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8/6/2019 Car Careful
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Dont Be A Crash Test Dummywww.CrashProofDrivers.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. What Your Teenage Driver Must Know
2. Dont Talk Yourself to Death
3. Bad Habits Most Drivers Dont Know They Have
4. What Should be Found in Every Car
5. Wisdom of the Senior Driver
6. Avoiding Road Rage
7. Hidden Ways Your Car Can Kill You
8. How to Change Lanes Without Taking Your Eyes Off
the Road
9. Sharing the Road With the Big Rigs
10. Why Are Traffic Laws Becoming Stricter?
11. Sounds and Signs That Mean Stop Your Car NOW!
12. Become an Offensive Driver
13. Its the Defense That Wins Championships
14. Avoid the Dumb Accidents
15. Safe Driving Is Serious, So Lets Stop For a Laugh
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TESTIMONIALS
I received the Maxi View Mirrors and they do exactly what they
claim they do. They are easy to attach and look as though they are part
of the original equipment. They dont impede on the original mirror view
at all, and the extra margin of safety they offer is great. Even in a
household where cars are shared and different drivers may forget to
adjust the mirrors as they should, the Maxi View Mirror eliminates blind
spots. The quality and the view they offer far exceed anything I haveseen in auto parts stores and I am glad to get them not only for myself
but for everyone in the family.
D. Ferguson, Missouri.
I have an in-home fitness training business, so I am on the road
quite a bit traveling to and from my client's home. MaxiView has removed
so much stress on the freeways and surface streets because I KNOW I
see the entire road without turning my head to see what is in my blind
spot. When I drive a rental car and forget to put the mirrors on it, my
drive is much more stressful. The technology of the car manufacturers to
put sensors on vehicles for blind spots is a cost you can save with this
simple product. I highly endorse this product! Once you start driving withthese mirrors, you will never go back.
Thomas Hadley, Irvine, CA.
As a real estate agent, staying in touch with my clients is critical.With ZoomSafer, I am not only safe and legal while driving but Im alsostill connected I take my phone calls hands-free and because thesoftware automatically responds to text and emails my clients know I amdriving but will get back to them shortly. My clients appreciate the rapidresponse as well as my social responsibility to not text and drive.
Joseph Evans,Remax
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1 P a g e
1. WHAT YOUR TEEN DRIVER MUST KNOW
A section for teens and parents to discuss together!
There is nothing more exciting to a teenager than
getting a drivers license and being given the privilege of
driving without parents. There is nothing more heartbreaking
than the death of a young driver or the friends that were
passengers in the car.
This chapter is not just for parents wanting to know
what to tell their teenagers about the dangers of driving, but
also to communicate to all ages why teens get into so many
accidents and what makes driving so much more dangerous
to the younger driver. This is not information based on just
government or insurance company statistics, but also on the
responses of teenagers themselves. Parents must not only
set rules, but must also ask questions of their teenagedrivers. Both parents and teens must be able to discuss and
understand that the dangers of driving and the punishment
for breaking laws are beyond the control of either of you.
The teenage driver has a lot to learn, but he or she
also knows more about what they are doing in the car, what
is distracting and what is helpful to them than most adults
do. I hope that whether you are a parent or teenager who is
reading this section you remember that it is true that a
teenager has a great deal to learn, but he also has ideas anddesires that you may be able to accept. If you are a
teenager who is old enough to drive, you must have the
ability to listen and understand an explanation of why driving
responsibly is not just a motto or a set of rules made by
boring old people. The parent is in the frightening position of
giving a new form of freedom that comes with a great deal of
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2 P a g edanger. The teen driver must recognize that there are
events and decisions that occur in driving that he has never
faced before and that the freedom to drive comes with a
great deal of responsibility. The driver of a car has the ability
to cause pain, costly expenses and possible death to
themselves and those around them. They should realize the
parent is not only concerned for their safety but that by
allowing the use of their car they are placing trust in themthat could cause them tremendous sorrow or expense. Even
a traffic violation or an accident in which no one is injured will
cause financial damage to the parents in the form of raised
insurance rates or even canceled insurance, as long as the
driver is on their policy. If the driver causes damage by
doing something with the car that the insurance does not
cover, the car owner can face a lawsuit that could wipe out
their financial resources.
It may seem like just a corny saying, that driving is nota right but a privilege, but its absolutely true. Just because
you have enough candles on your birthday cake to be legal
does not mean you should be behind the wheel of a car. It
may be frustrating, but it's okay if you need a little more time
to have the judgment and patience to drive a car. Everyone
knows somebody who claims his folks let him drive when he
was thirteen. What a lucky guy. If hes not lying then he
and his parents are all lucky. Hes lucky to be alive and his
parents are lucky not to be sitting in a rented shack because
it took everything they owned to pay fines and damages.
