Safe Driving with Driverthink

Company Driver Accidents On The Rise

2012-05-08T19:56:21Z

Guest Post by Emma Stinchcombe

In a recent survey conducted by the Health and Executive, it was revealed that 20 people are killed and 250 people are seriously injured each week due to road accidents. Studies reveal that those involved are people who drive for work purposes.

Police officers are now looking into this shocking statistic and are beginning to add a section on their records where they will log whether the drivers involved were travelling on company business.

Additionally, the Metropolitan Police and several other forces have adopted a new routine when investigating road accidents. Forces have begun to investigate whether the company has carried out basic checks, including whether the driver is using the vehicle for work purposes, whether they have a valid driving license and whether the driver is insured to drive on business and has an MOT certificate for their vehicle.

Drivers who are found with no adequate insurance cover could be prosecuted.

It is important that all company drivers are introduced to safe driving policies to protect themselves and other drivers. Many drivers do not abide by the EU driver’s hours rules. Drivers who break this law are at a higher risk of causing a road traffic accident. They need to be think practically and drive safely, predicting the journey ahead.

Many company drivers use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Although these originally were thought to be safer than mobile phones, hand-held devices are actually just as dangerous. Drivers can still cause a fatal accident as a result of being distracted at the wheel due to hand-free kits. Section 20 of the Road Safety Act 2006, states that an offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, which covers distractions that can lead to accidents, carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Smoking, drinking, personal grooming and using other technological aids are also seen as a distraction.

Driving is one of the most dangerous activities in the workforce, therefore employers need to make sure they are providing their drivers with necessary training. The reoccurrence of accidents on the roads has led the Health and Safety Executive to develop a legislation to ensure employees have appropriate policies, procedures and training put in place. Defensive driving classes teach drivers how to drive defensively, avoiding collisions on the roads. They are designed for people who drive for work purposes. These workshops can help drivers improve their observation, journey planning, anticipation and concentration. Driving workshops make drivers noticeably more confident, productive and responsible.

Each driver who attends the workshops will keep a risk profile assessment to ensure the course is suitable to each driver’s needs. Courses also stress the importance of eyesight and vehicle checks. Though not all about driving, these courses will boast the highest performing drivers. Its aim is to reduce the risk of driving by anticipating dangerous situations and other peoples’ mistakes.

Defensive driving classes by Driving Risk Management can be taught in your local area. Driving Risk Management offers a range of fleet driver training and driver training programmes to meet the needs of your fleet business.

If you would like to view information about company driver training visit http://www.drivingriskmanagement.co.uk.

Five tips to help you get back on the road

2012-05-01T11:45:13Z

Guest Post by Jamie Gibbs

It might be that you’ve been involved in a car accident in the past and so you’re reluctant to start driving again. It could be that you’ve just not driven in a long time and you’re looking to get back on the road. Whatever the reason, driving after some time away can be as daunting as it is exciting. Here are a few tips to help you get back on the road with confidence.

Confidence comes from experience

Don’t expect to hop in the car and drive off into the sunset on your first attempt. While it’s likely that you’ll never really forget how to drive a car, you’re probably a bit rusty and have lost a lot of ‘the knack’ for driving. If your confidence is completely shot, take smaller but more frequent trips to get used to being in the car and to the roads. Gradually ease yourself into more complicated situations like driving in heavy traffic and reverse parking. Don’t overstretch yourself, but don’t shy away from anything either. The trick is to challenge yourself just a little each time until you’ve regained your confidence.

Safety in numbers

Where possible, have an experienced driver sit in with you while you drive. Having an extra person ride along with you will give you a boost in confidence and will give you someone who can offer advice if you need it. Think of them as a driving instructor who doesn’t give instructions. Having a driving buddy will also be able to help you talk through any anxieties you have while driving.

Get back on the horse

Depending on your circumstances and the reasons why you stopped driving, the length of time before you’re able to get back on the road will vary. However, as soon as you’ve decided that you want to start driving again, don’t hesitate. The longer you wait or put it off, the less experienced you become and the less confident you will be. Some people are able to get into a hire car and drive off mere hours after having an accident, and some part of this is not giving yourself time enough to become nervous about driving; in a sense, shocking your system into carrying on regardless. The sooner you get back on the road, the easier it will be for you. If it’s the case that you’re recovering from an accident, then make sure that you’re medically okay to drive.

Consider getting help

Think about the possibility of taking a few driving lessons to reacquaint yourself with the road using a qualified instructor. There are also short refresher driving courses that you can take to help you out. It might be a point of personal pride to drive again with will power alone, but it could be a lot safer to use a professional to give you a hand.

Get in touch with your insurer

If you haven’t been driving for an extended period of time, it’s likely that you don’t have a car anymore, or that it’s off the road. In either case, your car insurance has probably lapsed. Make sure that you have up to date insurance on your car and that all documentation and servicing is up to date - it could be the case that your car is rustier than you are.

This guest post was written free of charge by Jamie Gibbs of Confused.com, the breakdown cover comparison site.

Why Speed Traps Really Shouldn’t Be Labeled As Such

2012-04-21T15:12:05Z

Guest post by Devlin Decker

Speeding is far and away one of the most common mistakes made by drivers on the road. Whether it’s caused from impatience, unawareness or just someone who feels the need for speed is the way to go, it’s a far too common problem on the road. And within every city, drivers have grown accustomed to which parts of the city are more lax than others when it comes to cracking down on speeders. Sometimes this comes down to certain speed zones, private sectors vs. busier public transits like freeways, and four-lane major roadways or other circumstances.

Yet, some speeders feel jilted when they are pulled over because they get snared in a speed trap. Speed traps shouldn’t be termed a trap if the main objective for law enforcement is to make the roads safer for everyone.

With that said, there are three main zones where a so-called “speed trap” is necessary, especially when so many drivers complain about them or, when they’re pulled over, drivers plead ignorance to the officer about not knowing such a zone existed.

1. School Zones: School zones have restricted speed limits both in the early morning and late in the afternoon because these are the obvious times children are dropped off and picked up at school. So when speeders get caught in this zone, they shouldn’t consider it a speed trap. The police officer camped out in the parking lot is trying to keep the school zone a safe haven for everybody. And believe me, officers are not trying to make quota with speed traps in school zones. They save that for neighborhood streets and other areas that generally don’t receive much heavy traffic.

2. Work Sites/Construction Zones: One of the most heavily ignored areas that sprout speeders on a daily basis are construction sites. Most construction sites are little projects littered throughout the city streets, yet there are the occasional monster projects on highways that stretch for a mile or two. Lanes are condensed into one and when traffic jams ensue, impatience runs at an all-time high in the minds of some drivers. This, in and of itself, can cause drivers to try and speed their way around the construction zone, ignore workers who are directing traffic or can cause other unsafe driving practices. I’ve seen cops stationed somewhere at the beginning, middle or end of a site hoping to pick off impatient drivers.

Again, this isn’t a speed trap. Construction zones require drivers to drive at a safer, slower pace for the protection of both the workers on site and also the cars passing by as well.

3. Highway Shoulders: Speeders who feel they’ve been wronged by getting pulled over on the highway generally aren’t seeing the bigger picture. Cops who are stationed along the shoulders as cars are coming around a bend aren’t considered a speed trap. Same for patrol cars stationed in the shoulder area of when the highway splits off into two directions. These are merely stations for cops to patrol the flow of traffic and note whether some cars are exceeding the speed limits at a higher rate than others. Just hope the cop stationed on the highway shoulder isn’t a state trooper because more often than not, their patience wears thin for drivers going even five miles over the limit.

