Jun 16, 2024 | Car Accidents, Driver Safety
Encountering road rage while driving can be incredibly scary and dangerous. If it happens to you, the most important thing is to stay calm. Do not engage with the other driver because it will only encourage them to act more irrationally. Put distance between yourself and the driver that is driving erratically. Ignore any hand gestures they give you, and try not to make eye contact. Never honk at another driver unless it’s for defensive purposes. And finally, if they follow you, call the police and drive someplace safe. Hopefully, you’ll never encounter road rage, but if you do these tips can keep you safe.
Encountering Road Rage: How to Protect Yourself from Dangerous Drivers
Put Distance Between You
First things first when you encountering road rage: put distance between you. You should try and get as far away from that driver as possible. Even if it means going a different route or taking longer to get where you’re going. You never know what somebody is going to do if they’re having road rage. They may act erratically or even try to cause an accident. People have even been known to get out of their cars and attack other drivers. Being on time is less important than being safe. So make your priority getting out of their way and to a safe place.
Ignore Gestures
Another thing to keep in mind when you encountering road rage driver is to ignore any gestures they make at you. They may try to honk or stick their middle finger at you. They might even roll down windows and yell or scream at other drivers. If you respond to it you’ll just be encouraging their behavior. They will be more likely to get even angrier and act more erratically.
Never Honk
If you are encountering road rage, it’s important never to honk at them. In fact, it’s really best not to honk at drivers at all unless it’s for defensive purposes. For example, if a car is about to merge right into you and doesn’t seem to see you, it’s best to honk to let them know you’re there. This is especially important when you’re riding in next to semi-trailers with low visibility. You can also give a honk if some time has passed and the car in front of you doesn’t seem to realize the light is green. However, honking out of anger is almost never productive and can cause road rage.
If They Follow You
If encountering road rage and the driverEncountering road rage while driving can be incredibly scary and dangerous. If it happens to you, the most important thing is to stay… seems to be following you, call the police. It’s also important not to go home. Instead, drive directly to a police station or other safe space that is public and well-lit. You never know what somebody else has in mind. If the driver with road rage is truly acting irrationally, they could be very dangerous. It’s best to alert the authorities and just get someplace safe.
Encountering road rage can be very scary when you encounter it while driving. Other drivers on the road should be courteous and polite, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. If you see a driver who is acting rashly or showing anger signs, try to put as much distance as possible between you and them. Ignore any rude gestures they make or anything they say to you. You should try to avoid honking at other drivers except for defensive situations. And finally, if somebody seems to be following you, don’t go home. Instead, call the cops and get someplace safe. Hopefully, you won’t have to ever deal with another driver in the throes of serious road rage, but if you do the most important thing to do is remain calm and get to safety!
May 21, 2024 | Accident prevention, Car Accidents
There are plenty of ways to put yourself at risk when you’re driving. You could be drinking, under the influence of drugs, on your phone, or even eating. We know you’re hungry, but there are certain things that should be avoided when you’re driving. When it comes to eating drivers, they are ultimately just as distracted as someone on their cell phone. So, we encourage you to avoid this act all together, or at the very least— limit it to the occasional granola bar…
Eating Drivers: Preventing Accidents
Plan your morning accordingly
The majority of the reason for eating drivers is that you’re running late. Your alarm clock was off, or maybe your morning routines just took a bit longer than usual. No matter the reason, you’re running late and have to eat from behind the wheel. As I mentioned, the occasional granola bar is much less risky. However, you’re still taking your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel to unwrap and eat your meal. So, consider prepping your breakfast the night before, eating at the office, or even just being more strict when it comes to that alarm clock.
A commute is stressful. However, when you’re making perfect time it can be a bit less stressful. So, set yourself up for success the night before and in the morning. That missed alarm might still get you from time to time. But making an effort to reduce that might just make all the difference.
Eat while Parked
Eating drivers can be just as dangerous as texting drivers. Finding ways to avoid it, such as the ones we mentioned above, can be beneficial in making sure you aren’t putting yourself and other drivers at risk. You might not have time to sit down and eat at home before work. But, you might make it to work with a few minutes to spare. So, take that moment in your car or the break room and eat your meal. Eating behind the wheel is a no-go, but that doesn’t mean you should skip eating altogether.
