Autocrash-NO!

Safe driving tips

The Keys to Defensive Driving

• Always wear your seat belt. Make sure your passengers buckle up, too.
• Never drive with more people in your car than you have seat belts for.
• Try not to drive with more than one passenger. The more passengers in your car, the more likely you are to get in an accident. More passengers mean more distractions.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Don’t drive if you are sleepy.
• Don’t talk on the phone, text, put on make-up, brush your hair, or eat while driving.
• Don’t play with the radio while you’re driving. Wait until you are stopped or ask your passenger to change the station or adjust the volume.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Be on the lookout for motorcycles, people crossing the street, and bikers.
• Don’t be an aggressive driver. Aggressive drivers speed, follow too closely, or weave in and out of lanes.
• Do be a defensive driver. Defensive drivers drive the speed limit, follow at a safe distance, and are alert and aware of their surroundings.

Safest Vehicles According to the IIHS:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says these 2008 models are the safest based on offset frontal impact and side-impact crash testing, as well as evaluations of seat and head restraints to protect against neck injury in a rear crash. To receive the Top Safety Pick honor, the vehicle must receive a “Good” rating in each test and come equipped with electronic stability control:

• Acura MDX (SUV)


• Acura RDX (SUV)


• Audi A3


• Audi A4


• Audi A6


• BMW X3 (SUV)


• BMW X5 (SUV)


• Cadillac CTS


• Ford Edge (SUV)


• Ford Taurus (with optional stability control)


• Ford Taurus X (SUV)


• Honda Accord Sedan


• Honda CR-V (SUV)


• Honda Element (SUV)


• Honda Odyssey


• Honda Pilot (SUV)


• Hyundai Entourage


• Hyundai Santa Fe (SUV)


• Hyundai Veracruz (SUV)


• Infiniti EX 35 (SUV)


• Kia Sedona


• Mercedes-Benz M-Class (SUV)


• Mercury Sable (with optional stability control)


• Nissan Murano (SUV)


• Saab 9-3


• Saturn Vue (SUV)


• Subaru Forester (with optional stability control) (SUV)


• Subaru Impreza (with optional stability control)


• Subaru Legacy (with optional stability control)


• Subaru Tribeca (SUV)


• Toyota Highlander (SUV)


• Toyota Tundra


• Volvo XC90 (SUV)


• Volvo C70


• Volvo S80

Least Safe Vehicles According to the IIHS:

The following 2008 models received a “Poor” crash-test rating from the IIHS in either the frontal offset crash test or the side-impact crash test OR did not receive a “Good” rating in either crash test:

• Chevrolet Aveo


• Chevrolet TrailBlazer


• Chevrolet Uplander (without optional side air bags)


• Chrysler 300 (without optional side air bags)


• Dodge Charger (without optional side air bags)


• Dodge Dakota


• Ford Crown Victoria (without optional side air bags)


• Ford Ranger


• GMC Envoy


• Hummer H3


• Hyundai Accent


• Isuzu Ascender


• Kia Rio


• Kia Spectra


• Mazda 3 (without optional side air bags)


• Mazda B-Series


• Mercury Grand Marquis (without optional side air bags)


• Mitsubishi Raider


• Pontiac G6 Convertible


• Saab 9-7X


• Suzuki Forenza


• Suzuki Reno


• Toyota Corolla


• Volkswagen New Beetle

Safest Vehicles According to the NHTSA:
This list contains models that received 5-star crash test ratings for frontal and side-impact tests, combined with a rollover rating of at least 4 stars.

• Acura MDX with side air bags (SUV)


• Acura RDX with side air bags (SUV)


• Acura RL with side air bags


• Audi Q7 with side air bags (SUV)


• Buick Enclave with side air bags (SUV)


• Chevrolet Equinox (SUV)


• Chevrolet HHR


• Chevrolet Malibu with side air bags


• Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid with side air bags


• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab


• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab


• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab


• Chrysler Pacifica with side air bags (SUV)


• Chrysler Town & Country with side air bags


• Dodge Caliber with side air bags


• Dodge Dakota Crew Cab


• Dodge Grand Caravan with side air bags


• Ford Crown Victoria


• Ford Expedition 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Ford Expedition EL 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD with side air bags


• Ford Mustang Convertible with side air bags


• Ford Taurus with side air bags


• Ford Taurus X with side air bags (SUV)


• GMC Acadia with side air bags (SUV)


• GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab


• GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab


• GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab


• Honda CR-V with side air bags (SUV)


• Honda Odyssey with side air bags


• Honda Pilot with side air bags (SUV)


• Honda Ridgeline with side air bags


• Hyundai Entourage with side air bags


• Hyundai Santa Fe with side air bags (SUV)


• Hyundai Sonata with side air bags


• Hyundai Tucson with side air bags (SUV)


• Hyundai Veracruz with side air bags (SUV)


• Infiniti FX35/45 with side air bags (SUV)


• Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Kia Optima with side air bags


• Kia Sedona with side air bags


• Kia Sorento 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Kia Sportage 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Lexus RX350 with side air bags (SUV)


• Lincoln Navigator 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Lincoln Navigator L 4WD with side air bags (SUV)


• Lincoln Town Car with side air bags


• Mazda CX-7 with side air bags (SUV)


• Mazda CX-9 with side air bags (SUV)


• Mercedes-Benz M-Class with side air bags (SUV)


• Mercury Grand Marquis with side air bags


• Mercury Sable with side air bags


• Mitsubishi Outlander with side air bags (SUV)


• Mitsubishi Raider Crew Cab


• Nissan Altima with side air bags


• Nissan Altima Hybrid with side air bags


• Nissan Quest with side air bags


• Pontiac Torrent (SUV)


• Saturn Aura with side air bags


• Saturn Aura Hybrid with side air bags


• Saturn Outlook with side air bags (SUV)


• Subaru Forester with side air bags (SUV)


• Subaru Legacy with side air bags


• Subaru Outback with side air bags


• Subaru B9 Tribeca with side air bags (SUV)


• Suzuki XL7 with side air bags (SUV)


• Toyota Avalon with side air bags


• Toyota Camry with side air bags


• Toyota Camry Hybrid with side air bags


• Toyota Camry Solara with side air bags


• Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab


• Volkswagen Touareg 2 with side air bags (SUV)


• Volvo XC90 with side air bags (SUV)

 http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/Auto-Safety-Guide

70 Rules of Defensive Driving ---

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