Jul 7, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
While we all like spending time with our pets, they can become a safety risk when in the car. Pets can become distractions when driving with them, and of course distracted driving is pretty unsafe. That’s why pet safety is important for any pet-having driver to know. This knowledge will help you keep both yourself and your pet safe when on the road…
Pet Safety: How To Drive With Them
Keep them restrained
It can feel a bit mean to restrain you pet while in the car. However, an unrestrained pet is both a risk for you, and at much more of a risk themselves. Unrestrained pets can get in the way of your driving, causing an accident. Plus, these unrestrained pets can end up either being injured by air bags, or flung from the car in an accident.
Therefore, a large part of pet safety is keeping them secure. There are some options here for how you can do this. For example, you can buy special pet seat belts which will keep them secured in the seats. You can also get a pet carrier for them. However, always make sure they ride in the back, as the front seats are too dangerous even with restraints.
Feed them beforehand
Another important part of pet safety is making sure they’re ready for the trip. Pets can get carsick just like us. Of course, it’s pretty distracting if someone gets carsick and potentially throws up out the window. Pets. however, will probably end up throwing up in your car, creating a pretty big distraction.
It helps to make sure that you feed your pet before your trip begins. Feeding them about 3 to 4 hours beforehand helps to do the trick. You’ll also want to bring extra food and water for them just in case. Make sure to let them out as well when you stop, so they can do things like go to the bathroom.
Don’t leave them in the car
You’d think that people would know not to leave their pets in locked cars. However, as seen by people who still do it, it’s an important part of pet safety that gets overlooked. Cars can heat up very quickly, especially in the summer. This can quickly become fatal if your pet is left alone for a long period of time. Therefore, if you can’t bring your pet inside with you, it’s best to leave them at home instead.
Jun 30, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
Driving, no matter how often we do it, is a dangerous act that requires skill, attention, and multitasking. While most of us take to the roadways every single day, there are plenty of drivers who fail to observe the basic rules of the road. Due to risky drivers, amongst other factors, it’s important that all of us take part in defensive driving. Defensive driving essentially means to drive with correct habits, and stay alert to present, and potential, dangers in the roadway.
While most of us do this to some degree, there are many others who don’t understand exactly how to go about it. So, we’re here to help. Below, you will find some basic tips for defensive driving and protecting yourself from potential accidents…
Defensive Driving: Tips for Staying Alert and Safe
Focus on the Task at Hand
One quick way to put yourself at risk, is to stop defensive driving and become distracted. Distractions keep you from being alert in terms of road conditions, and drivers around you. Distractions are everywhere, and we often indulge just a little bit. From answering a phone call, a text, and changing the song on the radio— taking your eyes, or mind, off of the road can be quite dangerous. Instead, focus on your surroundings. Answer the call or text later, make your playlist ahead of time, and keep your eyes on the road.
When In Doubt, Yield
Many accidents come from uncertainty about who has the right of way. Should you go? Or is it their turn? An inability to make quick decisions, and slight hesitation, can lead to an accident in an instant. So, if you aren’t sure about oncoming cars, a stop sign, or a yield— wait for the space to clear, and then take your turn. However, there are plenty of defensive driving techniques and road rules as to how to handle these situations. If you find that you’re unsure, do a little research in your time off of the road.
One rule of thumb I always use for stop signs, is to ‘peel off layers’ of cars. The first person to make a full stop takes their turn, then another person, and continue this pattern from all sides of the stop. Take some time, learn standard protocol, and become a better driver. We can all do things to become better drivers.
Watch for Blind Spots
Blind spots are one of the leading causes in accidents. Therefore, you have to know where yours are located in your vehicles. For most cars, the blind spots exist on either side towards the rear of the vehicles. Most blinds spots are worse on the right side, being that it is one opposite the driver. Therefore, you should always check over your shoulder before merging or switching lanes. In addition, defensive driving requires you to be aware of other’s blind spots as well. By staying out of their blind spots, you reduce your chances of being in an accident.
Defensive driving is all about anticipating the moves of other drivers. When you anticipate their moves, you can help prevent yourself from being in harms way. So, pay attention to the roadway, prepare for potential danger, and keep your eyes on the road. An accident can happen in any instant, do what you can to prevent them on your end.
Jun 2, 2024 | Car maintenance, Driving
A daily safety check for your car is an easy way to keep yourself safer on the road. Some of these you might already do without even realizing. But if not, these are a few items that should always be checked before driving your car. Visually glance at your tires before getting in your vehicle. Also, make sure that your mirrors are aligned. Next, check that you and all passengers have seat belts on the property. And finally, don’t forget to stock your car with essentials. All of these things are very easy to add to your daily routine but can have a big impact on keeping you safer on the road.
Daily Safety Check for Your Car: Simple Reminders to Keep You Safe
Tires
Tires should part of your daily safety check for your car. It’s easy to glance at your tires as you walk to your vehicle. If you see that any tire looks flatter than the others, you should check the pressure. In addition, look for any punctures or objects stuck in your tire. Most cars have automatic sensors to tell if your tire pressure is low. However, if your car does not, you should physically check it if any of your tires look flat.
