What Defensive Steps can be Taken to Mitigate the Risk of an Accident?

It is almost a given that everyone will be involved in some sort of car accident if they’ve been driving for any period of time. These incidents can be as minor as a fender bender or as major as a twenty car pileup, but hopefully most people only experience the former. It is important to be a safe driver while out on the road to prevent these accidents, but learning to drive defensively will also go a long way in avoiding these occurrences. By following just a few simple rules, all drivers can mitigate their risk of experiencing any type of automobile crash.

Avoid any Distractions

The first step to driving defensively is avoiding any distractions. It is hard for a person to pay attention to what is going on around them and react effectively if they are concentrating on anything other than their own driving. Around two-thirds of car and light truck accidents are caused by driving fatigued, speeding and inattentiveness, so it is imperative for a person to focus all of their attention on the task at hand.

Cell phones are one of the most common distractions a person can engage in. People who are using the texting feature of their phone have been found to be just as likely to have an accident as a person who is drunk behind the wheel. Avoiding using a cell phone altogether while driving is the best advice a person can take. It’s also pertinent to avoid eating, drinking and rummaging for things in the back seat.

Notice Warning Signs

Noticing when others are distracted or even intoxicated behind the wheel is vital in maintaining safety and avoiding accidents. Drivers who are swerving or straddling lanes are either not paying attention to their driving or inebriated, and it is important to avoid either of these two types of drivers. An individual should keep a safe distance behind these vehicles if the neglectful drivers are in front of them, and they should never try to pass them.

Drunk drivers will sometimes use people in front of them as a guide to stay on the road. If it becomes obvious that a driver behind someone is likely intoxicated, then it is a good idea to pull into a parking lot or onto a side road to allow the possibly inebriated driver to pass. It is also possible to tell if a driver is intoxicated if they are going too fast or slow for conditions, making excessively wide or sharp turns or applying their brakes at inappropriate times (ie. green lights).

Stay Visible

Most drivers don’t purposefully sideswipe or rear end other vehicles; these accidents are often caused because that driver didn’t see the other vehicle or know what its driver was doing. This can usually be avoided by ensuring that all headlights and brake lights are working correctly. Properly working brake lights are easily one of the most important factors in avoiding a rear end collision.

Working lights, however, are not the only way drivers need to stay visible. It is also pertinent for an individual to engage in behaviors that will make sure they are noticed by other drivers. Always using turn signals is an easy way to accomplish this. It is also a good idea to avoid staying in another driver’s blind spot. Being one lane over and slightly behind another car likely puts a person in a blind spot, so that driver should either speed up or slow down to remove themselves from that area.

Adapt for Varying Road Conditions

A great number of people are surprised when they receive speeding tickets even when they were not exceeding the posted speed limit. These citations are often referred to as ‘driving too fast for conditions’. It doesn’t matter that a driver is under the posted speed limit if that limit is unsafe for driving at the time. This law exists because it is important to adjust to different road conditions.

One mistake that many people make is not slowing down when it begins to rain. Most people don’t realize that even a light sprinkle can make a road excessively slick due to the oil that accumulates on the asphalt. Other drivers may not adapt their driving for specific conditions, so it is also important for a driver to be even more alert to what’s going on around them if inclement weather or some other road hazard has occurred. This will increase the amount of time a person has to react if something unexpected suddenly occurs.

Engaging in defensive driving techniques is one of the best ways that a person can protect themselves and lessen their chances of being involved in an accident. Most people out on the roads today haven’t taken the time to read online articles on how to drive safely and defensively, so they are far more likely to engage in behaviors that can sometimes lead to serious tragedies. Knowing just a few defensive driving tactics will allow an individual to avoid and react to these dangerous drivers.

Automotive Lift Certification: Another Level of Safety

An auto repair garage is one of the most dangerous places a person can go. One misplaced tool or simple mistake, and the consequences could be absolutely tragic. That’s why, in most cases, garages are subject to stringent safety rules and anyone who enters the garage must have proper training and, when appropriate, safety equipment.