The only area of the road I really consider a “speed trap” is for patrols that sit at the bottom of steep hills knowing a driver may tend to exceed the limit more often than not because of such a steep incline. But then again, it’s all about being safe whether driving down, up or straight on a road. Don’t be a speeder who claims ignorance when getting pulled over in school zones and work sites for going 10, 15 or more over the limit. It won’t matter. Not only do fines double in these areas, but claiming you didn’t see the multiple signs or flashing signals as you made your way up to the area isn’t wise. No matter what the argument it will never make up for the fact that it was aggressive driving in every sense of the word.

About the Author: Devlin is a an automotive enthusiast who works to inform readers on safe driving tips, driver awareness methods and other practices to help make the roads better for everyone. Aside from freelance writing, he works as a consultant for State Line Nissan, a local car dealer in KC that provides a collection of new and used cars.

Saving Pennies at the Pump

2012-04-20T12:51:18Z

Guest Post by Edson Farnell

Many makes and models of hybrid cars are achieving an astonishing 40 to 50 miles-per-gallon (or mpg). These vehicles are also becoming much more cost effective, but this is no consolation if you can’t afford to run out and purchase one. Many government and private organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy, are urging consumers to trade in their old gas guzzlers for a new fuel efficient, or hybrid, model. Unfortunately, this isn’t economically feasible for everyone, forcing them to rely on their wits as well as a few tips and tricks to save money at the pump. There are, however, several ways you can lessen your burden at the gas pump, read on:

Lighten Your Car’s Load

Americans use their car’s trunk as a makeshift, mobile storage unit. According to United States Department of Energy, removing an extra 100 pounds of unneeded objects – including golf clubs, yard sale finds, and your kid’s hockey gear -- translates into a mpg reduction of around 2 percent. The more weight you remove relative to your vehicle’s weight, the greater the mpg savings.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Keep your vehicle in optimum working order is one of the best ways to conserve fuel economy. Start with your tires; keep them inflated to their proper pressure, which also extends the tire’s life and translates into a safer journey. Have your engine serviced and ask the mechanic to pay special attention to the oxygen sensor. Having a faulty oxygen sensor replaced can improve your mpg by up to 40 percent. Keeping your AC compressor parts up to date can prolong the life of your AC compressor. When you don’t have to replace the entire compressor you can easily find AC compressor parts listings online. Retain your engine’s oil reservoir filled with the proper motor oil grade. If your owner’s manual recommends 10W-30, fill it accordingly and stay current on your vehicle’s oil change schedule to raise mpg and keep the engine in good working order.

Know Your Surroundings

Remember back to the gallons of gas wasted by looking for an address in a nearby town or driving around looking for your friend’s house. Maps are sufficient when attempting to hit a larger target, but for more precise directions, it’s best to invest in a quality GPS. Many smartphones are equipped with GPS service, too, at no extra fee.

On the Road

Safety and fuel economy go hand-in-hand. When on the road, avoid playing the constant acceleration, braking and speeding game to not only avoid a potential accident, but to also keep your mpg under control. Aside from being the law, observing the speed limit can actually prevent unnecessary trips to the gas pump. Become friendly with your cruise control and use it when you’re on long commute or family road trip. Maintaining a constant speed is an excellent way to keep your gas in the tank.

Introduce Your Car to the Garage

Consider alternative modes of transportation to get back and forth from work, your friend’s home or a quick trip to the corner grocery store. On a sunny day, pull out your bike instead of taking your car to purchase a bottle of soda from the gas station. If you live within a few blocks of work, put your feet to the sidewalk instead of your pedal to the metal to conserve fuel and cut down on dangerous carbon dioxide emissions. Periodically use public transportation to get to work or organize a car pool with your fellow employees. Many of these strategies translate into a 100% savings on gas and that is ultimately the best way to save money at the pump.

Use Your Smartphone Wisely

Nothing is more frustrating than filling up your gas tank, only to drive a few blocks and notice lower prices at a rival gas station. Save yourself from this unnecessary frustration by downloading a gas price app on your smartphone. These apps, including ones offered from AAA, CheapGas, and GasBuddy, let you know which gas station is offering the lowest prices in your area. It may only be a few pennies in savings each fill up, but the money saves definitely adds up after a while.

Be wary of gimmicks, infomercials and gas station additives that promise to increase fuel efficiency. For the most part, these products have no effect and will only waste your time and money.

When in doubt, speak to a licensed mechanic before pouring any questionable products into your gas tank.

This post was written and contributed by Edson Farnell. Edson writes about various automotive topics. Many of Edson’s friends refer to him as the Auto Parts Geek.

Top 8 Driving Mistakes Drivers May Face Everyday

2012-04-05T14:23:53Z

Guest Post by Kyle O'Brien

Ask a driver if they think they’re being as safe as possible on the road or if they are an “expert” behind the wheel and the answer more or less will be, “yes”. It’s a pretty straightforward question, so of course most people will answer in the affirmative. But peel back the question and start picking out certain scenarios and the answer can quickly tow the gray areas.

For instance, when was the last time you used your cell phone on the road? A day? Weeks? Or maybe you’re reading this post on your phone while sitting at a red light? Unless you don’t have a cell phone, you’ve probably whiffed on every answer. Drivers of all age - and this especially applies to teenagers - will use their phone in one form or another while behind the wheel. Take into account that texting or talking on the phone reduces the brain’s attention span percentage by nearly 37%, if not more, and it becomes a cause for alarm. This is but one of the many distractions drivers take part in.

Whether it’s distractions or simple driving mistakes, every driver needs to put the onus on themselves to reduce these habits and focus more about getting to their destination as safe and proper as possible.

With that said, here are 8 mistakes many drivers fall prey to behind the wheel.

1. Mirror Placements: From not checking to see if your side mirrors or rear-view mirror is in its proper place to not deicing the mirrors during winter, this one’s a simple 1 or 2 minute process that can save you from getting into an accident or veering someone off the road on your blindside.

2. Cell Phones/Eating Food: As mentioned above, cell phones are one of the most serious offenses to proper driving because they divert way too much attention off the wheel. Same rule applies to eating. Trying to eat a sandwich or dig through a fast food bag for the last fry at the bottom doesn’t detract as much from brain activity, but it’s distracting nonetheless. Instead, wait til you get home to enjoy your meal.

3. Not Using Your E-Brake On a Slope: I’m sure if you live in San Francisco or on any side street in America that’s extremely angled downhill, chances are you’ve used your emergency brake to lock the car down completely. And if you haven’t, you might be wondering why your car’s grip on the road while parked isn’t what it used to be. The emergency brake is there for a reason outside of aiding last-minute stops.

4. Forgetting Turn Signals: Too many times I’ve witnessed accidents caused by a car not signaling on a turn. Whether it’s laziness or obliviousness, not using your blinker on a turn is not only illegal and cop-stop worthy, but it puts drivers behind you at risk of having to slam on the brakes unexpectedly or misinterpret where you’re going in the first place.

5. Being Too Aggressive: Defensive driving doesn’t mean you can partake in offensive driving to counteract another driver. Just because a driver’s going a little under the speed limit or is braking sooner than normal doesn’t mean the other driver should tailgate or speed around them and cut them off. Often times the aggressive drivers are rushing to beat lights or get somewhere quickly and the funny thing about that is, both the aggressive and defensive driver will sometimes eventually meet up at yet another light. Just because you sped past one light doesn’t mean you’ll make it through the next one up ahead.

