Stuff to Blog About and More: III Winter Driving Tips

In order to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, the Insurance Information Institute offers the following winter driving tips:

* Give yourself enough time to arrive at your destination. Trips can take longer during winter than at other times of the year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads.

* Bring a cellphone so that those awaiting your arrival can get in touch with you if you are very late. But avoid the temptation of using the phone while driving, as it can be a dangerous distraction.

* Drive slowly because accelerating, stopping and turning all take longer on snow-covered roads.

* Leave more distance than usual between your vehicle and the one just ahead of you, giving yourself at least 10 seconds to come to a complete stop. Cars and motorcycles usually need at least three seconds to halt completely when traveling on dry pavement.

* Be careful when driving over bridges, as well as roadways rarely exposed to sunlight—they are often icy when other areas are not.

* Avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes.

* Be sure to keep your gas tank full. Stormy weather or traffic delays may force you to change routes or turn back. A fuller gas tank also prevents your car’s gas-line from freezing.
* Keep windshield and windows clear. Drivers in cold-weather states should have a snow brush or scraper in their vehicle at all times. Your car’s defroster can be supplemented by wiping the windows with a clean cloth to improve visibility.

* Do not activate your cruise control when driving on a slippery surface.

* Do not warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

* Keep your tires properly inflated and remember that good tread on your tires is essential to safe winter driving.

* Check your exhaust pipe to make sure it is clear. A blocked pipe could cause a leakage of carbon monoxide gas into your car when the vehicle’s engine is running.

* Monitor the weather conditions at your destination before beginning your trip. If conditions look as though they are going to be too hazardous, just stay home.

“Winter arrived on December 21 so look on the bright side: the days are getting longer and will continue to do so in January and February as spring approaches,” noted Barry.

Spring officially arrives on March 20, 2009.

For more information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. Web site.

The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.

Stumble It!

FTC: Your Rights: Credit Reporting

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to order a free annual credit report.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

How do I order my free report?

You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

A Warning About "Imposter" Sites

The FTC advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC's website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports,but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized website, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports.

For more information on free annual credit reports, read Your Access to Free Credit Reports.