Checking your smartphone while driving is tough to resist for many people. Whether it’s to read the latest Twitter feed, see who “liked” a Facebook post or take a photo to share on Snapchat or Instagram, people check their phones constantly. Numerous studies conducted about cell phone usage while driving has shown that it causes distractions and often leads to accidents. And in some states, including California, all hands-on use of cell phones is against the law. California’s new restrictions on cell phone usage took effect in January of this year. [Read more…]
Our reflexes and attention span ages as we get older, which can affect our driving. Many seniors are able to drive well into their 80’s and even early 90’s, but certain health conditions can affect a driver’s abilities behind the wheel. If you or a loved one is over the age of 65, it’s important to understand how age and health can alter someone’s judgment on the road. This will allow you to recognize when the time comes to give up the keys for your safety and the safety of others. [Read more…]
Just as cell phone use at dinner is a major faux pas in terms of table etiquette; there are several driving etiquettes that people often ignore. You should always consider pedestrians, other drivers, cyclists, passengers, and yourself when you start the engine. Your driving habits can either lessen the risk of an auto accident or cause a detrimental outcome to occur.
Practice good manners on the road by adhering to these driving rules. [Read more…]
The automobile industry constantly works on innovating new safety features for the latest cars, trucks and motorcycles. With California having 3,176 fatal accidents in 2015, the demand for advanced safety features to lower the risk of auto accidents is on the rise. While airbags and seat belts are necessary for safety, our cars need to be equipped with more features that prevent the collisions that cause injuries and fatalities. [Read more…]
Getting four hours of sleep, versus six hours, could be the difference between life and death on the road. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety completed a study correlating sleep deprivation to traffic accidents and found some eye-opening results.
“Drivers who reported that they usually sleep for 4-5 hours per day had 5.4 times the crash rate of drivers who usually sleep for 7 hours or more daily.” [Read more…]
Drivers with road rage can make even the most patient and calm people loose their cool. There are aggressive drivers who occasionally put the lives of others and their properties in danger. Your reaction to an aggressive driver is essential for your safety, as well as the safety of other drivers and passengers surrounding you. Here are a few tips for defusing a road rage situation.
In case of an emergency situation, you always need to be prepared. Driving elicits unpredictable factors that could put you in a potentially dangerous situation. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 2.35 million people in the US are injured in road crashes each year. Certain items should always be kept in a safe spot in your car in the event that you need to access them during an emergency. Whether you have been involved in an automobile accident, or are experiencing car issues on the side of the road, you should be keeping these items on hand at all times.
Speeding can cost you more than the price of an expensive ticket, it could cost you your life. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s latest report, 9,262 people were killed in 2014 as a result of speeding, a total of 28 percent of all fatal crashes. Speeding goes beyond exceeding the posted limit. A driver is considered to be speeding if they are driving at a speed that is unsafe for certain road conditions. Construction zones, school zones, curved or steep roads, and certain weather conditions all call for a reduced speed. When these conditions are ignored, the possibility of an automobile accident is greatly increased.
Highways and freeways are often noted as safer than other roadways, but the high speeds and heavy traffic make it a dangerous place for any motorcycle rider. As a motorcyclist, you have no control of the other cars and trucks on the road, but you can make decisions and educate yourself with safe riding techniques to keep you as safe as possible.
Parking lots are often the most congested and busiest parts of the driving experience, yet as drivers, we don’t often associate it with risk and danger. It is important to remember that safe driving techniques need to be implemented the moment you get behind the wheel. A study by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association found that 20 percent of all accident related insurance claims were related to incidents that happened within the limits of the parking lot. With drivers and pedestrians not seeing the risk of these situations, these accidents will continue to happen. The next time you are searching the lot for a spot, remember the importance of these safe driving and parking techniques.