by: Matthew Young

A number of mishaps can occur on the road at any given time. When driving, as little as one second can mean the difference between serious damage or even injury to yourself and another motorist. Learn what it means to react in the space of a second. Know what to do, not just immediately but instinctively. Here are a few safety-minded tips and driving guidelines to help you prepare for the five most common driving emergencies.

1. Running off the Road

This usually happens at the worst possible instant. A large pothole or a degraded section of asphalt can contribute to your car’s veering off the pavement. When this happens, do not try to turn the steering wheel back towards the pavement. Instead:

•    Firmly grip the steering wheel and keep it stationary while taking your foot off the gas pedal.
•    Push down on the brake pedal gradually and not too swiftly — any attempt to pump them quickly or lock them may send the car into a skid.
•    When the car has slowed or stopped, turn the wheel in the direction of the shoulder and put on your signal.
•    When there’s a clearing in cross traffic, drive slowly back onto the pavement.

Avoid skidding out of control

2. Skids

A skid is the loss of contact between the tires and the road. Contrary to popular belief, the rear wheels are what cause the skidding, while the front wheels are unwilling accomplices. To recapture traction, steer in the direction you were already headed, or in the direction the rear wheels are skidding. Here’s a checklist:

•    Let up on the gas immediately.
•    Steer in the general direction of the skid pattern.
•    If the car has ABS — an antilock braking system — don’t pump the brakes. Instead, push the brake pedal firmly to the floor and keep it there. This motion activates the ABS and essentially pumps the brakes for you. When you hear a rhythmic click and sense an opposing force — as if the pedal wants to push its way upward — you’ll know the ABS is active. Both signs are normal.

3. Tire Blowout

A tire blowout happens either of two ways: gradually or instantaneously. The difference in the level of the car will change. You may even hear the tire go out. The main way to avoid blowout — which happens because the integrity of the wall of the tire has been compromised — is to keep the tires properly inflated. Inadequate inflation stresses the wall of the tire. An overinflated tire negotiates a pothole by overcompensating with a big bounce. If a tire blows out or goes flat, do the following:

•    Keep control of your car with a firm grip on the wheel.
•    Let up on the gas pedal and coast onto the shoulder or a part of the road — don’t forget to signal — free of traffic.
•    Brake smoothly because you don’t know how damaged the tire already is.
•    Stop once you’ve straightened out — stay parallel with the road.
•    Call roadside assistance or if you have the tools and know-how, change the tire. Only change the tire on level ground, not an incline. Make sure the parking brake is set and use wheel stops if you have them — stones work, too.

4. Brake Failure

Brake failure is perhaps one of the scariest things that can happen on the road. Sometimes it means a faulty or broken brake line. Or it could mean you neglected to get your brakes serviced. Either way, remain calm, keep a clear head and follow these steps:

•    If your auto has disc brakes, pump them to force fluid through the lines and build up sufficient pressure.
•    If you auto has antilock brakes (ABS), push the brake pedal to the floor and firmly keep your foot on it — don’t pump!
•    If you don’t begin to slow, try shifting to the next lowest gear.
•    Slowly push in the parking brake. If you do it too quickly, you’ll make your tires lock up.
•    After you come to a complete stop, activate your emergency flashers and turn your tires in towards the curb or rail. Turn the ignition off last. Call the tow truck.

5. Engine Failure

Sometimes your car’s engine will have difficulty running or simply stop working. If your car stalls or your engine dies while driving, do the following safely and quickly to remove yourself and other drivers from harm’s way:

•    If you have enough momentum and the lanes are clear, signal and begin steering towards the shoulder. If visibility is an issue, activate the emergency flashers.
•    If momentum is reduced or the car was stationary, set the gear in neutral, activate the flashers and begin pushing the car over. Another driver will almost always jump in to assist.
•    If this occurs at night, keep the headlights on.
•    Call roadside assistance and wait inside with the doors locked, especially in a remote area.
•    If you need to get out to speak to the tow truck driver or a CHP officer, exit via the passenger side in order to avoid oncoming traffic.

