Category Archives: Vehicles and Driving

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Is Driving Even Worth It?

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The majority of kids go through their life desperate to get to the driving age. To them it screams freedom, and to be honest, nothing does give more freedom than being able to drive yourself around. No more relying on parents for a lift, or even worse, public transport. There’s nothing better than that first drive on your own, picking up your friends, and just driving round for hours. Now, whilst to some people this is the dream, others put off driving for a few years, and they have good reason to. Whilst there are many highs, there are also many lows. This article is going to explore a few of them.

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Pros

The obvious main positive of driving is the freedom it gives you. You’ll have spent your whole life relying on lifts, various methods of public transport, or walking. As soon as you get your first car you’re free to drive wherever you wish. You’ll be able to visit different parts of the country you never had before, and pretty much gain complete independence. In the beginning, it’s all about road trips and driving round with friends. But as time goes on, you’ll realise how easy simply popping to the shop for a snack is compared to when you didn’t drive.

Another positive is the job opportunities it’ll open up for you. More companies nowadays ask whether you’re able to drive as you’re more appealing to them if you have your own method of transport. There’s less risk of you being late to work with driving, compared to if you were catching a bus or train. It also means you can travel a bit further afield for a better job opportunity if needed. There are also so many job opportunities out there that require you to drive. E.g. delivery driver, carer, chauffeur etc.

You also become a really good helping hand for the people who have carried you through your entire life, namely your parents. They’ve given countless lifts over their time, it’s nice to be able to offer one back in their time of need. You can run errands for them when they don’t have the time, and generally make life a bit easier for them.

The technology being developed towards cars is also incredible. There are now self driving cars being manufactured to improve all round safety. This includes features such as automatic breaking when the car senses you need to e.g. if a car is harshly breaking in front of you. Within the next 50 years, it is predicted nearly all cars will be driverless, and will be a lot safer than if a human was in front of the wheel. Yes, you have to purchase an extremely expensive car to have this technology. But the safety features in cheaper cars is also improving. So if you are ever in a car accident, you’re less likely to gain life threatening injuries.

Cons

The main con is the sheer expense of driving. Firstly, you have the cost of a car. Most people choose to go for a cheap but cheerful one to begin with. This is fine, but then comes the old age issues that will inevitably creep up. Other people prefer to go for a flashy new car. This will either be an outright payment of thousands of dollars, or it’ll be finance. Financing a car is a whole new issue. You’ll have the complete cost of the car, plus a hell of a lot of interest. If you can’t afford your monthly repayments it’ll enter you into a whole new world of trouble. Effectively putting yourself into debt from a young age by financing a car is risky, but so many young people choose to do it. Then there’s the rocketing prices of insurance. For any young driver, insurance prices will be through the roof. If at any point they have an accident, they’ll go to nearly impossible to afford. Prices only really start dropping after the age of around 24-25, and as long as the no claim bonuses have built up. Add on the prices of taxing a car, and driving really is just one big expense that sometimes just isn’t worth it.

Driving is so dangerous. It is the most dangerous method of transport in the world, claiming around 40,000 lives per year. If the accident is not fatal, you’re more than likely to either be injured or very seriously injured during a collision. At some point in every drivers life, they’re bound to have an accident at some point no matter how small it is. Most of the time, accidents are down to careless driving from another vehicle. But it is sometimes very hard to prove this. It’ll be down to a car accident lawyer to help the non guilty driver through a court case. If the accident was your fault, you’ll have to live with the physical damage, and the mental damage if you’ve injured someone else. Drink and drug driving has also been on the rise as of late, further increasing the risk of an accident.

The general annoyance that driving can bring is another con. Getting stuck in traffic being one of them. Highways are the worst for big pile ups, meaning delays of likely 30 minutes or more per journey. Streets can be just as bad during rush hour. This can create a lot of issues, especially if you’re travelling to work or an important event. Then there’s the issue of breakdowns. Most of the time, your car will decide that an hour into a three-hour journey is the perfect time to break down. You’ll rarely be lucky enough to have your car break down from the comfort of your drive. Having to wait for a tow truck to arrive, and paying the large fees for the tow, and the repair is annoying.

So driving seems to be just a necessary evil for the most part. It might give you all the freedom you need, but it definitely does cause a few to many issues.

