ATD INSURANCE

Winter driving can present troublesome challenges for eve the most diligent of drivers. Snow and ice make driving more difficult and sometimes even dangerous. Special care must be given to your car before the winter season appears and extra caution must be used once winter has invaded the roadways.

When driving in the snow, do everything slowly and gently. Even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. So, don't get lulled into a false sense of security. Remember, in the snow, tires just barely grab the road. Accelerate, turn and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops, slowing down enough to make turns before you get to them, leaving plenty of distance between you and other cars.

Slippery roads - are the biggest hazard of winter driving - caused by ice, slushy snow or rain. Roads are especially slick following the first rain after a dry spell since oil and grease have built up on the roads.

Remember the distance it takes to bring your car to a stop on dry pavement. In winter conditions, allow at least three times that distance to reach a full stop and avoid skidding. This means your safe distance behind the car in front of you should be three times as far away from the stoplight or corner where you turn. Reduce the danger of skidding by driving more slowly and by pumping the brakes as you slow down for a turn rather than holding them down. Use low gears on slick surfaces, especially hills and curves. Test your brakes frequently and never tailgate.

If in spite of your precautions you find yourself beginning to skid, DO NOT BRAKE. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and gently turn your car in the direction you want your front wheels to go. Hitting the brakes or turning sharply will only lock you into a skid. If you can't get control of your car, it is better to steer into a snow bank or fence than to risk a collision in traffic.

Visibility- is another hazard of winter driving. In heavy snow, keep your lights on. Stop and clean your windshield and lights if necessary. Get off the road before you become stranded by worsening weather conditions.

If you get stuck in snow, avoid spinning your wheels- you'll only dig in deeper. Instead, shovel snow away from the wheel paths and pour salt, sand or cinders around the drive wheels to improve traction.

Key Safety Tips:

• Keep your car or truck in top shape
• Allow extra time and space on the road
• Listen to the weather forecast

Winter Car Kit:

• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Necessary medications
• Several Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Extra newspapers for insulation
• Plastic bags (for sanitation)
• Matches
• Extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap
• Snow gear and extra clothes
• Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
• Small Shovel
• Small Tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
• Booster cables
• Set of tire chains or traction mats
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
• Bottled Water
• Snacks

Traditionally, motorists in small towns and rural areas don't perceive the risk of being in a crash as high. And compared to exposure rates of driving in urban areas with high volumes of traffic, they're right!

But when a crash does occur, the risk of injury is just as great whether you're on a lonely farm road or a 10-lane metropolitan freeway. In many ways the risk of injury is greater. On two-lane roads, high speed head-on collisions, the deadliest of all crashes, are more common on rural highways than on urban freeways or rural interstate highways.

A key to safe driving on rural roads is not to exceed the posted speed limit. On average, around 387,500 motor vehicle crashes occur each year on Ohio's roadways.

Here are a few tips for driving on rural roads:

• Rural roads are usually narrower than city streets. Drivers should take extra caution on rural roads where there are sharp turns, dips, and blind corners shaded by woods or fields.
• Learn to share the road with slow-moving vehicles like farm equipment and horse-drawn buggies.
• If you see a horse-drawn vehicle or slow-moving farm equipment in your path, slow down and prepare to pass with caution. Only pass when legal and safe. When passing on the left, the requires drivers to sound the horn to warn the driver that he is about to be passed; signal the intent to pass; pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and return to the right side of the roadway only after your vehicle is safely clear of the vehicle you are passing; return to the right lane as soon as the pass has been safely completed and before coming withing 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
• Always allow enough stopping distance between you and other vehicles.
• Remember that gravel roads have less traction, so applying the brakes hard or turning sharply may cause your vehicle to skid.
• Always allow enough stopping distance
• When driving in the snow, do everything slowly and gently. Even if you maintain control of your vehicle, not everyone else will. Do not get lulled into a false sense of security. Remember, in the snow, tires just barely grab the road. Accelerate, turn and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops, slow down enough to make turns before your get to them, and leave plenty of distance between you and the other vehicles.

DEER CROSSINGS

With more than 31,000 motor vehicle collisions with deer reported statewide each year, safety advocates are urging motorists to drive with extra caution.

According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, fall and winter are the peak seasons for deer-related crashes. More than a half million drivers are involved in crashes caused by deer. The fall is the height of Ohio's deer breeding season, so deer movement increases. November is the peak month, when the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions usually occurs.

Here are steps motorists can take to minimize their risks:

• Drive with extreme caution in areas with deer-crossing signs
• Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight, followed by the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
• If you see one deer on or near a roadway, expect that others may follow.
• After dark, use high-beams when there is no opposing traffic.
• Always wear your safety belt. If a collision with a deer seems imminent, focus on maintaining full control of your vehicle. The alternative could be even worse.

ROAD RAGE IS DANGEROUS!!

Road rage is described as any display of aggression by an operator of a motor vehicle.

In four years, the number of Ohio drivers and vehicle registrations increased by more than one million. With more drivers and vehicles sharing the roadways, the problem of aggressive driving continues to rise.

