Driving Tip

Car Insurance For High-Risk Drivers

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:48:00 +0000

If you are classified as a high-risk driver, finding car insurance can be quite a hassle. Some insurance companies will deny insurance to high-risk drivers, while others just choose to charge extremely high premiums. No matter which insurance company you choose, you will most likely end up with a high rate. However, every insurance company is different, so it is important to shop around for the best rates available.

There are many different factors that can contribute to a high-risk driver classification. However, your driving record is the most important factor in determining your risk status. If you have been involved in several accidents over the course of a year or within two to three years, these incidents will negatively affect your record even if they were not your fault. Being involved in any accident can deem you a reckless driver with a penchant for getting into dangerous situations. Also, if you have received multiple speeding tickets, you are also increasing your risk of getting into car accidents. You may be labeled a high-risk driver just by the number of speeding tickets you have received.

There are also several personal factors that contributed to the high-risk label. Unfortunately, many of these factors are beyond your control. Men are typically deemed a higher risk than women, and those who live in the city are considered higher risk than those who live in the country. If you are a city dweller, you will probably pay higher car insurance premiums than if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area. Also, drivers with newer cars are charged higher premiums than those with older automobiles.

Unfortunately, even your credit history can affect your car insurance rating. Those with low credit ratings are usually charged higher premiums than those with better credit scores. Whether or not you have been covered by car insurance continuously is also a factor. If there are gaps in your coverage, they will assume that you have had periods of uninsured driving. Because driving without insurance is very unsafe and also very illegal, insurance companies take this into consideration when considering your rate.

Though it can take several years of clean driving to erase the high-risk driver label, it can still be done. Three years is the industry standard for reassessing a driver’s safety standing. If you have a clean record for a three-year period, you can work your way back to the benefits of lower premiums. However, three years’ worth of high premiums can really add up over time. If you are a high-risk driver, there are still ways to lower your insurance payments. With a little research, you can reduce your payments by a fair amount.

There are many car insurance companies that offer free quotes online. Rather than meeting with salespeople or playing phone tag with agents, Internet sites will give you a quote in minutes. This makes comparison-shopping easier than ever. There are even websites that will find a list of quotes for you. Sites like Netquote.com allow you to enter all of your information one time rather than repeating the process for every insurance company you investigate. Netquote will generate a list of rates organized in an easy to read fashion. This process may take a few days, but the results are typically worth it.

Working toward a clean driving record is the best way to ensure that you will get the best car insurance rates. Avoid congested areas whenever possible, and be sure to slow down in reduced speed zones. Be aware of your surroundings and never speed, and you will be on your way to a successful reduction in your rates.

About the Author:
Sintilia Miecevole
http://www.filinsurance.com is the internet's most comprehensive insurance marketplace for your specific needs. With the expert, Sintilia Miecevole, who has many years of experience, this outstanding site http://www.filinsurance.com provides competitive rates from auto, life, homeowners, health, and more, just for you! Log in and enjoy!
This article was posted on November 02, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

Easy Steps to Protect the Environment While Driving

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:17:00 +0000

Many of us want to help the environment. We care about global warming. But we also need transportation.

Especially for those of us that live in large cities not well equipped with public transportation, or those who live in out-of-the-way areas tens of miles away from civilization - without a vehicle to get around in, we can't get around at all!

I know personally that I get aggravated at the seeming lack of options out there for truly improving the environment while handling my transportation needs. Here, in Los Angeles, public transportation is mediocre at best. And the hybrid cars pushed at us from car companies are often discovered to do little in helping the environment.

So I took the liberty to discover ways I could help the environment driving the car I already own. And I also investigated some alternative fuels.

Tips for Driving Your Existing Vehicle in Environmentally Friendly Ways

A. Put the road rage aside and get comfortable with cruising! Just smile at every tree you pass and remember to drive at a controlled, steady pace. Don't immediately speed up to the speed limit just to hit your breaks at the next stop light. And try to shift into the next gear as soon as possible, instead of letting the RPGs get too high.

Why does this help? Because sudden acceleration and braking burns far more fuel. More fuel being burned means greater emissions. Also, the best speed for fuel economy is between 50-60 mph. If you're on the freeway and traffic moves at a faster pace, try not to go above 75 mph as anything above this seems to burn inordinately more fuel.

B. Especially important for Los Angelenos: if you get stuck in traffic, or behind an accident, turn off your engine. Idling uses fuel, especially if you drive a manual vehicle and must constantly rev the engine or ease the car forward.

C. Save air conditioning for must-need moments. Running your air conditioner will actually increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%, so roll down your windows and suck in the fresh air you're trying to protect! If you must run your air, recycle it within your vehicle and turn it off once the temperature in the cabin goes down.

D. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, of course go smaller and more compact when possible.

E. Take off any racks, boxes, or other items that may be on the roof of your vehicle. These cause wind resistance and add to the weight of your auto. Unfortunately this will reduce your fuel economy - sometimes significantly.

F. Car pool. Yes it's obvious, but still people forget to do this. More importantly, unless you're hauling a family of 7 or the entire soccer team, go with the smallest vehicle possible that gets the best fuel economy. And if you're meeting a friend somewhere, take turns picking each other up for your get togethers. That can also save on parking costs and hassles in highly crowded cities.l

G. Use cruise control when appropriate on highways and freeways. Always be safe, but if you can comfortably use your cruise control, do so. It will ensure that as you drive, you don't accidentally slow down and speed up, which is normal on long drives as our attention gets waylaid or we inadvertently drive at the same pace as the car next to us.

Did You Know? Alternative Fuels Are Out There!

Unless you're a die-hard environmentalist or car enthusiast interested in building your own vehicle (which is possible by the way!), you probably haven't heard about the alternative fuels available for standard vehicles. This is largely because these fuels are not near as profitable as oil.

Biodiesel (Globaldiesel) This is a diesel equivalent, processed fuel that is derived from natural sources. You can purchase biodiesel and use it in your own diesel engine without making any changes to your vehicle. Such fuel is a blend of ultralow sulphur diesel and rapeseed oil

However, you can also create your own biodiesel from used cooking oil (just ask your local restaurants to donate it to you!). However, in this case you would need to modify your diesel engine.

Sulphur-Free Petrol Many vehicles currently use Ultralow Sulphur Petrol or Diesel. Over the next couple years, this will progress to using Sulphur-Free Petrol. In 2008 use of such will be compulsory in the UK. Apparently, this will take affect in the US as well.

BioEthanol A distillation of wheat, biomass, and sugar, BioEthanol produces less air pollutants than traditional fossil fuels. It is also renewable. There are different forms of this, including one that uses water and can be used without modifying your engine, and other types that can be mixed with traditional fuel or, if used exclusively, requires engine modifications.

About the Author:
Jaime Mintun
We are Southern California's largest auto buying service and we support the use of green energy and environmentally friendly practices. We'll help you sell your used car in Los Angeles.
Submitted: 2006-08-25
Article Source: GoArticles

Why Should You Enroll In A Defensive Driving Course?

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:22:00 +0000

Whether you are a teenager who is getting ready to hit the open road, or a seasoned veteran of the highways and byways, it is a wise idea to take a defensive driving course. Driving courses that are designed to teach defensive driving are gaining in popularity as cases of road rage increase in number.

Another reason to take a course of this nature is to reduce auto insurance rates. Most insurance companies offer a discount for taking and completing a driving course. The amount of the discount varies among insurance companies, but will be between 2-10% on average. Call your personal auto insurance agent for the amount you could save.

Cost may also be a concern when choosing which type of course to take. A traditional course is generally more expensive then the other types that are available. However, they do have the distinct advantage of a teacher and classmates to ask questions to and receive answers from. If cost is a prohibitive factor in joining a classroom course, then a correspondence or online course could be the answer. These courses are usually less expensive and have the advantage of being able to complete the work at your own pace.

One of the most popular reasons to take this type of course should be to improve your driving skills, to increase your chances of not being involved in an accident. Reality, however, proves that the most common reason to participate in a defensive driving course is that it is court ordered. Many times the court will require a driver take a driving course in place of fines or jail time for a driving infraction.

