Top Tips for Defensive Driving

Whether you’re taking a road trip or you’re just driving across town, defensive driving helps keep you and your passengers safe. According to SafeMotorist.com, defensive driving is “driving in a manner that utilizes safe driving strategies to enables motorists to address identified hazards in a predictable manner.” When you follow these strategies, you’ll reduce your driving risks by being readily able to make safe decisions.

So what exactly does defensive driving entail? RoadTripAmerica.com has identified 70 defensive driving tips that can help anybody become a much better and safer driver. Here are some snippets from a few of our favorite rules:

Pay Attention

“The next time you drive, try concentrating solely on the driving task. Think of nothing else. Then see how far you get before your mind wanders. Many drivers won't even get out of the parking lot! Seasoned drivers don't HAVE to think about driving much. It's something we do automatically, and our minds are free to wander. And our minds WANT to wander. Have you ever driven somewhere and been so lost in thought that you couldn't remember anything about the trip itself? Is this a problem?

Is this a curable problem? Paying attention can become a habit, but you have to work at it. Make conscious, persistent choices NOT to eat while driving, or whatever you do that takes your attention off where your moving vehicle is pointed. Connect your mind to your eyes and work at consciously analyzing what you see while you drive. We call this "situational awareness." Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us ever do. It deserves your full attention. Mastery of this one habit can almost make you bullet-proof. Not quite, but almost.”

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Yield Anyway

“Right of way rules are often misunderstood, and there are situations where the rules may not be clear to everyone. If there is uncertainty about which vehicle should have the right of way, give the other guy the road. When it comes to driving safely, it's not the principle, but the outcome, that counts.”

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Chill Out

“Remember these words: "It doesn't matter." When other drivers make mistakes, or are rude (even intentionally), what do you gain by letting it affect your attitude or behavior? It doesn't matter. In ten minutes, you won't even remember that it happened. Since we are all human, we can't be perfect all the time. Don't let the error the other driver commits be the reason you lose control (one way or another) and have a collision, or worse. Many collisions occur when a driver is mad, upset, stressed, or distracted in some way. Try to keep your attitude rational, calm and positive.”

Read this tip.

Go Green & Save Green With These Gas-Saving Tips

Gas prices may have been dropping for the past few months, but saving gas is something that can help both the environment and your wallet. After all, even $2 a gallon is still hard-earned money going into your car. And when you can take simple actions to reduce the amount of gas you use, why wouldn’t you? Try these simple tips to cut back on the amount of fuel you’re using:

Keep an eye on your car

Your fuel emissions, fuel economy, and emissions system can all clue you in that something’s going wrong with your fuel usage long before you might notice it yourself. Keeping a watchful eye on your car’s gas consumption can help you identify and diagnose problems earlier on, helping you save money. It also helps you protect your investment - when you catch problems earlier, you  may be more able to take action to fix them.

Pay attention to your oil

Many of us are guilty of not getting oil changes as often as manufacturers suggest, but this can wind up costing you. When you change your oil and replace the oil filter, you help your car run more efficiently, helping you to save on gas. If you’re not sure how often to change your oil, check out your owner’s manual for guidelines.

Go for a tune up

When your car is in good shape, it’s also more likely to function well, helping extend your fuel. A clean, well-maintained car is a pleasure to drive, too! Visit your local service department or mechanic to get regular tune ups to ensure that your car is running as well as it can be.

Inflate your tires

Of course, there’s one super simple thing you can do that will help you get better fuel economy in your car. When you inflate your tires to the manufacturer-recommended pressure standard, you’ll ensure that your car is running as intended. Some cars may lose up to a pound of pressure per month! That can put a lot of strain on your car’s fuel economy over time.

Your car is an investment you enjoy driving - so keep driving it longer by taking care of it! You’ll not only help your car, but the environment (and your wallet), too!

Lookin’ Good! Caring for Your Car’s Paint

There’s nothing like buying a new car. Smooth handling, that new car scent, the look of beautiful, unscuffed fresh paint - it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience. So it only makes sense that you’d want to keep your brand new car looking and feeling, well, new.

A huge part of what makes your car look great is its paint job. Scuffed, scratched and faded paint is what makes your car look old (and can take away from its value). Protecting your investment means investing some time and money of your own, but it’s well worth it to keep your baby lookin’ good.

