Car Seat Safety a Priority for Capital Volkswagen Panama City Area Drivers

Unfortunately there are no ways to predict when an accident will happen. There are many fender benders that occur every day that can shake up drivers but do not result in major damage or injuries. These fender benders need to be taken care of as quickly as possible to ensure they do not result in additional accidents from oncoming traffic. Our Florida Volkswagen dealership offers some reminders to help you navigate a fender bender in the safest way possible.   When you are involved in a minor auto accident, you need to do your best to stay calm and in control of the situation. First check to make sure you and the passengers in your vehicle are okay and without injuries. If anyone is injured in the vehicle, stay put and call for emergency help if you are able. If no injuries are present, you should exit the vehicle safely and check in with the other driver. Be sure to check for traffic and activate your hazard lights before leaving your vehicle.   You can check to see if there are injuries with the other drivers. If everyone is okay and vehicles are capable of being driven, move them off to the side of the road and wait for police to arrive. You should collect your driver’s license, insurance information, and other vehicle documentation in preparation for the arrival of the police. Do not discuss the accident with the other driver or with nearby witnesses.   If the police do not need to respond to a minor fender bender, you can exchange necessary information with the other driver including name, contact information, license plate information, and insurance details. Make sure to get as much information as you can while still at the scene. Witness names and contact information should also be collected for your insurance company.   You should report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible to make sure your claim is promptly handled, especially if your vehicle needs repairs. You can schedule an appointment at our Volkswagen service center in Florida for all repair work so we can ensure your Volkswagen is repaired properly and with the VW-standard parts. We can provide your insurance company with the necessary information to get your vehicle repaired to like-new condition.   Accidents can be scary but when handled correctly, you can remain calm and in control of the situation to ensure your auto repairs are handled and your safety is assured when you get back on the road.

Children need extra special protection when traveling in a vehicle. It is important they have the right restraints and proper positioning when riding in your Woodville area Volkswagen to ensure their safety and protection especially during an accident.   The typical protocol for child safety in a vehicle includes: Infant Passengers Infants need to be seated in a rear-facing car seat for at least one year or until they weigh at least 20 pounds. They should be in car safety seat that is suitable for their height and weight and should always be placed in the back of the vehicle. Toddler-Aged Passengers Toddlers should also be placed in a rear-facing child safety seat for as long as they can be comfortable based on their height and weight. Older toddlers over one year old and over 20 pounds should be in a safety seat that faces forward and contains a full harness seat belt system. Car seats should be used based on manufacturer’s height and weight allowances. Older Child Passengers Children who are older and no longer fit in a harness system child seat may still require a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. The booster seat will work with the vehicle’s seat belt system but will help the child fit into it properly and safely. Children who are older and tall enough to go without a safety seat or booster should still remain in the backseat until they are at least 12 years old. The airbags in the front seat can cause serious injuries to younger passengers and the back seat is the safest place.   Always make sure your children are properly secured in your vehicle before driving. Even a short drive without being properly fastened into the vehicle can result in serious injuries and can result in law enforcement intervention. Drivers can be cited for not properly restraining passengers in a vehicle, especially small children.   Riding with children can be difficult especially if they are being distracting during the drive. It is important to only deal with children after pulling off to a safe location on the side of the road. There should also be visual inspections of seat belts and other safety equipment after each ride with child passengers. Damage to seat belts or other parts of the vehicle will need to be repaired by our Volkswagen service center near Woodville to ensure everything is working properly.

The safety equipment in your new or used Tallahassee Volkswagen may be much different than in vehicles of decades past. Many years ago there were not even many laws about seat belt use when riding in vehicles. Many adults today can remember riding in the front seat of their parents’ vehicle as a child or in the back of a pickup truck with no safety restraints at all.   However, the auto industry has put a lot of emphasis on safety and is always inventing new equipment and technology meant to keep drivers and their passengers safe. Even with the many different technologies, there are still three main safety features in vehicles today that are the foundation for auto safety. For this reason it is important to ensure they are free from damage and always in proper working order. 3 Elements of Auto Safety Seats Belts The seat belts of today are typically a three-point harness system that is worn across the upper chest and the pelvic area of the vehicle occupant. The seat belt helps protect occupants from being tossed around or ejected from the vehicle at the time of a collision. Seat belts should always be worn and worn correctly to prevent serious injuries. The seat belts will hold a person in place and will lock in place when the brakes of the vehicle are applied. If seat belts show signs of wear or are not working properly, they will need to be serviced as soon as possible. Driving without functional seat belts fastened properly can result in serious injuries as well as traffic violations. Air Bags Air bags are installed in vehicles to prevent traumatic injuries during an impact. They add a barrier of protection to prevent additional injuries that can occur when the body comes in contact with the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard, or door. The air bags do not restrain occupants but can help prevent fatal injuries when used in combination with seat belts. Typically, air bags do not need regular maintenance but if any alert indicators denote a problem with the air bag system, professional evaluation and servicing will need to be done immediately to ensure air bags are working properly. Head Restraints Neck injuries including whiplash are very common in auto-related accidents. The head restraints in a vehicle are meant to prevent neck injuries during a collision. It is important that head restraints be adjusted according to the individual driver and passengers before operating the vehicle. If there is a problem with the adjustability of your head restraint, have our professional Tallahassee VW mechanics evaluate the problem and repair the restraint for continued safety.