Are you an aggressive driver? If you do any of the following, you may be:

• Exceeding the posted speed limit
• Following too closely
• Passing on the berm
• Cutting in and out of traffic
• Failing to signal multiple lane changes
• Violating posted railroad crossing signs
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Displaying or using a weapon
• Carelessly driving through construction zones
• Failing to yield at ramps and intersections
• Using more than one parking space

What to do if you encounter an aggressive driver:

• Do not react to their provoking behavior
• Stay away from erratic drivers
• Use your horn sparingly
• Do not make obscene gestures
• Do not switch lanes without signaling
• Do not tailgate
• Do not block the passing lane
• Avoid eye contact with the other driver
• Call 1-877-7-PATROL for help

ICE DAMS

An ice dam is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at the gutter. When interior heat melts the snow on the roof, the water will run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where temperatures are much cooler. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off of the roof. This, in turn, forces the water under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

Once an ice dam forms, the potential damage can be serious. Take these steps now to avoid trouble later:

• Keep the attic well ventilated. The cooler the attic the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
• Keep the attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

This two-step approach decreases the likelihood that ice dams will form, or, at least, reduces their size.

As an extra precaution against roof leaks in case ice dams do form, install a water-repellent membrane under your roof covering. Talk with your local building official about minimum code requirements for ice dam protection.

Unfortunately, ice dams may be unavoidable if your home has recessed lighting near the roof. Heat generated from these lights melts snow, which then contributes to ice dam buildup. The only sure way to avoid this problem is to eliminate recessed light fixtures near the roof.

FREEZING PIPES

Frozen water in pipes can cause water pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe, which leads to pipes bursting at their weakest point. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing in extremely cold weather, where holes in your house's outside wall for television, cable or telephone lines allow cold air to reach them. To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following steps:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. The more insulation the better.
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom).
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. Or drain the water system, especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE CAUGHT USING OR POSSESSING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?

• If you are suspended or expelled from school for using or possessing drugs or alcohol, the superintendent may notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driving privileges.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU MISS SCHOOL WITHOUT AN EXCUSE?

• If the Board of Education adopts a resolution for excessive absences and if you miss 10 consecutive days or 15 total days in one semester or term without a legitimate excuse, the superintendent will notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driving privileges.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DROP OUT?

• Your school superintendent will notify the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the juvenile court.
• You will receive a "Notice of Suspension" letter from the Bureau stating that your driving privileges have been denied, suspended and/or revoked.
• You must send your temporary instruction permit or driver's license to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 20 days of the mailing of the notice of suspension.
• Your suspension goes into effect with the notification.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BELIEVE AN ERROR WAS MADE?

• You may file a petition to request a hearing in the juvenile court
• You must notify the superintendent and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that you filed a petition by sending them certified copies of the petition.
• If you fail to show an error was made, you must pay the court costs.
• If you prove an error was made, the court costs will be paid by the county treasurer.

WHEN IS THE DRIVING SUSPENSION ENDED?

• When you attain the age of 18, or
• When you provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED Certificate, or
• When you enroll in a school of equivalent education to the satisfaction of the superintendent, or
• If you are no longer habitually absent and complete at least one semester or term of school after the one in which your notification was given and you request the superintendent to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or
• In case of an expulsion or suspension due to drugs or alcohol, if you meet the requirements of the superintendent, or
• The superintendent informs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that the person in question has received an age and schooling certificate, or
• The person has filed a petition in court and shown an error was made

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRIVE UNDER SUSPENSION?

• The juvenile court judge may impose severe penalties to the juvenile offender who is caught driving under suspension.

SO WHY TAKE THE RISK......

• You'll continue to have driving privileges if you don't use drugs or alcohol and stay in school!

YOUNG DRIVERS

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. Young drivers are more likely to speed, and drink and drive, which is the why the percentage of teens involved in traffic crashes is higher than other age groups.

Sixty-five percent of teen passenger deaths occur when another teenage is driving. Two out of three teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes are males.

Common Driving Errors

• Excessive speed
• Inattentiveness
• Distraction inside the vehicle
• Inadequate defensive driving techniques
• Incorrect assumptions about other drivers
• Tailgating or not leaving enough space between vehicles

DRIVING & PEER PRESSURE

Teenagers too often adopt driving behavior patterned on a cycle of risk and peer pressure. These teenagers begin driving with the dangerous habits that they have picked up from their peers, which often includes excessive speeding. These habits, while also followed by adults, are especially dangerous for teenagers. For example, a speeding adult may have the experience to correct their mistake, while the teenager may overreact to their mistake by suddenly losing control of the vehicle.

Peer pressure can make some young drivers take risks such as:

• Not wearing their safety belt
• Tailgating
• Passing incorrectly or unsafely
• Speeding
• Failing to obey traffic signals and signs

SPEED KILLS

• Increased speed = increased chance of losing control and crashing
• The force of impact is much greater at higher speeds
• At 40 m.p.h. the force is the same as driving off a 4-story building. At 60 m.p.h. it is like driving off a 9-story building.
• Just Imagine what would happen if you were in a crash at those speeds without a safety belt on.