Mirrors
Another part of your daily safety check for your car should be checking the mirrors. Before you begin driving, make sure that you can easily see in all three of your mirrors. You’ll want to make sure that nobody has adjusted your overhead mirror. Also, make sure that both your side mirrors are still sticking out and are adjusted so you can see out of them. This is especially important if anybody else has driven your vehicle. However, other drivers or even strong wind can move your side mirrors.
Seat Belt
Maybe the single most important item in your daily safety check for your car is to check the seat belt. You should make sure that yours fits properly. Also, make sure that every passenger in your vehicle is wearing one that fits properly as well. Children who are in car seats will have safety straps. Make sure that these are secured too. Everybody’s seat belt should fit across the center of their chest, rather than against their neck. The lap belt should be low and tight along their upper thighs instead of resting on their belly.
Before You Leave
Finally, one final thing to check on your daily safety check for your car is to make sure that you have the essentials. You should keep some basic safety gear in your car at all times. For example, a basic first aid kit is a great idea in case anybody has a small injury while you’re driving. In addition, you should always have a spare tire and tire changing kit. Finally, make sure you never leave the house without jumper cables. A flashlight should also be included in your safety kit. Make sure you’re fully stocked before heading out in your car.
A daily safety check for your car is an easy way to keep you safer on the road. It shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to check your tires as you walk up to your car. Glance in your rearview mirror and side mirrors to make sure they are adjusted properly. Before leaving, make sure that your seat belt fits properly. In addition, check all your passengers for their seat belts as well. Finally, make sure that you have the essentials in your car at all times to help in case of an emergency. Hopefully, you’ll be able to easily incorporate these safety checks into your daily routine.
May 7, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
We’ve all heard about some wacky laws. For example, you can only have silly string in a private home in a part of Connecticut, not in public. Little known traffic laws in South Carolina are a little less silly, but still sometimes come as a surprise to some. If you’re a South Carolinian or going to be visiting the state soon, make sure you know about these laws to prepare yourself!
Little Known Traffic Laws: South Carolina
Bumper Stickers
This is one of the extremely helpful little known traffic laws for those crossing the South Carolina border. In the state, it is illegal to have bumper stickers on your car that display “obscene or indecent” words or pictures. If written a citation for this, the fine could be up to $200. Don’t worry, though. This citation is rare.
Emergency Vehicles
You must pull over to the far lane for emergency vehicles. While this is probably the more popular of the little known traffic laws we are discussing, it’s very important. If you cannot pull over, you must slow down. The fine for failing to do so can cost anywhere between $300 and $500.
Motorcycles and Red Lights
If you ride a motorcycle and have found yourself waiting at a red light too long, you’ll be happy to hear about little known traffic laws that let you break the law, kind of. If you are waiting at a red light and it has failed to turn green after 120 seconds, you may proceed with caution and proceed. Keep in mind, if your action causes an accident, you’ll be found at fault. This will come with a $100 and four points on your license.
Slow Traffic
It is illegal to drive slowly in the left lane. Specifically, this is one of the little known traffic laws that actually prohibits you from stayingin the left lane. Slower traffic must stay in the right lane to keep from traffic building up behind both lanes.
Some little known traffic laws are not actually laws. For example, you should pull over for funeral processions as a courtesy, but it’s not a law. Similarly, driving with headphones in is not illegal, but dangerous. These actions will not get you a ticket, but out of respect or safety, it is best to avoid these behaviors.
Mar 24, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
We all try and take steps to be a good friend to the people we love. Whether that means being there when our friends need us, answering calls, or delivering food when sick. Everyone’s love language is a little bit different. But, there will come a time in every friendship where we will have a choice to make: who is going to be the DD this evening? We’re all going out, we all want to have fun, but someone has to get us home safe. Your friend Sara did it last time, so it’s your turn. Being a designated driver is difficult for a number of reasons, but there are a lot of unsung benefits to taking this route, versus taking an Uber or risking the drive home…
Designated Driver: The Benefits
1: You save money
Going out for a night of drinking with friends can be a ton of fun. You drink, you dance, laugh, and have a great time with friends. While nights like these are always fun, they can also be quite expensive. Between buying drinks, ordering Ubers, and the inevitable drunken snack— the cost adds up quickly. While you likely have fun money set aside in your budget, you don’t want to spend it all in one place. This is where being the designated driver can really be useful to your finances.
2. Avoid Hangover
One of the worst things about drinking, is your body taking revenge the day after. You wake up with a headache, stomach ache, and not wanting to drink ever again. However, when you decide to be the designated driver, you aren’t drinking. And I shouldn’t have to tell you how not drinking can prevent even the nastiest of hangovers…
3. Keep friends safe
One of the best things about being the designated driver, is you know for a fact that your friends are going to make it home safe. Because, well, you’re the one ensuring their safety. While you don’t want to be the responsible one on your weekend, there are some pretty inevitable upsides. Not to mention, your friends will be eternally grateful.
4. You won’t have to do it next time
Lastly, and most importantly, by taking on the DD responsibilities, you know that you won’t be the one stuck with the duty next time around. Plus, if you have a large group of friends, you might not have to do it for quite a while.
Being a designated driver can seem like all downsides, but when you think about it— there are a lot of good things about taking your turn behind the wheel on a Friday night.
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.