The body and mind both need to mature enough to
handle the physical and emotional demands of driving, and
you have to work at it. You may be surprised how many
people your age are not driving, many because they
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3 P a g ethemselves dont feel ready. The ones that care about you
and the ones that are smart enough to have an opinion that
matters will be able to respect the decision to wait until Ive
had a little more practice.
Parents must recognize the abilities and limits of their
own children. Giving in to make them happy can bring the
greatest misery of their lives. Dont settle for the staterequirements and high school driving certificate as the
measure of your son or daughters right to drive. Ask your
teenager what he feels confident in or nervous about behind
the wheel. Most teenagers are so surprised when you
actually talk to them as equals that you may be surprised at
what intelligent and logical answers you receive. It may be
something that strikes you as simple, which is the very thing
that the new driver has trouble with.
Remember how difficult it is for a teenager, especiallya boy, to acknowledge being unskilled or nervous about
driving. Its even okay to let them know that you have weak
areas in your driving that you have to work harder at (and its
still okay when they start reminding you of this and giving
you advice a month after they get their licenses). Spend all
the time in the car with them that you can, and evaluate their
ability not only to put the car neatly next to the curb but also
to decide when to give that child on the sidewalk a careful
look and a wide berth, and whether its worthwhile to pound
the horn at the little old lady at the stop sign.
I remember my father deciding I didnt need to be
driving any further one day when I drove at full speed
through a deep puddle, heedless of the lady on the sidewalk.
Denying driving privileges because of failure to clean up a
room or for lying about completing homework is not just a
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4 P a g emeans of punishment; these behaviors are a measure of the
same maturity and responsibility it takes to be a safe driver.
Those rotten old statistics: Motor vehicle accidents
are the reason for one third of the deaths of teenagers.
More than illnesses, more than sports injuries; more than all
other reasons for teenage death combined. More even than
embarrassment, which many teenagers fear more than
death but, by itself has yet to kill anyone (even the
embarrassment of having your dad drive you somewhere in
the minivan with the My Kid is an Honor Student bumpersticker).
Per mile driven, teen drivers are several times more
likely to be in a crash than any other age group. Aside from
the 3,500 teenagers killed (think about that; probably more
kids than there are in your whole school are killed each year,
every one of them with friends and families, hopes and
plans) in 2008, over 350,000 were taken to emergency
rooms from car accidents. Try to imagine how many
survived but were crippled physically or mentally disabled byhead injuries or scarred or faced months of painful and
expensive treatment. This is not about scaring you, but
when you picture yourself or someone you know going
through these things, maybe parental warnings wont seem
so stupid and the laws too strict and meaningless.
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5 P a g e
Boy drivers were more than twice as likely to be
involved in crashes as girls, and girls are more likely to be
speeding or drinking. This still means that an awful lot of
girls are in accidents, and many are doing the same dumb
things. Insurance rates have traditionally been lower for girls
than boys, but that has been changing in recent years as the
numbers get closer.
By the way, studying actually does pay off. Good
grades make your insurance rates cheaper.
This is a test of your comprehension: Teenage drivers
are more likely to underestimate hazards or fail to recognize
dangerous situations. Now, did I just say that teenagers are
stupid? One sign of the maturity and reason needed to be a
good driver is to be able to tell facts from insults. Parents:
This test is a reminder that a good teacher must be able to
give facts without being insulting. The teenage brain has not
fully developed in areas that affect judgment. This is a fact,
and it outweighs things like youths faster reflexes and better
eyesight when it comes to driving. This is why, even more
than an adult, a young driver must learn to use his safety
belts, clear the car of distractions, and make sure he has
every advantage in the form of clear windows and the best
blind-spot mirrors.
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6 P a g eIf you want to play the guitar, you start with slower
melodies and scales. If you try to play the screaming licks
from your favorite bands, you will fumble until your muscle
memory and coordination develop with practice. You might
be frustrated but you recognize that there is no way to force
your mind and body to do what they are not yet ready to do,
so you work within your abilities as you progress.
If you try to play harder material than you are ready
for on the guitar, you just look silly and sound bad. If you try
to drive faster or in situations beyond your abilities, you can
look and sound very bad, indeed, and you can take others
down with you. Acknowledge your limitations, and not only
will you stay safe but also you will earn the trust of those
who control your driving privileges.