One type of tool that requires training before use is the auto lift. Auto lifts are the devices that raise vehicles above a technicians head, allowing easy access to the underside of the car. While the design and operation of one of these tools may seem simple, their dangerous nature requires proper technique to ensure the safety of both the operator and everyone in the garage.

In fact, many commercial garages will only purchase auto lifts that are certified by the Automotive Lift Institute. When you install a certified lift, it’s a sign to customers and employees that you take safety seriously and want to ensure your auto lifts are used properly.
 

Automotive Lift Institute Certification

When someone wants to open a restaurant, they can’t simply open their kitchen and start serving food. There is a complex series of rules and regulations to follow that ensure that the food and food preparation areas are as clean as possible and run properly to ensure the safety of those preparing the food, as well as, those who will eat it.

ALI lift certification serves a similar purpose. The organization uses government standards to evaluate and determine the safety of automotive lift machines. These standards look at the lift’s design, construction, installation, maintenance and operating procedures to ensure everything is done properly and with safety in mind. The certification not only gives you peace of mind that the lift your considering for  your shop is as safe as can be for those working on the cars, it’s also safe for the cars themselves. Imagine the costs associated with a vehicle that falls off the lift; not only are injuries likely, but such an event can irreparably damage a vehicle.
 

Certification Process

Getting an ALI certification for a vehicle lift is not a simple process, however. A lift manufacturer cannot simply call and request a certification, or apply for the designation.

To be declared a certified lift, the machine must undergo a thorough inspection by a qualified professional from ALI. To even be considered, the lift model must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL); this listing indicates that the lift was manufactured by a recognized company in strict accordance with established design and construction protocols.

Qualifying lifts are then inspected by an ALI representative. The inspection is thorough, and the inspector will test the operation of the lift using established governmental standards. Every nut, bolt, screw and button is inspected and tested, and any deficiencies must be corrected before the lift is certified. The shop must also have easily accessible and up-to-date manuals and instructions, as well as operator safety guidelines, on hand in order to pass inspection.

The process does not end with a successful inspection, though. ALI certification is an ongoing process, and a lift can lose its designation if the manufacturer does not properly continue a commitment to quality and safety in the design and manufacture of their product. After a lift earns the credential, ALI representatives perform regular audits and inspections to ensure that roper quality control procedures are followed within individual shops and that the lift continues to be well-maintained and safely operated.
 

Important Considerations

While it’s important to purchase an ALI certified lift for your shop, there are some similar designations that are often confused for ALI certification. Avoid lifts that are listed as Certification Pending, as the ALI does not allow for any such designation; lifts designated as CE are also not truly certified by American standards, as the designation is European and the electrical standards are not the same. When buying lifts, read the documentation carefully and know exactly what you are buying, keeping in mind that a used lift may have been repaired with non-original manufacturer’s parts, thereby negating the certification.

Choosing a certified lift for your shop is a good choice for the safety of your employees and customers, and protects against serious damages or injuries. Before you buy a lift, do some research to ensure the model you’re considering is certified, and enjoy the peace of mind that the designation offers.

How To Drive Safely 6 Tips

Whether you’re a trucker spending almost all day every day behind the wheel or you commute to work and back each day, if you’re spending significant amounts of time behind the wheel it’s paramount you always put safety first. When you’re getting behind the wheel of any vehicle you’re in control of something that has the potential to be deadly.

Speed

 
This is the obvious one, despite what some drivers might think the speed limit is actually there for our safety rather than our inconvenience. If you’re driving a small or family size petrol car you want to be in third gear at thirty and this will stop you speeding. If you’re caught speeding you can face getting points on your licence (which will increase your insurance premium) and a fine. If you’re caught speeding more than 45% over the limit you could find yourself being banned from driving and looking at a court case and of course any more than 12 points on your licence will result in you being disqualified from driving.

A common mistake most drivers make when they suddenly see a static speed camera or a speed van at the side of the road is to slam their breaks on. Don’t do this, if you were going so fast you’re above the limit it’s better to accept your three points and your £60 fine than risk having the car behind you slam into the back of you because they weren’t expecting you to break.

