Safety Tips for Convertible Drivers

A convertible is a perfect car for summer but if you want to spend those lazy hazy days driving your car rather than nursing wounds you must learn how to safely operate the vehicle.

• Protect your eyes. When driving a convertible with the top down, it’s important that you keep your eyes protected. If you wear sunglasses while driving, that will serve as enough protection. Those who wear corrective lenses will be protected but may want to consider wearing a less expensive pair while driving so that if they get chipped they aren’t so pricey to replace.

• Never stand up. It's important when riding in a convertible or a car with a sun roof that no one is permitted to stand up while the car is in motion. While it’s an iconic move shown in many teen movies, it can result in injury as the standing passenger could be injured by tree limbs or debris. They could also serve to distract you or other drivers and, in the event of an accident, they will not be properly secured in the car or protected by airbags.

• Never raise or lower the roof while in motion. Instead, wait until the car is completely stopped.

• Raise the roof during inclement weather. If it begins to rain or there is lightning present as you drive, you should pull over and put the top up so that you do not ruin your interior or risk injury.

• Protect your ears. Recent studies have shown an increase in hearing loss in many drivers of convertibles who drive over 55 mph with the top down. Use ear plugs to help protect your ears or drive with the top down only in residential areas with low speed limits.

• Secure loose items in the car. When you begin driving with the top down, anything that is loose and light can be turned into a projectile with the force of the wind coming inside. To prevent this and the danger and distraction it causes, make sure everything is secured in the vehicle before you set out.

• Invest in liability, collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. Protect your savings from the expense of auto-related liabilities and damages to your convertible by investing in the right amount of auto insurance. Make sure you select deductibles that you can afford and limits that accurately reflect your potential financial risk.

When you’re ready to look at all the Ohio auto insurance policy options available to you for your convertible and all your other vehicles, give us a call at 614-221-1500.