All posts in On the Road

Drive A Motorcycle? 5 Things You’ll Want To Remember Before You Saddle Up

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/27 in Motorcycles with Comments Off on Drive A Motorcycle? 5 Things You’ll Want To Remember Before You Saddle Up

Some people simply cannot resist the sheer thrill of riding a motorcycle. However, a motorcycle is a powerful machine that must be respected at all times. If you do not take the necessary precautions, you are at risk of being seriously injured. Here are four things you’ll want to remember before saddling up.

Never assume that a motorist sees you

Never make the mistake of assuming that a driver sees your bike. Even if you keep your headlights on and use the proper hand signals, there is no guarantee that the other motorists will notice the presence of your bike. The small stature of a motorcycle can easily become camouflaged in a driver’s blind-spot. Before attempting to pass a vehicle on the road, always look twice to check your surroundings.

Practice makes perfect

While confidence is always a good trait to have, being overconfident on a motorcycle could cause you to lose your life. It is always a good idea to take a training course prior to purchasing a motorcycle. These training courses are taught by experts who have years of motorcycle riding experience. Even if you have experience in riding dirt bikes, riding a motorcycle on the road is a totally different ball game. The best part is that the training program provides all of the essentials including the bike, helmet, and riding gear.

Find a good motorcycle accident attorney

When it comes to riding a motorcycle, it is always best to err on the side of caution. In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a collision, you may need to file an insurance claim. Insurance companies are often difficult to deal with, it certainly helps to have a knowledgeable motorcycle attorney in your corner. A motorcycle attorney’s primary goal is to make sure that you are fairly compensated.

All motorcycles are not created the same

Aside from obtaining the proper training, choosing a motorcycle is the most important aspect of motorcycling. The size and performance of a motorcycle can vary greatly from one model to the next. A high-powered sport bike is definitely not appropriate for a newbie. If you are a first-timer, you may want to consider the purchase of a used bike. Ideally, you should select a bike that suits your body type.

Choose the right gear

All too often you hear about someone being killed on a motorcycle because they weren’t wearing a helmet. Some type of helmet is better than no helmet, but there is definitely a difference between a helmet you spend 20 dollars on, and one you spend 100 dollars on. Read the reviews, talk to someone who knows motorcycle gear well, and make sure you’re prepared for the worst. Some motorcyclists choose to wear protective jackets, pants etc… There are lots of things out there that can make your new hobby more enjoyable.

Owning a motorcycle can be a very gratifying experience if you put your safety first. Save the high-speed maneuvers and dangerous stunts for the professionals.

Is Your Car Road Trip Ready? 3 Things to Do Before You Hit the Road

by Lizzie Weakley on 2014/06/19 in On the Road with Comments Off on Is Your Car Road Trip Ready? 3 Things to Do Before You Hit the Road

Are you planning a road trip this summer? You’ve picked your destination and the places you want to stop along the way. You’ve booked a hotel, packed your comfiest clothes, and bought a new pair of sunglasses—you are ready to hit the road. But is your car?

Make sure to do these three things before you head out.

1. Stock up on Supplies

If you encounter an emergency while you are far from home, you won’t be able to call a neighbor or family member to come to the rescue. Hopefully everything goes smoothly, but you should have the following things on hand in case bad weather leaves you stranded or your car breaks down in the middle of a desert.

  • Fully-stocked first aid kit: Remember to include bandages, antibiotic ointment, scissors and tweezers, cold/heat pack, and pain killers
  • Extra water and non-perishable food
  • Flashlight
  • Jumper Cables
  • Supplies to handle a flat or blown out tire: Bring a jack, tire iron, spare tire, and a puncture repair kit
  • Basic tools: Pack some screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, and duct tape.
  • Extra engine coolant
  • Blanket
  • Map of the area
  • Cell phone and charger

2. Make a Plan

You can’t always prevent your car from breaking down, so make sure you have a plan for emergencies. If your car leaves you stranded on the open road, do the following:

