All posts in On the Road

Auto Technology: Cool Innovations That Will Make You a Better Driver

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/23 in On the Road with Comments Off

Driving has come a long way, so to speak, since the days of Henry Ford and his pioneering development of mass production automobiles. Ford embraced technology as an ally to help him attain his vision of average Americans being able to afford a car; since then, technology has shifted towards improving the overall driving experience. The following five innovations have been specially designed to make driving easier, more enjoyable and safer:

Backup Cameras

Throwing gears into reverse and assuming an awkward position of embracing the passenger seat and twisting your entire body while sitting down sounds like a complex yoga pose, but this is the reality of backing up without the benefit of a digital camera that lets you see exactly what is happening beyond the rear bumper of your car. The latest cameras even display the action on the rear view mirror to take advantage of the driving paradigm of glancing at the mirror to see objects behind you.

GPS Systems

Road navigation systems are often taken for granted these days, but there was a time when getting lost on the roads was a frequent and risky proposition. The best GPS application for automotive use are the type built into the dashboard infotainment unit, but even a mounted smartphone with the right mobile app can help these days.

Wireless Chargers

Smartphone integration with vehicles is only safe when it is done correctly. To this effect, modern wireless chargers do away with the risk of having to fumble with tangled cords while driving. Plus, some of them, like those from TYLT, are purposefully meant to be kept at the same level as the road as to prevent drivers from becoming too distracted.

Smart On-Board Diagnostics

The standard OBD II port in modern vehicles used to be reserved for auto technicians who operated expensive equipment to determine what the engine computer had to say about its condition. These days, smart OBDII scanners are affordable and can interface with mobile apps to let drivers and car owners know exactly what is happening to their engines, thereby making them better informed about the overall state of their vehicles.

Hands-Free Communications

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Microsoft Link are primarily designed to make driving safer by allowing drivers to control infotainment systems with their voices and not with their hands. As these smartphone integration standards become smarter, drivers can keep their hands on their steering wheels while they make phone calls, reply to text messages and retrieve information with their voice.

How many of the five above innovations do you currently have access to? Hopefully, you can now see what value that they can bring to your life and will take the necessary steps to invest in them. We all want to be safe on the road and by taking advantage of new technology, we can do just that.

6 Important Steps to Take Before Traveling

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/16 in On the Road with Comments Off

With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s likely that many people will be in transit to see friends and family all around the world. The last thing you want during this time of year is to get lost or stranded on the way to see your loved ones. Whether you’re traveling abroad or headed on a cross-country road trip, there are several things to consider to help ensure a safe journey. Check out these 6 steps to take before heading out of town.

1. Know About Your Destination

It’s important to take some time to read up on yourdestination, especially if you’re traveling to another country. Visa requirements are likely to be different for each individual country, so make sure you know exactly what you need before you leave. It’s also crucial to learn about the local laws before you arrive. Medical care is also something that could be very different than what you’re used to, so make sure you know what to expect.

2. Map Out Your Route

Whether you’re in for a couple of hours on the road or a full day, be sure to map out your route before you hit the road. Often times, there are certain highways that are more dangerous than other possible routes. In Georgia, themajority of car accident fatalities occurred in a city as opposed to rural areas. It’s also important to be comfortable with your route if you’re unfamiliar with the drive.

3. Keep a Paper Map in Your Car

If you’re headed across the state or even the country, make sure you have a paper map in your car. Cell signals could go down at any time, especially if you’re driving through rural areas. You don’t want to get stuck in unfamiliar territory with no way of knowing where you are.

4. Be Aware of Any Warning or Alerts

Traveling overseas or to another country in general means you should definitely check on any travel warnings or alerts that may be taking place in your destination country. The US embassy or consulate in the country to which you’re headed will likely have any security updates on their website. You can evenenroll your trip with the nearest embassy so they know you’ll be there.

5. Are There Any Health Precautions?

Traveling to a foreign country often means you’ll need to update your vaccinations or take additional health precautions. Make sure you know exactly what you’ll need before the date of your departure sneaks up on you.

6. Keep Your Vehicle Stocked With Safety Supplies

Make sure your vehicle is fully stocked with any emergency items you might need. A blanket, first aid kit, jack and spare tire, and large flashlight are all crucial safety supplies you’ll want in your car if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for a long journey – whether it’s via car or plane – requires little prep time, but it will definitely be worth it to ensure you have a safe trip.

How Getting A DUI Can Mess Up Your Relationships At Work And Home

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/10 in On the Road with Comments Off

The risks of getting a DUI go beyond car accidents and potential injuries. Having it on your record affects your home and work life in several ways. Because it impacts more than just the driver, it’s important to know what can happen when you incur this charge and these are just some of the consequences:

Current Work

DUI charges are often enough to convince an employer to fire someone, but that isn’t the only concern. According to Steve W. Sumner, Attorney At Law, “You have 30 days from the time of your arrest to avoid an automatic suspension.” If that happens, then it could be more difficult to get to work at all and that will make your boss see you as not being reliable. You might also have to spend time in a treatment program or jail, which means that you won’t even be able to make it at all.

Personal Finances

The costs go beyond the impound fees and fines of arrest. Insurance premiums can skyrocket and your credit will likewise be negatively impacted. Rehabilitation is not cheap and if a DUI already reflects poorly on your job, mandatory enrollment could be a major issue. If an accident results in injury or death, then the prices get far worse. Good lawyers can offset a lot of these costs and speed up the recovery process, but even that depends on the case and how much help you need.

