Join us on AXA Prevention website to discover the stop distance and braking speed simulator.Join us also on AXA’s module for road safety (http://axa.ediser.com/) in order to learn more about the traffic code!

Nowadays, with their 29 million users, mobile phones have become quickly daily objects which users must learn to deal with while respecting the lives of others. It is irrefutable that mobile phones are indispensable in your everyday life. They can be useful, when on the move, to adjust a meeting, call a breakdown truck or assistance, settle an urgent affair or stay in touch with your office or family… Nevertheless, certain rules must imperatively be observed when driving. You must choose between driving and talking on your cell phone… You must be cautious when in your car because you are becoming dangerous for you and others!

Brakes
In winter, safe distances must be larger than usual. Stop distances are more important in case of ground fog, or whenever the road is damp, snowy or icy. In case your vehicle possesses an ABS system, do not pump on your brakes, but push on them powerfully. This specific braking system diminishes the risk of car rotation and allows you to control your vehicle better. However, you should not overestimate the performances of your ABS brakes, and always remember that the effectiveness of your breaking system is directly bound to the shape of your tires.

Always Stay Informed

• Listen to the weather forecast on your radio and plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Always inquire about the traffic conditions and the shape of the roads.
• Carry with you a list of useful numbers to dial in case of emergency AXA Middle East’s call center number 04-727 000 is one of them!

Purchase All Necessary Accessories and Products
Ice shovels, snow brooms, anti icing spray, gloves, snow chains, igniting cable, torch…
Are you ready to go? Take the downward slopes carefully; drive using the second gear, even the first gear, without pushing on the gas pedal. Your speed must always remain constant.

Caution is a must while operating a motorized vehicle. Traffic conditions, security inside the vehicle…: It is all about vigilance.

Do Not Drink and Drive
Avoid all alcoholic beverages while taking the road, or let another person drive instead. If you have had two alcoholic drinks, (please note that a can of root beer contains as much alcohol as a glass of wine), there is a risk that you exceeded the alcohol blood concentration allowed to permit you to drive. This allowed level is fixed at 0.50 grams of alcohol per liter of blood.

Get Some Rest
Weariness is driving’s second enemy after alcohol. It is preferable to leave after a good night’s sleep and a consistent breakfast. You should take a break every couple of hours. These few moments of relaxation are essential in order to stretch your legs, freshen up and loosen the driver’s concentration. You should react at the primary signs of tiredness while on the road ( heavy head, weary eyes…): You can open the window to allow some fresh air in the car, drink a few gulps of a fresh beverage or put the radio loud enough to keep yourself alert. These precautions are necessary until you reach the next exit where you will be able to get the necessary rest period.

Security
Always charge your car so to place the heavy packages as low as possible. Cover and strap the voluminous packages in a gallery or a trailer, and never leave objects in the back seat of your car since they might be projected violently in case of a brutal breaking. The seat belt is mandatory for all passengers in the front and back seat of the car, whatever the length of the ride. And you should take into account that the pliers you might use to block the seatbelt (in order to feel free of your movements) modify the seatbelt’s efficiency. There are approved restraint devices that are adaptable to the weight and height of children, who must always be seated on the back seat of the car. Certain equipments optimize the security on board. The headrests can avoid incurable neck lesions in case of violent accidents and airbags can provide a shock absorber in case of crash.

How to Adapt Your Driving?
Whenever on the highway, half of the accidents are provoked by an excessive or inadequate speed. It is mandatory to respect the speed limitation and a sufficient security distance between you and the vehicles preceding you: the minimum interval should be 30 meters if your speed is 130 km/hour; this interval must be significantly longer in case of rainy or foggy weather. You should only drive on the left lane if you are willing to pass another car and use the flashing lights to indicate all you maneuvers. While driving in the city, you should be particularly careful about passengers, motorcycles and traffic lights. For nocturnal driving, you’ll have to adapt your lights to the road. If you are using your high beams, do not forget to use your dipped beams to avoid blinding other drivers, on the opposite direction.

Our Advice
Never neglect the usual verifications on your vehicle before taking on the highway: tires, fuel and water levels, lights, and cleanness of your window and mirrors. Vehicle safety also depends on the state of the car.

For Babies
You should prefer rearward seats to bed cradles because they are safer for small children in case of chock. If your car is equipped with an airbag in the front passenger seat, your child must be inevitably placed in the back seat.

For Small Children (Weighing From 9 to 15 kg)
You can keep your rearward seat at first, and then you can switch to harness seats, usually fixed by the seatbelts of the back seat.

If Your Child is Older (Weighing 15 kg or more)
Use a seat enhancer. Always verify that the seatbelt crosses properly the shoulder of your child without being too close to his neck. Naturally, children are always seated in the back. Always verify if the equipment is approved according to the safety label.

For more information on road prevention, do not hesitate to surf the AXA prevention page in the AXA France's website.