Get what you need when you need it
Ultimately, it all comes down to a little planning and discipline. Those extra ten minutes in bed might feel great, but not better than being fed and full until lunch time. So, take an extra minute in the morning or night to decide how you can avoid becoming one of those eating drivers. While it might be an adjustment right now, it’ll be routine in no time at all.
Feb 25, 2024 | Car Accidents, Driving
Traffic circles are gaining popularity in America because they are safer and more efficient than intersections. They are safer because the most deadly type of crash is the right-angle crash. In a traffic circle, this is nearly impossible. And they are more efficient because traffic is meant to slow but never stop. However, many Americans are still hesitant about entering them. Make sure that you do not have any distractions. In addition, read signs carefully on the road and on the side of the road. Never assume that other drivers know when to yield. And finally, go slowly, but never stop while inside a traffic circle. Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to enter them confidently and avoid any mishaps in traffic circles.
Tips for Navigating Traffic Circles Safely: Calm and Slowly
No Distractions
One important safety tip for entering into traffic circles is to never have distractions. A traffic circle or roundabout involves a lot of moving parts. It’s important that you are able to give the road your fullest attention. This is also a good tip for driving in general. But it is especially important in traffic circles. Put away the phone or put a phone call on hold for a few moments. Avoid fiddling with your radio or eating while in a traffic circle. Just focus on what you need to do to navigate it safely.
Read Signs Carefully
Traffic circles can involve a lot of signage which is what makes some drivers nervous. Often there are signs when you enter the circle, signs on the sides of the circle, and signs at each exit. In addition, there are often directions painted on the road as well. Try to remember that if you are taking one of the first exits you’ll want to stay in an outer lane. If you’re traveling further around the circle, you should move to an interior lane. Try to read the signs of having a passenger help you figure out which exit to take. Stay alert.
Don’t Assume Other Drivers are Being Safe
Another important piece of safety advice for traffic circles is to never assume that other drivers know what they’re supposed to be doing. Part of being a good defensive driver is preparing for the mistakes of others around you on the road. This is the same in traffic circles. Traffic entering the circle is always supposed to yield to traffic already in the circle. However, if you are traveling in a circle, keep an eye on the oncoming lanes. A driver may surprise you and pull out right in front of you if they aren’t paying attention or don’t really understand when to yield. Always keep an eye on traffic all around you.
Go Slow But Don’t Stop
Finally, one last piece of safety advice for navigating traffic circles is to always go slowly, but never stop. It’s fine to stop while waiting to enter the circle if there isn’t a gap in traffic. However, once you’ve entered it, traffic should continue moving. If you are feeling nervous and don’t know which exit is yours, just remember that you can take another lap around the circle. Take things slow as other drivers may not know when to yield or might make mistakes.
Traffic circles have been gaining popularity because studies show that they are safer and more efficient than traditional four-way stops. However, it’s important to remember that they require concentration and focus. Never enter a traffic circle if you are distracted by your phone or passengers. Try to read the signage so you’ll know which lane to be in. You can ask a passenger to help you read signs. In addition, always assume that other drivers will not know when to yield. This will make you a better defensive driver. And finally, go slowly but don’t stop once you’ve entered the circle. As America increases its use of traffic circles, hopefully, crashes at intersections will decrease and traffic flow patterns will improve.
Dec 10, 2023 | Car Accidents, Driver Safety
Being in an auto accident can be really scary. You can never be fully prepared for an accident, no matter the circumstance. However, if you are aware of what to do after an accident, things may feel a little less overwhelming. Learn what you should be doing after being in a car accident.
Being in an Auto Accident: Keep These Things in Mind
Check for injuries
The first thing to do after being in an auto accident is to check for injuries on yourself and your passengers. Once you have determined if you are able to move or not, try to find a safe space outside of the vehicle. However, if you think that staying in the car is safer due to the environment where the accident happened, then stay in the vehicle.
Call 911
If you are able to move to safety after being in an auto accident, do so, and also call 911. While you are waiting for emergency services to arrive, make sure to turn off your vehicle’s engine and turn on your hazard lights.
Once the police and other emergency services arrive, make sure any people injured are addressed first.Next, have the officer file a police report. They will get information from you and any other driver that was involved in the accident. Some states require that an official report be made by local law enforcement of any accidents.
