Teen Drivers’ Summer Survival Guide
May 29, 2014
With the passing of Memorial Day weekend, teens now face the 100 deadliest days of driving this year. The school year comes to an end, summer begins and traffic fatalities sky rocket through June, July and August. Why?
One reason is simple: there are more teen drivers (aka novice drivers) on the road. In fact, one of the greatest dangers to teen drivers is other teen drivers. One way to avoid collisions with other teens is to take extra caution when driving through the usual hangouts, especially the mall.
Having multiple passengers can also increase a teen driver’s crash risk. The combination of multiple conversations, phone usage and loud music is common, and all this commotion in a confined space can easily lead to distracted driving accidents. As the driver, a smart teen should make it a priority to get everyone from point A to point B without crashing or getting pulled over. That will earn much more peer respect than driving distracted, carelessly or recklessly and putting everyone in danger.
Another common cause of summer traffic fatalities is alcohol. Not only must teen drivers steer clear of drinking while driving, they must also steer clear of other drivers under the influence. By avoiding alcohol-prone areas such as bar districts and party spots, teen drivers can manage to make it through the summer without an alcohol-related accident.
Since traffic fatalities are a leading cause of teen death, and fatality rates are 3X as high during the summer months, it is important for teen drivers to take these tips to heart.
Engine Rebuild: A Vivid Time-Lapse
May 28, 2014
Not many new drivers would attempt such a feat, but there is incredible value in learning the art of the engine rebuild. Done properly, and with the right guidance, this experience can make teens more aware of how their car works, how to take better care of it, and how to fix it without breaking the bank. It can also teach life-long lessons such as patience and ingenuity.
If you’re up to the challenge, consider investing in a vintage ride, a fixer-upper, or an old fashioned clunker to learn how engines work. But, be forewarned, it is NOT EASY.
Witness the beauty of one engine enthusiast’s time-lapse rebuild:
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 13
May 26, 2014
Lesson 13: Save Lives by Keeping the Roads Clean
Road debris is no big deal for people in cars and trucks, but it can result in a fatal crash when faced by unsuspecting bikers. Trash, gravel, and other common hazards can often be prevented by drivers who strive to keep the roads clean. So, take these tips to heart to save lives this riding season.
Keep gravel off the road by keeping your tires on the asphalt. Drifting into the shoulder can cause your tires to kick up gravel on the pavement, which can then cause traction issues for motorcyclists.
When hauling trash, yard trimmings or any household goods, be sure that everything is strapped down securely. Keep an eye on your load while driving to make sure that nothing comes loose during the move. A fallen cedar branch or lost bedside table could prove fatal for any bikers behind you.
Finally, drivers can keep the roads clean by following this age-old rule: DON’T BE A LITTERBUG! Keep your food, drinks, cigarette butts and other trash in the car until you reach a destination with a trash can.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 12
May 23, 2014
Lesson 12: Play it safe, give bikers more space!
Welcome back for the 12th lesson in our Motorcycle Awareness Month series.
There are many reasons to give motorcyclists more space when following in traffic. For one, they can brake quicker. Motorcycles don’t have as much weight, so they tend to slow down at a much quicker pace than 4-wheeled vehicles. They also face more hazards, and are forced into situations that require quicker emergency braking more often. Road debris, distracted drivers, potholes and other traffic dangers are a constant threat when riding a motorcycle, so the possibility for fast deceleration is always there.
Motorcyclists also tend to notice and react to changes in traffic more quickly than drivers. Because they aren’t surrounded by four doors and a roof, they are more alert. Therefore, a biker may begin braking for a red light or stop sign long before other drivers even notice the intersection.
Since fender benders can result in a fatal injury when the collision involves a motorcycle, it is best to play it safe and allow plenty of following distance. So, don’t forget this most basic of motorcycle awareness lessons: Give motorcyclists more space!
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 11
May 22, 2014
Lesson 11: Roaring Engines Double as Warnings
For some drivers, it can be quite jarring to hear a motorcycle loudly rev up next to them in traffic. Sometimes bikers are simply showing off their engines, however, other times this loud noise can double as a warning when used in moving traffic.
Since many motorcycle horns aren’t nearly as loud as the engines they sit upon, motorcyclists sometimes rev up their engines to make enough noise for other drivers to know that they are there. This can be an effective technique when people in cars and trucks try to change lanes while the biker is in their blind spot.
So, if you hear an engine roar and a biker quickly ride past you, don’t be offended, and don’t take it as an invitation to drag race. This is simply a way of being noticed, and thereby avoiding getting run over by trucks and cars on the road.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 10
May 21, 2014
Lesson 10: Why You Should Always Look Before Opening Your Door
Finding a place to park can be difficult at times, especially downtown where everyone wants to work & play. So when you finally find that coveted parking spot, carefully maneuvre into place with your parallel parking skills, and find your change for the meter, you may feel like it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and rejoice in the conclusion of your downtown driving struggle. However, there is one last measure you must take before exiting the vehicle: CHECK FOR MOVING TRAFFIC BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR!
Opening your car door at the wrong time could cause serious damage if struck by another car or truck, and opening your car door when a motorcycle is passing by could cause serious injury or even death. So, prevent this unfortunate accident from happening by checking twice before exiting your vehicle.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 9
May 19, 2014
Lesson 9: Motorcycle Clubs Are Not Criminal Gangs
Contrary to popular belief, motorcycle clubs (MC’s) are not criminal gangs. In fact, as a whole, the motorcycle community donates more to the needy than any law enforcement agency in the United States. Bikers giving to charities might not make a great plot for Sons of Anarchy, but it’s a lot closer to the truth than any TV show. So, look twice to save a life, because that biker might just be donating to a cause that could one day save you.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 6
May 13, 2014
Lesson 6: Don’t Throw Anything Out the Window!
First of all, trash should never go out the window. Littering is both illegal and immoral. That’s a no-brainer. However, drivers also ditch compostable food such as fruits and vegetables, as well as dump out their ice or drinks while driving.
Now, imagine what might happen if your leftover ice or thrown-out banana peel landed in front of an unassuming biker. Anything that goes out the window poses a big threat to motorcyclists behind you, whether it hits them or lands on the ground and becomes a road hazard.
Another dangerous and often-unconsidered hazard is cigarette butts. Drivers often flick these out the window without a second thought, and they have been known to get stuck in motorcycle helmets or worse (for those riding without a visor or no helmet at all). Besides the risk to motorcyclists behind you, cigarette butts can also cause wildfires.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Hill Country Driving Tips
May 11, 2014
Lesson 5: Hill Country Driving Tips
The weather is beautiful and the spring flowers are out, so take the scenic route safely with these hill country driving tips!
Curvy, hilly, winding country roads are a biker’s natural habitat. The killer combination of low traffic and natural hill country beauty make them ideal for summer rides. When driving on these scenic routes, it would be wise to learn a few tips about motorcycle awareness.
The hill country landscape is a tricky one. Tight curves and hills are great at blocking your view. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain your lane and take extra caution when making left-hand turns.
Driving slowly always makes the road safer. Take this critical tip to heart when driving through the hill country, since narrow roads and low-speed curves can be especially dangerous. Some motorcyclists tend to veer very close to the center stripe when they misjudge a curve… as do plenty of cars. So, it’s always best to just take it easy and drive a little slower.
Finally, when driving behind bikers, be sure to give them plenty of space. The blocked views from hills and curves can result in sudden deceleration, and since motorcycles can slow down much quicker than cars, drivers should always allow plenty of following distance.
Now mind those winding roads and have a safe drive!