VINCENTIAN ARTICLE ON AUTO INSURANCE

THE VINCENTIAN JANUARY 15, 2008
Ben Harrison – International Correspondent

A TIME TO Take back our roads

From an automobile driving and insurance perspective, the unprecedented, economic boom in St. Vincent and the Grenadines brings good news and bad news: Good news because more persons are working and our standard of living is improving. Material goods, including appliances, electronics and motor vehicles are no longer just a dream to the average person; they are becoming a reality.
Our country and its entrepreneurial, business, financial and political sectors is on the threshold of experiencing great success. There are potentially negative side effects to success that cannot be ignored; one of these being an increase in the number of road accidents with corresponding increases in the severity of injuries, deaths and property damage.
As more people are becoming licensed drivers, our roads are becoming the equivalent of high speed super highways, to accommodate not only private passenger vehicles, but the needs of heavy industrial, commercial and residential contractors, as they move huge trucks and equipment along our roads.
As individuals, we are part of this problem. As responsible individuals, we can also be part of the solution. The Vincentian Newspaper and Metrocint General Insurance Company plan to be leaders in making St. Vincent and the Grenadines roads and its drivers among the best in the Caribbean.
We hope the following suggestions, tips and information will make your New Year healthy and safe for you and the special people in your lives.

Make Safe Driving Your 2008 New Year's Resolution
Each year thousands of people in St. Vincent make a series of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking and get out of debt. But did you hear of anyone resolving to drive more safely in the New Year. Many drivers think they are already good drivers and their driving skills don’t need improving. Everyone’s driving can use improvement.
We challenge you to include as one of your 2008 New Year’s Resolution a commitment to become a safer driver. To start you off, we have some tips to improve your driving skills and make the roads a safer place for everyone.
1. Turn off the cell phoneTalking on your cell phone can be as deadly as drinking and driving. A few years ago we didn’t even have cell phones and we seemed to get along just fine. If you have to take an urgent call, pull over to the side of the road or wait until you reach your destination and call back.
2. Follow the speed limit Driving over the speed limit, endangers yourself and others. Our speed limits are created to keep everyone safer.
3. Forget about snacking in the carDriving and drinking or eating at the same time creates a driving hazard while on the road, especially if you drop something and try to pick it up. So this year, make one of your 2008 New Year’s Resolutions to stop eating and driving. You might even lose some weight.
4. Use your turn signals Many drivers change lanes or turn without using their turn signals. Please use your left and right turn signals while driving. It will help keep you safe and help notify other drivers around you of your next “move.”
5. Always look before movingUse your rear and side view mirrors and look over your shoulder before switching lanes. Your car and the other drivers on the road will thank you.
6. Say goodbye to road rageWe all have done it. This year try taking a different approach. Safely adjust to weather, road and traffic conditions. This will help you stay calm and help keep everyone around you safe as well.
7. Reading while driving is never a good ideaLast Friday we saw a driver actually reading a newspaper while behind the wheel. It only takes a second or two for the car in front to brake, resulting in a rear end collision.
9. Wear your seatbelt Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves millions of dollars. Whether you believe it or not, statistics don’t lie and seat belts do save lives and prevent injuries. If you don’t already wear your seatbelt while driving, vow to make it a 2008 New Year’s Resolution. The life you save may be your own.

Quick tips on proper seat belt use and safety:

The belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.

The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back.

Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.

All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back.

Infants should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.

ARE YOU A BAD DRIVER?
Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself the following seven questions:
1. When I reach a stop sign and no one is coming from another direction, do I come to a full stop? Most bad drivers say they should be able to go through stop signs, as long as no one gets hurt.
2. Do I talk on my cell phone while driving instead of pulling over and stopping to talk? 77 percent of bad drivers say they talk on a cell phone while driving.
3. Do I drive with one hand while using the other to drink coffee or eat a snack while on the road? We even learned that many drivers have spilled drinks and become involved in an accident while attempting to clean up the spill while still driving.
4. Does listening to loud music while I drive take my attention away from everything but the music? Most drivers say that they listen to the radio and listening to loud music has caused them to drive more aggressively.
5. Do I find myself throwing obscene verbal or hand gestures, because of driving habits or the driving habits of others? Most drivers consider themselves to be courteous, many admit to making obscene or rude comments to other drivers, particularly those who cut in front of them. Most drivers however appreciate a thank-you gesture for letting another driver into their lane, and often give a wave of thanks themselves when they cut into traffic.
6. Do I sometimes feel sleepy behind the wheel? Many people admit that they have almost fallen asleep or wanted to shut their eyes while driving.
7. When I drive with passengers, do I turn around to talk, taking my eyes off the road? Most drivers say that they are distracted when they have passengers in their cars, and during conversations will turn their heads and stop paying attention to the road. This held true especially for drivers with small children.

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions you need to reevaluate your driving habits. People who answer “Yes” have other characteristics that you may recognize in your own life like leading a very stressful life without enough time to accomplish all their activities in a day.