When considering taking a defensive driving course, it is important to research the options that are available to you. The most common type is the still the traditional, classroom type course. However, with today's technology classes are becoming popular both as online and correspondence courses.

About the Author:
John Mancini has been writing about defensive driving online and offline for a long time. Visit http://www.texas-defensive-driving-schools.net or http://best-driving-schools.info to read more about matters like online defensive driving and online traffic schools.
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Driving Tips To Help You To Pollute Less

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:52:00 +0000

We've all been told to drive defensively and watch out for the "other guy" on the road, but what exactly should we be doing? What should we be watching out for? Here are some good driving tips to help you better understand defensive driving and how to avoid having an accident.

What If?

While driving on the highway, or in the city, always be aware of your surroundings. Scan the road ahead of you and check your rear-view mirror behind you. Look for possible road hazards. A good way to do this is to play a game of "what if". What if the driver in front of me slams on their brakes? What if the driver on my right runs this stop sign? What if this guy doesn't look and backs out of his parking spot while I'm going down the aisle? By thinking ahead and anticipating what the other guy might do, you can be better prepared in these situations.

Keep your own vehicle well maintained. Defensive driving really begins at home. Be sure you keep your own vehicle maintained by having it serviced on a consistent basis. Pay special attention to the tires, brakes, windshield wipers and lights. Keep your windows and mirrors cleaned off, especially in snow and ice.

Intersections

Be sure you know the driving rules for intersections. Always use your turn signal when approaching an intersection. Don't make the other guy guess what you might do next. When you approach any intersection, be sure you have your foot over the brake just in case something unexpected happens. Be prepared for it. Only start through the intersection when it is clear. Never assume it is just because you have the green light.

Stopping

Your vehicle’s weight determines how long it takes you to come to a stop. The heavier your car weighs, the longer it will take you to stop. A good rule of thumb is that at 65 MPH it will take the length of a football field to come to a stop.

Don't be fooled by having ABS brakes. ABS will help prevent your car from spinning out and locking up during a panic stop. They don't make you come to a stop any quicker.

One thousand one.

A very good driving tip is the two-second rule when following someone in front of you. When someone in front of you passes a fixed object, like a mile marker or road sign, count off how long it takes before you pass the same object. If it is sooner than two seconds then you are following too closely. Slow down and back off a little.

In bad weather conditions you need to increase the time to three seconds. This includes driving in:

• Fog
• Rain
• Snow
• Smoke
• Driving behind a motorcycle
• Driving behind a big truck
• Driving at night

Big Trucks

Stay well behind big trucks on the highway. Remember, if you can't see the driver in their side mirror, then they can't see you. Stay out of the blind spots.

Be careful when you see a big truck attempting to make a wide right turn. Never try to pass them in the right lane.

These driving tips can help everyone avoid potentially dangerous situations and possible accidents. Put them into use and constantly be aware of the "other guy". It will help keep you safe while out on the roads and highways.

About the Author:
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Driving Tips
Article Submitted On: June 12, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Headlight Cleaning and Restoration Kit to Boost Nighttime Driving Safety

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:36:00 +0000

MDWholesale.com, a famed automotive safety oriented website and company has recently divulged a secret to attaining a safer nighttime travel. The company advised drivers and motorists alike to bring with them a headlight cleaning and restoration kit in cases of headlight emergencies while traveling at night.

According to David Maillie, President of MDWholesale.com, “It is a proven fact that our field of vision is greatly reduced when driving at night and cloudy or dim headlights will greatly increase the risks of a night time accident. We want consumers to be aware that most accidents occur at night and the number one reason is due to bad headlights.”

An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced or professionally cleaned. That fact is revealed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Further, it was stated that the problem is not always on the bulb but in the outer plastic lens that makes the lighting dim, cloudy, worn and blurry. Exposure to such lighting conditions triggers accidents at night.

According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, and the previous 10 years of traffic accident data, lighting is the most essential issue linked to accidents at night. This is the reason why every driver must be equipped with headlight kit. Having the latter accessible any time gives the rider the opportunity to clean and restore his headlight to its original and clean state. This kit is an economical alternative to repairs and services. Aside from that it can be had, even at the wee hours of the day. This kit is compatible with Volvo, Honda, Mazda, headlights for GMC truck and to other brands as well.

Maillie further noted, “Make your car look better and see better at night with our headlight cleaning and restoration kit. Our goal is to make consumers safer when driving through our products and safety information and education.”

About the Author:
Tracy Dawson is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine.
Article Source: ArticleToGo.com

Teen Driver Statistics

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 09:29:00 +0000

As a parent, if you search for any information about Teen Driving Statistics you will find statistics similar to those below. I have reviewed various websites to summarize the information from these sources, however, please feel free to search the web for “teen driving statistics” for more websites and information on this subject.

The information allows us to ponder if teen driving needs to be revisited on a national level. How are teen drivers being educated by driving schools? Do we need to increase the amount of time for driver training? How about requiring higher levels of car driving education (not just traffic education, but how do drive a car education)? Should driver’s licenses only be issued at age 18? What are the economic implications to increasing the driving age? We will visit these questions in the next article. For now we need to understand what is happening on our roads today.

We know that the current requirements for driver education are not sufficient. Both commercially and by parents. We can add that a younger age teen is not mature enough to control a vehicle and might as well be considered to be driving a deadly weapon. Teens with permit licenses are driving with their parents in an unmarked family vehicle only increase the likelihood of accidents. Using car magnets that are thick, reflective for the night and are durable can help reduce this likelihood. These types of auto safety magnets can be found at Auto Safety Magnets. Identifying these almost 2 million vehicles on the road should be a requirement on a national level.

As parents we must take the responsibility of protecting our children. Should you reconsider your decision the next time your teen asks to take the car?

The Facts from reliable Sources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

In 2003, 3,657 (3,827 in 2002) drivers 15 to 20 years old were killed, and an additional 308,000 (324,000 in 2002) were injured, in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 31 percent of teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2003 had been drinking and 74 percent of this group was not wearing their safety belts.

National Safety Council

In 2000, 6,495 people between the ages of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes—the leading cause of death for this age group. And although young drivers represent only 6.6% of the nation's licensed drivers, they are involved in 14.8% of fatal crashes. The National Safety Council urges all parents to familiarize themselves with the risks associated with young, inexperienced drivers.

Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death among children and young adults.

More than 3,800 young drivers age 15-20 are killed every year in traffic crashes.

More than 326,000 young drivers are injured.

Young drivers are involved in fatal traffic crashes at over twice the rate as the rest of the population.

Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe speed is the most common error in fatal accidents.

About 30% of crashes killing young drivers involve alcohol.

More than 1,000 young drivers lose their lives every year in crashes because of an impaired driver... be it themselves, or someone else.

Sean Mullsteff Teen Driving Foundation

The number one cause of death for 15-20 year olds is car collisions.

This age group makes up 7% of licensed drivers, but suffers 14% of fatalities and 20% of all reported collisions.

53% of teen driver deaths occur on weekends.

Teen drivers killed in motor vehicle collisions had a youth passenger in the automobile 45% of the time.

In 2002, The National Center for Statistics and Analysis reported that 8,278 adolescents (ages 15-20) were involved in fatal crashes.

324,000 teens were injured in collisions in 2002.

65% of teen passenger deaths occur with a teen driving.

Teen lifestyle of staying up late make teen drivers a high risk to have an automobile collision due to drowsiness.

More than any age group, teens are likely to be involved in a single vehicle crash.

About the Author:
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Auto Safety Magnets
http://www.autosafetymagnets.com
Auto Safety Magnets helps teen drivers while operating their unmarked family vehicle by increasing road awareness, traffic safety and reducing driver frustration.
melih@autosafetymagnets.com
This article was posted on March 21, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

Tip on Driving a Mobile Car Wash or Auto Detailing Truck

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:17:00 +0000

For those who are in the business of cleaning and detailing cars on-site or who run a mobile auto detailing or mobile car wash company there are certain things you need to know to insure you do not destroy the transmission in your vehicle.

