So that’s what a penny-farthing looks like! Photo: “Agnieszka Kwiecień, license: CC-BY 3.0″

With the weather warming up across the country, spring is an excellent time to start spending more time outdoors. And what better way to enjoy the local scenery than from the seat of a bike?

While bike riding can be a great form of exercise and good option for going green, the Center for Disease Control informs us that approximately 700 people die each year due to bicycle-related accidents. That makes up approximately 2% of the annual traffic accident total, according to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The League of American Bicyclists has dubbed May official Bike Month, and in fact, this Friday, May 17, is National Bike to Work Day. So it seems an appropriate time to review a few basic bike safety tips.

Whether you’re on a tricycle, a unicycle, or a penny-farthing, here are a few ways to keep everyone safe on the road.

Opening Car Doors: It is the responsibility of both the driver and the cyclist to ensure the coast is clear before a car door is opened. If you are the driver, before opening your door, look out the window and over your left shoulder to see if anyone is coming — car or bike. And if you’re a bicyclist, make sure you give yourself enough room next to a parked car just in case a door does open suddenly.

Right-of-Way: It’s important for bikers and drivers to remember that they are all required to follow the same basic traffic laws. Yet motorists are expected to yield the right of way to a bike at intersections, when changing lanes, and making left- or right-hand turns.

Passing: Remember there are more than just cars using the roadways, so it’s important to be kind and patient. If you’re passing a bicycle, slow down and go behind them — don’t speed up to go around or in front of a bike. If the road permits, a car should allow a bike 3 feet of clearance to pass.

Signal Your Turn: This applies to both bikes and cars — you can’t expect others on the road to anticipate your next move. Cars should always use their turn indicator light and bikers need to actively use hand signals before making a turn.

Obey Road Signs and Signals: All vehicles — cars, trucks, buses, bikes, motorcycles, etc. — are required to obey traffic signs and signals. This includes turn arrows, stop signs, yield signs, railroad crossings, and more. Some drivers may not be familiar with the distinct image of a sharrow, or a shared road arrow. Be sure you’re aware of what all signs and signals mean. Bikes and cars have the same privileges in these shared-driving areas.

Drive and Ride Defensively: Never assume you are seen by others on the road. For bikers, wearing safety gear like a helmet, a reflective vest, and using lights on the front and back of your bike can be lifesaving measures. Drivers also need to exercise caution to ensure they are seen. Checking to make sure lanes are clear before moving over or turning is a vital defensive driving technique that can prevent unnecessary accidents.

For additional bike safety tips you can check out the NHTSA section dedicated to bicycles. And of course, a traffic school course is always a great way to review safety strategies and rules of the road.

No more excuses. It’s time to stop texting and driving. While we’re all saying we’ve stopped, a new poll by AT&T proves otherwise.

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 210,000 accidents in 2011 involved a driver who was texting. Not scary enough? How about the fact that 9 drivers a day are killed by distracted driving? That’s what the Center for Disease Control reports. Yet every minute of every day thousands of drivers have their phones in their hands instead of their hands on the wheel. This epidemic is getting, well, out of hand.

As part of their “It Can Wait” campaign, AT&T has taken a lead in the charge toward changing our distracted driving habits. You’ve probably seen their emotional commercials where family and friends share their stories of loss as a result of texting behind the wheel. As a next step to raise awareness, AT&T polled 1,000 adults about this dangerous behavior. According to a story published today by CBS New York, the cell provider discovered that nearly 49% of those polled admitted to texting while driving. Embarrassingly, this is 6% higher than the number of teens who admitted to texting. Yet of those polled, 98% said they knew it was dangerous. So, unfortunately, adults are not doing a very good job of setting a safe-driving example for the younger generation.

What now? While legislators nationwide scramble to think up new ways to promote safety and discourage this dangerous habit, there’s one simple way for all of us to take action: Put down your phone. To hold ourselves accountable, we can take a pledge, like the one supplied by AT&T, and publicly state our intent to drive safer.

Still not sure how to curb the habit? We have several great tips on how to break the texting addiction here on our site, including the most basic step of all — turn your phone off.

You’ve seen them on the freeway, in the parking lot, and occasionally, in your lane. They love to be out on the road, when they should be at home taking an online traffic school course. These 6 senseless drivers may think they’re above the law, but if they don’t change their habits, sooner or later they’ll end up under a bus, or wrapped around a tree.

The Beauty
Queen

The Beauty Queen is a master of multi-tasking. She can put on her makeup,drive, and shorten the lifespan of everyone on the road—all at the same time.

