Auto Magazine

Driving Dangers: Most Common Reasons for Accidents on the Road Today

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/10 in On the Road with Comments Off

There are nearly 10 million car accidents on the roads every year. Some accidents are minor, while others result in fatalities. There are hundreds of reasons for auto accidents. You should know the top five causes for accidents on the road today and be sure you’re doing everything you can to minimize the risks you take.

Speeding

One of the most common causes of accidents is speeding. Drivers who are speeding can start to lose control of the car if anything goes wrong mechanically or on the road. This can result in serious injuries and property damage. You can avoid getting into an accident because of speeding by obeying the rules of the road. Do not exceed the speed limit, even if you are on a seemingly deserted road.

Fatigue

Fatigue means that a driver is overly tired, or is starting to nod off in the vehicle. Fatigue can happen with commercial drivers, or people who have to drive long distances every day. Fatigued drivers have been known to crash into other cars or drift into opposing traffic. Never start driving if you feel tired. If you get fatigued on the road, then pull over and rest. If you are taking a long trip, to bring along a backup driver.

Distracted Driving

A huge contributor to yearly crashes is distracted driving. This means driving while you are talking on a cell phone, eating, or talking to someone in the car. Distracted driving can lead to major accidents and fatalities. Avoid distracted driving by paying attention to the road at all times, and turning off devices while in your car. It takes only a second of distraction to get into an accident.

Bad Weather

Bad weather is one of the top causes of car accidents today. Heavy fog can reduce visibility so drivers cannot even see each other or the road. Snow and ice can cause drivers to lose control so the car slides into other vehicles or pedestrians. Heavy rain and wind can affect handling. Avoid driving if you know bad weather is coming. Pull over and wait if conditions get very dangerous.

Badly Maintained Vehicles

A final common cause of automobile accidents is a badly maintained vehicle. This means failing to properly care for a car, and have some component stop working correctly. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to have your car repaired immediately whenever problems start to occur. Take your vehicle into a shop at least twice a year to check out major repairs and maintenance.

If you want to avoid auto accidents, you need take every second on the road as seriously as possible. Pay attention to your surroundings and your body. If you start to notice problems, then stop or drive more cautiously. Hopefully following these tips will keep you safe while on the road.

5 Reasons to Get Your CDL License

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/07 in On the Road with Comments Off

If you have been considering getting your Commercial Driver’s License? There is no reason to delay especially if you are considering a career in driving a semi-truck or some other kind of big rig vehicle that requires you to have a CDL license. With that said, a new career is waiting for you, and all you have to do is pass a few tests. Here are the top five reasons to get started on your CDL today.

Drive Big, Drive Everything

A Commercial Driver’s License allows you to drive any vehicle weighing over 10,000 lbs. Whether it’s commercial semi-trucks, double or triple trailer vehicles, hazardous material tankers, or a local school bus, a CDL means you are qualified to drive the biggest commercial vehicles available anywhere in the United States. Having a CDL also makes it easier to purchase your own semi-truck (Source: Access Trucks).

Getting Started is Easy

Getting your new career underway is very easy. First, obtain your state’s CDL manual which can be found at your local DMV. Next, decide what kind of vehicle you want to get licensing in and what kind of job you’re pursuing. Bus drivers require a different class of license then semi-truck drivers. Next, simply apply for the Commercial Learner’s Permit at your local DMV and start driving with an instructor. Finally, when you feel comfortable on the road, take the final exam. The test involves a three part skill exam and a short written section. Many states even allow you to retake the test multiple times if need be.

Inexpensive to Get

Acquiring a CDL takes very little time and money. You can obtain your license in as little as four to six weeks. Most CLP training programs cost a mere $4,000. The internet is full of manuals and practice tests that are completely free. There are trucking companies everywhere eager for more drivers. Many will even reimburse your full tuition costs once you’re hired.

