The biggest threat you face on the roads isn’t the weather or a freak accident. Nope, it’s a person that has somehow managed to avoid flunking their test and is street legal. No one wants to pass judgment, so this post will do it for you – get out of the way, jackass! Sadly, shouting and waving a clenched fist in their direction isn’t effective enough tactics. After all, this isn’t their first rodeo. Because these men and women can impact your safety, it’s vital to have a contingency plan. Here are four so that you don’t end up like this guy.

Show You’re Angry

The worst thing you can do is bottle up your emotions. Sure, it’s important not to let them get out of hand, but waving a hand or using a few choice words isn’t despicable. If anything, they are necessary to vent your anger and help you get rid of the irritation in your body. Otherwise, there’s a chance the brain will continue to think about it and escalate the situation. When that happens, there is no telling what you will do in a moment of madness. As a rule, a long toot on the horn is driver code for “WHAT THE HELL?!”

Think Like Them

Now, this tip comes with a disclaimer because you may have to think like a jackass. Unfortunately, it’s never nice, but it is necessary. The reasoning is simple: it helps to predict their next moves. In many ways, they are unpredictable because they act on impulse and it’s very dangerous. However, there is always a pattern and getting into their head will help you find it sooner rather than later. A good tactic is to go with the opposite of what a normal motorist would do. Or, you can just leave plenty of space between the two bumpers.

Know Your Rights

When you are a victim of crappy driving, it’s best to act legitimately. Yes, pulling over to the side of the road to “have it out” is tempting, yet it’s a terrible idea. For one thing, road rage can make you feel like a million bucks, and then they get out of the car and they look like two million dollars! Plus, physical violence is never the answer, not if you want them off the roads. With offices in every town across the country, a specialist lawyer will inform you about the next steps. A bit of an anticlimax it may be, but it can be as easy as reporting them to the 5-0.

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Take The Road Less Traveled

And take this piece of advice literally because it means what it says on the tin. Bad drivers are everywhere, yet there is a bigger chance of running into one on a crowded road. Freeways and highways are popular, which suggests there are plenty of poor motorists waiting to strike. Although it adds time to a journey, please don’t be afraid to try the scenic route. It’s quiet, beautiful, and there’s more space to maneuver.

How do you like to deal with people that need to retake their driving test?

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Nobody particularly enjoys the prospect of taking a driving test, but everyone has to do it if they are to drive on the public roads. However, what you can do is try to focus on what you can do to increase the likelihood of passing the test, and in this way make the whole situation much less concerning and worrying. As it happens, there are many things you can do to increase the likelihood of your driving test going as well as possible, and that’s what we are going to look at today. Try these approaches to have much more luck with your upcoming driving test.

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Deal With The Nerves

If there is anything that most people worry about a lot, it’s the nerves of taking the test itself. It can be hard to know how to deal with the nerves at first, but the better you deal with them the more likely it is that you will be able to fully succeed in your efforts to pass your test. If you are not sure how to actually deal with the nerves, the truth is that there are many things you can do. For a start, it’s a good idea to give yourself the chance to take a few deep breaths right before the test. You should also avoid anything that is going to worsen your anxiety, such as an excess of coffee. Make sure to also drink water beforehand, as this will help you keep calm too. Deal with the nerves, and you will be in a much better position when you start your driving test.

Prepare For The Test

The more you prepare, the more likely it is that you will succeed, so it’s good to know what you actually need to do to fully prepare for your driving test. There are many things you can do to feel more prepared for the test itself, and it is worth approaching this from as many angles as possible if you really want to succeed. A big part of this is ensuring that you book the test for the right day – in other words, only once you think you will genuinely be ready to take it. If you are curious to know how to actually know this, you can learn more about it here. Get this right, and you will be in a much better chance of success when you go to actually take your driving test, whenever it turns out you need to do it.

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Don’t Skimp On The Lessons

It is obvious that you need to take a fair few lessons in order to hopefully pass your test with flying colours. But it can be hard to make sure that you are taking the right number of lessons. In essence, you should take as many as you need to feel truly confident once the test day arrives – but you also need to think about the quality of the lessons. When you are looking for an instructor, try not to skimp and save. Instead, go for the best you can afford – and perhaps rely partially on local knowledge and advice to find them in the first place. The better the lessons, the fewer you will need, and the more likely you will pass your test on the first try without too much difficulty.