The Parking
Hog

This pesky parker thinks outside the box, or outside the parking space, at least. He’s a true artist who can’t be bothered by trivial constraints like “the law,” or “lines,” or “basic consideration of his fellow drivers.”

The Spontaneous
Merger

By neglecting his blinker, the Spontaneous Merger truly becomes a
master of illusion. One moment he appears to be a competent driver… the next he’s suddenly in your lane!

The Butt
Head

Some say The Butt Head tosses out the remains of his cigarette because he doesn’t want trash in his car. But if that were true, he’d have kicked himself out long ago.

The Mystery
Braker

Stop? Go? It’s all a mystery when you’re stuck behind this spontaneous braker!

The Slow
Poke

To most people, the Slow Poke is an inconsiderate driver who makes the commute miserable for everybody. But in his own mind, he’s the pace car of his very own parade!

Honing the Resourceful Mindset

It’s interesting how innovative the mind can get when it comes to solving everyday tasks without the convenience of typical tools and luxuries. One of the first things you learn living in a van is to always, always, always have a jar on hand for those moments when you “have to go” but have no available public restroom. You learn to consolidate the number of tools you need to get basic tasks done. 90% of all cooking, eating, and drinking can be done with about 4 or 5 utensils. Baths or showers are superfluous when a good overall body scrubbing and a water bottle will get the same thing done more or less effectively (pro tip: stay near the beach whenever possible).

Keeping Up Appearances

Despite the limitations that come with maintaining one’s life and possessions in the enclosed space of a vehicle, I managed to learn how to clean up pretty well when the situation called for it. I kept a supply of folded dress shirts underneath my bed in the back of the van. These became extremely handy when it was time for me to show up to a job looking presentable and professional. I kept a cell phone and sometimes a laptop charged, and with the help of many friends, always had places to store extraneous belongings or particularly expensive things.

I know that for some people in tough economic times, living in a car is not an option, but a necessary consequence of unfortunate luck. I also know that attempting to do the same thing in anything smaller than a van would have greatly reduced my overall comfort and livability. My van experience happened in a wealthy portion of a little beach town in San Diego county, where I always knew I would have more than enough money and amenities to get by, and that the temperature would never go below freezing at night. There’s a major difference between choosing to live in squalor and being forced to live in it.

Life in the Van in Retrospect

As a direct result of my van-dwelling days, I went on to traverse parts of Central America with little more than a backpack with me at any given time. I never once doubted my ability to get by with so little, because I had been doing the same for a year prior. In many ways, learning to not just get by, but actually live well in a van is the urban equivalent of camping in the wilderness with nothing but a chunk of flint and a bowie knife. When you can learn to make it in the modern world with sparse access to running water, gas, and electricity, you know you can make it almost anywhere.

While I wouldn’t exactly be eager to go back to living in a van at this point in my life, I often fondly look back on that year of my life and recall the pleasures of a simpler and grungier time. It was, in a sense, a rite of passage for me from the dependent stages of adolescence into the independence and maturity of adulthood. You might even say it was like 4 years of a typical college experience condensed into a quarter of the time. It was a bonding experience with the vehicle which was no longer just a way to get around from one place to another, but my shelter from the elements and mobile domicile on wheels.

Be warned though, that if you get too comfortable with the van lifestyle, you could end up like this guy:

On May 2^nd, 2013, the Florida Legislature approved SB 52, the bill that would create the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law.” This law would make texting while driving a secondary offense. With this ban in place, the penalty for a driver’s first offense would be a $30 fine, a nonmoving violation. However, the cost would jump to $60 plus a total of three points added to the driver’s record if he or she were to be caught texting while driving again within five years.

The Senate voted 39-1 to approve the ban, which shows how important politicians feel this issue to be. In fact, on April 30^th, 2013, the Senate voted unanimously on the bill before sending it to the House, who added an amendment. The amendment states that cell phone records are allowed to be used as evidence in the event of a crash that results in death or personal injury. Nancy Detert, Senate sponsor, said of the bill: “It…will allow parents today to say to their kids ‘Don’t text while driving,’ it’s against the law…It really will save lives.” As a measure of safety for all the people of Florida, we urge you to sign this bill into law.

The Numbers Say It All

In our letter to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, we noted that 40% of teen drivers have been in a vehicle in which the driver used their cell phone in a way that endangered others. Unfortunately, this statistic makes sense, since driving while using a cell phone “reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.”

With numbers like these, it’s clear that something needs to be done about texting while driving, especially considering the amount of senior drivers in the state of Florida. According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were approximately 22.6 million licensed drivers age 70 and above in the United States in 2011. Many of these drivers reside here, and it’s imperative that we protect them, and all citizens of Florida.

