8. Drive Safely. Keep enough distance between you and other vehicles. Doing so not only protects you, it also prevents wear and tear on your vehicle. You should know: a. "Two-second'' rule: Pick an object in front of you, like a sign post or tree. When the vehicle in front of you reaches that object, count out "one-one thousand, two-one thousand ..." If you reach the object before you count two, you are too close. Slow down until you've put enough distance between you and the other vehicle. (Alaska Regulation 13 AAC 02.090) b. React and Step: It takes about three-quarters of a second to react to a situation and step on the brake pedal. At 50 mph, your vehicle will go another 55 feet in the three- quarters of a second it takes to react. Once you hit the brakes, you may go another 160 feet or more before you stop. c. Be Alert: Notice your surroundings, road conditions, and car features when driving. Make sure that you: I. Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal (also called riding your brakes). II. Never pump the brakes if your vehicle has antilock brakes. As of 2010, 89% of new cars and 99% of new light trucks have antilock brakes. III. Always slow down near a curve or an area where you cannot see clearly ahead. IV. Give yourself more distance from other vehicles when it is raining or snowing. When roads are wet or icy, it requires a longer distance for your vehicle to come to a complete stop. 9. Utilize Your Car. If your vehicle has an "ECO" setting, use it. It will smooth out your gas pedal inputs, optimize transmission shift points, and decrease the impact of air conditioners on the engine. 10. Turn it Off. Idling wastes fuel and may be prohibited. If you need to idle, shift to neutral so the engine is not working against your brake and consuming more fuel. As a rule of thumb, tum off your car for stops anticipated to be longer than 30-60 seconds. 11. Drive less. There are multiple ways to reduce costs and save money by driving less: a. Take public transportation, bicycle or walk, or carpool. These modes of transportation lower operating costs for your vehicle.