Roadside Assistance Program

Drivers who talk on a cell phone are impaired to the same extent as an intoxicated driver with blood alcohol of .08. Unfortunately, this is one of the many distractions that teenagers face while driving. They tend to multi-task behind the wheel, which puts them at risk for accidents that could harm themselves and others.

Teenagers have even more to deal with in modern times. They use iPods, switch CD’s, and are distracted by all of the technology on the dashboards of modern vehicles. Another dangerous activity is text messaging while their driving. One out of five teens admit that they have text messaged while driving. With these kinds of statistics, it is essential for teens to be covered by a roadside assistance program.

According to experts, our brains don’t have the capability to drive and multi-task because driving is unpredictable. You never know when a deer might jump out in the road, or a cyclist might swerve in front of you. These events are dangerous, especially if the driver is distracted.

With the distractions of modern times we need to do whatever we can to keep teenage drivers safe. Parents can help by making rules, and purchasing emergency roadside assistance for their teens.

It was almost laughable to hear the Energy Information Administration predict just over a month ago that gas prices would average about $2.23 during the peak summer driving months, and that it would max out at $2.30.

Since Memorial Day, fuel prices have steadily climbed, finally reaching $2.51 today, says AAA. Of course, these prices are nothing compared to the $4 per gallon at the same time last year. However, there is concern because we are all now aware of just how fragile the economy really is and the ability for high gas prices to cause tremendous ripple effects.

The average fuel price has risen 44 cents just in the last month, however this doesn’t mean that we are destined to go back to gas at $4 per gallon. Also, it is important to note that all analysts tend to have spotty records when they are trying to predict gas fluctuations.

We never really know what the future of gas prices will be. All motorists can do is protect themselves by purchasing roadside assistance programs in case of an emergency.

Many people believe that hydrogen cars are like science fiction, a technology as murky as the things that drive them. However, despite some obstacles, such as producing a fueling infrastructure, the big carmakers and Uncle Sam are fans of hydrogen cars and are driving all the way across the country in a fleet of these vehicles to prove they work.

Evangelists of hydrogen left Portland, Maine to take their fleet to 31 cities throughout 18 states during this “Hydrogen Road Tour.” Although hydrogen is considered the most common element, it can be pretty difficult to find when your fuel gauge is on empty. In fact, this could keep roadside assistance companies busy because there are only 62 hydrogen stations throughout the nation. That’s why the fleet is using portable fueling stations to fuel up.

The National Hydrogen Association and the Department of Energy joined together with the Fuel Cell Partnership in putting the tour together. Their hope is to convince Americans that hydrogen is a practical fuel on the verge of commercialization. However, the technology necessary for these cars to end up on roads already exists. It is not a matter of if hydrogen powered cars will be commercially available, but when.

In today’s world, the divide between new and used cars are less distinct because of certified pre-owned programs that manufacturers support. Now, consumers can purchase luxury vehicles that appear to be brand new.

Mercedes Benz was the first auto manufacturer to offer a certification program that was comprehensive in 1989. Lexus then began a certified pre-owned program in 1993, and since then over 30 car manufacturers have introduced similar programs.

Buying a pre-owned vehicle is now a savvy alternative that allows motorists to minimize their risk and maximize their value. That’s because these programs take the hottest pre-owned vehicles, recondition them, add an auto warranty, and sell them. No matter what your budget is, you will enjoy spending less money on a depreciating asset. This allows you to put your cash towards a better use, such as maintenance costs and roadside assistance.

The certified-pre owned car market has revolutionized the car market. Consumers are realizing that they can get a luxury vehicle that is like new, complete with an auto warranty and peace of mind. This is a great option for any car shopper.

Many motorists struggle to find a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy. While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop. So, which one is better?

You will find several advantages to going to the dealership for repairs. First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment. Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold. This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it. Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are good at diagnosis and repairs.

Independent shops also have advantages. Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service. Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars. Also, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts. Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.

There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops. Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is. The important thing is to find a shop so that car maintenance can be performed regularly and in case you need to be towed by roadside assistance.

We’ve all been there.  You encounter another driver who loses his temper and elicits road rage directed at you.  And the result is that you yourself become enraged.  Road rage has become a sort of cultural phenomenon that occurs all over the nation. Sometimes road rage even results in accidents that require roadside assistance.

People living in major metropolitan areas on the east or west coast elicit the worst road rage.  Drivers in the Northwest or Midwest tend to be more laid back and don’t experience as much road rage.  According to a study conducted nationwide, the city with the most aggressive driving is Miami, for the second year in a row.  The next worse was New York, followed by Boston, Los Angeles and Washington.  These cities experience the most traffic, and therefore, aggressive driving.

