Vehicle safety tips

Vehicle maintenance is crucial to preventing vehicle fires. The American Automobile Association offers the following tips. Visit the AAA Web site  or call +1 800 AAA-HELP for more information .

More information: 

Download a U.S. Department of Transportation road tunnel safety brochure. (PDF, 128 KB)

• Have your vehicles inspected at least annually by a trained, professional technician.

• Watch for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blistered hoses, or wiring that is loose, has exposed metal or has cracked insulation. Have any of these conditions inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

• Be alert to changes in the way your vehicle sounds when running, or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the tailpipe. A louder than usual exhaust tone, smoke coming from the tailpipe or a backfiring exhaust could mean problems or damage to the high-temperature exhaust and emission control system on the vehicle. Have vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible if exhaust or emission control problems are suspected.

• Avoid smoking. If you must smoke, use your vehicle ashtray.

• Drive according to posted speed limits and other traffic rules. Remain alert to changing road conditions at all times.

• Stop ? If possible, pull to the side of the road and turn off the ignition. Pulling to the side makes it possible for everyone to get out of the vehicle safely. Turn off the ignition to shut off the electric current and stop the flow of gasoline. Put the vehicle in park or set the emergency brake; you don?t want the vehicle to move after you leave it. Keep the hood closed because more oxygen can make the fire larger.

• Get Out ? Make sure everyone gets out of the vehicle. Then move at least 100 feet away. Keep traffic in mind and keep everyone together. There is not only danger from the fire, but also from other vehicles moving in the area.

• Call for Help ? Call 9-1-1 or the emergency number for your local fire department. Firefighters are specially trained to combat vehicle fires. Never return to the vehicle to attempt to fight the fire yourself. Vehicle fires can be tricky, even for firefighters.

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