Monthly Archives: May 2018

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Craving Cheaper Fuel?

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With fuel petrol and diesel becoming more and more expensive, we’re all looking for cheaper ways to get around, yet we don’t want to compromise on convenience and are often reluctant to use public transport outside of major cities due to the hassle and inconvenience, but also the cost, as often the train or bus will work out a lot more expensive if there’s a group of you travelling.

Today, many people are looking into energy efficient cars, in part because they want to save the environment but also because they want to save a fortune on the exorbitant cost of fuel; others will circumvent the law by using red diesel (tax reduced diesel for the use in agricultural, maritime and construction vehicles) which is much lower due to paying significantly less tax.

Indeed, a large proportion of the amount you pay for fuel is tax, as raw fuel isn’t all that expensive, it’s the tax we pay on fuel that is the real culprit in why fuel is so expensive – that said, the cost of natural resources has increased due to political issues and the simple fact that oil is a limited commodity with declining reserves.

Unfortunately, fossil fuel is a depleting commodity due to this, which means prices will continue to rise as the supply becomes less and less.  In addition to climate change, perhaps this is why so much attention and investment is now being put into researching alternative fuels that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Here’s some interesting alternatives you might want to consider.

  1. BIODIESEL

A significant amount of old diesel cars are fueled on leftover cooking oil, particularly in the Caribbean.  This is a type of biofuel that is usually homemade.  It can offer comparable performance to regular diesel, but tends to produce fewer emissions and is a lot cheaper than traditional diesel.  In fact, it could be free.

There is a more refined version of this process that is commercially available, yet all biodiesel is manufactured from either vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled cooking grease.

  1. ELECTRICITY

The trend with regard to electric cars seems to be ever-increasing.  Electricity is the sole energy used to power all-electric vehicles that draw electricity from the main grid then store it in internal batteries whereas hybrid vehicles tend to be fueled with gasoline (or diesel) and use electricity in order to boost fuel efficiency.

  1.  PROPANE (LPG)

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas.  This fuel has been used for a couple of decades, throughout the world, and costs significantly less per gallon than gasoline yet provides a comparable driving experience to conventional fuel.

Unfortunately, it can be harder to find as not all fuel stations have the infrastructure to provide LPG which can be in an issue when going on long distance trips, but from an environmental perspective whilst electric cars are the clear winners, LPG vehicles produce much lower emissions that petrol and diesel.

In summary, if you’re looking for cheaper fuel then you might need to consider choosing a car that doesn’t rely on fossil fuel and instead uses more renewable energy sources – perhaps one day, we will all be driving around in solar power cars?

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Preparing Your Car for a Long Trip

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Modern cars are much less likely to break down, and if you look after yours well and have it serviced regularly, a breakdown is something that you may only very rarely have to deal with. In many ways, this is great. Cars are expensive after all, and we all want them to be reliable and not put us in danger on the road. On the other hand, however, it means that many drivers are completely clueless when it does happen.

Even when driving on quiet local roads that you know well it can be terrifying when your car starts to break down. It might be a slow decline, with warning signs that give you a chance to find a garage or drive home safely. Or it can be a very sudden halt to a standstill at a busy junction. Either way, it can cause panic. You can feel your heart racing as you try to pull in safely without damaging your car further or causing a serious incident on the road.

Worse than this, however, is breaking down miles from home. Your car failing you while you are on a long journey. Coming to a halt when you are meant to be enjoying yourself, miles from home and in an unfamiliar location can be terrifying. You won’t know where to pull in or who to contact, and you’ll be stuck. Perhaps even miles from civilisation. It’s scary. So, it’s always a good idea to try and avoid such a situation. You can do this by checking your car, packing the right equipment and knowing what to look for. Here are some tips to help you.

