The Open Road: 4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Truck Drivers

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/16 in On the Road with Comments Off on The Open Road: 4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Truck Drivers

You might think that in our day and age, everything is done electronically, however, there are still needs for old-school methods of transportation. Truck driving is still a thriving occupation that is necessary in our highly advanced world today. Truck drivers are often seen as an inconvenience on the road for those who are trying to get somewhere quickly without getting stuck behind a big rig. Although truck drivers are known for spending hundreds of miles on the road daily, there are some surprising facts that the general public has yet to learn. Read on for some surprising facts about truck drivers that you might not know.

They Spend Over 100,000 Miles on the Road Annually

Truck drivers have one of the most interesting occupations and are estimated to spend 125,000 miles on the road each year. This makes for several hours listening to the radio or staying deep in thought while working to stay safe when making a delivery. Legally, they are only able to spend 11 hours on the road each day to prevent fatigue and keep them (and others on the road) safe.

Truck Drivers are at Least 21 Years of Age

Although the legal age to drive a vehicle in the U.S. is 16 years of age, truck drivers are required to be at least 21 years old before becoming a truck driver. Local companies may hire someone under 21, but reputable trucking companies require employees to have a CDL license for cross-country driving. This license requires individuals to be at least 21 years of age. Also to obtain the proper licenses, there is a certain amount of schooling and training needed. The schooling is not universal either, it depends on what country and region you’ll be driving in.

Their Income Continues to Increase

In some parts of society, truck drivers are often viewed as a low-paid individual with a tedious job. In previous years, their salaries averaged $35,000 annually but now are in the $55,000 range due to the increasing dependency of transporting goods. Truck drivers are often paid per mile or depending on the load that they transport, meaning they are not paid while the truck is idling or during a delivery.

Truck Drivers Often Work 70 Hours a Week

For many truck drivers, they can drive up to 70 hours per week in an eight-day period, but legally must take 34 hours off to relax and rest until they hit the road again. Each day, they must have at least a 10-hour break to ensure that they are in a healthy state of mind to stay alert when behind the wheel. Obviously these regulations have been put in place in order to keep everyone on the road safe, and make sure that drivers don’t overdo it and cause an accident.

America’s fascination with truck drivers began in the 1960s and ’70s when new films like Convoy and Smokey and the Bandit became blockbuster hits. Today, the occupation continues to evolve to reward the drivers with more benefits and luxurious amenities inside of the cab. Although there are several challenges when traveling hundreds of miles each day, the benefits continue to make it an enjoyable career.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Dixie got her information for this article from the professionals of Surrey & Hampshire LGV Training in London who specialize in training and certifying truck drivers.

Get in A Car Accident? 5 Phone Calls You Should Make Immediately After it Happens

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/15 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Get in A Car Accident? 5 Phone Calls You Should Make Immediately After it Happens

A car crash can leave some drivers and passengers in shock. However, it’s important to make the following five phone calls immediately after getting into a car accident.

Auto Insurance Agent

After getting into an accident, a driver should call his or her auto insurance agent. The agent will immediately start up all of the paperwork that needs to be filed for an official claim. An agent will instruct the driver on what to do regarding towing, storing and repairing the vehicle.

Police Help

The police should be called immediately after an accident. An officer can arrive in a matter of minutes to assess the car accident site. An official police report is created at the accident site. This report includes information about the causes of the accident and the driver that is at fault. A diagram can also be drawn in order to officially determine what happened during the car crash.

Legal Assistance

A personal injury attorney has said that people can save themselves some serious headaches as well as money, if they call a lawyer. They can be very helpful in taking care of some legal issues involving a car accident. An attorney can file a claim against insurance companies that are not willing to pay any extra money for medical expenses and other compensation to an injured driver or passenger. An attorney also has the right to file civil lawsuits against a driver at fault in an accident. Such a driver can face serious charges especially if he or she was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Towing & Auto Collision Company

After a car accident, it’s a good idea to call a familiar local towing company. Such a company may offer a fair rate to tow away and store a damaged car. Otherwise, the police will call in towing services that may charge expensive rates. Additionally, a driver can request that his or her damaged car be towed to a specific auto body shop or service center that charges a fair rate. Otherwise, some collisions centers unknown to the driver may charge expensive rates for storage and labor.

