National Press Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans...start your engines! As many prepare for holiday travel this Fourth of July weekend, State Farm reminds motorists to make sure they are ready for the challenges of summer heat, construction zones and heavy traffic.

State Farm urges motorists to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before heading out on the open road. Five simple steps can help keep your trip from becoming a holiday travel nightmare.

Before packing up your flip flops, croquet set and grandma's potato salad, consider some advice from State Farm, America's leading auto insurer:

    --  PREPARE: Inspect the car's battery, fluid levels, filters, belts
        and hoses, air conditioning system, windshield wipers, brakes, tire
        tread depth, and tire pressure, including the spare tire.
    --  PLAN AHEAD: Check weather forecasts and traffic conditions along your
        route.
    --  BUCKLE UP: Seatbelts save lives. Make sure you and your family are
        strapped in for the ride.
    --  MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS: Designate a passenger to answer the driver's
        mobile phone; bring games or other activities to occupy the children.
    --  DRIVE WITH CAUTION: Some roads buckle under the extreme heat of summer.
        Give your full attention to the road and slow down when necessary.  Be
        patient and take extra caution in construction zones.

About State Farm

State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,700 agents and 68,600 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 78.7 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).

SOURCE State Farm