Visualize

If you have never looked into the act of visualization before, you might not be aware of just how effective it can really be. As it happens, visualization is a great tool for achieving pretty much anything, and it is not the hocus-pocus that people tend to think it is. Actually, it is backed up by science, and it works simply because you tune your mind in to gain the thing you are trying to get. In this case, you should spend a few minutes every day visualizing the test itself – but obviously you need to visualize yourself succeeding in it masterfully. If you do this, you will actually make it more likely that this will happen – and this is therefore a hugely effective tool if you want to pull out all the stops for your driving test. With some strong and frequent visualization, you can really make a huge difference to your likelihood of succeeding on the first try.

Remember to take into account all of the above, and also to keep calm on the day. Ultimately, there is not much point in putting too much pressure on yourself, as it doesn’t really matter if you need to try to take the test a second, third or fourth time.

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An SUV is a solid type of vehicle that many feel is the best choice for them and their family. They tend to be safer than some other cars, and they have excellent capabilities for driving on different terrains and in different weather conditions too. If you’re thinking of getting an SUV or you’ve already decided you’re going to buy one, you need to think about a few different factors to choose the best one. Everyone has different needs when it comes to choosing a vehicle, so its important to consider what options you have and how they could meet your requirements.

Consider Your Reasons

Start by thinking about your reasons for getting an SUV. Do you really need one? If you live in a rural area or spend a lot of time going off-road (or on unpaved roads), an SUV is probably a good idea. It handles various terrains better and can offer you the control and safety you need. An SUV can also be good in adverse weather conditions, so they’re useful if you get a lot of rain or snow and ice. You might also consider an SUV if you’re looking for a safer car. Think about these factors so that you know your priorities when choosing a vehicle.

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Set a Budget

You also need to know what your budget is so that you don’t get your hopes up looking at SUVs that are out of your price range. When you’re considering your budget, you need to think about monthly car payments, fuel costs, insurance and any other expenses a new car will incur initially and over the time you own it. A midsize SUV is around $25,000, while you can get a compact model from about $21,000 and larger models go for about $37-40,000. There are also luxury SUVs, which will cost you even more if you’re willing to put up the money for one.

Think About Fuel

Another important thing to consider is how your SUV will run. There are gas and diesel SUVs, of course, but you can also consider a hybrid or electric model. For example, the Volvo XC90 hybrid model gives you a great option. You can visit the West County Volvo Cars site for more to find out about it. Think about cost, convenience and your carbon footprint when you choose your SUV. How much will it cost to buy fuel, and how efficient is the vehicle? Is it easy for you to find places to charge an electric SUV? Is the environment an important factor in your decision?

Compare Safety and Reliability

One of the reasons you want to choose an SUV is likely down to reliability and safety. So, of course, you want to make sure you choose a car that is safe, and that won’t let you down. You can easily do this using comparison websites or take a look at the NHTSA ratings to see how they rate the safety of different models. Reading reviews is useful too, as this will give you a good idea of the experiences people have had.

Choosing an SUV shouldn’t be much different to choosing any other vehicle. However, you have to keep your reasons for purchasing in mind.

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If you have travel plans, wintry weather doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks. Unless there are severe warnings in place, and forecasters and emergency services are advising people to stay at home in the warmth, there’s no reason why you can’t hit the roads. If you gearing up for a road trip and there’s a chance of snow en route, this infographic will help you steer clear of danger.

Preparation is key when it comes to driving in the winter months. There’s every chance that you’ll reach your destination without any delays, but it’s best to be prepared, just in case you need to pull over or stop. Wrap up warm, take thermals, coats and blankets with you and ensure you have a first aid kit, a torch, an in-car charger for your phone and plenty of snacks and drinks.

Before you set off, plan your route and let people know where you’re going and what time you plan to arrive. Check your tire pressure, fill up on fuel and enter your destination in the sat nav. If there are road closures or traffic issues, your sat nav can show you alternative routes. If the roads are slippery or visibility is poor due to snow or heavy rain, reduce your speed, use your lights, and give the vehicles around you plenty of time and space. Your journey may take you a little longer than anticipated, but it’s best to make sure you arrive at your destination in one piece.

