October 18th, 2006 by admin
Safer ways to deal with aggressive drivers can prevent accidents
Especially when the actions of a forceful motorist put our lives or our families lives in peril, the tempatiion is to react negatively to the other driver. Instead, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, we should take more evasive actions to protect ourselves. They suggest:
- Keep your seat belt fastened at all times to prevent bodily injury in a crash, and to keep you safely in place if you need to drive defensively
- Avoid any kind of interaction with the other driver, including making eye contact, returning comments and gestures, or anything else that will distract you from your driving
- Move safely out of the way of the unsafe driver if you can. Though it may seem like you’re backing down and “letting them win”, you triumph more by taking yourself out of the situation
- Report aggressive drivers to the proper traffic authorities. If you have a cell phone that you can safely use, and it is permitted in the state in which you are driving, you can call 911, or dial #77 in many areas. Whenever possible, be as descriptive about the driver, car and location of the indicent as you can.
- If you witness an accident caused by such a motorist, pull over at a safe distance from the crash and offer your input to the authorities when they arrive.
Aggressive drivers aren’t just an annoyance, they’re a safety hazard to you and others who are on the road. If you encounter one, remember that your most assertive action should be to keep yourself and your passengers out of harm’s way. That includes having an active emergency roadside assistance plan for immediate help in case their driving habits affect you adversely.
October 16th, 2006 by admin
Identifying Aggressive Drivers
No matter how safe a driver you are, there’s one major threat on the road that you can’t control – other drivers. The behavior of your fellow motorists will often be courteous and without danger, but every once in a while, you’ll run into the actions of an aggressive driver. These vehicle operators go beyond rude to unsafe.
How can you identify an aggressive driver? It’s anyone whose actions on the road go beyond an impolite refusal to cooperate, such as letting you change lanes during congestion, to the borderline dangerous. We’re often so used to overbearing actions or inappropriate reactions on the road that we don’t always recognize when we’re witnessing what can be construed as a driving threat. Aggressive driving includes:
- Passing on the right (particularly in states that don’t allow this)
- Doing things that distract them from driving (such as yelling, making inappropriate gestures, and talking on a cell phones that aren’t hands-free)
- Ignoring traffic signs and/or lights
- Weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, tailgating or any combination of the three
Now that you know how aggressive drivers behave, what is your defense against them? We’ll talk about that next.
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October 14th, 2006 by admin
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October 12th, 2006 by admin
How to respond to a tire blowout
The two most critical things that experts say are that you shouldn’t step on the brake, and that you shouldn’t suddenly pull your foot off the gas when your tire blows out. Either one can lead to you losing control of your vehicle.
In the case that you were to suddenly slam the brakes during a tire blowout, you can make the car even more unstable than it already is. Sudden de-acceleration will make your car transfer more of its weight to the front tires instead of the rear tires, having the same effect.
What should you do then?
- Gently ease your foot off the accelerator as needed.
- Correct your steering to compensate for stablity.
- As soon as it’s safe, slow down and pull off the main road.
- Call for roadside assistance so you can continue your journey in safety.
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October 9th, 2006 by admin
Are You Covered in ANY Vehicle?
Have you ever been on a road trip with someone who has broken down and doesn’t have roadside assistance? There are typcially two ways the situation pans out.
In the first scenario, one of you finds a way to call for help (hopefully you brought your cell phone, or you’ll find out that two miles to the nearest exit isn’t as close as you thought). Eventually help comes, but then both of you have to come up with what usually ends up being barely enough cash to get you towed.
IF the place you’re towed to is open, and IF they provide service to vehicles at that location, you and the people who have "rescued’ you both know that you’re at their mercy. Motorist, passenger or will have to pull out your credit cards and brace for impact.
Ouch.
Let’s not even talk about how hungry, tired and irritated you’ll be when you finally get to where ever you were off to in the first place.
In the second scenario, you smile, take out your cell phone and call us at Auto Advantage. You are covered in any car you’re in. You can get help 24 hours a day. You can be towed up to 25 miles. And when the tow (or service if a tow wasn’t needed) is over, no hassle – you sign and drive.
Both you and another family member have this coverage in any car that you’re in. So you don’t have to worry about other people in your household who are on the road either, whether they’re going two blocks down the road or two hundred miles away.