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And The Safest Car Of 2017 Is…?

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Before it’s revealed, think for a moment about what you think the safest car on the road would be in 2017. You might not know the name but consider some of the features that you believe it might have. You might go completely futuristic and determine that the safest car on the road today is obviously going to be one that is autonomous. Actually, with all the talk around autonomous tech, that idea might not even feel that futuristic. It could feel perfectly normal and almost expected.

Autonomous Cars

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After all, it makes sense, doesn’t it? You might be aware that ninety percent of accidents caused on the road are due to human error. So, you could assume that by cutting the human out of the equation you have one of the safest cars ever built. But there’s a few reasons why this isn’t the case, and no, the safest car of 2017 is not autonomous, although it does have adaptive cruise control which is perhaps a step in the right direction.

Why isn’t an autonomous car the safest on the road? Well, there are a few reasons. First, one could argue that completely autonomous tech doesn’t actually exist. The most advanced form of the autonomous vehicle tech comes from Tesla. However, you have to make sure you keep your hands on the wheel for Tesla tech to work. In fact, a recent update means you have to apply pressure too. So, you’re driving…without actually driving.

Besides, even if you could drive an automated car with no hands, they’re not that safe. Almost every version of automated tech on the market today has crashed at some point, leading to severe injuries and even fatalities in certain cases. We just haven’t reached the point yet where this tech can be considered a safe bet and even if we could it’s not really that affordable. So what other ideas did you think of when you were picturing the safest car on the market?

Luxurious And Costly?

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Yep, perhaps you thought that the safest car in the world would be one of the most expensive. After all, there are stunning sports cars and incredibly powerful cars packed with every luxurious feature such as massaging chairs and every soft material imaginable. But that doesn’t make them safer and luxury car developers don’t actually pay that much attention to safety because they know that’s not what their target audience is looking for. They want the fastest not the safest. They want the comfiest seats, not the ones that will keep them completely free from injury in a crash. The most expensive cars in the world are actually quite odd and can be found on https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/worlds-9-most-ridiculously-expensive-cars/.

In contrast, cars for the masses are developed with safety as one of the most important priorities. That’s why the safest car in the world is not the most expensive. It’s actually available on the market for a cool thirty grand. That’s a darn site cheaper than most other cars on the market. How about who it’s designed for? We bet you thought it would be a car for families.

Family Saloon

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You’d be right, the safest car of the year is a family car. In fact, it’s clearly designed with families in mind to the point where almost every unique feature benefits families as well as ensuring that it’s one of the safest cars on the market.

It provides plenty of room for shopping and luggage and enough leg room in the back for a full family. As such, you can guarantee that your family won’t be disappointed with this purchase and neither will you. It’s also highly fuel-efficient, and that means it’s going to save you a lot of money. Since it’s a hybrid you can even run it purely on electric for up to 65kms and 1433km in total. So which car are we talking about? Well, you can read all about it on https://www.whatcar.com/awards/best-car-safety/2017-overall-winner/toyota-prius.

Introducing The Car Of The Year: Toyota Prius

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Did you guess? There are numerous reasons why this is the safest car you can buy right now. Statistically, it received flying colours on all the safety tests it was put through and had a 92 percent safety rating for adults and 85 for children. While that might not seem great, it’s a darn sight higher than most cars on the road and available to buy today. It also had a rating for pedestrian accidents of over 75 percent. While that sounds odd, it essentially means that the odds of injuring a pedestrian when traveling at the legal speed limit are slim.

While we did say that this car doesn’t have any autonomous tech built into it, that’s not strictly true. It does have reverse AEB or autonomous emergency braking, but it’s important to put that in perspective. Essentially, this means that if you’re about to hit something like a pedestrian behind you, the car will brake for you and prevent the incident. The car won’t be able to avoid other people hitting you though, and if that happens, you’ll need a site like https://www.calahanlaw.com/baton-rouge-car-accident-lawyer/. They’ll help you get the compensation you deserve from someone for damaging your super safe car!

This isn’t the only cool feature the car offers of course. It also has warnings to tell you when you are over the speed limit and it can even alert you of dangers on the road. So, while not autonomous it’s certainly heading in that direction, and with an 85 percent assist rating, it could certainly help you avoid an accident.