Infographic created by IntelligentCarLeasing

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We’ve spoken at great length about the importance of driving safely when you’re in control of a car. Generally speaking, if you’re a safe driver that always watches the roads, and pays attention to all the signs and road laws, then you’ll avoid loads of bad situations. Saying that there are still loads of different things on the roads that are out of your control. These are by far and away the biggest threats to your safety. What threats am I talking about? You’ll find out in just a few seconds…

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Wet/Icy Conditions

The weather plays a huge role in your safety on the roads. Ideally, we’d love to drive around in dry conditions all the time. A dry road is a safe road, offering ample tire grip, and giving us 100% control of our car. But, when the road is very wet – or worse, icy – it makes life harder behind the wheel. Tires have less grip, we have less control, and accidents can happen.

If you’re not careful, you can end up in a heap of trouble on a wet/icy road. There are two things you can do here. Firstly, lower your speed and take things slow. It’s easier to maintain control when you’re driving at a lower speed. Secondly, think about changing your tires to ones that a more suitable for the conditions, particularly in ice.

Other Drivers

For me, this is the most frustrating thing about driving. No matter how careful you are, and how hard you try to be a safe driver, you can’t account for everyone else on the road with you. As it mentions on www.crowelllawoffices.com, most accidents are caused by negligent driving that wasn’t your fault. This means you could be doing everything by the book, having a nice safe drive, and then from out of nowhere another car comes, and rear ends you.

It’s tough to come up with ways in which you can handle this as it’s mainly out of your control. You can’t get other people to drive sensibly, so your best bet is to focus on your own driving. Again, just be more aware of what’s around you or in front of you. At the very least, this might help you slam the brakes on and avoid an accident when a driver recklessly pulls out in front of you or something.

Debris On The Roads

Last but not least, there could be debris on the roads getting in your way and causing incidents. This could be a fallen tree, a box, a shopping cart; anything. When something is on the road that you don’t expect to be there, it can force you to slam on the brakes or swerve quickly out the way.

The best way to deal with this is to revert back to a previous article I wrote about diligent driving. In it, I mentioned the importance of always watching the road and monitoring your speed. Combine these two things, and you’ll see debris before it sneaks up on you, and be driving slow enough to deal with it.

My whole purpose of this article is to show you a few of the threats on the roads that aren’t in your control. By knowing this, you should be better placed to deal with them.

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Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular every year. They used to be seen as silly little things that you’d buy to try and show others that you’re better than them because you care for the environment. Now, they’re a great middle ground between typical petrol cars and fully electric automobiles.

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, and have your eyes on a hybrid, then here are a few things you need to know before you make the purchase:

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They’re NOT Fully Electric

Many of you may already be aware of this, but I thought I’d put it on this list just in case. Yes, hybrid cars do have electric batteries in them that can power your car. However, they also have engines that power the car too. This means they’re not classified as fully electric cars. If you want an electric car, then don’t look at hybrids. The clue is in the name; they’re a hybrid of both electric and petrol cars.

Servicing Will Be Different

Servicing a hybrid car is different to servicing a regular car. This is because you essentially have two main power sources for your car. There’s the engine, and then there’s the battery. As it mentions on the Certified Car Care website, many local mechanics don’t have the skills to handle hybrid car servicing. They trained in traditional motor maintenance, meaning they know real engines and nothing else. So, you need to ensure you find a servicing garage that can actually deal with hybrid cars before you buy one. Don’t assume you can take it to your old mechanic and that they’ll be able to do the job.

You Don’t Have To Buy A Prius

There’s a common misconception that hybrid is a term made strictly for the Toyota Prius. This is because it’s the most recognized hybrid vehicle in the world. It was the car that pioneered hybrid technology way back when. But, if you want a hybrid, you don’t need to buy a Prius. There are loads of other cars out there from different brands as well.

You’ll Need A Charging Station At Home

Finally, you must be aware that buying a hybrid car also means you need to buy a charging station for your home. This is because the battery must be charged up, much like a battery in any other device. Sure, you can fill your tank with petrol and use your normal engine if you like. But, you still have to charge the battery if you want to take advantage of the emission saving technology. So, be aware that this is an additional cost, and you need to have room for it to be installed. If you live in a flat, then this might not be possible for you.

Hopefully, this article gives you more information on buying a hybrid car. You now know it’s not a simple case of just getting a new set of wheels to drive around in. There are other concerns too – such as servicing and charging the battery. I also hope that a couple of the points have answered a few questions you may have regarding what a hybrid car actually is.

