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Show Tips for Summer Travel Outlined by Agency For many Utah residents, the summer months are a time for travelling weekend j jaunts to the cottage country; that special trip; a visit to gramma's or a drive down a quiet country lane. Needless to say, after this year's long, cold winter, these trips are a pleasant break in the routine. But remember, the more time spent on the highways, the greater the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle collision. Where ever your vacation plans take you this summer, drive defensively. And always observe the rules of the road. To help make your travelling safe and comfortable this summer, here are a few sound motoring tips: Good vacation planning means having major details of the trip - route maps and accommodation arranged well in advance. Make sure your car is in top operating condition. Have the motor, clutch, brakes, transmission, trans-mission, cooling system and steering gear checked by a competent mechanic. Make absolutely sure your tires are safe. Store luggage and other items securely in the car. Loose objects, particularly those on the rear window deck, can fly forward causing serious injury to car occupants in a sudden stop. Vacationing motorists should be aware that, driving conditions can vary from one area to another. Changes in the weather, road conditions nd pedestrians habits, often require changes in driving patterns. When travelling through unfamiliar city areas, try to avoid rush-hour traffic. It makes good sense to stop on the outskirts of the city to study your map. Write down key turns. When in the city, be alert for one-way streets, left-turn lanes, pedestrian crosswalks and other unusual traffic engineering features. Country roads often mean high-crown blacktop, narrow culverts, soft shoulders, gravelly grav-elly crossroads and excessive road oil. Watch for these driving hazards and keep a sharp eye out for farm vehicles. On long trips, start and stop early, planning no more than eight hours behind 'the wheel. Share the driving if possible. If your windshield is dirty, probably your headlights are too. Ask the service station attendant to clean them when he cleans your windshield. Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up. Speed limits are lower on U.S. roads this year. Observe all posted speed limits, as well as other traffic rules. Finally, in the rush to vacation areas, never hesitate to yield the right-of-way, even if you feel you are in the right. Remember, being in "the right" is not worth an accident. Courtesy, Utah Safety Safe-ty Council. |