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Safety Checks

Before you start any long journey it’s a good idea to perform some safety checks. Even if your car has had a recent service or MOT, it’s a good idea to perform these checks a week or so before you are due to leave, so that you’ve got time to make any repairs that are needed. Write these down and tick them off as you check:

  •    Check oil levels
  •    Check brake fluid, coolant and screen wash levels
  •    Clean your car, inside and out
  •    Check tire pressure and tread depth, not forgetting the spare
  •    Check lights
  •    Check seat belts
  •    Check all engine lights
  •    Adjust and clean mirrors
  •    Clean wiper blades
  •    Flush radiator
  •    Test brakes and use a car brake bleeding kit if needed
  •    Check horn

Packing Essentials

It’s also important to pack a few essentials just in case anything happens. These include:

  •    Blankets and warm clothes
  •    A torch and emergency light
  •    Hazard warning sign
  •    Car owner’s manual
  •    Water
  •    Toolkit
  •    Chargers
  •    Towing rope
  •    Sun protectors for windows
  •    Spare car key
  •    A funnel in case you need to fill up water
  •    A garbage bag

Last Minute Checks

Then, just as you are about to leave make a few final checks and adjustments:

  •    Adjust your seat position so that you are upright and straight-backed
  •    Adjust mirrors to match
  •    Fill up with fuel
  •    Set heating or air conditioning
  •    A final check of fluid levels, brakes, lights, tires and engine warning lights

Then all you need to do is make sure you drive safely and sensibly to reduce risks and enjoy your trip!

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100 Ways To Improve Your Health

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Health and happiness go hand-in-hand! We should all try to live a happier and healthier existence, and here are 100 ways you can do so.

  1. Set yourself small and manageable goals. We often fail when we give yourselves a mountain to climb.
  2. Focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t.
  3. Take a bath. Baths can soothe dry skin while also helping you to relax so that you get a better night’s sleep.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-on-gray-concrete-bath-tub-716437/

  1. Start the day with protein.
  2. Sit up straight. This can increase serotonin and lower your stress hormones, as well as ensuring you do not suffer from any posture-related problems.
  3. Go on holiday – and make sure it is a relaxing one! We all need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life now and again.
  4. Eat whole grains.
  5. Ban all electronics in bed.
  6. Practice deep breathing.
  7. Stop eating in front of the television. You will eat more if you have distractions because you are not focused on what you are consuming.
  8. Find a workout you enjoy. There are so many different ways you can work out, from dancing and cycling to cross-training and playing a competitive sport. Find something you love and you will be more likely to stick to it.
  9. Go to the dentist once every six months.
  10. Learn how to read food labels properly. Just because something says ‘low fat’ does not mean it is good for you.
  11. Don’t eat after 9 p.m.
  12. Make your own salad dressing.
  13. Stop judging others and you will be less judgmental of yourself.
  14. Discover your stress triggers (so you can avoid them!)
  15. Stop frowning. It makes your skin age!
  16. Try yoga. You do not need to be flexible in order to do yoga. Give it a try – you might be surprised to find that you enjoy it.
  17. Learn your family medical history.
  18. Stop being afraid to ask for help.
  19. Reduce your sugar intake.
  20. View every difficulty as an opportunity. If you have made a mistake, find out where you have gone wrong, and learn from it.
  21. Don’t be afraid to have a good cry. You will feel much better once you have let it all out.
  22. Bulk out pasta dishes with greens to make sure you don’t eat too much of it.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/pasta-penne-with-tomato-and-rucola-6461/

  1. Find time to socialize.
  2. Schedule in your workouts to ensure that you have time to do them.
  3. Create a budget. This will help you to understand what you have coming in and going out every month so that you do not live beyond your means.
  4. Stop over-planning.
  5. Make time every day to relax. It doesn’t matter whether you simply chill out for five minutes or have a long bath; you need to have some you time.
  6. Try acupuncture.
  7. Post motivational quotes around the house.
  8. Start listening to your body more. Eat when you are hungry. Rest when you need it.
  9. Try meditation.
  10. Figure ways to work smarter, not harder. To achieve more, you do not need to put more hours in. You need to look at your current processes and find ways to improve them.
  11. Choose quality over quantity when you are indulging. A good quality chocolate bar comes with more nutrients, more flavor, and more antioxidant power.
  12. Follow your heart. You only get one life, so start doing the things that you really want to do.
  13. Smile more.
  14. Learn something new. This can be anything from learning a new language to learning how to change a tire.
  15. Cut out the negative people in your life. If you have ‘friends’ that aren’t supportive and always try to bring you down, are they really friends?
  16. Follow healthy living blogs.
  17. Change “I can’t” to “I can’t do that YET.”
  18. Play more brain games.
  19. Acknowledge bad thoughts, deal with them, and let them pass.
  20. Stop drinking your calories with sugary drinks and creamy coffees.
  21. Organise a date night with your partner. It is important to make your relationship a priority and schedule precious time together.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-couple-holding-hands-842546/

