May 31, 2019 | Accident prevention, Traffic Ticket
Sharing the road can be increasingly frustrating when the drivers around you aren’t driving like they should. Maybe they’re swerving, tailgating, or driving fifteen under the speed limit. For whatever reason, you’re experiencing road rage. There are plenty of road rage causes that are common amongst drivers. While you want to be able to stay calm, cool, and collected behind the wheel— that’s not always a small task.
Road Rage Causes: What’s Making Me Angry?
The Last Parking Space
One of the most common road rage causes comes from fighting over parking spaces. Whether you’re shopping at the mall, or making your way through the parking deck, spots can be hard to come by in busy areas. Therefore, when there’s only a few spots, some people will be willing to fight for it— literally. So, try to avoid these parking lot confrontations before they turn into a brawl, or a passive aggressive honking match.
Furthermore, if someone was at the spot before you, let them have it. Parking can be stressful. Try and make it easier by finding lesser known parking areas, leaving earlier, or generally just finding your calm when you know that it’s going to be difficult. There are plenty of road rage causes, so let’s look for solutions along the way.
The Infamous Cut Off
Being cut off is one of the more common, and frustrating, road rage causes. Nothing can be quite as irritating as someone jumping in front of you without a real purpose. Not only is it upsetting, but it’s dangerous as well. In most cases, you may need to slam on the brakes or swerve to avoid hitting them. In this instant, you might begin to throw your hands up, yell obscenities, or try and retaliate in some form or fashion. We’re here to say: don’t. It’s not uncommon for you to lose focus, or driving abilities, when you’re trying to make a point. While what the driver did is infuriating, what’s even worse is getting into an accident afterwards.
The Box Out
Not allowing someone to pass will most likely cause anger. In some cases, the driver may need to move over to make a turn or get to an exit. Or, in other situations, maybe the driver’s around them just aren’t fully observing the speed limit, or road rules. Therefore, the boxed in driver might be looking for a way out. We all know that this is frustrating, and absolutely one of those road rage causes we’ve been talking about. So, make sure you’re not doing this to others. Pay attention to drivers around you, make sense of what they’re trying to do, and allow them to pass when safety allows.
The Excessive Honk
Honking too often, or for too long, is also one of those common road rage causes. We’ve all been there– the driver up ahead isn’t paying attention to the light or they cut you off. You blow your horn once but then lay on it again to really send the message. While this might make you feel better, it can cause them to become angry and retaliate in some way. So, try to use your horn for defensive driving only. Use it when you need to make a driver aware of you. But do so sparingly to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
May 16, 2019 | Accident prevention, Driving
Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate the sacrifices made by the men and women of our U.S. military. Additionally, for many, it is also an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry with those we hold close. For most of you partygoers, there will be a designated driver, or ride-sharing service in order to get you back home.
While we commend your safe and smart choices, it’s also worth noting that the roads can be quite unsafe, even for the most sober and safe drivers out there. So, as a precaution, we are offering a few driving tips to help keep you safe, alert, and free from issue as you head back to your house after the annual Memorial Day weekend celebration.
Memorial Day Weekend: Driving Safety
Allow for extra travel time
The best thing you can do to keep yourself from getting into an accident, is to avoid rushing to your destination. Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of year to be on the roads. Obviously, there is no way to avoid someone having to drive— so make sure you task every possible precaution when you’re doing so. Leave ten minutes earlier than you need to and take your time…
Cell phone down, eyes up
As we have mentioned, you need to give the road your full attention. Expect for drivers and road conditions to be unpredictable. Furthermore, expect there to be more police than usual out on the roadside during Memorial Day weekend. After all, they’re more than aware of how common drunk driving is during the holidays. In many states, ours included, texting and driving is punishable by law. So, for plenty of reasons, keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Don’t drive drowsy
We already know that you aren’t driving drunk, however, driving drowsy can be nearly as dangerous. While you aren’t under the influence of alcohol, you are distracted and tired. If you find that the end of the night is nearing and you’re beginning to doze off— consider taking a quick snooze before you hit the road. Or, drink a cup of coffee or an energy drink to help you make it home safely. While you might not want to stay up all night as a result, you need to make sure you aren’t falling asleep at the wheel this Memorial Day weekend.
