Cars and driving
This might be another section, you tend to skip over, but one day you will probably be driving and to know some basic skills will help you tremendously. Again, ask someone older who can help you with each of these skills or if no one is available go online and find a video to demonstrate how to do each one of these:
- How to shift a manual transmission
- How to change a flat tire
- How to jump start a dead battery
- How to check the oil
- How to parallel park
- How to back up a trailer
How to behave after an auto accident.
Let’s pray that you will never be involved in this sort of situation, but if you are, it is best to be prepared.
- The first thing you need to do when you have been in an accident is to keep safety in mind. If you fear you have a head or neck injury, try to keep yourself stable. If you can get safely out of the vehicle to assess the property damages and check the other driver do so. If not, keep your seatbelt fastened, turn on your hazard lights, call 911, and wait for help to arrive.
- If you or the other driver or a passenger is in need of immediate medical attention, tell the 911 operator. If no one is injured, still call 911, tell them your location and tell them to send a police officer.
- If you can safely move your vehicle, clear it from the roadway so it does not block traffic. If you cannot, alert other drivers on the road by using your hazard lights, or warning triangles, if you have them.
- When speaking with a 911 operator, the police, or the other driver do not say that you caused the accident, even if you think you did. Do not apologize for the accident. The police report, witness statements, and scene of the accident will indicate the facts, so don’t assume fault for an accident, especially if you are still recovering from the shock of what happened.
- Use your cell phone to take photos of the accident scene, if you can do it safely. If there are any witnesses who stop, try and get their contact information so they can explain the accident to the insurance company if needed.
Some things to avoid doing after an accident:
- Don’t freak out. Even though it is scary and confusing, getting super emotional does not help anything. Stay calm and dial 911.
- Don’t apologize. By apologizing it is giving an admission of guilt, and can make settling the case more complicated.
- Don’t stay in your vehicle. If you can get out safely from your car after an accident, do so. If it is a bad accident, you don’t know that your car is the safest place to be. It is safer to be standing on the side of the road.
- Don’t settle without proper authorities. It may be tempting to settle a minor car accident without calling the police or your insurance company but there are many reasons why that is not usually a good idea. For example, you may not be correctly addressing the damage, you may be legally obligated to call the police, and you may not be able to trust the other drive to pay as promised.
- Don’t give out more personal information than is necessary. During the chaos of the event, you might accidentally give out too much information. This in turn could make you fall prey as victim to identity theft scam. The only information you need to exchange with the other driver is name, address, phone number, insurance information and vehicle information. Do not exchange financial information or your social security number.
How to behave during a police stop
- Know your rights. A police officer can pull you over for any traffic violation, no matter how minor. They can even follow you and wait for you to commit a traffic violation. Never fight with the police officer or act in a hostile manner, if you do they can arrest you.
- Look for a convenient spot to pull over. Slow down, put your turn signal on and pull over to the right. Try to find a close parking lot or wide shoulder of the road. Take the keys out of the ignition and place them on the dash
- If it is dark and you are alone, you have the right to drive to a well-lit area such as a gas station, before stopping. If you plan to drive until you find a safe place, dial 911. Let them know you are being pulled over and that you are driving until you find a well lit safe place to pull over. The operator will communicate this information to the police officer.
- Even though getting pulled over by a police officer is scary, you will be okay, even if you get a traffic ticket. Take a deep breath and remember that they are there to protect the well being of people.
- Roll down your driver’s side window. Place your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them.
- Don’t speak first. When they come to your car, they will usually ask for your license and registration. Keep your information in a small envelope in your glove compartment or clipped to your visor.
- If they give you a ticket and you do not believe you deserve it, do not argue. Instead, thank the officer and remain in control of your emotions. Try and remember the officers name for later and then you can take it to court.
Remember if you are driving and obeying the rules of the road to the best of your knowledge, you have no reason to fear police officers. Drive correctly and be glad they are out patrolling the roads to help prevent accidents, by other’s not obeying the rules.