  1. Be realistic.
  2. Watch a funny movie.
  3. Wear sunscreen daily – yes, even when it is cold outside.
  4. Try interval training.
  5. Get more vegetables into your diet by blending them into sauces and soups.
  6. Create to-do lists to stay organized.
  7. Take a first aid training course. Head to cprheartcenter.com for more information on this.
  8. Stop being so harsh on yourself. This is something we are all guilty of. You need to cut yourself some slack. We are all human!
  9. Say yes more…
  10. … but also learn how to say no.
  11. Don’t weigh yourself more than once a week.
  12. Support a good cause. Find a cause that appeals to you. Whether you want to support an endangered species or a charity that deals with bullying is your choice.
  13. Let someone else do the legwork for once.
  14. Be proud of your achievements.
  15. Track what you eat. This doesn’t mean you need to calorie count, but it will help you to get a better understanding of what you are consuming so you can avoid overeating.
  16. Take a multi-vitamin.
  17. Cut out meat one day per week.
  18. Use your slow cooker more.
  19. Remember that you are unique and that is your power.
  20. Clear your credit card debt. Debt creates a lot of stress and worry. If you owe money to credit card companies, make a plan so you can start paying it off today.
  21. Grow indoor plants. Not only do plants look beautiful and, therefore, enhance your living environment, but they also increase airflow within the home, providing a more comfortable place to live.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/succulent-plant-912396/

  1. Start each day with a green smoothie so you can get lots of vitamins into your body before you leave the house.
  2. Pack a first aid kit.
  3. Do nice things for people. Little acts of kindness are great for your well-being.
  4. Focus on how far you have come.
  5. Give up smoking.
  6. Switch to natural beauty products.
  7. Do a mini workout whenever there is a TV advert on. After all, these are regular three-minute intervals of our lives that are usually wasted.
  8. Carry hand sanitizer with you.
  9. Create. Creativity triggers happy chemicals in the brain.
  10. Stop putting things off.
  11. Enter a race.
  12. Take regular breaks throughout the day so you can re-energize and refresh.
  13. Drink one less cup of coffee per day.  
  14. Watch the news – it stimulates your mind.
  15. Get off the bus a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
  16. Throw away your microwave.
  17. Find out the recommended serving size before cooking.
  18. Stop buying processed foods.
  19. Get a pet.
  20. Set yourself challenges, for example, see how long you can hold a plank or how many squats you can do in a minute, and try to break it.
  21. Embrace your faith.
  22. Make sure you have healthy snacks available at all times.
  23. Talk to yourself. It helps you to become more self-aware.
  24. Snack on nuts. There are many reasons why nuts make a great snack. Not only are they a great source of many nutrients, but also they are filled with antioxidants, can help you lose weight, lower triglycerides and cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and they are high in fiber.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/nuts-snack-pistachios-food-12161/

  1. Hang around people that make you feel better about yourself.
  2. Make a list of the things that make you happy.
  3. Write grocery shopping lists.
  4. Use lavender oil, especially if you struggle to get a good night’s sleep.
  5. Express your feelings more.
  6. Drink more water. Add fruit to bring some flavor. Hollandandbarrett.com have some great tips on how to make water more exciting.
  7. Make a list of your goals so that you can be more focused.
  8. Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts at the end of every day can help you to get them off your chest so that you feel revitalized and less stress the following day.
  9. Laugh often. The best piece of advice saved until last!

So there you have it: 100 ways you can start living a happier and healthier life. Follow some of the suggestions that have been provided and you will notice a significant difference in your mind, body, and soul. Let’s all start being happier and healthier today!