Apr 2, 2019 | Accident prevention, Car Accidents
When it comes to sharing the road with other drivers, things can get ugly pretty fast. Many drivers get in our way, or make unsafe moves. In turn, those careless drivers put our lives in jeopardy. When that happens, it may spark an angry reaction in us. However, being angry behind the wheel doesn’t make for a safe combination. So, it’s important to find ways for avoiding road rage.
Avoiding Road Rage: Safe Driving Techniques
Move Over For Tailgaters
One of the best ways for avoiding road rage is to pull over for tailgaters. Nothing can be quite as frustrating as someone riding too closely for no reason. You may feel the need to speed up or give the car a quick break check. However, rather than becoming upset at a tailgater, it’s best to just move over. By driving so closely, they are not only being rude but unsafe. So, it’s best to avoid the frustration and let them pass.
Allow Time for Delays
Another way for avoiding road rage is to also avoid being in a rush. When you’re in a hurry, getting behind a slow driver can be really frustrating. So, make sure you plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going. If you have extra time to spare, driving behind a slow poke won’t seem be quite as frustrating.
Give an I’m Sorry Gesture
If you make a bad move or cut someone off, just admit to your wrong. Give a wave or nod to try to diffuse the situation. By doing so, you can lower your temper and work on avoiding road rage. In addition, you can also smooth things over with the other driver to prevent them from experiencing road rage.
Listen to Music
When you’ve just experienced a frustrating situation on the road, it can help to turn on your favorite music. For instance, you may want to listen to something calming or something upbeat. Whatever your song choice, music can help put you in a better mood. By doing this, it can keep you calm and help in avoiding road rage.
In short, getting angry behind the wheel can affect your driving. Out of anger, you may speed or make other dangerous moves which could cost you a traffic ticket. So, it’s important to use these tips for avoiding road rage.
Mar 19, 2019 | Accident prevention, Personal Injury
As of Wednesday, Spring is officially in session. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom, we’re preparing for April showers, and we’re finally able to put on a short sleeve shirt from time to time. While Spring is arguably one of the best seasons— it also comes with it’s own share of springtime injury risks. It’s important to be familiar with them, why they’re common, and ways you can prevent them. No one wants to be laid up in a bed with injury when they should be out enjoying this beautiful weather…
Springtime Injury Risks: Getting Familiar, and Avoiding
Runner’s Knee
You’re getting back out into that 70 degree weather, and maybe getting a little exercise while you’re at it. Now that the weather is improving, you might feel like you can run, bike, or do your high impact exercise for a longer period. While the weather absolutely makes it easier— it also increases your chance of contracting springtime injury risks, such as runner’s knee.
Plantar Fasciitis
Warm weather means warm weather shoes, such as sandals, flip flops, or even no shoes at all. While these shoes give our piggies time to shine, and take a break from humid tennis shoes— they don’t offer solid arch support. Therefore, they can cause an issue known as plantar fasciitis. This ailment can be quite painful, and is common amongst those who don’t have good arch support in their shoes. Springtime injury risks come in all forms and fashions, don’t let plantar fasciitis ruin your springtime walks in the park. Instead, just wear a dependable shoe.
Back Injuries
Springtime, for many, means Spring cleaning. You’re deep cleaning, moving things, clearing out, reorganizing… This is a great way to get your house in shape, and also feel renewed in a new season. However, it’s an easy way to end up with a springtime injury. When it comes to big jobs, such as moving furniture, or pulling heavy things off of high shelves— wait until you aren’t the only one home. Furthermore, ask for help. Don’t end up flat on your back, with an injury. Instead, save those big jobs for you and a friend to tackle together.
Dec 23, 2018 | Accident prevention, Personal Injury
One of the most common pastimes for every holiday celebration, is to come together for a meal. No matter if you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or nothing at all— these later months are a great excuse to bring everyone together. While a family meal is almost always heartwarming, preparing that meal can bring along some unexpected dangers. Holiday kitchen injuries are quite common, but also quite easy to prevent. So, we’re here to help…
Holiday Kitchen Injuries: Keeping Spirits Bright and Unharmed
Burns
No matter what you’re cooking, burns are always a concern. However, during the holidays, we tend to cook more. Furthermore, we tend to cook larger portions, more frequently, and— with less experience. All of these things increase the chances of holiday kitchen injuries. To avoid burns, keep towels near the stove, wear long, tight sleeves, don’t cook under the influence, and never tend to hot pans or boiling water without an oven mit.
