Surprising Facts About Car Safety

Cars are a huge convenience to all of us. With such hectic and overloaded schedules, it is easy to take your mode of transport for granted as well as become complacent at times when you are in a time crunch to take the necessary safety precautions both for yourself and your kids. However, it is important that you remind yourself of certain facts every time you are behind the wheel.

First, statistics show that most car accidents happen close to where an individual lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of car accidents are not high speed chases that occur on the expressway that end in bloodshed. Rather the majority of accidents actually happen while driving around local or residential roads during routine errands. Furthermore, these almost always involve children, especially young ones, because mothers are shuttling back and forth to day care, running to the grocery store, or doing normal everyday tasks. It is because in situations such as this, corners are cut and safety is forsaken. Seat belts might not be put on, belongings might not be secured; all because it is a quick trip and you want to jump in and out of the car. Therefore, the same precaution that you might take when making a long trip needs to be instituted each time you get in the car, both for your safety and the safety of other riders.

The next important fact to remember is that children between the ages of 4 and 8 are more likely to be seriously hurt in a car related accident than children under 4. Many times, this is attributed not only to a child who doesn't listen to directions given by a parent in the car, but also because the parents are distracted or have other children who are younger to attend to and the safety of the older child gets forgotten. Furthermore, children in this age range might not be in a car seat anymore, but they should be riding in a booster seat for their own safety. Children under 13 should also not be riding in the front seat; many may not realize it, but there is a minimum age for riding shotgun.

Another fact is that just because you drive an SUV doesn't mean you are any safer than the person riding in a Smart Car. Admittedly, you are driving a big vehicle. That vehicle though is also high off the ground and you have a higher center of gravity than say, a Camry. If you have an SUV, you are more likely to be in a rollover accident or flip during a turn taken a little too fast. If you already have an SUV or are thinking of buying one, you should invest in ancillary features like anti-roll control or electronic stabilizing. These can help protect you and your family from a small accident that becomes a big one because of the vehicle you are in.

Finally, remember, a car doesn't have to be moving in order for it to be considered a deadly weapon. Many people, children and pets especially, are hurt and killed each year because of freak accidents, like accidentally releasing a parking brake, getting caught in a door or a window, or overheating because they are left in the car too long on a hot summer day without proper ventilation. Never leave an individual in a car or allow a child to play in a car unsupervised. Cars can be dangerous, turned on or off.

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