6. Slamming The Gas From A Dead Stop: Peeling out not only damages the tread on your tires very quickly, it also can damage the intake system and the transmission or engine itself. Constantly feeling the need to jam the pedal within city streets usually means harder braking for lights or stop lights a few hundred yards up the road.

7. Not Having Your Lights On At Dusk: This is more for letting you have as much clarity in front of you while also informing oncoming drivers of your presence as well. And don’t be one of those people who keeps their brights running after turning them on for darker than normal parts of the road. Brights are there to help maximize the most light possible but can also send oncoming cars into a blur for a few seconds.

8. Not Changing Lanes When Needed: The shoulder lanes of the road are for emergency stops, stalled cars, road crews and space for cars that are pulled over by the cops. Being that driver who decides to stick in the right lane and straddle the thin divider between highway and shoulder are putting the lives of any and all who are on the shoulder at risk. And with the high speeds and wind pull that happens to a car from another when flying by that close, it can cause accidents. If you’re unable to change lanes one over because of traffic next to you, slow down your pace as much as you can without jamming up traffic behind you, then wait for your opportunity to switch your lane.

There are many more errors, for sure, but these are some of the most egregious errors drivers may find themselves in from time to time. Being a safe driver is all about patience, accountability, focus and know-how. Some may scoff at how much rules have changed with highway speed limits, restrictions for devices allowed in the car or the fact that there’s no U.S. version of the Autobahn, but at the end of the day, it’s all about safety and awareness and seeing to the well-being of every driver on the road.

About The Author: Kyle is an avid automotive researcher, freelance writer and contributor for a local car dealer in Kansas City that works with used Chevy cars, auto repairs and much more.

Proof That Natural Safe Driving Limits Exist

2012-03-29T14:34:11Z

Guest Post contributed by Hayley Spencer

The speed limits set by law are designed to help protect drivers, yet many people do not actually follow them -- at least not all the time. The most basic reason for this is that many motorists feel safe driving at a faster speed. They ask, at least subconsciously, why they should be forced to slow down and take longer to reach their destination when they can drive a little faster and still be perfectly safe? This speed -- the speed at which a person still feels in control of their vehicle for specific road conditions -- is known as a "natural speed limit". Often drivers follow this natural speed limit rather than the posted speed limit.

I-15 Experiment

There is a lonely stretch of road that connects central and southern Utah. This road section is a part of I-15, and for years drivers have been driving faster on it than the official speed limit, with the average car traveling between 80 and 85 miles per hour. This stretch of road has very few twists and turns, and tended to contain a fairly light police presence -- hence the comfort many drivers felt with driving above the legal limit.

Due to all these factors, Utah legislators used this section of I-15 for an experiment. Instead of posting the typical speed limit of 60 miles per hour on this road, they allowed 80 MPH signs to be posted in 2008 -- approximately the same speed that most cars traveled on it anyway. Some analysts expected the average speed to increase drastically after this change, potentially resulting in an increased rate of collisions and other traffic accidents.

Experiment Results

However, that is not what happened. Analysts actually found that the majority of the drivers on this section of road continued driving at about the same speed they had used before the limit change. The average speed for all cars became 83 to 85 miles per hour. Aside from this relatively minor statistical variation, drivers did not change their speed on this road.

The experiment proved that people tend to follow their natural speed limit, no matter what the official speed limits on road signs. They may decrease their speed on a road that has a lot of police officers patrolling it, but this is only to reduce their risk of paying a heavy fine due to a speeding ticket. Is this a safety risk? Apparently not; people naturally drive only as fast as they are able while still remaining safe, so the experiment had no significant negative effects in terms of driver safety.

Conclusion

This study indicated that natural speed limits will always be used regardless of legal speed limits. All drivers naturally have an internal speedometer that tells them how fast they can drive safely in light of the current road conditions, weather, traffic and similar factors. That is why traffic slows significantly below the posted speed limits during bad weather or other conditions that make driving faster unsafe. Natural speed limits may not be installed nationwide anytime soon, but evidence suggests that this would free stretched police resources to handle more serious issues, while not negatively impacting road safety.

Post contributed by Hayley Spencer, on behalf of LawyerLocater.com, legal professional DWI and DUI lawyers.

Group Text Messaging – The Demise of the Cell Phone?!

2012-03-26T16:46:30Z

I was rudely introduced to Group Text Messaging this weekend when my youngest grandson (with his shiny new I Phone), gleefully added my cell phone number (along I guess with just about every phone number he had) into a new Text Messaging Group he was experimenting with. It wasn’t his fault. He simply didn’t realize the destructive power of what he was doing.

So I was happily buzzing around outside doing some spring time yard work when my phone announced it was receiving a text message. Okay, no problem. Who wants me? I went to look at the message but before I could even read it, another message started coming in. Then another.

Suddenly they were coming in so fast I couldn’t even open or read them, all multi-media texts. Forget about even trying to answer them, or using the phone for a call. I had a problem!

Now when you’re used to getting a text maybe every other day or so and you’re suddenly getting fifty texts in as many seconds, you gotta know you’ve got a problem – especially if your cell phone plan doesn’t have unlimited texts. I immediately shut the phone down, figuring maybe some foreign power was spamming every phone in America or something.

A quick check on the internet didn’t suggest any such thing so I tried powering the phone on again. I was barely able to see that a couple of the texts were coming from my beloved little cherub when suddenly I started receiving more. I had to power the phone off again. Couldn’t even use it they were coming in so fast!

Suspecting that a new I Phone might just have something to do with this ugly little issue, a land-line call to the unsuspecting culprit confirmed my suspicions. I had been placed in a Text Messaging Group. I was getting texts from not only my grandson, but from everyone in the group. I didn’t even have to give my okay to be added to group. He had been able to do it for me, without even my knowledge! Kinda scary.

After about an hour on the phone with my cell phone provider (still not fully understanding what this Group Texting thing was all about), I was able to block all texts from Web or Internet sites which is apparently the medium most used for these devious little assaults.

Also, the unsuspecting perpetrator of this incident and his father were apparently able to shut down the group and I can once again use my cell phone for its intended purpose. But the fact that I didn’t even have to approve being in the “group” really got me curious.

Then it started to dawn on me. This could be a seriously destructive concept. Even with Face Book (in my humble opinion the most blatant assault on personal privacy ever devised by mankind) you have to give your permission to “friend” someone before you become privy to every nose-bleed they or any of their other friends ever get. With this Group Texting thing, I didn’t even have to approve it. The organizer of the group simply approved it for me.

Next, I got a call from my other son. “What’s this @#!!@* Group Messaging thing? I’m getting multiple crazy texts from people I don’t even know!” Seems Uncle had been added to the group too.

I Googled “Group Text Messaging” this morning and quickly realized that, Yup – this could really be serious stuff”!

First of all, apparently when you respond to a message from a group member, every member in the group gets your response! It’s seems it’s like hitting “Reply All” to an email message only you don’t even know who the “alls” are. You don’t even know there are “alls.” Cool stuff.

So I get a message and I reply.

“You know – that blankety-blanking, blankety-blank, is really a blankety- blanking, blankety-blank.”

Your intended recipient gets your response. So does Blankety-Blank. So does everyone else in the group – the group you didn’t even know you were in! Doesn’t take too much imagination to suggest where that could take you! Not too blankety-blanking good.

But it’s apparently worse! You can be placed in a group without even knowing it, as I was. Now you’re getting texts from everyone in the group. So a marketing guru sets up a group with multiple numbers. How long will it be before five year old females are getting multiple Viagra text messages – and multiple responses to them? That would be interesting.

