5 Tips For Safer Driving From Capitol Toyota

 

5. Don't Drive Distracted

The numbers are bleak. According to the CDC, in 2018, more than 2,800 people were killed and an estimated 400,000 were injured in the united states in accidents involving a distracted driver. Whether it's a buzzing cell phone, a needy child or that big, greasy bag of fries, something that can take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road puts your safety at risk. Luckily, modern vehicles feature Bluetooth^® multimedia systems and voice-activated control. So, before you embark, you can queue up some tunes or your favorite podcast, and even use your voice to skip tracks or get navigation to a destination. All while you remain focused on the important task of driving.

 

4. Be Prepared In Inclement Weather

Bad weather can do more than just slow you down. If you don't slow down, or your vehicle isn't properly prepared, it can put you in a dangerous situation! If you must drive in harsh winter weather, only do so if your vehicle is able to handle the conditions. Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, snow tires or snow chains or even a few bags of sand in the trunk of a rear-wheel drive car can all help to aid traction. You should also consider packing additional warmth and a few emergency supplies like water, food, flashlight, first aid kit and a power source for your mobile device in case the weather should strand you in transit.

3. Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means putting yourself in a good position to avoid danger at all times. In short, pretend every other driver is going to make the stupidest possible decision, and plan accordingly as you drive. So, when making a lane change on the highway, don't merely verify that there's room in the next lane. Look into the lane beyond that, and assume any vehicles in that lane might also make a lane change at any moment. Looking ahead and preparing for what other drivers might do to pose a danger to you means you might just avoid an accident instead.

 

2. Maintain Your Vehicle Properly

For the best safety from your car, make sure it's performing its best. Reliable brakes are important, and worn brake pads, warped brake rotors and old brake fluid can lead to problems when stopping. If your engine isn't running right, you might not get the acceleration you need to quickly move the vehicle out of trouble. If your lights aren't working properly, or the covers are all scratched and faded, you might not be able to see as well as you should at night, and might miss something like a deer crossing the road or another car coming around a bend. Have your car regularly inspected and all its critical systems maintained by the certified pros at Capitol Toyota!

1. Upgrade To A Modern Vehicle

Want the most peace of mind on today's busy roads? In just the last handful of years, driver assistance features like blind spot monitoring, automatic pre-collision braking and semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control have gone from costly options available only on luxury cars to within your grasp on an affordable new or certified pre-owned Toyota! These features can help take action before you even notice a danger, like a car suddenly decelerating up ahead, or a small vehicle lurking in your vehicle's blind spot. They've been proven to reduce the risk of the most common types of road accidents! Stop by for a test drive to see how these features work for yourself.