The Insurance Insider

My hat goes off to S.A.D.D. and the students of R. Nelson Snider High School (my alma mater!) for their mock accident Wednesday morning. 

Full Story:
Mock Crash Sobering for Snider Students
News-Sentinel 05/03/07

Kudos too go out to the Fort Wayne Fire and Police Departments, TRAA and the city’s 911 Communications Department for staging the event to graphically illustrate the dangers of drinking and driving.  While always a concern, the Prom and graduation season is a particularly good time to revisit the issue.

Over 300 students attended the accident in which one student was “killed” and another “arrested” for OWI.  Students experienced first-hand the graphic reality of drinking and driving.

Statistics: 

In Indiana in 2004, 32 percent of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.  There were 16,694 alcohol-related fatalities in the United States in 2004, accounting for 39 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Note: The data includes individuals involved in an alcohol-related crash; they were not necessarily at the wheel of the vehicle causing the crash.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

This is the first in a series of safe driving tips we’ll be profiling. Large commercial vehicles are ever present and your relation to them on the road must always be respected. Driver education is a key element in keeping your family safe.

(NewsUSA) - Passenger vehicle operators - not truck drivers - cause approximately 70 percent of all fatal crashes involving a car and commercial truck, according to federal government statistics.

Most accidents are the result of an unsafe driving act, such as following a truck too closely or lingering in its blind spot.

The following precautions will help you safely share the road with large trucks:

* Beware of blind spots. Approximately 35 percent of truck-related auto fatalities occur in a truck’s blind spots. Tractor trailers have very large blind spots -; as much as 30 feet behind the truck. Always try to pass on the left side; the blind spot on the right side is much larger (running the length of the truck and extending out nearly three lanes).

* Stay back. When following a truck, try to maintain a distance of 20 to 25 car lengths. Driving too closely behind a truck gives you little or no time to react to changing conditions.

* When passing a truck, do not loiter in the blind spot. Before moving back into the truck’s lane, be sure you can see its headlights in your rearview mirror. Most fully-loaded semi trucks driving at highway speeds need 100 yards - that’s one football field - to come to a safe stop. Leave them plenty of space.

* Pay attention. Driver inattentiveness is the most common unsafe driving act that results in a truck-related auto fatality.

* Heed the weather. Poor conditions make it more difficult to drive safely around big trucks. Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC reminds you that statistics show nearly 1 million vehicle accidents a year occur in wet weather.

When it’s raining, slow down, turn on your lights, drive smoothly and maintain a safe distance. If you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the accelerator (if manual transmission, engage the clutch) and don’t slam on your brakes.

* Properly maintain your tires. A tire cannot provide good traction on wet roads once the tread is worn below 2/32 of an inch tread depth. Check your tires regularly and replace them at the proper time. Don’t forget to maintain the proper air pressure in your tires; tire pressure should be checked monthly.

For more information, visit http://www.tiresafety.com.

Take the time to learn the rules of the road.  If it’s been a while since you reviewed your state laws, now is as good a time as any to brush up on them.

(NewsUSA) - Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. According to Car-Accidents.net, they occur approximately 6.4 million times each year.

Although being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, knowing what to do in the moments following a fender-bender can help alleviate some of the stress and confusion of the situation.

The service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge offer the following tips on how to handle a car accident:

* Don’t leave the vehicle. Following an accident, most drivers will want to exit their vehicles to check for damage or speak with others involved. Ideally, drivers should call the police and remain in their cars until the authorities arrive. Drivers can protect themselves - both physically and legally - by remaining in their vehicles and allowing the police to process the scene.

* Carry a disposable camera. Although the police report should capture the details of the accident, it is always helpful to take photos for your own documentation.

* After police are notified, call a towing service. You should know exactly who is towing your vehicle and where it will be taken. For easy access, keep a small business card in your wallet that contains the numbers of several tow-truck companies and your dealership’s service department.

* Call your insurance company. Most people think of this as something to do later, but calling from the scene will help to expedite the processing and administering of your claim. And, you will be able to relay accurate information in real time instead of relying on memory.

* Get an estimate on vehicle damage. Insurance companies may require only one estimate on vehicle damage. However, it behooves the driver to get several estimates, which may vary greatly. Review these reports carefully to understand what you are paying and what the insurance company will cover. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Reputable repair shops will gladly address questions regarding the required repairs.

For more information on accident preparedness, call or visit your local Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership.