car safety – Traffic School Online

The Power of the Seat Belt

Seat belts are more than just a piece of fabric; they are life-saving devices. In 2022, the national seat belt use rate was a commendable 91.6%, showing that most Americans understand their value. Astonishingly, seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. However, despite these encouraging numbers, there remains a significant portion of the population that still does not buckle up, leading to preventable fatalities and injuries.

A Stark Reality

In 2021, approximately 50% of the passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in crashes were not restrained. This statistic is a sobering reminder of the consequences of not wearing a seat belt. The truth is clear: wearing a seat belt can drastically reduce the risk of death and serious injury in the event of a crash. For example, buckling up in the front seat of a passenger car can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% and moderate to critical injury by 50%. In light trucks, these numbers increase to 60% for fatal injuries and 65% for moderate to critical injuries.

The Top 5 Things You Should Know About Buckling Up

1. Buckling up is the single most effective measure you can take to protect yourself in a crash. Seat belts keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, significantly reducing the risk of being ejected during a collision.

2. Airbags are supplemental restraints designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. Without a seat belt, the force of an airbag could cause serious harm or even be fatal.

3. Proper buckling is key. Ensure the lap belt and shoulder belt are correctly positioned across the pelvis and rib cage, areas well-suited to withstand crash forces.

4. Fit matters. Always ensure your seat belt fits properly, and don’t hesitate to use seat belt adjusters or extenders if needed. This is especially important in older vehicles or for people with unique fit needs.

5. Special considerations for children and pregnant women. It’s crucial to know when a child is ready to transition from a booster seat to a seat belt and understand the correct way for pregnant women to wear a seat belt for maximum safety.

For Expectant Mothers: Seat Belt Safety

Pregnancy shouldn’t stop you from wearing a seat belt. On the contrary, it’s the most effective way to protect both you and your unborn child in the event of a crash. The key is to wear the seat belt correctly: the lap belt should be below your belly, snug across your hips and pelvic bone, while the shoulder belt should lie across your chest and away from your neck. Always maintain an upright position and adjust your seat to keep a safe distance from the steering wheel.

In Case of a Crash

If you’re involved in a crash, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. The adrenaline and shock can mask injuries, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Wearing a seat belt is a simple act that can have a profound impact on your safety and the safety of your passengers. By choosing to buckle up, you’re taking a significant step towards protecting your life and reducing the risk of injury in a crash. Remember, every trip, every time, buckle up. It’s not just the law; it’s your best defense against the unpredictable nature of the road. Let’s commit to making seatbelt use a universal practice. Together, we can save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.

Although winter hasn’t yet officially arrived, in some areas of the country, winter weather has already begun and will continue into spring. Of all the seasons, it’s winter that can cause the most damage for cars. That’s why it’s extremely crucial to get vehicles prepared in advance before the harshest winter weather hits. Here are seven basic tips for preparing vehicles for winter conditions.

Check Tires

Once a month, check your tire pressure. Remember that tire pressure should be between 30 and 35 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). The right tire pressure is particularly important in winter because tire pressure can quickly drop from exposure to colder air. Consider that for every 10-degree reduction in temperature, tires lose one PSI of air. When tires aren’t properly inflated, gas mileage can be affected as well as tire wear.

If you live in an area prone to extremely harsh weather, you’ll need a good set of snow tires that have more tread and can withstand extreme temperatures. Check tire tread by doing the “Lincoln test”. This is done by inserting a penny into the tread of a tire. Have the top of Lincoln’s head point upward toward the tire. If the entire head is visible, it’s time to replace the tire before harsh weather arrives.

Get Your Car’s Battery Tested

One of the main preparations in getting a vehicle ready for winter is to have the battery tested because inclement weather can significantly decrease battery capacity. Furthermore, keeping your car parked in a garage, rather than in freezing weather, also helps in preserving the battery.

Be Sure Brake Lights and Headlights Are Working

Your brake lights and headlights should always be in good working order, but they must be functioning well when driving through heavy snow or dense winter fog. What’s more, you need to be sure other drivers on the road can see you.

Regularly Replace Worn Windshield Blades

If live in a harsh climate, you’ll need winter or rubber-clad blades to manage ice accumulation. You’ll all need plenty of windshield washer solvent for winter weather, in addition to an ice scraper.

Check Your Cooling System Regularly

Flush and refill your car’s cooling system, as recommended. Moreover, check the level as well as the concentration and condition of the coolant. The usual recommendation is a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. Also, be sure the engine has been completely cooled before removing the radiator cap.

Add a Coat of Wax to Your Car

Before snow begins to fall, apply a fresh coat of wax to your vehicle as this helps protect it from damage caused by dirt and salt on roads. Although road salt is used for treating icy roads, it can do severe damage to cars because salt is corrosive.

Carry Glycerine for De-icing Frozen Door Locks

Sometimes freezing weather can cause door locks to freeze. Forcing a door lock to open by using a car key can result in breaking the key. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry glycerine, which is used for de-icing. You can usually find this product in auto parts stores, hardware stores, and even discount stores.

Other Considerations and Warnings

Always have jumper cables in your car just in case your vehicle breaks down.
Don’t use plastic headlight covers as they can reduce brightness.
Check your car’s heater system to ensure it’s working properly. Be sure the blower is functioning, the core isn’t leaking and the window defroster works.
Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes items, such as boots, extra gloves, blankets, kitty litter, a shovel, batteries, snacks, an additional car charger, and other essentials.
Replace all dirty filters, including fuel, air, PCV, and others.
Make sure your wheels are correctly aligned. Realize that wheels that are poorly aligned can make an engine work harder, which results in using too much gasoline.
Maintain vehicle fluids.
The next time you have your oil changed, use winter-grade oil.

Because winter conditions create more driving challenges, drivers can be more at risk for getting traffic citations than at other times of the year. At Traffic School Online we offer an online traffic school and defensive driving courses for dismissing traffic citations and reducing insurance costs. Please contact us and learn more about how we can help you.

◉ The Life-Saving Truth About Seat Belts

Tag: car safety