Cuts
You’re chopping vegetables for turkey stuffing, carving turkeys, slicing potatoes, dicing onions for gravy… Chances are, your kitchen set is being put to work this holiday season. As we’ve mentioned, you’re cooking (and cutting) more frequently. Therefore, you are running the risk of receiving one of those holiday kitchen injuries in the form of a cut finger, or worse. Our suggestion? Keep a first aid kit on hand, cut carefully— again, without alcohol in your system. Lastly, you might consider investing in a pair of cut-safe gloves to help further avoid injuries.
Gastro-Issues
One of the lesser considered holiday kitchen injuries, is stomach issues. Once again, we’ll mention those inexperienced chefs in the kitchen. Maybe the turkey was not washed, prepped, and cooked up to standards. Furthermore, maybe a knife, or cutting board, handled raw veggies, slicing a pie, and cutting the turkey. With all of these things in mind, you can see how small, careless mistakes in the kitchen can lead to issues such as food poisoning.
Aside from food-borne pathogens, there’s also the issue of plain, old indigestion and overeating. Upset stomach, diarrhea, indigestion, heart burn… There are plenty of ways that holiday feast can come back to haunt you.
Holiday kitchen injuries are less common than you having a good time with friends and family. However, every year someone’s family member inevitably ends up with a nasty cut, burn, stomach ache, or something of the like. So, cook (and eat) safe… You never know what a moment of carelessness can lead to.
Nov 25, 2018 | Accident prevention, Car Accidents
When it comes to car accidents, they often happen so quickly that we don’t have a chance to correct in the moment. Therefore, within a matter of moments, you find yourself seriously injured, with a totaled car, or just a few bumps and bruises. No matter the severity of your accident, you likely wonder what you could have done differently to prevent this from happening. The fact of the matter is, accident prevention is something we need to practice every single time we get behind the wheel of the vehicle. An accident can happen at any point in time, and we need to be prepared…
Accident Prevention: Avoiding Car Crash
Choose the right car, and maintain it
One of the best steps in avoiding car accident is choosing the right car. It can be easy to pick a car based on its design, color, or even speed. But when your focus is staying safe, you want to go for the most reliable, trustworthy vehicle. In addition to choosing the right car, you want to maintain the car properly. By keeping up with routine maintenance, you can help ensure the reliability of your vehicle over a long period of time. Which, in turn, assists in avoiding car accidents that could be the result of a lack of vehicle reliability.
Driver safety
When avoiding car accidents, a lot of responsibility comes down to the driver. Aside from an unreliable vehicle, one, or multiple, drivers are typically at fault for an accident. Therefore, check in with your driver. Or, if you are the driver, check in with yourself! How are you feeling today? Are you angry/sad/distracted/sober? Being able to react quickly is key to avoiding accidents in many cases.
Avoid driver distractions
To build on the previous section, driver distraction is one of the largest contributing factors in car crashes. These distractions can be anything that takes your eyes, hands, and focus away from the road. From in-car distractions, such as picking a song and eating snacks— to mental distraction, such as an argument you had earlier in the day, anything that takes your mind off of the road is dangerous to your driving ability.
Cell phones
While you will typically always have a passenger in the car, you can make them aware that you need minimal distraction. Keep the music at a decent level, don’t try and show the driver videos, and so forth. While you can keep your passengers in check, sometimes the cell phone is the problem. Most people get distracted by their cell phone at some point in time. However, you must make sure that doesn’t happen on the roadway. In today’s day-and-age, cell phones are a top reason for driver distraction, and the cause of many accidents.
In short, accident prevention comes down to a few simple factors that you have control over. As always, accidents do, and will, occur sometimes. However, by taking steps to prevent them, we improve our chances of staying safe on the road.