It’s a Continuing Problem

Nowadays, Florida traffic school places a particular emphasis on how texting while driving, and other forms of distraction, can have serious consequences. However, young drivers and older drivers alike continue to ignore these warnings.

It is crucial that this law be passed in order for progress to be made in the state of Florida. Stricter laws regarding texting while driving will mean fewer accidents, fewer injuries, and fewer deaths.

We understand that this decision will require thoughtful consideration of all the facts, and that any decision that affects your state’s population is not to be rushed. But it is our belief that, given all the research on the undeniable negative impact of texting while driving, you will be doing the right thing for the citizens of Florida by signing SB 52 into law. Let’s join the other 39 states, plus the District of Columbia, who already have texting-while-driving bans.

Thank you for your consideration,

I DRIVE SAFELY

While most of us see our cars as a gentle machine built for the purpose of safe and smooth transportation there are times where it seems to turn into a gas-guzzling monster ready to break down on us at every turn. A bit dramatic? Perhaps, but you have to admit – every once in a while when you’re driving on the open road, you’ve looked at your car and thought, “How are you going to cost me extra money today?”

In order to prevent this scenario from coming to fruition, it’s important to keep your car well-maintained. But while the old rules for car maintenance that have been passed down through generations may have served car owners well back in the old days, in modern times, some of those “wise tips” are not only outdated, but are also a huge waste of money.

Want to know what these wallet-draining tips are? Let’s take a look at some of the most common car maintenance myths that just may cost you loads of money.

Warm Up Before You Drive 

One of the most commonly-held maintenance myths directs you to warm up the car engine before you hit the road – especially on cold days. Apparently, if you drive with a cold engine, you could cause serious damage to your car.

Fact:

As long as you’re not constantly flooring it wherever you go, you’re in safe hands – just turn the key and go.  It is, understandable where this myth came from, as in there are certain car parts that do need to be warmed up before performing at full power. But remember – if your car is idling, it’s still producing power, and the difference between idling and driving at a reasonable speed is negligible. The parts that do need to be warmed up, such as your wheel bearings and transmission, will do so themselves once your car starts moving. When you unnecessarily keep your engine running, you’re wasting a good deal of money in expended fuel – when you don’t even have to.

Regularly Tune Your Engine 

Sure, if you want your car’s engine to be running at its peak performance and you want to extend its life, then regular engine tune-ups are the best course of action… or so you thought.

Fact:

Again, it’s not necessarily needed for your engine to get regular tune-ups, as cars nowadays are built to last for a very, very long time. It’s just another way to expensively have someone else replace your air filter or change your spark plugs (both of which you could easily do at home when the need arises). Sure, older cars have many parts that work together in a precarious balance, such as idle speed adjustment, air fuel mixture, and even ignition timing. All of these components need a certain level of basic checks and maintenance to work at optimal level. However, they don’t require you to go all “crazy Mr. Clean” on them. You can monitor your car’s performance by noting any differences in the way it begins to drive, and then get your engine checked accordingly.

Use High-Octane Gas

According to popular mythology, using only super grade or premium gasoline is good for your engine, making it run smoother and last longer.

Fact:

With the exception of specific kinds of vehicles, such as sports cars that require high-octane gas, it doesn’t really matter whether you use plus- or premium-grade gas, since it won’t really affect the engine either way.  All grades of gas are mandated by law to contain cleaning agents that will keep your engine performing smoothly and reduce the output of emissions.

Sports cars require premium-grade gas because they have to squeeze the air and gas into a super tight fuel-injection piston process. If any other form of gas is used, it would have the potential to cause engine knocking.  But for your standard family sedan or SUV, regular (and less expensive) gasoline will do the trick.

If you’ve ever fallen for any of these myths, you’re not alone. But now that you know the truth, it’s time to let them go, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Author: Albert Tang is an avid automotive enthusiast, writer, and blogger for www.rockymountainhondadealers.com

The popular sitcom Seinfeld ended its 9-season run in 1998 by sending its 4 main characters to prison for neglecting to assist a stranger who was being carjacked at gunpoint. Their “crime” took place in a small town in Massachusetts, and was said in the show to be part of the town’s new set of “Good Samaritan laws.” As a result of the airing of that episode, many people came to believe that it is legal, or even common, to be arrested for doing nothing to assist others in need.

