Preventing Tampa Auto Accidents by Maintaining Your Brakes

Car brakes are the clear champions of auto safety. All of us can remember at least one episode in which our brakes kept us from being involved in an auto accident, saving us and others from injury.

From the stop-and-go traffic of McMullen Booth Road in Clearwater to the high-speed travels of I-275 in Tampa, brakes see a lot of wear and tear in our area. Even during times of heavy use, there are ways to extend the life of your brakes and keep them maintained, giving you the safest possible journey from Point A to Point B and beyond.

A few simple brake maintenance tips to improve your brake maintenance and safety include the following:

• Fill and flush brake fluid—Check your brake fluid at least once a year, and ask your mechanic to flush it every two years.
• Listen for the squeal—Brake sensors are designed to squeal when it's time to have brakes serviced. Any time you hear steady squealing, scraping, or grinding in your brakes, have them checked out by your mechanic.
• Slow down—High speed stops damage brakes more than anything else. The faster your car moves, the more energy it produces, making your brakes work harder to slow down or stop. Just 10 miles per hour can increase stress on brakes dramatically. Drive slower and your brakes will last a lot longer.
• Don't ride the brakes—Avoid driving with both feet, since this may cause you to push the brake excessively with your left foot. By using only the right foot for floor controls, you will press the accelerator and brakes independently, preventing excess wear on your brakes.
• Coast—Coasting is one of the best ways to slow down. Instead of tailgating and rushing up to stop lights, leave yourself a little extra room and coast before you stop. Your brakes—and other drivers—will thank you.
• Brake … brake … brake—Isn't it annoying when the vehicle ahead of you hits the brakes, over and over again, for no good reason? If you notice this happening, keep your distance and avoid imitating the behavior. Let them ruin their own brakes, not yours.

Tampa auto accidents attorney Dale Appell, P.A. recommends that all area car and truck owners remain vigilant about their brakes. Ask your repair shop to check the brakes every time you bring your car in for other repairs or maintenance. At the very least, you should ask for a brake safety check when your tires are rotated and balanced.