The following are some of the most bizarre stories collected from around the web this week. For more info, tips and advice related to auto transport, stop by our Facebook page!

1. Chicago man gets stuck in elevator twice in one day | Huffington Post | …Firefighters rescued a man from a trapped elevator early Monday morning — only to see him get stuck in a second elevator just moments later, CBS Chicago reports.
2. Motorcyclist clocked at 188 MPH convicted | StupidKnews | …A motorcyclist whose speeds reached 188 mph during a chase by troopers may spend two years in prison after he is sentenced March 8.
3. Woman tasered in front of daughter after cutting through McDonalds Drive-Thru Line | ABC News | …North Carolina deputies say they used a Taser on a woman in front of her 3-year-old daughter after she cut the McDonalds drive-thru line and refused to move when she was denied service.
4. Giorgio loves Sonic | YouTube |…Giorgio has a unique way of ordering his food from the drive-thru at Sonic…
5. Police: Central PA dad was drunk picking up son after DUI | Pocono Record | …Police say a central Pennsylvania father was drunk when he drove to a police station to pick up his even drunker son who had been arrested for drunken driving after he was found passed out in his car.
6. Montana man fined $1k for instigating police chase | MT Standard | …The strange case received national news media attention after Butte law enforcement reported a man purposely got police to chase - because it was something he always wanted to try. When asked why he started the chase, Hughes said, “I just always wanted to do that,” according to the police report.

With some many choices when it comes to finding an auto transport company, how do you find a professional and reliable one? It is not every day that you hand over the keys to your car to perfect stranger and this is no doubt a nerve wracking experience.  In order to make sure that you have chosen an auto transport company that is reliable and professional, you will need to spend a little time doing your homework. Below you will find a list of some things to look for when it comes to an auto transport company.

1. Make sure the company has a website- In today’s modern world just about every business has a website. If they do not have a website this could be reason to be concerned.  Since a website provides all the vital information that is needed to help consumers make an informed decision not having a website should be a red flag in most cases.
2. Ensure the auto transport company has contact info listed- Check to make sure that there is a phone number listed for the auto transport company. If the website shows that the there is a valid customer service number this is often a great sign that the company is a reliable and professional one. After all, it is not every day you ship a car and there are bound to be questions that need to be answered.
3. Do a little online research- The days of running to the Yellow Pages to find a company are long gone. Today, most people will just “Google” the name of the auto transport company.  Take the time to do so and read any reviews that other people have listed. Always keep in mind that you may not be able to believe everything that you read however this will give you a good foundation for  making an educated choice.

Here’s our weekly roundup of blogs that we like, along with their Facebook pages! If you like National Transport LLC, become a fan on our Facebook page today!

1. Luxury Life & Style Magazine | …a magazine for the most affluent residents of Southern California’s most luxurious communities, covering the absolute finest in home, travel, the arts, fine jewelry and timepieces, entertainment, philanthropy, luxury goods, real estate, automobiles, exquisite area dining and more. Visit them on Facebook here.
2. Firestone Tires | …the official Firestone Fan Page, bringing you exclusive content from the tracks of IZOD IndyCar Series with photos, videos and updates live from the race. Visit them on Facebook here.
3. The SEMA Show | …the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. Visit them on Facebook here.
4. Kia Soul | …From its very humble beginnings as a manufacturer of bicycle parts by hand on the outskirts of Seoul, Korea, Kia Motors has emerged as the driving force behind the Korean motor vehicle for the last six decades, laying claim to the production of the country’s first automobile as well as Korea’s first automobile export. Visit them on Facebook here.
5. WD-40 | …Official Facebook home of the WD-40 Brand. Visit them on Facebook here.

[image by Martin Pettitt on flickr]

The following are some of the most bizarre stories collected from around the web this week. For more info, tips and advice related to auto transport, stop by our Facebook page!