Water weighs eight pounds per gallon and as it sloshes around that is quite a bit of kinetic energy moving around indeed so when driving a car wash truck towing a trailer with a 200 gallon water tank you know that when you come to a stop it rocks back and forth. This hurts the gears on the transmission whether you have an automatic or a stick shift.

So here is the technique we always used in our company (DetailGuys.com) to stop this. First you come to an almost complete stop slowing down and as the water starts to move forward you slightly let of the brake and thus it rocks the truck back a little slowing the vehicle and then you abruptly stop at the last second. What does this do you ask?

Well, as it starts to rock backwards you tap the brake. This halves the travel of the water backwards and then the two waves in the tank hit each other on the next cycle. Rogue wave inside of the tank going up and down and cancels it out, the shocks on the trailer take it from there and not the transmission. I always use to do this and those who do not will buy new transmissions in their vehicle every couple of years. Consider this in 2006.

About the Author:
Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Article Submitted On: July 20, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Safe Driving In The Rain

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 13:34:00 +0000

Although summer is coming, the rain could be pouring any time. You see, sometimes in the summer, because we all think that it is the season for the sun, we are not prepared when the rains come unexpectedly. However, it is really very important that we do know how to drive in the rain just to be on the safe side. After all, when the rains come after long days of sunshine, expect the roads and streets to be quite slippery from all the oil and other grime that has leaked out of cars and other vehicles.

You should always make sure that your windshields as well as your windows are clean. This should be checked not only from the inside but on the outside part as well. You should check this before you actually drive out. It is important to clean all your windows regularly so that dirt would not accumulate and so that you would have a clear view of the road ahead.

It is important that you also make sure that you check your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Check if all of these are functioning. You would not want to be caught dead in the middle of a great downpour without any working lights. Lights assist in giving you greater vision when driving in the rain. Aside from your vehicle's lights, check and make sure that your windshield wiper motor is also functioning. Look at your wiper blades and see if they are still in good condition. If the wiper blades are already worn out or are already split, change them immediately.

Drive slower than the speed limit when driving in the rain especially when the rain turns out to be more than a downpour. You should also keep in mind to keep a greater distance compared to the normal distance you put in from the car ahead of you. This way, if you do need to brake in a hurry, you would be able to more or less avoid collisions.

For all vehicles in the automobile market, nothing is more befitting than the excellently crafted auto parts from Auto Parts Corner. It has in stock highest quality distributors and floor liners that will retain your vehicle's driving dynamics and design.

Why Hybrid Car Drivers Need Thick Skin

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:03:00 +0000

Buying a hybrid car is more than a calculated decision to save fuel. It is a statement about "saving the planet".

Even if the chances are pretty slim that hybrid technology will actually make much difference, it gives hybrid owners the right to feel superior. After all, they care about the planet. And the rest of the world obviously doesn't.

But if you're one of those hybrid owners you'd better be ready to lose some friends. Here's why...

1. You're Driving Way Too Slow

In theory at least, hybrid owners are the antithesis of those guys who just ache to get in that passing lane and leave the rest of us behind. You know the type...you're minding your own business coming out onto the expressway and the otherwise ordinary guy in the vehicle behind you swings out and passes even before you've hit the highway.

Hybrid owners seem to do just the opposite. You've known for years that driving slow saves fuel. So you're likely to be driving under the speed limit rather than over like the rest of the world.

The fact that you're driving a hybrid just makes it worse, since you know that all the potential savings are squandered if you try to go fast.

Especially when you're accelerating. That guy in the high powered vehicle who pulls out and passes... the thought of saving gas has never crossed his mind. But hydrid owners know better. For you it's a moral duty to save fuel. The fate of the planet depends on it. So there's no way you're going to try any of that fast acceleration stuff.

2. What's with the Pulse and Glide Stuff

You've been told that "pulse and glide" can make a serious difference to your gas milage. That's where you accelerate (conservatively) to the speed limit, and then let the car "glide" to 10 or more miles per hour below the speed limit. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure. Repeat this procedure...

I once had a friend who drove like this. I thought he was dozing off between pulses, but now I know differently. He was actually doing the environmentally responsible thing.

My friend's driving habits aside, this practice is not going to endear you to all the rest of the drivers who can't figure out why you keep slowing down. It's probably smart to speed up just a little when you find yourself in anything other than the "slow" lane.

All bets are off when they let you use the carpool lane.

3. You Just Won't Inch Forward Will You!

Everybody else in the world knows that you must "inch" forward during stop and go traffic. How else are you going to keep up with the driver in front. Besides, if you leave more than about a 15' gap between you and the guy ahead somebody's going to jump into the gap and slow you down even more.

Hybrid drivers have been told this "inching forward" stuff is pointless and wastes fuel. And the way they build hybrids these days they've got a point. When you take your foot off the brake pedal the auto-stop turns off and the gasoline engine restarts -- like one of those gasoline engine golf carts. And there goes most of your gas savings. All those stops and starts just eat up the gas.

But don't expect your mono-drive cousins to understand. They've only got one thing in mind: to get wherever they're going just as fast as possible. And everybody knows that racing up behind the guy in front is the only way to make that happen.

4. Do you really think you should be drafting me like that?

The responsible hybrid owner will make use of every advantage to save gas. And drafting larger vehicles is one technique that the more aggressive will try. That's where you pull right up behind a semi, a van, or an SUV and try to stay in the pocket of air they are pulling along behind them.

I remember doing this with an old '65 Beetle a few years back. We were travelling along the New York Thruway drafting semis. We were making great time and saving lots of gas... until we blew a rod.

Of course, sticking on someone’s bumper will not endear you to too many of your fellow drivers. And as I discovered, it's a bit dangerous too. You'll find yourself going quite a bit faster than you otherwise would go. And whipping along in that back-draft does not do a lot for your stability.

Just try to remember, when you're out there on the highway trying to save the planet, the rest of the world could care less about your morally superiour driving habits. All they want to do is get where they're going as fast as they can.

About the Author:
Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News -- http://www.linknet-news.com | Advertise to Targeted Buyers - More than 1,100 specialized websites and 46 million imp/month -- http://premierad.com | California Traffic School -- http://www.trafficinteractive.com
This article was posted on March 22, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Defensive Driving: The Need We All Have

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:56:00 +0000

Defensive driving is quite an important thing that we have. People simply need to know that while you can control your own actions most of the time, you cannot control or know what is happening with other drivers. Defensive driving courses offer a wealth of information for people who are looking for solutions to prevent accidents and problems from happening.

So, what is defensive driving all about? It is a method of driving in which you take every possible precaution that you can to prevent problems from happening. This method of driving is an excellent way to keep you and your family safe. Here are some of the rules of defensive driving:

? Its starts by being prepared. Checking such things as tire pressure and oil, gas, and water levels before leaving are important. You will want to check mirrors, seats as well as make sure that you have all the insurance and other documentation that you need before heading out.

? Never display or react to road rage.

? Purchasing bright colored cars can also help you. The purchase of a red, orange, yellow or other brightly colored car can help you to be seen. Unlike light colored cars that are more difficult to be seen, bright colored ones are less likely to be in an accident.

? Always use your headlights.

? When driving, make sure that you use the three-second rule. This states that you should be at least three seconds of driving time behind the driver in front of you at all times. In bad conditions, it should be five seconds.

? To make sure that you can see clearly, never follow too closely behind large trucks.

? Avoid the blind spot of other cars by not driving in those spots for every long.

? In fact, try to drive without anyone next to you at all times so that if you need to get off the road quickly, you can.

? Avoid cars that are broken down or show signs of being damaged. Studies show that these cars are often driven by bad drivers.

These are only a few of the defensive driving rules that are out there. You will find a wide range of them as well as places to take defensive driving classes on the web.

About the Author:
Sandy Baker
For more information please see http://www.defensive-driving-help.co.uk
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

My Memorable Driving Lesson Experience

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:35:00 +0000

I've always had a healthy fear of driving. Don't get me wrong. I am not one of those, back to nature freak shows who believe that all progress is bad and that mankind must revert to the stick and stone age of the past. On the contrary, I enjoy being driven around in the air conditioned comfort of a fine car. I have no problems with that. It is driving that scares the living daylights out of me. So you can imagine what a nightmare my driving lesson was.

