Dec 3, 2023 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
Most motorcycles are good to go out of the box. However, there are a lot of different options out there to customize your ride with. Some of the more popular motorcycle accessories can help you add some personal flare. Not to mention, additional safety features that could become essential in unexpected situations.
Motorcycle Accessories: Keep Your Bike in Order
Audio systems
Audio systems are some of the most common motorcycle accessories riders choose. A good radio and speakers can help you better listen to your favorite music while riding. Furthermore, this means you won’t have to wear headphones to listen to your music, which can be quite risky while riding.
It’s important to know how your new system will mount to your bike. Some will easily allow you to swap the existing system for a new one. Others might need to be mounted elsewhere, like on your handlebars. Make sure to look for a system that won’t be in your way while riding.
Additional lighting
Extra lights are another example of motorcycle accessories with an additional safety benefit. For example, driving lights and light bars help add a bit of extra light reach to your bike. These can be mounted on your handlebars or near your headlight depending on the type.
There’s also cosmetic lighting, which can be mounted just about anywhere on your bike. These lights come in a wide variety of colors, and can be individual or full strips of lights. Some come with the ability to cycle through different colors, or flash and blink. Not only do you get some added flare, but you also improve your ability for other drivers to see you.
Security systems
Motorcycles are often a large investment. Like any investment, you’d want to make sure you keep it protected. That’s why security systems are some of the most recommended motorcycle accessories. Security systems help ensure that your bike stays with you where it belongs.
Additionally, you have a good amount of options here as well. Motion detectors, for example, will sound an alarm if someone is tapering or moving your bike. However, there are also more advanced options, like RFID keyless ignitions and GPS trackers. These give you some added control over your bike, but come at a higher price point.
Nov 20, 2023 | Accident prevention, Driving
When it comes to visiting friends and family, for a lot of people that means it’s time for a road trip. Going to see family and friends can be a lot of fun, but getting there may take a while. A lot can happen while you’re on the road for many hours, so it’s important be ready. In that case, these road trip hacks can go a long way to getting you prepared...
Road Trip Hacks: Safe and Convenient Travels
Bring the Charger
Most important of all road trip preparation, is to bring the charger. At some point during the ride, a device will need a charge. If you’re traveling with others, they may use the same charger as you. So, try bringing a multi-port charger. That way everyone can use their own cord, at the same time. In addition, be sure not to leave the house without your phone charger. For most people, their phone serves as their main GPS. You want to make sure it doesn’t lose it’s charge. Furthermore, consider purchasing a solar, or battery, powered device for when all else fails.
Bring a Map
Next on the list of road trip hacks, bring a map. No matter how reliable you feel your phone is, it’s best to have a physical copy of a map. While this might seem old school, you never know what could happen. You could break your phone, lose it at a rest stop, or just lose battery power. For this reason, you should have a back up in the form of a physical map. In an emergency, this could come in handy.
Leave the Suitcases
Instead of carrying a large suitcase, try bringing a duffle bag. These are soft and pliable, making them much easier to pack. In addition, they tend to be much lighter than a suitcase. Therefore, this will help reduce the weight in your car on your road trip. Plus, if you have to store bags inside the vehicle, this bag will be much more comfortable for passengers than sitting beside a big suitcase.
Bring an Emergency Kit
Last on the list of road trip hacks, you should bring an emergency kit. This should include basic tools such as a flash light and screw driver. Also, include some duct tape and super glue in case you need to patch something quickly. Not to mention, you may want to include an empty gas can in case you end up needing fuel. As a rule of thumb, you should also always include a spare tire and tools to change it in your emergency kit.
In short, road trip hacks are all about preparing for the unexpected. So much can happen while you’re on the road that you can’t prepare for everything. But you should do your best to be ready for an emergency.
Oct 8, 2023 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
As all bikers know, motorcycles come with problems. Any hobby vehicle, actually, will have a problem or two at some point. Sometimes, you have a problem occur that is uncommon and unheard of. However, other times, you have one of the common motorcycle problems that riders face every day. Check to see if your problem is one of the common ones!
Common Motorcycle Problems & Prevention
Tire Wear
You should always check your tire pressure before you ride. If you have improper tire pressure, you could cause your tires to wear out too quickly. In addition to this, you should check the tread on your tires. One of the common motorcycle problems riders face can be simply traced back to the tires on the motorcycle. Because the tires take all of the pressure from the bike, they need to be checked often and thoroughly.
Chain Lubrication Problems
A defective chain could cause you to have a major accident, causing harm to you and the bike. Having a properly lubricated chain will avoid chains breaking or the drive train locking up. Chains snapping are amongst the most dangerous of the common motorcycle problems riders face daily.
Dirt and Debris
If your bike is running poorly, give it a good cleaning. One of the most common motorcycle problems is also one of the easiest to fix. Check your maintenance manual first, but it could be as simple as cleaning a spark plug. Sometimes they just need a good clean to make it run smoothly again. This can also help if the bike is not starting.
Batteries
Motorcycle batteries have a short lifespan compared to other vehicular batteries. Because of this, it ranks high on the light of common motorcycle problems. Make sure you are charging your battery at the end of each ride. Your owner’s manual will also have tips on how to keep it charged.
Fuel System
Replacing the hoses on your fuel-injected motorcycles regularly will keep them from drying out and cracking. Just like with anything, proper and routine maintenance will keep you from facing the common motorcycle problems that every rider faces.
