Be Not Afraid

You Skid and Plunge Off a Bridge into the River Below

Consider the Odds: "Bridge railings are designed with height and strength requirements to prevent cars from falling off," says David Harkey, director of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. And only 0.1 percent of all motor-vehicle fatalities in 2004 were caused by immersion in water, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But If It Does Happen: The minute your car hits the water, open your door, unfasten your seat belt, and get out, says Harkey. As the car sinks and fills with water, the doors will become harder to open. (Don't even think about the power windows—they'll stop working seconds after impact.)