Pay Increase

After only a month of schooling, you can expect to make $35,000 to $40,000 a year. Within three years, that amount can climb up to $50,000. The demand for truckers is real, and drivers with experience can expect great compensation.

Work benefits

Trucking companies take great care of their drivers. Benefits include medical, dental, 401k plans and even paid vacation. It’s your truck with your rules. Dress how you want and make your own schedules to get the job done. Another nice benefit is that you get to travel a lot. The only real downside is that depending on who you work for, you may not be home very much, but if you enjoy the open road, this can be a huge benefit.

With the job market being at a low point to where jobs are scarce, getting your CDL license can only help you. It will make you a more marketable employee in the long run, especially if you are looking to make a career in driving bigger vehicles. If you are over 18 years old, you can get started on your CDL by obtaining a state only license. If you are 21 or older, a lucrative career driving on the interstate is waiting for you.

6 Items that Should be in Every Modern Glove Box

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/05 in Auto Care with Comments Off

Each vehicle contains a glove box for a convenient area of storage where personal belongings or emergency items can be stored. For many people, the glove box is an ideal space to put specific items that are needed in an accident, during bad weather, or in the event of an emergency. To stay prepared, there are a few essentials that should be in every modern glove box.

1. Rechargeable Flashlight

If you have a flat tire in the middle of the night or get stuck in the mud when the weather is bad, a flashlight is an essential item to have on hand. To prevent having a flashlight in the glove box that has dead batteries, opt for using a rechargeable flashlight.

2. Portable Jump Starter

A portable jump starter will be a necessary item to have on hand if your car’s battery dies. There are many different types but getting one with a full size clamp to penetrate battery corrosion that may be present is a good idea. Having a portable jump starter handy is a great way to get back on the road if you are stranded out in the middle of nowhere.

3. First Aid Kit

For obvious reasons a first aid kit is necessary for any car or individual for proper roadside safety. If you’re involved in an accident or see someone stopped on the side of the road who in need of medical attention, a first aid kid is crucial to have if minor injuries occur instead of resorting to using duct tape. It can also be of help in a number of other cases.

4. Phone Charger

To stay connected to the outside world and have a way of contacting someone if you’re in need of help, a phone charger is essential if your phone runs out of battery. Having a spare car charger around in case of emergencies is always a good practice.

5. Automated Flare Device

To alert other drives of your vehicle parked on the side of the road, an automated flare device will get motorists’ attention and keep you safe until help arrives. A few of the devices can be used to put on the road around your car to keep you safe.

6. Auto Document Organizer

This item is needed to keep important documents organized when you get pulled over by a police officer or need to bring your medical documents to the hospital. You can also copies and have a few photos of the document on a phone as backup.

To prepare for different circumstances while in transit and have the necessary items on hand, there are a number of tools to keep in your glove box at all times. It will make it easier to get back on the road without having to deal with delays or prolonged interruptions.

Information Credit: Mike’s Auto Towing

6 Important Questions to Ask your Agent about Your Car Insurance Policy

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/03 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

Many people don’t truly take the time to look through their auto insurance policies until it’s too late. You don’t want to be footed with an unexpected bill after an accident, so it’s important to take a look through your policy and understand exactly what you’re buying. Although you might have sat down with an agent when you first purchased car insurance, it is always a good idea to meet with them again just to be clear on the terms of your coverage. Below are important six questions you’ll want to ask your insurance agent about your policy in order to avoid any confusion.

Does My Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

Flooding has been a major cause for concern this year because there has been record rainfall and flooding throughout the nation. Usually a flood claim is a total loss on the car, so it’s pretty important that you’re covered under an event like this, even if you have an older car that has been paid off for years. Having comprehensive coverage will help you secure a down payment for a new vehicle.

How Does My Car Insurance Cover a Rental?

Let’s say you’re going out of town for a week and don’t want to put the extra miles on your car, so you decide to grab a rental instead. When you’re signing the contract you’re going to be presented with a list of insurance options. In this situation, it’s important to know how your insurance will extend coverage to the rental to help you mitigate any unexpected costs. In most cases, if you’re renting a car similar in value to your vehicle then you’ll be safe, but it’s always a good idea to look over your coverage with your agent just in case.