Maintenance

 
You are required to check the vitals of your car before every journey, the lights, engine fluid levels and tires all need to be working and in legal condition. If you’re caught driving with illegal tires or a faulty light you could find yourself being charged with dangerous driving and if you’re involved in a fatal accident you could be charged with manslaughter.

It might not be practical to check the engine coolant and dip stick every day but it doesn’t take more than a few seconds to circle the car to look at the wheels. Most wheels have a tread marker on them which will indicate the legal 1.6mm legal minimum tread. Bald tyres are not only illegal they’re also very inefficient; you’ll consume much more fuel with either under inflated or low tread tyres.

Mental State

 
Some people claim they like to go for a drive to clear their head, to be honest those people are worrying. They’re the ones who keep getting a little too close to the bumper of the car in front or they don’t notice that red light until the last second. It’s essential you keep a clear and focused head when you’re driving. If you’re preoccupied, tied, bored or just not concentrating you’re not safe.

For every two hours of continuous driving you should stop for a ten minute break. If you’re driving a truck or lorry professionally in the European Union you’re legally required to take a 45 minute break every four and a half hours and you can’t legally drive for more than nine hours in any one day. You know when you’re getting tied, if you can feel your eyelids dropping or your head falling, find somewhere safe, pull over and have a nap. Its better you reach your destination a little late and alive than a lot late in a wooden box.

Be Aware

 
The average car driver doesn’t have the highest opinion of the average biker, the average horse box doesn’t think much of the average car driver and no one seems to like white van drivers. Whatever stereotype you have you need to make sure you put it out your brain when you’re driving. Always be aware of what’s going on around you and plan ahead. Keep an eye out for any signs, you need to know when there’s a sharp bend coming up (you might need to break, as might the vehicle in front of you), when you’re driving past a school (there might be a reduced speed limit if you’re driving past within school hours) and any other obstacles that might present themselves.

Motorways

 
Technically motorways are the safest roads to drive on in Britain, mile for mile they have less accidents than A, B and country roads combined. Unfortunately when there is an accident it’s usually much more devastating than on any other road and they’re usually preventable by knowing what’s going on around you.

You don’t have to drive on a motorway to pass your test, this means you could be behind, next to, or in front of someone who’s never driven on a motorway in their life so always bear that in mind. Before you head onto any motorway make sure you know your route, you can travel quite a distance just taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds so you don’t want to be updating sat navs or checking maps while driving. If you’re really stuck wait until the next exit where you can pull up safely and check.

Know the road

 
The roads are covered with signs, colours, and markers etc that tell us everything we need to know. From different coloured cats eyes to the level of street lighting, all the basic information is there. If you’re not sure what the speed limit is and you’re in a residential area with street lights it will be 30mph unless otherwise stated at regular intervals. If you’re on a rural road or duel carriage way with no lighting the speed limit will usually be national unless otherwise stated at regular intervals.

No matter how long you’re been driving, it never hurts to pick up the Highway Code and brush up on your knowledge. Ignorance is never an excuse, if you’re ever pulled over you won’t get out of trouble by claiming you didn’t know the rules of the road.

6 Things To Remember When Stopped For DUI

Getting pulled over by the police is an embarrassing and annoying disruption to a journey, with many drivers being surprised to see the flashing lights of the police car in their rear view mirror. In fact, some drivers may hear sirens and assume that they are meant for someone else – even attempting to get out of the way – because they believe that their driving is impeccable. This is representative of the power of alcohol and the affect that it has on normal judgment, which can be refuted with the use of video evidence that can be captured by the dashboard cameras in police cruisers.

Keep Calm and Pull Over:

The moment a driver recognizes that the police are pulling them over; they should remain calm and immediately stop the vehicle at the next available safe spot. This must be undertaken without any sudden and/or dangerous maneuvers or stopping in the middle of the road. Virginia attorneys, The Wilson Law Firm offer the following advice for drivers ordered to pull over ‘failing to stop, attempting to out-run the police or continuing to the intended destination because it is close are all foolish moves that must not be attempted unless the driver actually wants to turn what could be a routine stop into serious jail time. It is prudent to switch off the engine and stay in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise.’