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Changing The Way You Feel: Some Of The Obvious Changes To Make

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Life can be one of those things that we can sail on through when it’s going well. We can be happy in our careers, be successful and fulfilled, married or settled with someone, having a family or having positive goals for the future, and just knowing and feeling like life is good. However, in an instant, things can change once more where life can feel tough. A job may be lost, we may not feel physically well or even things like relationships failing or struggling with finances. Men notoriously find it difficult to talk about things when it gets too much, and so the stress of the situation can take over and then things like anxiety and depression can set in before we even realize it. However, there are changes you can make to make yourself feel so much better. I thought I would share with you some of the changes you could make.

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Change your diet

One of the obvious things to do would be to change your diet. It may sound crazy, but what you put into your body, be that food or drink, can have a serious effect on what you get out of it. In hard times, we can be more likely to turn to things like junk and convenience food and wash it down with alcohol as a way of masking the problem and in attempt to make ourselves feel better. The truth is, it has an opposite effect. Which is why things like a well-balanced diet and even attempting to cut out the alcohol could be a wise move to make. Men’s Sober Living is easier to achieve when you have support, and eating well can actually help to increase your energy levels and help you to feel better about things.

Start exercising more

It is important to ensure that you start exercising and moving your body more. This can be a great way to naturally rid yourself of bad demons and feelings you have in the way of stress, anxiety and depression but they talk hold. I understand that exercising isn’t for everyone, especially if you are the type of person that doesn’t do it. But you can really improve the way you feel just by being more active and making that promise to yourself.

Make positive decisions for the future

You might also want to consider what you have in terms of goals for the future. It may sound silly, but often men can struggle with moving forward if they don’t feel like they have a direction or path to take. It might be that your career is getting you down, your home life isn’t so great, or you feel like you haven’t done much in the way of your life. But it doesn’t mean that it is over, and making positive changes and goals for the future can be just the motivation you need to take steps in the right direction.

Sometimes it is difficult to overcome things, but a lot fo the time it is in the mindset and how you feel. I hope that implementing some of the above changes can help you change the way you feel right now and for your future.

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Proven Small Actions That Can Have A Huge Effect On Your Health

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Your health is one of the most valuable assets that you have in this life. The good news is that there is no one else that is in a better position than you to take care of it. Now, most people think that to be healthy they need to eat nothing but salad and start running marathons. However, this truly isn’t the case. In fact, you can get some considerable health benefits from some minimal life changes. To find out what they are just read on.

Walk daily

Walking is great exercise! It’s low impact and so is great on even worn muscles and joints, and it circulates freshly oxygenated blood around the body. If you choose to walk outside you also get the added benefit of being exposed to sunlight which can improve your mood and boost vitamin D levels, which are great for improving your health as well.

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With this in mind, why not ditch the car and walk to work each day? Alternatively, you could use your lunch hour or break time to take a stroll outside, or you could even get your other half in on the act and go for a short walk after dinner in the evenings?

You don’t have to walk miles and miles to see an improvement in your fitness and well-being either. In fact, just 10,000 steps a day can make all the difference.

Exercise for 5 minutes

When it comes to exercising it is easy to think up all sort of excuses. I’m too busy, and I haven’t got the energy, being just two of them. However, nearly everyone can find at least 5 minutes in a day, and you might be surprised that just exercising for this short time is something that can make a massive difference to your health!

In fact, university researchers have shown that a burst of just 20 seconds of high impact exercise with a short rest between, performed three times can improve your physical health. That’s a single minute of hard work! Something that even the most unfit or unmotivated of us can find the time and mental willpower to do!

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Experts say this isn’t even enough to break a sweat, which means you don’t have to change into any workout clothes or take a shower afterward making it a tiny, yet easy way to boost your physical fitness.

Stand, don’t sit!

Next, experts also agree that the more movement you can do in the day the better it is for your physical health. That may seem all very well and good, but with many of us working in offices and driving to work each day, physical movement can be hard to come by.

Luckily, there is something that we can do about that, and it’s swapping out our traditional desks for an electric adjustable desk instead. These clever pieces of tech are desks that have motors in the legs that allow them to be raised up in to a position where it is comfortable to stand and work rather than sit.