1. Park ranger shoots man with stun gun for walking dog off-leash | Yahoo! News | … A California man walking his two small dogs off-leash was arrested after a park ranger used her stun gun on him.
2. Pembroke Pines woman run over, killed by her own car in Miami driveway |Miami-Dade | …A driver who got out to check a caution light in her Ford Taurus was run over and killed by the vehicle after the passenger apparently hit the gas pedal by accident, according to Miami police.
3. The 20-year-old Mini that’s clocked up just 148 miles | MailOnline | …This 1989 Mini gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘as good as new’. For since it was bought from a showroom 20 years ago, the gleaming cherry red Mini 30 has clocked up just 148 miles. With pristine bodywork and all its original features in tip-top condition, the car is worth more now – an estimated £7,000 – than Mr Frost paid for it.
4. Repair shop finds goat in car trunk | WDN | …Auto repairman James Prusci has seen some unusual things left in the cars he works on, but nothing quite like what he found Friday in the trunk of a Chevy Malibu.
5. French prankster poses as speed camera | Sympatico.ca | …What’s so funny? Gaillard dressed up as a mobile speed camera, flashing passing cars with a bright light as if taking their picture, and then running after them.
6. Vanity plate leads to bank robbery suspect | UT San Diego | …Note to bad guys: Don’t put your name on the license plate of your getaway car.
7. China unveils 300-passenger bus | inhabitat | …The megabus Superliner is 13 meters longer than regular city buses, and it can transport up to 300 passengers in a single trip.
8. L.L. Bean celebrates century of mucking about with Bootmobile | Autoblog | …The well-known maker of high quality outdoor goods is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the Bootmobile has been created as a way to celebrate the product that helped start it all.

[image via]

Over the last few years, everyone has been feeling the pinch from the rising cost of fuel. Many businesses and fuel procurement offices have assumed that if they could just get past a couple of tough years, that fuel costs will stabilize. If there’s one thing that’s become clear over couple year, it’s that high oil prices are here to stay. 2011 set a record for highest average inflation-adjusted fuel price, and 2012 is projected to keep pace with those levels.

While the high cost of fuel can be a vexing problem for businesses everywhere, it’s can be a major obstacle for auto shippers and carriers. Luckily, there are a few things that companies that manage a fleet can do to manage the rise in fuel prices. Here are two ways that companies help reduce the impact of high fuel prices on their bottom line.

Improve Procurement of Fuel - One of the main trends that’s marked the oil and gas market is increasing volatility. It’s not uncommon for the market to swing five cents per gallon on a given day. If you find yourself on the wrong side of a purchasing decision when buying thousands of gallons of gas, you can quickly bleed money and go over budget. There are some automated solutions, such as FuelQuest, on the market that can help companies forecast demand, monitor on-hand fuel, and procure at the best market price. These solutions can help companies avoid buying at the wrong time and bolster their bottom lines.

Better Manage Your Fleet - After making better fuel purchasing decisions, better managing the fleet is a logical next step. While there are some very impressive new technologies (e.g. eco-friendly engines and aerodynamic trailers) on the market, these can be pricey investments. Where companies can get a far better bang for their buck is in employing highly-skilled drivers that are versed in fuel saving technique such as smooth acceleration and momentum control. A skilled driver can save, on average, anywhere from five to 20 percent in fuel efficiency. Another boon is keeping tire pressures at proper inflation levels as a three percent variance in air pressure impacts fuel efficiency by one percent.

These are just a couple of ideas on how to save on fuel costs. This article was adapted from an original piece on the Software Advice Blog. You can visit the Software Advice website by clicking here.

Author Bio: Derek joined Software Advice after graduating from Occidental College with a degree in political science. He writes about various topics related to ERP software with particular interest in the manufacturing and distribution software markets. He is especially interested in the business implications of enterprise technology.

Here’s our weekly roundup of blogs that we like, along with their Facebook pages! If you like National Transport LLC, become a fan on our Facebook page today!

FB Friday Faves:

1. Safer Wheels | …improving transportation by minimizing risk and improving safety through products such as spray suppressants, mudflaps, tire pressure indicator caps and more…Visit them on Facebook here.
2. Hellwig Motorsports | …the leading manufacturer of helper springs, air suspension, sway bars, and rv suspension. Visit them on Facebook here.
3. Left Lane News | …the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Visit them on Facebook here.
4. Lisa Linke Photography | …for awesome shots of vehicles in motion, you’ll definitely want to stop by Lisa’s FB page. Visit her on Facebook here.
5. Twins Turbo Motorsports | …specializing in fuel injected turbo systems for race and street vehicles as well as building and setting up vehicles for both competition and for the street since 1996. Visit them on Facebook here.

[image by Pranavian on flickr]