Is My Liability Too High or Too Low?

Liability coverage seems like almost an afterthought when purchasing a policy, and most people tend to go with the state minimums. Unfortunately, a claim against another automobile is much cheaper to pay out than an injured family’s hospital bills. Your auto liability limits cover your assets, so it’s important to match your limits to your assets.

What is the Payout Process Like?

According to a personal injury attorney, knowing the payout process of a claim can be important in deciding how much coverage you’re comfortable purchasing. Most states have a form of personal injury protection (PIP) that will pay out first, followed then by medical payments. If that isn’t enough to cover your hospital bills, you can also litigate the at-fault driver for their bodily injury, or go even further and go after their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Why Should I Buy Medical Coverage if I already have Health Insurance?

This is a common question people ask their agents when purchasing insurance. What most people don’t realize is that this money does not cover your medical bills in the case of an accident, it covers the medical bills of people you injure. So, while you might be covered for injuries by your health insurance, you’ll be stuck with the bill if you injure someone in an accident and they decide to litigate.

What’s the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision?

Many people either raise their deductibles or drop their comprehensive and collision coverage all together, once the vehicle reaches a certain age, to reduce their premium. This can be dangerous because you’re also dropping coverage for your vehicle under weather related circumstances as well. It’s generally always a good idea to keep comprehensive on your vehicle unless you know you’re financially stable enough to do without the vehicle in the case of it being a total loss. Comprehensive coverage covers for more than just acts of God, so speak with your agent to learn more.

When you purchase your policy, any good insurance agent will walk you through the basic coverage, but some things aren’t spelled out exactly. Knowing what types of questions to ask will help you purchase a policy that fits your needs the best. Even if you’ve had your policy for a long time, it never hurts to meet with an agent in order to make sure you aren’t paying too much, or aren’t missing any important coverage.

How To Prepare Your Teen For The Road Before They Get Their Permit

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/29 in On the Road with Comments Off

Is it time for your teen to start driving? Getting your teen their driver’s permit can lead to some high anxiety, but by managing it properly you should be able to escape with both your child and your car relatively unscathed.

Enroll Them in a Driving School

While giving your child driving lessons is a fantastic bonding opportunity, it should never replace the hiring of an actual driving school. Driving schools teach a teen to drive properly from the ground up according to North Shore Driving School Ltd., a driving school in Burnaby. Whether we realize it or not, many of us internalize some bad habits while driving, and we don’t want to pass that along to our children! Moreover, there are some issues — such as parallel parking — that can be very difficult for a non-professional to teach.

Teach Them Practical Skills for Driving

Many parents focus on the basic techniques of driving without concentrating on more practical issues, such as how to get from point A to point B. Before your teen gets their permit, make sure they know some basics: how to get directions if they’re lost, how to properly fill up their tank and how to navigate around a parking lot. Think about the things that you wish you had known before you began driving in earnest!

Make Sure Your Insurance Coverage Is Sufficient

Let’s face it: a teen is probably going to get into at least one wreck, even with you in the passenger seat. This is a time when a low deductible policy is for the best. Most teenagers won’t get into serious accidents but may instead scrape, dent or otherwise damage the vehicle at slow (sometimes achingly slow) speeds.

Don’t Forget About Responsible Driving

More than just teaching your child how to drive, you should impress upon them the importance of knowing when to drive. Of course, every teen should be taught not to drink and drive, but they should also be taught about how dangerous it is to drive while talking on the phone or to drive while tired. As a parent, you’re undoubtedly aware that children are always tired — and young drivers are more likely to get into accidents when drowsy.

The professionals at the driving school can offer you further tips on how to prepare your teenager properly for the trials ahead. With just a little coaxing, they should be ready to hit the road!