Safety Tools for the Road

resqme – The Original Keychain Car Escape Tool in Action

Since the overall theme of this entry is roadside preparedness, we would be remiss to not mention a couple important tools. A roadside kit should be in every car — one with flares, a small socket battery wrench, bandages, batteries, and so on — but two things must be addressed. If the car door doesn’t open, you need to break the window. If the seatbelt clip won’t unlatch, you need to cut the belt. Any good-sized hammer can perform the latter, but a product like the resqme® does both. About the size of a key remote and just 2.93 inches long, this lightweight escape tool sports a powerful steel spike that breaks glass with minimal effort. The opposite end features a razor edge enclosed with a curve to cut seatbelts. With both the knowledge and the tools to deal with any kind of roadside emergency, driving will be a much safer experience.

Matthew Young is an automotive reporter from Boston. As a freelance journalist with a passion for vehicles Matthew writes about everything on 4 wheels, be it race cars, SUVs, vintage cars, you name it. When he is not at his desk writing he can be usually found helping his dad in the garage. You can reach Matthew @mattbeardyoung.

The statistics don’t lie. Teenage drivers are responsible for an inordinately high proportion of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that 15-24 year old drivers are responsible for about 30 percent of accidents, even though they represent only 14 percent of the overall population. That means they are almost twice as likely to be involved in an accident than other age groups.

It seems obvious that the most inexperienced group of drivers would account for the highest number of car crashes. While underestimating dangerous situations, following too closely and failing to account for inclement weather are some of the most common causes for accidents amongst teens, a lack of driving experience doesn’t tell the whole story.

Teenage drivers also make poor decisions before even starting the car. Here are three easily avoidable choices that every new driver needs to be aware of.

Failure to Inspect The Vehicle

Most young drivers share a car with parents or other siblings, which makes inspecting your vehicle before you drive even more important. Walk around the car and visually check the tire pressure lights. Driving-tests.org has acomplete checklist of external features that should be inspected before you drive. Once inside, pay special attention to side and rearview mirror adjustment. Every driver has a preference when it comes to mirror placement, and you should always assume that someone has repositioned the mirrors since the last time you drove the car. Pick a fixed object in your blindspot–like a telephone pole or a parked car–and adjust the mirror until this object comes into view. Failure to account for other cars in a blind spot is one of the most common causes of accidents among new drivers. Your mirrors are the first line of defense.

Too Many Passengers

For teenagers, the ability to drive is synonymous with freedom, and that freedom typically includes picking up and transporting a carload of friends to school or the mall. However, the chance of an accident increases with each additional teenage passenger, according to the CDC. Every passenger is an opportunity for distraction and young passengers are far less likely to respect a driver’s need to focus on the road. During the first six months of driving, parents should limit the number of passengers to one. It’s the perfect number for getting your teen acclimated to driving with a controlled amount of distraction without them being overwhelmed by a car full of immature teens.

No Seat Belt

Teen drivers may not have a lot of experience driving, but they do have a lot of experience riding in a motor vehicle and wearing a seat belt. That’s why it’s so strange that teenagers have the lowest rate of seatbelt use. The CDC reports that in 2013, only 55 percent of high school students reported that they always put on a seatbelt when riding in car. In general, teenagers are more likely to take short trips, which can give them a false sense of security about their own safety. Make sure your new driver knows that a seat belt is for every trip, not just high-speed interstate travel. You are just as likely to get in an accident driving down the street as you are driving across the country. They should also have a zero tolerance policy for passengers who won’t wear a seat belt. In reality, no one is too cool for a little safety.

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Over the years, lots of innovation has occurred in the name of improving driver safety. Nationwide programs have sought to eliminate distracted driving habits, roads are constantly maintained maximum safety, and cars are increasingly designed to better withstand accidents. Yet, the numbers associated with motor vehicle accidents remain staggering. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration¹, an estimated 32,675 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. in 2014—down only 1 percent from 2013.

Perhaps numbers like this one have inspired the launch of a number of innovative new products and services in recent years. Some of the newer ways of protecting drivers are attempting to do so by fixing very specific problems. Specifically, we’ve seen exciting new initiatives and products aimed at three areas: protecting drivers operating shipping projects, supplying average commuters with emergency tools, and training young drivers to practice safe habits.