Of course, the reason why this car gets such a high rating and has been named the safest vehicle for the roads is that all the features we’re talking about are standard. It’s common for additional safety features to cost extra for the buyer but with the Prius, all the features are built-in. As such, it’s completely affordable for a family to have the safety they deserve on the road with this vehicle.

So, will you be purchasing a Prius this year? You can learn more about how to on http://www.greencarreports.com/. Or, are you hoping another vehicle will blow it out of the water in 2018?

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4 Safety Features To Stop You Arriving 10 Minutes To The Pearly Gates

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Every manufacturer that has entered the race for autonomous vehicles knows there is only one endgame that holds any real weight, and that is safety. Societies, governments, trade unions, researchers, rule makers and just about everyone that has a brain cell knows that driverless cars will not be granted a place on our roads until total safety can be guaranteed, and it is this search for all things safety that has seen some of the most incredible crash avoidance technology become standard in most modern cars.

So, while a future of self-driving cars may still be some way off, a future whereby the roads are safer than ever before is here, and these are technologies that are leading the way:

Blind Spot Detection

To give it to you in Layman’s Terms, the blind spot detection system simply makes you aware of a car lurking about in your blind spot, usually with a blinking light located on your side mirror. The more recent blind spot detections systems will issue an audio alert, as well as apply the brakes on that side to prevent a lane change. Some even detect pedestrians and cyclists, which is great for city driving.

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Lane Keeping Assist

According to a car accident lawyer we spoke to, while tiredness, distracted driving, and reckless driving are among the three main causes of a collision, it is while changing lanes that these collisions occur. That is where lane changing assist technology comes into play because it prevents you from wandering into someone else’s lane for whatever reason. The way it works is through a camera-based system that detects the lines to keep you central. If it notices you steer or veer to one side, it will gently counter you and put you back in the middle.

Rearview Camera

In the same way we can’t remember how on earth we survived without smartphones, we’re not sure how we ever managed without rearview cameras either. Because they are now so standard in modern cars, you may have forgotten their importance, but they have had a significant impact on safety and damage. You simply put your car into reverse and a camera flicks on the dash, helping you see exactly what – or who – is behind you so you may react accordingly. They are immensely handy, but they are also immensely important.

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Windscreen Displays

The fact car displays have been located within the dashboard for so long does not nullify the fact they can distract. You are having to take your eyes off the road in order to check your speed or glance at your navigation system. This is annoying, but it is also dangerous. That is where heads-up displays come in, solving this problem by projecting everything onto the windscreen, from speed to directions, so that you never have to peel your eyes away from what’s ahead. People think that distracted driving means driving while using your phone or telling your kids to stop arguing in the back, but it is any kind of distraction, including looking at your Sat Nav.

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“Pimp My Ride”: The Reality (And What You Should Do Instead)

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Rusted Pickup Truck Abandoned Old Car Oldtimer

The starting point for “Pimp My Ride”

Pimp My Ride was a wildly successful TV show hosted by rapper Xzibit. It spawned the phrase “pimp my ride” to largely mean “improve my car in some way”– which is ironic, given what the TV show actually did to people’s cars. The premise of the show was simple; take a rusted, battered car and turn it into something showstopping.

While the show may be gone from the airwaves, it’s not been forgotten, especially by those who handed over their vehicles to the show. You may have watched a few episodes yourself and wondered how it was possible; perhaps even inspiring you to play with modifying your car. The next time you eye a modification and wonder if you should pimp your ride, it’s worth remembering what the phrase actually means– and why it was the beginning of a highway to hell for the owners featured on the show.

Pimp My Ride Rendered Cars Undriveable

Imagine what it’s like for the car owners of Pimp My Ride. They get the call to confirm they have been accepted for the show. They’re going to be on TV! Their not-so-great car is going to be given a dream makeover! What could possibly be more exciting?

Well, let’s go with “having a car that’s driveable”. That’s not particularly exciting for the most part; the majority of us automatically expect that our cars will be driveable, right? That’s their primary function, so why would someone who’d been featured on Pimp My Ride be excited about their car being driveable?

Because most of the “modified” cars that went through the show were rendered completely useless. Those that did get through their “pimping” and were still able to be driven were the lucky ones. It turns out if you add a huge stereo system to an old and rusted car, it doesn’t drive very well– who knew?

