Marshalls Automotive: Safety

Drive Defensively In Oregon

Car care is an essential part of auto safety in Redmond. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on Oregon roads is to drive safely.

Defensive driving is safe driving. And defensive driving is all about attitude. You have to decide that you will be a safe driver in Oregon, no matter what anyone else is doing.

Redmond drivers can start with awareness. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, the road conditions, other vehicles on the Redmond road or expressway and road hazards. Have you ever suddenly realized that you have arrived somewhere, but you don’t really remember driving there? That is unsafe driving.

Never assume that other Redmond auto owners are paying attention. You be the one on alert. You be the one to take initiative to stay out of the way of other Oregon drivers. And don’t let familiarity dull your alertness. Remind yourself to pay as close attention while driving on the roads near your Redmond home as you would in unfamiliar territory around Oregon.

Prepare your vehicle so you can give the road your full attention. Secure passengers and pets before leaving the driveway. Secure loose items in your vehicle so they can’t become projectiles if you have to brake suddenly. If children or pets become a distraction while driving, pull over and take care of the problem before re-entering traffic. Unclutter your windows. Take down the danglies from your rearview mirror. And don’t use your vehicle dashboard as an office. Move distractions and clutter to the backseat. Keep your windshield clear.

Properly maintain your vehicle. Preventive maintenance doesn’t just prevent repairs; it prevents unsafe vehicles. Make sure your tires, lights, brakes, suspension, alignment and steering get regular check-ups at Marshalls Automotive. Also, listen to your honest Marshalls Automotive service professional when he gives you auto advice about other systems in your vehicle. Knowing about the wear and tear on your vehicle can help you avoid dangerous situations.

Avoid driving when you are sleepy or angry. Get a good night’s sleep before a road trip in Oregon, and learn to set aside relationship, job or other issues while you are in a vehicle. Again, you have to take charge of your own safety. Don’t daydream in your vehicle. Also, talking to passengers can be a distraction. Keep your mind on the road. Conversations may keep you from daydreaming or excessive boredom on a long trip, but always keep your driving foremost in your mind.

Maintain a proper speed. Driving too fast is dangerous on crowded Redmond roads, but driving too slowly can cause accidents, too. At night, don’t overdrive your headlights. Your stopping distance needs to be shorter than the distance your headlights are illuminating.

Never drink and drive. Alcohol plays a part in half of all fatal accidents in Oregon and nationally. Also, don’t drive drugged. Pay attention to the warning labels on any medications you are taking.

Other Prineville motorists need to see you and know what you want to do. Use your vehicle turn signals, and stay out of other Oregon drivers’ blind spots.

If you can, avoid driving over debris in the road. You can damage your vehicle or end up in an accident. Of course, if swerving to avoid the debris is dangerous, then slow down and navigate as best you can. Do what you can to alert other drivers to the problem. You may want to pull to the side of the Terrebonne road and report the debris or move it to the side of the road, if you can do so safely.

Never follow too closely on Bend roads or freeways. Observe the two-second rule. Choose an object ahead such as a tree or traffic sign. As the car in front of you passes it, start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand. If you reach the object before you’re done, you’re too close. Back off.

If you are on one of the Oregon interstates, or if you are hauling a heavy load, or if you are tired, or if in any way you are not the model of the alert and attentive driver, then increase that two-second rule to three seconds. Give yourself an added measure of safety. If the Bend weather is bad, increase the rule to five seconds.

Inevitably, someone always pulls in front of you when you are trying to follow the “seconds” rules. Don’t get mad. Just back off and leave them to their bad driving habits. Remember, you are not going to give up your safety for anyone else’s cussedness. It’s always a bad trade.

If someone is following you too closely, pull over and let them pass. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you’re late, worry about it after you’re there, not while you’re on the road.

If you see a vehicle driving erratically in Redmond, stay away. Take the next right or the next exit off the freeway. Notify the Redmond police as soon as you are safely stopped.

And of course, don’t be the idiot driver we all complain about in Redmond. Don’t contest your right-of-way, don’t race to beat someone to a merge, and don’t cut into someone else’s two seconds of space. Winning these types of ego trips may end up losing you your vehicle—or worse, your life or the life of a friend.

The professional automotive team at Marshalls Automotive wants all Redmond auto owners to stay smart and stay safe.

Emergency Items For Bend car owners

Safe Oregon travel starts with preventive maintenance and good car care at Marshalls Automotive. But there are other things Redmond drivers can do to prepare for emergencies on the road. Here’s some auto advice that can help you plan for emergencies, and just may save your life — or someone else’s.

First, Redmond car owners should consider keeping an auto emergency kit in their car. The kit should contain items that will allow you to deal with common emergencies on the road.

Some essential items you should carry in your vehicle include jumper cables (or a booster box), flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools. Other useful items include gloves, two quarts of oil, some antifreeze, water and everything you need to change a tire. You might also consider a can of tire inflator, which is a great temporary fix for minor flats.

But taking care of your vehicle is only part of emergency preparedness. It is essential to take care of the people in the car, too. For this reason, you should carry a first aid kit, drinkable water and blankets. Other items to consider include high-calorie food items (like energy bars), toilet paper, a towel, a hat and boots. And, of course, when you travel in Oregon and out-of-state you should always have your cell phone, some emergency cash and a credit card.

Depending on where you live, you may need to add other vital items to this list. For example, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra water would be good to have on hand in a hot climate. For the cold and snowy Oregon season, some salt, a hand shovel, emergency blankets and matches might be in order. Also, if your Oregon area is prone to severe weather or earthquakes, you should check with your local Red Cross or disaster preparedness office for their recommendations on what to keep on hand in your vehicle for emergencies.

When you travel away from your Redmond home, you should check the weather forecasts before you leave, and pack appropriate emergency supplies. Also, do some research about the areas you will be traveling through so you can be prepared for the climate and terrain. Remember the basics: heat, water, shelter, light, and food.

When you travel, it is important to leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Check in periodically at prearranged checkpoints. That way, if something does happen, someone else will quickly know you are in trouble and will be able to send help. These checkpoints will also help rescuers find you quickly, as they will have a better idea as to where you are.

The automotive professionals at Marshalls Automotive want Redmond drivers to be safe. Preventive maintenance, proper planning, smart communication: these are the basics of safe travel.