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Protecting Drivers In Shipping

Commercial fleets conducting shipping business account for a huge number of vehicles, and it’s in the best interest of the companies involved to protect drivers. Furthermore, drivers in this business can sometimes operate with relatively high risk. They drive long hours, which leads to tired driving and distractions as drivers attempt to stay busy and entertained; they sometimes travel unfamiliar territory; and the physical aspect of operating a large fleet vehicle can be challenging.

It’s actually GPS tracking associated with the ever-expanding “Internet Of Things” that’s beginning to change conditions for these types of drivers. According to Verizon’s Networkfleet Program², GPS-based vehicle tracking can enable companies to track, monitor, and manage their vehicle fleets. Fleet management headquarters can now see where each individual vehicle is and even monitor the conditions of those vehicles. This enables them to manage driver hours, keep vehicles safe, and even map out the most efficient routes. These perks may appear to exist primarily for the sake of operational efficiency, but that same efficiency makes drivers less likely to adopt unsafe habits in an attempt to overcome poor conditions. A driver on a strictly monitored system is less likely to speed, cut corners, try unfamiliar routes, or stay active for dangerous hours. For that matter, resqme, Inc.’s alertme™ tool can also be very helpful for fleet drivers who do still have to work long hours, or for anyone driving with a risk of growing tired. The tool fits over your ear like a bluetooth and alerts you if you start to nod off!

Supplying Commuters With Safety Tools

Most people know general safe driving techniques, whether or not they choose to follow them. There will always be struggle to get more drivers acting safely on the road. But among 30,000+ deaths that occur annually due to accidents, a number of them also occur due to unsafe circumstances that may not have to do specifically with a driver’s actions. Consider, for example, an incident reported last month in which a driver’s Ford Fiesta gradually caught fire for no apparent reason. The driver and his family saved themselves thanks to a persistent smokey smell that led to their exiting the vehicle. However, in some instances, similar issues can prove fatal due to car issues resulting in automatically locked doors and windows.

The driver in this instance recommended to anyone reading the story to keep a hammer in the car at all times (so as to break a window if escaping the vehicle is an issue). But this is also where some of our own resqme® products can help. The resqme® Original Keychain in particular can be a life saver in situations that would otherwise result in more accident-related deaths, as it helps with escape from seat belts and sealed cars.

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Instilling Safe Habits In Young Drivers

We’ve also seen various companies taking steps to help with the education process as it applies to young drivers. Every young driver goes through a period of instruction in order to receive a license, and the hope is that the lessons learned during this stage will last. But unfortunately, young drivers are among the worst offenders when it comes to distracted driving in particular, and in turn are responsible for a significant portion of motor vehicle accidents.

Perhaps the most interesting company combatting this trend is SmartWheel USA, which has invented a product designed to teach and enforce safe driving habits. Specifically, they’ve invented a sort of steering wheel cover that alerts drivers to unsafe behavior (such as taking hands off the wheel). The wheels also track driving habits so that young drivers can gain a more thorough understanding of whether or not they’re being appropriately safe.

Hopefully with all of these tools in place for various types of drivers, the next few years will see the horrific numbers of accident-related deaths finally begin to decline significantly!

Author Bio: 

Cory Bowman is freelance writer and web designer based out of Virginia. His work primarily concerns themes in technology, travel, and lifestyle.

 Links:

¹National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
²Verizon’s Networkfleet program
³an incident reported last month
⁴our own resqme® products
⁵SmartWheel USA

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Anyone who has been driving cars for a while will vouch for the fact that driving in the rainy season is quite different from doing so in dry weather. When taking your car out on a rainy day, it is very likely that its tires will lose their grip on the road. Your vision will be dramatically affected as well. It becomes difficult to see other vehicles and read the road-safety signs. Getting a clear view of the road also becomes a challenge.

Other reasons why driving on a wet road is extremely risky is because when the road gets wet, oil and grime that have settled into it rise to the surface, making the road highly greasy and slippery. This makes it difficult to get traction.

Wondering what you can do to ensure safe rides this monsoon? Here are few tips for that.

