Drive to SurviveAt some point, you will be faced with some sort of emergency while driving. Because people do not experience these occurrences every day, many do not know how to react when disaster strikes. It is smart to learn how to react in some common situations. Being educated may not only save your life—and that of your family—but it may prevent the death of other drivers that may be involved.
General Tips
The very first thing that you should always do is wear your seatbelt. There is no excuse for not doing so. It doesn’t matter how short the trip will be, there is always potential for an accident. Many people involved in fatal accidents may have lived if they weren’t ejected from their vehicles or thrown around with bone crushing force.
Make sure that you have a mobile phone of some type, even if it is just an inexpensive prepaid phone. Being able to communicate with emergency personnel and loved ones is a major boon in an emergency situation. It alerts people to your location, and this is especially important in remote areas. You also do not have to leave your vehicle in order to seek help unless it is necessary. Sometimes people are killed by other drivers that are alongside the road during a vehicle emergency, so staying in one place is a safer option. Many cell service providers also offer an add-on roadside assistance program.
It is a good idea to maintain some sort of roadside assistance coverage. These services can provide aid for common situations such as running out of gas, developing a flat tire, and hitting a deer. They can bring you gas, jump start batteries, arrange for towing, and provide you with a ride.
Accidents Involving Others
You will probably come across accidents involving other drivers from time-to-time. Knowing how to react to these will keep you safe. Too many drivers don’t pay attention to what’s going on around them, and end up becoming involved in someone else’s accident.
This is why car pile-ups happen. You might even be one of the first people to come upon an accident. Here’s what to do:
Brake Failure
The total loss of braking capability does not happen often. Braking systems often give some indication that failure is imminent, such as spongy reaction to be being pressed. But it does happen, and can be a scary experience. What can you do to slow or stop a runaway vehicle?
Tire Blowout
This is another emergency that happens very fast, so keeping a cool head is important.
In the case of rear tire blowout, it will cause the car to weave. Maintain a firm hold on the steering wheel, let up on the accelerator and do not brake. Braking will cause the car to spin, so letting the car slow down on its own is your safest option. Front tire blowouts cause the car to pull to one side, so just maintain a straight path by holding on to the steering wheel hard. Let the car decelerate as much as possible before applying the break.
Escaping From a Flooding Vehicle
It is best to avoid moving across any road covered by water. Vehicles can be swept into running water during a flash flood, run off the road into ponds, or move into bodies of water due to improper braking when they were parked. If you find yourself sinking in water, take off your seatbelt and open/break the windows, then attempt to escape. If you are immersed, push the door open and use the force of your feet to force it open if you have to.
Sources:
http://www.safest1.net/downloads/Driving%20Emergencies.pdf
http://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips/how-to-survive-the-top-10-driving-emergencies.html
http://www.newyorkdefensivedriving.com/course_sample.html?p=9
http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/Driving_emergencies/emergencies.html
Aside from all these safety tips and precautions, you could benefit from cutting down on your cost of car insurance. With the free online comparison tool that Kanetix.ca offers, you could get the cheapest auto insurance quote in Ontario in just a matter of minutes. Visit Kanetix.ca today to save time and money on your insurance.
General Tips
The very first thing that you should always do is wear your seatbelt. There is no excuse for not doing so. It doesn’t matter how short the trip will be, there is always potential for an accident. Many people involved in fatal accidents may have lived if they weren’t ejected from their vehicles or thrown around with bone crushing force.
Make sure that you have a mobile phone of some type, even if it is just an inexpensive prepaid phone. Being able to communicate with emergency personnel and loved ones is a major boon in an emergency situation. It alerts people to your location, and this is especially important in remote areas. You also do not have to leave your vehicle in order to seek help unless it is necessary. Sometimes people are killed by other drivers that are alongside the road during a vehicle emergency, so staying in one place is a safer option. Many cell service providers also offer an add-on roadside assistance program.
It is a good idea to maintain some sort of roadside assistance coverage. These services can provide aid for common situations such as running out of gas, developing a flat tire, and hitting a deer. They can bring you gas, jump start batteries, arrange for towing, and provide you with a ride.
Accidents Involving Others
You will probably come across accidents involving other drivers from time-to-time. Knowing how to react to these will keep you safe. Too many drivers don’t pay attention to what’s going on around them, and end up becoming involved in someone else’s accident.
This is why car pile-ups happen. You might even be one of the first people to come upon an accident. Here’s what to do:
- Warn others. If you have flares and warning triangles, place them away from the accident to let other drivers know to slow down.
- Notify emergency personnel. In the United States, this is normally accomplished by dialing 911.
- Let them know the nature of the accident, the location and your phone number.
- Access the injuries and calm the vehicle occupants. If possible, perform simple first aid.
Brake Failure
The total loss of braking capability does not happen often. Braking systems often give some indication that failure is imminent, such as spongy reaction to be being pressed. But it does happen, and can be a scary experience. What can you do to slow or stop a runaway vehicle?
- Keep your wits. It may be difficult, but panic may lead to loss of vehicle control. Turn on the emergency lights and honk the horn to warn others.
- If you have standard brakes, then pump up and down on the pedal.
- If you have antilock brakes, push down on the pedal and don’t let up.
- Move the tires across curbs or other safe objects in order to slow the vehicle.
- Throw the car into low gear and turn of the car’s engine only if you are clear of other vehicles and other obstacles.
Tire Blowout
This is another emergency that happens very fast, so keeping a cool head is important.
In the case of rear tire blowout, it will cause the car to weave. Maintain a firm hold on the steering wheel, let up on the accelerator and do not brake. Braking will cause the car to spin, so letting the car slow down on its own is your safest option. Front tire blowouts cause the car to pull to one side, so just maintain a straight path by holding on to the steering wheel hard. Let the car decelerate as much as possible before applying the break.
Escaping From a Flooding Vehicle
It is best to avoid moving across any road covered by water. Vehicles can be swept into running water during a flash flood, run off the road into ponds, or move into bodies of water due to improper braking when they were parked. If you find yourself sinking in water, take off your seatbelt and open/break the windows, then attempt to escape. If you are immersed, push the door open and use the force of your feet to force it open if you have to.
Sources:
http://www.safest1.net/downloads/Driving%20Emergencies.pdf
http://www.edmunds.com/driving-tips/how-to-survive-the-top-10-driving-emergencies.html
http://www.newyorkdefensivedriving.com/course_sample.html?p=9
http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/Driving_emergencies/emergencies.html
Aside from all these safety tips and precautions, you could benefit from cutting down on your cost of car insurance. With the free online comparison tool that Kanetix.ca offers, you could get the cheapest auto insurance quote in Ontario in just a matter of minutes. Visit Kanetix.ca today to save time and money on your insurance.
