This post was sponsored by Erie Insurance as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Many newer cars have safety features that help distracted driving but do you know what to do if you’re involved in an accident while traveling?
Fall has arrived and with it, has come an innate need to get outdoors and enjoy every last drop of warm weather that Mother Nature wants to throw our way.
My husband and I have spent the past couple of weekends visiting nearby state parks and natural areas to view the changing leaves and breathe in the fresh air. I just can’t get enough of the outdoors and amazing fall colors.
We recently joined my oldest son and daughter-in-law for a camping trip. We had a lot of gear, so we couldn’t all fit in one vehicle. They drove ahead with us following them. About an hour and a half into our trip, we were almost at our destination, when a car on the right side of us swerved directly into our path.
Thank goodness I was paying attention and wasn’t distracted! I was able to safely navigate around them and avoid a collision but this is a great example of when newer technology and safety features would have been helpful on our vehicle.
I’ve driven newer model vehicles that have safety features like adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, and personally, I think they make me a better driver. Not that I can give up and not be diligent in paying attention, but when road tripping and on unfamiliar roads, they can certainly be an asset.
This newer technology is also helpful when navigating rush hour traffic or just driving in general with so many distractions. I can’t always look out for other people but some of the safety features on newer vehicles can help you not only be aware of those around you but also help you be aware of your poor driving practices as well. *Ahem* not pointing any fingers. This statement is entirely focused on myself.
Our vehicle has a backup camera and I appreciate it every single time we’re backing up at the grocery store or backing into our spot at the campground. It makes backing up so much easier!
These new advancements make today’s cars safer than ever if you use the technology available to you! Erie Insurance commissioned a national survey to draw attention to the safety features available in newer cars in an effort to encourage more drivers to utilize the options available to them and found out that many people turn off these safety features!
While these new advancements may take a bit of adjusting to get used to if you use them they could pay off by minimizing crashes and saving lives.
For example, this study found that forward collision warning combined with automated emergency braking reduces the number of injuries associated with front-to-rear crashes.
You can find more about that and other results from that survey in this post about auto insurance from Erie Insurance.
Erie Insurance has issued over 6 million auto, home, and business insurance policies and serves 12 states, along with Washington D.C. My husband and I have carried a policy for over twenty years. We love our agent and are very happy with our coverage.
Our insurance coverage gives me peace of mind at home and when we’re traveling. We were lucky when that distracted driver pulled into our lane of traffic, but I know that’s not always the case.
While we went on to enjoy our weekend, spending time in the outdoors, I thought I’d share a few things you should know in the event of an accident.
What should you do if you’re traveling and involved in an accident?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind in the event that you are involved in an accident while traveling.
- If you are driving out of state for work or driving a rental car, make sure that you have sufficient insurance. You can do this by contacting your agent prior to your trip.
- Don’t leave home without a copy of your insurance cards. I leave a copy of mine in the glove box and in my wallet so I have them if I should ever need them.
- In the event you are in an accident, ensure you and the other drivers are okay.
- Call for help or police assistance if needed.
- Once help has arrived, seek medical assistance if it is needed. If not, take photos, and exchange information with the other driver. This should include their name, email address, phone number, license plate number and insurance information.
- If there is a police report, make sure to save a copy for your records.
- Contact your insurance company and alert them to the accident as soon as possible.
Does your car have any of these cool safety features? Do you use them? Which ones are your favorite?