Oct 2, 2023 | Accident prevention, Work Injuries
With summer around the corner, you can expect the sun the be at its most prevalent and strongest. While the sun definitely has its benefits, it can also be dangerous as well. Therefore, proper sun protection is very important. Knowing how to protect yourself will allow you to work in the sun safely and avoid damaging your body…
Sun Protection: Avoiding Work-Related Burns
Clothing
One of the most immediate forms of sun protection comes in what you’re wearing. Being out in the sun can be deceptive. Even if you don’t think the sun is all that strong, your skin can quickly get burnt or damaged. That’s why it’s a good idea to try and cover up as best you can, especially with those more-sensitive areas.
For example, long-sleeved shirts and pants can help cover your arms and legs, respectively. Hats are also a very useful means of sun protection. Not only do they help cover your face, they also help protect your more sensitive scalp from the sun. Sunglasses are another handy thing to wear, as they protect your eyes from the UV rays as well as make it easier for you to see.
Sunscreen
While clothing can help, sometimes the heat or your job requirements means you can’t fully cover yourself. That’s where sunscreen and sun block come in handy. These forms of sun protection help give you a very large boost in keeping your skin safe. However, it’s important to use the right kind of protection.
Sunscreen is designed to be absorbed by the skin and absorbs UV Aging rays. Sun block sits on top of the skin, and blocks UV Burning rays. However, these days, most formulas are mixtures of sunscreens and blocks, ensuring you get the protection you need. Make sure to get sun protection with a high enough SPF for your needs, and reapply as needed.
Healing
Of course, if you’ve already got a sunburn, then sun protection becomes especially important. Continuous sun exposure on burnt skin can not only make it worse, but also potentially increase the risk of things like skin cancer. If you have a sunburn, make sure to limit your time out in the sun, stay hydrated, and use things like aloe vera to help your skin heal.
Aug 27, 2023 | Accident prevention, Driver Safety
It can already be quite hard to drive in rainy or stormy weather. However, this weather could also cause flooded roads, which make it much harder to get around. Floods can appear even when you wouldn’t expect them, like during summer rainstorms. That’s why it’s important to know how to handled a flood while in your car…
Flooded Roads: How To Handle Them
Eyeball the water levels
Flooded roads can be a bit deceiving. Depending on where the road is or how shallow the land is around it, the flood might not seem as bad. However, this kind of assumption can be dangerous. That’s why it’s a good idea to perform an eyeball test before going near a flooded road.
Just 6 inches of water can cause damage to your car and lead to you stalling out. A foot of water could even cause your car to start floating! If the water levels appear to be 6 inches or deeper, it’s best to avoid heading down that road. Instead, try to find a safer, alternate route.
Take it slow
When it rains, the roads become more slick. As a result, your car tires lose some traction. That’s why slower speeds are generally preferred during poor weather. Going too fast could lead to hydroplaning, which could then lead to a potential accident. Flooded roads further increase this kind of risk.
The higher the flood, the less traction your tires will have on the road. If you try and speed through the flood, you might end up loosing all your traction and stall out. It also increases the risk of you loosing control of your car. That’s why it’s preferable to take it slow and keep your focus on the flooded road.
Watch for hazards
One of the main dangers from flooded roads it what they might be hiding underneath the water. It can be very difficult to see underneath the floodwaters, especially while driving. Combine this with the fact that the poor weather might have caused environmental damage, and their could be something in the water which could cause damage to your car.
That’s why you’ll want to scan the environment before you enter any flooded roads. Look for things like any fallen trees or whipped-up debris which might tip you off to a problem. Fallen power lines are especially dangerous, but also potentially easier to spot. If you think the road might not be safe underneath the water, look for another way around.
Aug 20, 2023 | Accident prevention, Driving
Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous. Every year, thousands of people get into serious car accidents because of drivers looking at their phones. If you realize that you have a problem with texting and driving, then you are doing a great job in finding ways to stop yourself. There are helpful apps that exist just for this purpose. You can put your phone on silent or even out of reach while you drive. And finally, reward yourself when you stick to your goals. It can be difficult but hopefully, the tips below will help you achieve your goal of never texting and driving again.
How to Quit Texting While Driving: Cut Out the Distraction and Be Safer
Helpful Apps
If you are wanting to stop texting while driving, there are several apps on the market that can help you. Many of them use features that can lock your phone while your car is in motion. Some apps can also send an automatic response if you receive a text that says you’re currently driving and unable to answer. Yet others block your phone from receiving calls or texts until you’ve reached your destination. In addition, some apps even reward you for driving without distraction by giving you coupons or incentives.
Put Phone on Silent
Another way to try and stop texting while driving is to simply have your phone on silent. No matter what is going on with work, it’s not worth risking a car accident. If your car comes with Bluetooth, you can still receive calls that come in. You can even have Siri read any texts you receive out loud. You can also use voice control to send response text messages back without having to read on your phone’s screen.
Put Phone Out of Reach
It’s easy to resist the temptation of texting while driving if you can’t reach your phone. Many people find that even if their phone is on silent, they still want to check it periodically. If you put it safely in your glove box or trunk then you won’t be able to reach it while driving. Before you leave for your trip, just make sure that you’ve sent any texts you need to or returned any important calls.
Reward System
Finally, one way to help yourself stop texting while driving is to reward yourself. You can plan out your future rewards in advance so that you have a goal to strive for. For example, buy yourself a special meal or small treat if you can make it five trips in the car without texting. Having a goal in mind to focus on will help you stay on track. After a while, you probably won’t even need the reward system anymore. You will have simply adjusted to being able to drive without wanting to use your phone at the same time.
Texting while driving is difficult to stop if you’ve become accustomed to it. However, with a little focus, you will be able to give it up. Try using apps designed to help with this. In addition, you can turn your phone on silent or put it out of reach. And finally, set up a reward system to keep you focused on your goal when you’re feeling tempted. Hopefully, you’ll be able to achieve your goals and be safer on the road. Not only for yourself, but for other drivers around you who could be hurt if you drive distractedly.