Like all college students, I too enrolled in the driving lesson in order to be able to drive my own car. After all, being able to drive was one of the cornerstones of independence and would mean that I had developed my own wings right? Wrong, as I was to discover to my utter disbelief. I had never attempted driving any vehicle before. And I discovered to my horror that the entire driving lesson had turned out to be a total nightmare!

For one thing, when I got into the driver's seat, I totally and completely froze. I have to mention at this point that the instructor allotted to me for the duration of the driving lesson wasn't exactly awe inspiring. In fact, if his looks were anything to go by, he looked positively life threatening himself. Anyways, coming back to the beginning of my very first driving lesson, I totally and utterly froze. I still don't know why or what caused that reaction. But the fact remains that the very first driving lesson of my life did not get off to a good start.

Needless to mention, I failed this driving lesson. After all, they don't really go around giving marks to people just because they look like they can handle driving. In any driving lesson, to the best of my knowledge, you have to actually drive or at the very least get the car to move a couple of millimeters in terms of distance in order to be considered for a pass grade. In my case, nothing moved. Except of course when the instructor pushed me out of the car, screaming abuse!

Ever since, driving lessons have given me a total headache. I think it took me a good seven years after that first, miserable experience with driving lessons till I mustered enough courage to get into an adult driving program. I was fortunately the youngest. But that too was little consolation as the only other people in the room were immigrants or country yokels, both of who had never ever seen a car in the first place!

About the Author:
Dan Sherman has started an information based website to offer advice on topics similar to those discussed above. Visit him at his website by Clicking Here (or go to http://www.all-motorcycle-accessories.info).
Submitted: 2006-07-04
Article Source: GoArticles

Drunk Driving

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:54:00 +0000

Operating a motor vehicle, or for that matter even a bicycle or other human-powered vehicle, after consuming alcohol or other drugs so that mental and motor skills are impaired is recognized as an act of driving under the influence (DUI) or drunk driving. Illegal in most jurisdictions, drunk driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries, and accidents every year throughout the world.

The name of the specific criminal offence, depending on the jurisdiction, may be driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), or drunk in charge [of a vehicle]. Such laws are valid for boating or piloting aircraft, also.

The guilt of the driver may be established by subjective tests of his impairment, or the measurement of his blood alcohol content (BAC). BAC is expressed in terms of milligrams of alcohol per milliliters of blood, or as a percentage.

Drinking and driving is not the same as drunk driving or the other terms mentioned earlier. Drinking and driving means driving a vehicle after consuming an alcoholic beverage, or driving while consuming one. Driving after consuming alcohol is generally not considered illegal unless the driver loses his ability to drive safely as defined by law.

Even if the driver is not impaired, driving while consuming alcohol is often illegal. In some jurisdictions, keeping an open container of an alcoholic beverage in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is illegal.

In the United States, all states set a BAC limit of 0.08%. Some states, however, slap a lesser charge, known usually as driving while impaired, on a BAC of around 0.05%. All states charge under-21 drivers who have committed a drunk driving offence if alcohol is detected in their blood (set at .00%, .01% or .02% to be meaningful). The limit for aircraft pilots and commercial drivers is fixed at 0.04%.

About the Author:
Josh Riverside
Drunk Driving provides detailed information on Drunk Driving, Drunk Driving Lawyers, Drunk Driving Accidents, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and more. Drunk Driving is affiliated with Cancer Treatment Centers.
Article Submitted On: August 22, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Those Mobile Phone Wielding Drivers

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:30:00 +0000

A taxi driver in Singapore recently drove his taxi headfirst into a rather deluxe condominium swimming pool! At the subsequent court case the driver was fully exonerated from any blame on the grounds that it was raining heavily at the time of the incident and (would you believe it?) that no barriers were in place around the pool. If anybody was to ponder over this scenario it would not be hard to conjure up a few chinks and cracks in the stories armor. Well, swimming pools do not normally reside directly in front of condominium entrances as those living there tend not to favor passerby’s peering in! Oh, and who would design it such that drunken residents, returning home from a night on the town, are faced with an assault course before being allowed to their apartment and to bed? I would also question the lack of lighting around the driveway, the speed that the taxi was taking and his knowledge of the area. But going no further; the driver was so obviously doing what millions of other people are doing right now – he was concentrating away on his cell phone, weaving and ducking around plant pots and over grass verges and was not able to fully apply himself to staying on the driveway! A point to back-up this reasoning is that Singaporean taxi-drivers always ring the customers upon arrival at the pick-up point. So this driver was without doubt struggling to call his future passengers to come down, whilst paying little attention to the large sign that said “swimming pool ahead”!

Mobile Phone usage by drivers on the move has increased world-wide. Many officials, governments, safety bodies, other drivers and pedestrians are becoming seriously worried about this modern phenomenon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA conducted a survey and came up with some startling and very shocking data! The results showed that 1.2 million people or 8% of drivers in the States were using handheld or hands free cell phones during daylight hours in 2004; a 50% increase since 2002 and a 100% rise in four years. Mr. Ray Tyson, a spokesperson for NHTSA shared his views with us: while we don’t have hard evidence that there’s been an increase in the number of crashes, we know that talking on the phone can degrade driver performance”. Thanks Ray for the enlightenment but why did you restrict the survey to daylight hours only, do you expect mobile phone wielding drivers to always tell the truth and why don’t you have any hard evidence? Ray clearly reduced his statement to casual observation status rather than committing himself or the NHTSA by shouting out loudly to the world that the situation was reaching disastrous proportions ………..etc!

Over in Japan recent statistics shine another bad light on the situation. The Japanese Police produced some hard evidence (maybe they should contact RAY) of 1140 car accidents that occurred in Japan during a three month period in 1996! All of these accidents occurred due to drivers being distracted by their mobile phones in one way or another. In fact the police went a little bit further: 9 people died of these accidents! 45% of these accidents happened while drivers attempted to answer their ringing phones. 28% while drivers tried to combine driving with dialing, 18% while the drivers were talking and the remaining 11% due to other causes like scrambling under the seat to retrieve a dropped phone having just swerved out of the path of an oncoming camper van on cruise control!

Oh! And heading back to the Americas some objective Scientific Research from some body in Toronto shows that the risk of being involved in a traffic accident increases fourfold if a mobile phone is used whilst driving! Thanks for that, maybe these scientists were spent some time with Ray!

Zooming across the Atlantic, over the Middle East, China and to Taiwan! A country that manufactures and has its hand in the production of many electronic devices currently being used in the world today! As a pedestrian crossing any road in Taiwan is similar to putting ones head in the mouth of a lion, it is a dangerous event that most achieve by closing ones eyes and with a rapidly beating heart just taking the plunge – crossing the road that is! Recently this style of heart racing adventure has just gotten a little bit better: drivers manically wielding cell phones have dramatically increased the heart in mouth adventure of trying to get to the other side! It is still similar to putting ones head into a lion’s mouth, but a lion that has only just finished chomping to death its keeper, that is being prodded by a child with a stick between the bars and has been forced to listen to a mobile phone users checking out is new ring tones!

There has never been a co-coordinated system of traffic flow in Taiwan; a total lack of respect for traffic lights and pedestrians exist and weaving drivers on betel nut (a chewy nut that causes hyper activity when chewed and drowsiness in-between chomps) just adds to the general fun! Most pedestrians hug walls and sneak along with eyes working overtime as potentially hazardous drivers are logged and tracked by a well-developed brain radar system brought on by a desire for survival. Only last week a bus zoomed by with a cargo of terrified children peering helplessly and desperately out of the windows; the driver was happily conversing on his mobile whilst weaving an unstoppable course through various red lights at well over the moral speed limit! Another recent incident which in retrospect is quite hilarious was when two moped drivers approached each other across an intersection. Their speeds were not great and the whole scenario played out as if in slow motion; each was concentrating on their respective conversations, each was weaving drunkenly forwards in fits and starts and as if pre-ordained they collided head on. A tangled heap resulted but without serious injury or damage. But what is even more hilarious is that both individuals picked themselves up, brushed themselves off and without acknowledging each other or scrambling to shift blame they both reached around for the cell phones. And without pause they continued their conversations – why let a mere traffic accident get in the way of a call? Who knows, maybe they were talking to each before they crashed and afterwards were busy obtaining each others insurance details – all over the phone!

