Tags: bad weather / road safety / tips / winter driving

Driving Safely in Fog

- Selasa, 15 September 2015 No Comments

2015 Mercedes G-Class. Image courtesy of Daimler.

One of the most dangerous conditions to drive in is fog. Most people don't think about the risks until they are in the middle of a foggy area, and then they panic and do things that actually put them even more at risk. Having your visibility while driving reduced by a considerable amount is certainly concerning, but if you keep your head about you and follow these tips, you should come out of the situation without any problems.

First off, many drivers turn on their high beams to help them see in the fog. This strategy is incredibly flawed since it will actually result in the driver being able to see even less. The light from the high beams will actually reflect off of the water vapor in the air, making it even more difficult to see anything. Instead of hitting your high beams, turn on your fog lights, if your car is equipped with them. Many people use fog lights just to look cool, but those little lights on the front of your car are mounted low for a reason. They will actually improve your visibility in the fog, helping you navigate through the area with less difficulty.

Turning up your sound system is a bad idea. When you are driving in the fog, it's a good idea to turn off any music or talk radio in your car. You need to listen for other car horns, squealing tires or other audio clues that indicate a problem lies ahead on the road. Rolling down your windows helps you hear even more, which will keep you and everyone in your car safer.

Another big mistake people make when driving in fog is maintaining their speed. It's completely okay to slow down to well below the posted speed limit when thick fog is present. After all, if you can't see where you're going very well, going fast can lead to disaster. The faster you go, the less time you have to react when a large semi appears out of nowhere in the thick fog, giving you little to no time to react. If you slow down, you will see such obstacles and have more time to react. This even applies when you are driving on roads you know extremely well, because you still can't see the other cars on the road.

While you should slow down when driving in fog, you need to avoid slamming on your brakes. Stopping completely where there is no traffic light or stop sign can be downright dangerous. Other drivers might not be able to see your car until they are right on top of you, triggering a serious accident. Also, if your car is equipped with a rear fog light, activating it can help other drivers see your car much sooner.

When you see other cars on the road, maintain a healthy distance from them. In the fog it's hard to tell when other cars are slowing down, so keeping more distance from them than usual helps you avoid getting into an accident. Also, if someone does slam into the back of your car, you will be less likely to strike the vehicles in front of you, which will keep everyone safer. 

Tags: road rage / road safety / tips

Preventing Road Rage

- Jumat, 04 September 2015 No Comments

For years road rage has been highlighted in the media. When tempers have flared on the road, property has been damaged and people have been seriously injured or even killed. Thanks to an increasing number of individuals carrying phones that can record video, now more than ever we can see the dramatic effects of drivers losing their cool.

There are things you can do to prevent road rage and keep you and your loved ones safe as you go about your business. No matter how others behave on the road, by engaging in or avoiding certain activities you can avoid becoming the next victim or aggressor.

Always give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going, especially in rush hour. Everyone on the road has somewhere to be, not just you, so remember that as you sit in bad congestion. If you have given yourself ample time, you won't be worrying that your boss is going to fire you when you finally get to work, and you will be less agitated by slow-moving traffic. On a similar note, you should plan ahead and go to bed early so you can get enough rest for the following day, because being tired can also make you extra irritable.

Remember to give yourself breaks. If you are going to be driving a long distance, make regular stops and get out to stretch. Staying behind the wheel for too long will make it easier for you to become offended at other drivers' behavior, and potentially act on that offense in aggressive ways.

Keep things in perspective. People gain a certain sense of anonymity and invincibility when they are behind the wheel, which is why they are more apt to lash out when cut off on the road versus in the grocery store or elsewhere. By keeping that perspective and remembering that good etiquette should be exercised by you on the road as well as off, you will avoid doing something you will regret later.

