DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

As the number of car accidents increase, so do the rates of auto insurance. All American and Canadian drivers are required by law to have third-party liability insurance. This covers any damage that one may be responsible for. The amount of liability insurance a person is required to carry varies from state to state or province to province.

Although it's comforting to know that you are covered in case of an accident caused by you or someone else, the idea is to prevent the accident from ever occurring. The following pages will give you tips on driving safely in preventative and unexpected situations:

CELLULAR PHONES

Over 80 million people in the U.S. and approximately 10 million people in Canada own cell phones. It's highly likely that these cell phone owners use their phones in their car. Research done by the New England Journal of Medicine links the use of cell phones while driving to quadruple the risk of collision.

Here are ways to reduce this risk:

• Don't use cellular communication while driving. If a call must be made, pull safely to the side of the road, go to the nearest rest stop or wait until you have made it to your final destination.
• Take advantage of the hands free devices. Many phones come with accessories that allow you to speak and keep both hands on the wheel at the same time.
• Use your phone for what it was intended for: emergencies. The cell phone may be responsible for some traffic accidents but it has helped many people in urgent need. Use your phone to call for help or roadside assistance, 9-1-1 is a free call on your wireless phone.