(Answer: everyone knew.)

Most Pimp My Ride Cars Were Illegal

If you’re driving and a car traveling in the opposite direction breaks the line and hits you, then that’s an annoyance. You have to deal with any potential injuries, learn more about the legalities of the situation, and deal with repairs to your vehicle. It’s an inconvenience, but you’re a reasonable person– accidents happen.

Now let’s say you’re driving and a car traveling in the opposite direction has an arcade machine, a TV, or any of the other “upgrades” offered by the show on board. Unsurprisingly, these mods have been distracting the driver. Are you still feeling reasonable about the crash? Or are you furious with the driver, the show, and law enforcement for allowing cars like this on the road? We’re betting the latter– and here’s the fun part: most of the modifications were completely  illegal. They were for the TV show only.

Former winners have explained how many of the modifications were removed pretty much as soon as filming finished.

Modifications Can Be Fun; But Not “Pimp My Ride” Fun

Adding modifications and upgrades to your car can be enjoyable and result in a better ride experience. However, Pimp My Ride is best looked back on as a work of fiction that was presented as reality. Fun, but not something any sensible driver would ever want to emulate!

It doesn’t seem everyone got the memo, though…

So, where does that leave the eager driving who wants to improve their car? By now, you know that the Pimp My Ride method of modification is definitely something that you’re going to want to avoid, so how can you modify your car without making the same mistakes?

Here are a few ideas that will give your car a touch of personality, without breaking the bank– or the law.

#1 – Go Crazy With Paint

The color of your car is one of the most expressive things about the vehicle. There’s a thousand and one pearl grey or metallic blue cars, so choosing anything remotely unusual will ensure your car is able to stand out from the crowd. You could go for an unusual single color, or paint entire intricate patterns if you have an artist’s touch.

There’s a fun upside to making your car’s paint more individual; it means your vehicle is less likely to be stolen. The reason behind this is simple; the more a car stands out, the more likely it is to be tracked by the police or owners. The common paint colors are far more likely to be stolen than more unusual colors, such as pink. So not only can you give your car an individual flair, but also help reduce the likelihood of theft, too.

#2 – Be Careful With The Sound System

Who needs a trunk when you can have volume?

One of the most common modifications that people do to their vehicles is to the sound system. Rather than the often-low-powered system that comes as a manufacturer’s default, people like to boost the sound with extra speakers and sound boosts.

That’s all well and good, but there’s a real risk to playing with the sound system of a car. First and foremost, you could invalidate your insurance. Changing the stereo of a car involves playing with the electronics, which can have a number of knock-on effects that make the car harder to drive. Insurers don’t like to insure cars that are harder to drive. If you do want to modify the sound system, it’s not a DIY job; ask a licensed professional to do the work, and inform your insurance as soon as it’s complete.

It’s also worth remembering that your car needs to fall within parameters of noise control and pollution. If you want to pump the volume in an isolated area, that’s fine, but in residential neighborhoods, you need to keep the volume turned way down.

#3 – Change The Upholstery

The upholstery is superficial, and you should be able to do whatever you want with it without causing an issue with your insurance. You could swap the fabric, install entirely new material, or use dyes to create a truly unique look. It won’t modify the way your car drives, but changing the upholstery does give a personal touch that can look incredible– definitely one of the easiest mods to DIY.

Have you ever been tempted to modify your car?

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Reduce Your Road Rage

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We all have moments while driving that irritate us, no matter how good we think our driving is. It might be something that another driver does, the feelings of irritation we feel when we encounter roadworks, or just the simple fact of having a bad day coupled with negotiating busy roads. While we might all know in practice that cool heads should prevail when we’re behind the wheel, in practice, that’s not always the case.

If you find your irritation with other road users to be a frequent occurrence, then there’s a chance you’re suffering from road rage. While not a diagnosable medical condition, road rage is nevertheless a mental state that has the propensity to cause serious harm– to you, and other road users. Given that safety should be your number one priority every time you drive, it’s worrying to consider that road rage may make you less safe– so it’s definitely a topic worth diving further into.

