As the investigation continues into the bridge collapse in Minneapolis that killed at least five people and injured dozens of others, drivers in the Baltimore area are among those putting new emphasis on automobile safety.
AAA Mid-Atlantic has reminded motorists that this month is the highest for vehicle fatalities. According to the federal government, the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and the fatality rate per 100 million both reach their highest levels of the year in August. One reason is the high number of vacation travelers this month that takes them on roads and bridges throughout the U.S. There is no visual way to ascertain if given bridges or roadways are safe.
“There?s just no way to tell,” said Ed Kriston, approved automotive repair specialist, Towson Office, AAA Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Wilmington, Del. “The best thing to do is have a well-stocked safety kit.”
Consider these strategies from Kriston and his AAA colleague Jeffrey Boone to ensure you have safe travels this season:
» Have your cooling system (including coolant, belts and hoses) checked regularly to prevent your engine from overheating.
» Check your vehicle?s antifreeze levels before leaving home. When adding coolant to your vehicle?s radiator, supply a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze. Never pour cold water into a non-running, overheated radiator as this could cause injury or damage to the engine.
» Do not use your air conditioner continuously in stop-and-go traffic since this taxes the engine and its cooling system. Roll down the windows and give it a break periodically.
» Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you so that your engine is not drawing in hot exhaust.
» Keep an eye on your vehicle?s temperature gauge. If the gauge starts to reach the hot mark, turn the air conditioner off. Roll down the windows and run the heater at full blast until the gauge returns to the cool end. If your vehicle overheats, never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled. Coolant in the radiator is under pressure and can flash into steam, causing severe burns.
» Check your oil to make sure its level is at the full mark. Oil serves as both a lubricant and as a coolant for your vehicle?s engine.
» If your vehicle?s battery needs a jump-start, have the battery recharged to full power as soon as possible, or have a power output tester applied to the battery to determine whether it needs replacing. Remember to wear eye protection when connecting jumper cables.
» Make sure your tires are in good condition and that they are properly inflated. Hot pavement can test tires that are under-inflated or on the edge of wearing thin.
» Keep a fully charged cell phone with you in case of emergency, but don?t leave it in your vehicle, especially during the hottest part of the day. Also, consider a vehicle emergency kit includes a hammer to break the safety glass in cars, and a razor to cut a seat belt in case of a crash.
