Elderly Driving Safety Tips

Safe driving skills take years of practice to achieve.  As we get older it seems our skills are put to the test as certain aspects of age become an issue.  Poor vision, new medications, and slowed reflexes are just a few of those issues.  Below are tips elderly drivers can use to ensure they continue to stay safe during their commutes.

  • License renewal for elderly drivers vary by state.  The Insurance Institue for Highway Safety has a list of laws for each state regarding requirements.  It is recommended that each change in medical health should be considered when reviewing your ability to drive.
  • Glasses should always be used if prescribed.  Getting rid of old prescriptions as soon as they change is important so the old prescriptions are not accidently used.  When getting behind the wheel, proper vision may be the most important preventative measure that can be taken.
  • Take your prescribed medications and be aware of how they affect your driving ability.  Some medication heed warning of driving and using heavy machinery while under their influence.  These warnings should be seriously considered.  Plan on avoiding the roads before taking the medication for the first time so you have an opportunity to experience their affects.  And never drive after taking medication and alcohol.
  • Be extra alert before getting on the road.  Pay attention to how you are feeling about being on the freeway.  If there is any signs of discomfort, avoid the freeway and stay on the surface streets.  Your mind will send your body signals if there is any reason for concern.  Do not ignore these signals.  It will save you mental and physical stress.
  • Take a defensive driving course.  You are never too old or too young to go through a defensive driving course.  Many of these classes are available through the local Motor Vehicle Divisions in each state.  As continued research is published, new defensive driving tactics are developed and taught.
  • Admit when it’s time to hang up your keys.  The loss of independence can be scary and cause great resistance.  However, there comes a time when it is in your best interest, as well as your fellow drivers, to get out of the driver’s seat.
  • Find other resources for transportation.  There are many organizations and that offer free rides for people who have decided it’s time to give up their keys.  Most senior citizen centers have a list of these organizations and can help facilitate the transition of being a passenger.

Many people feel resistance to giving up the freedom of personal transportation.  However, many people who offer elderly transportation services do it because they enjoy having the opportunity to get to know and help people in their community.  Having the opportunity to connect with a younger person and build a relationship with then can be beneficial to all parties involved.

 

Francie LeBow, Insurance Professional

8440 Wyoming Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM  87113

Tel. 505.600.3147

flebow@farmersagent.com

Teen Driver Safety Tips

Getting your license is a major life event in our modern society.  Learning to drive gives emerging young adults freedom and independence.  With that freedom and independence comes a great deal of responsibility.  During drivers education courses, a lot of information is given in a brief period of time.  Most of this information is forgotten once the focus is put on the practical aspect of navigating an automobile.  Below is a list of basic driving tips young people can review now and later to ensure they are the safest driver possible.

  • Always wear your seat belt.   Seat belts save lives.  There is a reason this invention has become mandatory in the American Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.  Prior to the invention, more automobile accidents were fatal.  Extensive research for decades has proven the seat belt to be the most effective life saving device in the transportation world.  It’s there to save you and in most states it’s unlawful to avoid it.  So use it as a precaution.  Your life is worth the minimal effort.
  • Never text while driving.  This should not just be limited to sending text messages.  It also pertains to using the website or even a google map for directions when your attention should be on the road.  Nothing is so important that it can’t wait until you reach your destination.  If it can’t be avoided, pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.  This simple act of using our phones for everything has become such second nature to us.  The truth is that act can result in the end of your life or someone else’s.  There are many new apps available to help resist the temptation of using your phone while behind the wheel by restricting its use.
  • Never drink and drive.  Unfortunately driving while under the influence is still a major issue.  Alcohol impairs judgement and response time.  Nobody should get behind the wheel while intoxicated.  Laws have become more harsh because society’s tolerance for unnecessary death is diminishing.  About fifty percent of state laws prohibit young drivers from having any alcohol in your blood.  The other states allow only .02 percent blood alcohol content. This equates to less than 1/2 shot of liquor or  half a beer.  If pulled over and caught with any alcohol in your blood, you will face DUI charges and possibly many other criminal charges as well.  No amount of alcohol is worth risking your future or a human life.
  • Follow teen driving laws in the state you are driving.  Laws can now be found online and should be reviewed before getting behind the wheel.  Teen drivers should know driving laws by state, insurance requirements and drivers license requirements.  Each state is a different and it is  the drivers duty to know and understand the laws.
  • Minimize distractions.  There’s a reason some states don’t allow teen drivers to have other young people in the car.  Distractions while driving can be harmful and possibly deadly.  When getting behind the wheel, be prepared to focus your full attention on the task of getting to your destination without incidents.   Remember that you are traveling at great speeds in a huge piece of metal that weighs thousands of pounds.  It is capable of destroying brick walls, other thousand pound metal objects, and can very easily destroy a human being.
  • Take drivers education and defensive driving courses.  Check with your Department of Motor Vehicle division to find information about basic driver education and defensive driving courses near you.  Paying a small fee for these course will help you decrease your risk of accidents and may also keep your insurance premiums low.
  • Get good grades in school. There is a link to doing well in school and safe driving.  Being a good student and a safe driver proves you’re responsible and confident in planning your future.  The similarities include paying attention to details and staying aware of what lies ahead both literally and cosmically.  Making the effort now will pay off in the future.

