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Ten Tips For Safe Holiday Travels in the Family Sport Utility Vehicle

12 December 2000

Ten Tips For Safe Holiday Travels in the Family Sport Utility Vehicle

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 12 Nationwide, deaths from sport
utility vehicle (SUV)-involved accidents and subsequent news reports that
attributed some of these casualties to overloaded vehicles have called into
question the relative safety of the 18 million SUVs now registered in the
United States.  With 44.6 million Americans expected to take to the roadways
this holiday season(1), the chance of death or serious injury in an
auto-related accident increases.  Gear On The Go, America's expert dealer of
safe vehicle and travel systems for families on the go, has these
vehicle-packing safety tips for SUV owners to help ensure their safe travel on
America's 160,171 miles of open highway:

    1.  Take time to load your gear properly, making sure all items inside the
        vehicle are secured or fastened properly and cannot fall on
        passengers.
    2.  Check your owner's manuals for the weight limit of both your SUV and
        roof rack to make certain they're not overloaded.
    3.  Long loads such as large Christmas trees should be tied down in the
        front and rear.
    4.  If towing, contact law enforcement for local and state towing laws
        governing width, length and height projections on the items you're
        carrying.
    5.  If carrying items on your roof, place something on the inside of your
        vehicle to remind you of the reduced vertical clearance.
    6.  Never allow items to obstruct your view in the rearview mirror.
    7.  Cargo should not inhibit the use of a seat belt.
    8.  Properly secure children 12 and under in the back seat.
    9.  Safely contain the family pet to minimize driver distraction.
    10. Check your load each time you stop for any shifting or loosening of
        the restraints.
    11. Gear On The Go vehicle-outfitting experts also recommend carrying
        chains and emergency roadside-assistance numbers for snow-bound
        travel.

    Gear On The Go is the newest retail chain offered by Bauer Industries, the
nation's largest retailer of vehicle-outfitting gear that built the leading
Sports Rack chain eight years ago.  This specialty outfitter provides
customized installation service to ensure correct use of its products and safe
travels.  Trained professionals offer safety tips, install products and
provide free public-education programs (e.g., correct tire chain installation)
in conjunction with local safety organizations and law enforcement.
    Gear On The Go offers the entire family hard-to-find utility products
(e.g., car roof racks, cargo boxes, pet barriers, auto-camping accessories and
a new line of exclusive products for kids on the go) for any destination and
any mode of transportation, making excursions safe, fun and worry-free.
Thousands of vehicle safety products can be purchased at the company's retail
outlets or online at http://www.gearonthego.com.  Its corporate headquarters is
located at 2401 Arden Way, Sacramento, Calif., 95825.  Telephone:
916-648-9200.  For more information, please see the company's Web site at
http://www.gearonthego.com.