Safety & Your Vehicle

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  • Safety & Your Vehicle
    • Security
      • Make it as difficult as you can for a their to either break into your car or steal it by:
        • Engaging the steering lock
        • Removing the keys - lock your car even if you're only leaving it for a short time
        • Locking any contents, espcially valuables, out of sight, or, better still, taking them with you
        • Not leaving the vehicle registration document in the car. The thief could declare ownership
        • Parking in a well-lit area of in a secure car park at night when possile
      • To make it more difficult for the opportunist thief, you can
        • Fit an anti-theft alarm or immobiliser
        • Use a visible security device, such as a steering-wheel or handbrake lock
        • Have the vehicle registration  number etched on the windows
      • Radios and other forms of in-car entertainment are prime targets for thieves If you can, install a security-coded radio. This would be of little use if it were stolen
      • Consider joining a vehicle watch scheme if there's one in your area.
    • Considering Other Road Users
      • Avoid parking your vehicle where it would cause an obstruction to other road users, such as:
        • In front of a property entrance
        • At or near a bus stop
        • Near the brow of a hill
        • Where the kerb has been lowered for wheelchair access
        • On a bend or opposite a side road
      • Never stop of park on or near a level crossing, or on the zigzag lines at a pedestrain crossing. This would block the view of pedestrains and drivers, and endanger people trying to use the crossing
    • Environment
      • Motor vehicles can harm the environment, resulting in:
        • Air pollution
        • Damage to Buildings
        • Using up of natural resources
      • Road transport accounts for 20% of all emissions. Help the environment by driving in a fuel-efficient manner; you'll improve road safety,  reduce exhaust emissions and improve your fuel consumption. You should:
        • Reduce your speed - vehicles travelling at 70 mph use ip pto 30% more fuel than those travelling at 50 mph
        • Plan well ahead so that you can drive smoothly - avoiding rapid acceleration and heavy breaking can cut your fuel bill up to 15%
        • Change up as soon as you can so that you use the highest possible gear without making the engine struggle. Keeping the engline revs down uses less fuel
        • Have your vehicle serviced and tune properly
        • Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated
        • Don't carry unnecessary weight or leave a roof rack on your car
        • Don't over rev in lower gears
        • Leave the engine running unnecessarily - if your vehicle is stationary and likely to remain so for a short time, switch off the engine
      • Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. Always switch off the engine and secure the vehicle before leaving it
      • If you'll be waiting for some time for a passenger, switch off the engine while parked
      • Try not to use your car to make a lot of short journeys; think about walking or cycling instead. Using public transport or  sharing a car can reduce the volume of traffic and the emissions it creates.
        • E.g. Modern trams use electric power. They reduc traffic and noise pollution
      • At all times, and especially after refuelling, make sure your filler cap is securely fastened. If it's  loose, it could spill fuel, which wastes both fuel and money.
      • Having your car serviced regularly will give better fuel economy and your exhaust emissions will be cleaner. If your vehicle is over 3 years old, it will have to pass an emissions test as part of the MOT test
      • If you service your own vehicle, dispose of old engine oil and batteries responsibly. Take them t oa local-authority site or a garage. Don't pour oil down the drain
      • Bear in mind noise pollution.
        • Don't use you car horn b between 11.30pm and 7.00am unless another vehicle poses danger
      • Continuous high speeds could increase the risk of breakdown. Make sure you check your vehicle before making a long motorway journey; particulary oil, water and tyre pressure.

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