All posts in On the Road

Six Tips For Teaching Your Teen The Dangers Of Distracted Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/05/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Teen drivers are considered high-risk operators because they lack experience behind the wheel. While there are several reasons why teens are most at risk on public roads, one major reason why drivers between 16 and 19 have the most crashes is because they are easily distracted. With all of the newest smartphone features and tablets that are hitting the market, driver distraction is becoming a serious problem. Unfortunately, when a teen does not realize the dangers of distracted driving, they are not likely to make an effort to avoid distractions. If you are looking for ideas on how to teach your soon-to-be drivers about the ever present dangers, here are six tips.

Show Your Teen the Statistics and Make Them Easy to Relate To

Distracted drivers put everyone on the road at risk. For some teens, the statistics will really speak to them, but you cannot just expect to tell them that 3000 people die per year because of distractions. In order for the information to do its job, you need to focus on providing the data for drivers in their demographic. If you were to explain that 16 percent of teens in fatal crashes were distracted, that could hit home. You could narrow the information down even more and explain that more than 1 out of every 4 accidents is caused by cell phone usage, and out of these accidents, 10 percent are fatal.

Model Good Behavior

No matter how experienced you are as a driver, diverting your attention to a phone, a makeup compact, or a television screen can be dangerous. While the rate of accidents are higher for teens, distracted driving is a leading cause in serious accidents in all age groups. If you want your teen to be safe and to exhibit responsible behavior when you are not around, you need to set the example. By fighting the urge to text or shuffle through music, you can demonstrate the model behavior that they will know to mimic.

Set the Ground Rules With Your Teen Early

You should never wait until your teen has made a mistake to set the ground rules. Setting the rules that must be followed while operating a vehicle should be done before you hand over the keys. You should discuss the dangers of distractions, teach your child how to avoid the distractions, and have them sign an agreement so that there are consequences if they are caught violating their contract.

Have Your Teen Speak With Someone Who Can “Scare Them Straight”

There are a number of Public Service Announcements that teach teens the dangers of driving while distracted. You might not pay attention to these when you think that a devastating accident cannot happen to you. When you sit down and speak with someone who has lost their loved one due to distracted driving, it starts to feel more real. That emotional presentation or conversation could make all of the difference if your child is making mistakes.

Work on a Public Service Announcement Together

Parents and teens do not get to spend enough time together doing things that can make a difference. After you have discussed the distractions, stressed the dangers and spoke with someone who has experienced loss, the last thing that you can do to ensure that the message has been intercepted is create a Public Service Announcement (PSA). Choose the artwork, come up with a message that will be heard by a target audience, and then consider presenting this to a community organization.

Teach Your Teen What to Do Following an Accident

You can take preventative measures to help reduce the chances that your teen will have an accident, but there is always a chance it could happen. It may even be that the other driver was distracted and your teen was just not able to avoid the collision. Parents should prep their teens so that they know their legal rights and what to do following an accident to exercise these rights. Have them take pictures, seek immediate treatment and document their costs. You should also talk to a lawyer so that you can discuss your right to recovery. After you speak with a lawyer, you will know which bills you can recoup and what steps you must take to shorten the process. Attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

No one wants to receive a phone call where the person on the other line tells you that their child has been in an accident. There are risks associated with driving, but you can play a role in making your teen a responsible driver from the start. Consider these tips, and prepare your teen for a life of focused driving.

Informational credit to Ladah Law Firm, PLLC.

Dangerous Driving Habits You Need to Stop Right Now!

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/24 in On the Road with Comments Off

There are certain habits that should just not happen on the road. Safe driving is for the benefit of every driver out there, not to mention their passengers. While on occasion, we’ll all have a bad day or make a few mistakes, efforts should be made every time you get into a car, to follow the rules and drive appropriately. Here are some of the most common examples to stay away from.

Texting

With the advent of cell phones, texting has shot to the top of the list for causes of crashes. Some of those accidents end in fatalities which is even worse. Whoever, is on the other end of a text can wait until you can safely reply.

Talking

Talking is a distraction that can wreak havoc while driving. You should always be aware of your surroundings while talking on the phone or to a passenger. If you’re going to have a heated discussion, save it for later. Try to concentrate on the road and save all phone calls for when you can talk freely.

Eating

Eating while driving is never a good idea. Even if you are crunched for time during a lunch break, it’s worth waiting until you reach your destination before you scarf down your food. Potential accidents are avoided, and you can actually taste what you had for lunch. You can also avoid potential spills that could cause you to loose control.

Turn Signals

The drivers around you are not mind readers. A habit of using turn signals should be employed when changing lanes, and making turns no matter where you are. Like the safety belt, turn signals are a feature that save lives and decrease property damage from accidents due to no communication.

Stop Signs

Get out of the habit of rolling stops. As Keyser Defense reminds, drivers are required to come to a complete stop, followed by looking both ways before proceeding. As children we learned how to cross the street using an invisible stop sign. Use this strategy even more carefully while behind the wheel and always be on the lookout for animals or pedestrians.

Tailgating

Tailgating is the main cause of rear-end collisions. The three second rule is a trick that can help you remain a safe distance from the car in front of you. An exception is in inclement weather. According to a Minnesota Assault Defense lawyer, you should use judgment on how much additional space is needed by increasing the three second rule to an appropriate marker.

Speeding

Most of us don’t realize the actual science in determining speed limits. However, there are times when a curve comes up, and you better understand. Drives with straight shots can encourage drivers to speed, but this is a deceiving habit not to indulge in.

Accidents for any reason can lead to court costs, defense attorney fees, increased insurance rates, and worse. Being an alert and considerate driver will protect you and your property as well as every other car on the road.