Francie LeBow

Insurance Professional

8440 Wyoming Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM  87113

Tel. 505.600.3147

 

Winter Safety Driving Tips

Winter weather can bring new challenges to even the most seasoned drivers.  To help you stay safe during the winter months, we’ve provided a list of tips that can help you be prepared for safe driving during the cold season.

  • Make certain your car is ready for the winter road. Check tire pressure when the cold weather begins.  Drops in temperature can change the pressure in your tires.  In addition to tires, car batteries, belts, hoses and radiators may be affected by the cold weather.  Getting a winter-maintenance check up will ensure the above are in good condition as well as car lights, brakes, heater/defroster and wipers.  It is also important to keep your tank full at all times in case of an emergency.
  • Check the forecast before hitting the road. Knowing what to expect and being prepared for the worst may be the most important thing you can do before leaving your home.  Check the anticipated temperature for potential freeze warnings, expected rain/snowfall, and winter storm warnings in the area you’ll be traveling.  If you are traveling long distance, check the weather in each town you’ll be passing.  Different geography will come with a change of weather.  Also program a radio station that provides traffic reports and emergency messages.
  • Keep a winter kit in your car. A basic survival kit should include a flashlight, batteries, blankets, snacks, water, gloves and boots.  In addition to your winter kit, these basic items should always be in your car in case of emergency: a cell phone charger, jumper cables, flares, an E-tool, and a first aid kit.  Many of these items can be found at an army surplus and are made to withstand extreme conditions.
  • Be prepared for the worst. Before you leave the house, have weather appropriate clothing on your body or, at the least, in the car just in case of an emergency.  Make sure your cell phone has a full battery. Bring medications.  Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to arrive at your destination.  If nobody knows you are on the road, they won’t know to worry if you don’t return in a reasonable amount of time.
  • Adjust your driving for the weather. Give yourself extra time for traveling and drive slowly.  Accelerate and decelerate slowly on snowy and icy roads.  Avoid using the brakes as much as possible especially if you begin skidding on the ice.  Keep a greater distance between cars.  And finally stay home and off the roads if possible.
  • If you become snow-bound while on the road, stay in your vehicle. Put a bright piece of cloth on your antenna as a distress signal or keep a dome light on if it is nighttime.  Run the car only enough to keep it warm and functioning until help arrives.

Taking these steps to be prepared for an emergency is the most responsible thing you can do as a safe driver.  In the event an accident happens, just know you are not alone.  There are many businesses and good citizens who are available and willing to help.  During this cold and stormy season, we urge you stay safe and keep warm.

Francie LeBow, Insurance Professional

8440 Wyoming Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM  87113

Tel. 505.600.3140

 

Safe Driving Tips

Whether you are a new driver or a veteran to the ways of the road, there are general tips every driver should know.  Following these tips will help to keep you and your passengers safe and accident free.

