Motorcyclists: 6 Tips For Staying Safe On The Road

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/09/05 in Motorcycles with Comments Off on Motorcyclists: 6 Tips For Staying Safe On The Road

There’s nothing like hopping on the Harley and feeling the wind in your hair, taking in the scenery, and getting that rush of freedom that can only come from riding a motorcycle. However, bikers have to play it safe in order to keep from having that freedom taken away from them by a fatal accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcycle riders are more than five times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than people who ride in cars. Since motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle and are likely to be thrown from their bikes, many bikers will sustain serious life-altering injuries like broken spines or traumatic brain injury. In order to prevent traumatic injuries like these here are some tips to follow to help you stay safe on the road.

Always Wear a Helmet

It’s not enough just to wear any helmet. You have to make sure your helmet fits securely so that it isn’t too tight or too loose. You also want to get one that is sturdy and hasn’t had a lot of damage. If your helmet gets dropped or damaged you should get a new one right away. It is essential to not wear that same helmet again because helmets are only made to absorb the impact of a crash once.

Wear Protective Gear

Although it can be tempting to ride in shorts and a t-shirt during the summer, you are more likely to be burned or scraped up without protective clothing. You will want to wear a leather jacket and pants if possible. You will also want to wear full-finger gloves and protective eye-wear. Make sure your eye-wear has good visibility and isn’t scratched. Also make sure that your slip-resistant boots cover your ankles.

Prepare For Inclement Weather

Always check weather conditions before you head out, especially if you’ll be driving in the desert or in congested parts of the city. Dust storms can cause very poor visibility for you and other drivers on the road, which will increase your chances of an accident. If the weather is hot, bring extra water to keep hydrated. Prepare an alternative route home in case of bad weather.

Be Visible To Other Drivers

While you might not be at fault if someone hits you, your priority is to remain alive. Use a headlight at night to make it easy for other drivers will be able to see you easily. Also, be sure to always be mindful of the blind spots of drivers on the road. It is also a good idea to honk your horn in traffic if you are in an area of poor visibility.

Avoid Areas Known For Drinking

Whenever possible, plan your route to avoid the casino areas especially at night. Your chances of getting hurt or killed on the road are much higher when you’re surrounded by vehicles in which people are likely to have just come from the bar. By avoiding those areas completely you can really help prevent a lot of potential danger.

Remain Alert

Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. Even if you aren’t over the legal limit, motorcyclists have to be more alert than other drivers on the road. It is also a good idea to take a break from driving if you’re too tired or are sick, because your reflexes will not be at their best.

There is nothing worse than getting into a motorcycle accident. Luckily there is help out there for you and your loved ones if it happens. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident it is a good idea to get professional help from someone such as a motorcycle accident attorney in Las Vegas, to help you handle your personal injury claim. Be sure to seek help right away so that you can be sure to get all the care you stand in need of.

Automated Cars: How Might They Be Safer and More Efficient Than Human-Driven Cars?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/31 in Electric Auto with Comments Off on Automated Cars: How Might They Be Safer and More Efficient Than Human-Driven Cars?

With the roadways becoming more crowded every day, there are many concerns that come into play. Whether it’s the daily commute, family vacations or road trips, or a quick drive up to the store, getting from point A to point B in our Western world means having many vehicles on the roads at all times. People want to reach their destination quickly and with as little hassle as possible. It’s important to consider the prevalence of issues like safety and efficiency on the roads. So, with more people on the roads in general, what can be done to help keep us safer as well as save us time and effort?

The introduction of automated cars means the future is quickly arriving. As we strive to save time and remain safe on the roadways, what are automated cars doing to contribute, and what can be changed to improve their design in an effort to meet these needs?

In the densely populated Texas Triangle – an area formed by Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston – the death toll between 2005 and 2014 averages around 3,363 deaths each year. In many cases, driver error is a leading cause, such as driving while under the influence of alcohol, failing to drive in a single lane or failing to control their speed. These are all preventable human errors that bring about the question of whether or not the roads would be safer if human error wasn’t an issue.

While it may feel strange to consider a robot driving a vehicle, computers use complicated algorithms that take into account a great deal of data when determining their next move such as appropriate stopping distance and distance from another vehicle. If self-driving vehicles are safer overall than human-driven cars, there will be less injuries and lives lost, which also mea less money spent on medical bills and with insurance companies.

Saving lives and money are both huge benefits of automated cars. Additionally, it’s important to consider the amount of time that can be saved with owning a self-driven vehicle. Consider how much time you spend commuting daily. What if you could get work done, read or use the time to catch up with friends or family?

It would, however, require enough self-driving cars on the road to learn information from each other regarding road conditions and traffic early on. This would be key in providing an efficient and safe journey. This does mean that there would be more opportunity for hackers to work their way into these systems. There is also a fear that with all of the data these computers will need, they may begin collecting and storing personal information as well.

While there are many positives to self-driving vehicles, in order for those positive effects to take place, roads would need to be filled with automated vehicles. The cost of implementing self-driving vehicles fully would be great. With human-driven vehicles still on the roads, accidents can and will happen. The more self-driving cars we have, the more smoothly things can run.

5 Reasons You Should Quickly Fix Even Minor Repairs Following An Auto Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/29 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on 5 Reasons You Should Quickly Fix Even Minor Repairs Following An Auto Accident

A minor car accident or fender bender is a giant blight on an otherwise busy day. Worse, it’s not an event that only impacts that single day, but can actually have ramifications that lasts for weeks as you work with a mechanic to fix the damages. Sometimes, people decide to skip the repairs and instead keep the money paid by the at-fault driver or insurance company. Let’s take a look at five reasons this might not be such a great idea.