Even worse than being a pedestrian these days is to find oneself sitting in the back of a taxi with driver who feels the urge to converse not with you but with his mobile! Suddenly from being a normal driver who bores his passengers to tears with stories of his economic plight or Liverpool’s recent football score, emerges a maniac of WW11 convoy evasion tactical ability! The driver suddenly decides that any action of the foot on the gas peddle must be immediately followed by one on the brake and passengers find themselves alternately with their heads embedded into the seat in front or their bodies lying twisted and mangled against the rear window! From a driver, who although was naturally aggressive in his driving managed with skill to avoid others, emerges a monster. A massive monster who will play head on “who will brake first” games with a speeding tank, who will assume that spaces the size of a shopping trolley will mysteriously expand if he gets enough speed up and who considers that all other drivers are mere figments of his imagination!

Indeed the mobile phone driving syndrome situation is far worse than authorities, governments, Ray, the Japanese Police and the bored or underpaid scientist’s state. This maybe due to the fact that most of the above mentioned bodies and groups tend to use their very own mobile phones whilst driving to work every day so ……….can’t make too much noise now can they!

One country is stepping up its efforts to clamp down on this new menace! The UK! As of 2005 drivers caught using mobile phones will be immediately fined 60 pounds and have three penalty points on their driving licenses! In fact Ms Janet Anderson, MP for Rose and Darwin ( a couple of houses in England connected by a single lane dirt track) clapped her hands in delight upon receiving a report that hands-free kits (once heralded as a safe alternative) were nearly as dangerous as actual hand-held phones! She went on a bit further to say that, “it must be made crystal clear to drivers who insist on behaving in this way that they endanger the safety of the public generally and their own safety too”! Yippee!

Still in the UK - recent tests at the Transport Research Laboratory have shown that drivers on mobiles have a slower reaction time and stopping time than those under the influence of alcohol! It does not really take a team of highly paid scientists and many pounds later to figure that one out: it is blatantly obvious that a driver under the influence will be applying every ounce of his available concentration on his driving, albeit slightly misguided, whilst a driver on his mobile will not be concentrating at all! But the findings of this year long study did place in writing some much needed data and statistics that can now be used and wielded by those trying to clamp down on the menace! At last some hard evidence!

Hopefully the future will change people’s attitudes regarding mobile phone usage! Hopefully normal people will not feel the urge to be in contact 24/7, will not suffer withdrawal symptoms should they be disconnected for a nanosecond and be able to not answer a ringing phone – in fact it would be superb if people could actually switch mobile phones off sometimes!

But this is way, way, way into the future! As far away as us conversing with aliens from the planet “zong” in the “xzihngty” galaxy about them trying to eat us for breakfast! In the meantime it will be up to governments and the introduction of new laws to clamp down on the menace and thus make drivers think twice before answering or making calls whilst on the move!

Maybe the answer is not to punish drivers through penalty points on their license or the threat of paltry monetary fines:

“You have been found guilty by this court of talking on a cell phone whilst driving. You will from this day forth not be allowed to own, borrow, use or even look at a mobile phone, PDF or portable communication device for a period of ten years. Additionally you will complete three months of community service upon completion of which you will attend counseling in “how to survive on this planet without being in constant touch”. Upon completion of this course you will then attend a four week course titled, “how to use a phone that is connected to a land line”. Take him away boys!

The only crisis left to solve would then be to clamp down on those drivers who insist on doing a full make-over in the rear-view mirror whilst doing 60MPH through a built up area! To put a halt to business men who assume that drivers’ seats are wonderful places to shave, rinse and swallow! To convince short sighted people that, “cleaning ones specs” by removing them and whilst navigating a hair bend in icy conditions is not really sensible. Oh, and that various forms of sexual attention might be pleasurable at the time but not when subsequently wrapped around a lamppost or underneath an HGV still doing 60MPH down the freeway!

When these drivers have had their shaving kits and make up bags confiscated and are safely tucked away behind bars then it might be safe for the average pedestrian to step foot outside once again and with confidence, without fear of being mowed down by cars driven by self-engrossed and selfish drivers who assume that the conversation they are currently having is more important than life!

About the Author:
Ieuan Dolby - Author and Webmaster of Seamania. As a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy he has sailed the world for fifteen years. Now living in Taiwan he writes about cultures across the globe and life as he sees it.
seadolby.com
ieuandolby@seadolby.com
This article was posted on April 03, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

Summer Driving Tips

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:50:00 +0000

With the weather changing, you certainly cannot deny the fact that the seasons are changing and yes, they are surely getting warmer by the minute. That is because soon after spring, summer will soon be here.

For drivers, welcoming summer is good news for them. You see, most believe that running and driving around in icy road conditions is far off worse compared to driving under the hot sunshine. Well, summer has its own share of disadvantages that is why it is important to follow some tips recommended by auto experts to ensure and increase your chances of safe summer trips.

Before you drive off for a long journey, it is important that you do have your car checked first. This should be done at least a week before you go on that journey. Also, it is necessary that you have your car undergo a full service. This way, if there are any parts that need changing, you can always repair them as soon as possible. Also, if there is a need to do maintenance, then it would be the right time for that. Before you start your engine and start your summer crusade for fun, check the following first: your car's engine, oil fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid, battery electrolyte, tire pressure, and windscreen washer reservoir.

Always have some spare kits and some spare parts available during the entire duration of your trip. That way, if you do encounter some minor problems that could be easily remedied, then you would be saving yourself the trouble of waiting for help to arrive and you also would be helping your pocket for you would not have to spend on somebody else's services just to fix any problem. Important items in your spare kit should include a fan belt, some radiator hoses, bulbs, points, a condenser, a pair of spark plugs as well as a roll of insulating tape.

Auto Parts Discount continually renews its commitment in providing and delivering superbly crafted GMC parts that would assist any owner and driver in keeping their vehicle in top shape during these summer trips. The store has an impressive array of auto parts and these parts are considered to be the best parts in the industry.

About the Author:
Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications.
Submitted: 2006-05-17
Article Source: GoArticles

How To Avoid Being Stopped On Suspicion Of Drunk Driving

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:09:00 +0000

If you're sober, then you've got nothing to worry about, right? Not necessarily. The problem with being singled out of traffic as a possible DUI is that the officer has already formed certain expectations: He is psychologically predisposed to "see" what he expects to see -- and he expects to see an inebriated person behind the wheel. So reddish eyes from fatigue, alcohol on the breath from a single drink, and nervous fumbling with your wallet trying to get your driver's license will be seen as corraborating these suspicions. And then your future is going to depend upon performing well on field sobriety tests -- tests which are notoriously difficult for anyone to pass.

So how do you avoid being pulled over in the first place? Well, it helps to know exactly what the police are looking for. Most of them have been taught what driving symptoms indicate the relative probability that the driver is intoxicated. This training is usually based upon research conducted by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and reproduced in a booklet intended primarily for law enforcement, "Guide for Detecting Drunk Drivers at Night". The booklet contains a "DUI Detection Guide", which identifies the 19 most common and reliable initial indicators of drunk driving - along with the percentage probability that the driver exhibiting the symptom is, in fact, under the influence. The following is a list of the symptoms and the probability of intoxication. Thus, for example, the research indicates that "the chances are 65 out of 100" that a driver who is making a wide turn or straddling a lane line has a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit.

