SUV driving safety tips

Sport Utility Vehicles have never been this popular before. People are not even stopped by the costs of fuel that has doubled and the growing concern for the environment. SUVs have captured our attention for some time.

SUV are still being portrayed as vehicles that represent danger, having a higher rollover than many cars or even trucks (and their owners usually pay higher auto insurance premiums, of course). From what we know, the reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have stated this. They claim that the amount of SUV's on the road reaches over 15 percent of the total number of vehicles, drivers are warned that an SUV will not handle the same way as another type of vehicle. In order to be a good driver you need to provide security on the road. Your actions should not harm anybody - neither you nor other passengers on the road.

SUV are different from regular cars. That is why the SUV driver is required to be much more attentive than the normal driver as there could be plenty of situations on the road that need him to be careful and thoughtful like a real professional should be. SUV drivers need more braking distance than smaller automobiles when the whether is bad, which is necessary to keep in mind if you want to avoid an accident.

It should be also added that SUVs have a high center of gravity, which can cause drivers to lose control when they turn suddenly. And not having your four-wheel drive engaged can also cause the vehicle to slip sideways.

Advices for SUV drivers:

• It is important to know how to drive your SUV properly. Practice driving in a large, empty space, such as an unused parking lot, then complicate your own tasks to make sure you are a good enough driver to meet various unforeseen situation of the road.


• Avoid sudden or sharp steering changes. An SUV is not designed to make fast, sharp turns, and handles differently than a lower bodied sedan.


• Consider other driver on the road. They do exist!


• Recognize your visual limitations. Check your mirrors to make sure they minimize your blind spots on either side.


• Brake better. SUVs should have a greater braking distance than most automobiles, especially in bad weather.


• Don't ever forget to use a seatbelt.


• Driving too fats is never recommended. Slow down. Most people drive too fast. The slower you are the more time you will have to think in an emergency situation if it occurs.


• It is not advised to have heavy cargo or to transport lots of people.


• Don't carry too much weight. Overloading tears the brakes, can overheat tires, and increases the risk of a blowout. So please know to love your SUV enough to protect it good.


• Maintain your vehicle properly. Periodic service and close attention to tires and tire pressure help protect you and your passengers.


• And the main rule: don't forget about auto insurance. In case of an accident it can save you a lot of money.