This is, of course, fantastic for your physical health as you not only burn more calories by standing all day, rather than sitting but you are also likely to naturally move around much more. Something that can help prevent repetitive strain injury and what is known as laptop back.

Now, some of you may be worried about the strain on your feet if you are standing all day, but there are even anti-fatigue mats that you can buy top help with this. If you combine these with cushioned gel insoles, your feet should end up feeling fresh and comfortable all day, even while you are standing at your desk.

Drink, then eat!

Another great, yet small way that you can help your health is to learn to recognize the subtle difference between being hungry and thirsty. This can be a bit of a challenge for many of us because we often experience them as very similar sensations in the beginning.

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However, many experts suggest that we are usually in need of hydration as opposed to food for the most part when we experience a hunger pang. With that in mind, it can be useful to get hold of a tracking bottle so you can check that you are keeping as hydrated as possible through the day.

Also, always take a drink when you first feel hungry instead of reaching for a candy bar. You can even drink a glass of water before you eat a meal, as this can help aid the sensation of feeling full, and prevent you from overeating.

Mindful meals

Speaking of overeating, it is something that we have all done from time to time. You may be susceptible to this when at your favourite restaurant, and feel like you have to finish off that plate of Carbonara? Or maybe you are sitting in front of the TV and find that you have eaten an entire family size bag of chips without even thinking about it?

The thing to remember though is that our stomachs aren’t that big. In fact, they are only about the size of an orange! However they are very stretchy, and what often happens is that they give off a signal that they are full, which we then override. This means we continue eating way beyond what we need, and this can lead to weight gain and an unhealthy relationship with food in general.

Luckily, there is a way to combat this, and it is to develop some mindfulness skill around meal times. The first way of doing this is to allow yourself to feel your body’s hunger and rate it on a scale of 1-10, with 5 being the feeling of satiation.  

Then, once you have determined whether you need to eat, be aware of each bite and the flavours and textures it creates in your mouth. This will help to slow the eating process down and to assist you to become more aware of how your hunger changes as you eat. This action can then assist you in stopping when you are full instead of overeating. Something that in turn can have a huge positive impact on your health.

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Common Mistakes Made After Being Involved In A Car Accident

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While nobody likes to think about having a car accident, the truth is that car crashes happen all over the world on a daily basis. If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to know the steps that you should take in order to guarantee that nobody else gets hurt and to make sure that you can launch a successful claim for compensation if the incident was not your fault. With that in mind, read on to find out everything you need to know about common mistakes that people make after they have been involved in a car accident so that you can make sure you never make them.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-cars-dew-drops-125510/

Failing to call the police in a timely manner

One of the biggest mistakes that people make after a car accident is failing to call the police in a timely manner. Whether or not you need to call the police will depend on the nature of the car accident. If the crash involved some form of crime, for example, the person that caused the accident has fled from the scene, then you definitely need to get in touch with the police as possible. You will also need to contact the police if the accident is causing potential danger to oncoming traffic. If you or the other driver cannot move your vehicle out of the way, then you need to make sure that you contact the police immediately so that they can shut down the road until both cars are moved. The last thing you want is for more cars to crash because your vehicles are causing a significant risk.

Letting your mouth run away with you

Another mistake that a lot of people made after being involved in a car crash is saying too much. This is understandable. After all, your emotions are going to be running high. It can be hard to control yourself but it is important to do so. After all, you could easily end up saying something that implicates you for what has happened even though you were not to blame. A lot of people get apologetic after something like this has happened because they feel bad despite the fact that they have not done anything wrong. If you find yourself apologizing for what has happened, this may be used against you and the opposite party may try to claim that you were to blame. However, it could be the other driver that was acting carelessly or speeding and you may have not even realized this yet. The best thing to do after any type of accident is to say as little as possible. That way, you cannot end up saying something wrong or implicating yourself for what has happened. If you’ve recently been involved in a motorcycle accident. It’s best to seek out advice from a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer before saying anything that could expose you to liability, as the law can be complicated, and talking even offhand could have consequences. You want to avoid upsetting the balance of your case by saying the wrong thing; instead, consult a lawyer who is well-versed in motorcycle accidents and can help guide your case according to its merits for a successful outcome.

