Monday, October 29, 2012

Becoming a Better Driver - A Few Tips That Can Help


Driving is all about remaining in control at all times. Those who love driving may feel tempted at times to indulge in a bit of driving 'outrage' if the right circumstances present themselves in the form of a great looking road or sparse traffic or miles and miles of empty concrete space which could let your adrenalin go wild. The biggest difference between good drivers and bad drivers is that good drivers adopt their methods and attitudes for the driving environment while the bad stick to their style of driving regardless of the situation.

The appropriate thing to do is practice good car control. But good car control does not equate to good driving, which is all about following the general traffic rules, overtaking only when it is absolutely imperative and that too from the right side and generally making sure that you don't create a situation on the roads that can inconvenience other drivers.

It is said that a defensive style of driving is the best way to keep away from problems while on the road. Additionally, it can help you enhance life of brake linings, tyres and make your vehicle fuel efficient. But above all this, it helps you save lives and that's a huge thing. There are some basic principles to be followed while practicing defensive driving. It is designed to save you money and reduce stress associated with driving. Whether you are on the road to keep an urgent appointment or for a leisurely Sunday drive, being defensive in your driving will help you remain in control at all times.

Becoming a better driver is also about planning for safety. This includes taking steps that ensure breakdown protection. Do you have a breakdown cover as a part of your policy? Does your insurance company have an emergency assistance number? These are facts that you must check before you actually start driving. Keeping a list of emergency phone numbers in the glove box, wallet or handbag or programmed into your phone can help you deal with emergencies better.

Unless you are on a routine drive to your office or the market, it is better to plan your route to save a lot of potential frustration. Make sure the plan is in bold letters so you can read it clearly without shifting attention from the road.

Becoming a better driver is all about doing a lot of commonsense things that can keep you safe during your journey.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7344904

Friday, October 26, 2012

How To Prevent Road Rage


Prevent road rage with these tips on keeping cool behind the wheel. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

After the Accident: What to Do


Year after year, people are involved in car accidents by the thousands. If you are one of the unlucky people, it is important that you know what to do after the accident. Your immediate reactions can greatly affect your future. With the right actions, costs can be reduced, injuries can be further prevented, also the clean up and repair process can be accelerated. Follow these steps so that you will have a ready action plan if you are involved in an accident.

First, keep an emergency kit in your glove compartment. Include in this kit, a pen and paper for note taking, carry a cell phone when you drive, and a medical card indicating conditions and allergies that medical personnel who may treat you should be aware of. A disposable camera is a great idea, even if your cell phone takes pictures. It will prove worthwhile if this occurs on the one day you forget your cell phone. You should take pictures of the vehicles at the scene. In your kit, include a list of law enforcement phone numbers.

Think of safety first. If no major injuries have occurred, move the cars over to the side of the road so that they are out of the way of oncoming traffic. In the case that a car is not able to be moved, passengers and drivers should stay in the car with their seatbelts on until help has arrived. Activate the hazard lights on the car and utilize flares and cones, if you have them.

Be sure to exchange information with the other party or parties in the accident. Exchange the following: names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance and policy numbers, license plate numbers and driver's license numbers, also the owner's name of each vehicle. If the owner is not the person who was driving the car during the accident, find out what the relationship between the two is. Photograph the accident as documentation. Then file an accident report. Do so even if a law enforcement officer does not respond to the accident. This can be done at a police station, or many times it is available at the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Know what your Insurance policy covers. You may also have some coverage through your auto warranty. For example, you do not want to find out after the fact that the two truck or rental car were not covered by your insurance, warranty, or assistance plan. These coverage areas usually only add a dollar or two to your payment each month and may be worthwhile.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7338378

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Mythbusters - Car Crash Force


Mythbusters - Car crash force

If your car is damaged in a car accident, Corby's Collision can help you get back on the road fast! We have been in business for 47 years in Vacaville, California. When you do business with us you will not only deal with their qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.
707-448-1696

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I Didn't Know That - Air Bags


Learn how air bags quickly deploy like rockets all in the name of passenger safety.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Protecting Teen Drivers


New teen drivers are almost ten times as likely to be in an accident as middle-aged drivers. Consumer Reports offers important safety tips to help protect young drivers. 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Staying Awake at the Wheel


Thousands of deaths happen every year due to people falling asleep behind the wheel and it happens because people don't get enough sleep or don't have enough breaks when travelling long distances.