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Did you know that you’re more likely to be injured in a car accident than almost any other mode of transport? Most of us get into the car every day without any anxiety, but there are always risks involved with driving. Modern cars are built for safety, as well as performance, but even the most innovative of vehicles cannot correct or prevent driver errors. Mistakes and a lack of care and attention account for more than 90 percent of accidents on the roads. Bearing this in mind, do you consider yourself a diligent driver or could you be an accident waiting to happen? Here are some of the most common causes of crashes and some golden rules to follow to steer clear of trouble.

Monitoring your speed

If you drive on a regular basis, you may have come across signs that encourage you to reduce your speed and stick to restrictions. You may think that it’s fun to drive fast and that there are no risks involved in driving above the speed limit if there’s nobody else around. However, there are speed restrictions in place for good reason. When you drive fast, there’s a higher risk of losing control of the vehicle and the impact of a crash is likely to be much more severe at speed. If you crash at 30 mph, damage to the car may be minimal, and injuries are likely to be minor. If you crash at 70, 80 or 90 mph, the story could have a very different ending. It’s worth bearing in mind that if you exceed the limit, you will be liable if you have an accident and you may face legal charges and be required to pay a fine or even spend time in jail. Just as going too fast is dangerous, it’s also important to make sure that you don’t drive too slowly. If you’re holding up a line of traffic behind you, this can also be dangerous. Use the speed limits as a guide and adjust your speed in line with conditions. If it’s raining or there’s snow or ice on the road, reduce your speed and keep well back from vehicles in front, as your stopping distance will increase.

Image by https://www.flickr.com/photos/zachd1_618/3489625168

Focusing on the road

Be honest. How often do you take your eyes off the road to mess around with the radio or make a phone call or send a text message? When you’re driving, you need to maintain your focus at all times. Even if you only glance away for a second, this can put you and other drivers at risk. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, pay attention to other vehicles around you and always be wary of hazards, such as animals, pedestrians and obstacles in the road. If you’re not looking and you’re involved in an accident, it’s highly likely that you will be held liable. If you need to make a call or you want to change the CD or program in a new radio station, find a safe place to pull over. If you tend to do business on the go, invest in a Bluetooth headset or look for a car that has an inbuilt system that enables you to make calls without using your hands or taking your eyes off the road.

Picture credit http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/15866

Drunk driving

Drunk driving is one of the most common causes of major accidents on the road. Alcohol affects your ability to react quickly, it can alter your mood and your behaviour, and it can also cloud your judgment. You may think that you’re absolutely fine after a couple of drinks, but often, the impact of drinking isn’t immediately visible. If you want to drink, arrange a lift or book a cab. It’s much better to be safe than sorry. If you’re out on the road and you’re hit by a driver who has been drinking, you have every right to get in touch with experts like those at Mirian Law and find out more about claiming compensation. Drunk driving puts everyone at risk, and often, it’s innocent people who haven’t touched a drop of alcohol that get hurt. Legal limits vary depending on where you are, so the safest thing to do is avoid alcohol altogether if you plan to drive.

A set of car keys in the foreground and glass of whiskey behind.

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/99329675@N02/11064883376

Tiredness

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you can’t physically keep your eyes open? Driving tired puts you and other drivers at risk of injury. When you’re tired, it takes you longer to react, it’s harder to concentrate, and you could even fall asleep at the wheel. If somebody suddenly walks into the road, a tree falls, or a car in front changes lane without looking, you may struggle to hit the brakes fast enough, and this could have disastrous consequences. If you feel exhausted, don’t risk driving. Take a nap and make the journey later. If you’re already on the road and you start to feel tired, pull over in a safe place, have a coffee, stretch your legs and get some fresh air and then get back on the road. If you struggle to stay awake, try and avoid driving late at night and plan journeys in advance. If you’ve got a long drive ahead, schedule an overnight stop and break up the journey. It may take you a little longer to get from A to B, but at least you’ll make it in one piece.

Image courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/comapre/7478206746

Most drivers have opinions about other drivers, but have you ever thought about your performance on the road? Surveys show that most people think they’re good drivers, but the statistics would suggest that not everyone is quite as diligent as they may think. The vast majority of accidents arise as a result of driver errors. Although some accidents are impossible to avoid, most could be prevented. Next time you head out in your car, think about what kind of driver you are and do everything possible to keep yourself and those around you safe. Take your time, stick to speed limits, focus on what you’re doing, avoid drinking and take a break if you’re tired.

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