DRINKING & DRIVING

For all Ohioans, the legal drinking age is 21. The law authorizes police to file charges against drivers under 21 who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .02 but less than .08.

The offense is called "Operating a Motor Vehicle After Underage Consumption." The penalties include a driver license suspension for 3 months to 2 years, a maximum of 30 days in jail or $250 fine and four points assessed to your license. The court may impose a remedial driving course as well. If you commit two violations within a 12-month period, you will receive a maximum of 60 days in jail, a maximum fine of $500, and a license suspension for 1 to 5 years.

In a recent year, 394 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. Of those killed 20 percent were persons under the age of 21.

Using Fake Identification:

• If you are under 21 and present a false, fictitious or altered I.D. or driver license in an attempt to purchase beer or liquor, you could face a mandatory fine of $250-$1000 and jail time up to six months for the first offense.
• In a recent year, 333 youths were charged with using false identification

SAFETY BELTS

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device in preventing serious injuries and reducing fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and reduce the risk of serious injury by 50 percent.

Nationally, seat belts are estimated to have prevented more than 164,750 deaths despite our very modest safety belt usage rates over the years.

Approximately 79 percent of Americans wear their safety belts.

• In a recent year, 66 percent of teens ages 15-18 killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing safety belts.
• Failure to buckle up contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior
• Safety belts are designed so that the forces in a crash are absorbed by the strongest areas of your body - the bones of your hips, shoulders, and chest

Small boats are sure to become even more popular as gasoline prices hit an all-time high, because of their affordability and ease of use. Many owners of small crafts have a false sense of security, believing there is little trouble they can get into because of the simplicity of their boat. However, the U.S. Cost Guard reports that of the 474 drowning deaths in 2006, 42 percent involved boats smaller than 16 feet in length.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has these tips to encourage boaters and anglers to be more proactive in their use of life jackets.

• Stow life jackets so they are easily accessible
• Make sure children are properly fitted and know how to put on their life jacket
• Maintain life jackets in good condition

Many boaters have argued they would wear life jackets if they were more comfortable. New comfortable vest designs have become available and affordable. These life vests afford complete freedom of movement. You can even get a life preserver that is a fanny pack style. Some of these flotation devices will inflate automatically when they hit the water while others require a cord to be pulled manually. Neither of these styles restrict an individual's ability to fish or operate a boat.

The Coast Guard reports that while most of us are aware of the importance of suiting up with our life jackets, when we are facing inclement weather, most accidents occurred when conditions were calm. Citing the trend of wearing seatbelts and the resulting safer automobile operation, officials hope that wearing a life jacket will decrease waterway drownings dramatically.

Questions about insurance coverage for your trees and other landscaping seldom come up until after a claim and your 80-year-old oak tree is no longer in its usual vertical position. The most common cause of loss for trees and shrubs are wind and lightning. The weight of ice or snow is also a frequent cause of loss.

Coverage for trees and shrubs is limited in property policies due to the inability to provide protection from their high susceptibility to damage by Mother Nature. Typically, a tree would not be covered for its actual loss caused by wind, but if there is resulting damage to an insured structure, then there is coverage for damage to that structure, the structure's contents and the cost to remove the tree from that structure. For the loss of the tree itself, coverage is usually limited to around $500, but only for the perils of fire, lightning, explosion, theft, aircraft, vehicles not owned by the resident, and vandalism and malicious mischief.

The next most frequent question we get concerning tree damage is, "What if the tree is located on my neighbor's property?" It doesn't really matter if the tree is on your property or someone else's. If it falls on your house or other insured building structure and does damage, you should file a claim. You may seek monetary reimbursement from your neighbor if it is determined that the tree was in poor condition. If successful in recovering this money from the neighboring property owner's insurance company, you can be reimbursed for your deductible.

In the event that your automobile is damaged from this claim event, the comprehensive portion of your auto policy is where coverage would be found, and payment will be subject to your auto deductible.

Whether you are buying or leasing your car, there may be a major exposure gap if your car is totaled in an accident early in the lease or loan period. Your lease or loan obligation at that time may be substantially more than the actual cash value of the car, which is what your insurance company traditionally pays for.

With GAP coverage, we will pay your total existing financial obligation on the car, over and above your physical damage coverage, should you have a total loss. It eliminates this major coverage gap, whether you are leasing or buying your car.

For millions of students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on the school bus. Unfortunately, each year many children are injured and a few are killed in school bus accidents. Most of these occur when children are outside the bus. For safety's sake, please remind your children to:

• Always be at the bus stop on time

• Avoid running, roughhousing, or other behavior that can lead to carelessness

• Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before entering or leaving

• Cross the street at least ten feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you

• Wait for the driver's signal before crossing and NEVER walk behind the bus

And drivers, of course, should recognize THEIR responsibility when approaching a school bus that has stopped.

Riding the school bus can be a new and exciting experience for many children. Follow these guidelines and it will also be a safe one.