All posts in On the Road

Six Times You May Want To Skip A Motorcycle Outing and Drive Your Car Instead

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/29 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Riding a motorcycle makes for an easy and fun way of getting around town. Whether you’re heading to work or are going on an outing, there are many times to make use of the bike. For those who want to remain safe while on the road, there are a few times when it’s important to resort to driving a car to protect yourself.

1. Maintenance is Needed

You may need new tires or have squeaky brakes on your motorcycle with maintenance that is needed. Avoid driving your motorcycle if the bike is not in perfect condition and maintenance or repairs are needed to ensure that you stay safe on the road.

2. Bad Weather

One of the most dangerous times to ride a motorcycle is when it’s raining or snowing outside. This can make the bike more vulnerable to an accident due to poor weather conditions that make it challenging to drive. You’ll be safer driving in a vehicle and can reduce your chances of an accident.

3. Popular Holidays

New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, and St. Patrick’s Day are all holidays when motorists are more dangerous on the road and tend to be drinking. Protect yourself by taking a car if you need to travel to avoid getting hit by someone who is intoxicated. If you do get injured by another driver at times like this, be sure to contact professionals like the Milwaukee injury attorneys at Groth Law Firm.

4. Heavy Traffic

It can be difficult to drive in heavy traffic when motorists are impatient and you’ll have to weave in and out of traffic. Avoid traveling on a motorcycle during rush hour or on a Friday evening due to motorists who may not see you and may come into your lane too suddenly.

5. At Night

Although you may see the road ahead of you, it can be difficult for other motorists to spot you at night. Resort to using your bike during the day when you’re more visible to other drivers.

6. You’re Tired

Operating a motorcycle requires a high level of energy and physical strength. Avoiding driving the bike when you’re tired, which can make it easy to make a mistake and get into an accident. Opt for driving a car to remain safer until you get to your destination.

Although it can be tempting to go on a motorcycle outing, it’s important to use caution and remain responsible with the bike. You should only operate the motorcycle in the right conditions and when you can use it responsibly to protect yourself and others on the road.

Cocktail of Danger: How to Avoid Accidents on the Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/25 in On the Road with Comments Off

Accidents on the road are frighteningly common, and you’ll never know when they will happen. But there are ways to diminish the chances of these accidents happening, and these tips could potentially save your life.

Drive Defensively

It is important when driving to remember that even if you do have the right of way, or the law is on your side in some other way, it will not matter in an accident. Make sure that you look beyond the laws of the road to avoid an accident. In a perfect world, everyone on the road would follow every traffic law, but this is not the case. Drivers run red lights, perform rolling stops at stop signs, exceed the speed limit, change lanes without signaling, etc. None of this can be prevented by you as another driver, you must simply recognize that this is happening and stay out of the way of a reckless driver who may cause you harm.

Limit Distractions

Although this may seem like a fairly obvious point, it’s a point which is lost on many new and experienced drivers. Make sure that when you get into your car, you put your cell phone and other pieces of mobile technology far enough away from you that you cannot reach it while driving. If you listen to the radio while you are driving, try to choose a station and then stick with that station. Moving your eyes away from the road for only a split second can have disastrous consequences. It is essential that you maintain focus on the road at all times. If you need to take or make a call, pull over to do so.

Use Your Mirrors

When driving, it is easy to only focus on what is in front of your vehicle, it is of utmost importance that you do not fall into this habit. The mirrors which are provided in your vehicle are there for a reason. You must know what is going on around your vehicles on all sides at all times. As difficult as this sounds, it becomes intuitive after falling into this habit.

Avoid Impairment

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only dangerous but a serious legal offense. While many people believe that they can have a few drinks and then drive home without issue, even light drinking can put one over the legal limit. Even if you stay beneath the legal limit, in Georgia you could be deemed "less safe" and charged with driving under the influence to the extent that you are less safe behind the wheel (learn more at http://athenscriminallawyer.com/). The best way to avoid this is to abstain from alcohol if you plan to drive later or call a taxi if you’ve been drinking and need to get somewhere.

Anticipate Every Possibility
When you drive, you need to foresee the actions of other drivers and pedestrians before they perform the action. It is also important that you see and recognize the behaviors of pedestrians, to make sure they do not accidently put themselves in peril of being struck by your vehicle. Make sure that your eyes are constantly moving around and assessing what could happen in the next few seconds.

Accidents on the road are a terrifying thing. They are unforeseeable, and they happen in a split second. Luckily for us, there are actions we can take to minimize the risk of being in a situation which could result in an accident.

4 Tips for Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle

by Anica Oaks on 2016/01/20 in Motorcycles with Comments Off

Motorcycles are cool, but they are not as safe as cars. A bike can travel as fast as a car, but it lacks most of the safety features that cars have. However, riding a motorcycle should not be a death-cheating exercise. There are many steps you can take to ensure you remain safe while riding.

Wear a Helmet

Wearing a helmet while riding is the most important protective measure you can take. It protects your head, and head injuries are the leading cause of death for motorcyclists. Wearing a helmet alone is not enough; you must wear the right helmet. When shopping for a helmet, look for one that is approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). These have been tested and confirmed to provide the minimum protection you need. The helmet should not be too tight or too loose, and it should also not obstruct your vision.

Educate Your Passengers

You must ensure that your passengers wear the right gear. Like you, they should wear protective clothes and sturdy shoes. You need to practice having a passenger in a safe area such as a parking lot. Doing this gets you used to the extra weight on the bike, and your passenger also gets accustomed to the feel of the motorcycle. Ensure your passengers learn not to distract you, and also avoid panicking. If you are carrying a child, follow the laws of your state.