There Could Be Legal Ramifications

If you aren’t technically the owner of the car because you’re still making loan payments, then you are technically responsible for keeping the car in good repair for the actual owner. If the insurance company writes a check for the damage and you cash it, but the check also lists your lender, then you may actually be committing a crime by keeping the money.

You Never Know When You’ll Need to Sell

Most people don’t plan to keep their current cars forever. There will eventually come a day when you want to sell your car or trade it in. Making sure you’ve dealt with all minor repairs will make it easier when it comes time to sell or trade in the vehicle. Buyers are turned off from even minor problems with vehicles, so taking care of repairs quickly can help ensure your car is back to normal and safe to drive again.

Minor Damage Can Turn Into Major Problems

What looks like minor damage to the unskilled eye can actually become a major contributor to bigger problems when it’s ignored. For example, a small fender bender might have also resulted in a small water pump leak that could grow and lead to an engine overheating. Additionally, ignored suspension and steering issues can lead to dangerous wear and tear patterns on tires and poor handling — which in turn can even lead to more accidents. By taking your car to professionals like those at Chehalis Collision Center, you can be sure repairs are done quickly and expertly. By having professionals take a look at the damage, you can prevent major problems that be costly in the end.

You May Miss the Statute of Limitations

A car accident claim, even for minor damages, is not something you can wait forever to file. Each state has its own statute of limitations. Bringing your car in for a quick fix of minor repairs ensures that you get a quote to submit to the insurer well before the statute expires and you’re left holding the bag for auto repairs on your own.

Minor repairs can prevent big problems. They ensure your lender stays happy and that your vehicle is always in the best possible condition for resale. There’s no excuse for skipping such a simple yet vital step in the regular maintenance of your automobile.

How to Save Your Old Car from the Scrapyard

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/27 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off on How to Save Your Old Car from the Scrapyard

Everyone likes an old car that keeps running great for years after its first use. For some car owners, it is better to have that new coat of wax than that new car smell. But what do you do when your old friend is getting long in the tooth, and seems more bound for the scrapheap than your garage?

Fix It Up!

The concept is simple—when your car stops working, get it repaired. Do it yourself or hire a mechanic to get the work done. There are plenty of guides available to help you find the right repair professional.

Doing your research is necessary to avoid running into any scam. If you know your information, you will avoid paying thousands of dollars more than what the car is worth. At the least, learn about basic auto repairs—what needs doing and how professionals should be doing it—along with the average costs of each repair.

Routinely inspect the large components for signs of obvious wear, but don’t neglect the little things either. There aren’t extra, back-up parts on your car, so each is important in its own way. List each part in order of importance, starting with the engine. If you really care about an old car, you will consider having these inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.

When you make repairs, rethink paying more than what your old car is worth. Research the average costs of the repairs and replacements before you visit the mechanic.

Pick Out the Parts for Repairs

Before you make repairs, find the right parts for your car. Make sure that the parts match the car because buying the wrong size is just a waste of money.

The cheaper, more convenient option is to choose old parts. You can either visit a u-pull-it or pick-apart scrapyard to find your parts. In major cities, there is usually a handful of yards, like U Pull & Pay, to make selections from.

Buying new parts is a little more sophisticated. You have a wider range of products to choose from online. The costs are higher, but the quality is guaranteed to be high. Another reason to buy new parts is to get a shiny look for your old car.

Contrary to what everyone thinks, an old car is not totally useless. You can still drive it around and use the parts like you did in the past. It may be a little rusted, but that rust is repairable. If you care about an old car and all of the memories you’ve had with it, you would continue to care for it. Do whatever you must do to keep it out of the scrapyard.

Five Of The Best Cars To Consider For Your Ultimate Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/24 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Five Of The Best Cars To Consider For Your Ultimate Road Trip

Whether you’re doing some soul searching this summer or a much awaited family vacation, the right car makes sure you get from point A to point B at the most comfortable and safest means possible. If you plan on renting or buying a new vehicle soon, read on further as we discuss the top choices for the ultimate road trip experience.

Volkswagen Golf

If you are highly concerned about gas bills adding up during your travel, a fuel-efficient car like the 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI is a suitable option. For a base price of $21,000, you get a 150-horsepower turbocharged engine with clean direct-injected diesel. You’ll also get your money’s worth with a 12-way power driver seat and smart air conditioning system.

Mitsubishi Outlander

If you want to travel in style but is also with company, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the few choices large enough to accommodate both needs. The third row can be unfolded to cater for more passengers or left flat to load cargo. The car also provides an optional back-seat entertainment system with its 9-inch monitors and an auxiliary input from which you can listen.

Toyota Rav4

A brand staple in any top list, Toyota has been offering the market a slate of high-end, innovative vehicles bred for the road. This is something embodied by the 2016 Rav4, a front-wheel drive sports utility vehicle with 6-speed AT transmission and powered by a 4-cylinder with dual VVT-i engine. It makes for a good SUV on the road because of the roomy interior for passengers and cargo, but keep in mind it does not have any engine upgrade options. If this is the vehicle that will work best for you, check out Milton Ruben Toyota for some of the best prices.

Subaru Legacy

When it comes to safety, few brands can compete with Subaru. The 2016 Subaru Legacy is a good choice for the ultimate road trip experience. It combines powerful hardware with its 2.5-liter 175-horsepower engine and software with its Starlink system, which connects all your messages, apps, and travel updates in one easy-to-access smartphone app.

Chrysler Town & County

Although slightly pricier than the other choices on this list, at $30,000, the 2015 Chrysler Town & County definitely commands such price. The car comes with three rows o seating for large families or group of friends. Air bags, power lift gate, and a rearview camera are all included with the model.

Take your pick from these five top car choices for long road trips. These vehicles will all have pros and cons, so be sure you know what features you are prioritizing.

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