1. Drive Slow

One of the easiest and the most effective ways of preventing an accident on a slippery road is by driving slowly. Reducing speed ensures that a greater amount of the tire’s tread makes contact with the surface of the road, thereby giving you better traction. Keeping your pace steady, avoiding speeding and swerving, and shunning jerky movements at the time of braking, accelerating or turning will also be helpful.

2. Keep Your Distance

You will do well to maintain a considerable distance from the vehicle in front of you as a safety measure. It takes a longer time to stop your car on a wet road than a dry one, even if your tires are of the highest quality and intended for being used on wet pavements. Hence, it is best not to drive too closely behind other cars.

Further, keep an eye out for brake lights flashed by the car ahead of you. It is also suggested to turn your headlights on so that other drivers can see you from a distance. Driving without cruise control will also keep you more alert.

3. Keep the Lights On

Apart from your car’s headlights, make sure you turn on the lights at the right time. Bear in mind that you need not use fog lamps unless the visibility is very poor. This is because the rear and front fog lamps may distract other drivers. This also applies to the main beam headlamps as their glare can also leave other driver blinded momentarily. Use them as you would under normal circumstances.

4. Do This If Your Car kids

So what happens if your car skids on a wet slippery road? Would you instantly start slamming the brakes? While that seems like the right thing to do, avoid doing so. By all means, apply the brakes, but in a firm and a steady manner. If your car has anti-lock brakes, apply more pressure to the brakes but avoid pumping them. Steer in the direction of the skid.

In case there is too much water on the road, your car may end up hydroplaning i.e. the tires of your car might lift away from the surface of the road and float on the water. In such cases, avoid slamming the brakes and gently take the foot off the accelerator. Press the clutch and allow the car to slow down by itself. Keep the steering in the direction of travel.

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5. Avoid Driving When Tired/Distracted

Driving in wet weather calls for very high levels of alertness, especially when driving in the dark. Hence, it is best to avoid driving if you’re feeling tired. If you must drive, then take regular breaks by pulling up at a safe spot and taking rest.

Apart from that avoid distractions such as using the cellphone, talking, eating, drinking, changing the radio station, turning around to hand items to the passengers in the backseat, playing with your children, and anything else that requires you to take your hands off the wheel.

6. Check Your Tires

Driving on a wet road with a defective or a bald tire will make it difficult for you to stay safe. It is recommended that you check your tires for tread wear from time to time. Additionally, get the air pressure checked at least once a month. Ask the car mechanic to rotate the tires as part of the routine maintenance to ensure even wear on all sides.

Needless to say, if you live in a region which experiences a lot of rain, get tires that are designed particularly for slippery road conditions.

7. Driving Through a Flood

Keep in mind that driving through a flood can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious damage to your car.

You never know how deep the flood water can be. If you do not see other cars driving through it, play it safe and avoid driving through it as well. The water may be carrying harmful submerged objects, or it could have a strong current which could sweep your car away.

It is always better to take another (safer) route. If you choose to drive through, however, keep the car at the highest point of the road and make sure your path is devoid of other cars through to the other end of the water. Other cars may stop, which would leave you stuck in the water as well.

Drive slowly and steadily as driving too fast might cause your car to hydroplane. Once you’ve built up speed, try not to slow down as that can result in the water flowing back to the radiator grille and getting into the engine or the exhaust pipe. Either of these can cause heavy and permanent damage to your car.

Once you reach the other end of the flood water, drive out of it carefully and make sure to test your brakes before resuming your journey.

Conclusion

Come rainy season and the roads everywhere are going to be wet and slippery. Driving safely can be challenging as you try to prevent your vehicle’s tires from swerving/slipping. Apart from that, it also becomes difficult for the driver to see the road clearly, and make quick safety-related decisions. However, you can keep danger out of your way by taking necessary and timely precautions. Adhering to the above safe-driving tips should be of immense help when it comes to dealing with wet roads. Do make sure to abide by them and you should be able to put all your wet-road-driving woes behind and stay safe and sound.

Author Bio: Rachel Oliver specializes in laws dealing with traffic defense and related niches. Updated with the latest happenings in the legal world, she shares her experiences and anecdotes through her write-ups on various websites. Interact with her through her Google+.