Below, let’s explore some of the most common questions people have about road rage– and how you can manage yours, to ensure an extra layer of safety when you’re behind the wheel.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage is a feeling of anger or frustration when driving. It is often explosive, resulting in serious altercations between motorists. There have even been murders attributed to road rage.

Road rage can be a chronic problem, which occurs every time you enter your car. Or it might be acute, only happening occasionally. Both are problematic, though there is a particular urgency to seek assistance if you have a chronic problem. Not only does road rage endanger you on the road, but constant exposure to stress could cause you real health problems in the future.

Why Does Road Rage Happen?

There are two possible reasons:

  1. The need for control that many people experience while driving can lead to road rage if something unexpected happens. People feel they have been threatened by another driver’s behavior and react disproportionately to the stimulus.
  2. Road rage is also a manifestation of fear when driving. For example, drivers get angry with cyclists, but it’s more from fear of causing harm than irritation.

Who Does Road Rage Happen To?

Anyone. Road rage is often seen as a male problem, but there are plenty of cases of female drivers engaging in typical road rage behaviors. Even if you’re the most placid person in the world, there’s still a chance you could succumb to road rage once behind the wheel.

What Situations Are Likely To Cause Road Rage?

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Roadworks are a major irritant for any driver, which can potentially put you in a bad enough mood to experience road rage. If roadworks tend to set your teeth on edge and make you drive more aggressively, then it’s worth going to the effort to modify your route until the work is complete.

The majority of road rage incidents involve the behavior of another driver. If you’re already in a bad mood — due to roadworks or just having a bad day — then another driver making an error can send you into a frenzy of annoyance. Being cut off, overtaken, or someone driving aggressively can be enough to make you see red. Other drivers ignoring stop signs or properly observing who has the right of way can also be triggered. Often, the event that causes the anger is relatively small, but is blown up out of proportion due to your existing irritation.

Sometimes, road rage doesn’t really have a cause; it’s just a driver in a bad mood, looking for somewhere to vent their frustrations. Driving when you’re in a bad mood is generally a terrible idea.

Why Is Road Rage Such A Bad Thing?

Being annoyed at something that happens while out on the roads is understandable, to an extent. If someone cuts you off or behaves in a way that you otherwise see as problematic, then your temper flaring may seem like a reasonable response to such a scenario.

However, there’s a huge problem lurking beneath this oh-so-justifiable response: the angrier we are, the less likely we are to pay attention to the road ahead. If you get distracted by swearing at another driver, then that means some of your attention is diverted from the road. All it takes is for your road rage to intersect with another driver not paying attention, and disaster happens. You could find yourself in need of a car accident lawyer to help unpick who is at fault for the damage of the resulting crash– because you were too distracted by anger to take evasive action regarding the other driver’s negligence. Road rage is literally that serious; if you fall victim to it often enough, then you’re going to increase your odds of being involved in a collision– endangering yourself and other road users.

How Do You Cure Road Rage?

There is no possible technique that can cure road rage instantly; the process of recovery tends to be more of a work in progress. If you want to try and manage your road rage yourself, then you’re going to need to investigate common anger management techniques and try to apply them to your own experience behind the wheel.

It’s also important to note that a lot of road rage is more a response to fear, rather than actual anger. If you feel uncomfortable while driving, or are not 100 percent sure of your skills, then these are issues you need to investigate. It might even be worth taking a few advanced driving lessons, which can help bolster your confidence and thus reduce your fear experiences while driving. This, in turn, should make you less likely to lose your temper in future– confidence and calmness have a tendency to go hand-in-hand.

If you ever experience road rage, then learning how to cope with the condition is vital. The angrier you get, the more likely it is that your frayed temper will be the cause of an accident. Acknowledging you have an issue with anger while driving is the first step that will eventually lead to a more careful, safer you.

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Will Autonomous Cars Eliminate Accidents? Don’t Count On It

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There is a lot of hype and excitement surrounding autonomous cars with some people believing that they could take the level of accidents on the road down to zero someday soon. But before we get carried away, there are a few things to consider here.