Article Bio:
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

Keeping Cool: Six Tips for Working on Your Road Rage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/22 in On the Road with Comments Off

In the blink of an eye, road rage can lead to a dangerous or even violent encounter between two drivers. In order to remain safe, you must try to keep a cool head while at the wheel. If you find yourself constantly on edge and furious during your daily commute, maybe it’s time to look at some ways to keep a cool head. Here are six tips for working on your road rage.

Have Empathy

Although you may be upset by the actions of another driver, it is important to remember that people do make mistakes. Most motorists do not purposely try to irritate other drivers. In the event that someone accidently cuts you off, try to give the person the benefit of the doubt.

Get Enough Rest

Before hitting the road, make sure you have gotten plenty of rest. Tiredness tends can lead to some very cranky drivers. Drivers who suffer from a lack of sleep are certainly more likely to experience road rage. Instead of attempting to drive while exhausted, take a power nap to re-energize your body. A little extra rest will quickly enhance your mood.

Relaxing Music

Many drivers enjoy listening to upbeat types of music such as rock and hip-hop. However, researchers have found that mellow music tends to calm your nerves. If you encounter a traffic jam on your daily commute, listening to a soothing song may help you to relax.

Take a Deep Breath

Breathing has a major impact on your ability to remain calm. Unsurprisingly, a tense situation will cause your heart to race as well. Your goal should be to breathe as normal as possible. After dealing with a scary incident on the road, take a deep breath to get your emotions under control, check your event calendar to remind yourself you’re not in a hurry, and stay safe.

Do Not Play the Role of the Police

While another driver may upset you, it is not your responsibility to make a citizen’s arrest. Of course if you spot dangerous or reckless drivers, they should be promptly reported to the police. You have a right to be concerned for your personal safety. If you happen to get injured by a negligent driver, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer.

Time Management

As a driver, it is important to manage your time wisely. By leaving home a tad earlier, you will not have to rush to your destination. When commuting to school or work in the morning, it is not uncommon to get stuck behind a school bus, or an elderly driver. You may even be forced to take a detour because of a car accident.

Use these tips to control your road rage and find inner balance with your time on the road. Acting aggressively will not help the situation.

Six Must-Haves You Should Get Before Your Next Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/17 in On the Road with Comments Off

For many families, there is nothing quite as fun as going on an extended road trip. Spending time with the people you love on the open road is a great way to bond and broaden your horizons at the same time. While road trips are usually great, they can quickly go wrong if you are not properly prepared. These are the six things you must have before you head out on your next road trip.

Maps

It may be easier to get directions from a GPS, but they do not always work. If you are traveling to remote destinations, then a GPS will probably not work at all. Since you do not want to be without directions, it is always a good idea to carry maps.

Emergency Kit

Unpredictable things are bound to happen on your road trip, so you want to be prepared. Keeping an emergency kit with you will make sure you are ready for anything. You should keep non-perishable food, warm clothing and first aid items in your emergency kit.

Entertainment

Every long road trip is going to have a few dull moments. Bringing movies, music and games should help keep you entertained for most of the trip. You should also be sure to have enough drinks and snacks on hand to keep you alert during long hours on the road.

Spare Keys

Losing your only pair of keys is the last thing you want to happen. It may take days for you to get some help, so you absolutely must have a spare set of keys. If two different people carry a set of keys, then you should never have to worry about being stranded.

Camera

You are going to see and do amazing things on your road trip, and the best way to capture all of your favorite moments is with a camera. Taking pictures of everything will help you remember your great trip forever. If you are trying to pack light, consider using your phone as a camera.

RV

If you have never experienced a road trip in a RV, then you are truly missing out on a great experience. Taking a nap on a real bed or watching a movie while on the road are amazing benefits that you can only get with a RV. The extra space will also come in handy if you are traveling with several people. Whether you buy or rent an RV, it can make your vacation experience much better.

Road trips are an unforgettable experience, so you need to make the most out of your great trip. If you have these six things on your next road trip, then you should have the time of your life.

Informational credit to Fretz RV.

Six Car Care Tips You Should Know Before A Long Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/08 in On the Road with Comments Off

Your car must be properly prepared for all road trips. Your passengers will be much safer in a car that you have prepared for the trip, and you will be much more comfortable behind the wheel. The six suggestions in this article highlight the six most important things you can do before you set off.

#1: Check The Tires

Checking your tire pressure will help improve gas mileage on your trip. It’s also important to replace worn tires, say the experts at Road-Mart Tire. Your trip can easily be derailed by a blown tire on the side of the road that could have been avoided at home.

#2: Check The Fluids

You need proper levels of coolant, brake fluid, engine oil and transmission fluid in your vehicle. You can check the levels on your own, or you can take your car in for a service just before you leave. A routine oil change will help you address all these item at the shop where you take your car.

#3: Replace The Air Filter

Replacing the air filter on your car will give you better AC and heat response in the vehicle. No one can have a good time on the trip if they are uncomfortable, and you can avoid these problems by changing the air filter quickly before leaving.

#4: Check Your Fuses

Fuses often go out at the wrong time, and you do not want to be pulled over because you have a tail light or registration light that does not work. Replacing the fuses is a quick process that can be done for a few dollars and a few minutes of your time. Leave an extra box in the car just in case you have problems on the road.

#5: Detail The Car

Your car journey will be much more enjoyable if the car is clean. Getting the car detailed makes it look good, and your passengers will not have to breathe in dust the whole way to your final destination.

#6: Get Your Spare Tire

You must ensure that your spare tire is inflated. You need to purchase a spare tire if you do not have one, and you need to check for the tire replacement kit. Every car should have a full emergency kit, but the tire kit is the most important part of this set.

By follow these steps, you can have a stress-free road trip. Doing each of these things makes your vehicle a much safer, more comfortable and easier car to drive.