Keeping Your Family Safe: Car Safety Tips

Car safety tips start when you buy your vehicle. Today, many manufacturers are designing vehicles with advanced safety features that go beyond the minimum Federal standards. There are many options to consider when purchasing a new vehicle, and safety features are some of the most important.

Download The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guide to buying a safer vehicle to learn more about the latest features that can help keep you safe on the road.  

There are many ways to drive responsibly and stay safe.  Here are a few other auto safety tips:

• Sign up for email recall alerts for your car.  
• Register your car safety seat to receive  car seat recalls.
• Find a car safety seat inspection station location.
• Find your destination on a map before heading out.
• Teach your family about the dangers of distracted driving.

What Is Distracted Driving?

There are three main types of distraction:

• Visual — taking your eyes off the road
• Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.

While all distractions can endanger drivers’ safety, texting is one of  the most alarming because it involves all three types of distractions.

Other distracting activities include:

• Using a cell phone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a PDA or navigation system
• Watching a video
• Changing the radio station, CD, or Mp3 player.