Or perhaps one of our foreign adversaries obtains a few million phone numbers and adds them to a group. Every one of those cell phones is down for the ten-count because of overpowering text messages? The most devious hacker in his pajamas couldn’t dream up such simple way to collapse every cell phone in the country!

Now don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against social media and group text messaging – as long as I’m able to control what group I’m in. But I sure don’t want to be part of a group without even knowing it.

Am I nuts in thinking that this could truly be a case where technology blows itself up and renders all cell phones totally obsolete? Seems to me that if the FCC doesn’t jump on this pretty quickly, it could be!

Okay, I’m old enough to remember how we somehow survived BC (before cell phone). But I still do kinda like the concept. They’re neat little devices and even though I could survive without mine, I’ve gotta admit I’d kind of miss it! But in today’s age? No cell phones? Many would rather give up food and water!

So what does this have to do with driving? Well one thing’s for sure. With the entire cell phone population rendered totally dysfunctional due to incessant and uncontrollable receipt of text messages caused by Group Text Messaging, Driving would certainly be safer!

I hope I’m missing something here though! Am I just naïve and over-reacting? What do you guys & gals think?

Making Time for Driving Practice

2012-03-25T15:22:28Z

Guest Post from Tom Mallet

Time is the most valuable thing you can give to a learner driver. Teaching them to drive is an investment in their life and their adulthood.

It feels good to do things that really make a difference to other people. One of the ways you can do this is by adding your child to your car insurance policy and sparing time to teach them to drive. The time that you give to your child can literally save their life and provide them with necessary skills for adulthood. Learner drivers are only very rarely in accidents, but P-platers are the highest risk group. For this reason, the investment of time which you make in them as learners is vitally important if you want to impart wisdom and keep them safe.

Time Matters

There is no doubt that driving is an essential part of living life in the western world. Everything we do for leisure, sport, work and entertainment relies on a motor vehicle to get you there. Yes, you could take a bus, but this is far more time-consuming and it limits your freedom to explore. Young people are constantly developing and it is your role as a friend or parent to help guide them through this process. Driving is one particular area in which you can have a huge input, because people learn from those around them. Demonstrating good driving practices and leading by example is important – someone’s attitude to driving can have an effect on their lifespan in many cases. Imparting your wisdom is one of the best ways to keep a young person safe.

Do I Have to Teach Them?

Few people can afford 120 hours of professional driving lessons and the extra cost of at least one test. Children will look to their parents for guidance and it is up to you whether you can spare the time to impart your knowledge of safe driving to your child. The time that you invest is really an investment in your child’s safety and you do not have to be a professional for it to count. Sitting with them in the car and imparting what you know about driving will be invaluable to that learner. You can provide a basic level of knowledge and help raise their confidence as a driver. As long as you provide them with consistent practice, you will be able to help them learn very quickly.

Tips for Making Time

Learning to drive does not need to be a fixed arrangement. You can incorporate learner driver practice into your everyday routine, and this will provide some of the best experience. A surprise 5-minute drive to the shops can be as valuable in many ways as an hour-long drive along a highway. It will get your learner used to coping with the pressure of finding somewhere to park, dealing with distracted drivers and pedestrians, and making driving a normal part of life. This normalization of driving is a very important step towards giving your learner the confidence to tackle their driving test.

Beyond the Test
Remember that passing your driving test does not make you a great driver. P-platers are more likely to have an accident, and a serious accident, than any other drivers and this is reflected in the cost of their auto insurance. By providing continuing guidance and support you will help them to develop a proper understanding of safe-driving practices which could save their lives and the lives of others.

Author Bio: Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics.

Note from Driverthink: In Australia, novice drivers must place a special plate on their vehicles noting their provisional, probationary or restricted status. They are called “P Platers.”

Need a Safe-Driving Incentive?

2012-03-14T11:57:34Z

Guest Post from Frank Oz

There are many reasons why you should want to be a safe driver. First and foremost is that it saves lives: those of the drivers around you and even your own. But if you need yet another reason to drive safely, you don’t have to look any further than your bank account, because rest assured, if you are an unsafe driver, you’ll have a lot less money in there.

The reason is simple: insurance companies reward careful drivers and punish careless ones. This reward for good driving comes in the form of discounts on insurance quotes, discounts which can end up being quite sizable. Just how sizable will differ from company to company, but good driving discounts can reach high as a 45% for all drivers that qualify. Think about that next time you get a speeding ticket or you run a red light. You should be able to “see” the money flying out the window.

Wonder if you qualify as a good driver? The criteria will differ from one company to another, but basically it involves aspects which are pretty easy to guess. You need to have a license for a minimum amount of three years, during which you must not have accumulated more than one violation point. Besides that, you must be free of any speeding tickets, traffic violations and anything else of the sort for a minimum of three years. Obviously, a history of road accidents or DUIs in the past seven years will mean that you do not qualify. Overall, this is a pretty reasonable list and most careful and responsible drivers will meet the criteria.

One tricky aspect of this list is accidents where the driver was not at fault. Since most of these are beyond your control you should not be held accountable for them and this rule generally applies to most insurance companies. However, there are some companies that disqualify its clients from being good drivers based on any sort of accident, so it is best to check with each company individually to know where you stand.

Those that fail to meet these requirements should not fret too much. Instead of being a source of frustration, this should be a wakeup call to be a better driver in the future. If you pledge to be more responsible on the road and stick to that promise then you too can also benefit from this significant discount in the future.

Insurance companies know that money is one of the best motivators for people to change their bad habits, which is why they so eagerly promote this incentive. If the drivers are more careful on the road this will mean a lot less accidents, which means a lot less payouts for the insurance companies. In the end, the roads are safer and everyone saves money. It is a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

If you are lucky enough to already have a clean driving record, then, as you can see, you already have a very valuable asset in your possession. Do everything you can to protect it. Be extra careful on the road in all situations and drive defensively at all times. Doing so will literally save you hundreds of dollars every year.

Frank Oz is an avid blogger who also works as a consultant for insurance quote comparison service Cheap Car Insurance in California.

Copyright 2007-2012. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced for Personal Use or by Permission Only.

In Car Features become Focus Point in Distracted Driving

2012-03-13T12:23:13Z

Guest post from Brooke Kerwin

Over the last few years, the fight to minimize distracted driving has largely focused on the effect had by the growth of mobile devices. Certainly there’s no questioning that the reliance on smart phones and other tech products have become a distraction point for those on the road, but often times it’s the in-car features and technology that can serve to hinder as well.

In the early months of 2012, lawmakers have been pushing back at automakers in an effort to highlight the dangers of in-car features becoming more complex over time. Just as smart phones and tablets have become more enticing, so have the features inside the car, such as top of the line GPS systems and stereo equipment.

The early push from lawmakers has included a proposed set of guidelines from the Department of transportation. They are very close in nature to a set of regulations on the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers set out about a decade ago. Even though they’ve come from the automobile side for a while, the new regulations would look to put the pressure on automakers from a government standpoint.

The smart phones and tablets that are taking over the tech market right now certainly have an impact on distracted driving, but the effect that some of the in car features can have should not be overlooked. GPS systems often help us with finding our way, but their ability to bring our eyes off the road can also be high. The systems in-car differs from portable GPS components in that they usually take up more space on the dashboard. The larger screen may not seem like that big of an issue, but with it being two to three times the size of a portable GPS system, the chances of drivers and passengers feigning more attention is higher.

Along with the in-car GPS systems, sound devices can also grab attention from the road. Many of the same interfaces with GPS capabilities now have controls for stereo and iPod controls. The tendency to keep looking at the interface is where the problem lies for distracted drivers. Guidelines that would look to limit the size of this technology in an automobile would be best served to help minimizing accidents because of distractions.

