New Year's is Especially Dangerous for Drivers

According to experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and AAA, significant numbers of traffic accidents on New Year's Eve involve drunk drivers, and there are more pedestrian fatalities on New Year's Day than any other day of the year.  So, if you will be driving on either day or night, be sure to exercise extra caution whether or not you will be drinking alcohol.

New Year's Eve Safety Tips

If you're planning a night out on the town or just a party at a friend's home and you plan to be drinking alcohol, you'll want to plan ahead to best protect yourself and your property.  Here are a few tips to help you stay safe:

• Catch a ride with a friend or group of friends, and decide in advance who will be the designated driver -- the one who will commit to not consuming alcohol for the evening.
• Leave your car at home in case you do consume alcohol during the evening. Plan to order a rideshare to get home. This way, you won't have to leave your car overnight and risk theft or vandalism.
• See that your phone is fully charged before leaving home so that you'll be able to reach a friend or call a ride service when the evening is over.
• When you drink alcohol at a party, be sure to also eat enough food to offset the effects of the alcohol during the evening.

If you plan well, you will be able to enjoy the festivities, confident that you'll arrive home safely.

Auto Insurance Tip

If you accept the responsibility of being your group's designated driver for the night's festivities, you'll want to be sure that your vehicle is in good working order and that you know in advance that your #AutoInsurance policy has you covered for transporting passengers in this situation.  If you have not done so in a while, review your policy with your Insurance Agent to be sure.

Feel free to contact any of our very capable and experienced agents at the William M. Sparks Insurance Agency here in Lutherville/Timonium, MD to discuss your insurance questions.  We can help you review your current insurance policy and explore your options to be sure you have the best coverage and protection according to your circumstances. 

With recent temperatures into the single digits and snow bringing our daily routine to a standstill here in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia, it’s not only unwise but unsafe to be unprepared for weather problems this winter. Be a smart driver -- brush up on these common sense rules for safe winter driving.

1. Even if you didn't prepare for winter before this  wet, cold or icy weather by performing a complete vehicle check-up, do it now. Your auto tech will tell you that winter conditions present the greatest challenge to your vehicle’s operating efficiency.
2. Move your vehicle into the open to let it warm up so that you avoid exhaust build-up in your garage.
3. Check your tires frequently for proper inflation. If your vehicle owner’s manual does not specify, then ask your automotive technician about the proper inflation level.
4. Make it a practice to keep your fuel tank at least half-full – both to prevent gas-line freeze and to ensure that you won’t likely run out of fuel in an emergency.
5. If possible, don’t drive in bad weather; and if you must drive, try to be well rested and wait until snow plows and sand trucks have cleared the roads.
6. When driving on wet, snowy or icy roads, avoid using cruise control or overdrive.  Both detract from your full control of the vehicle in possible slippery conditions.
7. Use your seat belt and make sure that your seat and mirrors are properly adjusted for best visibility.  Wear sunglasses to reduce glare.
8. Don’t use your parking brake in cold or inclement weather, if at all possible.
9. If you experience skidding on slippery roads, always take your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want to go to recover from the skid.

One more essential:  Keep a Winter Driving Kit in your vehicle and stock it with a bag of sand, salt or kitty litter, ice scraper, paper towels, shovel, snow brush, warning flares, window-washing fluid, a flash light, booster cables, a blanket, gloves and a cellular phone. You’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re prepared for an emergency.

The key to safe winter driving is to plan ahead, know your vehicle and adapt to the weather and road conditions.