Little details that make your car safer

When it comes to safety, modern cars have made a huge leap forward in recent years. Both in terms of active and passive safety, new cars, trucks and SUVs are in a much better position to withstand collisions both light and severe. That said, the responsibility of being safe will always fall on the driver’s shoulders. Only he or she can make sure they drive at a reasonable speed, avoid making any sort of dangerous manoeuvers, and never drive when intoxicated.

These are the basics, but there are also a number of small steps we can take to ensure our safety and the safety of our passengers. Sometimes forgotten, these little details can add up and create a very safe environment for everyone.

Avoid flying objects

“Any object in your vehicle that is not tied down can become a projectile in the event of a quick and sudden stop, or worst, a collision”, says a service technician at St-Leonard Toyota. Many of us are driving around with heavy objects on the shelf behind the rear seats such as books, ice scrappers, and bottles of water. You do not think these objects are that heavy? Considering that an object travelling at 60 km/h is thirty times heavier than at standstill, these objects can indeed become quite heavy and cause injury.

Therefore, make sure anything that is not tied down is in the trunk or at least on the floor behind the front seats.

Make sure you can see clearly

Visibility is of the utmost importance when it comes to safety. You want to make sure that you can see what is going on outside. Therefore, clean your headlights regularly, and replace the cover if it is foggy or scratch. Also, make sure your wiper blades are in good condition, and that they adapted to the season. Finally, always carry around an extra container of windshield washer fluid in case you need it, especially in winter.

Be ready for anything

Every vehicle should have a first aid kit, but you also need extras like car sickness medication, blankets and warm clothing should you get stuck, and flairs to signal an emergency. Your spare tire should also be ready to go.

With these simple tips, you add an extra layer of protection to an already safe vehicle.