Many of these interfaces have looked towards social media and other capabilities to continue their development. The problem with that is its social media which has served as one of the main distraction points for drivers on smart phones. Having access in the dashboard would only end up providing more of a distraction to drivers in the end.

While technology will certainly become more complex and encompass more features over time, it’s likely that automobile makers will be forced to put the reigns down on their development. The consoles at the front of different automobiles will certainly have a limit on size into the future and it’s likely that the increased attention from the Department of Transportation, automakers will have to tighten development into the future.

Note from Driverthink: Let’s be blunt. I’m not a big fan of Government infringing on our individual rights but we don’t have the right to harm others. One might suggest that our car manufacturers and irresponsible drivers are doing just that. If car makers don’t have the responsibility to take safe driving seriously, then perhaps Government does have the right to at least highlight the issue.

The Side Effects of Injury Settlements

2012-03-12T13:45:46Z

Guest post by Helen Rymore.

Accidents are stressful simply due to the pain and shock of an injury. Adding to the stress are potential financial difficulties that often follow an injury from an accident. If you are in an auto accident, or any other type of accident that results in injury, this stress will affect your entire family as well as you. Your first priority after an accident, of course, should simply be getting any necessary medical attention. After you begin to recover, however, you should begin considering the correct settlement for your injury. To do so, you must evaluate not only your injury itself, but also any direct or indirect side effects that the injury may have caused.

Try to recall and write down every detail you can about the accident and what caused it. Your memory of the specifics will fade quickly, so record as many of them as you can while they are still fresh in your mind. This record will be an important tool to help ensure that you receive a fair settlement, both for your injury and for its side effects. Other tools that you should ensure you have at your disposal include the police report taken at the time of the accident, your medical bills and estimates for the repair of your vehicle. Keep your documentation on the accident accessible and organized, and maintain backups of all of it. You will need copies of your documents to give to the insurance adjuster, and you should keep separate copies for yourself. Leave the originals in a safe place at your home, in addition to their digital backups.

These documents will serve as your starting point to determine the settlement you will accept. To reach this determination, you must first total the amount of money the accident cost you directly due to medical treatment and vehicle repair or replacement. Include the cost of any lost salary from time you were forced to take off of work as well. If your accident had a negative impact on your earning capacity for the future, that too should be factored into your settlement. For example, if you worked as a delivery driver, and your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from being able to sit in a driver's seat for an extended length of time, you should factor this lost income potential into your settlement agreement.

When factoring in these lost wages, do not forget to account for cost-of-living increases and other raises on which you will now miss out. Potential future medical bills should be included as well, since many accidents require therapy and related rehabilitation for months or even years after the accident itself. Pain and suffering is another side effect that you should factor in; standard allowance is about three times the cost of your medical bills.

Remember that the distress of being in an accident in the first place has harmed both your physical health and your mental health. You deserve to be compensated for all the stress you and your family have gone through. In fact, you may need therapy for depression other mental issues after an accident, especially if it impacts your career. Get the professional help you need and add those bills to your settlement. If you were completely disabled because of the accident and cannot drive at all, or even walk at all, these side effects of your accident should be factored into your settlement as well. Any costs for transportation or personal care that you will require are reasonable expenses to include.

Schedule enough time in your day to meet with the insurance adjuster. Usually allowing three hours for a meeting with the adjuster should be sufficient to get the ball rolling on your case. If you rush through this process, you could make mistakes and leave out important facts. Retaining the services of a qualified attorney, however, can help keep these mistakes from happening.

When negotiating your settlement, you should present the amount you are asking for near the beginning of the meeting. Give yourself some leeway by presenting the amount you deserve plus about 25 percent. This will give you the ability to negotiate down if necessary.

Once you have finished presenting your offer, sit back and listen to what the insurance adjuster has to say. Most likely he will tell you stories of cases just like yours that have settled for much less than the figure you mention. Do not panic or become angry at anything the adjuster says; simply sit and listen politely to all the reasons they give you for the settlement amount they offer.

The adjuster may end up giving you clues on facts related to your case that you had not previously considered -- facts that could actually help improve your settlement. The adjustor will likely tell you that his offer is the highest possible at the time, but never take the first one presented. Simply state that you need time to speak further with your legal advisor. This will let them know that you are willing to consider going to court with your case, if they do not reach a fair settlement.

In light of your accident and its side effects, including physical pain, mental suffering and long-term difficulty in participating in your normal activities, a fair settlement is not too much to ask.

Helen Rymore is a freelance writer, contributing articles regarding Auto Accident Settlements, on behalf of Injury Settlement Guide.

Copyright 2007-2012. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced for Personal Use or by Permission Only.

The Perils of Texting and Driving

2012-02-29T20:35:51Z

Guest Post from Amy Li

Technological advances continue to improve the world’s standard of living, but do these advances come at a cost?

Phone use in vehicles prematurely ends thousands of lives each year, but drivers continue to text, call, and surf the net while driving. The National Highway and Traffic Association (NHTSA) reports that distracted drivers caused over 5,000 deaths in car crashes, in 2009 alone. 35 states and the District of Columbia already ban text messaging in the car, and seven other states enforce partial no-texting laws for novice drivers and/or school bus drivers. Given the potential for accidents and fines, texting can cost far more than 10 cents a message!

Still, federal and state regulatory bodies are far from full recognition of the problem. Texting while driving impairs a driver’s reaction time more than drinking while driving (as reported by Britain’s Transport Research Laboratory and by Car and Driver Magazine). Only 42 states impose bans on texting while driving, and those bans are mostly partial. In contrast, all 50 states criminalize driving with a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08%. Legal recognition notwithstanding, texting impairs drivers more than drinking: in fact, texting reduces driver reaction time by 35%, while drinking only reduces driver reaction time by 12% (when the driver’s blood alcohol level reaches the legal limit). Drunk driving is criminalized, but texting while driving - a far more dangerous form of impaired driving - is far less recognized. In fact, texting drivers crash an average of four times more than intoxicated drivers – yet 71% of the population between the ages of 18 and 49 admit to texting or talking while driving. Unfortunately, people will always use their phones in the car as long as they continue to underestimate the risks of distracted driving.

Technology created this problem, and hopefully one day technology will fix this problem, but in the meantime, drivers must hold each other accountable for their actions. Though researchers at the University of Utah have found that measures like hands-free devices are not effective in helping drivers focus on the road, some companies are currently developing software that can prevent drivers from using their phones while driving. Until then, individuals must encourage their friends, family, and neighbors to put down the phone and prevent death. Additionally, there’s another way for concerned citizens to help resolve this problem.

Join MyParkingSign.com in its fight to keep America’s streets safer by pledging to stay phone free while driving. MyParkingSign, a leading e-commerce sign distributor, recently launched a giveaway campaign for schools, to remind teens, parents and teachers to stay off their phones, particularly in school zones. The fight against cell phone use and driving must start in the community, and schools act as the perfect place to begin spreading awareness. Each school will receive two free “no texting while driving” products to install in or around campus. These customizable, highly durable aluminum signs and label packs are all designed to decrease texting while driving, and in turn, to make roads that much safer. Team up with MyParkingSign and put down the phone.

Author’s Bio:

Amy Li writes and blogs for SmartSign.com, an e-commerce company that sells Traffic Signs, Parking Signs, and other safety products. MyParkingSign.com is just one of many SmartSign affiliate websites.

Copyright 2007-2012. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced for Personal Use or by Permission Only.