- Turning with Wide Radius 65
- Straddling Center or Lane Marker 65
- Appearing to be Drunk 60
- Almost Striking Object or Vehicle 60
- Weaving 60
- Driving on Other Than Designated Roadway 55
- Swerving 55
- Slow Speed (more than 10 miles per hour below limit) 50
- Stopping (without cause) in Traffic Lane 50
- Drifting 50
- Following too closely 45
- Tires on Center or Lane Marker 45
- Braking Erratically 45
- Driving Into Opposing or Crossing Traffic 45
- Signaling Inconsistent with Driving Actions 40
- Stopping Inappropriately (other than in lane) 35
- Turning Abruptly or Illegally 35
- Accelerating or Decelerating Rapidly 30
- Headlights Off 30

The NHTSA research indicates that symptoms are rarely seen in isolation; officers usually see a number of driving symptoms before pulling the suspect over. And the chances of a driver being intoxicated when multiple symptoms are observed can also be calculated: "When two or more cues are seen, add 10 to the highest value among the cues observed." For example, if the subject is observed to be weaving (60) and following too closely (45), there are 70 chances out of 100 that his blood-alcohol is above the legal limit.

Speeding, incidentally, is not a symptom of DUI. Because of the need for quicker judgment and reflexes, it may actually indicate sobriety. You may get stopped for speeding, but at least you won't have the officer approaching your car expecting to make a DUI arrest.

So if you're driving home late some night, keep in mind what the police are looking for -- and drive accordingly.

About the Author:
Lawrence Taylor is a former prosecutor, law professor and author of "Drunk Driving Defense, 5th edition". You can visit http://www.orangecountyduilaw.com/ to get more information about his law firm with offices in Orange County, California.
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Certified Schools Provide the Highest Quality Truck Driver Training for New Students

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:52:00 +0000

If you’ve always wanted to learn to drive trucks, the highest quality training will ensure you’re on the right road.

As used to be more common in years past, you could rely on the help of someone who’s already experienced in the industry to “show you the ropes” over the course of a weekend or two. But as tempting as this is, in the long run, it’s an irresponsible approach to take, as even the very best off-the-cuff training sessions fail to properly address everything that is needed to safely—and legally—operate a vehicle weighing up to 40 tons.

Another approach is to enter a truck driver training apprentice program with a specific trucking company. This is a better method for learning because you’re assured of getting thorough training by a certified instructor. And in the end, you’ll have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that authorizes you to haul cargo across all 50 states.

In this case however, your choice of jobs will be limited to the specific trucking company where you received your training. That means you have to take the routes they want you to take, when they want you to take them. And if there’s a decrease in workload, your lack of experience and seniority may mean you’ll be one of the first people to “park it” until business picks back up again.

The Best Option: A Certified Truck Driving School

The best approach to truck driver training is, without a doubt, a certified truck driving school. These institutions maintain the highest quality of education, safety, and on-the-road training in order to remain competitive in the marketplace—and to comply with the latest state, federal and local laws. In addition, the best truck driving schools offer tuition assistance and guaranteed employment with a variety of trucking companies—something that gives you ultimate freedom in choosing your new career.

Certified truck driving schools often have the latest equipment produced by the best manufacturers in the industry. You’ll not only learn how to operate these vehicles in accordance with CDL requirements, but also how to operate them to help you maximize safety and efficiency—qualities that truck driving companies look for in new drivers.

A certified truck driving school is also current on any changes in laws or driver requirements affecting the industry. You’re sure to have the most up-to-date training and certifications that will allow you to start right away with no surprises down the road.

As mentioned above, the best schools also offer tuition assistance and a guaranteed placement with any number of the nation’s most reputable trucking carriers. You’ll have your choice of which companies work best for you.

But the greatest advantage of going through truck driver training at a certified school is the starting salary. Most graduates average $40,000 or more right after graduation! This is in part because of the continued high demand for truckers these days, but it can also be attributed to the respect that trucking companies have for the skill sets that new graduates of certified schools possess.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking to make the most of a career in trucking, a certified truck driving school offers the best opportunities allowing you to make the most of your career on the open road.

Mike Curts manages news and information for Driver Solutions, a CDL training and placement agency for inexperienced truck drivers. For information on applying for truck driving school, visit: www.otrdrivers.com.

About the Author:
Mike Curts manages news and information for http://www.otrdrivers.com, a CDL training and placement agency for inexperienced truck drivers. Follow this link for information on applying for truck driving school.
This article was posted on October 06, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Headlight Restoration Increases Driving Safety

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:09:00 +0000

If you have cloudy or worn and yellow headlights you are taking a big and unnecessary risk when you drive at night. According to the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety:

An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced, repaired or restored.

Most people do not know that not only do worn or cloudy headlights look bad, but they also reduce light output by as much as 95 percent. That is a huge difference in whether you can effectively see or be seen when driving at night.

In a recent search on Google and Yahoo search engines, it was found that thousands of accidents were linked to ineffective light output due to worn and cloudy headlights. The majority of headlight lenses produced today are made of plastic and are very susceptible to road and weather conditions. Harsh UV rays in hot climates, chemicals from the engine and fumes, smog, etc. all take a toll on the plastic and cause it to breakdown from the outside in. The resulting cloudiness is like cancer and quickly gets worse. Soon reducing visibility and making your vehicle unsafe at night.

Accidents caused by reduced light output and bad or cloudy headlights tend to also be much more severe. According to the National Institute For Highway Safety:

Accidents at night due to a more limited visibility are usually of a more severe nature, but when equipped with ineffective headlights the chances for a more severe accident are far greater.

How do we repair or restore the headlights on our cars? According to the New York Police Traffic Division's Traffic Safety Team:

Clean the headlights or have them professionally restored and repaired (our department uses the MDWholesale headlight restoration kit on all our police cruisers and department vehicles for maximum light output and safety. Dirty headlights can and will decrease visibility by as much as 90%.

Up until now the only solutions were to either replace the cloudy lenses with expensive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts at your local dealer (headlights can easily cost over $300 each) or to just take the risk and drive with the bad headlights. Now there is an alternative, headlight restoration. You can restore these cloudy headlights to like new condition and be safe again. Restored headlights look new and have the same light output and safety of new headlights for a fraction of the cost. There is a patented headlight restoration system manufactured by MDWholesale which has been determined very effective in increasing night time safety by numerous government agencies and police departments throughout the nation. Please see below link for more information on this headlight restoration system.

So it is a proven fact that worn and cloudy headlights will have a great effect on night time driving and safety. Therefore, headlight restoration is a economic and very effective alternative to headlight replacement.

About the Author:
David Maillie specializes in automotive research and safety products. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight restoration kit. For more great tips on safety and money saving products please visit: MDWholesale Headlight Restoration
Submitted: 2006-08-29
Article Source: GoArticles

Ten Easy to Implement Eco-Friendly Driving Tips

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:24:00 +0000

There are many ways to conserve energy and save money when driving. We are primarily concerned with getting a better fuel consumption from each tankful of gas. By implementing a series of simple but very effective techniques we gain several less obvious but equally important benefits. Longer life for our engine...and less emissions into the atmosphere, to name but two.

(1) Let's start with my favourite subject...Tyres. Under inflated Tyres enjoy a greater friction with the road leading to greater gas usage for each kilometre travelled. As well as this they wear out much more rapidly, give a rougher ride, particularly on Irish rural roads. Over inflated tyres also wear out rapidly and unevenly leading to more frequent replacement. Good for the tyre shop but not for you! Oh yes a soft tyre will pick up foreign bodies much more easily, leading to further replacement and expense.

(2) An untrained Right Foot is a leading cause of excessive expenditure during all driving activity. Accelerating too hard, braking too hard, and driving too fast in general all contribute to excessive fuel usage and the corresponding increase in noxious emissions. Of course heavy braking has another disadvantage ...that of making it so much easier for the Driver who is much too close behind to rear-end you!

(3) The speed for optimum fuel consumption has been recognised over the years to be 55mph or approximately 90kph. As you increase your speed above this level your fuel consumption increases dramatically. The difference in journey times when you reduce your overall top speed by just a few kilometres an hour is minimal but the savings can be impressive.

(4) A poorly tuned engine will also use an excessive amount of fuel so the money spent on proper professional servicing will repay you in the end although at the time it may seem expensive.

(5) Learning to read and understand your Rev Counter will enable you to spot an out of tune engine very easily and do something about it without delay. A tick over engine speed of just 100 rpm more than it should be will increase your fuel consumption on an ongoing basis.