Autonomous Cars Are In Their Infancy Stages

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You might think that the tech surrounding autonomous cars is highly advanced and it is. However, it’s still in its infancy stages. You can think about these cars like the first laptops that appeared on the market. They were bulky, used a lot of power and were nothing compared to the ones that we have today. Well, that’s a great way to look at the autonomous car market. Right now, there’s only one or two developers of autonomous cars meaning that customers don’t have a wide range of choices. And when they do, there’s going to be significant difference in the level of the tech. Some cars will be completely hands-free while others will be glorified versions of cruise control. As such, the tech just isn’t at the stage where it can be the massive advancement in safety that people are hoping for. If you don’t believe this, be sure to check out the advice that Tesla provide to owners of their self-driving vehicles.

Tesla explicitly state that drivers still need to pay attention to the roads, even keeping both hands on the wheel. Since Tesla are currently the producer developing the most advanced form of this tech, one has to wonder how autonomous these cars actually are. After all, there have already been reports of cars crashing because the drivers weren’t paying attention to the road. That brings us to the next point.

Distracted Driving

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What causes the most car accidents on the road? If you speak to a an accident attorney from firms like Jones Wilson, they will probably tell you it’s distractions. We often associate distractions with talking on our phones while driving. But a distraction can be anything. It could be fiddling with the sound on the radio, an argument going on in the back seat or someone flipping you the bird. Anything like this can be a distraction that could ultimately lead to an accident. Will autonomous cars be able to fix this issue? Probably not because don’t forget, the man who crashed his self-driving Tesla car was actually watching Harry Potter at the time.

But let’s assume for the moment that the tech is advanced enough to do whatever you want while the car is driving itself. It isn’t, but let’s imagine for a moment it is. There’s still another issue that we can’t ignore, and that’s the situation with rights.

Licence To Drive

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Imagine that you’re a teenager and you have just learned to drive ten or twenty years from now. Congratulations! You probably can’t wait to get your hands on a wheel and take a car for a spin. But wait, a law passed a couple of years ago prohibits driver cars being allowed on the roads. Just take a moment and think about whether a law like that would be passed. Don’t forget, plenty of people enjoy driving. You might say, well that’s okay because people who want to drive still can and those that don’t can use driverless cars. Cool but if you take that tactic you’ll never get to zero accidents on the road because human error will still be a factor. Though, if the majority chose to buy self driving cars, then you would see a sharp, massive reduction in the number of accidents. Note we did say, If.

Concerns Of Cost

Despite energy efficient alternatives being readily available to majority of people still buy cars with petrol and diesel engines. Why? Some people may just prefer a true gas engine, but the majority just can’t afford to buy a car like this. Even second-hand, they are still far too expensive for the average individual. So, if people can’t afford to buy a car like this, what are the chances they’ll be able to afford one that can drive itself. For at least a few years, this tech is going to be out of reach for the majority of the buying public.

So you see the only way autonomous cars leads to safer roads is by making several assumptions. The tech has to be cheap, the tech has to be reliable, and the tech needs to be advanced enough to work without human interference. Right now, none of these assumptions are true, and it’s unlikely this will change in our lifetime. 

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How To Plan A Road Trip Safely And Efficiently

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Going on a road trip can be one of the most amazing experiences of anyone’s life because there’s no limits on what you can see or do. If you can drive there, you can experience it. However, road trips can sometimes go wrong and in this article, is going to be how you can plan a road trip safely and efficiently.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/asphalt-environment-grass-highway-239520/

Packing

First and foremost, you will need to pack your car with everything that you will need on your road trip. Even if you’re not necessarily driving for a long period of time there are still many essentials that you will need to take with you to make sure you’re not left stuck at any point. Here’s your checklist:

  • Phone and phone charger (with a car adapter to charge while you’re driving).
  • Water, and lots of it too. You never know when you’re going to be stuck somewhere, especially if your car breaks down at any point.
  • Clothing. Pack enough to last you the entire trip incase you’re unable to stop anywhere to clean your clothes.
  • Camera
  • Something to sleep in. If you’re not going to be sleeping in your car, of course.
  • First aid kit
  • Washbag full of personal toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste
  • GPS or a map
  • All important documents like your passport, visa and driving license.
  • Toilet paper
  • Pots and pans
  • Food that’s not perishable for the length of your trip
  • Toolbox
  • Any necessary medication, and also some NSAIDs in case you happen to have any minor complaints.
  • Music, because what’s a road trip without some amazing music?

