The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
December 2007

847 words
Safety-minded gifts for every driver

For a holiday gift that shows you care, consider the wide range of products that help drivers stay safe on the road. The safety-minded folks at Manitoba Public Insurance have gift ideas for every driver on your list, from the animal lover to the party animal.

Gifts for the garage
Hazards can present themselves even before a driver hits the road. Inside the garage, storage systems help to keep dangerous clutter at bay and plastic wall guards can help prevent dents and dings. Motion-sensing floodlights will help ward off would-be thieves and vandals while brightening the way to and from vehicles. To guide drivers along driveways, consider reflectors and solar-powered lighting.

For the new parent
A child car seat will be welcomed by anyone awaiting a new arrival. For tips on selecting a seat, visit the Manitoba Public Insurance website (www.mpi.mb.ca). Car seat head huggers are a good add-on for small babies and preemies. To give parents a constant reminder why they should be careful on the road, give a photo keychain with a portrait of their child. You can load digital photos onto some models now on the market.

For the animal lover
Pets left to run loose in vehicles can be a serious driver distraction. A pet carrier will keep drivers and four-legged passengers happy and safe on the road.

For the party animal
Taxi ride gift certificates are available in a range of denominations from many local cab companies. Operation Red Nose will also provide free ride certificates in return for a donation. A no-cost alternative could be a home-made certificate entitling the bearer to your own designated driver services at the event of his or her choice.

A gift with traction
Once people get snow tires, they can’t believe they ever made do without them. They’re a great gift for anyone – particularly younger, first-time vehicle owners who may not have ready cash for a tire upgrade. A practical snow tire accessory is tire covers for tidy storage of the set not in use.

Emergency kits with personality
Roadside emergency kits are a good addition to any vehicle, and they can be as basic or elaborate as you desire. An online search will provide you with a wide variety of choices ranging in price from $20 to $90 or more. While some are strictly utilitarian, other kits come in fashionable cases with special touches like monogramming. You can also assemble your own, starting with a case that fits the personality of your driver. To find out what a roadside emergency kit should contain, visit www.mpi.mb.ca. In addition to the emergency kit basics, consider tucking in other items your special person would consider “essential” -- perhaps Belgian chocolates, a crossword puzzle book or a favourite lipstick?

Other emergency essentials
If your budget doesn’t allow for an entire roadside emergency kit, consider giving one of the basic components. At the top of the must-have list are jumper cables and battery chargers. Another handy item is a portable air compressor – a lifesaver when a low tire needs to be pumped up. Some multi-compressors plug right into the lighter. Other ideas are a spare gas tank, up-to-date road maps or a CAA membership.

For the environmentalist
Also helpful when you’re stranded is an emergency power source. Many stores sell a range of solar panels that provide an environmentally friendly power source for trickle chargers and other car accessories. Some fold up small enough to be stowed in a glove box.

The gift of knowledge
Who wouldn’t appreciate a little more knowledge and experience to help navigate slick winter roads? Safety Services Manitoba offers a winter driving course to help drivers spot and react to potential emergencies. The organization also offers courses for snowmobilers, ATV drivers, motorcyclists, scooter drivers and notice drivers – plus the defensive driving course. For more information, visit www.safetyservicesmanitoba.ca. Also on the market are a variety of books on how to handle driving emergencies. They offer handy tips on everything from freeing a tire frozen to the pavement to getting a vehicle out of a snowbank.

Help them see the holidays more clearly
Better visibility could prevent many collisions – particularly in the winter, when too many drivers don’t take the time to clear their vehicles of snow. The gift of a really great snow scraper might be the incentive your special driver needs to spend a few more minutes removing snow and ice. For those without a garage, a car shelter might be a welcome way to keep the snow away. An ever-growing range of mirrors are on the market to help drivers see what’s behind them when backing up into tight spaces. And don’t forget wiper blades, which are replaced by some drivers far too infrequently.

The list goes on
The list of safety-minded gifts is endless. How about a tire gauge, perhaps one of the digital models? Or a tune-up and inspection to make sure that old vehicle is safe? Maybe a truckbox to keep cargo secure?

Whatever you choose, they’ll remember your thoughtfulness long beyond the holiday season.

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© 2007 Manitoba Public Insurance

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Why not wrap up a few gifts for the special drivers in your life this Christmas?

Photo courtesy of Manitoba Public Insurance