Knowing the Safety Features of Your Car

Back 50 years ago, cars did not have the safety features that they have now. There were no seat belts, car seats, or the structural protection that exists today. Here are some features that you should know about.

Seat Belts

Seat belts are very important to the safety of the passengers in your car. You should make it a habit to check that everyone is buckled in before turning on your car and require that passengers in your car, including other adults, have seat belts. Your friends will learn quickly that it’s a rule. This safety feature is essential to keeping passengers safe in the event of an accident, so it shouldn’t be ignored.

Airbags

A newer safety feature is airbags. In the event of an accident, the airbag deploys to help keep you from hitting the dash, steering wheel, or window. Some vehicles have more airbags than others, including airbags in front of both the driver’s seat and passenger’s seat as well as on the sides. Some even deploy from the roof. They can cause injuries, but these injuries are less severe than if you didn’t have them. Make sure if you are in an accident in Chicago to contact a Chicago accident attorney to handle your case.

Hazard Lights

In case you are in an accident, or need to pull over to the side of the road for any reason, hazard lights can alert other drivers of your presence to increase your chances of not being hit. Although a small thing, hazard lights are essential to your safety.

Safety features in cars are getting better and better all the time.

Safety Tips for Towing a Trailer

Whether you are hauling a snowmobile, a quad, a motorcycle, boat, or trailer, towing a trailer presents some driving and safety challenges. You can expect a safe and uneventful trip if you make a few preparations in advance and adhere to some common sense rules.

Before you go

Before you pull out of your driveway or the campground, be sure to a thorough safety check.
1. Check the tread and tire pressure on the tow vehicle and the trailer.
2. Check the lugs nuts on both the vehicle and trailer. Are they tight?
3. Is the hitch and coupler securely engaged?
4. Test the running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights on both the trailer and tow vehicle.
5. Test the brakes.

On the road

Once you are on the road it is important to drive with increased vigilance.
1. Drive at a moderate speed
2. Avoid sudden stops and steering corrections
3. Drive slowly over rough roads, potholes, and railroad crossings
4. Make wider turns to accommodate for the increased length
5. Downshift to help increase acceleration when passing or going uphill.
6. Downshift to aid the brakes when reducing speed on downgrades
7. Avoid trailer wheels going on to the soft shoulder.

Backing Up

Backing up with a trailer is a particular challenge for novices, however it can be easily mastered.
- Step one: Hand on the bottom of the steering wheel
- Step two: To turn right, move your hand to the right; to turn left, turn your hand to the left.
- Step three: Use slight movements to make alignment adjustments
- Step four: If you go too far in one direction or the other, pull forward, straighten the wheels and start again.

So you see, it’s just a few basic, but important things. You’re ready. Go have some fun!