Here are a few tips from Cars.com to help ensure your car looks as good as it drives:

UV ProtectionCoatings that resist the dulling, chalking effects of sunlight have come a long way. Ultraviolet light still will oxidize a car's finish, but unless you are parking in a barren lot in the desert, the paint on recent models is going to last many years. Of course, you can buy one of those canvas booties that encase a car, but don't look at us when you're fighting the wind to put it on.
CleaningThe best advice is the simplest. Wash or at least rinse off dirt of any kind on your car ASAP. The longer it's on, the more likely that it will penetrate the paint. Cool your car in the shade on a shallow incline; the angle will help channel water drops to points where they fall off the car and onto the ground.
Rinse before you wash because the mildest of car soaps and freshest of sponges — both of which you should use — won't help if there's sand between the sponge and the paint.
Rather than dish detergent, use car soap, some of which is made to remove stuff like wax. When it comes to tools, you don't have to buy a sponge directly from the Mediterranean, but you definitely shouldn't use old underwear (too hard, no snap and … just don't).
Wash and rinse one section at a time so you don't have water drying on the body. Don't scrub that strong-yet-delicate surface. Use long, light strokes that run along the length of your car. Scratches created with circular wiping leave marks that are more noticeable than straight ones. Rinse your chamois or sponge before dipping it back into the bucket to prevent grit from being reapplied to the car.
Dry by blotting rather than wiping. Ignore memories of your dad or granddad who looked oddly happy to be driving away "to dry the car." They likely were sneaking off to a tavern, a game or to anyplace quieter than home. You'd probably have to drive at unsafe speeds to blow the water off a wet car — all the while accumulating new dirt.
There's a class of cleaning product designed to be used after your car has dried and before you wax. Obviously, this is above-and-beyond detailing. Maybe it's even obsessive. But if you've got the money and ego to buy a jaw-dropping paint job, it makes sense to do everything possible to maintain the sheen.
Wax On, Wax OffYou shouldn't rush the rinse-wash-rinse-rewash process, but you're shooting yourself in the foot if you take shortcuts with the wax. This is the thin, invisible layer of material that not only deepens the beauty of good paint, but also is like diaper cream in that it keeps the bad stuff (including a significant portion of UV rays) from ever touching your baby.
The gold standard is carnauba wax. It's expensive, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anything that brings out paint's richness better. Wipe it on and immediately wipe it off.
You have to be careful, though. A lot of wax-makers say theirs is carnauba, but manufacturers can seemingly mix essence of carnauba in their waxes and claim it's the real thing. You want at least 20 percent carnauba in the can, preferably without any petroleum products mixed in. You'll get better results with natural oils.
Polymer-based waxes are great, too, and worth their price, but they still can't equal the show that carnauba puts on.

Read the whole article here: http://bit.ly/1JN4lMt

Tips for Driving Into the Sun

We’re so excited spring is here! Unfortunately, with sunnier days, it’s more likely that we’ll have to deal with driving into the sun and road glare at some point. However, there are plenty of ways to drive safely while still enjoying the sunshine. These tips from AAA.com may help you:

Just after sunrise and before sunset the sun can shine directly into drivers’ eyes, leaving many motorists driving with a glare. This glare can make it much harder to see the road ahead and potential hazards creating an added risk to drivers. When sun glare is an issue slow down and use extra caution especially while driving through school zones.
So how can you protect yourself? AAA offers these tips for motorists when driving into the sun:
Invest in polarized sunglasses – they can help reduce glare.Utilize your sun visor – it can help to block out the sun.Leave more following room – when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the car ahead is doing. This is one more time when it pays to leave more room between you and the next vehicle.Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other driversAdditional tips:
Keep your windshield clean, inside and outCheck your windshield for pitting and cracksAvoid storing papers or other items on the dashboardIf having a difficult time seeing the road, use lane markings to help guide you.Rarely will visibility be absolutely perfect while driving, but if motorists know this and make the proper adjustments, you can minimize any additional risks that come with less-than-optimal visual conditions.

Learn more about safe driving by reading the orignal article at AAA.com: http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/dangers-of-driving-into-sun/

How to Switch Your Car Insurance

One critical component of owning a car is car insurance. Drivers should make sure that they have this important thing covered before they get behind the wheel, with no lapses in coverage. If you’re thinking about switching from one company to another, it’s important that you do enough research to feel confident in your decision. These tips from Edmunds will help you make the most of switching your car insurance:

1. Review your current driving situation.

Take note of your driving circumstances as well as the needs of other drivers in your household. Do you have a newer model car? Do you commute several miles each week to work? Do you have recent traffic tickets?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), your potential new insurance company may ask you all of these questions as part of the underwriting process. You'll also likely be asked about the number of drivers on the policy, your driver license information, and the insurance coverage and limits you'd like to purchase.

Take a look at your existing auto insurance policy. Knowing what you currently have will make it easier to create apples-to-apples comparisons with the rates you receive from different insurers. An easy way to do this is to study your current policy's declarations page, says Vaughn Graham, president of Rich and Cartmill insurance company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"The declarations page describes the insurance you have, including the amount of coverage as well as coverage limits, and the amount of your deductible," he says. When you're more informed about your current coverage, it can help you become a smarter shopper.