(6) Open windows and sun roofs contribute to drag and an increase in fuel consumption but clearly you can't drive safely if you are about to expire from heat exhaustion. Thankfully not something we experience too often here in Ireland. However a car that has been parked in the full glare of the sun for a few hours will be rather uncomfortable unless you get some cooler air flowing.

(7) Carrying piles of rubbish in either the cab or the boot of your car will increase your fuel consumption steadily over time so give your boot a make over every so often and clear it out of all but the essentials.

(8) One more point about tyres. If you are carrying extra passengers and luggage, even for a short journey you should increase the tyre pressures. This will give a smoother, safer ride for all concerned and avoid excessive tyre wear. This latter point is particularly relevant if you are planning on rural driving since you will have to deal with an especially Irish phenomenon, that of potholes. Sometimes these are as big as a garden pond and will damage your underside easily, not to mention the ecological impact of disturbing the resident fish, frogs and other amphibians.

(9) Since we seem to be constantly exposed throughout the country to major road works, which is an admirable activity from a safety perspective, you should always switch off your engine if there is going to be more than a minor delay. Sitting for several minutes with the engine running wastes a lot of fuel and puts more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere than need be.

(10) Here is a very useful technique in relation to down shifting. It is not necessary to go through all the gears when preparing for a lower speed turn or manoeuvre. It is quite acceptable to go from fourth gear straight to second gear even from fifth to second prior to a turn. It takes a little practise to get the timing absolutely right but is well worth the effort. You will not need to use the brakes so much providing you plan your gear change well, after allowing the car to slow by coming off the gas pedal. Remember every second that the right foot is pressing the gas pedal is burning fuel.

In the U.K from next year (2007) Eco- friendly Driving Techniques will be assessed and monitored on the Driving Test. It is interesting that excellent, safe and economic driving Techniques which will be taught by experienced Instructors to all their Pupils invariably end up being incorporated into Driving Test assessments eventually!

About the Author:
Robin Piggott is a Driving Instructor in Ireland who brings four decades of experience to his Astral Driving School based in Limerick. His newly refurbed web site due to be launched in a few days can be found at http://www.astraldrivingschool.com Here you can find a treasure trove of everything for the Learner Driver and also pages for the visitor who is contemplating Touring Ireland by Car. In the meantime why not visit the existing site at http://www.astralmotoring.ie and pick up your free seven part mini-course on "Passing the Driving Test First Time"
Article Submitted On: June 25, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Driving Around Schools And Campuses

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:27:00 +0000

There are always rules when it comes to driving. After all, cars and vehicles are considered to be machines that could break and take people's lives. That is why it is very necessary for the government to make rules and for motorists to follow them.

If you would notice, though, there are rules in driving that remain general. However, there are also rules that are specific. There are some rules when it comes to driving around streets. There are also different rules when it comes to driving in open roads, as well as in parking lots. These are not because the law would like drivers to have a hard time. These are made so as to adapt to the locations.

When driving around schools, universities, and campuses, there also are some rules to follow. If you are a student or you need something in these areas, it is important that you get there early, around five to ten minutes early. That way, you would not have to avoid the dash of people going in and out of the parking lot. When leaving the grounds, it also works the same way. Try to leave a couple of minutes late. Statistics have it that most accidents happen during this time when people are scrambling about just when classes are about to start or when classes are just over.

In areas where the parking lots are perpendicular spaces and not made for angle parking, it is advisable that you try to look for a space where you can pull straight out instead of backing out. You see, backing out in a crowded lot could get very tricky especially with many students in and about the parking lot.

If there are tips on how to drive safely inside a campus, there also are tips in doing maintenance. One of these is to purchase the right kind of parts for your vehicle. One trusted store when it comes to parts is Ford Parts Online. Its online collection of quality parts includes Ford Explorer parts among many others.

About the Author:
Jay Stevens works as a consultant for an established auto parts store in the country. He has expertise in automotive technology and has extensive knowledge on the auto parts industry.
Submitted: 2006-05-09
Article Source: GoArticles

Elderly Drivers Wanted Off The Road

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:50:00 +0000

A poll was conducted in Great Britain. It asked respondents if they thought that the streets and roads in the country were getting congested. And according to the survey, many Britons thought that this was true.

The poll was created and conducted by one of the Britain’s online insurance brokers and they did the survey through their website. The survey also asked if these who thought that the streets were congested had any solutions or answers to such a problem. Almost half of the respondents answered by saying that elderly drivers should be taken off the roads during the peak hours of driving. Some 49% of the whole lot gave such a solution to the congestion problem. It did not even make a difference if you used quality Pontiac performance parts for your well maintained vehicle. If you are old, then you should also be off the streets.

Of course, this has been quite a surprise for everybody. Even Paul Cosh, who is the managing director of the organization which conducted the research, could not help but comment about such an outcome of their survey. He says, “The impact of congestion on the UK economy in terms of lost time, fuel costs and general stress runs to billions, yet we continue to drive our cars more and drive further than the rest of Europe. However, I do not think that picking on this nation’s most careful and experienced drivers is really the answer. To be honest, the views shown by this poll are quite shocking and simply do not stand up against the facts.”

Analysis of the survey conducted that aside more than half of the drivers who answered the survey said that these elderly drivers should be banned because they believe that the elderly drivers are quite slow when it comes to coping with the new conditions of traffic and of the roads.

Parents of Teen Drivers

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:20:00 +0000

So, what does a parent think while sitting in the passenger seat and their teen is driving with a permit license? A “bump” in the parking lot with another car? Traffic tickets for moving violations? Insurance rates sky-rocketing?

If you visit search engines you can find several resources to assist you on this subject. Try searching on the phrase “parents with teen drivers”. Alternatively we have tried to make this easy for you if you visit our news page on this very topic.

A few resources on the web for parents are:

Parent-Teen Contract

You might also consider using a driving safety contract between you and your teen. This is an agreement that your child signs, in which he agrees to be a safe driver by following all restrictions you have imposed or risk losing his driving privileges. An example of this can be found at:
http://www.ipromiseprogram.com/

Talk It Out

Work with your teen driver to talk through their thought process while driving. Let’s not over-do this to the point that they cannot concentrate on driving. More specifics can be found in the book for parents at:
http://www.safeyoungdrivers.com/

Helpful thoughts for parents in brief are:

Drive by example
Watch your emotional response while your teen is driving
Work with your teen on various driving conditions, not just dry sunny days.
Large open fields or empty parking lots are good sources for practicing

Of course while you’re working with your teen driver and their permit license, we have to keep the drivers around us in mind too. Auto Safety Magnets has a focus strictly on car safety for teen drivers, their parents and driving schools. Our magnets will increase road awareness and traffic safety. Help keep the roads safe for you and other drivers. We invite you to sign-up for our free newsletter covering Driving Schools, Car Safety and Teen Drivers at our website.

More information about the above can be found at:
www.essortment.com
www.keepkidshealthy.com

About the Author:
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Auto Safety Magnets
www.autosafetymagnets.com
melih@autosafetymagnets.com
This article was posted on March 08, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

RV Driving Safety—A Few Suggestions

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:35:00 +0000

RV driving safety should be at the forefront of your mind whether you have hundreds of thousands of miles of RV driving under your belt or you are a new RV driver. Both drivers of towable and motorized rigs should be aware of RV driving safety practices and precautions to keep them and other drivers safe on the road. It is a responsibility that every driver needs to take seriously. Although some of these RV driving safety tips are not new, they are always good to take a look at again.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road-the Number One RV Driving Safety Tip!

Although you may wonder how it is possible for someone not to see you and your very large, very visible RV driving down the road, it is essential to RV driving safety that you are always aware of other drivers and that the are aware of you. If you have a clear view of the road, it is best to be aware of traffic 12 to 15 seconds ahead of where you are. This will be less distance if you are driving slower. If you are lucky enough to have rear view cameras as an RV driving safety accessory on your RV, then use them to keep an eye on traffic even if you are not parking or backing up.