Another thing that you will need to do before setting off, is to check your car to make sure that it’s safe enough to drive. If you’re not sure how to do this, take it to the garage for a quick service to avoid any chances of accidents while you’re driving.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/camera-lens-map-finger-7979/

Driving

Once you’re ready to set off, make sure that you’ve got your first route to your first destination planned out. If you’re using a GPS, put the location in and get your road trip underway!

While you’re driving, you will need to make sure to remember some key points so that you can stay as safe as possible on the road. These are:

  • Never drive drowsy, because tired drivers can be just as dangerous as drunk ones. If you’re feeling fatigued, pull over for some coffee and a bit of sleep before carrying on with your journey.
  • Never drive after an alcoholic drink. There are safety laws put in place for a reason, and the best way to avoid an accident or conviction, is to not drink at all if you’re going to be driving. If you’re travelling with someone, make sure to remember that if either one of you has had an alcoholic drink, that you should not be driving for at least a day to make sure the alcohol has left your system.
  • Put your phone where you can’t reach it so that if it rings you will have to pull over safely to see who is trying to contact you. Don’t let yourself become distracted while driving.
  • Keep your eyes on the road at all times. You might be a safe driver, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is. Don’t trust anyone when it comes to driving on the roads.
  • Remember to have your dash cam switched on if you’ve got one fitted in the car, so that you can prove you’ve been driving correctly if needs be.

Even though you’re doing your part to keep the roads safe to drive on, if you do happen to be in a car accident while you’re driving, don’t hesitate in contacting a car accident lawyer who will be able to assist you in claiming against the driver at fault.

Sight Seeing

Finally, the sight-seeing. Breath in the incredible world that we live in and bask in the glory of making it to such a wonderful part of the earth. Don’t forget to take lots of snaps to look back on for the rest of your life. If you get the chance to do something out of the ordinary like take a hot air balloon ride, then do that too!

Road trips can be an amazing experience if you take the right precautions. Make sure to follow this guide if you’re planning on taking a road trip in the future, and most of all, enjoy yourself!

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Gear Up Your Enjoyment Of Biking By Learning More

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If you are a biker, you will know how easily it can become a part of your identity. This is one of the real joys about it, and it can be a surprisingly good way to find some expression for yourself. But it is possible that you are not quite getting everything that you would like to get from your biking experience. In this case, it might be worth looking into some of the things that are worth knowing about in order to get more out of riding a motorcycle. As long as you have a keen understanding of the following, you can be sure that you will get a lot more out of the process.

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Rules Of The Road

Yes, it is basic, but it still needs mentioning. If you want to enjoy riding a motorcycle as much as possible, then you need to be certain that you are clued up on all matters relating to safety. One of the most central aspects of that is making sure that you know fully the rules of the road as they apply to you. A lot of people switch from driving a car to riding a bike, and forget that the motorcycle laws are actually markedly different from the car laws. So if you want to get more out of riding, you need to make sure that you are well-versed on exactly what the rules are for you.

Traffic Lights

Something that is worth appreciating before you set out is that your relationship to traffic lights is going to change dramatically compared to driving a car. One of the main ways in which this is the case is that when you are riding a motorcycle you are not able to trigger the lights as you can in a car. This is because most of the triggered lights work on an induction loop, which completes the circuit when the weight of the vehicle is on top of it. But you are probably not going to be able to do that, and it is worth knowing that beforehand and not being too surprised or confused when it happens later. Be prepared to wait for a long time at lights, as it will become part of your riding experience fast.

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Clubs
There are many reasons that a lot of bikers like to meet in clubs and groups. Despite what you might have supposed, there are real benefits to doing so. Not least is the fact that you will be able to learn much more about all the various elements of riding a motorcycle compared to if you do not hang out with other riders. But you will also be surprised at how much local knowledge you can pick up this way, and often much of it relates directly to staying safe or getting the most out of the local roads. It is well worth joining a local club and seeing what you can discover this way, as it will change every aspect of your ride in no time.

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Driving Emergencies: How Would You React?

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For the most part, driving is enjoyable and safe. Cars are far safer than they used to be, with manufacturers learning from accidents of years gone by and improving standards to a huge degree. The science of keeping cars safe while driving has become so powerful, the modern driver could be forgiven for forgetting just how dangerous cars can be.

