Photo credits: canstockphoto.com, Ohio Dept. of Transportation

Money-Saving Discounts Benefit Farm Bureau Members

You may be missing out on valuable discounts that could save you substantial money. Farm Bureau members may be eligible to save up to 10 percent on auto insurance.

Make sure you’re receiving all the discounts you qualify for by checking with your agent. Availability, amount and eligibility for Nationwide discounts may vary according to your situation.

To find an agent, call 1-877 On Your Side or visit nationwide.com/ofbf

how much do you know about safe winter driving?

Winter brings unique challenges that drivers must be prepared to meet. Preparation for severe weather driving should begin long before the first frost or snowflake ever hits the windshield.

Apply the “Three Knows to Safe Driving” to keep everyone safer this winter. Read on to learn the importance of knowing your vehicle, knowing the roadways, and knowing yourself when driving in the winter, with its less-than-ideal road conditions. The tips are offered by Nationwide Insurance.

Know your vehicle
• Check to see that tires have adequate tread to grip wet or snowy pavement. Meeting the legal limits of 4/32 inches for steer tires and 2/32 for drive tires may not actually be the adequate amount of tread needed.
• Look at the condition of your windshield wipers. If they’re showing signs of wear, replace them.
• Be sure brakes are in proper adjustment. Replace coupling/glad hand rings if necessary.

Know the roadways
• Road crews plow interstates and primary highways first. For safety reasons, use these roads whenever you can, even if it means deviating from your usual route.
• Recognizing which roads become the most hazardous during storms is important. Some areas are prone to drifting snow, so they frequently close down quickly following a heavy snow. Others are prone to black ice, while still other roads are the last ones to see the snow plow. Know your routes and develop alternatives. Always carry an up-to-date map to help guide you when roads may close due to weather or accidents.
• Check weather and road reports prior to leaving your terminal. Your local sources for this information are easy to obtain. Try your local television station’s Web site or weather.com.

Know yourself
• Driving while fatigued during severe weather is a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure you’re well rested prior to taking a trip.
• Winter typically brings with it the flu and cold season. Taking certain over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness, and significantly add to the hazards of winter driving. Know what medications you are taking, and ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medicines are right for you.
• Staying on schedule becomes a challenge when you’re slowed by the weather. However, speeding to make up lost time is not the answer. Poor road conditions can as much as quadruple your stopping distance. Increase your following distance by adding an additional second to the “one second for every 10 feet of your vehicle” rule for following distances.
• Make sure you have adequate clothing on board for cold or wet weather. Keep other items in your vehicle, such as a blanket, high protein snacks, and bottled water to sustain you in case you are temporarily stranded.

Visit Nationwide.com for more driving safety tips, find a Nationwide agent or to get a quote.

• April 14, 2010, 5:37 pm - Palmer Troy

  This is a great article. Here is a similar one with tips for safe Spring Driving... http://www.dgmslaw.com/blog/bid/34511/Spring-Driving-Tips-Seasons-Change-Harsh-Weather-Doesn-t