Avoid Distraction

Distracted riding is not a good idea. You need to stay fully aware of what is going on around you. Remember, many drivers find it difficult to see motorcycles, especially when they are driving big cars and SUVs. So, when you see them, try to avoid them, and don’t bet for them to see you. Don’t fiddle with your phone or iPod because this cuts your reaction time by several seconds. Also, don’t take your hands off the bike even for a second because this compromises your braking, shifting, or accelerating. However, when riding, you cannot avoid the mistakes of other road users. So, in case you get involved in an accident, find a good motorcycle accident lawyer from places like Arrington Schelin & Munsey PC to represent you.

Watch the Weather

A motorbike is not as stable as a car, and riding it in the rain is riskier than driving a car in the rain. Since it has two wheels only, its traction is half that of a car. And since a motorbike lacks a windshield and wipers, it has compromised visibility during bad weather. So, when preparing for a trip, check the weather first. If the weatherman predicts ice, snow, or heavy rain, leave your bike at home. But, if you must ride, don’t ride immediately after the storm starts because the rain conjures up oil and other residues that make the road exceedingly slippery. Thus, wait until the rain has washed off the oil and slick stuff that has been brought up, and then ride slowly and cautiously, allowing plenty of space for stopping.

A motorcycle is not as safe as a car, but you can ensure that you protect yourself from injury by wearing a helmet, educating your passengers, watching the weather, and avoiding distractions while riding.

Motorcycle Or Car? Tips To Help You Pick The Best Choice

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/15 in On the Road with Comments Off

You’ve determined that you need a mode of personal transportation, but you’re not sure what the better option is: a car or a motorcycle. This quick guide will help you arrive at the best choice considering your specific situation.

Size

The most obvious difference between driving a car and a motorcycle is the size of the vehicle. While a 4-door sedan might be able to fit you and three of your friends, it may not be ideal in a dense city where lane space and parking come at high premium. Because of its smaller form factor, a motorcycle can more easily negotiate traffic, and it will be far easier to find adequate parking where a full-sized vehicle simply couldn’t fit.

Cargo/Space

Secondly, consider what cargo needs you may have. If your job or lifestyle demands that you have ample trunk space or a back seat, then a car might be a necessity. However, keep in mind that most motorcycles can be outfitted with storage racks and waterproof cargo boxes that might actually be big enough to suit you. You may be surprised at how much you can carry in a pair of motorcycle saddlebags.

Cost

Another consideration is cost. However much you’re looking to spend, it’s highly likely that you’ll get more motorcycle for your money simply because there are fewer raw materials needed for its construction. Look into used models of both cars and motorcycles to get a good feel for what your budget can handle.

Safety

Safety is another critical feature to consider in making the decision to purchase a car or a motorcycle. Whereas full-sized cars can have a host of safety features including airbags, ABS brakes and reinforced steel framing, there really are no safety features of most motorcycles. The likelihood of injury or death is exponentially higher if you’re involved in a wreck while riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries, and the Fannin Litigation Group in Spokane can help in these cases.

Maintenance

Don’t forget to factor in the ongoing cost of maintenance, gas and taxes or fees. A smaller engine generally needs less fuel to operate, so a motorcycle is going to take you further on less money. Maintaining a motorcycle is simpler, too. There are fewer moving parts after all. Also, registration fees and taxes are generally lower for motorcycles than they are for cars.

Weather

Lastly, consider the weather conditions where you’ll be using your vehicle. If it rains frequently or if ice and snow are frequent, riding a motorcycle is going to be inherently more difficult than driving a car.

While you may enjoy both a motorcycle and a car, you will often benefit from one more than the other. Consider the area you live in, weather, traffic and more before making a final decision.

A Deadly Combination: The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Although everyone in America knows that drunk driving is a problem, many underestimate the dangers of driving drunk and the resulting consequences. Some are unaware of the fact that a person’s driving ability can be severely impaired even without driving over the legal limit. In addition to legal consequences, a person whose driving ability is impaired can pose a real danger to other drivers and passengers.

Why is Alcohol a Problem When Driving?

Many people safely drink in moderation and operate a vehicle afterwards without causing any problems. However, even smaller amounts of alcohol can impair a person who is small in size, has low alcohol tolerance, or takes medications. People with certain medical conditions that impact their reaction time may also experience impairment.

Serious Accidents Can Carry More Severe Charges

Penalties for drunk or impaired driving are severe but are worse when serious injury or death results. A driver that is involved in a car crash that causes severe casualties may face a long jail sentence, eventual civil damages, and severe social stigma. Understanding how severe the consequences might be is something that people need to take into account before their drinking causes a tragedy.

Under the Influence or Impaired?

Many people unfamiliar with the laws don’t realize that driving under the influence and driving while impaired are two different charges. Driving under the influence, which is what most people think of when they think about drunk driving, happens when the driver has a blood alcohol level of .08% or more. However, drivers can also be charged when their BAC is .05% or more, and the alcohol impairs their driving. When this is the case, they face driving while impaired charges.

The Penalties Can Be Severe

Although driving under the influence or impaired have different criteria, both charges can similar sentencing. A DUI can carry a sentence of up to a year while DWAI can result in a 6-month sentence. A jail sentence of this length can have severe personal and financial consequences. Law firms such as Bachus & Schanker Law work with these types of cases regularly.

Consulting with a Lawyer Helps

People facing the sentences and fines associated with driving drunk would do well to consult with an attorney. A lawyer may be able to assist a person facing drunk driving charges so that they can resume living as normal a life as possible. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a DUI or DWAI charge, seeking an attorney’s advice may make things easier.