Good Samaritan Laws

The truth is that Good Samaritan laws do exist in all 50 states, but they not what the writers of Seinfeld portrayed them as. Good Samaritan laws do not compel a person to take action for fear of legal recourse, but rather they protect them if, in the event of rendering aid, they accidently harm someone. A common example of this might be improperly performing CPR to someone whose heart has stopped, or causing spinal damage by recklessly yanking someone from the wreckage of a car accident.

The purpose of these laws is to alleviate the fear people may have of facing legal recourse from helping others. It is an attempt by lawmakers to encourage helpfulness and heroism, within reason. There are supporters and opponents of these laws, and they both have valid points. Strangers will be far less likely to go out of their way to help others (and possibly endanger themselves) if there is a chance they will be penalized for attempting to save a life. However, many careless and uninformed people actually do more harm than good in the process of “rescuing” strangers who never requested their assistance. The limits of what is considered “reasonable” are also blurry and open to debate.

An excerpt from Hawaii’s Good Samaritan Act is as follows:

“Any person who in good faith renders emergency care, without remuneration or expectation of remuneration, at the scene of an accident or emergency to the victim of the accident or emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from the person’s acts or omission, except for such damages as may result from the person’s gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.”

Duty to Rescue Laws

What the Seinfeld gang was actually guilty of more accurately falls under what are called “Duty to Rescue laws”. These are laws that punish people who do not render aid to others when it is reasonable to do so. While generally no one is obligated to get involved in the affairs of strangers, there are exceptions, such as when a special relationship exists between the people involved. These special relationships can include parents and children, spouses, invited guests on private property, employers and their employees (while on the job), and emergency workers (within the scope of their professions). You are also required to assist to the extent of your abilities if you caused the dangerous circumstances affecting someone, which is why crimes like hit-and-run are taken so seriously.

There are, however, 10 states which now require that strangers notify the police anytime they are witness to a crime. Additionally, Massachusetts (where the Seinfeld troupe was nabbed), Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont, and Rhode Island all have laws requiring some kind of direct assistance if it is needed and reasonable, with a possible fine of up to $100 for infringement. While enforcement of these laws is reportedly rare, the fact that they exist is a powerful indicator of the potential role of government in legislating morality.

Some wonder how Duty to Rescue laws would have changed the situation for a man who was recently killed as dozens of people watched him helplessly stuck on subway tracks for a full 22 seconds before facing his oncoming doom. The witnesses who did nothing to help included a New York Post photographer who apparently had time to taken dozens of pictures of the man, and in later interviews admitted he was waiting for someone closer to the victim to help him up. Psychologists call this group-wide expectation that someone else will take action the “diffusion of responsibility.”

Legality vs. Morality 

A society where complete strangers feel inspired to risk their own lives to help one another in times of need sounds almost universally appealing. However, where do we draw the limit for the law’s role in influencing morality and basic human decency? Does everyone have an intrinsic obligation to help each other, even when the situation has nothing to do with them? Or should we be free to be more selective about when we choose to get involved with others? Do charity and heroism maintain their appeal when mandated under threat of fine or imprisonment? What do you think?

It wasn’t long ago that amenities like keyless entry, automatic windows, and seat warmers were considered breakthroughs in technology. But each year, new waves of technology bring us closer and closer to living in the future. The latest company to make a splash is Delphi, with their Vehicle Diagnostics module.

In the past, you’d have to resort to old-school solutions to old-school problems. Keys locked in the car? Call the locksmith. Car making a funny noise? Bring it in, hope it’s not too expensive. Car stolen? Good luck! The Delphi Vehicle Diagnostic Module can help you with all of that.

IN CASE OF REPAIR

Do you know how often you need to replace your timing belt? Or what a catalytic converter does? If you’re like most Americans, when your car breaks down, you take it to a mechanic. That’s where Vehicle Diagnostics comes in. This module lets you troubleshoot your car from your computer, or even your smartphone.

This comes in handy in monitoring your car’s overall health—knowing when to flush that transmission fluid, or if your oil change is overdue. But it also helps arm you with better information when you bring your car in. How do you usually describe the problem? If you’re like me, you’re at the mercy of their ability to interpret your whirring and clunking sounds. The more information you’re able to provide, the more likely the problem will get solved. And knowing your car is healthy can bring you peace of mind out on the open road.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Have you ever locked your keys inside your car? Don’t lie, we all have. This new technology lets you access your car’s door locks from your computer or smartphone. So long as you have your phone with you, you don’t have to worry about locking your keys in your car ever again!