Avoid increasing your tension while driving. Constantly gripping the steering wheel like it is a weapon will actually increase your stress level and dial up the possibility you will be in a confrontation on the road. So does listening to aggressive music and yelling at other drivers, even if they can't hear you calling them an idiot for not using a turn signal. Instead, listen to relaxing music and try to maintain a calm attitude as you are traveling.

Don’t do things to provoke other drivers. Some people use their horn constantly to let other drivers know they aren't happy with the way they're driving. The horn was designed to make others aware of your presence, not to give them a piece of your mind. Similarly, some drivers flash their headlights or, even worse, their brights at those they are upset with. Tailgating a car that is going too slow for your taste can trigger a confrontation, as can slamming on your brakes for no good reason when someone is tailgating you. Even worse is giving another driver the bird or shaking your first at them. Remember that you have no idea who other drivers on the road are or what they are capable of, so avoid provoking them at all costs.

Tags: advice / road safety / road trips / summer

Summer Car Emergency Kits

- Rabu, 15 Juli 2015 No Comments

2015 Porsche Boxster Spyder - image courtesy of Porsche

The Boy Scout motto to always be prepared is actually solid advice for everyday life. You never know when your plans can be dramatically changed by a series of unforeseen events. At the very least you might be inconvenienced, and at the worst you could lose your life. One area where you need to be especially prepared is when you take to the road during the summer months.

Many people drive long distances for summer vacations or outings. While most drivers perceive clearly at least some of the dangers in driving on winter roads, many fail to understand that driving during the warm summer months comes with a different set of risks. You should create an emergency kit that is just for summer conditions, leaving out the winter gear like tire chains that will unnecessarily weigh your vehicle down.

Following are some ideas of what you can and should include in your kit. You don't necessarily have to match all of the equipment exactly, which means you shouldn't feel pressured to go out and purchase a whole shopping cart of items.

First off, you will need a strong, durable container to keep the items in your kit together. The size of the box should make it so it fits easily in your car and accommodates all of the items you decide to include. The best way to do this is to look around your house for a container you aren't currently using, such as a small plastic bin or a box.

Bring along a backup battery charger for your cell phone. If your car dies and you cannot use your usual phone charger, one that has an independent battery is the best kind of backup. Of course, there is the possibility that you could run into trouble outside of cell coverage, which is why having a backup power source is not a foolproof plan.

Always pack at least a small first aid kit. Even if you don't run into a major problem during a trip, having things like bandages and ointment can help take care of a small wound. Packing other emergency medical supplies, including any medications you need to take regularly, could make the difference between life and death.

You should never set out on a long car trip without packing food and water. Even if you don't plan on consuming anything while on the road, having extra food and water could save your life in the event that you become stranded. During the hot summer months, taking along extra water is a smart move not only to help prevent dehydration, but also to use if your car overheats.

Bring along at least some basic tools. Having a couple of screwdrivers, some pliers, a hammer and other tools can help out greatly if your car breaks down and you for whatever reason cannot call for help. With the right tools you might be able to patch things together long enough to reach civilization.

Take along a light blanket. Even though it's hot, in many areas it can become a little on the cool side at nights. If your car is completely disabled, you won't be able to run the heater at all, but a light blanket can keep you warm. A blanket is also helpful for administering first aid since most accident victims go into shock and need to be warmed up.  

Tags: bicycles / car safety / pedestrians / road safety

Tips for Driving Defensively

- Senin, 05 Januari 2015 No Comments

Always be aware of cyclists and pedestrians. Photo courtesy of Volvo.

Every day there are car accidents, with far too many ending in a serious injury or fatality. While nobody really wants to be in a wreck, the way you drive most definitely affects the chances that you will crash your car sometime in the future. Of course, there is no way to completely avoid getting into an accident since you cannot control how other drivers behave on the road. If more people would behave defensively on the road, there would be fewer dangerous situations and fewer wrecks.  Here are some tips on how you can start driving defensively.