Contacting Owner of Car

The owner of a vehicle should be immediately contacted after an accident. After all, some people drive cars that belong to their parents, relatives or friends. By law, the title holder of a vehicle is responsible for some of the events that follow a car accident.

Police, lawyers, insurance agent, car owner and towing company should all be called right after a car accident. Accident victims should also think about getting immediate medical treatment.

Chaleigh is a freelance writer that lives in NYC. She enjoys writing and lifestyle photography. She writes about anything from Reno Personal Injury Lawyer related content, to paving your driveway or how to properly fix your slice in golf. In her spare time she likes to take pictures, snowboard, golf, and play ice hockey.

Three Ways you Can Make Your Truck More Useful

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/14 in Auto Parts with Comments Off on Three Ways you Can Make Your Truck More Useful

Trucks are the great workhorse of America. Their usefulness and value to the average person is seen on a daily basis. Trucks have the ability to make transportation of items and carrying huge loads vastly easier. In case you were one of the people wondering how to squeeze a bit more out of your vehicle, here is a list of three ways to make your truck more useful.

1. Hitches

A hitch is the perfect item to add to your truck. This small little item hooks to the back of your truck and attaches to virtually anything with a trailer. It provides the ability to instantly carry an almost infinite amount of accessories to your movement or pleasure-seeking needs. A hitch can be left on your truck which makes it easier to hitch things to your truck at any time. For those looking to easily make the biggest change to your truck, a hitch is a perfect place to start.

2. Floodlights

This is a more specific improvement, but one that will be crucial to every hunter. Once you are out of the city and on those back roads you use to get to your favorite hunting spot, one thing is certain; there are no street lights! And when you are trying to find your way on the often times hilly and uneven terrain on these back roads, the regular driving lights just won’t cut it. Luckily for you there exists the ability to simply install extra lights above the cabin of the truck that will be much brighter and more powerful than the driving lights. With the added ability to help spot your kill when you lose it in the woods, I believe that adding a floodlight to your truck will be a very helpful improvement for those wishing to increase their hunting efficiency.

3. Extra towing supplies

I know I’ve already mentioned a hitch but sometimes that won’t cut it for the type of work that will need to be done. Trailer supplies are good to have because they will provide you with every tool for every situation. Similar to a Swiss Army Knife, this set of tools will never leave you running to the store for an extra part or piece of equipment to tow something. Another possible scenario is that you will have to help a friend or loved one in need by helping to pull their vehicle out of a rough spot of hole. With the use of your extra towing supplies you should have everything you need to avert this situation and save the day.

Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance writer that suggests that hitches, winches and other trailer supplies are good to keep on hand if you are a truck owner. Annette loves to write about lifestyle and can be contacted on G+.

Five Things to Ask a Private Seller When Buying a Used Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/13 in Used Autos & Trucks with Comments Off on Five Things to Ask a Private Seller When Buying a Used Car

The purchase of a vehicle is one the the largest investments you will ever make on a single item, so it is crucial to have a good understanding of the car or truck you may have in mind. While there are advantages of buying from a private seller, there are no warranties, so it is important to ask five crucial questions when buying a used car from a private seller.

Reason for the Sale

Behind every car sale from a private owner, there is a logical reason why the transaction is taking place. The first question you should ask a private seller is what their motivation is for the sale. If they are selling because they purchased a new vehicle, this means they want to sell quickly, and this can be advantageous for you. Some owners will be completely honest and admit that the vehicle is not economical, reliable, or fuel-efficient, which is important to know.

