Top tips for car safety

There is always a general basic safety procedure to follow if you want to make sure your car problems are kept to a minimum.  Not only will it help you hold the long term value of your vehicle but it will also help you stay safe whilst on any long or short journeys

Here’s some of the things you should do to stay safe on the roads.

Check your tyres

The minimum legal limit on your tyres is 1.5mm.  This is the point at which your tyres become illegal.  That said, it’s really important that you check them sooner.  The last thing you want it is to find you are over this point.  It could prove costly getting your car to the garage since it is illegal to drive at this point.  If there is rain, ice, snow etc. then below 2.0mm could see your tyres losing grip and become dangerous to drive.

The pressure in your tyre is equally as important.  Tyre manufactures typically have different pressure guidelines.  It’s important to check your manual to ensure you keep them to the optimum given.  If your tyre pressure is not right, you could lose grip or worse still have a blowout whilst driving. This is both costly and dangerous. Make sure you always check your tyre pressure and your tread depth.

Window wipers and mirrors – Check they work for you when you get in!

If you share a car with someone else, it’s likely that your mirrors, will have been adjusted.  The last thing you want whilst driving along is to fiddle around trying to adjust them.  This could lead to a crash.  Same with the window wipers.  If you are driving in heavy rain and they are not working, or the blades are broken you may struggle to see where you are going.  The last thing you want is an accident that could have been avoided

Check your car electrics. 

Don’t take the car electrics for granted.  With modern cars becoming more and more controlled by sophisticated on board computers, it’s becoming more important to watch out for electrical faults.  From your windows, to your starter motor, there are now very few parts of your car unaffected by this move towards the electric first approach to driving a car.  If you see any warning lights on, it’s important that you head to your local auto mechanic to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong with your car.  The last thing you want is for you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere because your car will not start.

These are just a few safety tips that we have highlighted. If you are concerned about how to ensure you stay safe on the roads, feel free to give us a call.  The team at Widnes Auto Electrical are always happy to help.

 

Top 10 Road Safety Tips to take away:

  1. Don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving

    Making or receiving a call, even using a ‘hands free’ phone,  is illegal.  The fixed penalty for being caught using a handheld phone in the car is a £200 fine and six points on your licence since 1 March.28 Feb 2017.  Moeverover it can distract your attention from driving and could lead to an accident.

  2. Belt up in the back

    In a collision, an un-belted rear passenger can kill or seriously injure the driver or a front seat passenger.    Make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt

  3. Don’t drink and drive

    You may get:

    • 3 months’ imprisonment
    • up to £2,500 fine
    • a possible driving ban
    • Any alcohol, even a small amount, can impair your driving so be a safe driver don’t drink and drive.
  4. Slow down

    At 35mph you are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian as at 30mph.   The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence.  You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years.

  5. Children

    Children often act impulsively, take extra care outside schools, near buses and ice cream vans when they might be around.  Make sure you guide them safely into and out of your vehicle at all times.

  6. Take a break

    Tiredness is thought to be a major factor in more than 10% of road accidents. Plan to stop often and for long enough to help you feel more alert

  7. Walk safely

    Be aware of the roads around you.  Vehicles may not always see you in built up areas.  Don’t just step out onto the road.  Check and use safe crossings at at all times

  8. Anticipate

    Observe and anticipate other road users and use your mirrors regularly.

  9. Use car seats

    Child and baby seats should be fitted properly and checked every trip.

  10. Keep your distance

    Keep the right distance.  If you don’t know what this is then revisit your highway code and checking your stopping distance.

 

 

 

 

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