By Guest Author: Paul Colley

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death of people between the ages of 15 to 20 years in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents cause 36 percent of “all deaths in this age group

A study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance in April 2011 analyzed over 800 crashes that involved teen drivers. It found that 75 percent of accidents were caused by teen driver error.

Teens & Car Accidents: Causes & Consequences

The following three common errors account for almost half of these crashes:

• Teens failed to survey the road ahead to detect and/or respond to hazards
• Driving too fast
• They were distracted by items inside and outside of the car

It is no surprise that parents often hesitate to hand over the car keys to their teenagers. If you are letting your teenager drive, make sure they are aware of and follow safe driving techniques to keep themselves safe on the road. Every teen driver can be subject to legal proceedings for driving or speeding carelessly. The situation gets worse if it is a case of driving under the influence

U.S. laws related to driving under the influence are strict and many state laws have zero tolerance for minors and alcohol. For example, driving under the influence in Texas will delay your teen’s driving privileges for 180 days (minor offense) and up to 2 years in the case of second or subsequent offenses. In addition to the suspended driving privileges, there are significant fines and classes that must be taken in order to get back your driving privileges.

The punishment is more severe with second or subsequent offenses and would likely include additional fines, court costs, and legal fees. That would be the best case, because more often than not, if a third party is involved and has sustained an injury on the account of an inebriated teen’s reckless driving behavior, there will be the added headache of fighting a skilled Austin personal injury attorney who will be fighting hard to secure the rights and privileges of the victim in the case.

Safety Measures: Let Technology Save the Day

The good news is parents can now monitor how their teen is driving thanks to technological developments. You can prevent your teens from speeding, encourage them to ignore the distractions on the road, and better protect them from a car crash. There are many safety gadgets available today that can provide a safer experience for your teens behind the wheel, helping them avoid car crashes.

Here are a few gadgets worth considering.

Hyundai’s Blue Link System

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata, Veloster and Sonata Hybrid come with the Blue Link telematic system. It automatically calls for help if there is a crash. Better yet, Hyundai’s Blue Link System alerts parents if their teens engage in unsafe behavior when driving. It also allows parents to better control the movement of their teens. For example, the Geo-Fence feature allows you to set boundaries beyond which your teen driver cannot go with the car. You can also set exclusionary boundaries for areas you do want your teen driver to go.

Another feature highly touted by parents is the curfew alerts feature. You can set the alert if you don’t want your teenaged son/daughter to drive the car after 11 P.M or even midnight. If they do, you will be immediately notified by text message, a phone call or email. Last but not least, the Blue Link system allows you to set speed alerts. If your teen driver crosses a particular speed limit, the system will contact you.

This system reduces the chances of your teens engaging in risky behavior behind the wheel.

Ford’s MyKey System

Ford’s MyKey system is standard on most Lincoln and Ford models. Using a programmable key, this system allows parents to control the way their teenage son or daughter drives. You can use this key to set a speed limit as well as limit the stereo volume. Better yet, there is an option that allows you to keep the sound system from turning on unless everyone inside the car has fastened their seatbelts. A sound also chimes as soon as the car speed reaches 45, 55 and 65 mph.

In addition, the MyKey system comes with optional hands-free control for cell phones. It can even read text messages automatically to the driver or block them altogether.

SafeCell

This is a very useful Android and iPhone app that helps you keep your teen driver safe behind the wheel. Using the GPS of the driver’s phone, this app determines the prevailing local text message and hands-free laws, and also alerts your teen drivers so they can comply. The best part of this app is that it not only reminds your teen drivers not to text, but also rewards them for following safe driving techniques.

Your teen driver can start earning rewards after 500 miles of safe driving. Rewards are given in forms of points, which can be translated into $5 worth of gift cards at various leading retailers such as Macy’s and Amazon.

Mercedes-Benz mbrace2

This system from Mercedes-Benz is available in all 2013 model-year cars. Common features include speeding alerts and geo-fencing to give parents better control of the way their teens drive. It also comes with a “breadcrumbs” feature known as a Driving Journal. It tracks the records of where and how your car has been driven.

Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 allows you to generate a travel history that appears on an online map. Using the geo-fencing feature, parents can set up 15 geographical locations where their teens are not allowed to take the car.

