Fall Night Driving Dangers

A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night!

 

Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — including apple and pumpkin picking, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling here in New Hampshire — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.

You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23 percent of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50 percent of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).

 

Because we’re big advocates for safety at Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.

What’s dangerous about night driving?

1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as the iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66 percent of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.   

So what do you do?

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night, so keep the following tips in mind to make sure your trip remains safe, whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed out of town: 

1. Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but also turn signals, taillights, etc.
2. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
3. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road at any time of day — but distractions are even more deadly at night.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out.

Be Sure You’ve Secured Adequate Coverage - Contact Us Today!

 

A crucial component of safety on the road is ensuring that you have adequate auto insurance coverage. At Hunkins & Eaton in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, our independent insurance agents will work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time applying all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 800-427-3975 or click here to get a free quote for auto insurance in Littleton, NH, Lisbon, or the surrounding New Hampshire communities.  We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!

 

For additional insurance information, safety tips, and other useful resources, please read our other blog posts and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter  and Google+.

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

Fire Pit Safety Tips

Use Caution When Playing With Fire, Even in the Backyard

 

It’s a great feeling to hang out with friends and family around a blazing fire in your backyard in New Hampshire, especially on chilly fall evenings — unless, of course, that fire blazes a little too much.

A fire pit can be a wonderful addition to your home, but it’s important to remember that all fires are potentially dangerous. So before you sit down to make s’mores, review the following fire pit safety tips to help you keep that fire in the pit and away from everything else:

 

Is it legal?

·        Before building or buying a fire pit, check the regulations in your area to learn about restrictions.

·        Your fire pit may be legal, but a fire might not always be. Monitor and follow community burn bans.

·        Be respectful. Nothing can extinguish the good vibes of a nice fire more quickly than police complaints from smoked-out neighbors.

What kind of pit do you want?

·        You can buy a fire pit or build one. If you choose the latter, there are plenty of resources online to help you design it. Don’t dig a hole just anywhere and throw some rocks down; put some thought into it and you’ll have a better, safer spot to enjoy.

·        If you want convenience, a propane model might be right for you. These types of fire pits produce less smoke and have an adjustable flame. 

Before your start building your fire:

·         First, ensure that the area under and around your fire pit is clear of flammable materials, and keep the pit itself at least 10 feet from any structures.

·         Before you start the fire, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose handy.

 

Ready to build your fire? Here’s what to do:

·        Choose hard, seasoned woods. Sparks from softer woods like cedar can increase the danger of igniting something nearby.

·        Don’t use liquid fuels, even lighter fluid, to get your fire going. It’s also not a good idea to burn paper, cardboard, leaves, garbage, etc.

·       If you have a metal fire pit, don’t overload it and always use the included safety screen.

Put the fire out completely:

·        When you’re done, spread out the ashes and let them cool off for a bit. Then gently pour water or sand over them. Stick around for a little while to watch for flare-ups.

 

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we want you to have plenty of nice, warm nights — without getting burned. Here’s to making memories around the fire!

 

For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. 

 

This article provided courtesy of Safeco Insurance.