The Christmas season is always associated with horrendous traffic due to last minute shopping and parties. It is a nightmare to drive in the busy streets and get stuck in them. Here are some tips to make driving stress free.

Try your best to avoid the rush. Travel during off peak hours if you can. You will not only avoid traffic but reduce it too. Fewer motorists on the road can make a difference.

Plan your itinerary. Make a list of your destinations and think of the most efficient ways to get there. It helps to write them down.

Take an alternate route. Avoid roads that most drivers take. It may be a little farther but it will be worth it.

Check traffic updates before you leave or if you have a GPS, some actually detect traffic and give alternatives.

More tips to keep you sane when stuck in traffic include listening to Christmas songs, soothing music or anything that pleases you to while away time or extend your patience. You can also purchase a Bluetooth headset, so you can make calls safely while on the road.

Lastly, don’t drink and drive. Reduce traffic caused by accidents and keep yourself safe. Assign a designated driver or if you plan to have some booze, take a cab or other means of public transportation instead.

No one wants to be amidst holiday traffic. Following these simple tips can help you avoid or alleviate the pains of the holiday rush. Less time on the road means more time for rest or quality time celebrating with your family and friends.

 

Image from  Imeallach

Written by Anna on December 21, 2011 | Leave a Comment

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the weather has been crazy these past few months. Where it is supposed to be summer, they are getting storms. Where it is supposed to be cold, the temperatures are way up. In case you find yourself driving in the rain, here are some tips that will help you stay safe.

Pay extra attention when it suddenly rains after a long dry spell.
This may seem common sense but sometimes, people overlook like. The fact is that during dry spells, engine oil and grease build up on the road surface. When it suddenly rains and the road gets wet, the grease and oil mix, making more dangerous than usual.

Brake sooner and with less force.
Slippery roads make for dangerous times when you brake. As such, when driving in the rain, do brake sooner than you normal would. Also, do not press on the brakes with as much force as you normally would. This would not only give you more distance between your car and the car in front of you but it would also give the driver behind know enough time to hit the brakes himself.

Do NOT use cruise control.
Cruise control was invented for a reason but it was never meant to be used in bad weather. Do not feel lazy when driving in rainy weather but instead be alert as you possibly can.

These are some of the most simple tips that can help you in bad weather. More to follow in the next post.

Written by Marcel on August 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

Nobody plans to have an accident but it is also prudent to be ready when the unexpected happens.

1. Aside from your drivers license and car registration, your insurance policy book will comein handy. Make sure you have it in your car. Having extra copies of these docs will save you from overcharging photocopying services when these docs are needed.
2. If and when you got involve in a “minor” accident, remain calm and focused.
3. Look for a policeman or traffic officer to sketch the position. A camera phone will come in handy too.
4. You will need a police report for the incident for insurance claim, thus, you and the other involved party must drive to the nearest police traffic bureau, to give your individual statements.
5. The process of getting a police report consumes a lot of time. Immediateatly advise all stakeholders about the incident and your whereabouts. Be prepared to cancel all planned activities for the day.
6. The process of getting a police report is also costly as you will pay not only for the cost of the report but also for the photographs and photocopies. Prices is beyond the standard price.
7. Get in touch with your insurance provider, they can extend some assistance depending on the service they offer.
8. Depending on the damage of your car, be prepared for car less days ahead as your car go to the process of repair.

The context of these pointers is minor vehicle to vehicle accident and may not apply if human injury is present.

Written by Sonnie on May 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment

At times when you are on the road, you are bound to see police cars, ambulances or VIPs flashing blinkers and sirens meaning they are in a hurry. Well, they are always in a hurry to reach their point of destination and as a sign of courtesy, private and public vehicles know for a fact that they have to give way or clear the road to let them pass.

That is a common practice that is done anywhere in the world today and for sure, no one wants to get into trouble or be ticketed as an obstruction for refusing to give way. As a rational driver, emergency or not it would be wise to allow them to pass since you never know what could happen and may be held accountable in the end if the emergencies fail to reach their actual point of destination.

As far as having blinkers and sirens is concerned, there are some people who install them without licenses or permits. By doing so, you are placing yourself in a lot of trouble. In most countries, unless you are licensed or authorized to have such things installed on your car, it would be best to keep that thought clear.

These gadgets are normally restricted to the proper people commissioned to do them. It goes in hand with their work. Some use them for status symbol while others just want to feel powerful. They are used for a purpose. Do not install one unless you have the right to have them.

Written by Marcel on April 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Drinking (alcoholic beverages at least) and driving are never a good mix. Everyone knows that. But has it ever occurred to you that eating and drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving can be just as fatal?

Think about it, how often have you passed by a fast food’s drive through and eaten your meal while driving? The chances are that you have done this so many times you can’t even count! And why not? With the fast paced life that most of us live these days, there are instances wherein we can only grab a quick bite while on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, this is not such a good idea. They recently conducted a study which showed that about 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are due to motorists being distracted. So what’s new? Well this is what’s new – the drivers are distracted by their burgers and drinks! Instead of focusing their attention on the road, drivers involved in accidents are probably eating, the study says.

And if you think that drinking coffee makes you a better driver, you might want to think again. The study actually ranked the worst food and drink items that you can eat/drink while behind the wheel. Yep, coffee is one of them. Researchers say that the distraction stems from the potential spill each time you hit a bump or turn a curve. Same goes for that cheeseburger – the pickle might fall, forcing you to reach for it….

Bottom line? You might want to think twice before getting a Big Mac meal to go.

