driving safety

If the hood of your car unexpectedly pops open while you're driving, it can be a dangerous situation and should be handled with caution. Here's what may happen and what you should do:
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Are teens really the worst drivers out there? Is texting the main reason for car accidents, or is it driving under the influence? Here are some interesting statistics about life on the road.
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As winter thaws into spring blossoms, summer beckons with backyard cookouts and campfires under the stars. Like many people in Illinois, spring also means an overhaul of all the recreational toys and gear that make those summertime adventures comfortable, including the family camper. Here are some considerations when readying your RV for all the camping and travel expeditions ahead.
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Choosing a new car is an exciting but potentially stressful endeavor. With so many options, plus some limiting factors such as budget and availability, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some of the top factors to consider when you're ready to purchase your next vehicle.
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The holiday season is upon us, meaning it's time to be jolly, gather with friends and family, and, hopefully, stay safe. But in addition to the things we're all wishing for, the holidays can bring some unwanted gifts in the form of accidents, damages, or injuries that might result in an insurance claim. So what are the most common holiday-related insurance claims and how can you avoid them? Read on to find out.
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New parents have their hands full. While the nine months leading up to the birth of a child afford plenty of time to research the best gear and make necessary preparations, the list of concerns for that fragile bundle of joy can be intimidating. And selecting the right car seat is one of the most challenging. Between reviews, recalls, budgets, and difficult-to-understand instructions, the world of car seat shopping is not for the faint of heart. But it needn't be so complicated: once you know the lingo and your needs, it's just a matter of finding the right fit for your vehicle and family.
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According to the National Safety Council, someone is killed in a car accident every 15 minutes, and many more are injured each day. Car accidents remain a leading cause of death in the U.S. year after year, and yet, reducing our risk on the road isn't something most of us think about once we've passed the exam and joined the ranks of everyday drivers. Here are some basics to review to make sure that you're doing your part to be a responsible driver, and to protect yourself and your community.
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The Federal Highway Administration database claims that the total number of reported collisions in the U.S. are around 300,000 per year, with many more going unreported for various reasons. Colliding with an animal is a traumatizing experience for all involved, and it's important that every driver knows what to do when it does. Here are some tips to avoid hitting animals in the first place, and how you should handle it if you do.
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Most new parents would probably admit that their driving habits changed after having children. The one-time daredevil of the highway has transformed into a doting dad who never pushes the speedometer past a sluggish 65 mph; the lady lead foot who laughed in the faces of cops is now a minivan-loving, law abider who cruises so slow she would try the patience of a turtle.
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As winter starts to set in most of us will be spending more time indoors. Now is a good time to review this checklist for safety, comfort, and savings.
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distractions are a contributing cause in approximately 25 percent of all motor vehicle crashes or about 1.2 million accidents. However, distractions can be hard to quantify, and the number of accidents due to driver distractions is difficult to define. What can further complicate matters is that there may be more than one distraction, such as texting while chastising a child in the backseat. Cell phones are considered one of the leading driver distractions. As a result, more communities are placing restrictions on drivers' use of cell phones. And more states are now passing laws banning the practice of texting while driving. The U.S. Congress is even considering a federal law related to this ban. The following tips are offered to motorists in regards to cell phone use in vehicles.
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No matter where we live we all need to be aware of the extra precautions necessary to safe winter driving. Those of us living in climates where winter is non-existent or an infrequent visitor may need to take special heed. We don't get much practice driving on ice or in snow but business trips or vacations may require us to drive in foreign conditions. It's better to prepare ahead rather than rely on a crash course (sorry for the pun).
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Most everyone knows that regular oil changes prolong engine life and help avoid expensive repairs but how often should you really change your oil? Here's some information to help you set the right interval.
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