Rental Car Safety Tips


Creating Space
     Always create space around your vehicle. Be prepared in the case that you become boxed in. Distance between you and other cars gives you time to react and prevents accidents. The "Two Second Rule" says you should be able to count at least two seconds of time between you and the car in front of you. Find a fixed point on the road like a sign, and start counting as soon as the car in front of you passes the sign. You should be at least two seconds behind before your car passes the sign. Also, don't allow someone to ride on your bumper. If you feel someone is too close, change lanes or adjust your speed.

Defensive Driving
     When driving in traffic, sometimes we expect other drivers to do certain things. Be prepared in case that does not happen. It can often be unsafe to assume other drivers will drive a certain way, and you must be prepared to react in a safe manner.

VEHICLE SPEED: Sometimes the posted speed limit may be too fast. This can be the case in extreme weather, or on wet roads, or in a congested area like a construction zone. Don't assume the speed limit is always safe. Use common sense and also be aware that driving too slow can be dangerous too.

NIGHT DRIVING: Driving at night may be difficult because things look different at night. The headlights of other cars create a glare, and distances between other objects may appear difficult to judge. Night time can greatly affect your depth perception. You may want to dim your dashboard lights and adjust the rear view mirror to reduce glare. Also, be aware that signs and center lines may be difficult to see at night.