What Can Block an Airbag From Opening?

2012-02-14T13:45:15Z

Guest post by Brenda Panin

Though few and far between, airbags do not always inflate during an accident. What makes an airbag inflate? Why would an airbag not inflate? There are so many debates over this topic that the Department of Transportation cannot keep up. While there are many factors (such as the direction or angle which the accident occured) that would stop an airbag from deploying, one thing is sure in newer cars. Weight is everything!

Many people file complaints, after an accident, about the airbag in their car not deploying. What is shocking is that most of these complaints are filed because their infant was in the seat. Modern air bags are set to deploy only if a specific weight is reached. What this means is that the seat has, in a sense, a scale. If the seat's minimum weight is not reached, the air bag will not think that a person is in the seat, thus turning itself off. Let's pretend that the minimum weight is 25 lbs. If you put an average purse and a modern laptop (with case) in the seat, the seat will register at approximately 21 lbs. Since 21 lbs. is less than the 25 lb. minimum, the airbag will automatically deactivate itself. What is shocking about parents complaining that the airbag did not activate for their child is the fact that every car has a child warning label about airbags.

What can we do about this problem? The answer is so simple. Upon purchasing a new vehicle, look for warning labels. If you do not find any child related warnings mounted in the car, research the vehicle. Buying a vehicle should be a more researched decision than buying a house, especially if you have children. Think of it like this: Your house will stand still 365 days a year. You have to research insurance rates, school districts, and neighborhoods your future home will be in. Now, think about this: Your car will average 60 miles per hour for at least 332 and a half days out of the year. You will have to research insurance. Is that all? NO. You need to research safety featurs more heavily than any other feature that the makers offer. The safety features provided will protect not only you, but any passenger that you will ever have. You need to make sure that you read warning labels on the visor, read the owner's manual in the glove compartment, and research the vehicle as much as possible.

Now that you know one of the most popular "malfunctions" of in car airbags, are you willing to place a bet... On your life? My guess would be, no. Next time you hear about an airbad not deflating, think about the facts. Statistics show that airbags do NOT deploy unless they are manufactured to do so. Before buying a vehicle, do your research, make sure you understand, and know the vehicle's safety features. Most importantly, picture the worst case scenario. If you have kids or other family members, who are going to be passengers in said vehicle, make sure that every safety feature has the best possible ratings. If you do not commit yourself to do this, how would you ever expect a vehicle's safety features to properly work the way that you expect them to?

Author's Bio: Brenda is a blogger with plenty of experience in writing about many topics. She is currently working as a consultant for Auto transport companies.

Copyright 2007-2012. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced for Personal Use or by Permission Only.

Common causes of road accidents and how to avoid them

2012-02-13T21:25:02Z

Guest post contributed by Samantha Harvey on behalf of HCA Lawyers.

In 2005 alone, there were almost 6.4 million automobile accidents in the United States. The cost of these crashes totalled more than $230 billion. Nearly 3 million people were injured and more than 45,000 died. Here, we will look at the most common causes of car accidents and what you can do to prevent yourself from being involved in one.

Factors

There are four major factors that contribute to vehicle accidents: mechanical issues, road design/maintenance, road condition and poor driver performance. The latter is responsible for 95% of all accidents involving motor vehicles, and includes poor driver performance in conjunction with one of the other three.

Let's take a closer look at each of these factors:

Mechanical Issues

Although manufacturers are required by law to design and engineer vehicles that meet industry safety standards, extensive testing cannot completely prevent accidents. The most cited types of equipment failure are loss of brakes and tire blowouts or tread separation.

When mechanical issues are to blame, the following are the most common:

* Brakes. Anti-lock braking systems and disc brakes have reduced the risk of total brake failure, but, on older vehicles with drum brakes, fading due to heat is possible. Brake fluid, shoes and pads need to be maintained in modern vehicles.

* Tires. Under inflation and uneven wear (meaning your tires haven't been rotated or balanced) are the two most common causes of tire failure and can be potentially hazardous. Check them every 5,000 miles.

Road Design and Maintenance

While it's become commonplace for many of us to complain about the poor signage or poor planning of the roads we use every day, road design doesn't actually influence accidents that much. Road design only becomes an issue when things like blind turns, blocked signs, and temporary diversions are involved, and none of these becomes dangerous unless the driver is driving too fast to anticipate their necessary changes.

Road Condition

While severe weather can turn an ordinarily safe road into a treacherous one, particularly if you live in a place where snow and ice are common, it is usually only when poor driver performance is factored in that serious risk exists. Poor road condition may exist because of weather, lack of funds for maintenance, or stop-and-go traffic which curtails normal traffic flow, and it is the latter that is the most dangerous because drivers end up so concerned about being rear-ended that they lose track of the vehicle in front of theirs, and end up doing the rear-ending.

Poor Driver Performance

A recent study conducted in Europe found that 80% of drivers involved in traffic accidents believe someone else is at fault, and 5% take responsibility for their actions, while the other 15% represent varied combined responses. While it's true that distractions can cause accidents - cell phone conversations, sipping coffee, applying make-up - the single biggest cause of vehicle accidents is speeding. For example, a report by the New York State Police showed that the following factors cause the most accidents - and all of them are under the driver's control:

Speeding
Unsafe or too-frequent lane changing
Not using turn signals
Tailgating
Not yielding the right of way
Ignoring traffic signals
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

If you take a responsible view about your driving and indeed your passengers and fellow road users, then you increase your chances of not becoming one of the statistics.

Should Crash Simulators Be Mandatory?

2012-02-08T12:58:04Z

Guest Post by Victor Daily

Traffic is a problem. And to compound the issue, it is filled with poor drivers.

An increasingly impatient society has been treating driving laws as more of a suggestion than anything else. And safety has fallen way side to a plethora of new media outlets found in the cars these days. Add these together and we begin to see why the statistics show an alarming figure of well over 5 million accidents per year.

Defensive driving is a great combatant to this. If we want to change the landscape of driving in the future, it is imperative that we arm new students with proper defensive driving courses in the classroom. Many adults can use this type of training as well. In some instances, a person will get their license at the age of 16 and never be tested on it again throughout their lives. With an evolving transportation system, new laws have replaced many of the old ones. And if someone were just not informed, that could spell trouble for themselves and others driving around them.

But are these defensive driving courses enough? What if we took them one step further in making a crash simulator mandatory when taking a driver's test? Most accidents can be prevented. The problem is too many people panic in certain situations, and as a result wreck their vehicles. Perhaps if people were trained with a simulator while taking their tests they would be more prepared for on-road mishaps.

A good example of this is ice. Black ice is really nasty stuff and very hard to see with the naked eye. But even for people hitting icy patches in general, they have tendencies to immediately panic and overreact. This overreaction leads to over steering or steering in the wrong directions to stabilize the path of the vehicle. However, if they could have had some time on a simulator experiencing these types of movements with a vehicle, they would undoubtedly be better prepared to recognize this on the street in real time.

The simulators could also show them a whole host of other scenarios including: wet roads, oil slicks, high winds, and even an actual crash. Sure it might scare a new driver off the streets initially. But maybe a little bit of fear and respect for how fast an impact can happen is a good thing. And in situations like these, knowledge is power. With a simulator, the driver has the opportunity to see firsthand how a vehicle and driver react during a collision. They can actually practice with this type of scenario. The hope is that they can visualize this in their head within that split second situation in real life. This could mean the difference between a life and death outcome.