Conclusion

These safety gadgets come in handy in the time of need. Teen drivers are prone to accidents and gifting your son or daughter a safety device can help him or her stay safe. Installing a safety device or an app is not enough; you also need to set rules and work collaboratively with your teens. Working with your teen and using the necessary safety gadgets will go a long way in helping him or her become a safer driver.

Author Bio:

Paul Colley is an attorney at Colley & Colley, LLP based in Austin, Texas. With his expertise in handling personal injury cases, Paul has recovered more than $50 million for clients and helped personal injury victims fight for their rights.

By Guest Author: Lauren Byrd

Practicing proper driver safety is a very important part of driving. As a driver, you should be aware of proper car maintenance, safety tips, and also how to react in certain situations. A situation you will definitely experience is driving through bad weather conditions. Many rain showers and thunderstorms pop up in the summer, so understanding how to stay safe during these conditions can help prevent possible accidents.

According to AAA, wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes each year. Here are some tips to follow this summer when you are caught driving in the rain.

1. Make Sure Headlights are Functioning Properly

You definitely don’t want to be caught out in a storm without proper working headlights. Checking to make sure your headlights are working before you begin driving should be one of the first things you do upon entering your vehicle. Headlights help you to see the road, and they also help other drivers see you.

2. Check Tire Inflation and Tread Depth

Not having enough tread depth in your tires causes a higher risk for hydroplaning. You need enough tread depth to allow the rain to escape through the tire’s grooves. In order to check your tire’s tread depth, you can use the coin test explained below.

Coin Test:

Take a penny, and with Lincoln’s head upside down, put it between the tread of the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is worn down and it is time for new tires. Mavis Tire has a wonderful “Buy 3 Tires Get 1 Free” deal if you find yourself in need of tires.

Along with ensuring that your tires have the proper tread depth, you should also make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. Tires that are under-inflated can cause hydroplaning and can even cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

3. Replace Old Windshield Wipers

As soon as you notice a difference in your driving visibility or that your windshield wiper blades are squeaking, you need to purchase new blades. Advance Auto Parts offers free wiper installation with your windshield wiper blade purchase.

4. Slow Down

One of the most important tips to remember when driving through the rain is to slow down and reduce your speed. It is not safe to drive through the rain at the same speed you would drive at in sunny weather. Slowing down can improve your safety as well as the safety of other drivers around you.

By Guest Author: Lauren Byrd

Lauren is a contributing writer and media specialist for Mavis Discount Tire. She regularly produces content for a variety of lifestyle and automotive blogs based around driver safety tips, auto service tips, and more.

By Guest Author the Social Monsters

GPS devices and map applications have become commonplace in cars around the country. However, it’s important that they are used safely. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that engaging in distracting activities while driving, such as reaching for a phone or texting, increases the risk of getting into an accident by 300 percent. Here’s a look at the many ways you can safely use a GPS device while driving:

Input Your Destination Ahead of Time

No matter what kind of device you choose to use, always put in your destination before you begin driving. Don’t try to input your location while you are driving or sneak it into your GPS while idling at a stoplight. TheCDC reports that more than 1,000 people are injured every day in the United Sates from accidents caused while driving distracted. You can avoid a lot of the danger by simply not operating your device while driving.

Mount It at Eye Level

One of the most important things you can do when using a GPS device or application on your smartphone is to find the right place for it in you vehicle. Windshield mounts, which use a suction cup base to attach to your window, are a popular option. However, some states have specific laws about where you can mount a device on your windshield, so check your local laws before attaching anything.

Alternatively, consider a dashboard or a vent mount. Both are easy to install and bring your device up to eye level so you can see it without looking away from the road. Make sure to properly install any mount for your GPS or smartphone so you don’t have to worry about it falling down while you are driving.

Choose the Right Device

With so many GPS devices and smartphones on the market, it’s important to get one that’s right for you. A smartphone with a larger screen, such as the Google Nexus 6, makes it easier to read your navigation app, especially if you plan to mount it on your dashboard. Just remember to affix it to your dashboard or windshield and not look down at it while driving.

