The Texas sun can be particularly dangerous if you are driving towards it. Thousands of accidents every year happen due to people being temporarily blinded by direct sunlight. It’s happened to all of us, you take that turn, or hit the top of a hill and suddenly you can’t see anything by the sun glaring straight into your eyes.
There are ways to reduce the glare of the sun on your car and to become a safer driver. While wearing sunglasses and using your sun visors are the first line of defense, the sun can still wreak havok on your ability to see the road. One of the main problems is that the glare will hit any dirt and grime on your windows, giving you many small blind spots. Using a water beader, such as Rain X, will help keep your windshield clean.
Also, be more proactive and anticipate where the sun will be before turning. This will let you get your visor in an optimal position to block the sun. Also, when driving try to keep plenty of space between your car and the one in front of you. If the sun is impairing your vision, this will give you more time to read and react to what is happening in front of you.
If you are looking for any sort of top wind shield tint, or other accessories to help fight road glare, be sure to let me know, and I’ll be sure to help.
You waited 16 years and the day has finally come. The day your precious little snowflake hits the road on their own leaving you to hope and pray that they paid attention in their driver’s ed classes and are smart enough to eliminate distractions while driving. Crossing your fingers isn’t the only thing you can do too help your teen be a successful and safe driver, the car they drive will be playing a major role in that as well. So, what’s the best car for a first-time teen driver? It is the one that will decrease the odds of that first-time accident happening — and minimize the potential for harm if it does.
Even if your kid is mature and responsible, he or she is still inexperienced behind the wheel. The object is to shield your teen as much as possible from the almost inevitable consequences of youth and inexperience. It takes a lot of seat time to become familiar with how a car behaves in various situations — for example, in ice and snow, at night, under unexpected conditions — and also to get a feel for how others behave in their cars.
According to the National Motorist Association, the first 12-24 months are the “danger zone” when accidents due to errors of judgment, lack of experience — or just plain old being in the wrong place at the wrong time — are most likely to happen. It’s also why it costs so much to insure a 16 or 17-year-old driver.
Here are some general car-buying guidelines that will help keep your teen driver out of trouble:
* Choose a car.
SUVs and pick-ups are poor choices for first-time drivers — especially SUVs and trucks without 4WD. They tend to be light in the rear (because the weight of the engine/driveline is concentrated up front) and so have a tendency to fishtail during panic stops or when the road is slick. You can crutch this somewhat by loading up the bed (or cargo area) with a few hundred pounds of dead weight — or by springing for an SUV or pick-up that has 4WD. But even with 4WD, pick-ups and SUVs are inherently less stable, more tipsy, take longer to stop — and are thus more dangerous for a just-minted teenaged driver. It’s better to learn the essentials in a car before moving to a specialty vehicle of any type — whether it’s a pick-up, SUV or sports car.
* Choose a larger car.
Bigger and heavier is inherently safer — especially in the event of a crash into a fixed object (such as a tree) or with a larger vehicle (such as an SUV). Larger cars offer more built-in occupant protection because they’re able to absorb more force than smaller, lighter cars. Vehicles in the full and mid-sized category tend to score much better in crash testing than cars in the compact and smaller categories. Avoid subcompact-sized cars — even if they do get better gas mileage. A very small car like a Toyota Yaris or Honda Civic coupe stands little chance when T-boned by a Suburban.
* Choose a car that’s in good overall shape.
Basic reliability can be as important as basic safety. You don’t want your kid learning the hard way about bald tires, bad brakes, shot shocks and a worn out suspension. Whatever car you end up buying, take the time to make certain it is mechanically sound and completely roadworthy. Have a reputable shop or mechanic give it a thorough once over — and fix anything that needs fixing. Leave the broken down el-cheapo special “beater” for your son or daughter’s next car.
* Choose a car without a wing, hood scoop, loud exhaust or powerful engine.
Teens being teens, few have the judgment to resist being egged-on by other teens to “see what it’ll do.” If it looks fast or sounds fast you can bet they’ll want to see just how fast it really is. And the end result is often tragic. Just as new pilots don’t start out in F-18s, new drivers should be kept away from cars with capabilities beyond their limited experience. V-8s and powerful V-6s should be off the menu, period — but be careful about four-cylinder powered cars, too. Some modern four-cylinder engines have turbochargers and other power-adders that make them as or even more powerful than the V-8 muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s.
Also keep in mind that you/you teen will pay much less to insure a basic sedan or wagon vs. anything “sporty” or powerful.
* If you do choose a small car, be sure it has multiple air bags.
Air bags protect against impact forces in a crash — and are particularly valuable in smaller vehicles as they compensate to some extent for smaller size and weight. If you must buy a smaller car, try and find one with both frontal and side-impact/curtain air bags as they will dramatically improve the survivability/crashworthiness of a smaller car, especially if it’s hit from the side by a larger vehicle.
