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Think Safety Before The Summer Road
Trip
By Michelle Cummings, Public Education Technician
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
Gasoline prices have dropped a bit, and many families are hitting the
road to enjoy the California scenery. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire
District provides the following tips to prepare for common road problems.
· Check fluid levels, brakes and tires before a trip.
· Get your vehicle inspected at least once a year and before going on a
major trip by a reliable mechanic.
· Find out whether or not your car will be safe in a crash by checking
out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test ratings at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/
and www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm
· Consider having a cell phone available for each driver in the household
when they are using a vehicle.
· If a front tire blows out, get steering control and gradually slow down
by easing off the accelerator and keeping a firm, steady grip on the
wheel. Don't hit the brakes because this increases the pulling and pushing
you'll feel in the car. Put on hazard lights and pull over to a safe spot
off the road and away from traffic.
· If you carry jumper cables in the car, have you spoken with the other
drivers in the household to see if they know how to use the cables
properly:
· Along with jumper cables, store gloves and a pair of splash-proof
polycarbonate goggles with "Z-87" on the frame to indicate that
the goggles are safe for auto repair.
· Make sure the disabled and working vehicles are in park and not
touching each other.
· Turn off ignition and all other accessories in both vehicles.
· Don't use jumper cables that are damaged or corroded.
· Connect positive cable end to positive terminal of good battery.
· Attach other end of positive cable to positive terminal of disabled
battery.
· Connect negative cable end to negative terminal of good battery.
· Attach other end of negative cable to engine block or
alternator-mounting bracket of disabled car. Make sure this is far from
battery in case sparks occur.
· Start working car's engine and let it run for a few minutes. Then start
disabled car. Remove cables by reversing the order above.
(Sources: AAA, NHTSA, IIIHS)
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