Siri Vs. Safety
March 16, 2014
Apple’s favorite femme-bot, Siri, may help prevent distracted driving in future cars. Or, she may help promote it. There’s two sides to every story, and in this case it’s Apple versus the safety experts.
Apple revealed its new CarPlay technology at a recent auto show – a sort of auto app that integrates smartphone technology with the common car’s center-stack controls. In the Volvo, for example, the vertical center touch screen is transformed into an enlarged copy of the iPhone, with digital climate controls on either side. The essential driving apps are all there for you – including music, maps, podcasts and third-party music streaming – and the ever-present Siri is there to help you use them while keeping your eyes on the road. However, Apple has not said whether apps such as facebook and twitter will be available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kqgrGho4aYM
9 Years in Prison After Texting While Driving
March 15, 2014
A 22-year old was texting while driving one day… His decision left a scene of damage, destruction and death. Now he’ll spend at least nine years in prison.
America’s Most Wanted: A Good Mechanic
March 14, 2014
Much like the elusive unicorn or shaved-butt yeti, a trustworthy mechanic is a rare specimen. However, they do exist and hunting down a good one is of the utmost importance.
Getting ripped off is always a concern, and ensuring a long life for your car is obviously important. But, it’s not just the vehicle’s life you should be worried about. A good mechanic will make your own life safer by preventing breakdowns and blowouts before they occur, as well as addressing visibility and traction issues. They will check seemingly trivial yet incredibly important items such as wipers, lights, brakes, tires and fluids – all the essentials. Some will even do these checks for free when you bring the car in for a routine oil change.
So, if you want to ensure a long life for yourself and your car – without breaking the bank – then let the hunt for a good mechanic begin!
Glow-in-the-dark Roadkill Solution
March 14, 2014
Rudolph may have a bright nose, but reindeer in Finland are known to glow in the dark. Thanks to a newly developed reflective paint, the number accidents caused by road-crossing reindeer is sure to go down. Now available online, this accident-preventing paint may begin appearing in deer-saturated areas across the U.S., as well as on neighborhood pets prone to escaping into nearby roadways.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/20/finnish-reindeer-glow-in-dark-accident-prevention/
LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY!
March 13, 2014
When learning how to drive, we all must study the basic rules of the road. One of these basics is the use of the left lane. Even though everyone learns that the left lane is for passing, people often seem to forget. The government has invested in plenty of “LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY” signs on our interstates and highways, and yet people continue to sit in the left lane for long stretches of road.
The left lane cruisers are more than just annoying, they are unlawful and a detriment to traffic flow. In fact, many states have specific “keep right” laws, and recently in Georgia a new bill passed to go after left lane sitters.
So, don’t be that guy. If you’re driving slower than the speed of traffic, then keep right. If you need to pass a car, then pass on the left and then move it back over. This simple courtesy can prevent road rage and traffic buildup, and possibly give you a few karma points.
A Future Full of Potholes?
March 13, 2014
Drivers can expect to seriously struggle with potholes in the coming years. Unless someone steps up to the plate and provides big money for long-neglected roadway maintenance, the cracks and potholes will continue to get worse. The American Trucking Associations offered to pay a higher tax on diesel fuel to help fund road repairs, however many lawmakers want to lower taxes federally and let the states find funding through tolling and local sales taxes. Read the full story here:
https://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2014/2/13/Congressmendiffergreatlyonraisingfueltaxes.aspx
What You Need to Know About Tire Blowouts
March 12, 2014
A tire blow out could send your vehicle rolling off the interstate in the blink of an eye. And to think, the simple “penny trick” could easily prevent this potentially fatal crash. Learn how to prevent blow outs, as well as how to react to blow outs from the good people at the National Safety Commission.
http://alerts.nationalsafetycommission.com/2012/02/how-to-handle-tire-blow-outs.html
Backup Cameras to be Required by Federal Law
March 10, 2014
How much is a child’s life worth? Probably more than $500, right? Well, new legislation requiring backup cameras on all future cars and trucks could save countless lives.
The roughly $500 camera system would make it easier to detect children, pets and pedestrians that would otherwise go unseen by rearview mirrors. That’s less money than a trip to the doctor, or even a trip to the vet. It’s also cheaper than paying for bodywork after backing into a telephone pole.
The government is currently reviewing the rules, however many automakers are already using these cameras in their new models – luxury cars and affordable cars alike.
Texting While Driving Accidents Drastically Underreported
March 10, 2014
Texting while driving is an ever-increasing concern among safety experts. However, a new study by the National Safety Council revealed that this problem is actually much worse than it appears. While 50% of accidents were caused by drivers who admitted cell phone use, the official report showed very convincing evidence that cell phone-related accidents were vastly underreported.
Provided by Nationwide Insurance