Before you put the car in drive, do you have a list of things you check inside your vehicle to ensure safety? There’s a lot to think about when you get behind the wheel, but here are a few things you should check before you hit the road.
Close and lock all doors. Locked doors are less likely to fly open if a collision occurs. Locked doors are especially important if there are young children riding in the passenger seats.
Adjust the seat so you are in a comfortable position sitting with your back firmly pressed against the back of the seat. You should be at least 10 inches away from the hub of the wheel to reduce your risk of being injured by an airbag if it deploys.
Adjust the head restraint to the middle of the back of your head.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror so it shows the area behind you through the rear window. In addition, adjust the left and right outside rearview mirrors so they show a slight amount of the sides of the vehicle. Remember, adjusting mirrors cannot eliminate all blind spots.
Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained by their seat belt. According to the NHTSA, “In 2015, seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,941 lives.” https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
Your hands should be in a balanced position on each side of the steering wheel with your elbows slightly bent. Proper hand position will help you have more control and stability when driving.
By making proper adjustments to seats, seat belts, mirrors, and other equipment inside the vehicle, you taking a proactive approach to safe driving. Make these adjustments each time you enter your vehicle. Once it becomes a habit, you will ensure that you’re doing everything you can to stay safe each time you drive. For more information on proactive driving, check out another one of our recent blog posts: Eight Habits of Proactive Driving.