Avoid consuming anything that will compromise your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Everyone should know that drinking alcohol and driving are not to be combined. What people might not realize is there are certain medications that also can impair a person's ability to operate a car safely. You should also avoid loading up on caffeine after you have been awake for a lengthy period of time, since you could still fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident.

Keep your attention on the road.

Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets should be ignored while you are behind the wheel, because even just checking one text message could distract you enough to not see the aggressive driver that cut you off. Of course there are other distractions, like eating food, trying to use a GPS system, dealing with unruly children in the car, reading a book or other materials, and even taking care of personal grooming tasks like shaving and applying makeup.

Always keep safety in mind.

Keep up with the flow of traffic and avoid following the car in front of you too closely. Always signal and look before changing lanes, and allow others into your lane when they signal. Watch the traffic ahead of you and begin applying the brakes early if there is a slowdown.

Always assume that other drivers aren't watching out for you.

The sad truth is that at any given moment, at least a large minority of drivers aren't paying attention to their surroundings, including other vehicles. This means you should avoid driving side-by-side with other cars, watch for anyone weaving or driving erratically, and try to anticipate what other drivers will do. You should also position yourself on the road so that you always have a pathway of escape, like if a car in an adjacent lane swerves toward you.

When inclement weather hits, you need to slow down even more than normal and take all of the necessary precautions.

In heavy rain, snow, or on icy roads, absolutely do not slam on the brakes. Instead, anticipate stops early and gradually slow down. Whenever possible, stay home and don't drive when the weather turns bad.

Share the road with other types of vehicles.

Give big trucks, including semi-trailers, a large berth since they cannot stop or turn as easily as your car. Always look out for motorcycles and give them sufficient space as well. With cyclists, follow the rule of staying at least three free away from them at all times, especially when passing one on the road. 

Tags: car insurance / car safety / road safety

Habits That Will Help Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates

- Sabtu, 03 Januari 2015 No Comments

Photo courtesy of Volvo

Drivers everywhere are trying to find every reasonable way to decrease their insurance rates. Each day ads run on television, radio, billboards, newspapers, and just about everywhere else, encouraging people to switch insurance providers and save money. Besides switching services, everyone knows that not receiving traffic citations or getting into accidents for long periods of time will help lower insurance costs. For that reason alone drivers should adopt some safety-minded habits to use every time they get behind the wheel. Incorporate these practices into your driving routine and you should enjoy savings on your insurance policy over the long run.

Put your phone away when you are driving.

If it’s too tempting to talk, text or use the Internet when you are behind the wheel, do yourself a favor and just tuck your phone away while you are sitting behind the wheel. Unless you have the reflexes of a fighter pilot, which you almost definitely do not, you need to focus all of your attention on what is happening around your car, not what's showing up on your phone's screen. Numerous studies have shown that people who are texting or even talking on the phone while driving perform as poorly on the road as drivers who are legally drunk. The same goes for using tablet computers, which an increasing number of drivers are utilizing while driving to look up traffic reports, read the news, or even watch movies!

Avoid rushing into an intersection once the traffic light changes.

Too many accidents happen because one driver tries to push his luck with a red light, just to arrive at a destination just a moment sooner. While trying to beat red lights is a bad idea, so is rushing into an intersection the very instant the light turns green. You're not on a drag strip, waiting to get the perfect launch and nail your best quarter mile time, so relax a little. Just take a moment and check that the cross traffic has stopped in both directions. You can even let the person next to you venture into the intersection first, which will minimize your risk of being involved in a wreck.

Photo courtesy of Volvo

Exercise caution when switching lanes or making turns, considering that such maneuvers on the road are commonplace but fairly risky.

Always signal before changing lanes, since this will help drivers know what you are about to do, which can avoid an accident. Some modern cars come with a blindspot monitoring system, which is a tremendous help. Before changing lanes, you should always check your mirrors and very briefly look over your shoulder to check out the vehicle's blindspot, just in case. Before you make a turn, always look for cyclists and pedestrians in front of, to the sides, and behind your car.

