Safety Tips to Remember When Driving a Convertible
Convertibles are an intriguing vehicle to many. Take the 2016 Buick Cascada, for instance. It's quiet and comfortable, boasts a long list of features, and also provides the freeing experience of riding with the top down. But when opting for a convertible like the Cascada, it's important to take extra safety precautions to ensure you and your passengers are protected on the road. Here are some safety tips to remember.
Close the Top
A light sprinkle of rain may feel good on a hot day, but it's best to close the top of your convertible at the first sign of rain or other bad weather. Even a light rain can cause damage to the interior of your car, not to mention that light rain can suddenly turn into a downpour in an instant. For optimal interior safety, always close the top of your convertible at the very first hint of bad weather.
Contain Loose Items
With top-down convertibles comes a tremendous amount of wind. It may not blow you away, but it can definitely blow away other important items stores in your car. Loose items like paper, wrappers and empty bottles can easily be swept away when the top is down. Not only will this lead to litter, but these items also become projectile objects that can cause damage and harm to others. When driving with the top down, be sure to keep all loose items properly contained to pose any safety issues.
Restrain Pets
Pets, like dogs, love car travel, especially when the windows or top are down. If you travel with pets in your convertible, be sure to keep them contained within a portable pet cage. Small animals are especially susceptible to the sounds of traffic and any sudden loud noises, so be sure to pay them extra attention to ensure their safety. By properly restraining your pets, you will eliminate the risk of them jumping out in moving traffic due to fear, etc.
Stay in One Place
Riding with the top down is a freeing experience - a chance to feel one with the wind. It also causes temptations like moving from the front seat to the backseat, and vice versa. This is extremely dangerous with a high risk of injury. Be sure all passengers in your convertible are properly buckled in and that they stay planted in their seats at all times.
Wear Protective Eye Wear
Sunglasses are great for protecting your eyes when the sun is out, but you should consider wearing them at all times when driving with the top down. A convertible leaves you susceptible to all the elements and any dirt or debris in the air. Without eye protection, your sight can suffer damage from leaves, bugs or even rocks kicked up by the car ahead. Avoid the risk of eye injury by always wearing protective eyewear when the top is down.
Buckle Up
Seat belts are vital to safety when in any moving vehicle. But they are especially important when inside a convertible. Unlike driving a vehicle with a fixed roof, there is a real danger of falling out of a convertible while it's moving. This is especially true for children. If you have children riding in your vehicle, be sure to have child seats available along with operational seat belts. Not only are seat belts important in the events of an accident, but also be sure to take wind, other weather elements and flying debris seriously because they can be very dangerous depending upon your child's size.
For more information on convertible safety and the 2016 Buick Cascada, visit our dealership in Harrisburg, PA.
