Driver’s education classes teach us to remain calm after an accident, but how does the situation change if it’s an accident on an interstate rather than a city street?

With highway speed limits varying from 55 to 85 mph, depending on the state, the speeds of other vehicles could make exiting your car and walking on the highway shoulder dangerous. High speeds also make it much more difficult for passersby to offer assistance than on a local road, as there are often fewer safe places for them to pull over. Depending on the location, it can take emergency services longer to reach the scene of an accident due to distance or traffic.

Therefore, after an accident, it’s important to know what to do to help keep yourself, your passengers and other drivers safe. The following tips can help you prepare and know what to do if you’re in a highway accident.

Look Before Exiting Your Vehicle

If you get into an accident on the highway, it’s common to feel fear, shock or panic, but try to remain calm. If you can pull over to the shoulder or breakdown lane safely, do so. Be sure to look around carefully if you exit your vehicle.

Maximize Your Visibility

After a highway accident, safety is of the utmost importance and being visible to other drivers can save lives. Put on your hazard lights immediately. Put on any colored clothing you have with you. If you have an emergency road kit with flares or reflective triangles, set them out as soon as possible to warn other drivers.

Follow Post-Accident Procedures

In addition to taking steps to stay safe after an accident on the highway, you should follow the same steps after an interstate accident as you would on any other road. Here’s a breakdown:

This guest post comes from the editors of The Allstate Blog, which helps people prepare for the unpredictability of life.

June is here again. That means Father’s Day is right around the corner and graduation festivities are happening all month long. Don’t know what to get the awesome dad or grad in your life? We’ve got a few ideas..

For Grads:
Your new graduate is going to need reliable transportation to and from that new job they just landed. Here are some stylish cars that are under $25,000 and above 30 mpg to save a little more coin.

Chevy Spark

The very cool Chevy Spark comes equipped with a 7-inch color touchscreen and full iPod integration with streaming audio and BringGo navigation app. Vibrant colors, 15-inch alloys and rear spoiler make is sporty and it achieves 32/38 mpg city/highway. Tickets start under $12,500, including a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Honda Civic

New or used, coupe or sedan, the Honda Civic is a great first-car choice. The 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine achieves 28/39 mpg city/highway. Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, moonroof and heated leather are available for slightly more than the sub-$18,000 base price.

Hyundai Elantra GT

The Hyundai Elantra GT features  a sport suspension, driver-selectable steering modes and 148-horsepower engine that achieves 27/37 mpg city/highway. The interior has heated leather, a cooled glovebox, and Bluetooth streaming audio. Blue Link adds voice-to-text messaging, Web searching and navigation. Prices start around $18,500 including Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

For Dads:
Your dad probably isn’t in need of a whole new car, so here are some gift ideas to help him spruce up the one he already has.

GPS Navigation System
The latest generations of GPS have tons of new features to help you get from point A to point B quickly and safely.  Some popular models include Garmin and TomTom. You could also try a GPS app like CoPilot Live or Google Maps.

Wax and Polish Detailing Kit
A great way to help make dad’s old car look like new is with a detailing kit. Find one that features a microfiber sponge,  a microfiber wash mitt, car wash, wax and polishes. This is a must for the do-it-yourself car detailing dad.

Remote Vehicle Starter System
An all-in-one remote-starter system is the perfect gift for dad. Check out these ones from Bulldog Security that come with an extended range remote, programmable cold start, keyless entry, and remote trunk release.

Whatever the occasion this month, these gifts are sure to surprise any dad or grad.

Much like a person’s DNA, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to every car and holds a lot of information within the seemingly random combination of numbers and letters.

Between 1954 and 1981, each automobile manufacturer had their own system for tagging cars and light trucks which resulted in a wide variety of VIN number styles. This made it easier for thieves to switch a stolen vehicle’s ID with a legally registered one. In 1981, the federal government standardized the format in an effort to curb confusion and criminal activities.

Use the infographic below to decode your VIN number and verify the facts on your Vehicle History Report and service records.

This guest post comes from the editors of Carfax. Just say – Show me the CARFAX!

Convertible tops look great when a car is new, but they won’t stay looking nice for long without proper care. Fabric, clear plastic and vinyl are far more delicate and vulnerable to radiation, acid rain, and the elements than painted surfaces. Sunshine can be especially damaging. Here are some tips from eHow to keep your convertible top looking like new.