Past Owners

Once you meet with the seller, it is time to inquire more about the car’s history. Make sure to ask them where they bought the car. If they are the original owner, this is a good sign. They should be able to provide all of the maintenance records. If they cannot provide an adequate record of the vehicle’s history, a specialist from a used car dealership in Utah recommends that you walk away. An incomplete car history could be hiding parts replacements, repairs, and illegal ownership—none of which any new owner would want to deal with.

Condition of the Vehicle

This is a question that can be asked over the phone prior to the first meeting. Ask the seller how they would describe their car’s condition. Terms such as "excellent", "good", and "fair" are all positive responses, and it could be worth the time to check out. At the same time, be wary of hesitation or unwillingness to provide pictures of any part of the vehicle.

Independent Inspection

After you have taken the vehicle on a test drive, ask the seller if they mind if you get an independent inspection done. If they are at all hesitant to agree, this should be a huge red flag that something is not right. An inspection performed by an unbiased third party is your best chance at receiving a complete and accurate evaluation of the vehicle’s condition and should be performed on any used car you consider purchasing, especially from a private seller.

Oil Type

A clever way, recommended by experts from used car dealerships in Utah, to discover how well maintained the vehicle has been is to ask what kind of oil it uses. A seller able to quickly answer this question likely did oil changes themselves and took care of the vehicle. If hesitant, it is a good idea to have a mechanic look over the vehicle.

Getting the Best for Your Money

Buying a used car from a private seller can be a bargain, but there are bad apples in every barrel. By asking these five questions, you can rest assured in your decision. A car is a major purchase, and a used car can be quite a gamble, but by standing your ground and employing the tips discussed above, you can ensure the vehicle you buy is in good shape and priced fairly.

Vehicle Price Haggling: What to Know before you step onto the Lot

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/05/12 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Vehicle Price Haggling: What to Know before you step onto the Lot

Buying a vehicle is not at all like buying a pair of shoes or a bunch of grapes. You are going to be paying for this object for the next several years and will need it to last for as long as possible. Therefore, it is critical that you do not pay more than your desired vehicle is worth. What are some ways that you can haggle effectively to get the right price on your next car?

1) Know What You Want Before Going to the Dealership

The easiest way to spend too much on a car is to have no idea what you want before you go to the dealership. The goal of the dealership is to maximize profits and get you to spend as much money as possible. By knowing what you want ahead of time, you can skip the sales pitch and go straight into negotiating the price. For example, if you know that you want a Hyundai Elantra, you won’t be duped into buying a Porsche for $20,000 more.

2) Negotiate Price, Trade In and Then Talk Payment

Whenever you negotiate a car deal, you want to negotiate the price of the car first. This is because a salesperson may try to get you to pay more by offering a lower monthly payment or by guaranteeing more for a trade in. However, your monthly payment and the value of your trade in mean nothing if you are still paying too much for the car. Remember, you want a 60 month loan if possible because you pay the least amount of interest without breaking the bank for the monthly payment.

3) Never Be Afraid to Walk Away

Whether you are dealing with a private seller or a dealership, you should never be afraid to walk away. When a customer walks away, it represents a lost sale and a potential commission out the window. Therefore, do not be afraid to exercise your power as a consumer to get the best possible deal.

4) Have Alternate Financing Available

When you start to negotiate a deal, make sure that you have financing lined up in case the dealer tries to play games with you when it comes to paying for the car. Some dealers may try to tell you that your credit score is lower than it is to hike up your interest rate or tell you that you can only qualify if you have a cosigner. This makes it necessary to only go to credible dealerships. Your local credit union may be able to get you a new car deal with an APR of 2 percent or less.

Know ahead of time what you want, check your credit and get financed before you start shopping if you want the best deal on your next car. When tens of thousands of dollars are at stake, you want to know that you have spent your money well.

Author Bio:
This Article is written by Erika Remmington in connection with a Lansing, Michigan Car Dealer. Erika is a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley in linguistics and a minor in business. Erika enjoys spending time with her family and rock climbing in her spare time.

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