Not gathering evidence

You also need to make sure that you think quick on your feet and gather as much evidence as you can. This can be incredibly difficult to do when you have just been involved in a shocking and traumatic event. Remembering things like taking photographs or getting the required details can be a challenge, but it is vital that you do so. Nowadays, the vast majority of mobile phones come with cameras installed and so you can easily take photographs no matter where you are. With most car crashes, there will be damage to the scene and so it is important to take a few photographs on your smartphone so that you have proof of this. Moreover, if your injuries are visible, you may also want to take photographs of these in order to back up your case if you are intending to make one. Not only do you need to get photographs at the scene, but you also need to make sure that you get the contact information of the person that caused the accident as well as anyone that witnessed it. Witness statements can be very valuable because they serve as proof of what has happened. In terms of getting the contact information from the other driver, make sure you get their name, full address, and their telephone number, as well as the details about their vehicle, including the make, model, and the registration number.

Not claiming for everything you are entitled to

When it comes to making a claim for the car accident that you have been involved in with the assistance of a car accident lawyer, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to claim for all of the damages you are entitled to. Not only can you claim for any pain and suffering you have experienced, including psychological suffering, because of the accident, but you can also claim for any out-of-pocket expenses that you have had due to the accident. For example, you may have been unable to work while you recover from your injuries. If you are self-employed or you are not covered by sick pay, this means that you do not have any money coming in. You will be able to claim for this as loss of income damages. You will need to make sure that you have proof, though, so be certain to record all of your expenses and to keep a hold of any important documents and receipts. Other types of costs that you may wish to claim for include repair damages to your vehicle, the cost of childcare while you recover from your injuries, and any medical expenses or travel expenses that you have had to endure because of what has happened to you.

If you can avoid all of the mistakes that have been discussed above, then you can ensure that such a horrible incident does not become any worse. You will also ensure that you have everything you need to make a successful claim for the accident you have been involved in.

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If Cars Are Getting Safer, Why Are Our Roads Becoming More Dangerous?

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Technological advances have made our lives easier to live. Over the past two decades, we’ve seen inventions like the smartphone, tablets and self-driving cars that have completely transformed the way we live.

Transportation is always going to be relevant, hence why we’ve seen many technological advances that are related to vehicles. In most cases, these advances are made in the name of both efficiency and safety. Autonomous cars, for instance, are designed to make the driving experience easier and more streamlined, and electric cars are designed to fight emissions and make driving safer, cheaper and greener.

Nowadays, cars are safer than they have ever been and this is due to all the advances in technology that we’ve uncovered. Our cars used to be equipped with just airbags and a sturdy body, but now we have all kinds of alarms and sensors that can make the driving experience a lot easier.

But if that’s the case, then why are our roads no safer? With all the promises that technology has given us and the way it has transformed driving, why do roads feel just as dangerous as they were decades ago? To answer that question, we’ll be diving into the subject and analyzing the potential reasons for why our roads are still just as dangerous despite all the technological advances that we have seen.

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Motor fatalities are increasing every year

According to motor vehicle fatality statistics, the number of fatalities per 100,000 of the population has definitely decreased. Over the past two decades, the average has shrunk from 15.3566 down to 11.59 in 2016. The number of deaths has also decreased. In 1998, there 41,501 fatalities that were related to motor vehicles. In 2016, that number has drastically been reduced to 37,461. However, that’s actually an increase from the previous 9 years.

In 2009, only 33,883 fatalities were recorded. This means that over the past decade, it has risen by roughly 4,000 average deaths per year and the number of fatalities per 100,000 of the population has also steadily increased.

What this tells us is that while old driving standards have definitely been improved, something over the past decade has caused a regression in our driving standards. This is evident when you consider that firms such as the Law Offices of Mahoney & Mahoney are becoming increasingly busy. More and more people are looking for reputable legal representation and aligning themselves with local law offices to prepare for the inevitability of being involved in a crash or accident.

So what has caused this sudden increase in motor-related fatalities? Why are we going back to what life was like over a decade ago where safety features were still being developed and cars were arguably more dangerous to drive? Let’s examine a few points that are likely related to the rise.

