Page 27 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – July/August 2020

Safety Checklist to
Ensure Summer Fun
Alittle bit of planning can help keep summer fun Protect Your Precious Cargo – Are your children
on track as most people spend more time in the car during the summer. Beautiful weather combined with some summer fun leads us to underestimate roadway risk. Here are some things to keep in mind for a safer season.
Eliminate Distractions – Summer brings more motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians to our roadways. There are a couple of critical factors to help keep these vulnerable road users safe. Motorists need to watch their speed and limit distracting behaviors. As drivers, we always need to be ready to react to all activity on or near the roadway. And don’t forget: distracted walking can be just as deadly.
Beat the Heat – Another summertime risk involves children and pets left in hot vehicles. Even on days with moderate temperatures, the sun can heat the inside very quickly. It’s not safe to leave a child or pet alone in a car for any length of time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that, on average, a child dies from vehicular heatstroke every 10 days. Many newer vehicles have back seat reminder systems. If your car doesn’t have that safety feature, find a different way to remind yourself. Leave something in the back seat that you will miss immediately like your left shoe or cell phone; one of those things will likely do the trick.
properly restrained in your vehicle? AAA’s Traffic Safety Team is here to help. Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician offers free assistance at our main office on in Albany. On top of correct installation, the technician also will show you how to use and adjust the seat as your child grows. Plus, if you need to borrow a seat, AAA Hudson Valley offers a free car seat loaner program to our members. This unique program is a big plus for visiting relatives and/or temporary child-care needs.
Give Your Vehicle a Checkup – A breakdown could ruin your vacation plans and potentially place your family in a dangerous roadside location. Make plans to have the vehicle serviced in advance. If you are having difficulty finding service you trust, consider visiting a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. If you prefer to do
it yourself, your owner’s manual can walk you through checking fluids, tire pressure and lighting. In addition to more safety and security, making sure your car is ready for the road will help with better gas mileage, longer vehicle life and less pollution.
Traffic Safety outreach is no further than a few clicks or a phone call away. Email us at trafficsafety@aaahv.com or call 518-426-1000 ext. 2442.
Mike Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.
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Photo: Shutterstock: Robert_Kneschke