IN CASE OF THEFT

Vehicle theft is still a major threat in America, but for every car-stealing tactic thieves can come up with, there’s a technology to combat it. Thanks to modern GPS and mapping technology, Vehicle Diagnostics allows you to not only target your stolen car’s exact location, it also lets you review the car’s driving history in detail. So not only can you watch your carjackers in real time, you can also see where they stopped for a smoothie!

The $250 price tag may seem daunting at first, but again, if you’re at all like me—anything more complicated than putting gasoline into the car is “best left to the experts”—the benefits it provides are well worth it. In fact, the only thing this new technology needs is a cute name. Pocket Mechanic? Car Gizmo?

As the bar for technology gets raised higher and higher each year, we get to enjoy the convenient benefits and safety features that come along with it. We may not be eating our food in pill format, or driving hovercars that fold up into briefcases, a la The Jetsons (YouTube it if you’re under 30), but with new techs like this coming out each year, we’re getting there.

We all love to pamper our pets. And while buying our favorite furry friends expensive leather collars, fancy micro-suede beds, and designer dog food seems perfectly natural, for some reason buckling them up before we take them for a car ride isn’t at the top of our pet-protection list.

Traveling with your pet unrestrained might be more dangerous than you think. According to the pet-safety website Be Smart Ride Safe, a 60-pound dog can act like a 2,700 pound projectile, even your car is moving at only 35 MPH.  While you might feel safe knowing your car has built-in safety features like air bags and headrests, you should remember that these are designed for humans — not pets. If your pet is on your lap and an airbag deploys, they could be seriously harmed — or worse.

Lately the emphasis on “distracted driving” seems to be linked exclusively to texting or calling while behind the wheel. What makes these distractions so dangerous is that they require you to take your attention off the road and your hands off the wheel. A free-roaming pet can easily create a hazardous distraction. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety , your risk of being in an accident doubles when you take your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds. Turning to pet your dog, tell him to lie down, or just admire his adorableness could all put you both of you in danger.  And what about when your dog jumps from seat to seat, or barks at a passing car? All of these scenarios create risky distractions.

Currently, only 8 states have laws that require minimal pet restraint, and most of these apply to pets traveling in open areas like truck beds. In fact, more states (14 to be exact) have laws forbidding owners from leaving their pets in a vehicle unattended.

The laws that do exist range in type of violation and how they are enforced. While Hawaii is the only state that explicitly forbids driving with a dog in your lap, Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine drivers can be ticketed under those states’ distracted driving laws if they are caught doing the same. And New Jersey law gives NJSPCA officers the ability to stop a driver if they believe they are traveling with their pet in an improper manner. The cost for this ticket can run $250-$1,000.

There is another factor to keep in mind the next time you pull away from the curb with your pet in your lap. If you are in an accident, how will your pet fare? An unrestrained pet can be ejected from a vehicle and seriously injured, or worse. In addition, an injured dog could jeopardize your chances of getting the medical attention you need. A scared pet could be protective of its owner, preventing emergency service providers from doing their jobs properly.

So what should a responsible pet owner do? Even if your state law doesn’t require it, you could look into using a seat belt or other safe driving options for traveling with your four-legged friend. Or, for those with especially active pets, you might want to consider a comfortable carrier or crate in the back of your vehicle. For more information on safe ways to travel with your pet, check out our detailed list of options here.

1. Give a cat a bath. Have you ever tried this? It’s seriously like taking your life in your own hands.

2. Donate blood. Let’s see, voluntarily give over your essence of life, or voluntarily listen to a lecture on stop signs… I think I’ll take a needle in the arm, thank you.

3. Get a root canal. There are very few sounds in this world as unnerving as a dentist’s drill. Yet I’d rather listen to that high-pitched squeal over a monotone driving teacher any day. 

4. Speak publicly. If standing up in front of a crowd could get you out of a traffic ticket, I bet more than just crazies and politicians would do it!

5. Watch paint dry. Have you ever tried this? Well, don’t. Unless of course you’re looking for a mind-numbing way to waste time.

6. Pick up after a dog. Cleaning up a dog’s business sounds like a much better use of time than listening to other driving students’ annoying questions about the rules of merging. 

7. Waiting for the toaster to pop. Waiting, waiting, waiting… seems like it always takes forever to get the perfect piece of toast. But no matter how long a toaster takes, it can’t seem as long as a traffic school class.

8. Drive behind someone going 5 MPH under the speed limit. Actually, maybe it’s these pokey drivers who should be in that class we’re trying to avoid. 

9. Wait for the cable guy. That six-hour window, with no cable and no Internet, waiting for the repair guy to show up on a weekend sounds like more fun than sitting in a stuffy classroom.

