(ARA) – I often feel like I am the luckiest person in the world. As a young kid, I never imagined that for a living I would one day be driving a stock car in the NASCAR Cup Series. For 36 weekends a year, I get behind the wheel of my No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy and drive hundreds of miles, maneuvering in and out of heavy traffic. During the course of the race, I make a handful of pit stops where my pit crew adjusts my tire pressure and changes my tires, washes my windshield, refuels my car and allows me the opportunity to take a much needed break.
And if we plan well and work hard, I may be fortunate enough to capture the checkered flag and a spot in Victory Lane as the race winner. Indeed, my driving skills contribute to winning and losing, but it’s the hours of preparation my crew spends on the car before I hit the race track which can help determine success or failure. With the peak of the heavy driving season here, the same can be said about the millions of motorists who will get behind the wheel and embark on a summer family getaway or a cross-town trip to the mall. It’s always important to be proactive in ensuring the car is safe and roadworthy. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates more than 7.5 million vehicle breakdowns occur over the summer months.

Through my relationship with The Gillette Company, I am working with Duracell on its Safe Driving Campaign, which is designed to help motorists prepare their automobile for that summer excursion. Following some of these easy steps before traveling on that summer trip will help minimize your chances of breaking down and will better prepare you in case of a roadside emergency.

* Carry a well-stocked emergency kit containing essential items such as a blanket, work gloves, bottled water/snacks, a Duracell flashlight with fresh alkaline batteries and a first-aid kit.

* Never remove the spare tire from your car to make space for other luggage; make sure it’s inflated and that there’s also a jack and lug wrench.

* Carry jumper cables or self-enclosed battery jumper in case of a battery failure.

* Make sure the tires have adequate treads; a simple test to check the tire tread depth is to insert a penny into the tread of the tire. If the top of Lincoln’s head sticks out, your tires are starting to show signs of wear and should be replaced.

* Check the car’s lights to make sure they are working and angled properly.

* Make sure the wiper blades aren’t causing streaks on the windshield, which could make it more difficult to see on the road. Wiper blades should be changed every six months.

* Be cognizant of fluid puddles or stains under your vehicle, as fluid leakage can lead to major automobile problems.

* Change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles to ensure peak efficiency.

* Check the automobile’s hoses and belts for wear and tear.

While out on the road this summer, don’t forget to wear a seatbelt, adhere to traffic laws and be alert of ever-changing driving conditions.

For more of Duracell’s safe driving tips, log on to www.duracell.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content