Show Documents Only When Asked:

Although it is commonplace for a police officer to request the driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance on approaching the stopped car, do not reach for it until asked. Patrick C Cummings, a DUI lawyer in Virginia further advises that the sight of a driver reaching for something from the glove compartment or center console, for example, could be considered a threat and the officer could react accordingly by drawing their gun. Similarly, do not take off the seat belt as it could be assumed that it was not being worn in the first place, which is an offence in itself and can attract a fine.

Answer When Questioned:

The police officer will confirm the reason for the stop and this may often be followed by a related question, for example, ‘I’ve stopped you because you were driving a little erratically – have you had anything to drink tonight?’ Give an unambiguous response without lying, as this will only lead to further problems. However, the driver should avoid volunteering information, such as in response to the question ‘do you know why I stopped you?’ This could serve to draw attention to an infraction that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Instead, if the driver answers that they do not know why they have been stopped, they will place themselves in a position of waiting to be told. With the vehicle documentation and license, the officer will be in a position to complete a background check that will reveal any outstanding warrants or expired vehicle tags that could result in further charges being brought.

Always Undertake Field Sobriety Tests If Asked:

No matter whether the response is positive or negative, the officer is likely to proceed with field sobriety tests to confirm or refute their suspicions in determining whether a DUI offence has been committed. It is essential to listen to the police officer’s instructions carefully and to follow them to the letter rather than attempting to anticipate what the officer expects. If questions arise, avoid speaking over the officer to voice them as this can be considered a sign of intoxication. Similarly, complaining about having to undertake the tests or insulting the officer will not offer any benefit and may result in a label of refusing to cooperate. This will be taken into account should the DUI charge reach court and can worsen the overall punishment.

Don’t Try To Trick The Breathalyzer:

Depending on how well the field sobriety tests are completed, a breathalyzer may then have to be used. It is futile to attempt to trick the breathalyzer by sucking or merely pretending to blow as the machine is sensitive and specifically calibrated to detect the pressure of a stream of breath before analyzing it to determine whether it contains any trace of alcohol. Refusing to submit to a breath test will usually result in an immediate arrest as it will be presumed that the step was taken as a result of the driver being guilty and not wanting to incriminate themselves.

If You Are Arrested:

In the event that the breath test comes back positive, an arrest will ensue and the driver must cooperate fully to prevent making matters worse. A charge of resisting arrest will exacerbate an already bad situation. At the police station, there will be a wide range of other information required and it must all be given freely and immediately to avoid spending more time in the cells than is necessary.

Every driver that is brought in on a DUI charge will get the opportunity to contact a DUI lawyer. This should be taken the moment it is allowed, which will enable the driver to contact a legal professional who is well versed in the statues related to drink driving.  Remember though, each state sets their own laws, so always contact a lawyer within the state in which you have been arrested.  If you are charged inVirginia, then contact a Virginia DUI lawyer for example. Being able to relay each step of the stop will give the lawyer the best chance of limiting the punishment and ensuring the best chance of beating the charge.

3 Inexpensive Ways To Pimp Out Your Ride

It seems as though the type of car you drive says a lot about who you are and what youre all about. So why wouldnt you want your car to simply scream, Im awesome!?

Its a pretty safe bet to say that this is what everyone wants. We pick a car to give off a certain vibe about ourselves and our lifestyles. Unfortunately, if youre still driving around that old clunker you got as a hand-me-down in high school, youre not saying much for your own case. To add to the pain, you dont have the money you wish you had to truly pimp that old thing out.

Well, change all of that now while you still can with any of these 3 inexpensive ways to pimp out your ride and make it almost as awesome as you are without spending your entire life savings.

Sport Rims

One of the easiest ways to make an old car look just like new is to put on a new set of rims.

When youre shopping around for rims, its important to take a few things into consideration. First off, think about whether you will be installing them yourself or if youll hire a pro to do the job. If its a DIY project, you can probably spend a little more money on the rims themselves because youll save in labor costs.

On the other hand, if youre hiring a pro, opt for some rims that they have on-hand at the car shop. Theyll likely be sold as a bundle with the labor to install them, so youll be able to save some money.