10. Take traffic school online. Okay, if I have to take traffic school, I would much rather do it online. It’s fast, easy, and minimizes the boredom.  

Since 1996, medical marijuana has become legal in 18 states, of which, Colorado and Washington go so far as to allow it to be used “recreationally” even by non-medical users. In another 7 states, it has been decriminalized, significantly reducing the punishment for use or possession.

Clearly, these statistics represent a growing change in how our country views the potential dangers of marijuana use. I’m from California, incidentally the first state to legalize medical marijuana, where pot use is common among the youth of today. Supporters argue it is healthier than tobacco, which is legal, and less impairing than alcohol – arguments which do little to bolster its validity behind the wheel.

How Do Marijuana Smokers View Themselves?

At 16 and as a new driver, I had a hard time finding anyone who thought that it might be dangerous to drive while high in California. This is a very troubling fact to me now, as it was then. Most teens seem to understand how incredibly dangerous drunk driving is. They are generally aware of how any significant amount of alcohol will drastically reduce their ability to drive well. They also know how severe the legal consequences of drunk driving will be for them.

But when you ask them the same questions about marijuana, they’ll often approach it with a lighthearted, almost jovial tone. They might admit that they might react slower or have a harder time paying attention while high, but that it’s nothing they can’t compensate for by driving a little slower and putting extra attention on the road. I spent enough time around these hooligans to see how incredibly unaware of their own abilities and level of impairment they were while high.

Defining the Limits of Safety

In states where pot is legal, just how safe is it to be under the influence while driving? For alcohol, most states simply employ blood or breath tests that can very quickly reveal if a person is above .08% blood-alcohol content, which is the standard acceptable level of alcohol impairment. However, there is no breathalyzer for marijuana and its active ingredient, THC. Police officers typically must rely on a much more subjective interpretation of how strongly marijuana might be influencing a driver.

In Colorado, where cannabis was only recently changed from medically legal to recreationally legal, there is a limit of 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. This is only measurable by a blood test, something which Colorado drivers are legally obligated to submit to if requested by an officer. If these numbers confuse you, take a look at the experiment where Colorado smokers of different ages were given increasing levels of marijuana, and had their blood-THC levels measured as they attempted to safely drive on a closed course.

The experiment showed, at least for the 3 drivers tested, that only a tiny amount of marijuana smoke was needed to break the 5 nanogram limit. After 3/10 of a gram of cannabis each, the participants were already at 4 to 7 times the legal THC limit. Yet they still described themselves only as “relaxed” and “buzzed.” The impairing effects on their driving were clearly visible to the instructor in the car and the police officers outside. At higher doses, the 3 drivers were all deemed reckless and displayed dangerous behaviors which, on the road, could easily have resulted in property damage, injury, or death.

Principles of Responsible Use

Medical patients who use marijuana daily for chronic pain or other ailments may worry about the 5 nanogram limit, as some of them are almost always over this limit. Many still attest that they are in complete control of themselves at 5 nanograms. But as the experiment with the high Colorado drivers suggests, people who regularly consume pot can be very overconfident of their abilities, and therefore underestimate how impaired they really are.

If marijuana use is going to continue to be condoned in our country, perhaps even one day being as commonplace as alcohol is now, we are going to have to figure out a way to keep irresponsible users from endangering everyone else. Even NORML, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, states in their official Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use that responsible marijuana users should never drive while high. Blood content limits and checks may be one way to monitor this, or there may be more effective and less invasive methods.

Many prescription medications can become dangerous if used in the wrong dose or the wrong context, and medical marijuana should be treated no differently. But until a reliable measure can be determined in regards to what amount of THC is “safe” in someone’s system, marijuana users today all have to take on the responsibility of avoiding any potentially impaired and reckless driving at all costs. Don’t be a dope on the road.

If a road trip with your favorite beast is in order, it’s never too early to start preparing! Below are some tips that will help you and your pet stay safe and happy as you traverse these great United States.

DO: Plan Ahead

It’s important to map out your route to accommodate breaks for your dog. Just like humans, pets need an opportunity to stretch their legs and visit a restroom (which for them may be the nearest oak tree). Make sure you know just how long your trip is going to take and where the rest stops are, so that you can plan out when and where you’re going to stop. You may also want to gauge beforehand how often your dog needs to be let out to do its business, so that you can work that schedule into your trip. Find dog parks or beaches to take your four-legged buddy to, so that they can stretch their legs and get thoroughly tired out before hopping back into the car.

Also make sure to find pet-friendly places to eat and stay. You’d hate to get to your expensive 5-star resort hotel, only to be turned away because Lassie isn’t allowed to lounge by the pool.