It's important for people to remember that driving comes with a great amount of responsibility. People take these obligations far too lightly as evident by the statistics. They not only endanger themselves, but those who are unfortunate enough to be driving near them. But instead of pointing fingers and criticizing, maybe a more advanced training system would be a more proactive way to combat these tragedies. And by having a crash simulator for part of the driving tests, it might just drive home these messages more effectively.

Author's Bio:

Victor is a writer and blogger with plenty of experience, who also works as a consultant for

Car removals Brisbane and cash for cars Brisbane companies.

Note from Driverthink: This is an interesting concept - expensive, but interesting. Simulators are being used in some of the higher level, private driving schools available. The bottom line here? Our best drivers are those who know not only how the vehicle reacts under normal conditions, but also how it will react during a road emergency. Thanks, Victor.

Online Driver Improvement Offers Drivers A Better Route

2012-01-24T17:22:25Z

Guest Post from Jonathan Covert

A quick look at the benefits of opting for an online course.

Oops So You Got a Ticket. Now What?

If you’ve received a ticket for a traffic violation in Virginia recently, then chances are you’re in need of a Virginia Driver Improvement Program to help keep your driving privilege in good standing. A driver improvement program not only reminds drivers of the rules of the road, but can also provide a sense of awareness on the roads that many drivers probably are never aware of. With radios, cell phones and passengers all serving as distractions, many drivers aren’t prepared for key situations that could prevent an accident. A quality Driver Improvement Program addresses all the human factors of driving – driving under the influence, road rage, reckless driving – and teaches drivers how to identify these dangerous situations and how to handle them safely.

Virginia Driver Improvement Programs Are Much Improved

In the past you’d have to catch a ride to a random location and then spend a series of Saturday afternoons sitting in a crowded classroom full of strangers, listening to an instructor read excerpts from the DMV handbook…yawn! No matter how boring these classroom courses used to be, they were a necessary requirement for anybody seeking a Ticket Dismissal, Fine Reduction, Point Reduction or an Insurance Discount. The good news for Virginia drivers these days is that boring classroom courses may soon become a thing of the past.

The internet has changed the way we shop, changed the way we communicate and it’s changing the way we learn thanks to online courses such as an Online Driver Improvement Program Virginia. Now that it’s possible to take a Virginia Driver Improvement Program online, many consumers are opting to complete their program in the comfort of their own home, at their favorite coffee shop or just about anywhere they can tap into an internet connection.

Online Courses Work-Around Busy Schedules

Another advantage of completing a Virginia Driver Improvement Program online is that consumers can stop and start the course whenever you like, so if you take a break and walk away, you can return to the same section they left off without missing a beat. Plus, many of today’s Virginia Driver Improvement Program providers’ offer 24/7 customer support to assist people with answers to their questions at any time day or night.

So there you have it. If you’re required to take a Virginia Driver Improvement Program, you can either do it the old school way in a classroom on someone else’s schedule or you can opt to complete it online at your convenience. To me the decision is a no brainer. If I’m ever cited for a traffic violation here in Virginia, I’m going to take my driver improvement program on the Information Super Highway. How about you?

To know more about driver improvement course please visit:

http://www.idrivesafely.com/Virginia/

Seeing Clearly in your Car

2012-01-20T19:45:00Z

Guest Post by John Nesbit

Being able to see clearly while operating your vehicle plays a key role in protecting yourself. Not only will you protect yourself and your car, but you will be helping your fellow motorists. There are several ways for you to improve your visibility. All are easy, so there are no excuses.

One of the first things you need to do while sitting behind the wheel is to properly arrange your rearview mirror. Place it at an angle so when you sit upright in the driving seat, you can see behind you without moving your neck. You will be moving only your eyes. While adjusting your rearview mirror, use both the daytime and nighttime positions. This will save you time and frustration while driving.

Speaking of rearview mirrors, remember to clean them regularly. Just like other items used regularly, mirrors get dirty. They get streaky, dusty and obstruct vision. Dirty mirrors can give you headaches by by overstraining and harming your eyes. Clean your mirrors regularly by using a mixture of ammonia and water, or simply using a storebought window cleaner. Remember to use a clean towel for the best benefits. Using a dirty towel will defeat your purpose.

Improve your visibility by positioning and cleaning your outdoor side mirrors, known as backup mirrors, properly. Once again, get into your car and sit in your standard driving position. Slightly turn your neck to look at your side mirror. When properly positioned, your chin will be between your shoulder and the neutral position. The neutral position means straight ahead. Turning your neck too far can place too much stress on your neck, causing neckaches, back pain, headaches and eye pain. Position your mirror so you can see the area behind but to the side of your car. Shoot for a goal of seeing at least 50 feet behind you. Properly positioning your side mirror comes in handy when changing lanes, keeping track of fellow motorists and viewing emergency vehicles.

Remember to include your passenger side mirror. A good driver utilizes this mirror as well as the driver's side one. In addition, many passengers like to stay aware of what is happening on the roads, also. Position the mirror in the same manner as the driver's side, by actually sitting in the seat.

Keeping your windows clean increases your safety and visibility. How many times have you been driving and your windshield is so dirty you cannot see clearly? Having dirty windshields lowers your safety level and makes it nearly impossible to see clearly while driving. It causes increased eyestrain and stirs up a number of negative emotions such as frustration, loss sense of security and anger. In other words, dirty windshields increase glare from lights and makes nighttime roads appear shinier than reality.

To view how dirty your windows are, simply take your finger and run it across the surface. You will be surprised. Windshields can become dirty very easily from regular use. Common culprits of dirty interior windows include tobacco smoke, defroster fumes and air conditioning fans.

Every time you clean your vehicle, clean the interior of all your vehicle windows. Take the time to apply window cleaner to a clean cloth and apply it in a rubbing circular motion. Do this until all signs of streaks, glares or dirt are removed. Depending upon how dirty your windows are, this can take some time. The time is worth it.

Your vision and improved visibility play a key role in staying safe while driving. Use these simple, yet effective, suggestions to protect everyone.

By: John Nesbit from Degree Jungle - Applauding your education on the roads.

Copyright 2007-2012. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced for Personal Use or by Permission Only.

Preparing for a Rear End Collision

2012-01-12T18:12:21Z

I received a really great Email question in response to my article on "How to Avoid Rear-End Accidents" from Margo Gregory. It follows:

“I agree with your “How to Avoid Rear-end Collisions” blog … however, I do have a question. If you know someone is about to rear end you (sometimes you can see it coming) … do you apply the brakes as hard as you can … or do you lightly press the brakes to allow less impact … or do you not apply the brakes at all (as long as you are not at a busy intersection) ???”

Hmmm! A very good question and a really difficult one to answer.

While I know of no significant studies on this issue, I would offer a few suggestions on how to handle an imminent Rear End Collision – besides just simply praying!

Before absorbing the impact, I would want to already have the answers to three questions, two obvious, the first, maybe not.

Am I driving a vehicle with ABS (Antilock Braking System)?

Is there someone in front of me? If so, how much space is between us?

Am I the lead car stopped at an intersection? If so, how clear is it?

If I have ABS I should have two significant advantages when being struck from the rear. Both would require that I press down on the brake pedal as hard as I can.

The ABS braking system with the brake pedal pressed hard, unlike a vehicle without it, will allow me to steer the vehicle even when I break traction and am skidding - a likely event when I'm struck from behind. This would be a distinct advantage while being shoved towards oblivion. Perhaps I could at least steer to the least damaging said oblivion!

Also, the ABS when engaged will stop me in the least possible space. Kinda’ nice!