Look for sport rims that match your tastes and ones that will match your car design. You can choose from a variety of different color, sizes, shapes and even extras like motion within the rims themselves. Keep them within budget and putting on a new set of rims can go a long way in pimping out your old, clunky ride without totally breaking your bank.

Custom Exterior Lights

How boring can the plain old headlights and taillights that your car comes with be?

Change all of that up by putting in your own custom exterior lights. There are tons of options available on the market all you really have to do, at most, is replace the light bulbs and the light coverings, so its a job that you can absolutely do yourself and wont take you long at all.

The hardest part will be shopping for what you want. You can choose any shape, size or color you wish so be wise in your choices. You dont want them to look tacky, you want them to look classy! You dont necessarily have to match the headlights to the taillights, but you should at least try to stay consistent with the design and theme.

For example, if you have silver headlights in the shapes of tear drops on the headlights, you should at least keep the same silver color in the back.

A simple home installation after the shopping ought to do the trick. And just like that, your car will be even further customized to your tastes and you wont have spent more than about $300 or so.

Custom Paint Job

Perhaps the simplest thing you can do to customize your clunker is to treat it to a new, custom paint job. This is one thing that you will, in fact, want to have professionally done so as not to have a fake- or cheap-looking car when all is said and done (DIY jobs are very noticeable when it comes to your cars paint job).

Choose a solid color to keep your car looking classy, or if youre looking for something a bit sportier perhaps, consider a couple of racing stripes or even a cool design on the sides (dont overdo it, though, and try to avoid the tacky-looking flames). Whatever color or design you choose, try to keep it consistent with the rims and the headlights that youve chosen so your car is one cohesive custom design.

Call your local auto shop (preferably one that specializes in detailing) to get some ideas for price points for a custom paint job. Some jobs can run you up several thousand dollars, but a solid color with a few coats of paint should stay under $1,000.

It may be slightly more expensive than other bank-saving options to customize your car, but its one of the most dramatic instant changes you can make if youre unhappy with the peeled, multicolored look of your old ride.

How To Stay Safe On The Road?

There are a lot of dangers on the road, both common and uncommon but how much of a distracted driver are you? Were going to go through a few of the ways to combat some of the more common issues when it comes to staying safe on the road.

Whether youre driving a car, scooter or bike, there are some basic things that you should be not doing. You cant be stupid and drive while intoxicated or otherwise distracted (this means no talking on the cell phone, no texting all the obvious stuff).

There are also common practices that you should be doing, like wearing a helmet or seat belt. But there are a few things that may slip under your radar when it comes to driving safely.

Stay Awake

If youre tired when youre driving, that can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Maybe not completely, but being tired while driving can drastically alter your driving habits. A study conducted recently found that 20% of all accidents have drowsiness as a contributing factor.

Obviously, if you fall asleep at the wheel, you are going to drift off the road and run into any number of things, from phone polls to ditches and trees. But that isnt the only dangerous thing about driving while tired.

Especially driving on the highway when youre at the speed of traffic, your reaction time needs to be at pace with everyone else. When youre tired, thats not going to be the case. Even a few seconds inattention can spell doom for you and any passengers that you may have in your car.

Watch the Weather

This may be an obvious way to stay safe, too, but people dont always abide by it. Just because you have a car that has its snow tires on or is 4-wheel drive doesnt mean that you can drive the same way that you would in perfect weather with perfect roads.

Be considerate of the obstacles put before you any weather means youre at higher risk for distraction (because it requires even more attention, if possible) and consequently, more accident prone. Any kind of weather means that there are more factors affecting your driving that are out of your control. And that isnt anything that you can change.

Youre going to want to maintain extra space between you and the car in front of you, be careful around curves, and drive below the speed limit if necessary. And a special note if you pull off to the shoulder of the road to wait out the weather turn off your lights, especially in fog or snow, as other cars will be looking for lights to follow, and may not realize that you arent moving until its too late to avoid collision.

Three Second Rule

We all learned the 3 second rule when we were in driving school, years and years ago but some of us disregard that rule in the fast lane just because we need to get where were going and we dont care if were tailing the car in front of us.

