Sometimes, it’s a struggle just to find space for all of your road trip gear. But have you ever considered packing your car safely? Yes, properly packing your car is one of the most important car safety tips out there. Interestingly, this is also one of the most overlooked car safety tips. At Sallas Auto Repair, we care about the safety of our customers, so we’ll share some car safety tips specific to packing your car properly.
At-Risk Objects
“Safety Research and Strategies, an accident investigation company, estimates ordinary objects in cars are responsible for 13,000 injuries a year,” reported ABC News. What’s more, though, is the fact that objects that are typically considered “safe” can become some of the most hazardous things in your car. Unsecured booster seats and car seats, for example, have the potential to become extremely dangerous in the event of an accident.
To put things in perspective, consider that “At 55 miles per hour, a 20-pound object hits with 1,000 pounds of force — so powerful that a suitcase can literally sever the arm of a crash test dummy.” When you take into account all of the heavy-weight travel gear that comes along on a road trip, this statistic is even more alarming. Traveling in the car doesn’t have to be dangerous, though. Lucky for you, we have some car safety tips that will keep you better protected on the road.
Car Safety Tips
Strapped Objects – planning to strap bulkier items on top of your car? There’s nothing wrong with this, as long as you follow some basic guidelines. Car safety experts say, “If you’re going to strap some belongings to the top of your car, make sure they’re no higher than 18-inches and no heavier than 100 pounds. Too much height and weight can contribute to a rollover.” That’s easy enough, right? Making a couple of quick measurements will ensure that you’ll be able to safely transport larger objects.
Strap, Tie, & Teather – lots of new car models come equipped with secure storage options. When you can, take advantage of these internal resources. Don’t have these options? Don’t worry — a good ole rope or bungee cord will work wonders!
Pack Smart – sometimes using good judgment is one of the most powerful safety tools available. For example, after learning about the dangers of unsecured objects, it probably wouldn’t be smart to fill your car to the brim. Clearly this would put you at a higher risk for being injured during an accident. Keep it simple: if your car is getting full, mull over your packing list and leave behind items that aren’t completely necessary.
At Sallas Auto Repair, we care about the safety of our fellow drivers. So, before you hit the road for a big vacation, make sure you’ve properly packed your car. Want to learn more car safety tips? Visit our blog for additional information. And don’t forget to stop by Sallas Auto Repair for a quick checkup, so we can make sure your car is ready for the road!