I also don’t want to be a Stop on my Tail-gater. If there is a vehicle stopped in front of me, I want to have at least a half car’s length to a car and a half’s length, between my front bumper and its rear bumper. As most intersection rear-enders are not of the high velocity persuasion, this space may allow me to cautiously but quickly inch forward if my rear-view mirror is suggesting the puppy behind me is inevitably going to stop in my space. I truly believe I have avoided a number of accidents with this simple maneuver and in any event, it would hopefully lessen the impact and possibly keep me from being pushed into the car in front of me.

That being said, I’m still personally an advocate for hard braking once I do stop. If I have an “out” in front of me, I’ll probably be on the gas anyway, aiming for the least dangerous place to be. Otherwise, my feeling is by braking hard I will stop more quickly when whacked. I will probably break traction and skid forward anyway, and I’m not sure there’s much impact difference between being struck and pushed into a skid or being struck and coasting forward with no or light braking applied.

I would welcome any comments on this concept as again, I’m unaware of any studies on the issue, I’m not a physics professor, and the issue may be somewhat controversial!

Okay, now I’m the lead car at an intersection. One critical rule here, even if preparing for a left turn, is to keep the front steering wheels pointed straight ahead – or at least in a safe direction. If I’m turning left and have the wheels aimed left while I’m waiting, I will be forced into oncoming traffic if I have ABS or if my foot comes off of the brake in a non-ABS vehicle. Don’t want to be there. If I don’t have the ABS and my car breaks traction because I’m braking hard when struck, it won’t matter. I’ll be pushed in the direction from where I’m struck. (There’s no steering when we break traction in a non-ABS vehicle).

Okay, impact is imminent. I need to prepare for it. How best can my body (forget the car) absorb it?

I do NOT want to lean forward or try to duck (unless I'm behind a vehicle with an imovable object that looks like it wants to decapitate me)! I need to avoid being “jerked around” as best as possible. My back wants to be firmly pressed against the back of my seat and my head wants to be pressed back firmly against the headrest. This will offer me the best support available to avoid whiplash. I also want to warn any passengers to do the same, if possible, by shouting “lean back”!

Finally, as hard as it may seem, I want to completely relax my muscles. A relaxed muscle will absorb more impact with less damage, than one which is all tensed up. Practice it when you’re stopped somewhere. Just completely relax your muscles. Yup, relax – and take the hit! And if you’re so inclined – yeah, pray!

Benefits of a Defensive Driving Course

2012-01-06T15:23:06Z

Guest Article by Emma Stinchcombe

In recent news it was reported that a pedestrian died after a collision with a lorry in Oxfordshire. He died at the scene. When trawling through daily news, it seems that road accidents occur almost daily. Sadly, road accidents do not seem to be declining.

But perhaps there is a solution. Defensive driving courses are designed for people who drive for work purposes. These workshops can help drivers improve on their observation, journey planning, anticipation and concentration. Understand that these courses are not for ‘new’ drivers, but for those who want to develop business drivers’ on-road risk management ability. Defensive driving courses stress the importance of not only the drivers’ own methods, but they also concentrate on other drivers’ likely road actions. In hindsight, these workshops are a personal exercise for individual drivers who are eager to learn how to drive defensively.

It is well known that there is a higher risk of a collision if drivers are driving for work purposes, than those that drive for non-work purposes. This has led the Health and Safety Executive to develop legislation to ensure that employees have appropriate policies, procedures and training put in place. It is believed that company driver training does implement employees to drive safer.

According to studies by Australian researchers, Sharon Newnam and Barry Watson, driver development implemented by senior staff was essential to the success of drivers using appropriate safety measures. The study also suggested that drivers began reporting their safer driving behaviours when safety-management discussions and interventions were encouraged by senior staff. This study stresses the importance of employers to adopt these driving workshops as they enhance drivers’ on road ability in order to reduce the risk of collisions.

In this current financial climate, employees may be hesitating to invest money into the scheme. However, in the long run these courses will save companies a lot of money. Company driver training will reduce the amount incidents on the road, leading to more savings and better health and well-being for the employees. In these difficult financial times many companies are searching for ways to save money so investing in driver safety is likely to provide long term benefits financially.

Driving workshops make drivers noticeably more confident, productive and responsible. Drivers will be a great ambassador for businesses’ in the driving industry. They also help large and small organisations in many different market sectors achieve substantial reductions in vehicle fleet running costs. Courses can come in the form of one-to-one practical fleet driving coaching, group driver training workshops or online fleet driver training modules. These courses will be relevant fleet drivers but to other businesses that have drivers working for them.

Each driver keeps a risk profile assessment to ensure the course is suitable to each driver’s needs. Courses also stress the importance of eyesight and vehicle checks. Though not all about driving, these courses will boast the highest performing drivers. Its aim is to reduce the risk of driving by anticipating dangerous situations and other peoples’ mistakes.

Authorities hope to see a rise in drivers attending these courses in the New Year, decreasing the number of incidents and collisions.

Emma Stinchcombe, Copywriter, writing in behalf of Driving Risk Management. DRM is a company that specialises in defensive driving courses and company driver training.

Tips for Driving Safely with a Baby

2012-01-05T21:35:04Z

Guest Post by Amanda Tradwick

Practicing safe driving is important whenever you're in the car, but it becomes especially important when you have precious cargo like a small baby traveling with you. Whether you're taking a drive around the block to pick up some eggs or you're on a longer road trip across several states to see your Aunt Edna, driving safely is important to avoid accidents and to protect your little one. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that every trip you take in your car is as safe as you can make it:

Use a Proper Car Seat

It can be tempting to ride with your baby in your lap if you are traveling a short distance, or to remove you baby from the seat if she is fussy or needs to breastfeed. However, your baby should never ride in the car unless she is securely strapped into an appropriate car seat for her age and weight. Babies should be in a rear-facing car seat until they are 35 pounds. They should always be strapped into the seat with a five-point shoulder harness. Once they outgrow this seat, they should be moved into a rear-facing convertible car seat. Experts recommend that children remain in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible.

Eliminate Detachable Objects

Dangling toys, mirrors, and rattles can be nice distractions for your baby while you are riding in the car, but these items can become airborne projectiles in case of an accident. Don't put any loose toys or items that clip on to the car seat in the car. Also, be wary of any items that attach to the car windows with suction cups, such as shades, mirrors, or toys.

Eliminate Distractions

When you are driving with a baby, it is even more important to keep your eyes and your attention completely on the road and the other drivers around you. Avoid distractions meant for the baby, such as portable DVD players, that may also distract your attention from the road. Do not talk on your cell phone and NEVER text while driving. Take care not to become too distracted by the radio or conversations with other passengers in the car.

Never Leave Baby Unattended

If you have to stop for any reason -- maybe to quickly buy a drink from a convenience store or to use the bathroom -- never leave the baby in the car unattended. Even if you will only be a moment, it is never safe to leave a baby alone in the car. Temperatures may become too hot or too cold, the baby could suffocate or strangle on items left in or near the car seat, or you could forget that the baby is in the car and leave her there for a long period of time. Never leave the safety of your baby to chance.

Follow Safe Driving Practices

Finally, the best way to drive safely with a baby in the car is to practice other safe driving practices that you should already be following. These can include, but are not limited to, following a safe speed limit, maintaining a safe following distance, and allowing an appropriate braking distance. Ensuring that you follow these basic safety practices will minimize the risks you face on the road.

When you are driving with a baby in the car, it becomes especially important to be as safe as you can on the road. Following basic safety practices can help, but taking further measures such as using an appropriate car seat, eliminating loose objects and eliminating distractions can help create as safe an environment as possible.

About the author:

Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on education grants for women and federal grants for college.