Love is in the air!
Author: Steve Rachkowski
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches and Gougeon Insurance Brokers wants to make sure you are prepared for a safe and wonderful day with your loved ones. Whether you’re driving to dinner or to the grocery store for those last minute items be sure to follow these driving safety tips.
- Prepare your vehicle for February Roads
With the cold weather, snow and ice upon on it is important to check your vehicle to make sure it is safe to drive in these harsh conditions. Double check your fluid levels and make sure you have plenty of anti-freeze so that you and your car in good driving condition. Be sure to check your winter tires as well, the cold temperatures can affect your tire pressure as well.
- Have a Valentine’s Day Safety Kit
Incase of an emergency it is always a smart idea to carry with you essential supplies if you were to break down. A safety kit is the best way to be prepared and be sure to include items such as; a scraper, a blanket, a flashlight, winter boots, booster cables, a bag of sand for traction, a snow shovel, flares or reflectors, and some non-perishable foods (granola bars and peanuts). Be sure to throw in some candy and perhaps a thermos of hot chocolate that the two of you can share while waiting for help. For a full list and more idea's, download our Emergency Kit Checklist.
- Stay focused on the task at hand
By now, you have checked the maintenance of the car and placed your safety kit in the trunk. Now that you and your date are ready to go out, remember to keep you’re eyes on the road while driving. We know it will be tough to stay focused on such an obvious task but as you begin to notice the details of her outfit, the smell of her perfume and how nice her hair looks, keeping your eyes on the road may be more difficult than it seems. Remember, accidents take less then a second to occur and one of the most probable causes are distractions. As wonderful as a distraction as this may seem, stay focused on your driving and ensure you get to your destination in one piece. There will be plenty of time to compliment her on how beautiful she looks throughout the evening.
- Avoid the short cuts
When planning out the best route to get to your destination, try to arrange your route so that you stick to the main roads and avoid the short cuts. Main roads are typically plowed the most frequently and salted/sanded on a regular basis; shortcuts often involve smaller roads that have less traffic. These roads are often in poor condition and full of packed snow and hidden ice. Do your and your date a favor and stick to the main roads.
Following these safety tips will help ensure that your Valentine’s Day commute is a successful one. Be sure to give yourself some extra time for traveling to adjust to current weather conditions and always keep an eye on other drivers.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Gougeon Insurance Brokers.