DON’T: Assume You’re Prepared

There will undoubtedly be things you forgot to consider before you packed up the pooch for the long haul. Do you have enough food to get them comfortably to your destination? What about water? Toys? Did you bring a potty pad for their crate or carrier?

Bring extra funds to compensate for your momentary lapse of planning. Have a backup plan in case your hotel failed to mention that they don’t allow pets (or you failed to ask). And don’t take your frustration out on your pup when these things come up!

DO: Provide Entertainment

If you think your kids are tough to occupy while on a long road trip or a plane, try traveling with feisty Fido! While cats are typically content to just sit around, our beloved pups usually want to hang out the window, tongue lolling free… and then jump over to the other window (more tongue lolling ensues)… and then fly to the backseat where they can run awkward circles until they fall off the seat, and then try to jump into your lap in the front of the car. None of this is conducive to good driving on your part, and can be very dangerous for your pet as well. Give them a chew toy, have another person sit in the back with them, or put on their favorite song (…what, your dog doesn’t have a favorite song?).

DO: Restrain Them (Nicely!)

Remember our above scenario, where Fido was zipping throughout the car on all cylinders? Not only is that dangerous for you, but it also could prove dangerous (or even fatal) to your pet. While we want to give our pets all of the enjoyment they can get out of a trip, we also need to consider the danger posed to them if they’re left unrestrained. They could lean too far outside of the car window, or even jump out altogether. Additionally, any sudden stops you make while driving will send the poor pooch flying.

There are many different models of doggy car seats that you can purchase to keep your canine comfortable and safe at the same time. Some strap to the back of the seat, similar to a child’s car seat, while others resemble a padded crate with a chest strap to fit around your pet’s body in order to keep them inside. Just remember to put it near the window… after all, who doesn’t love a nice breeze?

DON’T: Get Frustrated

I know it’s hard, but we need to remember that pets aren’t humans. They don’t understand WHY they need to be restrained, or WHY they can’t just jump out of the car. They probably don’t even fully understand the words you say to them—just the sound of the word and the tone of your voice. So when they don’t listen to you when you tell them to sit down or stop slobbering all over the window… well, you can’t really blame them.

Take a deep breath, and then bust out the Lysol when you get home. It’s just doggy drool!

DO: Have Fun!

Remember—everything is better when we have our loved ones with us, including our furry friends. Take the bad with the good, and give your pet as much opportunity to enjoy themselves as you would give yourself. Having your dog by your side can change the entire face of your trip for the better—so grab the leash and the camera, and get out on those roads!

Diamond Studded Ferrari Car Key

This Ferrari Key is encrusted with over 1000 diamonds, totaling over 7 karats in weight. If you don’t care for diamonds, Camael London can cover it with just about any kind of gemstone you wish. It’s the perfect way to say, “I may be able to afford luxury cars, but my sense of taste hasn’t evolved since I was given a Bedazzler for my 8^th birthday.”

Rolls-Royce Phantom Starlight Roof

When you purchase the Rolls-Royce Phantom, you have a few options for your roof. If you love the stars, you can purchase a moon roof so that you can occasionally glance up at the heavens as you drive. If you like the stars in theory, but honestly would prefer a bunch of LED lights in your roof that are supposed to look like stars, Rolls-Royce has you covered. Motorists who want the fake stars in their headliner will have to first fork over about $12,000. It truly provides drivers with a unique combination of authentic luxury and cheap imitation.

Mercedes CL Granite Trim

Are you sad because the interior of your brand-new Mercedes doesn’t remind you of a kitchen countertop? That problem can be solved for a mere $2,650 extra by selecting the granite trim option on the Mercedes CL.

Asanti Diamond-Encrusted Rims

Instantly make the most easily-stolen part of your car also the most expensive part of your car with the Asanti Diamond-Encrusted Rims. Plus, it’s so affordable. You don’t have to pay $3 million or even $2 million to inspire class envy in every one on the road… you can add this touch of tactlessness to your car for a mere $1 million!

But wait, there’s more!  Act now, and Asanti will throw in a brand new Bentley COMPLETELY FREE!

Mayback Zeppelin Perfume Atomizer

Let’s pretend you want your car to smell a little better. Do you:

A)   Buy a $5 bottle of Febreeze

B)    Buy a $2 air freshener

Or

C)    Buy a $5,000 device that periodically sprays the interior of your car with perfume?

If you even thought A or B, you are poor.