  • Be a safe and courteous driver.  Be attentive to who is around you and what they are trying to do.  There is a language drivers use to give their fellow road companions an idea of what they should anticipate.  Unfortunately, not everyone uses their communication skills effectively.  You should make the effort to be clear and concise in your actions at all times.
  • Be extra cautious with children in the car.  Vehicle car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between 1 and 13.  And three out of four car seats are not used correctly.  You should always use the appropriate car seat for every trip, even if you are just going down the street.  The car seat should be the appropriate fit for your child, as well as your car.  If children are older, ensure that safety belts are worn.  Take time before every trip to remind your children the danger of playing around in vehicles and monitor them closely when vehicles are present.  Cars can be lethal to any living things, but because children are small and lack attention to detail, they are at  greater risk of being harmed.
  • Be aware of other vehicles.  Staying attentive to who is around should never waver.  This includes vehicles in front, behind and on the sides of your vehicle.  Giving extra attention to specialty vehicles is important.  Trailers need more time to stop than the average vehicle.  If a trailer is forced to a sudden stop it can create a jackknife or gooseneck position and cause more problems for everyone else on the road.  In addition, the goods they are pulling have the potential of being damaged.  This includes severe harm to livestock.  Give motorcyclists extra space so they have time to slow down if necessary.  And always  be aware of bicycles and pedestrians who might not be taking the safety precautions necessary to keep themselves out of harms way.
  • Don’t get distracted while on the road.  Each year, thousands of people are killed in distracted driving crashes and hundreds of thousands of people are injured.  Being distracted while driving is the leading cause of most vehicle crashes. We are all guilty of being on autopilot when we are driving the same route day after day.  But it is important to stay present at all times when operating a vehicle.  Before you go on a journey to a new location, it is important to plan the route before you leave.  Do not hesitate to pull off the road if you need a moment to review your directions.  Likewise, never use your phone while driving.  Your chances of getting into a car accident increase by 400% when talking or texting on a cell phone.  Again, do not hesitate to pull over if you must text or call.  Or ask a passenger to assist you.
  • Reduce your blind spots.  An average of 840,000 blind spots accidents happen each year in the U.S. resulting in fatalities.  Take the necessary precautions before getting on the road to help reduce blind spots.  Adjust your rear-view mirror to see directly behind you.  Adjust your left side mirror until you can barely see the left side of your car.  Move your right side mirror so that when sitting perfectly upright, you cannot see the side of your car at all.
  • Check your speed.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes and costs more than $23 billion a year. Drive the posted speed limit and adjust your speed based on road and weather conditions.  Plan ahead to give yourself enough time to get to your destination.
  • Accelerate properly when getting on freeways.  This can be tricky since you are often at the mercy of other drivers.  Keep a safe distance from the driver in front of you so you have more control over how fast you can accelerate if necessary.  The goal is to be able to keep up with the flow of freeway traffic upon immediately getting on the roadway.  This ensures the drivers you pull in front of aren’t putting themselves at risk of sudden stops or extreme slow downs which can cause them to swerve or even create an accident for you or the other drivers around them.  Extreme focus should be placed when emerging onto the freeway.  Take time to view how long the merge lane is and how busy neighboring lanes are then do some rough calculations in preparation.
  • Help prevent auto theft.  Motor vehicles are stolen every 44 seconds in the United States.  The total estimated value of vehicles stolen nationwide is more than $4.3 billion.  Nearly half of theft is due to driver behavior.  Be sure to lock your doors and remove your keys from the vehicle ignition.  Always use common sense when parking and exiting your vehicle.  Park in well-lit familiar areas whenever possible.

Ins and Outs of Insurance

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The insurance industry can be overwhelming.  There are now several different companies competing for your business and offering different prices and products that may or may not be necessary for your lifestyle.  The only way to ensure you have what you need and are getting the best price available is to find an agent you trust is working for you and has your best interest in mind.  Taking the time to sit down with your trusted agent and have them explain the ins and outs of your policies may seem tedious, but in the end you’ll be glad you did it.

Francie Lebow Insurance Agency prides ourselves in establishing  long-term relationship with all our clients.  As  insurance professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure you understand where your insurance dollars are going.  We want you to feel confident that in the unfortunate event you need to submit a claim, you are recovering  the full value of your assets.  In addition to covering your assets, Francie Lebow Insurance Agency offers many more products that will help you to reach your retirement goals.

Today insurance can do more than protect your assets.  Working with Farmers Insurance, the Francie Lebow Insurance Agency offers products that contribute to your financial health and wealth.  Our agents attend several hours of training to learn about these products, and are always eager to share them with current and potential clients.  The best way to learn about these opportunities is to build a trusting relationship with your agent,  schedule time to meet with them, and keep an open mind to the information they are sharing with you.

Francie Lebow Insurance Professional

Tel 505.600.3147

Cell 575.642.4196

flebow@farmersagent.com