2. Shop around.

Once you're familiar with your current policy, it's time to look for alternatives. A good first call is to your current insurance agent or the insurance company itself (some insurers, such as Geico and Progressive don't work with agents). Even if you're not happy with your existing policy (if you think the premiums are too expensive, for example), ask if there are ways to lower your rate for the same amount of coverage, says Salvatore. You may be eligible to receive discounts you're not getting.

Here's a list of common insurance company discounts, according to the NAIC:

• Having safety devices in the car, such as anti-theft features
• Having a good driving record
• Driving a low number of miles a year
• Having multiple cars on the same policy
• Being a student who gets good grades
• Insuring both your home and car with the same provider

While you're reviewing discounts, be aware that switching to a new provider could affect discounts you already have with other types of insurance. For example, if you're already getting a homeowner's and car-policy rate reduction from your current provider, and you then move your car insurance to a different company, you may lose the discount you receive for homeowner's insurance. It may make more financial sense to stay where you are, or switch both policies to a new provider that will give you a rate reduction for both.

Get more information about how to switch car insurance at Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/four-steps-to-switching-car-insurance.html

3 Most Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Driving can be quite a lot of fun, but a car is a serious piece of machinery that should be treated as such. Plenty of “normal” behaviors at the wheel can be considered dangerous, but there are some that are more dangerous than others. Here are four of the most dangerous driving behaviors from Road and Track:

Driving too fast for the weather conditions

Yes, we just discussed speeding, but this merits particular reinforcement. When the weather gets bad, slowing down is the best way to avoid an accident. This goes back to that physics thing. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that. All-wheel drive isn't an excuse for driving fast in inclement weather. When the road surface is slippery, a 3,500- to 5,000-pound vehicle will probably skid if you need to slow down in a hurry. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 24 percent of all vehicle crashes are weather related. That's a good reason to slow down and leave a little space between your car and the one in front.

Drafting tractor trailers

Yes, following closely behind a tractor trailer can increase your fuel economy. That doesn't mean you should do it. Drafting works for NASCAR drivers, so it makes sense that a 4,000-pound car can "hide" in the low pressure zone behind a 13-foot-tall, 80,000-pound big rig. Back in 2007, the MythBusters even proved that it worked. But they also pointed out that following closer than 150 feet behind a truck is really dangerous. Even that distance gives a driver less than two seconds to react if the trucker suddenly slams on the brakes. Other things to consider are that truck drivers can't see what's directly behind them, and the relationship between trailer heights and car hood heights is a recipe for decapitation.

Reckless driving

Reckless driving, better known in many parts of the world as "driving like a jackass," is a good way to cause a crash. This includes swerving, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right, accelerating and braking suddenly, and yes, driving slowly in the left lane on the freeway, among other things. Many states consider driving 20 mph or more over the speed limit reckless driving, which carries heavy penalties in the form of fines, jail time, or a combination thereof. This goes back to predictability. If your movements in traffic are drastically different than those of other drivers, you're more likely to cause an accident. Not surprisingly, younger males are more likely to engage in this shabby mockery of race car driving.

Learn more behaviors that drivers should avoid at all costs over at Road and Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/features/a4418/feature-the-9-most-dangerous-things-drivers-do/

What Do Seatbelts Actually Do to Save Lives?

When it comes to automobile safety, there’s one rule you’ve probably heard since you were a kid: Buckle up! There are entire advertising campaigns making sure that the public knows how important seatbelts are. However, you may not know exactly what these straps do to keep you safe in the event of a car crash. Everday Health is here to fill you in:

• Keeps the occupants of the vehicle inside. “It’s clearly a myth that people are better off being thrown clear from the crash,” Osterhuber says. “People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside.”

• Restrains the strongest parts of the body. “Restraints are designed to contact your body at its strongest parts. For an older child and adult, these parts are the hips and shoulders, which is where the seat belt should be strapped,” Osterhuber says.

• Spreads out any force from the collision. “Lap-and-shoulder belts spread the force of the crash over a wide area of the body. By putting less stress on any one area, they can help you avoid serious injury,” Osterhuber says. A shoulder strap also helps keep your head and upper body away from the dashboard, steering wheel, and other hard interior parts of the automobile should you stop suddenly or be hit by another vehicle.

• Helps the body to slow down. “What is it that causes injury? A quick change in speed,” Osterhuber says. “Seat belts help extend the time it takes for you to slow down in a crash.”

• Protects your brain and spinal cord. A seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas. “Head injuries may be hard to see immediately, but they can be deadly,” Osterhuber says. Likewise, spinal cord injuries can have serious consequences.

Learn more about how seatbelts work and why they’re so important at Everyday Health: http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/wearing-your-seat-belt.aspx