Before you get into someone else’s car again, think about what would happen if you got stuck. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention…
October 6th, 2006 by admin
Be Ready for Roadside Assistance
No matter how cautious a driver you are, even the best car is not fail safe. You could have a tire blowout or a mechanical error that cause you to pull over. Hopefully not, but it’s best to be prepared.
Here are a few tips on what to do if you have a breakdown.
- Move your car as far to the right side of the road as possible
- Be sure that you move far enough from the road that you can open the door and get out without stepping into traffic
- Use every available means to show that your car is in distress – a raised hood is recognized in virtually every country.
- If you have signs or flares, make sure they are visible to upcoming drivers
- Call emergency roadside assistance for help. If you don’t have a cell phone with you to call, it’s best to stay with your car until the police do their rounds, or another motorist reports your car trouble.
When you call roadside assistance, if you’re not sure where you are located, be as descriptive of your area as possible.
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September 29th, 2006 by admin
Vehicles Cannot Guarantee Safety
Credit goes to automotive manufacturers and industry researchers who are making an obvious attempt to produce better safety features on 
car models. Every citizen who drives or has loved ones driving – ruling out no one – thanks the crash testers and bolt tighteners who produce safer production lines on a yearly basis. Safety innovation, however, does not mean reliable vehicles incapable of being mutilated in a highway accident or breaking down on an icy day.
No matter how many safety features and components are added – or neglected – on modern vehicles, the driver is still in need of protection. Personal insurance, car warranty coverage, and roadside assistance exist for a reason and that reason is backed up by thousands of accident reports from America’s highways daily. You can trust preventative and protective services because they’re based upon a network of people rather than a single driving machine. Unlike your vulnerable vehicle, roadside assistance can be counted on to respond when you need it.
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September 28th, 2006 by admin
Roadside Assistance More Likely to Respond to Less Serious Incidences
While it may not be pleasant to think that the likelihood of a minor accident, fender-bender, or vehicle malfunction is still higher than ever on 
busy streets, it is encouraging to know that auto safety regulators are working hard to prevent major collisions from happening. The more research and technology that is put towards preventing major collisions, the safer a vehicle inhabitant will be from serious harm. The chance for a run-in, however, is still risky.
As crash prevention methods are increased in a vehicle’s make, drivers can be more assured of their own and their passenger’s safety should an accident occur. Even more relieving is the opportunity to have a roadside assistance program that will assist you in an accident. Less collisions mean more minor accidents involving drivers who should be prepared with help from roadside assistance.
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September 27th, 2006 by admin
Studies on Sleep Apnea Reveal Serious Highway Hazard
Citizens know that there are many outside factors that can impair a driver’s ability. The most obvious and spotlighted ones are the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicines, age, and alertness. Too little sleep or a false feeling 
of being alert is a highway hazard to both the driver who is experiencing it and the other vehicle inhabitants in the same area.
Studies are being conducted to target a specific group of drivers that require a complete period of rest: truckers. The joint task force has issued new screening requirements for truckers with sleep apnea, a condition that can obstruct sleep. A well-rested truck driver shouldn’t be rare and the screening sets out to ensure that truck drivers are able to reach their full potential behind the wheel. The sleep apnea screening is comforting while at the same time jarring.
To be reminded of the potential for a truck driver, or any driver, to be impaired by something as common as not enough rest is sobering. Being safe and prepared on the road is the best one can do to confront travel hazards. A roadside assistance program is an all-encompassing service for the cautious traveler. You may not know just who will be operating the wheel of the cars around you, but you can be secure knowing that there is back-up assistance incase it is needed.
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September 26th, 2006 by admin
Automobile Accident Prevention in California Means Driving Hands-Free
The results are in: Arnold has terminated cell phone holding while driving in the state of California. The state’s recent ban approval marks the fourth out of the fifty to do so. For California and the other hands-free enforcing states, automobile accident prevention has a lot to do with holding a cell phone while in the driver’s seat.
While no one can argue that there may be legitimate sense to the lessened physical capability of a driver holding a cell phone, keeping a cell phone available while driving can increase safety measures on the highway. In the event of an accident, flat tire, fender-bender, or another sort of roadway incident, millions of subscribers to roadside assistance programs need phone contact immediately. Being able to call for help is crucial to keeping drivers and their families safe and secure while traveling.
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