Keep calm
Emotions will be high after being in an auto accident, so try to stay calm. The police will determine fault, not you or the other drivers. Keep any conversations cordial and make sure to get insurance information from all the other drivers involved.
Take Photos and Videos
After being in an auto accident, it may be a good idea to take several pictures at the site of the accident. You can use your smartphone or any other camera you may have. Make sure to take pictures of all vehicles involved from multiple angles and also pictures of the location where it happened. These pictures may prove to be very helpful when filing the accident with your insurance provider.
Log Everything
Log everything you remember happening and contact your insurance provider after being in an accident. A dash cam is incredibly helpful. If you do not have one, make sure to note down all the events leading up to the accident. Try to remember every detail you can as this may help later with claiming the accident with your insurance provider. After you have noted down all the details you can remember, call your insurance provider and report the accident.
Nov 12, 2023 | Car Accidents, Driver Safety
Having to drive in the rain isn’t an easy task for most drivers out there. For truck drivers, stormy roads can be especially dangerous. As such, it’s important to know what sort of hazards to watch for, and how to best handle them…
How-to Navigate Stormy Roads: What To Avoid
Remember the wind
Understandably, most people are going to be concerned about the rain when driving on stormy roads. However, you can’t forget about the high wind which usually comes with it. This wind can be a danger in a multitude of ways, especially when you’re on a haul.
For starters, this wind will make the rain hit harder, making it especially hard to see. The wind can also start pulling on your truck, causing it to start swerving. In fact, if the wind is severe enough, then it may even cause your truck to flip if you aren’t careful! As such, you need to be mindful of how bad the wind is, and how much you can control your truck.
Watch for high water
Stormy roads also tend to experience a lot of flooding. Now, most drivers in standard cars won’t be able to handle these floods. Some may think that trucks can tackle high water easier, due to being taller and more powerful. In reality, high water is still as dangerous to truck drivers as it is to anyone else on the road.
With high water, it’s very easy for your truck to lose traction and effectively get stuck. Plus, you may not be able to tell just how high it is from your cab. Many times, high water will also hide debris on the road which could end up damaging your truck. In general, it’s best to play it safe and find an alternate route.
Keep track of the weather
The best way to handle stormy roads is by avoiding them altogether. This means you should be keeping track of what the weather conditions will be like. Be sure you check what the weather and roads will look like for the route you plan to go on. If the weather seems to be poor, then try and find a backup route just in case.
These days, you can also keep up with the weather in real time. Practically all smart phones come with weather apps which can track your location and provide you with real-time updates. That way, if the weather suddenly starts to turn, you can react properly and find either another route or a place to wait it out.
Nov 5, 2023 | Car Accidents, Driver Safety
If you would like to learn more, check out this video about the risks of letting someone borrow your car.
We have all had it happen before. A friend or family member could be without a car for any given reason, and they ask to use yours. Maybe theirs is in the shop for maintenance or even for repairs after an accident. They could have flown into town to visit you. Perhaps their kid needed to borrow theirs so they are without one. There are plenty of reasons that someone may ask you to borrow their car. What you need to decide on is if you are willing to let someone borrow your car.
How-to: Decide if Someone Should Borrow Your Car: Weighing the Risks
Driving History
Before you let anyone borrow your car, you should consider what kind of a driver they are. Do you know they are a terrible, reckless driver? You may want to think twice about letting them drive your car. They will be unfamiliar with your car, so putting a bad driver in a vehicle they are unfamiliar with could be a total disaster. Also, consider things such as if your friend or a family member has a history of having a DUI. Anything that could mean a bad driving record should be a red flag to you.
Insurance
You will also want to consider your car insurance before you let someone borrow your car. This could come into play if the person driving your car is involved in an accident. Car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. When you allow a friend, family member, or babysitter to borrow your vehicle, your insurance takes primary coverage. For example, the person if your car is not at fault, the driver who is at fault will have to use their insurance to cover the damage. However, if the person who is using your car is at fault, your insurance would likely cover the damage to the other driver’s car. In addition, your liability coverage would likely pay for any injuries or damage to the other driver as well.
Unless you have collision coverage, your insurance would not cover damage to your own car. Plus, if you do end up repairing damages using your collision coverage, you will probably have to pay your deductible. This would be the case even though you weren’t driving at the time of the accident. Keep this in mind when you consider whether or not you want to loan out your car.
