Roadside Assistance - Driving Safety

Your Paragon Motor Club Roadside Assistance membership will always be there for you at the time of a breakdown or collision. But don't forget to use these helpful defensive driving tips to avoid an emergency situation before it happens.

General Rules of the Road

• You and your passengers should be buckled up.
• Children under the age of twelve should always be in the proper safety restraint in the back seat.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for children playing near roadways. Watch out for fallen trees and debris in the roadway.
• Avoid driving in inclement weather unless it is absolutely necessary.

Look Out for the Other Guy - The Two Second Rule
Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a fixed object. Count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If your vehicle reaches the fixed marker before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Ease off the accelerator and count again. Add an extra second between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you for each of the following conditions:

• Driving through an intersection
• Driving at night, in fog, rain or snow
• Driving behind a vehicle you can't see around or behind a motorcycle

Ways to Avoid Head-On Collisions (The 4 R's)

• Read the road
• Reduce your speed
• Drive to the Right
• Ride off of the road to the right if necessary

Inclement Weather - Surviving the Winter Cold (what to do before you travel)

• Clean your vehicle of ice and snow. This includes the entire vehicle. Debris left on a vehicle can become a missile when the vehicle is put into operation.
• Let your windows fully defrost before you drive. It is very important you have full visibility of the entire roadway.
• When warming up your car, make sure it is in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon-monoxide build-up. Also, you may want to lock the car and use a spare key to re-enter to prevent theft of vehicle.
• Always keep mirrors properly adjusted.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first.

Maintenance Checks

• Keep oil changed regularly. See your maintenance guide for manufacturer suggestions.
• Check your coolant.
• Windshield Wiper Blades should be changed out regularly
• On a regular basis, walk around your vehicle to check if all lights and signals work and pay extra attention to the vehicle's tires by routinely inspecting them for adequate tire tread, and proper tire pressure.