RV Driving Safety and Communication

You have many RV driving safety tools available to you to help you to let other drivers know what you are planning to do. When you are checking your RV prior to departure, make sure that all of the lights and signals are in good working order. Once you are on the road, give other drivers and extra few seconds of warning when you are turning or changing lanes.

Do not forget to bring along a safety and emergency kit with traffic cones, warning markers and/ or flares in case you need to make a roadside stop in an emergency. Turn on your flashers and pull as far over to the side of the road as you possibly can.

Driving Tips:

Use your high-beam lights when you are on an unlit road unless there is an approaching car within 500 feet.

Don’t speed. Your RV is much heavier than most cars and will take longer to stop.

When the weather is windy, rainy or snowy, slow down. You will get where you are going eventually and you will be alive. If you start to slide, then turn into the direction of the skid.

Don’t tailgate. You may rear-end someone and it is rude.

About the Author:
Margarette Tustle writes articles about Recreational Vehicles of all kinds as well as RV financing. For more information about safer RV Driving visit quickrvinsurancequotes.com
Article Submitted On: August 31, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:17:00 +0000

Her 13-year-old daughter’s tragic death in a drunk driving accident in 1980 prompted Candy Lightner to form Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, a non-profit organization in the United States and other countries.

The organization began to grow rapidly in 1983 when a film on Lightner was aired on television, making MADD a household name. It tasted its most cherished success with the imposition of a 1984 federal law that asked states to raise the minimum legal purchase and possession (but not the drinking age) to 21 or lose federal highway funding. Once the United States Supreme Court upheld the law in 1987, every state fell in line.

In 1990, MADD launched its ""20 by 2000"" plan to reduce by 20% the proportion of traffic fatalities that are alcohol-related by 2000. In fact, this came three years early in 1997. In 1991, MADD released its first Rating the States report in which it graded the states in their progress again drunk driving. Since then, Rating the States has been released four times. MADD’s National Board of Directors in 1999 unanimously voted to change the organization’s mission statement and include the prevention of underage drinking, whether or not the drinking was associated with driving.

Since the establishment of the organization, it has played a key role in getting thousands of anti-drunk driving laws passed. It also helped popularize the use of ""designated drivers.""

In recent times, MADD lobbied hard to reduce the legal limit for blood alcohol from BAC .10 to BAC .08. Eventually in 2000, this standard was passed by Congress, and by 2005, every state had an illegal .08 BAC limit.

MADD has successfully advocated, and still advocates, laws for more stringent punishment of offenders of laws against driving under the influence, as well as laws against drinking and driving.

Save Money On Young Driver Car Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:40:00 +0000

A study recently released has revealed that the average driver in Britain will be involved in a car accident every six and a half years.

When balanced out, that equates to every individual being the victim of nine accidents during their life. It seems a truly staggering statistic, and one that most people are unlikely to walk away from without suffering an injury at some point.

Even if you manage to avoid damaging yourself in all nine accidents, the likelihood is that your car will come off slightly less healthily. And that’s why there’s such a need for proper car insurance cover.

The Government have announced that they want to cut the number of car accidents by 40% by 2010, a big target but one that they feel is achievable. With driving tests becoming stricter, it is the young drivers of Britain who are being tasked with realising the objective; after all, they are the ones who are involved in the most amount of accidents.

But it is not just to satisfy Government targets that young drivers should improve their driving habits, it is for the sake of their own wallets too.

A result of the terrible reputation that they have means that young driver car insurance is horrendously expensive when compared to a motorist of more mature years. Some of the balance can be re-addressed by buying a motor insurance policy from a firm that deals specifically with young driver car insurance, and so is able to offer a significant discount, but the fact remains that young drivers will have to pay a large amount in order to insure their car.

If the Government’s 40% reduction in accidents is achieved, then in the future young driver car insurance will be more in line with that of older drivers. But until that time, there are several ways that young motorists can reduce their premium, and Hoot Car Insurance Services, specialists in providing young driver car insurance, have revealed a few tips that are guaranteed to save a couple of quid.

One of the best ways to get a cheap car insurance premium is to enrol on an advanced driving course such as PassPluss. The idea might seem like a massive hassle after all the driving lessons that you’ve already done, but it really will be worth it to save the money. And on top of that, the courses do teach some important skills that standard driving lessons just don’t offer.

Instead of having your own motor insurance, it might be tempting to become a named driver on a parent’s policy. Bad idea. It might save a little bit of cash now, but in the long-term you’re only going to lose out- and lose out big style. A no claims discount is one of the most important things that a driver can have to get cheap car insurance, and by becoming a named driver you won’t get one. As a result, a few years down the line when you do finally get your own motor insurance, instead of having a nice cheap premium because of your years of no-claims, you’ll have to start from scratch and pay out for an expensive policy. It’s just not worth it.

Ensuring the security of your vehicle is something that car insurance companies like to hear, and so will give you a discount if you can show that your car is not a thief’s paradise. Keep it in a garage, but if that’s not possible then a driveway will do- anything to keep it off the street. Invest in a steering lock, an immobiliser and an alarm, and if you really want to get a cheap car insurance policy, get hold of a tracker too.

On top of these few industry secrets, the one thing that you can do to keep your young driver car insurance premium at a low is simple. Drive sensibly.

Speeding points in your first few years of driving really rack up the price of motor insurance, as does any accident that you’re unlucky enough to be involved in. Drive carefully, follow the few tips above and be sure to buy your policy from a firm that specialises in young driver car insurance, and you’re guaranteed to save a lot of money. Money that can be better spent on far more interesting things than boring old car insurance.

About the Author:
Katy Lassetter, Hoot Car Insurance Services
Hoot Car Insurance Services are specialists in providing fantastically cheap young driver car insurance. For a free quote in matter seconds just call 0808 144 9954 or go to http://www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk
This article was posted on February 23, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Safe Driving Tips - Hold Life in Your Grips

noreply@blogger.com (infinity Creation Team) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:47:00 +0000

Present generation cars and vehicles are so well teamed up with advanced safety gadgets that accidents should not even be remote possibilities. Yet, we hear of road-accidents every now and then. In fact, fatalities of accidents far outnumber deaths due to other causes and in most cases, you will come to know that the accident could have been avoided had the one behind the wheel abided by safe driving tips. Remember, safe driving tips translate into safety and well being for you as well as others sharing the tarmac with you.

Speed, in all probability, is the most vital of all the safe driving tips. Reckless driving and exceeding speed limit will amount to committing suicide. Maintaining the legal speed limit promises you all the advantages and gives you a superior control while you drive a vehicle.

Wearing safety belts while driving is mandatory in many countries. These days, even passengers are required to use safety belts. Maintaining a safe distance between two vehicles is crucial to avoiding accidents.

Apart from these generic "drive safely" rules, there are some specific safe driving tips, which you need to adhere to in order to steer your vehicle in the right course. Accordingly, a safety tip for bad weather conditions will be to slow down. Driving becomes a big challenge when it rains and snows. The tires lose traction and your vehicle tends to skid. Going slow gives you the opportunity to take defensive action.

Similarly, slow down at intersections and watch-out for the light-signals. The other safety tip you need to abide by at intersections is to make a slow start even when the red light turns green. Always check both the sides - right and left - before driving through an intersection.

Overtaking a vehicle safely necessitates taking certain cautionary measures. You should carefully look into all the mirrors to watch-out for any approaching vehicle and then signal your move into the passing zone. Once in the passing zone, you need to accelerate to go past the other vehicle.

Routine checking of vehicle is essentially a maintenance tip, however, it plays an equally important role in safe driving.

The "last but not the least" tip will be in the same cautious tone - "Never attempt driving unless you are hundred percent attentive and fresh". Even the whole lot of safe driving tips will pledge you no safety if you go about tugging you car even when you are fatigued, tired to the hilt or drive in an intoxicated state. Alcohol and many non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs are known to affect the brain and the central nervous system. This numbs your sensations - blurring your vision, impairing your decision making capability and allowing you lesser time to react - thereby, affecting your driving acumen and proficiency.

About the Author:
David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. For more information on automotive safety please visit: MDwholesale.com
Submitted: 2006-05-02
Article Source: GoArticles