Whether you are a chaperone for your family or catch rides from your friends and relatives, it is time to change your or their driving ways. Yes, you may know the basics when it comes to driving your used car in Calgary, like wearing your seat belt, not drinking and driving or using your phone, but the following tips could also save your life! In this article, we are going to be listing the top harmful habits that all drivers should be aware of. Likely, many drivers do not realize how dangerous or harmful these are. If you are someone who has engaged in any of the following habits or know someone who does, it is time to address it.
1. Riding with Your Feet on The Dash
Do you know that if a passenger drives in your used car in Calgary with their feet up, and you are in a crash, they could risk the possibility of never properly walking again? In the worst case scenario, it could be deadly. Why?
The dash underneath one’s feet contains an airbag, which can shove your feet towards you at 250 km/hr if the airbag deploys. Your lower body can become injured, including your pelvis.
If you are part of a serious accident, you could also slip underneath your seat belt and crash into the floor or get discharged from a used car in Calgary. When you are in a vehicle, be sure to sit up straight with your seatbelt hung over your shoulder, not your arm, as it can cause your ribs to break.
2. Not Restricting Your Pets
How many times have you seen someone’s dog hanging out of the window? We know we see this often, and it is one of the most dangerous things you can do to your pet and yourself! When your pet sits on you, whether it be in the driver’s seat or the passenger’s, it can die from the airbag during a crash and ram into your stomach, leading to internal issues. Not only that, if you drive your Calgary used car with your pet on your lap, you heighten your risk of crashing as you do not have complete control of your vehicle.
Unfortunately, when a pet is unrestrained, it can become a projectile. This means if all the passengers survive the car crash, your dog can become territorial and refuse to allow an emergency medical responder to intervene. You can purchase a wide-strap harness that buckles into a seatbelt at a pet store.
3. Holding The Wheel Wrong
Are you reaching through the wheel with your palms facing up to turn the corner? Well, you will need to stop this habit if you want full control the next time you turn, as you are only making a quarter-turn when you do this. Plus, if you get hit while turning the wheel and the airbag is set off, you can break your wrist or elbow. Instead, hold your wheel at nine and three, always.
4. Driving on Poor Tires
If your tires are substandard, your used car is not safe. When you buy a used car in Calgary, you should check your tires to ensure they have adequate tread, are at the proper pressure, are free from cracks, bulges and are suitable for the road conditions (if it is winter, you should have winter tires on, not all-seasons.)
We hope that these driving hazards resonate with you and that the next time you drive or are in someone’s vehicle, you keep them in mind.