CELL PHONES CAN BE DANGEROUS
It seems that nearly everyone in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has and uses a cell phone. Cell phone technology has improved our ability to communicate and keep in touch with employers and loved ones, however studies are proving that cell-phone use while driving can be very dangerous and is a leading cause of driver distraction leading to accidents. One study concluded that talking on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, even if the phone is a hands-free model, showing that motorists who talked on hands-free cell phones were 18 percent slower in braking. Over 40 countries have already prohibited the use of cell phones while driving and impose heavy fines for violating the regulation.

When It Is Time To Take The Car Keys
Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia may be hard to diagnose, but what may be even harder is deciding on how and when to take away the car keys from a motorist who relies on driving in their day-to-day life.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia can lead to confused and impaired judgment which can affect the driver's perception of distance, hinder their ability to make quick decisions, and ultimately make them a driving hazard not only to themselves, but to other drivers as well. The hard thing about these diseases is that most people do not recognize they have a problem or that their driving skills are diminishing. And, by taking away their privilege to drive, many feel that their freedom and independence is at stake. But it's a decision that no matter how hard, must be made to keep people safe.

• A few steps that may be taken to ease the transition from driver to passenger are to:
  Limit driving to daylight hours only
  Only permit driving on familiar roads
  Ask friends and relatives to help with transportation
  Arrange to have groceries delivered
  There is no instant test or to diagnose whether or not a driver has Alzheimer's disease or, but you can make your own assessment on how their driving skills are.
  Look for patterns or repeating incidents, and keep your eyes open for warning signs that there might be an issue with driving.
• Also:
  Talk to other family members about your concern, and be sure they keep an eye on the driver as well. Observe their driving and note the times and dates of anything that makes you feel nervous-such as if they miss a turn, cut the wheel too hard, hit curbs, drive on lawns, forget directions to familiar places, drive too fast or too slow for certain conditions, etc.
  When it's time to talk to your family member or friend, be sure to discuss the alternatives to driving. Don't get them on the defensive, and reassure them that their freedom isn't being taken away.
  If needed, get assistance from a doctor.
  

Teens or Seniors: Who are Our Worst Drivers?

While we complain about our “white-haired” drivers, the truth is that we have little to complain about. Looking at the numbers, it’s the young drivers we are concerned about.
A teenager (especially a teenage boy), is full of confidence in skills he has yet to acquire. His lack of judgment and experience are deadly combinations on the road.
Less than one percent of people over 65 die as a result of motor vehicle accidents. On the other hand, car crashes are the major cause of death for the age group 16-19. Their risk of crash per mile is 4 times higher than in older age groups and males in this group are twice as likely as females to die in a car crash.
Age and experience do matter While older drivers do have problems that can sometimes affect their ability, studies show that older drivers tend to be more aware of their limitations and restrict their driving accordingly. As a result, car accidents involving seniors are generally not serious.
If you have teens, take the time to help them become smart, safe drivers. Teach them the following important safety tips:

• 
  Obey the speed limit
  Drive defensively
  Don’t drink and drive
  Wear seatbelts at all times
  Limit distractions, including cell phones, too many friends in the car etc.
  

What to do when You're in a Car Accident
If you've been in a car accident, you know it is easy to find yourself mixed up and unsure of the details you need to protect yourself and your passengers. To help you remain organized and focus on what you can control, the following are steps to take when you're in a car accident:

• 
  Car Accident Kit: Just in case the worst ever happens, prepare a car accident kit to keep in your glove box. Your kit should include a pen, a pad of paper, your vehicle's registration, a copy of your auto insurance card, emergency contact numbers and a disposable camera. Also, you should include road flares.
• Stay CalmCar accidents can happen quickly. Staying calm will help you remember the details of the accident and help keep all parties involved focused on the accident.
  
• Make Sure No One is Hurt Check for injuries to yourself, your passengers and the other parties involved. Do not move any injured people; instead call 911 for medical assistance.
  
• Move Your CarIn the case of a minor impact or fender bende, you should pull over onto a shoulder, so other traffic can pass. However, if the accident is more serious, do not move any vehicles. Post someone in both directions to warn other traffic to slow down.
  Call the Police No matter how minor of an accident, report the incident. If the police are unable to come to the scene, make sure to exchange the following information with all parties involved including;
  
• Name
  Address
  Phone number
  Auto insurance company name and phone number
  Policy number
  Driver's license number
  License plate number
  Year, make, model and color of car
  In addition, make sure to get the names, address and phone numbers of all witnesses.
  Document the AccidentUse your disposable camera from your car accident kit to photograph the cars involved, the position of the cars and any damage done to the vehicles. If you don't have your camera available, make sure to write down detailed notes of the accident for your auto insurance company.
  Know What to Say and Not SayWhile at the scene, do not tell the other drivers or the police officer that you think the car accident was your fault and don't discuss the specifics of the accident with anyone other than the police officer or your auto insurance company agent.
  Call Your Auto Insurance Company ImmediatelyAs soon as you can, report the car accident to your auto insurance company. To help expedite the call, make sure to have the following information in front of you,
  Date and time of the car accident
  The direction and speed you and the other drivers were going
  How the car accident occurred
  Name and information of the parties and witnesses involved
  If anyone was injured in the car accident
  Where and what damage was done to your car