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The shift in mentality towards driving

One of the changes that we’ve experienced in the past decade is a growth of social technology. Smartphones and tablets have become a major part of our lives, and the issue is that they provide us with dangerous distractions that could cause neglect while driving. There are plenty of people that still text or answer their phones while driving, and while the law in many states comes down hard on these offenders, they can’t catch everyone.

In addition, we’re seeing more and more people purchasing electric cars and autonomous vehicles that are packed full of useful safety features. Sadly, they’re not capable of using these features to their fullest because they’re not skilled drivers, they don’t know how to use the features or they simply don’t have the right driving mentality.

Even though we have hands free kits and integrated technology to make answering calls more seamless and less hazardous, it’s still a distraction and it can still cause accidents on the road. The more technology we have in our vehicles, the less we use our senses to watch our surroundings and the more we rely on computers to keep us safe. Should our sensors fail or electronics malfunction, we won’t have the skill and experience of driving with our senses to fall back on because we’re too reliant on technology for driving.

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Road safety is always the driver’s responsibility

Let’s face it, not everyone on the road is a good driver. Some drivers are absolutely terrible and many have no place being on the road. The world would be a better place if people took safe driving more seriously, but the reality is that very few people would bother taking extra courses or reading up on safe driving just to keep themselves out of danger on the road.

Whether it’s simply driving more on the road so that you get more experience or learning how to drive defensively, it’s important that you put the safety of you and your passengers into your own hands. Learn to drive with your senses and be more perceptive of your surroundings. Don’t just rely on the technology in your vehicle and don’t think that you can’t get into an accident because your autonomous car is known to be safe. Accidents can happen at any time and if you’re not prepared to react to sudden dangerous situations on the road, then you’re going to be at risk.

So let’s conclude. Cars are no doubt getting safer with all of their extra features and sensors. However, we can’t let all of this technology blind us from the simple fact that a good driver is still a good driver. There are people that have been driving for 30 or more years and they haven’t got a scratch on themselves or their vehicles. This isn’t because they’re lucky–it’s because they’re safe drivers that know what they’re doing. If you’re not a safe driver then no amount of technology will help you.

Let’s make roads safe again and bring down those fatality rates by paying more attention to how we drive.

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What to do if Your Car Breaks Down

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When your car breaks down it is always a real frustration. You can almost guarantee that it will happen when you are desperate to get somewhere fast or have places to be!

Aside from keeping your car in good condition, there isn’t much you can do to avoid a breakdown. It’s just a fact of life that technology will give up at some point and you just have to know what to do when it does.

Not sure? Read on…

Pull Over if You Can

The first thing to do is pull over to the side of the road if you can. Usually this can work if you are still rolling and you can just come to a stop or if you have a bit of warning like a funny noise or a warning light in indicate that something is wrong. Don’t hit the brakes at any point, just take your foot off the accelerator and then come to a natural halt.

Once you have pulled into a safe position, use your reflectorized triangles to show your position behind the car and, if it is dark, put the interior light on. You should also put your hazard light on. This will show approaching vehicles that you are there but you should still keep an eye out for other drivers.

Call for Help

The next thing to do is to call for help but before you do, you will need to find out where you are. Try looking for your blue dot on Google Maps or see what the nearby road signs suggest. If you are in a fairly built-up area, there might be a street name somewhere that will give you a clue!

If you have an insurance company with an attached road rescue service, this is probably the best number to call. You should also call a family member or whoever you were on your way to meet to let them know where you are.

If your car has a fairly simple problem, you should be able to drive away safely and continue with your journey. However, it is possible that the problem may not be fixed there and then, in which case you will need to call a towing company like Swan Towing to come and collect both you and your car.  

Stay in a Safe Location

While you are waiting for help, you must stay in a safe location at all times. Though you might be tempted to walk away to find help, you shouldn’t do this on a whim and should only leave the car if you are sure that help is nearby. Otherwise, the best advice is to stay in your vehicle with the doors locked until help arrives.

If your car is not safe to stay in, then you should cautiously exit your vehicle and stand nearby, out of the road. Make sure that you check over your shoulder before opening your door, especially if you are on a busy main road. You must not leave your vehicle so try not to go too far.

