It is better to get to your destination in one piece than never at all.
Think of your family and loved ones when you drive, will they get to see you again at the end of the day?
Life is precious treasure it.
Do not squeeze in more people than the number of seat belts there are.
Buckle up your seat belts and ensure that both the front and rear seat passengers buckle up theirs too.
Turn your head and check the blind side of your car to the lane that you are attempting to filter to.
If you drink, go public i.e. take a cab or the public transport or have your sober friends drive you back.
If you are stressed or tired, drive to the road shoulder or a car park and take a breather or a nap first. Alternatively, you could take a cab or the public transport or ask somebody to drive you home.
Check your eyesight regularly to ensure that you see well on the road.
Keep a pair of sunglass in the car compartment in case of direct strong sunlight.
While you are driving, refrain from fiddling with the audio system.
Never play music so loud that you cannot hear the environment. Someone may honk at you to warn you about something.
Do not overrun red lights.
Keep cool, if the driver behind keeps too close to your car indicating that he wants to overtake you, let him do so. Think positive, he may be in a hurry to go the hospital, his wife or her husband or kid may be ill or he may be rushing to the airport!
Stay away from a mad driver. He could drive you to your death!
In slow traffic, make sure that you pay full attention on the road and do not keep too close to the car in front of you.
Follow speed limits.
At a traffic junction, when the light turns green in your favour, do not speed off immediately. Instead check to see whether any car runs the red light from the side road.
Concentrate on the road, look frequently at your rear view and side view mirrors to ensure you know the traffic around your car. You may need to change lane if the car in front of you suddenly stop, but before you change lane make sure you know whether there is any car or oncoming cars on the lanes beside you.
Do not use the mobile phone, if you really have to use one, attach a hands-free kit.
Experience is the best teacher. New drivers should not try to overspeed. For e.g. an experienced driver will be able to correct a mistake like oversteering on a corner. A new driver on the other hand might swerve violently instead, endangering himself and others.
Tyres are important for providing control of the car especially in wet weather conditions. Check the tyres every two weeks when the tyres are cold. Wearing at the center of the tyre indicates over-inflation whereas wearing at the outer rim indicates under-inflation.
Keep your glove compartment stocked with a local street directory, flashlight and car owner's manual.
Keep an emergency kit comprising a reflective triangle, first aid kit, gloves, jumper cables, tool kit, cloth, water etc. in your car. The most common reasons for car breakdown are flat tyres and batteries.
In case of breakdown, move your car to the side of the road and put up the necessary signage for e.g., the reflective triangle, giving ample notice to any oncoming car. If you intend to change your tyre, make sure you are not in the way of oncoming cars.
Check the brakes regularly.
To keep safe from air bags, wear the seat belt and sit so that one's breastbone is at least 20 cm from where the air bags puffs out. Never put a child in the front seat, if this cannot be avoided, place your biggest child in front and slide the seat as far back as possible.
Child safety seat is the first choice for the child sitting on the back seat. Make sure you get the right size for your child.
Seat Belt : Check for both the front and rear seat belts regularly and when you buy a car. You could test the belt by tugging hard; the belt should tighten and jerk, if not change them!
Air Bags : It is good to have both front seats as well as side air bags. However be aware of the dangers of air bags as well.
Side Impact Bars : This ensures that the car door with a built-in beam, does not fold and crush a person on impact.
Head Restraint : A car fixed with an anti-whiplash system has headrests which automatically move to prevent your head from snapping back in the event of a crash. This snapping motion, known as 'whiplash' if not controlled could cause one's spine to snap.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) : This prevents the brakes from locking, hence preventing you from skidding and losing control.
Bumper : These should shatter on impact to lessen the shock.
Glass : For new cars, the glass used shatters into small circles on impact. These reduced the sharp edges and are thus less dangerous.
An Australian study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization has shown that the "new car smell" can cause headaches, sore throat, drowsiness, nausea, and even serious health conditions such as cancer and abnormalities in unborn babies. It can take just a few minutes to take effect and may even cause accidents.
The new car smell is generated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the plastic, glue and carpeting. These compounds contain two carcinogens, benzene and formaldehyde.
The situation can worsen when the weather is hot as well as when cleaning solutions or stain guards are used.
Exposure to the toxic emissions in a new car is several times the limits considered safe for homes or offices.
Drivers cruising in their new vehicle are advised to wind down windows until the new materials stabilize (i.e. when the smell fades away), which takes about 6 months.
Reference : "New Car Drivers Exposed to Toxic Emissions" Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Media Release, 19 Dec 2001 Ref:2001/290
Visor extenders 3-way protection blocks hazardous glare from sun, snow & ice. Solid panel slides to right or left of visor, totally blocking sun; tinted see-through sunshield pulls down to prevent eyestrain when driving toward rising or setting sun.
Handy key light Ends fumbling for keyholes in the dark! Mini-light snaps onto the base of the key & has its own loop for attaching to your key ring. Just push button on side. A beam of light illuminates entire area around keyhole.
