ST. LOUIS and ATLANTA, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ --
Today, in a continuing effort to make the nation's roads safer, GMAC Insurance and its non-profit partner Road Safe America announced survey results revealing that many American drivers are unsure of proper vehicle operational procedures when driving in freezing temperatures. The survey, which sampled licensed Americans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, indicates that more than one- third of drivers cannot correctly identify the proper use of cruise control, and nearly two-thirds underestimate how full they should keep their gas tanks.
Specifically, the survey found that 36 percent of licensed drivers -- approximately 72 million people -- believe it's safe to drive with their cruise control activated if the temperature is below freezing. However, the two organizations assert that the safest course of action is to avoid using cruise control altogether. Despite clear weather, accumulated moisture on roadways combined with freezing temperatures could lead to icy conditions, which are sometimes undetectable.
Respondents were also unclear on the minimum amount that should be in a vehicle's gas tank: 31 percent indicated it didn't matter, four percent responded one-eighth of a tank, 28 percent answered one-quarter tank and 37 percent said one-half tank. GMAC Insurance and Road Safe America recommend keeping the gas tank as full as possible (at least one half full), maximizing the length of time vehicle occupants can run the engine as a source of heat in an emergency.
Gary Kusumi, president and CEO of GMAC Insurance, points out that while not all Americans live in areas that experience freezing temperatures, it is important for everyone to understand proper vehicle operational procedures.
"As responsible drivers, we should have a good idea of proper driving protocols in a variety of circumstances," Kusumi said. "It's critical to know how to stay safe in situations that we don't necessarily encounter every day, such as driving during freezing weather."
Ready, Set, Go: Five Steps To Prepare For Winter Travels
In addition to driving without cruise control activated and keeping gas tank levels at least half full, GMAC Insurance and Road Safe America compiled the following checklist to help keep people safe and prepared for driving in freezing temperatures:
1. Create a Safety Kit. Be prepared with safety essentials in your car, including extra windshield wiper fluid, warm gloves and a hat, flashlight, remote jump starter, tire gauge, safety flares and a blanket.
2. Give Your Vehicle a Check Up. Avoid unnecessary accidents by taking a few minutes to check your vehicle before heading out: -- Use a small tire gauge to check your tires, as cold weather will lower their pressure. -- Make sure taillights, headlights, blinkers and the horn are in good working order.
3. Play it Safe in the Dark. With shopping season in high gear, heavy traffic is more common, and nightfall comes earlier. When driving at night: -- Avoid using any light inside your vehicle. -- Use edge lines and center lines of the roadway as guides. -- If street lights cause glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor.
4. Prevent Glare. Snowfall and other precipitation can serve up severe road glare: -- Be prepared with a pair of sunglasses. -- Avoid foggy blotches on your windows by cleaning the inside of your windshield regularly. -- Consider using winter wiper blades designed to handle heavier road debris and snow.
5. Buckle Your Bundles. Loose gifts can be dangerous distractions, and according to a GMAC Insurance survey, less than half of drivers (43 percent) secure their packages on the floor or buckle them down. Avoid "projectile presents" by driving slower and securing gifts in the backseat or placing them on the floor.
The survey was administered by TNS, a leading market information resource and the world's largest provider of custom research and analysis. The national sample was comprised of 5,175 total licensed respondents, aged 16-60+, balanced to the latest U.S. Census data.
For more information about GMAC Insurance, visit www.gmacinsurance.com. For more information about Road Safe America, visit www.roadsafeamerica.org.
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