* Choose a car with a manual transmission.
In some European countries, a license applicant must take his or her driver’s test in a car with a manual transmission. The reasoning is that a person who has mastered starting a car on a hill without stalling or rolling backward, who knows how to smoothly engage the right gear at the right time to safely merge into traffic and so on — has probably mastered the basic skills necessary to be a safe driver.
Modern cars are deceptively easy to “drive” in the sense of getting them going — and going very fast, too. Almost any 10-year-old could physically put the key in the ignition, move the handle from “Park” to “Drive” — and floor it right through the closed garage door and straight into your kitchen. Operating a manual transmission, on the other hand, is a skill that takes time to develop and which imparts respect for the skill it takes to do so competently. Learning to drive on a stickshift car is a great training tool that will help your teen become a better — and therefore safer — driver.
Bonus: a car with a manual transmission is usually capable of better fuel economy and is typically cheaper to buy, too.
* Choose FWD or AWD over RWD.
Front-drive cars (FWD) and all-wheel-drive cars (AWD) have better traction in rain and snow and so are more controllable than a rear-drive (RWD) car. Rear-drive cars also have a tendency to oversteer (tail out) when they begin to slide out of control — while front-drive cars tend to understeer (the front of the car “plows”), which is easier for the novice driver to deal with. If you must go with a rear-drive car, try and pick one that comes with some form of electronic traction control to limit wheelspin on slippery surfaces and ideally, an electronic stability control system — which uses the anti-lock brakes to keep the vehicle on course when it would otherwise begin to slip out of control.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly — do all you can teach your teen driver to drive with respect for others and to obey common sense as much as the letter of the law.
For example, “speeding” is considered by some to be the Primal Sin of driving; but tailgating can be more dangerous and likely to result in a wreck — even though cops don’t pay nearly as much attention to it as they do to drivers doing a a few MPH over the posted limit.
If you can afford it, consider enrolling your teen in a car control/vehicle dynamics/accident avoidance course such as those offered by Bob Bondurant, Skip Barber or other professional driving schools. These courses explain what happens during emergency situations — such as panic stopping or an abrupt swerve to avoid and obstacle on the road — and how to handle them — in a safe, controlled environment.
Though the cost can be high, it’s a lot cheaper than a totaled car — or a lost life.
Fort Worth, if you have any questions, comments or would like to bring your new teen driver in to test drive cars that you both can feel safe in, swing on by and check us out.
There is no doubt that having to apply your brakes in a dramatic show of force to avoid a collision can be extremely frightening. Without the assistance of an Anti-Lock-Break-System, you run the risk of having your breaks “lock” your wheels and keep them from spinning. This is not good.
Generally what ABS does is to prevent wheels from locking up. To understand this, consider what would conventionally occur (i.e. in a vehicle without ABS). If someone were to slam on the brakes in a moving car without ABS, the braking discs or drums would cause the wheel to stop turning. Typically, that is the whole purpose of brakes in the first place, but usually one would gradually brake the car to stop by applying more and more brake pressure until the vehicle stops. If the brakes lock up the wheels suddenly (which is unhealthy for the brakes anyway), wheels lock up. Remember that the car is still traveling at considerable speed. Simply preventing the wheels from turning does not stop a car. The momentum of the car keeps the vehicle moving forward, so we get tire skidding, and we lose traction. That’s a bad thing; we would be sliding and have little to no control of steering.
How does ABS work and why it allows you to focus on the task at hand…STOPPING!
How well does the system work?
Looks like it works quite well. If you are in the market for a new or used car, look for one you know has a Anti Lock Braking system. If you have any questions about ABS, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can point you in the right direction.
Have you ever had to rent a large truck with a trailer attached? Do you use your truck for towing? If so, you’ve probably taught yourself to maneuver it successfully time after time. For the rest of us, it’s not that easy. So here’s a little cheat sheet and video to steer us in the right direction.
Tip to remember: When backing a trailer, put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and the direction you move your hand is the direction that the back of the trailer moves!
The number of Car Accident claims and Car Accident Injury Claims made to several insurance companies has always been on a large scale. Accidents in the thousands are caused all over the the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in a single day. Accidents can occur due to a fault in the car, but most of the accidents that take place are due to a mistake or negligence on the driver’s part.
The greatest cause of most accidents is recklessness by the driver. Recklessness usually cause roll over accidents, which are a major cause of fatalities. Accidents can also be caused due to intoxication or lack of driving experience. The use of drugs and alcohol by drivers can be very dangerous on the road. Age is also an important factor and is highly correlated with Car accidents. Research shows that accidents occur the most in young people between 15 and 20 years of age, and old people who are above 70. This is because of the lack of control over the vehicle and in case of young people, the lack of experience. Insurance companies specify the driver’s age and experience before providing insurance and they don’t entertain any Car Accident Compensation Claims if any of the conditions are violated.
Many accidents are caused due to the driver’s negligence, for example, not wearing a seatbelt. Other than this, most accidents are caused by the driver’s distraction. The most common of these is the driver talking to passengers and not paying full attention to the road. Other than that, being occupied with the radio or CD is also a distraction that causes accidents. Talking on the mobile or playing with any other gadget while driving really distracts drivers, and may result in an accident.
Rubbernecking is another major cause of Car Accidents. Rubbernecking refers to the act of quickly slowing down the car and paying attention to something outside (such as another accident). This can be very dangerous, and another car may run into yours. Tailgating is also a cause of many car accidents. Tailgating is when a driver follows another car at a very close distance. In such cases, it is very difficult to slow down or stop the car immediately and you may hit the car in front of yours. If insurance companies discover that an accident was caused by the driver’s own fault, they might not fulfil the Car Accident Claim.
Keeping all these causes in mind, many different road regulations have been introduced and following these rules is an obligation. Some of these are the use of seatbelts, prohibition on use of cell phones and other gadgets while driving, and age and speed limits on the road. These regulations have contributed to some extent in reducing the car accidents and their fatalities.
Speed is the ultimate mantra of modern living. Everyone is moving fast to reach their desired destination. Traveling across places is a common scenario to all. Moving in a car, a bus or any other vehicle is better than walking. If we move around in a vehicle it can save our time. We can also reach any place on time. Nowadays it has become essential to know driving. However it is not enough to learn driving. The driver has to be aware of the rules and regulations of driving.
Good driving depends on practice. You must keep a few things in mind before you start driving. Adjust the seat according to your convenience. Make sure that all the glasses are clean and nothing can obstruct your view. Check whether the rearview mirrors are properly adjusted. Do not forget to check if the car is in neutral gear before you start the engine. Look whether the doors are locked properly. The most important thing is to put on the seat belt. The driver should ask the passengers to do the same. Check the brake lights before you start driving.
Do not cross the speed limits while you drive. This can save you from accidents and sudden crash. The situations often become out of control when you cross the speed limits. Driving too slowly can prove to be dangerous as well. So keep pace with the flow of traffic. Maintain safe distance in order to avoid striking the vehicle in front of you.
You should remember a few things when u back up. Check behind your vehicle before you get in. tiny objects and children are often not visible from the driver’s seat. Do not depend on the side mirror only. Look through the rear window directly.
If you follow a few things you can easily keep away yourself and the passengers from accident. Do not drive when you are ill, drowsy or fatigued. Taking alcohol before driving is dangerous. Other things that you should avoid while driving include reading. Always keep an eye on the road. Talking over the phone can distract your attention. So avoid using mobile phones while you drive. Adjusting the radio or changing CD or cassette is not permissible while driving as it can cause accident.
Following the traffic rules is very important while driving. You should move forward only when the road is clear. Avoid overtaking other vehicles. While crossing an intersection you should be more careful. The most important thing is to follow the signal. Start the engine only when the light is green. Stop the car when red signal is shown. Slow down the car at zebra crossings and let the people cross the road. Follow the signal for turns, stops and lane changes. Do not enter the [No Entry Zone].
While making a turn the driver should be aware of a number of things. Avoid making a last minute turn. Slow down before making a turn. Give turn signals to other vehicles while changing lane. If you want to make a turn in an intersection and you can not find proper lane move on to the next intersection and make the turn.
Drivers should be aware of the parking rules and regulations. Try to park your vehicle in the parking zone. If there is no parking zone nearby then you can park on a public road. However move your vehicle far away from the moving traffic. If it is not a one way street park on the right side of the road. After parking always lock the vehicle. Use parking lights while parking your car at night.
Following these rules and regulations is key to safe driving.
There are a number of risks to driving in wet weather, but there are plenty of things you can do to minimize your risks and make it more likely that you’ll enjoy a safe journey. When it’s bucketing down outside, the last thing you’ll want to do is leave the car at home. However, it’s important that you take the wet weather and conditions into consideration when setting out and it’s a good idea to remind yourself of all of the tips and tricks to staying safe on the roads in the wet – even if you’ve been driving for years.
Being seen is another extremely important concern when it comes to driving in the rain, so make sure you do turn on your headlights when there are wet conditions. Another good tip is to make sure that you keep your headlights on a low beam, this is because high beams can cause excessive glare and actually impede your ability to see the road ahead. When it’s wet, you should also brake earlier and with less force, this is to maximize the stopping distance between you and cars in front and give other drivers plenty of warning.
You should also remember that conditions can be even worse when rain falls just after a long dry spell, this is because engine oil and grease will have had the chance to build up and will become slick when the rain hits it.
On the other hand, if the rain is heavy and persistent you need to be careful to avoid aquaplaning. This happens when rain pools on the surface of the road and if you’re steering goes very light while driving in wet conditions, it could be because you are aquaplaning. Gently releasing the accelerator helps your tires regain traction with the road and is the best way to ease your way back to safety.
As rain can impact on your visibility levels, it’s a good idea to do everything you can to improve it. This includes making sure your windscreens are clean to help keep them from misting up. You should also make sure the windscreen wash you use is of a good quality and replace any wipers that are becoming worn or ineffective.
In the same vein, it’s also important to make sure that your demister is good enough to clear the windows quickly. You’ll also want to make sure you repair windscreen chips beforehand to make sure your vision is as clear as possible. Exercise caution and you should be a safer wet-weather driver.
Braking late into corners in one of the best ways to get good times on a track, and it goes without saying that braking is a useful skill to master for safety’s sake. There are several braking techniques which will be discussed here, which will consider cars with and without ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).
“How much technique can there be to braking? Surely it’s just a matter of stamping on the pedal and coming to a halt.”
Well, good braking technique is a compromise between the two following factors:
1. If you have locked your front wheels, you lose steering control
2. The point of maximum deceleration is just before the point of wheel lock.
If you’d like to experiment with various different braking techniques, please do it on a track or on private land where nobody will be at risk of being run over!
Remember – it’s always best to try and brake hard in a straight line.
A note on ABS
ABS is a marvelous invention. By rapidly applying the brakes in pulses when wheel lock is detected, it allows you to both slow down and steer, automatically. All you have to do is hit the brakes hard and watch as you gracefully come to a halt. In cars with ABS, many of the techniques listed here will not be relevant (anything that mentions wheels locking). However, ABS is not necessarily the quickest method of coming to a halt, but we’ll discuss that in a minute…
What is the fastest method of slowing down?
1 = Threshold braking
2 = Locked wheels
3 = ABS
4 = Cadence braking
5 = Parachute
Threshold braking (ABS and non-ABS cars)
Threshold braking is the best strategy to adopt to gain maximum braking performance on tarmac. As stated above, the point of maximum deceleration is found just before the point of wheel lock, so it makes sense to try and keep the braking pressure just before this point. Practically, it’s often very difficult to know exactly the point at which wheels will lock as many factors are at play such as tarmac conditions, tire choice, brake temperature, etc.
Unless you’re a professional racing driver, the best strategy to adopt is to best to brake hard, and if you find some wheels are locking, slightly releasing the brakes and then reapplying with marginally less pressure. As you learn how your car behaves in these conditions you’ll get better at judging the pressure needed for maximum deceleration.
Locked wheel braking (Non-ABS cars)
Okay, so locked wheels aren’t quite as good at slowing you down as the threshold braking technique. However there are situations when it’s very difficult to maintain braking without locking wheels, such as on icy roads.
In this case, sustained wheel lock might not be as bad as you might think. As long as you are heading in the right direction locked wheels will slow you down effectively, but remember that you’ll be unable to steer. Which leads us onto the next technique….
Avoidance braking (Non-ABS cars)
“I’m on an icy road, going too fast (I’m sorry, but it’s a bit late for that now!), I’ve slammed on the brakes, and now I’m hurdling towards a tree!”
Well, you’ve been silly, but all may not be lost. Keep the wheels locked for as long as possible to scrub off speed, and while you’re doing this, apply a small amount of steering lock (quarter of a turn is a good starting point). Now, release the brakes smoothly and you should find that steering starts to work again. Keep applying and releasing the brakes at points where it is suitable, using small steering movements, or you’ll risk under-correcting or over-correcting. This technique works equally well in good conditions at speed, but really should only be used as an emergency procedure.
Cadence braking (Non-ABS cars)
Cadence braking is a braking technique for very low grip surfaces such as an icy road – essentially applying and releasing the brakes rhythmically in order to get a compromise between steering and braking performance. As you apply the brakes, the wheels will tend to lock up, slowing the car but preventing you from steering. As you release the brakes you regain steering control and can keep the car pointing in the right direction.
Attempting to use cadence braking on a good grip surface at speed will result in weight transfers which can unsettle the car, possibly resulting in over-correction – the last thing you need when trying to turn a corner. Not a technique to adopt for fast driving on good grip surfaces!
Braking distances
If you go out to learn just one thing about your car, try to get to the point where you instinctively know what the stopping distance will be for different speeds at maximum braking effort. Quoting figures are mostly useless in real life situations, this is something that needs to be a split second decision, not a calculation.
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