Its not just annoying to the other driver, its not safe for either of you. The reason the three second rule exists so that you can have enough time to properly react if the car in front of you stops suddenly or makes a sharp turn, or do something unexpected on the road. And if you arent far enough behind them, youre probably going to cause a collision yourself.

For those of you that need a refresher, the three second rule is quite simple. Find a stationary object in front of you like an exit sign or a mile marker and when the car in front of you passes it, start counting. It should be 3 seconds between when the other car passes the object until when you do.

Assume Everyone Else Is An Idiot

Its true one of the biggest dangers to you on the road is other people. You cant control what theyre going to do, and you cant read their minds. You dont know if they actually know the traffic laws, if they are actually going to be turning just because their turn signal is on.and the list goes on.

If youre particularly concerned about the other drivers on the road and the damage that they could do to you and your car, you would do well to sign up for a defensive driving course.

Maintain Your Vehicle

This is another pretty straightforward safety tip, but its not just yourself that you need to keep at attention on the road if your car isnt responding properly, the three second rule may not help you avoid an accident, or the weather could cause even greater issues with your car.

Make sure that your car is up-to-date and actually read your owners manual to see what should be done on your car and when.

What do you find are your biggest distractions when driving and what do you do to combat them?

Smart Safety Tips for the Driver that Multitasks

Driving is almost a necessity these days, especially in more metropolitan areas, or in states where needed services are far from residential areas. If you feel you have become slack in knowing the regulations or maybe you recently relocated and need a refresher course in driving safety, find the office of motor vehicles, take note of when the next class is, and sign up. As you peruse the following tips, please be aware that they may not appear in the order of greatest importance, but it is safe to say, the top two should come first in anyone’s book.

Always Alert

Always stay alert! Which means, among other things, don’t drive one more mile; you will be taking your life and the lives of others. This would be an avoidable accident. In addition, when you are mentally distracted for any reason, you tend to assume other drivers will do what you think they will do. If you even assume the driver in the silver car will be passing you, and you pull out of the intersection too soon, you are a target.

Phones Inaccessible

Along with keeping alert, there is absolutely no way to be aware of everything going on if you are on the phone, whether talking or texting. Technology is amazing and helpful when used the right way at the right time; while driving it is unsafe. It can be the direct cause of horribly serious accidents. As an example, an SUV was coming through a residential intersection at the posted rate of speed, but as reported, the driver glanced down at the phone “just for a quick look” and within seconds her passenger died when the vehicle struck a signal light pole. That side of the car and the pole collided in such a way as to even cause a fire at the scene. This was an avoidable accident.

Rules of the Road

Know the rules of the road in your area. Usually they are the same all over the country, but occasionally a few will be a bit different. However, posted signs notify drivers of speed limits, parking regulations, when it is permissible to turn on a red light, and more.

Yes Chemicals = No driving

Another sure bet, is avoid ingesting chemicals and then driving. It’s certainly no imposition for you to stay at someone’s home overnight while sobering up. Of course you could always stay at a police station. In fact this author is even against designated drivers; you are in no condition to know if that person is actually sober enough to drive either. It’s much better to stay put and avoid an accident.

Working Good

Keep your car in good working condition. Know as close as possible, that your tires are safe, the battery has enough charge, the lights and wipers are operational, the brakes respond quickly to your tap, there is adequate fuel, and all seatbelts work correctly. These are the things that come to mind, but others may be of equal importance.
 

Good Attitude

No matter what, maintain a good attitude. Allow time for “Murphy’s Law” to occur; where if anything can go wrong, it will…and it will happen to you while you are on the road. If you have an appointment, leave in plenty of time. Do not leave at the time of your appointment and expect all to go well en route. If you have budgeted your time well, you will easily arrive still having a good attitude.

A Safe Driver?

These are but a few suggestions for safe driving. In my quest for the top five or six, another tip came to light. Libraries often have videos on safe driving habits; they would be free, and you could even make a “movie party” out of it, that way others would also benefit. On the subject of driving, my grandmother used to say, “If it ain’t horses, it ain’t safe.” But sometimes even horses refused to obey, especially when the driver wasn’t being safe!