Stay awake when behind the wheel and decrease the number of road traffic accidents due to drivers falling asleep. We have a number of different tips for you to follow to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel:

  • Stop driving or switch drivers, this is the most effective method because you know you're not going to be driving anymore so there are no risks of you falling asleep behind the wheel. We would advise you to stop driving if you feel like you are going to fall asleep, because the chances are that you will!


  • Make sure you have enough sleep if you know you have a long journey ahead of you. You should be sleeping around 7-9 hours a night, several nights in a row if you know you have a long drive ahead of you. Sleep is essential when driving and you need to be focused at all times. When taking your driving lessons, make sure that you have enough sleep the night before you go on your lessons so that you have full concentration.


  • Try to plan your journey so that you arrive at your destination before midnight. Your body most wants to sleep between the hours of midnight and the early morning. Plan your journey around these times and you will find that you wont be as tired.


  • Know when you need to stop driving! Look out for the signs to show when you're getting tired and be prepared to pull over at a safe, convenient and legal place.

Many myths are flying around about staying awake when driving and these are things your should NOT do:

  • Open a window or turn the air con on. Although this may make you feel like you are slightly more awake with the fresh air you aren't and this is when driving whilst tired becomes its most dangerous!
  • Playing loud music or singing aloud is another one that doesn't work! This will distract you from the road and is equally as dangerous as driving whilst tired.

Remember when venturing out on a long journey to plan way ahead so that you have no chance at falling asleep at the wheel. Pay attention to the do's and don'ts when staying awake at the wheel, and always get a good night's sleep the night before your driving lessons.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7319074

Monday, October 8, 2012

What Does The Colour Of Your Car Say About You?


Cars come in a wide range of colours and most people are drawn to a specific colour from the moment they learn to drive. There are some colours that are more popular than others and of course there are a few shades that hardly anybody chooses if they get a choice. What most people don't know however is that the colour of your car can actually say a lot about your personality. Here we will take a look at five of the most popular car colours and what they represent.
Red
There are numerous different shades of red but all have one thing in common: sensuality. It is thought that the more vibrant the colour, the more bold the driver will be; those who drive cars that are lighter in colour are still sensual but they are more subtle in their appearance. Red is also associated with high energy and outgoing traits; people who like to stand out are likely to opt for a red coloured car.
Blue
Many colour psychologists believe that people who drive blue cars are calm, confident and collected. This may be why so many of us tend to subconsciously trust blue car drivers, no matter what the shade. Light blue is associated with calmness and faithfulness, both of which are great traits to have whilst dark blue is associated with confidence and authority, which is probably one of the reasons why policemen wear this coloured uniform too.
Black
Black is thought to be the ultimate power colour and can actually say a lot about a person. Colour consultants all tend to agree that people who own black cars are not easy to manipulate as they give off an empowered illusion in all aspects of their day-to-day life. Most people who own black cars also have a black wardrobe to back it up. They are classy and elegant and appreciate the finer things in life.
Silver
Silver is often associated with science fiction and the future and those that drive silver cars have a lot of things going for them. Firstly silver is a true metallic colour, like gold, and it is often perceived as being a "rich" colour. People who drive silver cars are often prestigious and flashy however this isn't necessarily a criticism. Elegance and style are two of the personality traits associated with silver car drivers so if you know of anyone with a silver car you can expect big things from them.
White
Although many people believe that women predominantly drive white cars this is not the case. White cars are hard to keep clean and it is thought that the people who drive them are not only incredibly tidy people in their daily lives but concise, clear and direct in their actions too. White car owners aren't easy to please so if you've been struggling to please someone for a while and haven't gotten anywhere check out their car, it may just explain why.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7243756

Friday, October 5, 2012

Airbag History And Safety


Airbags were made in the mid-1970's, a time during which seatbelt use was greatly declining and traffic fatalities increasing as a result. They were thus originally marketed as an alternative to seatbelts rather than a supplementary safety aid as they are today. It was soon found, however, that the use of airbags without the accompaniment of a seatbelt could result in severe injury or even death. Since airbags have been coupled with seatbelts for safety, airbags have become an integral part to the safety system of just about any new car on the market.

