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Show Accidents - or 'collisions,' as driving professionals prefer to say - happen. If it happens to you, assess the situetion, be very careful of oncoming cars and if anyone is injured, call for help immediately. What to do if bad things happen to vou on the road optey News Service With so many cars on the road, automobile accidents are an unfortunate fact of life. There are more than 6 million accidents each year, at tremendous emotional and financial cost. "First of all, the driving schools don't like the word 'accident,1" says Sheila Varnado, marketing and business relations manager of the Driving School Association of the Americas (www.thedsaa. org), an international association of driving school owners. "We say 'collision' instead. Because every accident is preventable, whether by having your brakes checked or looking where you are going, somewhere down the line, it was preventable, somehow" The leading causes of accidents are driver errors - speeding, failing to yield right-of-way, running a stop sign or a red light, improper turning, and driving under the influence. Every driver should know what to do if they're ever involved in a collision, Varnado says. One way to be prepared is to carry a booklet in the glove compartment that outlines the steps to take. "Some insurance companies will provide you with a checklist to fill out when you're on the scene of a collision, to remind you what to do," Varnado says. These checklists are also available from www.prepareamerica. org and your local department of motor vehicles. Here are the basic steps to take in event of a collision. - Stop the car and assess the situation. Don't leave the scene, which could expose you to hit-and-run charges. - Get safe. Once outside your vehicle, you're at risk of being struck by a car. Look carefully for oncoming cars, and move your car to the shoulder if possible. If not, leave your car and move to safety. - If you're injured, disoriented or can't move, stay in the car. Turn on the hazard lights. - Check for injuries; yourself first, then others. "Some states have a 'Good Samaritan law,'" Varnado says. These laws require a person who is in an accident or who comes upon an accident to report it. You can be fined if you don't. When it comes to providing medical assistance, don't overreach. "Anytime you're involved in a collision, only render aid within your ability." Varnado explains. - Call 911. If anyone is injured, you are required to call the police or highway patrol. Dial 911, or program the highway-patrol number into your cell phone (a good idea for those who travel often). Remember, if you don't have a cell phone with you on a freeway you can use a call box, which is usually within a quarter mile to half mile. If it is a noninjury collision, the rules vary from city to city about whether police must be contacted to make a report. Visit your city government Web site to review these laws. - Exchange information. "Get the full information of all drivers, passengers and witnesses," Varnado says. "This includes driver's license numbers, vehicle registration and proof of insurance with policy number." Also write down the other driver's name, address, date of birth and phone number. Get the other car's make, model and license plate number. While getting these facts, don't dis- CAR CARE Special Oct. 22, 2008 • Page 5 ALTA MUFFLER & BRAKE • Mufflers Installed While You Wait! • Dual & Custom High Performance Exhaust Specialists • FOREIGN / DOMESTIC • FREE BRAKE CHECKS • SHOCKS & STRUTS • LUBE & OIL CHANGES • "FIX-IT" WELDING • TRAILER HITCH INSTALLATION • MINOR TUNE-UPS BRAKES . $1Z STATE INSPECTIONS ^ r^ 10% Student Discount on Parts 753-7470 %iSee ACCIDENT, page 7 Mon-Fri 8-5 - Sat 8-1:30 601 N MAIN • LOGAN Brent's Automotive 752-9691 • 335 N. Main • Open M-Fs«5:30 COMPLETE AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR Tune-ups Carburetors CV Axles Brake Service Computer Service Struts & Shocks • Engine Overhauls •Valve Grinding • Engine Rebuilding • Custom Exhaust Systems •Performance Accessories * Alt & Starters •Auto Parts • 4x4 Service • High Performance * Engine Balancing • Clutches Fastfi-Fair! We Guarantee It! Custom Muffler & Speed Center AM Vehicles Tail Pipes CV Axles Shocks & Struts Brake Service Trailer Hitches Catalytic Converters Ask about our LIFETIME WARRANTY SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM I DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES 335 No. Main • Logan |