Always keep your speed in check, especially when road conditions are less than ideal.

You should always know how fast your car is going. Many roads are designed for traveling at a certain speed, so always take note of the posted limit. Whenever the weather is inclement, you should drive slower than usual. Roads covered in water, snow, or ice can be slick, making it harder to come to a complete stop. Fog, rain, and snow decrease visibility, making it harder to see problems ahead of time. Driving quickly in high wind conditions can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Be courteous to other drivers and give them plenty of space.

Driving right behind another vehicle, or tailgating, is illegal in many areas. If the other driver needs to brake suddenly, you will likely slam into them. Remember that tailgating someone because they aren't going fast enough for your preference can lead to a road rage incident. You should also avoid cutting off other drivers and driving side-by-side with other vehicles, because both activities are a risk for you and everyone else on the road. 

Tags: bad driving / bicycles / driving habits / motorcycles / pedestrians / road safety

Motorists, Pedestrians, Cyclists, etc.

- Rabu, 21 Mei 2014 No Comments

Image courtesy of Volvo Cars

For some weird reason, the people who taught me to drive a car reinforced one truism over and over: I was handling a large, heavy machine capable of dolling out great destruction and even death. Driving wasn't treated as a right but rather as the privilege that it is. I was also taught to be respectful of others' space on the roads.

People in New Mexico, where I grew up, can be fairly courteous on the roads. While you get your occasional driver who acts like he's in the Indy 500, many people will wave you in when you're trying to get into a lane from a business' driveway, etc. When I moved to Utah, one of the first things I was struck with was how incredibly rude so many people on the roads are. Being tailgated is a regular phenomena, especially if you're not traveling at least 10 mph over the speed limit. Getting cut-off because someone else realized they needed to turn left right then, and they were traveling in the right lane, because they're more important than everyone else traveling in the four lanes of traffic they cut across in less than fifty feet (as an aside, I was taught to go down the road, safely make a U-turn, and then backtrack if you miss your turn, but such behavior is for suckers who believe in safety and manners). And don't even get me started on the zero-sum game of merging in traffic in this state!

As you can imagine, with so many entitled drivers on the roads here, it can be a little... interesting for those who aren't traveling in cars. I cannot tell you how many times I've had motorists yell at me because I dared to cross a road, in a crosswalk, when they had to get somewhere (the nerve!). I've also seen plenty of motorists try to muscle cyclists, motorcyclists and people on scooters around because they are bigger and therefor always have right-of-way. Just the other day, a local news station posted on Facebook about how little kids are getting run-down in a crosswalk by their grade school because motorists aren't stopping for them. Some people had the nerve to call pedestrians in crosswalks "entitled" because apparently cars get to just keep driving if the driver feels like it. Sometimes living in a Western state where people scream about their personal freedoms above everyone else's gets a little tiresome, because it quickly crosses into selfish, reckless behaviors like running down little kids.

That being said, I have almost hit a few cyclists who have blown through stop signs and performed other unsafe maneuvers on the roads. I used to be really into cycling, mostly mountain biking, but I rode on the roads quite a bit. I'm not some anti-cyclist person and have been feeling the itch to get out there again. But there are some cyclists who think they also get to do whatever they want. One of my biggest peeves is cyclists who ride in the road, then when they get to an intersection they suddenly ride along the crosswalks like they are a pedestrian. I almost hit one the other day who pulled this maneuver as I was trying to turn right. He didn't even look at me as he just darted his bike right in front of my vehicle. Had he been a pedestrian, I would've known he was going to cross in front of my vehicle, but right before that he was behaving as a motorized vehicle. Again, it's an entitled behavior that places the individual above everyone else on the road, putting lives and property in danger.

In the end, I wish everyone on the roads around here would calm down a little. Not everyone is your competition; we are all just trying to get where we need to go. Most of us are in at least somewhat of a hurry, but that doesn't give anyone a license to drive (or ride) like a selfish douche.