eliminate random, freak occurrences—such as an earthquake taking out a bridge just as you are driving across it—then what we have left is driver error. What about bald tires, you say? Nope; as a driver you are responsible for the tires on the car you are driving. Cell phones? Nope, again; no cell phone ever caused a crash, but some people talking on cell phones and not paying attention to their driving while doing so have caused crashes. Winter snowstorms and icy roads? Nope, again; no snowstorm ever caused a crash, but some people driving in winter conditions and not driving appropriately for those conditions have caused crashes.


With that in mind, let's offer up some simple, basic safety pointers organized into a couple of categories: Things About the Vehicle, and Things About the Driver.

Things About the Vehicle


Tires
How to tell if they're in decent condition? Look into the grooves in the tread pattern and you will see shallow, raised bars of rubber. If the tread on the tire is worn to where it is even with those little bars, the tire should be replaced, because there isn't enough tread left for the tire to have proper grip on anything but absolutely dry pavement. Puzzled about inflation pressure? There will be a little sticker, sometimes on the driver's door pillar, sometimes in the glove box, listing correct inflation pressure. Do the rest of us a favor; keep decent tires on your car and keep them properly inflated.

Continued on Page 2

Copyright autoMedia.com 2000-2008

 
Related Photos More Photos...


hitch receiver rack
cheap driving
range rover offroad
lambretta
Here is a cl...


Related Articles
10 Tips for Parents of Teenage Drivers
10 Tips to Trump Driving Boredom
Mud Driving Tips and Advice
At-Home Test for Senior Drivers
Are You Equipped for Roadside Emergencies?


autoMedia Car Blog
Ouch! Small Pickup Truck Crash Tests - Painful Results
As gas prices soared past $4/gallon nationwide, and full-sized pickup trunk sales plummeted by double-digit percentages, some corners of the auto indu ... more...

Official: 2010 Lotus Evora 2+2
Lotus’ first all-new model in 13 years was unveiled at the British International Motor Show this week, the Evora. (We’re partial to the “Project Eagle ... more...

Car Sales Reaching the Lowest Levels Since 1993
It can’t be ignored that on the same day J.D. Power and Associates spreads doom about light-vehicle sales being expected to drop to the lowest levels ... more...


Forum Highlights
Need help putting brakes on 1961 Ford Ranchero
 I can't remember how my passenger side rear emergency brake attaches to the rear shoe. I know it attaches to the top with a pin and a horsesho ... more...

Re: engine smoke
he is right. Piston ring migth have not been the same. are they genuine parts? or its timing belt was'nt did right.   ______________________ ... more...

Re: 2000 Ranger front brake pads and rotors
don't worry about the sound. Tha's a good sound, it means the pads are working well, soon it will be gone. New pads ussually does that. Because its st ... more...


Car Buying Guide

QUICK SEARCH:


Specs, prices, photos & more
SEARCH BY BODY STYLE:
FREE New Car Price Quote
Get the best price - it's easy!

Used Car Buying Guide


2000-2008 autoMedia.com Inc. All Rights Reserved.