Tag: Tips – Safe Driving

Emergency Car Kits

emergency car kitYou never know when you will need an emergency car kit to help you when you are stranded somewhere. In most situations, there are other vehicles traveling the road or there are homes nearby. But what do you do if you are traveling in the country late at night? Maybe your traveling in one of the western states with few homes, towns or places you can go for help. On some highways, it can be over 100 miles to the next place with services. Having an emergency car kit in your car can make life much easier for you while waiting for help!

An emergency car kit Should Include

  • Food that won’t spoil such as granola bars (avoid provisions that may be difficult to open such as canned food)
  • Water—use plastic bottles that won’t break if the water freezes and make sure to replace them every six months
  • Blankets
  • Extra clothing and boots

 

  • First aid kit, including a seatbelt cutter(glove compartment)
  • Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
  • Candle inside a deep can and matches
  • Wind-up flashlight
  • Whistle—in case you need to attract attention
  • Roadmaps

 

  • Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping) to help you out of a snow bank
  • Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
  • Tow rope
  • Jumper cables
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Warning lights or road flares
  • And of course, your cellular phone to call for emergency or towing services

Don’t get stranded on the road without these essentials. You never know how long you may need to wait for help especially during winter storms.

For more posts about safe driving topics, click here.


Self Driving Cars for Seniors

Seniors as a group, myself included are approaching the time when driving might no longer be an option. Slowing responses, nervousness and caution can sometimes lead to accidents with more aggressive drivers. Short city trips would be much less stressful if a car could drive itself to your destination. My wife would love this concept. Loss of independence is a big issue for many seniors. Self driving cars could address this issue. At age 70 the accident rate begins to increase. At age 80, the accident rate is similar to rookie teenagers who do not have the experience. For seniors it is response time, peripheral vision and even driving too slowly. This is according to major insurance companies who publish results of claims and accidents.

Self Driving Cars for Seniors

Although for some people who are control type individuals who might not like self driving cars, many seniors and other nervous drivers will appreciate the flexibility of getting into a car and telling it where to go. Programming a self driven car regarding the address to go to might be a problem that designers have not dealt with yet. For many people setting up their GPS is still a problem. Once set or a destination saved, it should not be a major problem for most drivers.

With accident rates declining for self driven cars, insurance rates should also decline. As the percentage overall increases for self driven cars and accident rates decline, insurance premiums should also decline. We are looking forward to the day when self driven cars are combined with all-electric cars to provide the ultimate transportation vehicle.

There will always be a small group of people who will resist purchasing self driven cars or will turn the option off. These will be consumers who like the thrill of driving and also like the control factor. The main issue as we see it is remaining alert ready to take over should some kind of emergency require it. I can see all occupants of a self driven car falling asleep while the car continues merrily along to the programmed destination. Imagine !!!!


Self Driving Cars will Change Retirement

About to lose your license! Afraid to drive! Maybe self driving cars are the answer for seniors and anyone who is uncomfortable getting behind the wheel! Baby boomers are retiring in droves and are still driving. In about 5 years, Google and others feel that the technology and the laws will be ready for main stream autonomous driving! This coincides with the older boomers nearing the time when driving becomes a problem. There could be a large demand from this market segment. In fact after age 70, the accident rate begins to climb and at age 80 the accident rate is the same as rookie teenagers. Maybe self driving cards will change retirement, cause fewer accidents and fewer people will die in accidents.

Self Driving Cars will Change Retirement

There is still a way to go yet. The software needs to be perfected to handle just about any situation. Initially drivers will need to be prepared to take over in special situations, however there is a lot of concern about this. How alert will drivers be after using a self driven car for some time. Initially they will pay attention, but after many uneventful rides or longer trips attentions spans will wonder and the car will need to deal with emergencies by itself which is the long term plan.

Another issues will be the difficulty that many people have in giving up control to a machine. Even boomers who should not be driving will still have this issue. Control is a big thing for many people. They just feel more secure when they are in control of a machine.

Perhaps five years is a bit ambitious, since the technology may be worked out, but it may take longer to work out licensing issues for the owners / operators. Then there is the liability issue when an accident occurs. Who is at fault, the operator of the car, the person who wrote the software or the sensors that perhaps did not do their job. A lot more to come but at least there is hope for the aging boomer population.