Even with all this innovation, sometimes it is helpful to be reminded that there’s no car in the world that’s accident-proof. If any manufacturer ever claims to have made an accident-proof car, then be doubtful; remember what they said about the Titanic? Just like it’s impossible to create an unsinkable ship, it’s impossible to create an infallible car. Emergencies can and do happen — the question is, would you know how to respond to them if you’re behind the wheel when they occur?

EMERGENCY: A Tire Blows Out

Having a tire blow out is a terrifying experience, but thankfully one that most drivers manage to navigate without much damage. How do you think you would react in such a situation?

The reason most drivers get through a tire blow out with nothing but a new tire required and a small auto repair bill to pay is because they react quickly. If you hear a tire blow out while driving, here’s how to handle it:

  • Don’t brake.
  • Keep your hands steady on the wheel and hold them firmly in place.
  • Let the car slow itself by removing your foot from the gas.
  • Pull over where it’s safe to do so.

EMERGENCY: Aquaplaning

Aquaplaning occurs when the surface is so wet, your car tires can no longer grip onto the road. The tires begin to spin, seeking traction, but getting none; your car then begins to drift, unable to find any grip on the road. It’s a dangerous circumstance that can and does lead to accidents. Even though it’s fairly rare to experience due to the individual conditions required for it to occur, you’ll be a better driver when you know how to handle it:

  • Leave the pedals alone; don’t brake and don’t accelerate.
  • Gently steer — more nudging than yanking the wheel — the car in the direction you want it to move. Don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t initially respond.

It’s worth remembering that prevention is better than cure when it comes to aquaplaning. Check your tire pressure regularly, with extra checks on the tire tread if you’re going to be driving through wet conditions.

EMERGENCY: Skidding

Finally, the most common emergency: skidding. Ice, mud, or just wet ground can be the cause of a skid. Here’s a quick refresher on how to manage the situation:

  • As with the first two examples, take your feet off both the brake and the gas.
  • Steer into the same direction as the skid.
  • The car may then react by skidding in the opposite direction. Once again, you repeat the same steps and stir into the skid.
  • The car should now right itself.

Skidding is more likely in winter, so remember to use snow chains if the weather is particularly foul.

By brushing up your knowledge on these potential driving problems, your time spent behind the wheel will be safer than ever.

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How To Lower Your Car Expenses!

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The second most expensive purchase – after a house – that someone will make in their life, is their car. The common annoyance with buying a vehicle is that the costs don’t end when you drive away in comfort. Owning your own car comes with fuel costs, tax costs, repairs, licensing costs and insurance. Sometimes, the costs can feel never-ending!

Understanding the costs that you should expect when you drive your own car can be overwhelming, and once the car is parked up in the garage, you can get creative about how you can save money on your ongoing expenses. We’ve put together some of the best ways you can save your cash when you run your car, making it far more economical for you to be on the road and free!

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Fuel

The first place you can really save money is on your fuel. By driving in a sensible manner, not speeding and stop idling when parked, you can stop wasting the amount of fuel you are spending out on each week. If you are setting the air conditioning on high every day you are driving, then you are going to be wasting your fuel, so it makes sense to try and go without it if you can! You should be able to save money each year by making simple changes to the way you run your car

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Insurance

Car insurance is a huge deal for most customers, especially the youngest out there who are new drivers! By using websites like cheapautoinsurance.co, you can find the best price for your circumstances. Shopping around is important when it comes to insurance, and even when a price looks great there’s probably more companies out there that can offer you less to pay out. If you have an existing insurance policy such as life or home insurance, you should be able to bundle your policies, so speak to your current insurer to get the best information and advice.

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Repairs

Car repairs can be costly, so it’s important to be aware of what your car needs and when it needs it. Self-teaching how to do the minor fixes your car needs; changing oil and lightbulbs and such, will be a good way to ensure you can save some money on your garage bill. Cutting out the hard braking can help you keep your car in good shape, meaning that you can make good savings on your car repair bill.

Cars are a high-cost item to own, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay costly. Making smart and savvy changes can keep that initial outlay the most expensive part of car ownership and the rest of it more manageable. Owning a car is never going to be overly cheap, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay through the nose for it! A car is a way to be free on the road, and freedom shouldn’t cost you everything you earn.

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