Article provided by the Sawaya Law Firm. Please visit our Web site at www.sawayalaw.com.
No matter how careful you are when you drive, the unexpected can happen. Whether you become stranded in a snowstorm or your car breaks down on a lonely road, you'll want to make sure that you have supplies to help you get through the time until help arrives.
Automobile Maintenance and Safety
Preventing your car from breaking down in the first place is, of course, the best defense. Routine maintenance will help keep your car safer and in working order. Items to look after include, but are not limited to:
Tires: A tire blowout or tread separation can cause a crash or, at the very least, render your vehicle undrivable. Make sure that your tires are correctly inflated. Use the proper tires for your vehicle and the driving conditions in your area.
General maintenance: Get your car's fluids checked periodically. These include transmission, power steering and brake fluids, and oil. Your blinkers, headlights and taillights, parking lights and windshield wipers should be in working order.
Windows and windshield: Do not leave clothes (such as dry-cleaning) hanging in your car window, as this will impede your view. Make sure that your windshield is free of cracks. Finally, in colder climates like Colorado's, clean the snow off your windshield and windows. This is a simple but important safety measure.
Items to Keep in Your Car
If your car does break down or get stuck, the supplies you keep in it could save your life. At all times, but especially during winter, the following items could be critical to your safety:
Food and water: Basic supplies like food and water are essential to have in your car. Granola bars, energy bars and trail mix are good options.
Toolkit: A toolkit containing items such as jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries (or a candle and method of lighting it), a few car-repair tools and a quart of oil may come in handy.
First-aid kit: Keep a simple first-aid kit that includes bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream and adhesive tape.
Cold-weather equipment: In snowy Colorado, if you have room in your vehicle, it is wise to carry a shovel, sand or ice-melt, and a blanket or other method of keeping warm.
Signals: You may not be able to stand outside your vehicle and flag down passing motorists. The weather may be against you, or it may be the middle of the night. Triangles and flares will alert other drivers to your presence and could prevent a crash.
Cell phone: A cell phone is a useful tool, but remember not to talk on it while you are driving.
Taking the initiative to keep up on your car's maintenance can prevent accidents and lower the risk of being stranded by a car breakdown. If you do become stranded, however, it does not have to be a harrowing experience when you have the right tools. In any case, preparing for the possibility can bring you peace of mind.