Keep It Updated

While many GPS devices come with thousands of maps uploaded right out of the box, it’s important that you keep their firmware updated. Some devices update regularly on their own when they have a Wi-Fi connection, so be sure to set up your device’s Internet connection as soon as you get it. By keeping your firmware updated, you ensure that you are getting the best quality service from your device.

Stay Aware

Remember, GPS is just a tool and it can fail. Don’t assume it knows everything that’s happening on the road and that it’s up to date. Not all navigation devices, GPS and smartphone apps update in real-time, so be sure to pay attention to all signs concerning construction or closures while driving. Always rely on your senses first and your navigation device second.

We’re constantly reminded of the dangers we face every time we get in the car. We pass accidents on the way to work, we hear about fatal collisions on the news at night and, from time to time, we read articles on the Internet that link to scary articles telling us that auto accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers in the United States. We don’t need to be told the importance of safe driving.

We do need to know what being safe actually means. There’s more to safe driving than just knowing the universal language of lights and signs. Knowing what to do in potentially dangerous situations is vital, but it’s also hard to practice. Keep the following things in mind when you’re on the road and they might just help keep you in one piece.

Don’t Overreact When I Tell You This, But…

Overcorrection often turns relatively minor situations into seriously bad accidents. Even the best of us lose focus from time to time. Rumble strips exist for a reason. It’s not always easy to stay calm when dangerous situations arise, but doing so could save your life.

In an analysis of 478 real-life rollover accidents, the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine found that overcorrection contributed to 22% of the cases. This means that more than one in five may have been prevented by a controlled response as opposed to a panicked reaction.

If your vehicle is leaning over the edge, just ease your foot off the gas and gently nudge it back into the lane. If you’re presented with a sudden obstacle, be it a stalled car or a frightened moose, a quick lane change is generally better than jerking the wheel in a random direction.

Having an awareness of the traffic around you is important for this very reason – you’ll know if changing lanes is an option. If it’s not, you can always just…

Hit the Brakes!

While it’s far better to underestimate the stopping power of your vehicle, many people don’t know its true potential, either. That may sound odd, but when was the last time you slammed the brake through the floor? If you’re headed straight for an obstacle and there are cars on either side of you – an inadvisable position in the first place – the ABS system is your best bet.

The ABS system won’t just help you stop as quickly as possible without skidding; it’s made to let you turn the wheel as you brake. As the vehicles next to you pass by, holding a slight turn can maneuver you around the obstacle. Keep the above advice in mind, though – overreaction has consequences in these situations as well.

This is all assuming that your tyres are in good condition. We all know that having a good set will improve the handling of your car – especially in adverse conditions – but research conducted by Goodyear Tire and the NHTSA found that tread depth also has a significant effect on stopping distance.

And speaking of tyres…

Know Your Way through Snow and Rain

Having high-quality tyres and wheels is of the utmost importance when driving through adverse road conditions. That’s not all there is to safe driving in these conditions, though, and even if you live in the driest of deserts, chances are good you’ll face them at some point in your life.

The very best way to handle skidding on a slippery road is to avoid skidding entirely. The speed limit goes out the window when there’s a chance the roads aren’t dry. Go as slow as you need to maintain control. Even just a little rain can bring oil to the surface, and the effects of snow and ice on even the best of tyres is always detrimental.

While having electronic stability control and all-wheel drive on board does wonders in inclement weather, everyone should know how to catch a skid. It takes practice, but practice can be as fun as finding your local go-kart facility featuring a “slick track”. It may just be a go-kart, but the skills translate directly to the real thing.

While careful driving and acute attention to the road – and the laws of said road – are vital to the safe operation of an automobile, situations like the ones described above are sometimes simply unavoidable. Keeping a clear head and following the advice you’ve just read can mean the difference between a day at the beach and a trip to the hospital.

Make the right choices at the right times and you’ll hit the beach every time.

By Guest Author: Matt Milstead

By Guest Author: Nicholas Brit

We invite you to come read his article.

Biography:

Nicholas Brit is a contributing writer for OldJunkCar.com, a national junk car removal, appraisal and salvage service based in Brooklyn, New York. Nicholas has a background writing for small print publications on various topics. His interests include working on cars as both a hobby and profession.