  • If possible, move your car to the side of the road. If possible, coast along the shoulder until you are away from curves in the road so that other drivers will have a clear view of your stopped vehicle.
  • For your safety, and the safety of others, alert other drivers to the fact that you are stopped by turning on your hazard lights, hanging something out of your window or popping your hood. You should also turn on your hazard lights if you are moving very slowly while looking for a safe place to pull over.
  • Call for help. If you have roadside assistance they should be able to come get you and your car. If you don’t have roadside assistance, write down the numbers tow truck companies in the area you will be visiting before you leave on your trip. If you are unable to call for help, wait patiently until a highway patrol officer drives through the area. Make sure family and friends know where you are headed, so they can alert authorities if you don’t check in with them at an expected time.

3. Check the Basics

The best way to prevent car trouble is to check your car before you leave. Be sure to check and change your oil as well as check your breaks, and suspension.

After you have a professional check for the major problems, do your own inspection. Does your air filter need to be replaced? Do you have enough windshield washer fluid? Are your tires inflated to the pressure recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual? Do the tires have enough tread left?

Once you’ve checked your car for problems, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the vehicle. If you usually use your car for commuting to and from work, it is possible you’ve never needed to turn on the high-beams, fog lights, or cruise control. Make sure you know where everything is now and can easily turn things on as needed.

Do these three things before you head out on your road trip so you can enjoy the scenery worry-free.

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie was inspired to write this article by Speedy Brake and Apollo Muffler.

First Time Renters? 5 Things not to do When Renting a Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/12 in On the Road with Comments Off on First Time Renters? 5 Things not to do When Renting a Car

If you plan on traveling at any point in your life, you will have to master the skill of renting a car. People tend to think that it’s an easy experience but those people are most certainly not getting the best deal they possibly can. Here are a few things not to do when you rent cars – it is expensive enough without making mistakes.

Do not rent from the first company that you call.

Automobile rentals are getting more expensive by the year. However, you may be able to leverage a better car for less money if you are willing to call around before you actually have to make the trip. This type of shopping around can end up saving you tons of money.

Do not rent your car at the airport when you land.

Airports have the highest prices on cars. They know that when you land, you have very little choice about your transportation situation. There are too many options for renting cars online – make sure that you avail yourself of these resources so that you do not end up paying the convenience premium at airline hubs charge.

Do not rent the most expensive thing that you find.

If you have a certain budget for automobile rentals, do not pop it out on the base price of your vehicle. You will most certainly need extra money for the maintenance of the car as well as possible insurance, depending on where you are traveling. Also, let’s not forget gas money! The larger car you get, the worse gas mileage you will receive. You never know if you’re going to be stuck in traffic or lose your way around town. Give yourself a money buffer.

Do not ever choose the option to let the automobile company refill the tank.

Automobile companies makes quite a bit on consumers who allow them to fill the tank upon returning the vehicle. They will sometimes charge 2 to 3 times the amount per gallon that gas costs on the marketplace. Always refill the tank yourself before you take the car back in.

Do not buy insurance if you already have rental car insurance coverage from your own auto insurance company.

Make sure you know if you have coverage for rental cars on your own automobile insurance policy. If you do, then you do not need the overpriced insurance that rental car companies try to sell you at every turn. Policies that you may already have available will often cover you even if upgrade to a “better” or more expensive car than the one you are currently covering.

Renting a car can be quite expensive ordeal; however, it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Follow the tips above for the best experience in renting a car, and be safe on the road while you are driving.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. Meghan recommends renting a vehicle from Jamieson Car and Truck Rental to make your renting experience exceptionally easier.

Defensive Driving Tips For City Dwellers

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/04 in On the Road with Comments Off on Defensive Driving Tips For City Dwellers

Defensive driving can be one of the most important skills to learn when preparing to drive. If you utilize defensive driving as often as possible, you lower your risk of being in an accident greatly. Defensive driving is especially important to those who drive in a city setting. Driving in an urban area is one of the most dangerous and frustrating places to drive. Because of amount of traffic, frustrated drivers, and other distractions that can be found in a city, defensive driving is one of the only ways to ensure you do not become a victim of another driver’s ignorance or irresponsibility.