Things you will need:

• High quality convertible top cleaner
• Soft sponge or brush
• Vinyl window cleaner
• Hose

Convertible tops should be cleaned at least twice a year, but more frequently if the car is parked outside a lot. Make sure to use only high quality convertible top cleaners and if possible, use a cleaner that’s biodegradable. Do not use detergents or powders that contain chlorine-based bleaching agents. These can remove essential oils in vinyl tops that are needed for protection against the sun’s UV rays.

Tip - If at all possible, park your convertible in a garage or carport. If you can’t, then use a high quality, breatheable car cover.

Image via carcleaningguru.com

Wash the top in the shade and not in direct sunlight and make sure the top is cool before wetting. After wetting the top thoroughly, spray a light coating of top cleaner evenly across the top and gently work the cleaner using a soft sponge or brush to scrub away dirt. Once cleaned, rinse off the cleaner while brushing and using lots of water from a nozzle-less hose. Continue until the water runs clear.

Do not use ordinary glass cleaners if the window is plastic; these may damage the plastic. Use cleaners and polishes specifically designed for plastic windows. These products will remove minor scratches as well as dirt and help prevent the plastic from discoloring.

Tip - To prevent creasing and scratching plastic windows, place a soft towel or baby blanket over the plastic rear window before folding down the top.

You don’t need to use a top cleaner every time you wash the car. You can usually keep a top clean by washing with plain water. If it’s dirty, use a gentle, pH neutral car wash and make sure to rinse thoroughly. After washing, let the top dry completely before folding it down, since this will prevent mold and mildew.

Tip - Use a sticky clothing lint roller to remove dust and lint from the top and clean the plastic window without scratching.

After cleaning, use a top protectant to preserve the color and texture of the top material. This will also prevent fading and cracking, and help repel dirt, grease and oil.

Remove bird droppings immediately. They are very acidic and can quickly damage tops.

Don’t let snow accumulate on your top. A soft top can handle moderate amounts of snow, but heavy or wet snow can overload the top structure and cause the metal frame to bend. Be careful when removing snow and ice from the plastic rear window so you avoid scratching it.

The first time your teen gets behind the wheel signals the first step toward independence and adulthood. As a parent, there are always concerns about safety on the road. It’s important for teens to remember that although the freedom that comes with driving is exciting, that freedom comes with significant responsibility. Here are some basic driving tips from CarsDirect that parents and young drivers should always keep in mind.

Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
Many people, especially new drivers, have trouble following this simple suggestion. Before your car leaves the driveway, adjust your mirrors, your seat and anything else you may have to before taking off. Doing this prevents you from having to make these adjustments while driving, which can easily take your eyes off of the road and create a dangerous situation.

Image via carinsurancequotes.uk.com

Turn Your Cell Phone Off
Studies have shown that driving while trying to send out a text message is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Do yourself, and everyone else on the road, a favor and turn your phone off. Turning it off is the easiest way to avoid a distraction from a message or a call. If you really need to use your phone in an emergency situation, pull over first. Never talk on the phone while driving. In some states, this is illegal and a ticketable offense.

Wear Your Seat belt
Wearing a seat belt is scientifically proven to help prevent injury in an accident and not wearing your seat belt is a ticketable offense in 49 of the 50 states. Save yourself the hassle, and the money, and just wear your seat belt- it could save your life.

Obey the Speed Limit
Speeding is a major cause of traffic crashes, so always obey the posted speed limit. More drivers are convicted of speeding than any other offense. Slow down in rain, fog, snow and ice, and keep at least twice the normal stopping distance between you and vehicle in front of you.

Stay in Your Lane
Pay close attention to what lane you are driving in and the cars in the other lanes. If you cut a person off you can cause an accident, or a backup in traffic. Be sure to check your blind spots when switching lanes.

Give Yourself Enough Time
Instead of racing to your destination because you are running late, plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going safely, without the speeding. You’ll be safe and save money on traffic tickets and car insurance.

Be Prepared
Sooner or later it will happen to you, a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared for a roadside emergency with a carefully stocked emergency kit. At all times you should have in your car: a battery charger (or jumper cables), a first-aid kit, a flashlight, Fix-a-Flat, some energy or granola bars, bottled water, rags, a multi-purpose tool and a pocketknife. Also, make sure you have a spare tire and jack, and learn how to safely change a flat tire.