Reduce Your Risk: Car
Although it's impossible to predict everything, it's possible to minimise your chances of having to make a claim, especially when it comes to car accidents and theft.
Preventing car theft
- Never leave your running vehicle unattended — this is an open invitation to thieves. Always turn the ignition off and lock the doors when exiting the vehicle, even when leaving for just a few moments.
- Never leave ownership and insurance papers in your vehicle.
- If you must leave personal articles in your vehicle, make sure they are well-concealed. Remember that "out of sight" often means "out of mind". A laptop, cell phone or leather jacket in plain view is an open invitation to break in.
- Never hide your spare key inside or outside the vehicle. Thieves know where to look!
- Consider installing an anti-theft device, such as an engine immobiliser.
- Consider using a club or another steering wheel or gear locking device. This could deter potential thieves.
- When parking in public areas, be sure to leave your car in a well-lit area.
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Preventing accidents
- Do not use your cell phone while you are driving.
- Never drink and drive! Take a cab home or call for a ride.
- Try to allow for plenty of time to reach your destination. Rushing can cause you to take chances (i.e., excessive speeding, running red lights) that could lead to an accident.
- Be alert to signs of fatigue. If you are feeling tired, pull over and let someone else drive, or pull over to a safe location and rest for a short while.
- Always wear your seatbelt and make sure that your passengers do the same. Statistics prove that seatbelts save lives. If you have children, make sure that their car seats are properly installed.
- Keep your eyes on the road, focus on the task at hand and minimise distractions. Potential driver distractions include reading maps or other materials, grooming, eating or drinking, and adjusting in-vehicle controls such as climate control, radio and other media players.
- Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Don’t tailgate! Leave more space when driving in difficult conditions.
- Always signal and check your blind spot before changing lanes. Remember that vehicles in your mirrors are closer than they appear. Try to keep out of other vehicles’ blind spots, particularly those of larger vehicles.
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