Hazards of Driving

There are many different things that can be hazardous to drivers, especially in a city setting. Aggressive drivers are dangerous and plentiful on clogged roads. In addition to aggressive drivers, there are also distracted drivers. Distracted drivers are becoming more and more of an issue with the rise in electronic device usage behind the wheel. Unfortunately many drivers believe that they are actually able to multitask well, which can be a very dangerous practice for any driver.

How to Handle Hazards

You are never able to control other driver’s actions, but you can control how you respond to them. The most important part of being a defensive driver is being alert. When you pay attention to other drivers, you are able to anticipate problems before they happen. This allows you to react before a problem starts. This is especially important for speeders and people who cut people off recklessly. When you are dealing with an aggressive driver, your best course of action is to slow down and allow the person to pass you. Be sure to allow a good amount of space between the aggressive driver and yourself before you continue at normal speeds.

Victim of Others

If you find yourself to be a victim of another driver’s aggressive or distracted driving, be sure to gather as much information as you can, as soon as you can. Call local police to the scene, take pictures, and get information about the other driver. Be sure to note any weird or standout behaviors from the other driver. If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to take their name and phone number. After collecting all the information you can, be sure to contact a lawyer to see what you are entitled to as a victim. Oshawa law firms can help you to determine fault and give you peace of mind as a driver.

There are many hazards that your average city driver must face day to day. Aggressive and distracted drivers make defensive driving a must for every driver’s daily commute. Be sure to be alert and pay attention to other drivers. If you have the right defensive skills you can reduce the chance of getting into an accident.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking and biking. For this article she used Kitchen Simeson LLP lawyers as a resource. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

Motorcycle or Car – Which One Is Really Safer?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/23 in On the Road with Comments Off on Motorcycle or Car – Which One Is Really Safer?

When compared to motorcycles, the safety of cars has been hard to argue with over the years. A large number of features and protective gear are found in cars. Because of the demand for cheap transportation and the nostalgia for the open road, experienced motorcyclists have challenged the perceptions of safety issues. Important changes suggest that the safety of motorcycle riding can be managed. This has made the use of motorcycles a real option for many people.

Motorcyclists can point to many tactics that allow riders to get out of tough spots quickly. A motorcycle is only a fraction of the size of cars and the small size lends it a real advantage in traffic. Motorcyclists skirt lanes, jump curbs and otherwise speed out of the path of accidents long before they happen.

The driver’s awareness increases on a motorcycle, and motorcyclists take care of the business of driving better than motorists. Motorcyclists see everything while in traffic. They read other drivers and they don’t rely on rules of the road to save them. They take care to communicate with other vehicles and are more cautious moving in and out of lanes.

The public campaign to start seeing motorcycles has produced dividends in safety. Motorists’ growing awareness of motorcycles has contributed to fewer accidents. In addition, operating lights increase visibility, and though it annoys the public, increasing the noise the exhaust augments “visibility.” For the defensive driver, these benefits help make motorcycles safe.

The only drawback for the motorcyclist – and it is significant — is that motorcyclists are exposed to more harm than motorists are. Motorcycles offer virtually no barriers during collisions. There are no side panels, air bags, seat-belts, bumpers or engine bulk to protect a motorcyclist. By contrast, motorcyclists have helmets but not much else.

While automobile accidents result in injuries to the occupants 20 percent of the time, an accident on a motorcycle usually results in personal injury to a driver, a rider or both, according to sources. Ninety-five percent of accidents involving motorcycles leave the rider injured. If you happen to be involved in a motorcycle accident, you’ll want to get in touch with lawyer to help you get a fair settlement for your injury.

If a rider believes an accident is likely in the future, the motorcycle is not the vehicle to use. If a motorcyclist believes driving defensively will make life accident-free, then a motorcycle is the safest vehicle. To many, It’s a matter of perception. Looking at the odds, you would have to give the nod to the car, it’s the safer vehicle, but the argument for motorcycle safety continues to gain ground.

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