Written by Marcel on February 9, 2011 | 1 Comment

So you got yourself an automatic huh? I know a lot of people these days who prefer to drive an automatic car in the city, for everyday use. Of course, there are still a lot who prefer to drive the stick for better control, but for those who have automatic drives, here are some ways you can wreck the transmission of your car. Of course, I do not have to explain the sarcasm behind these words, eh?

Shift into reverse or park while the car is still moving forward.
The newer cars have a safety feature to guard against this – the park and reverse are locked if the car is still in forward motion. But if your car doesn’t have this feature, then make sure you grab that knob and shift to reverse or park. Doing this over and over again will ensure a wrecked transmission one of these days.

Rev your engine instead of using the parking brake.
You know how you have to keep your car still when waiting for traffic to move while you’re on an incline? Well, you do have a parking brake which you can use, but why do that when you can rev your engine? It is more fun, it sounds fun, and it wrecks your transmission in the long run as well!

Don’t change the transmission gear oil on schedule.
That schedule is merely a suggestion. If you’re a little short on money, save it for later. The car will still work anyway.

Written by Marcel on December 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Driving along the streets especially in traffic can lead to arguments and often encounters that can suddenly look ugly. Drivers go as far as coming to blows while others pull out their guns in cases where they feel that they were beaten to instances like being first or being cut when driving around in the streets. But one thing you should ask for yourself, what do you get out of all of this road rage once everything has been done? Does it make you a better driver or better yet a better person?

This can also be typified as the power tripping driver. Many people who hold key positions in the government or perhaps are granted a license for carrying firearms make them all the more unreasonable drivers, wanting to be the superior person wherever they may be. These instances have resulted in some tragedies and have gone as far as claiming people’s lives or ruining their reputations. Sad as it may, it is all because of lack of courtesy and respect for emotions that drivers cannot contain when they are on the road.

There is no doubt that a lot of us have had our share in terms of encountering such instances. There is no doubt that such outrages will lead to nowhere. The real challenge of driving is not just about how well you drive your car but also about how focused you are on the road. Losing that may very well be a signal to just hire a driver or avoid driving a car to avoid the inconveniences.

Written by Marcel on November 25, 2010 | 1 Comment

Several reports from consumers have been found to have accidents linked to old tires being sold at many tire centers across the world. Even newly installed tires that have been manufactured years before they were installed onto vehicles have the potential to fail miserably soon after installation. These tires have long since been in inventories that though they are new have been sitting for as long as 10 years, maybe more in shelves and stocks. Tires like all manufactured goods have a specific timeframe fro them to retain their reliability and for something that is supposed to carry your car as you drive around that becomes a serious matter. Many have died as a result of old tires that have been stripped of treads sending vehicles crashing into everything in its path. Tires that blow out takes away control form the driver for the much needed traction which is the main form of control for all motorized vehicles. Tires that have been sitting on shelves for more than 10 years lose integrity with plies separating and shearing off resulting in accidents.
Tires do have a code to indicate when they were manufactured but they come in cryptic codes that only the manufacturer knows how to read. Families of people who have died as a result of tire blowouts, wants congress to issue strict laws that would require tire manufacturers to include manufacturing dates on the information stamped on tires and that a ten year limit to be imposed as shelf life for them.
The deaths have to stop and it would only be prudent for these manufacturers who sell millions of these tires worldwide to take measures that allow consumers to determine the lifespan of their products. Hopefully, these measures would make the Sunday drive safer and people would be assured of safer cars with brand their new tires.

Written by Marcel on October 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Studying driving is nothing compared to being released on the streets and driving your car. Without someone to guide you, you are on your own and alone in your car. Once that happens, you will be surprised at the difference it will be considering there will be no one to correct you and to tell you to do this or do that. In short, all judgment calls when you start to drive will be left to you. You should have confidence in driving otherwise you are bound to encounter some accidents along the way.

Confidence is something you need to bring when you drive. Driving is not about stirring the wheel and gassing up for acceleration. It takes mind and focus to drive a car so that you can get places. But be sure to put that confidence level in check. At times you may be tempted to drive fast and the faster you go, the closer you are to accidents. We can just check out news about car accidents. Most of them occur due to reckless driving.

These days, wise driving is all about defensive driving. Logically, at any speed you can reach your point of destination. For people who are following a schedule, driving fast is not the solution. You can always leave early so you will not be late for an appointment. In short, there are alternatives. It’s just a matter of thinking sensibly. The difference in choice can likewise be a telling part between safety and driving wisely and of course building on confidence to being a great driver.

Written by Marcel on October 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

Do you see that white vertical line on the roads each time you go out? Well they are meant for something. They are guides and are there to also tell us to stick to our lane. Unlike in most countries where drivers have a tendency to shift lanes and even disregard these lines, they are really meant to guide you to stay in your lane for a more orderly way of driving.

They are also used to make sure that traffic is manageable at times. A road is usually made for 2 vehicles while highways go up to at most 4 lanes. Just imagine a major road without these lines and many vehicles driving simultaneously. You can just imagine the traffic it can cause due to uneven distribution of driving space thanks to lack of discipline and road ethics.

These are normally taught to you when you study driving. They are the basic yet important issues. In some countries, if you do not follow these simple rules, chances are you are dangling for a traffic violation ticket. Violations and fines for obstruction or even reckless driving can be charged on you and these cost heavy fines and a lot of discomfort for you. And in some countries, it goes as far as taking your license and being a cause for concern when it is time for you to renew them.

You can avoid troubles when you drive. Driving is easy if you do it the right way. Just review what they taught you in driving school and you will be fine.

Written by Marcel on October 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment