WHY IS TEXTING AND DRIVING DANGEROUS?

he rise of cell phones has had some unintentional and sometimes fatal consequences on America’s highways. An unsettling number of traffic casualties are related to driving while distracted, including the use of cell phones while driving, resulting in damage and loss of life.

Nine people die, and over 1,000 are wounded daily in incidents registered as distraction-related accidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).

Handheld cell phone use while driving tends to be highest among 16- to 24-year-old drivers.

Texting and driving are one of the most treacherous forms of distracted driving. The average text sent or read in a car takes a motorist’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. This is more than enough time to get in a life-changing crash. With so many less experienced motorists on the road using highly distracting devices, the potential for crashes-and therefore injuries and deaths-is extremely high.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP TEXTING AND DRIVING ACCIDENTS?

 

Be straightforward: Make sure new motorists comprehend that they should not use cell phones while driving.

Before new motorists get their licenses, confer how taking their eyes off the highway-even for a few glances- can cause someone harm or even death.

  • Lead by example: Set restrictions on distracted driving for new motorists and yourself. Don’t text while driving-if you are driving and you need to text or talk on the phone, pull over to a secure place before doing it.
  • Be engaged: Inform family and friends about the significance of driving without distractions. Take the info to your children’s schools and ask that they communicate it with pupils and parents.

Texting is one of the most perilous types of inattentive driving because it incorporates optical, manual, and mental distractions.

When drivers get behind the wheel of a vehicle, many decide to pull out their cell phones and text, which is an action that threatens and hurts thousands daily.

 

WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING?

What are the hazards of texting and driving? Distractions. Anything that takes your concentration away from being an active driver counts as a distraction. Distractions are why texting and driving are so treacherous. Distractions threaten everyone around you on the highway and in your vehicle, including yourself. Texting is not the only type of inattentive driving.

The CDC says that inattentive driving falls into three classifications:

  1. Cognitive distraction: This type of distraction happens when a driver stops thinking about driving. For instance, drivers who concentrate on a discussion with a passenger have cognitive preoccupation. Your mind is on something other than driving. The effects of this influence response time to changing surroundings. Daydreaming is another kind of cognitive distraction, for instance.
  2. Manual distraction: Any time you take your hands off the wheel. Motorists who withdraw their hands from the steering wheel are manually preoccupied. For example, drivers who reach for something in the back seat of their vehicle have manual preoccupation.
  3. Visual distraction: This kind of distraction happens when drivers withdraw their eyes from the road. Drivers, for instance, who look at a cell phone to get directions are visually preoccupied.

Texting while driving involves all three distractions. Staring at a phone means at least one hand is not on the wheel. Looking at a phone means not being vigilant and attentive to surroundings. When thoughts are distracted by the content on a device, thoughts are elsewhere, while the primary attention should be on the job of driving. The risks of texting and driving result from the distractions cell phones bring to a car.

Texting and driving is one of the most treacherous types of distracted driving because it incorporates cognitive, manual, and visual distractions.

WHY DO INDIVIDUALS STILL TEXT AND DRIVE DESPITE THE DANGERS?

Even though many individuals recognize that texting and driving endanger others, many continue to do it anyway. In a study funded by AT&T, over 90 percent of the participating drivers reported they understood texting and driving was unsafe, but they did it anyway. One of the primary reasons for this conduct was thinking that they can successfully multitask.

WHY CELL PHONES BEHIND THE WHEEL ARE SO UNSAFE?

Today’s phones do much more than just make calls. They are used for texting, taking photos, amusement, navigation, and anything else. Texting on your phone is one of the most treacherous types of inattentive driving merely because it requires so much concentration. You look at your phone, considering what to type, and take your hands off the steering wheel to do it.

Some drivers believe that because cell phones are a significant part of their lives, they can text and drive. The fact is that humans cannot multitask to that extent. No one is an expert at texting and driving simultaneously, and individuals pay for these conclusions with their lives.

Looking at your phone to read or reply to a text message takes five seconds. When you’re going at 55 miles per hour, you can cross the length of a football field-all without glancing at the road. It doesn’t matter if you look up often during that time or if you’ve stopped at a red light; it takes about three seconds for your senses to concentrate again after checking your phone. There isn’t enough time to text and drive.

RISKS OF TEXTING AND DRIVING

How dangerous is texting while driving?

Other staggering statistics of the risks of texting while driving include:

  • One in five people involved in inattentive driving fatalities was not in a vehicle. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, or other circumstances outside of a car.
  • Roughly 9.7 percent of drivers use devices at any daylight moment.
  • 15 percent of injury crashes resulted from inattentive driving
  • There is a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road while texting.
  • The chance of a wreck or near-crash jumps by 95 percent when reaching for or dialing a phone.
  • AAA discovered that 12 percent of crashes involved phones

  • OTHER DANGERS TO TEXTING ON THE HIGHWAY

    Deadly results or possibly hurting someone are the most significant risks of texting and driving, but not the only ones.

    Here are some other risk factors to consider before picking up your phone behind the wheel.

    1. You are likely breaking the law: Texting and driving is illegal in most states. You can get a ticket.
    1. Your insurance can go up: If you get a ticket for distracted driving, count on skyrocketing insurance rates.
    2. You can damage your vehicle: Even if you don’t harm someone if you cause an accident while texting, you can harshly damage your car. A totaled vehicle won’t be inexpensive to fix or replace.

    It is lawful to text and drive in very few states. All other states have some form of law against it.

    In 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is not legal for any driver to text and drive. All but five of these states and territories have primary enforcement laws restricting texting while driving. That means police do not need an extra reason to pull you over and give you a ticket.

TIPS

How to Clean Your Car’s Engine

A clean engine is a happy engine. Just like any other part of your car, your engine needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly. Though professional engine cleaning is an option, it’s not always necessary. You can save money by learning how to wash a car engine yourself. You should be glad you found us! Here you will find out how to clean your car’s engine the right way.

Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a clean engine in no time.

Park your car in a well-ventilated area and let the engine cool. You don’t want to be working with a hot engine, as you could risk getting burned.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Before you start cleaning, you will need to gather some simple materials. You will need a water hose, a pressure washer is better but not required, a bucket, soap or degreaser, a scrub brush, and rags. If the engine was recently used, make sure it has cooled down before starting to wash it.

Step 2: Wet the Engine

Attach the hose to the faucet and wet the entire engine with cool water. If you are using a pressure washer, be careful not to get too close to sensitive areas such as electrical wiring.

Step 3: Apply Soap or Degreaser

Apply a generous amount of soap or degreaser to the wet engine and let it sit for a few minutes so that it can break down the dirt and grime. You can either use a commercial degreaser or make your own by mixing dish soap and water.

Step 4: Scrub the Engine

Let the degreaser sit for at least five minutes to break down the grime and build-up on the engine. Use the scrub brush to scrub the entire engine. Pay special attention to areas that are particularly dirty.

Step 5: Rinse the Engine

Rinse the soap or degreaser off of the engine with cool water. Make sure that all of the soap is removed before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Dry the Engine

Use a microfiber cloth or old rag to dry the engine, and wipe down the engine until it is completely dry. Once the engine is dry, you can apply a protectant if desired.

TIPS

How to Replace a Brake Light

Have you ever had a brake light go out and were not sure what to do next? It can seem intimidating, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can replace that brake light in no time. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on changing your brake light, including step-by-step instructions, the tools you’ll need and replacement tips.

TIPS

5 EASY WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR CAR FOR SPRING

Preparing your car for spring can save you a lot of headaches later in the year. It can even save you money! Spring auto maintenance will get you ready for a summer filled with long drives and vacations. Whether you’re heading to the beach or your child’s ball game, you’ll be glad you took the time to prepare your car for spring.

Visit a Car Wash

Spring cleaning isn’t only for your house. The winter especially can be tough on cars. Freezing temperatures and salt from the road can do real damage to your paint job, so make sure to start the season with a car wash. If you go to a carwash, spring for premium, because you won’t want to miss any nooks or crannies. If you do it yourself, make sure to add baking soda to the wash water if your car has a strong salt buildup. This will help neutralize the salt and save your paint job.

Check Your Tires

Did you know you can save money on gas by making sure your tires are filled up to the manufacturer recommended air pressure? Just by keeping the pressure regulated, your car is better able to distribute and conserve gasoline. The cold air and ice can be rough on the air pressure in your tires, so the Spring is a great time to check those tires. Make sure your tires are rotated regularly and don’t wait until you have a visible flat to fill them up. Check your tires for worn tread and make sure to replace your tires when the treading becomes too worn.

Replace Wiper Blades and Fluids

Snow can damage and wear on your windshield wipers. If your wipers are streaking, replace them. New wiper blades are inexpensive and simple to replace, so you won’t even need to pay someone to do it for you. You should also make sure to top off your windshield wiper fluid and reapply any needed windshield treatments to repel water and rain.

Check Your Battery

At the end of a long winter, you’ll want to be sure to evaluate your car’s electrical system. Many parts shops have free battery checks where you can find out just how strong your battery is.  If your battery is getting weak, you can prevent future problems by replacing it before it stops working. That way, you won’t be left stranded with a dead battery.

Change Your Oil

Regular oil changes can make all the difference in making sure your car has a long, healthy life. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for oil change intervals and oil viscosity, and make sure to change the oil filter as well. Some car shops offer fluid top offs, tire checks, battery checks, and even tire rotation included their oil change prices, so you can take care of almost all of your spring maintenance in just one stop.

TIPS

What to do When Your Brakes Fail While Driving

For better or worse, driving a car is a hypnotic activity for many people. We’ve become so used to commanding our fast, two-ton, metal vehicles every day on the way to and from work, errands, etc. that we often forget just how dangerous it can be. But nothing snaps you back into cold, hard reality like pressing your brake pedal only to find that it doesn’t work. Here we’ll go over what to do when brakes fail and you’re in a moving vehicle.

Keep in Mind What NOT to do

Safely stopping a car without working brakes requires staying calm pressure in order to maintain full control over the vehicle. Keep in mind the following factors.

    1. Do not panic. The next few moments are crucial to your safety and the safety of those around you, so breathe deeply and try to stay clear-headed.
    2. Don’t downshift too quickly. While you will want to downshift, you shouldn’t go from 4th gear to 1st in an instant. This could cause you to skid out of control.
    3. Do not turn off the car. Again, this could cause skidding. It also disables power steering or locks the steering wheel entirely, giving you less control over the situation.
    4. Do not apply the emergency brake too quickly. You will want to apply the emergency brake, but not before downshifting and pumping the brake pedal. Aggressively pulling the emergency brake could cause you to skid and lose control of the vehicle.

      What to do When Brakes Fail

      1. Take your foot off the gas.
      2. Turn on hazard lights (if you have time). If the roadway is relatively clear and you’re still in full control of the vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and honk your horn to warn others around you. Even if they don’t fully understand your predicament, they will be aware to steer clear of you.
      3. Downshift SLOWLY. Turn off cruise control (if applicable) and slowly downshift to decrease momentum.
      4. Pump the brake pedal hard and fast. Most modern vehicles have dual braking systems that independently control the front and back brakes. Pumping the brakes aggressively may be enough to engage half of the brakes to slow you to a halt. This will not work if both halves of the dual system fail.
      5. Cautiously apply emergency brake. The emergency brake system won’t bring you to a halt, but it will slow you down significantly. Be sure to engage it carefully to ensure you stay in full control.
      6. (Optional) Use guard rails. If your brakes fail while moving at highway speeds toward unavoidable obstacles, it may be necessary to use the divider or guard rail to scrape the side of your car in order to slow down. When it comes down to it, your life is more important than your car.
      7. Steer yourself to safety. As the car begins to slow, steer yourself to the side of the road. Coming to a complete stop will be a relief, but you’re putting yourself and others in danger if it’s in the middle of the highway.

       

TIPS

How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

After making the big purchase of new tires, you may be interested in knowing how you can make them last as long as possible. Here are our top 8 tips to help make your tires last:

1. Maintain and monitor pressure

If the pressure is wrong in your tires, it can lead to increased stopping distance, increased wear and tear, and increased risk of a blowout. This is why it’s important to check your tire pressure every month, especially during the winter and summer when colder and warmer temperatures can lower and increase the air pressure.

2. Align tires

If you’re noticing your car drifting or pulling to one side while you’re driving, this could mean it’s time to get your tires aligned. This means correcting the subtle tilt in your car’s chamber. It’s recommended to take your car to a professional so they can use specialized equipment to adjust the alignment, often to fractions of an inch.

3. Be cautious while driving

When you’re on the road, make sure to watch out for potholes as they might have sharp rims that can damage your tires. Try also to avoid skidding or peeling out. Speeding up or slowing down very quickly can damage the tread in your tires. Lastly, avoid driving on gravel roads because the sharpness of the gravel can damage your tires.

4. Balance tires

Tires can become unbalanced from typical wear and tear and when driving on uneven roads. If you notice your steering wheel vibrating or shaking when your car gets up to 60 or 70 mph, you may need to take your car in and have your tire balance checked.

5. Rotate tires

It’s recommended to rotate your tires about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles,  depending on your car, to increase their lifespan. Cars wear tires unevenly over time based on numerous factors. You can combat that uneven wearing by rotating the tires as recommended by the manufacturer.

6. Check the tire tread

Unsure of when to replace your tires? Here’s a tip: Stick a penny (Lincoln’s head side down) into the tread groove of the tire. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, it’s time to take your car in and replace the tires. It’s recommended to check this at least once every 2 months.

7. Park the car with care

Scraping the sides of your tires on a curb while parking shortens their life drastically. If you continually bump into curbs while driving or parking, this can wear the sidewalls and shoulders of your tire quickly.

8. Protect and clean tires properly

Cleaning your tires helps prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, which can cause the finish of your wheels to peel or even make the rims more porous. Try and clean your tires twice a month to keep them lasting for years to come.

TIPS

6 Tips for Cracked Windshield Prevention and Repair

All it takes is one small chip in the windshield before it becomes a full-fledged crack. Even though a chip may appear small, it can quickly become a more serious issue. Here’s how to prevent a windshield crack from escalating into a more serious safety concern.

1. Decide whether it needs immediate attention

First, where’s the crack located? Is it off to the side, or is it obscuring your view? If it interferes with your ability to see the road, you should deal with even a tiny crack immediately.  However, if it’s not impairing your ability to see the road, grab a ruler and measure the length of the chip or crack. This can help determine whether you can repair the windshield or need professional repair or replacement.

2. Determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced

If the chip is smaller than the size of a quarter or up to 2 inches in length, it can often be repaired. However, the shape of the chip or crack, such as bullseye, star, or half-moon, can limit the type of repair. Every crack or chip is unique, and consulting an expert is important. The goal is to prevent a crack from getting bigger or in any way compromising safety.

3. Avoid dirt and debris

One of the most important things to guard against is dirt. If dirt gets into the crack, it can complicate a simple repair. But that doesn’t mean you should head for the car wash or reach for a bucket. If water seeps into the crack, what began as a small repair can easily become a complete replacement. Instead, you can temporarily keep dirt and moisture away from the crack by cleaning the damaged area and applying a piece of clear packing tape, which is strong but won’t obscure your view. Another short-term solution for protecting the chip from dirt is to apply super glue evenly throughout the crack and wipe off any excess.

4. Park indoors to avoid the elements

Sun, snow, and rain all have the potential to cause the chip or crack on your windshield to grow. If possible, park your car inside, where it will be protected against the elements, especially the sun, which can cause the windshield to heat up and allow the crack to expand. If you don’t have a garage, try parking in a shaded spot.

5. Avoid temperature cold extremes

Likewise, extremely cold weather is not good for a cracked windshield because glass contracts when it gets cold. Refrain from putting your air conditioner or defroster on high. If necessary, use the heater moderately to defrost the windows gradually.

6. Drive carefully

Another way to keep the crack from getting larger is to drive with extra caution. That means safely avoiding potholes and staying away from rough roads. Jostling the car is the last thing you should do when driving with a cracked windshield, and you also want to avoid slamming the doors or the trunk.

Above all, keep safety in mind at all times. The sooner you get the windshield in for replacement or repair, the better.

TIPS

Five Ways To Keep Your Vehicle From Being Stolen

According to a study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts between 2021 and 2022 increased by a whopping 7 percent — more than one million vehicles, with a combined estimated value of $8.9 billion, were stolen last year alone.

Sadly, most of the vehicle thefts would have been prevented had drivers followed five simple steps:

1. Lock your doors

As unbelievable as it may sound, most vehicle break-ins occur when owners leave their vehicles unlocked — thieves walk up to the vehicle and open the door with any resistance. Not only do the burglars get easy access inside the vehicle, but they also have unlimited time to work and zero worries about passers-by noticing as the vehicle’s anti-theft alarm is not activated. Simply locking all the vehicle’s doors is the best way to prevent vehicle theft — it’s the first and most effective line of defense.

2. Remove the keys and close the windows

Before you shut off your vehicle, take a brief moment to close all of the windows. An open window is an invitation for a thief to reach in and unlock the door from the inside. Even a small gap, as narrow as an inch, gives professionals plenty of space to insert a tool to open the door in seconds. Roll the windows up each time your park. And don’t ever leave keys in the vehicle — put them in your pocket or purse and take them with you.

3. Park in a well-lit and visible location

Bad guys prefer to do their work in secrecy, without anyone observing them. Park your vehicle in a well-lit location free of shadows or big trees that may obstruct the view. Also, consider parking on a main street instead of behind a building, as the patrons in a crowded restaurant — dozens of additional eyes — may make a car thief uncomfortable. While parking at the extreme end of the parking lot around a hidden will keep your vehicle free of door dings, it makes theft much easier — park where your vehicle is seen.

4. Don’t leave valuables in view

Make your vehicle less attractive to thieves by keeping valuables out of view. Never leave mobile phones, other electronics (e.g., iPad), keys, or packages in plain view. Most experts suggest that these items are carried with you or locked out of sight in the truck. Hatchbacks, which don’t have separate trunks, will have cargo covers — make sure to use them. If your vehicle doesn’t have an opaque solid cover, improvise — use a large blanket or towel to cover items such as suitcases or bags.

5. Use anti-theft devices, alarms, and tracking devices

Car thieves are lazy. Make their job challenging or risky, and they will move to a more accessible or less risky target. Steering wheel locks, essentially strong steel bars that lock between the steering wheel’s spokes, make it impossible for the thief to drive the vehicle — they are inexpensive (most are about $50) and a very visible deterrent. Alarms, which trigger a loud siren when a car is entered forcefully, will cause most criminals to quit and run. And suppose a criminal manages to drive your vehicle away. In that case, GPS- and Bluetooth-based tracking devices (e.g., LoJack and Apple AirTags) are very effective in discreetly tracking your fleeing vehicle and alerting authorities to its position.

TIPS

10 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage

There are a lot of ways to reduce your fuel consumption, even if your car has been in the driveway for a few years. Planning for a more efficient road trip, no matter how short, can save you money with fewer stops at the gas station. Here are our top 10 tips to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and ultimately save you money:

1. Schedule regular car maintenance

Regular oil changes and tune-ups will help keep your car running at peak performance.  Regularly servicing your car can help the engine run smoothly and use less fuel. If you can’t remember the last time you took your car in, it might be time to get it serviced.

2. Get your wheels aligned

If your wheels get misaligned by even a fraction of an inch, it is comparable to dragging your tires sideways for 102 miles every 20,000 you drive. Misaligned wheels can impact gas mileage, cause wear and tear, and reduce drivability. Want to check your tire alignment before taking it into the shop? Buy a tread depth gauge and measure.  If one tire is more worn than the others, it’s likely time to get your car’s wheels aligned.

3. Drive conservatively and accelerate more slowly

Accelerating and braking quickly can make your engine work harder and burn more fuel. Avoid slamming on the brakes or accelerating rapidly, except in emergency situations.

4. Clean out your car

Extra junk in your trunk weighs down your vehicle, which means you use more gas to get around. As little as 100 pounds can reduce your fuel economy. Make sure to keep an emergency kit in your car, but remove heavy items that you don’t regularly use. Check the outside of your car for extra items that you aren’t regularly using, such as roof racks and bike racks.

5. Carpool

Not only does carpooling help save you money, but it reduces the wear and tear on your vehicle, helps reduce stress, and typically leads to increased fuel efficiency. Starting a carpool with friends or neighbors helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road and the amount of emissions.

6. Use the recommended tire pressure

If your tires are consistently underinflated, you could be wasting a lot of money on fuel. Underinflation also leads to premature tire wear and can shorten the life of your tires. Make sure to check the air pressure of your tires with a digital pressure gauge and fill your tires to the recommended pressure.

7. Limit how long your car idles

When your engine is running, your car is burning fuel. If you don’t have a newer car that automatically shuts your engine off at a stop, and if you are idling for a few minutes, consider shutting off your car to save fuel and limit emissions.

8. Replace your car air filters

A dirty air filter in your vehicle can increase fuel usage by nearly 10 percent. Make sure to check the filter when you change your oil and replace it at least once a year, or more often if you frequently drive in dirty, dusty conditions.

9. Drive within the speed limit

When you speed, your vehicle tends to consume more fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a vehicle’s gas mileage generally decreases rapidly at speeds exceeding 50 mph.  Keep that in mind when driving on the highway. Driving 5 to 10 mph slower can help your car use 7%–14% less fuel.  But just as highways have speed limits, nearly all localities have speed minimums for highways.  Driving very fast or very slowly on the highway can be dangerous to you and the other drivers.

10. When possible, use cruise control

Try to use cruise control as much as is safely possible. This keeps your speed constant and helps reduce your fuel consumption by avoiding harsh stops and accelerations.

 

TIPS

5 reasons why your car remote is not working

All modern cars come with sophisticated remote key fobs these days which are much more convenient to use than a key – when they work that is. But when things go wrong, not only is it inconvenient, but it can cause your stress levels to go through the roof.

But don’t worry, sometimes fixing a remote is as easy as changing the battery. And even if it turns out to be something more serious.

So let’s look at the 5 most common reasons why car remotes fail and what you can do about it.

1. No power

Most remotes are powered by lithium batteries which last a long time. But at some point, the battery is going to need replacing. So if your remote becomes unresponsive, the battery is the first thing to check.

2. Needs reprogramming

To work properly, your remote needs to be paired with the receiver on the vehicle. If this becomes corrupted, the key fob will fail to operate as normal. This usually happens because of low batteries, but shock can also cause the fob to lose its pairing.

Most remotes can be reset, so check your car’s user manual for the resetting sequence. If resetting fails to solve the problem, the fob will need to be reprogrammed. This will need to be done by an automotive locksmith or main dealer.

3. Damaged transmitter or receiver

As mentioned above, your remote works by exchanging signals with a paired receiver. So if either the transmitter or receiver are damaged, your remote won’t be able to pair. This usually happens after some form of trauma such as shock or water exposure.

This can be a difficult problem to diagnose, however, since the symptoms are similar to a loss of pairing (see above). Try resetting the remote – if this fails to solve the issue, contact your local automotive locksmith.

4. Damaged components

Most remotes are designed to be shockproof, but in extreme circumstances, the components inside may be damaged. So if your remote stops working after some form of trauma, the chances are that the internal components are damaged.

In this case, it is usually more cost-effective to purchase a replacement remote from your automotive locksmith or main dealer. The replacement remote will then need to be paired with the transmitter on the vehicle.

5. Intermittent fault

Sometimes your remote only works intermittently. This is usually a sign the battery is running low and needs to be replaced, so start by replacing the battery. It is always easier to do this while the remote is still working.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, it may be due to interference with another vehicle or a faulty transmitter. Either way, you will need to contact your local automotive locksmith who should be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly.

TIPS