Every year new types of airbags are added to vehicles. The first airbags only deflated from the steering wheel, today the many type of airbags include:

o Frontal airbags-these bags deploy from the steering wheel and now include "shaped" airbags.
o Passenger airbags-the first bags created to protect passengers as well deploy from the dash.
o Side airbags-it was soon found that while airbags were great for front or back collisions, there was no available protection for T-bone or side crashes.
o Side tubular or curtain airbag-protection for the head during a side collision.
o Knee airbag-this bag protects knees and legs and is located beneath the steering wheel.
o Rear Curtain airbag-provides a curtain shield to protect the heads of rear sitting passengers in the event of a rear end crash.
o Rear center airbag-this bag was developed to reduce injuries to rear passengers in a side collision.

Airbag Safety Tips

From 1990 to 2008, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 6,377 lived have been saved and countless injuries prevented thanks to airbags. But while airbags are undoubtedly invaluable lifesaving devices, improper use or faulty systems can result in injury or death. In the same period of time as the previous statistic, 175 fatalities were reported as a result of airbags. Of these fatalities, 104 were children.

To stay safe while riding in a vehicle with airbags, be sure to remember a few things.

o Drivers should allow at least 10 inches between their breastbone and center of the steering wheel.
o Always wear a seatbelt. Not doing so can result in severe injury if the airbag hits you at the wrong angle.
o Children 12 and under should always ride in a rear seat with age appropriate restraints or car seats.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3024042

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

5 Tips For Improving The Gas Efficiency Of Your Car


There are many ways to people to make small changes that add up to significant savings. When it comes to the fuel efficiency of your car, there are five simple ways that you can begin to save money before you have to gas up.

Provide routine maintenance for your car.

This will include taking your car in, as needed, for oil changes, air filter replacement and to have the tires balanced or rotated. Using the appropriate grade of motor oil for your car will give you a one or two percent improvement in your fuel efficiency. Some other things involved in routine maintenance should include the spark plugs and timing, belt changes and any other tune-ups suggested by your mechanic or the user manual that was provided with your car when it was purchased.

You should also check to keep your tires inflated appropriately. According to US Dept. of Labor, you will be able to increase your gas efficiency about 3% when you have the tires correctly inflated. There is a sticker inside the front driver's door or inside the glove box for your reference.

Clean extra items out of your car.

The extra luggage, toys, books and other items rolling around in the car may add up to higher gas prices. The extra weight in your automobile will mean that the car must work harder to obtain driving speeds. This is mostly true if you are running errands and find yourself starting and stopping often. Cleaning your car out regularly can make it lighter and will make it more gas efficient.

(If you are doing errands, you can also roll down your windows instead of using your air conditioning to save gas. This situation reverses when you are on the freeway, then keeping your windows closed will reduce your wind resistance and improve your efficiency.)

Modify your driving habits and attitude.

The habits and attitudes taught in defensive driving classes don't just keep you out of trouble on the road, but can also save you money at the pump. The engines in automobiles weren't designed to run efficiently with rapid and repeated braking and acceleration. That type of treatment may wreak havoc in your engine in addition to drawing more gas from your fuel tank. Using the cruise control when traveling long distances, slowing down over longer distances, and increasing your speed gently are all ways to improve your fuel efficiency.

Stop idling for more than 30 seconds.

Engine idling can be a very expensive habit. There are many places where you may be spending time in an idling car without thinking much about it. Consider these situations:

  • The fast food drive-through
  • Pulled over while talking on the phone
  • The bank drive-through
  • Heating up your car on a cold morning
  • Picking up and dropping off passengers during carpool
  • Leaving the car running during errands
  • If you are leaving your car running during these situations, or others, then you are spending money on gas, without actually getting anywhere.


Plan your errands together for one trip.

You can save money when you start your car with a warm engine as opposed to starting it with a cold engine. If you are able to organize your shopping trips and errands into one direct course, you'll be able to save yourself time, decrease the number of trips you must take and reduce the amount of gas you use when you start up your vehicle.

Following these tips can really help you to add up your savings.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7304183