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Driving and Safety Tips
Stay safe on the road, take better care of your vehicle and save money on insurance and repairs with these tips:
General Driving Safety Tips
- Cell phones, text messaging, DVDs—they all draw motorists away from their #1 responsibility—driving safely. A serious accident can start with just a second of distraction. Pull over to use your phone or computer. And if your passengers are playing a DVD, keep the show in the back seat.
- Give yourself a break. Long stretches behind the wheel can wear any driver out, so pull off the road in a safe place every two hours to "stretch your legs," have a snack, etc. Share the driving when you can. Try not to drive late at night.
- Drive defensively. You can't control any driver but yourself, so do all you can to keep yourself and your passengers safe. Be aware of the road and other drivers at all times. Obey speed limits and traffic signs. Make sure your passengers are properly buckled in.
- Brush up on your rules of the road and remember: at a 4-way stop, the first vehicle to stop is the first to go. If vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.
- Did you know that more than 700,000 trucks are rolling across Canada right now? When you're sharing the road with a truck, keep in mind that trucks have very large blind spots on both sides, directly behind and in front. If you're following a truck and you can't see one of its side-view mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
- If you drive a station wagon, minivan or other vehicle with an open cargo area, be sure to pack everything securely, so that nothing goes flying if you stop short.
- Never store a propane cylinder or tank in your vehicle. It's a hazard if your vehicle is involved in an accident.
- Keep a set of booster cables (with instructions) in your vehicle. Even if you never need them, you may be able to help another motorist with them.
- When you're out shopping, keep your purchases locked up and out of sight, preferably in the trunk of your car. If thieves can see valuables in your vehicle, then you're a target for a break-in.
- If you're taking your pets on the road (even just around the corner), always secure them with approved belts or harnesses, or in a "travel hutch." If left loose, a pet can distract the driver and possibly cause an accident.
Spring and Summer Driving Tips
- Pay attention to weather warnings to avoid potential emergency situations. Avoid driving in hazardous weather conditions such as heavy thunderstorms.
- Keep sunglasses in your vehicle for bright and sunny days.
Fall Driving Tips
- Get ready for the Canadian winter before it arrives. Ask your mechanic to give your vehicle a thorough winter check-up. Winterize your car's systems. Recharge or replace a weak battery so your vehicle will start in cold weather.
- Be prepared for icy roads. Check your tires to make sure they have enough tread to get you safely through slippery conditions.
Winter Driving Tips
- Slushy road conditions—and dirty windshields—are sure things in Canadian winter driving. You can't drive safely if you can't see clearly, so always carry an extra jug of windshield cleaning fluid.
- Inspect your wiper blades and replace them if you need to. Worn blades can't clear snow, sleet and slush from your windshield.
- If it's snowing while you're driving, check your headlights and taillights periodically. Keep them clear of snow so you can see and be seen.
- Keep a breakdown kit in your vehicle, just in case. Your kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, water bottles, a blanket, a shovel, extra warm clothing, matches and a survival candle in a deep can (use it to warm your hands, heat a drink or as emergency lighting).
- Along with a shovel to help you dig out of snow, keep sand, salt or kitty litter in your trunk. Spread it under stuck, spinning tires to give them traction.
Tips for Parents of Young Drivers
- Where available, enroll your young driver(s) in a driver education program that has been approved in your province or territory. After they pass the course, they could qualify for a lower auto insurance premium.
- Set a good example by obeying speed limits and other traffic laws.
- Set the expectation with your teenager that he or she will drive responsibly. Have a talk with your teenager about safe driving habits. Motor vehicle accidents—often resulting from risky behaviour or lack of driving experience—are a leading cause of death for 16-to-20-year-olds.
- Ensure that any vehicle your teenager drives is mechanically safe.
Child Safety Tips
- Secure children properly in your vehicle's back seat (front air bags can injure or kill young riders), in baby carriers, child safety seats or booster seats as required by the laws of your province.
- Always purchase new child safety seats. A second-hand seat may be damaged or may not meet current safety standards. And the manufacturer cannot inform you directly if it is recalled.
All products and services are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable insurance contract. In the event of any conflict, the terms and conditions of the insurance contract will govern.
All Licensed Insurance Advisors of RBC General Insurance Company are salaried employees.
Underwritten by RBC Insurance Company of Canada or RBC General Insurance Company.
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