Data also shows that it isn’t just the increase in the number of drivers that is responsible for road rage; it is the increase in the age of drivers.  The senior population is the fastest growing demographic in the nation, which means seniors need to be able to adjust to aggressive drivers and crowded roadways.

There are several things that all drivers can do to avoid road rage.  First of all, people shouldn’t offend other drivers.  This includes tailgating, cutting people off, and making gestures.  In addition, drivers who are at risk for rage should take a minute to adjust their attitudes and put themselves in the shoes of other drivers.

Many companies have offered ride-sharing sites on the Internet that help fill seats in people’s cars and conserve gas use and greenhouse gasses, however, Avego.com has the big advantage of being affiliated with iPhone.

This downloadable application lets motorists create a social network of vehicles and passengers who are traveling in the same direction. In this way, its goal is to cut back on the safety concerns and anonymity of ride sharing. Rather than riding in a car with a complete stranger, this program tries to put people together and acquaint them in a more reliable way.

In addition, the program’s goal is to have an established network so that Avego users determine points for pickup and drop-off. Yet, while the idea is certainly intriguing, it will need to be demonstrated in the real world before it will be determined if it is more successful than any other ride-sharing networks online.

Just keep in mind, it always feels safer to be in a car with passengers, but you still need a good roadside assistance program in case of breakdowns. After all, you don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road, no matter how many people are there to help.

Many drivers don’t realize that buying a less-expensive vehicle model can actually end up costing you more in the long run than a model that is more-expensive up front.

One example of this is a Mitsubishi Lancer vs. a Mini Cooper Clubman. A new Lancer costs around $17,500, which is $5,000 less than the initial cost of the Mini Cooper. Yet, when you consider what ownership costs will be with each vehicle, the Mitsubishi Lancer will end up costing you about $3,000 more after owning the car for five years.

Also realize, a Toyota Highlander will initially cost you $3,000 more than a Ford Explorer V6. However, when you consider ownership costs you will end up paying $6,500 more over a five-year period.

Motorists are very concerned with the sticker price of a vehicle when choosing a car, but many people fail to factor in the ownership costs. For example, auto loans, maintenance costs, roadside assistance, fuel costs, repair costs, and sales tax need to all be factored into the equation.

High new car prices and never ending waiting lists for small fuel-efficient cars like the Toyota Prius have many motorists seeking other alternatives that will allow for a significant savings at the gas pump.

Economic vehicles from the ‘90s have had a big increase in the amount of searches on websites such as Cars.com. Vehicles like the Geo Prizm and Geo Metro have seen searches by consumers rise by over 200% in the last year. The spiked interest in these fuel-efficient cars that are cheap has also caused their prices to go up. For example, Geo Metros that are from the 90’s, which are valued at approximately $1,300, are being listed for over $4,000.

Despite the popularity of these older vehicles, consumers should take precautions before purchasing them. Although people will save money on fuel, these cars will often bear more costs when it comes to reliability and safety, and have you calling for roadside assistance. This is part of the reason that these vehicles weren’t that popular when they were introduced originally. Automakers have made great improvements in safety features and construction that weren’t found in older vehicle models.

Older, fuel-efficient cars can be a great way to save money at the gas pump, but make sure you do your homework before purchasing them. Also, you should protect yourself in case of breakdowns by having a road service program.

Nissan is enthusiastic about the future of its electric car that is yet to be named. This car has plans to be sold to fleets in the year 2010 and retail consumers in the year 2012. It has recently been on a 12-city tour, with an electric drivetrain being carried by a Cube mule.

According to Nissan, the driving range on the car will be around 100 miles, while it will take about four hours to recharge plugged into an outlet that is 220-volt and eight hours using a 110-volt outlet. The size of the vehicle will roughly be about the same as the Cube, however it will have distinct styling. A reporter for The New York Times was told by an executive that the vehicle would have “an iconic electric-vehicle look,” however it won’t bring to mind ‘Blade Runner’ or the ‘Jetsons’.

And perhaps the most important thing is that Nissan is going to try to keep the cost of the vehicle between $20,000 and $30,000. The car will bring a $7,500 tax credit, which will likely bring down the cost of the vehicle to under $20,000, and with the savings on fuel, this electric car will be intriguing to the cheap and the green. This will leave consumers some extra cash to invest in other car expenses, such as a road service program. After all, roadside assistance will allow motorists to drive this new technology with peace of mind.