Drivers must prioritize the protection of everybody on the roadway, together with passengers and different highway customers. Whereas there are numerous assets accessible corresponding to state-issued driver’s manuals and on-line driver security programs that present dependable data on secure driving practices, it’s nonetheless frequent for misinformation about secure driving to unfold.
It’s additionally important for drivers to be told and to observe confirmed security measures to make sure the protection of all events on the highway, which incorporates carrying the suitable stage of auto insurance coverage protection in Texas.
Maintain the next 6 security myths in thoughts the following time you might be on the highway.
Fable 1. Maintain Your Automotive Doorways Unlocked Whereas Driving in TX
It’s not unusual to listen to recommendation concerning driving together with your doorways locked. Some folks counsel that it is best to at all times go away your doorways unlocked whereas driving in case you might be in an accident. The speculation is that in case your doorways are unlocked, it will likely be simpler for rescuers to tug you from a wrecked automobile. Sadly, leaving your doorways unlocked whereas driving is way extra more likely to end in devastating accidents.
It’s safer to lock automobile doorways whereas driving because of the danger of a door opening in an accident. Unlocked doorways usually tend to open throughout a crash, and there may be additionally a danger of younger passengers opening a door whereas a automobile is in movement. Most automobiles have an computerized locking function when a automobile reaches a sure pace.
Fable 2. Solely Bridges are Harmful in Icy Climate
One other frequent false impression is that ice represents much less of a menace on roadways in comparison with bridges. This false impression may be as a result of highway indicators in Texas usually warn that bridges might ice throughout chilly climate. Whereas it’s true that bridges usually tend to change into icy first, the roads are simply as harmful when ice is current. Identical to when driving within the rain, all highway surfaces needs to be handled as doubtlessly harmful in inclement climate.
Driving in icy situations is harmful and needs to be averted every time attainable. Nevertheless, there are occasions when driving in hazardous climate can’t be averted. Follow winter security driving suggestions to make sure you’re ready for when unhealthy climate strikes.
Fable 3. Used Automotive Seats Are At all times Secure
There’s a false impression that automobile seats are at all times secure to make use of. The truth is that—like many merchandise—they put on out over time. Automotive seats have expiration dates as a result of the supplies used of their building can break down over time, doubtlessly affecting their security and effectiveness. In case you’re fascinated with buying a secondhand automobile seat or somebody gives one they not want, you will need to ask the earlier proprietor about its utilization historical past.
If the seat was concerned in an accident, it might not meet producer security requirements, even when it isn’t very previous. It’s at all times finest to depend on a automobile seat that’s in good situation and has not reached its expiration date to make sure the protection of your baby whereas touring. It is usually vital to observe automobile seat security suggestions everytime you use a toddler automobile seat.
Fable 4. Maintain Your Arms at “10 and a pair of” Whereas Driving
For a few years, Texas driving instructors knowledgeable would-be motorists to at all times maintain their arms at “10 and a pair of” on the steering wheel whereas driving. Whereas that recommendation may need been sound in years previous, it’s not legitimate. The appearance of contemporary airbags has rendered this recommendation outdated.
Within the occasion of a crash, airbags deploy at excessive speeds, which may trigger accidents corresponding to damaged arms and facial lacerations if the driving force just isn’t correctly positioned. To scale back the chance of damage, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) advises drivers to tilt the steering wheel away from their head, maintain their arms on the “9 and three o’clock” place, and preserve a minimal distance of 10 inches between the airbag cowl on the steering wheel and their breastbone.
Fable 5. Arms-Free Makes it Secure for Texans to Speak on the Telephone
There was a big push lately to ban the usage of cellular units whereas driving. Whereas distracted driving has change into one of many main threats on the roadway, many states have pushed drivers to maneuver to hands-free headsets for making cellphone calls whereas on the highway. Whereas hands-free, a driver can allegedly make a name safely whereas behind the wheel. In actuality, hands-free headsets do little to cut back the probabilities of a crash.
In response to a examine by the Journal of Security Analysis, hands-free units are simply as harmful when driving as holding a cellphone in your hand. Whereas hands-free headsets may go away your arms free, speaking on the cellphone is a psychological distraction that would improve the probabilities of an accident.
Fable 6. Heat Up Your Automotive Earlier than Driving in Chilly Climate
This was frequent recommendation for a few years. Older automobiles wanted to heat up earlier than driving, which concerned working a automobile in place for a while earlier than heading in your manner. Fashionable automobiles don’t have to be warmed up within the winter. And for folks with garages, this generally is a lethal mixture. Many individuals don’t understand how shortly harmful ranges of carbon monoxide can construct up within the storage, in addition to an connected house. In response to this report, it may well take as much as 10 hours earlier than the air you breathe is secure once more.
With fashionable expertise and digital gasoline injection, that is not obligatory. In reality, permitting your automobile to idle for an prolonged time frame can truly be wasteful and inefficient. It consumes fuel and takes up helpful time that could possibly be used for driving. In actuality, your automobile’s engine will heat up sooner if you find yourself driving it, because the movement helps to flow into the engine oil and get it flowing.
Discovering Inexpensive Automotive Insurance coverage in Texas is Not a Fable
Understanding the reality about these security myths might allow you to keep away from an accident, in addition to being safer general. Regardless of your finest efforts, there are occasions when a collision is unavoidable. When accidents occur, you need to have auto insurance coverage protection that protects you.
Baja Auto Insurance coverage is prepared that will help you shield your self, your family members, and your automobile by offering you with good protection at a good value.
Our brokers are able to advise you in your coverage choices. To study extra about how our brokers can assist you, get a free automobile insurance coverage quote on-line, give us a name at 800-401-6870, or drop in certainly one of our places for a go to.