Tips For Safe Driving These Holidays

Tips For Safe Driving These HolidaysAre you planning on taking that long drive to your parents’ (or grandparents’) house for the Christmas holidays? Or that trip south to warm temperatures with the family? Or that trip to that ski resort with your friends!

You may have had all the reservations ready. The packing is done. The family is  just waiting for that day to arrive. Many people assume that since the car is working fine, that it does not need to be checked over. Make sure the oil is changed, tire pressure checked and all of the other fluids looked at. A quick walk around the car to check all of the lights are working properly is a good idea. Confirm that the spare tire actually has air in it would be a great idea.

Car Checklist for Your Trip

Here is a complete list of tips about what you should look at when it comes to your car being ready for your holiday trip:

  • Tire tread is sufficient for the conditions you will be encountering
  • Tire pressure is set at optimum
  • Tires are balanced
  • check all fluid levels
    • check oil level
    • verify power steering level
    • check brake fluid level
    • check antifreeze level
    • confirm windshield washer fluid level

Tips For Safe Driving These Holidays

Many organizations and groups who do advocate for better and safer driving despite winter road conditions are reminding the thousands and even millions of drivers in the nation to actually make sure that their vehicles are ready to take that trek. After all, the sudden drop in temperature could really do change the condition of your vehicle without you even noticing it. And yes, your vehicle could act up in the middle of your trip without even knowing that you are going to have problems.

Taking Trips with your Car

According to one expert in the auto field, the American Automobile Association (or the AAA), they do estimate that there are more than thirty-eight million Americans who will be taking that holiday trip. They would approximately take around fifty or more miles from their home. And most of these travelers would be taking their vehicles on their trips. These may seem like relatively short trips, however this is just the time when something can go awry and giving your car a quick check before you leave can save you a lot of difficulty.

To make sure that you are safe and sound and would arrive at your destination still in one piece, one thing that you should check is your tires. Make sure that they are just right for the winter travel. There are different types of tires and these have been made not just to catch your attention but for safety and for various types of weather and road conditions. If snow will be involved make sure your tires are up to the snow conditions.

Before you take your vehicle for that trip to your holiday destination, check the air pressures of the tires. Make sure that they are not over inflated and also not under inflated. If you drive a vehicle with such tires, chances are that they might not work out just right and could also lead to a blown tire. Plus, your expenses on gas could also go to escalating heights.


Tips For Safe Driving These Holidays

Whether it is for Christmas holidays, a family vacation or just a trip to see your  parents’ (or grandparents’) house for the holidays, safe driving tips Tips For Safe Drivinginclude making sure that your car is ready to go and in good shape for the trip. Maybe you are making that trip to that ski resort with your friends? Or perhaps taking the family down south to warmer climate for the holidays. Either way if you are driving it is a good idea to make sure that you have a car that is ready and also safe to drive. Here are a few Tips For Safe Driving.

You may have had all the plans done, the reservations, the packing ready and the family is just waiting for that day to arrive. However, have you ever checked if your car is ready to go?  If not, then perhaps it would be time to do a thorough check or have your mechanic do it for you.

Tips For Safe Driving – Tire Tips

The following is a list of tips and things to check on your car if you are planning to head off on a family vacation driving trip:

  • Tire air pressure
  • Balance tires
  • Tire tread
  • Fluids
    • Engine oil
    • Brake fluid level
    • Power steering fluid
    • Cooling fluid
    • Windshield washer fluid
  • Lights
    • Headlights
    • parking lights
    • Brake lights
    • Turn signal lights
    • Emergency lights
  • Brakes
  • Muffler system
  • Engine air filter
  • Any unusual noises should be checked out

Doing all of these checks will take less than half an hour, or you can arrange for your mechanic to perform all of these checks for you. You can leave on your trip with the confidence of knowing that all systems have been checked on your car and it is ready. Of course there can be break downs while you are traveling, however at least you have done all you can to be sure you will have a safe trip with your car.

Tips For Safe Driving

Tires are among the most important element of your cars systems. If the tread on your tires is getting low, you may need to invest in a new set of tires. Also take into account were you are driving. Snow conditions really require snow tires, while even heavy rain situations require tread that will move the water away from the tire and avoid the tires skimming along on the road and losing traction all together.

None of these things are really that expensive unless you have been neglecting your car. Tires can run $500 to $600 and if you need a full set of brakes, you may need to spend a lot more. Better to be safe than sorry!

Leave a comment and add your tips for safe holiday driving.

 


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