Future Work

Getting a DUI means getting a criminal record, which must be reflected on all job applications. Many already know this complication, but if you’re seeking work that requires certification, you might be out of a job for a while. Professions like teachers, police officers, doctors, and more can suspend licenses before a trial, before treatment, or permanently. By doing so, that is basically them saying that they don’t trust you to perform your duties as you are supposed to do so. Also, you should know that although DUI arrests are only reported for seven years, your potential employer is free to act on any convictions they find.

Family Ties

Besides the potential physical and financial tolls, major emotional effects can wreak havoc on your personal life. Embarrassment and guilt, not to mention mistrust and anxiety over safety, can ruin your relationship with loved ones such as your spouse and children. Time spent in treatment or jail may only drive you further away. Anyone involved incurring depression or PTSD can make recovery even more painful.

DUI arrests and charges alike bring no good to anyone. The effects can have the power to ruin someone’s life, short- and long-term. No matter whether your relationship is coming from your personal or work like, these charges can change your relationships—which is definitely one good reason to avoid drinking and driving.

5 Not-So-Cool Ways To Get Your Driver’s License Suspended

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/04 in On the Road with Comments Off

Every year, millions of Americans have their driver’s licenses revoked for one reason or another. Most motorists encounter such a scenario due to fairly mundane causes or accumulating too many points. However, there are many other surprising ways that you can lose your license. Here are just a few of the lesser-known ways to get a license suspended.

Driving Under the Influence

When it comes to getting a DUI, losing your license is a real possibility if you’re slapped with additional charges. Many such convictions will necessitate an SR-22 from a carrier like Great Northern Insurance Agency once the suspension period has come to an end.

Failure to Pay Traffic Fines

While most states will give motorists leeway when it comes to settling fines, failure to pay up may eventually result in a suspension. Consequently, getting a ticket for texting while driving can even cause you to lose your driver’s license. Pay your fines immediately and appeal the charge later if you feel they’re unwarranted.

Stiffing Gas Stations on a Bill

Quite a few of the larger states like California, Texas and Arizona will yank your license if you drive away from a pump without paying. Even if you innocently forgot to settle the tab, the charge will often stick. Always pay for gas before you pump to avoid such a situation.

Avoiding Child Support Payments

Believe it or not, any state could take your license if you renege on child support obligations. The state generally views this as the best way to motivate parents that are in arrears. If you owe child support for whatever reason, don’t miss an installment until you can work out a better deal.

Using a Fake ID to Buy Alcohol

While it’s more common for high school and college students to use fake IDs, the risks are more serious than most people realize. In New York, Arizona, Vermont, Indiana, Michigan and a number of other states, getting busted with a fake license is grounds for losing your real one for some time.

How to Minimize Suspension Fallout

When your license is suspended, how you manage the situation will dictate how badly the punishment affects your life. Having a good insurance company in your corner can seriously mitigate the financial repercussions. Carefully weigh your options when dealing with suspensions before making any decisions that entail long-term negative consequences.

Yet, your best chance at never having your license revoked would be to avoid the situations that lead up to that entirely. Hopefully, the list above has been very educational for you and has enlightened you about what you need to do so that you can keep your privileges.

Commute Chaos: 4 Tips To Ease The Morning Madness

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/10/31 in On the Road with Comments Off

Commuting can be some of the most stressful hours of your workday. Traffic is always a big concern and a safety hazard. It’s also stressful as people become frustrated or more anxious to get home. However, there are some simple things you can do to make your commute that much more bearable. Some experts even believe that having a positive attitude and an engaging brain is one of the most significant competitive advantages in business. Here are four top tips to ease the morning madness of commuting:

Breathe

Some health experts think that one can reduce stress while driving by intentionally taking specific, conscious, even breaths. Deeply inhale and exhale while driving. Research indicates that deep breathing has a powerfully calming effect on people. You may not be able to control how calm the people are around you, but you can help yourself stay calmer. This will help you to react calmly to any stressful situations or people.

Crank Up The Music

Put on some of your favorite music. Listen to what makes you happy and take the commute time to relax and enjoy your favorite tunes. You may also consider getting audio books to listen to and make the time pass more quickly. Whether you like tunes, podcasts, or books, a commute is a great time to catch up on whatever you enjoy.

Have A Dependable Car

Commuting itself is stressful, you don’t want to significantly add to the stress with car problems. Of course, most car problems are unexpected, but you can prevent some. Remember to take care of your car, taking it regularly to a trusted mechanic for tune-ups. If you have automotive skills, you may consider buying used parts from a U Pull & Pay and installing them yourself. This can save you quite a bit of money and future headache. Either way, ensure your car is dependable so you’re not stranded in the middle of your morning or evening commute.

Relocate Your Job Or Your Residence

Although there are ways to ease morning commutes, sometimes it is more beneficial to you to move. If you can’t handle the commute, move closer to where you work. Get a new job closer to where you live, plan ahead and carpool, or take buses or trains. Some people don’t mind commuting, but if it’s adding significant stress and impacting your health, you may consider relocating closer to work.

In the end, commutes are always stressful. There’s a lot of people, cars, and schedules that are all trying to mesh on the road. There are simple tips that you can try to help yourself stay more relaxed and make your morning commute that much more enjoyable. Help ease the stress by breathing, listening to music, making sure your car is dependable, or you may even consider relocating.