The Perfume Atomizer takes your favorite perfume and releases the scent at predetermined intervals, making the interior of car smell as you prefer. It is ideal for high-end car drivers who absolutely must constantly smell Clive Christian No. 1 for Men every time they drive to a dinner soirée.

Another guy buys the same brand new Ford F150. He lives in Washington, and he’s a logger. His job entails driving up and down mountains, sometimes with large logs in the bed of his truck. He also uses his truck to tow machinery and heavy supplies to and from his worksite.

Two men with physically-demanding trades. Two trucks of the same make and model. Each man puts about the same amount of strain, wear, and tear on his vehicle, and each man has the same distance to drive to and from work every day. The only difference is that the Oklahoma rancher drives on flat lands, and the Washington logger travels on hills and through mountains. So… which gentleman gets the most bang for his buck out of his truck?

I have an unfortunate fact to share with drivers in mountainous states like Washington, Colorado, California, and Kentucky: you’re getting the short end of the driving stick.

Breaking the Braking Habit

While common sense (and maybe even experience) may lead you to believe that the act of coasting or braking on the down slope of a hill saves you a good amount of gas, as you are not expending any, tests and studies on gas mileage have proven that the output of gas on the way UP the hill is far greater than what you save on the way down – even in electric car energy. Especially with the hypothetical occupations of these two men – as each of them are towing and hauling heavy materials, the logger’s truck uses far more energy to brake down the mountain than a normal 4-door sedan without any extra weight; the sedan could simply coast down the hill or mountain with intermittent braking. With as much weight as the logger is carrying, he has no choice but to use his breaks more often. This puts a fair amount of wear on his brakes, which will cost him a greater deal of money more often than the rancher from Oklahoma, whose brakes don’t get roughed up nearly as much.

A way to combat this is engine braking. By downshifting into a lower gear, the vehicles engine acts as a compressor and reduces the overall speed without putting extra strain on the brakes.

High in the Sky

Another factor for poorer gas mileage? Elevation! Engines lose efficiency at higher altitudes, as the lower air pressure decreases the required octane levels, causing engines to fire at lower levels than they are built for. Additionally, increased wind friction also slows your car down, forcing it to work harder to achieve the same speeds. So the logger winding through the mountains has an engine that is putting out far more gas to do the same amount of work, whereas the rancher at a lower altitude clips through 10 MPH headwinds with no extra strain in his engine at all.

It Pays to Drive Safely

All of these situations are exacerbated if you are an aggressive driver, on both flat and hilly roads. Jerky movements and punching the gas pedal are damaging to your vehicle on any type of terrain. If your car is already under strain from additional weight, wind, and elevation, the addition of aggressive driving creates a perfect storm for mechanical problems galore.

If you find yourself driving a bit too aggressively, it may be a good idea to take a driver safety course. Drivers in Oklahoma, Washington, and any other state can learn proper defensive driving techniques and essential vehicle maintenance that will increase the output of their cars, as well as save gas unnecessarily expended by driving too forcefully. After all – every penny counts!

Safety is always at the top of every driver’s list. So whether you’re in the market for a new car, or you’re just curious about the safety of your current vehicle, a new app launched by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration puts invaluable safety info right at your fingertips.

With the launch of its new SaferCar app for iPhones and iPod Touch, Apple users have the opportunity to access the NHTSA’s extensive auto safety database from anywhere.

Coinciding with recent improvements to Safercar.gov, as well as the NHTSA’s ongoing efforts to provide safety information in a fast and convenient manner, the app offers a range of information that can be accessed quickly and easily on the go.

The categories customers will see on the SaferCar home screen are:

• 5-Star Safety Ratings: organized by year, make, and model
• Help Installing Car Seats: includes phone numbers and mapped directions to the safety checkpoints
• Search for a Recall: for models starting in year 2000
• File a Complaint: a simple form you can fill out and submit
• Headlines & My Recalls: can be customized to receive recalls for your specific vehicle

In a release published by the NHTSA on March 21, 2013, the NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, “Timely, accurate, and accessible safety data is the lifeblood of our agency’s work. The new SaferCar app literally puts the latest in vehicle safety information directly in the hands of consumers so they can make the appropriate purchasing and other decisions for themselves and their families.”

Free to download, the app requires an iOS of 5.1 or higher and is compatible with a range of iPhone and iPod devices as well as the Apple iPad. The NHSTA also indicates that an Android-compatible version of the app is in development.

In keeping with their safe-driving goals, the SaferCar app opens with a screen stating, “Don’t Text And Drive,” and requires the user to tap it before they can start using it. To keep up with all the latest in car and road safety, download it and give it a try!