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Steps You Need to Follow When Designing your Technology Product

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If you need to design a new tech product or if you have a plan in mind and you want to develop it then there are a ton of things that you need to think about. After all, you need to think about the purpose of the product and you also need to think about how you are going to market it as well. If you want to make the whole thing easier, then you can find out everything you need to know, right here.

Define your Goals

The very first thing that you should always do when you are designing your product is outline all of the details. This includes your features, the function of the technology and even the size of it as well. Remember that when you are developing a new product, a lot of thought needs to be put into pushing limits but you do need to compromise at times as well. You can’t have everything. When you are designing a new wearable tech product for example, you may need to think about the size of it and this may be the highest priority that you have but you also need to think about the battery life and if this is going to be compromised by having a smaller product.

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Designing

You will also need to have an electrical engineer who can help you to design all of the products you need as well. This includes the microchips, the display sensor and more. This will all depend on the specifications that you have in your initial goals. Don’t be surprised if an engineer is able to build everything in a schematic circuit because this is usually how things are done and your engineer may even need to run a computer-based simulation to make sure that everything is working out as well. Sites like https://www.altium.com/ are great for this and you’d be surprised at how helpful they can be at every stage of the process.

Prototypes

Your engineer is more than able to specify the PCB designs that you need and they will also be able to create a few units for testing as well. When you have all of this sorted out you can then break down the electronic prototyping into two different steps. You can do this by making the PCB and then attaching the components afterwards. You need a lot of experience to do this.

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Evaluating

So when you have absolutely everything sorted out you can then move on to getting the rest of your design finalised. It is more than possible for you to choose your colour scheme at this point and you can also work with the marketing team to try and find a way to make your technology stand out from the rest. Of course, this is also your chance to make a change to the technology that you have at this point and it’s also possible for you to start producing on a mass basis as well if you have everything in place.

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Get A Gorgeous Garden Without The Backbreaking Work

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If you have ever spent an hour or two outside pulling weeds, painting the garden fence, or laying some decking, you will know that keeping your garden in tip-top condition can be an exhausting activity! In fact, with all that bending over and heavy lifting work it can feel like it’s backbreaking. However, there is a way to have a gorgeous garden while minimizing the work you have to do to keep it that way. Keep reading to find out more.

Fake grass

Now, some folks are dead set against using fake grass in their garden because they think of it as cheap looking and rough. However, there has been some real improvement in this area recently, and you can now get a product that is soft and realistic looking, as well as easy to maintain.

After all, there is no mowing or weeding that needs to be done if you have fake grass, and if it gets dirty for any reason a quick hose and brush down is all it takes to look perfect again. Then there is the advantage that no matter how hot the weather, your lawn will always be that lush shade of green, making it something that low maintenance gardeners should consider.

Coat your deck

Next, those with decks in their garden will know that there is nothing nicer than to sit out on them as the sun goes down, and enjoy a drink. However, those folks will also know that maintaining a deck is a lot of work.

The main reason for this is the decking is made from wood, and this means it is vulnerable to weathering, rotting, and becoming unsightly and unsafe because of its position outdoors.

Luckily, there are things like asphalt coating that can be applied on top of a deck to seal and protect from the elements. Such coatings also come in a range of colors can be used to cover over unsightly weathering, making them a valuable weapon in the fight for an attractive yet still low maintenance garden.

Use seed mixes

The glorious burst of color that flowers produce in your garden can be a real joy. However, the back-breaking work of kneeling down to dig out the weeds and plant them in can be something that puts many gardens off this activity.

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Happily, there is something that can make planting way easier, and its to use a seed shaker that contains a mix of flowers. These come in all sort of varies and even in particular colours way that you can match to your garden design. All you need to do is plant them, and then sprinkle some compost and water over the area! Easy!

Install irrigation

If lugging heavy watering cans or dragging weighty hoses around your garden of an evening isn’t your idea of a good time, then why not consider getting a professional to install some hidden irrigation?

Such a device can make gardening so much more straightforward because not only do you escape have to do the grunt work yourself, but you can also program it to be done automatically even if you are not home. This is an advantage that will certainly help you to create the most gorgeous of gardens with the minimum of work.

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