Many states limit the number or ages of passengers in
a car driven by a teen. This is one of the most annoyinglaws for a young driver to deal with. After all, the whole point
of driving is to go where you want to with your friends. The
problem is your friends can get you killed when you are a
young driver, and you can do the same to them.
Teen passengers in the car increase the risk of
accidents with a young person driving, and the more
passengers the higher the risk. In a survey of over 5,000
high school students from across the country, 94% (if youre
sick of math, just say almost every doggone one of them)see teenage passengers doing something that was
distracting to the driver. 75% of these students reported
seeing teenagers driving while fatigued, which is another
chronic problem for teen drivers. School, homework, part-
time jobs, athletic events and social activities keep
teenagers at a pace that would put a lot of adults in intensive
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7 P a g ecare, and most young people are sleep deprived to some
degree. Most accidents involving teenagers occur between 3
pm and midnight and during the weekends.
By the way, you parents might like to know that 66%
of the students surveyed said they cared about their parents
opinions on cellphone use while driving and 56% said they
relied on their parents when learning to drive. Thats nice toknow and important to remember. You have more influence
than anyone else in your son or daughters life. Not just in
driving. You cant be perfect but dont ever waste that gift or
avoid that responsibility.
Laws and rules do not make as much impact on
drivers as having real responsibility. Many parents foot the
entire bill for insurance and even give the young driver a car.
It is a better gift and makes for a better driver if the teen
must pay for the additional insurance costs either by earningthe money or through chores. A car will definitely be treated
with more respect if the teenager must earn it.
Cell phone use and texting are deadly to teenage
drivers, partly because they are doing it more than any other
group. The dangers of phoning and texting have been
covered thoroughly in other areas, and, like any distraction,
the risks are much higher for the inexperienced driver. Most
texting teens are proud of their prowess, and certainly teens
can baffle their parents with the dexterity they show with acell phone. Dexterity does not change the fact that the driver
who is texting is four times more likely to have an accident.
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8 P a g eTeenagers do not want their parents to know that they
talk or text while driving; however, peer pressure is huge for
teens. But studies show that a parent often has more
influence on their son or daughters decision than they
expect.
The top answer stimulating the end of cell phone use
while driving was losing the drivers license.
The typical drivers education course is about 30
hours of classroom and 6 or more hours in the car. The
student must also log 20 hours or more practice driving with
a licensed driver. Then if you pass the test you are
considered ready, with some limitations, to be in control of a
3,000-pound instrument of destruction. Compare this with
the hundreds of hours of training and supervision required
before you are allowed to do other things, from putting in
plumbing to giving a massage. It takes a college degree,years of experience, and successful examinations to be a
licensed landscape architect, which is defined as the person
who arranges features of the landscape and garden
attractively. With all due respect to their knowledge and
skill, there are very few petunia-planting fatalities. Countries
that have more demanding licensure requirements have
fewer accidents and fatalities. Australia safety organizations
recommend at least 120 hours of parent-supervised driving,
and their crash rates are much lower than the U.S.'s.
Being a competent driver takes more than meeting
the minimum requirement. The hours spent learning to drive
will pay off in years to enjoy life.
Who is the best teacher of an up-and-coming driver?
We already know the greatest influence on the young driver
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9 P a g eis the parent; and, if you are a good driver, then all is well
with the world. Certainly the parent should be involved and
interested in the young drivers progress and proficiency, but
this is a time for honesty. Ask your teenager if he or she
considers you a good driver. You may have to promise no
punishment, probably in front of witnesses and possibly in
writing, before you get an honest answer. Almost no one
wants to admit they are a bad driver. Its like being told youhave no sense of humor; the first response is denial, usually
followed by anger. The sense-of-humor accusation is often
then followed by an embarrassing attempt at a joke or, in
truly grim situations, an impersonation. At least when
someone is told they drive badly they dont insist that
everyone pile into the car for a demonstration.
Ask others for an honest opinion, not only of your
driving but also of your patience and ability to instruct. Take
advice. Its good for the moral fiber.
The problem is that even if you are a reasonably good
driver you may be a terrible teacher. It can be nerve
wracking to control your temper when your child is grinding
gears or scraping the tires against the curb, and if you
cannot control your temper the driving practice will be a
nightmare for both of you. Remember, whether she admits
to it or not, your child is nervous and unsure and wants to
learn quickly not only for her own confidence but also to
please you. Even if its a smart-alecky, goofy-haired kidwhose music has surely killed your brain cells, he needs
your patience and wants to impress you with his driving.
Taking the wheel of a car is probably the biggest step in a
persons life up that point. It can be a time when
relationships are healed and strengthened or when
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10 P a g enervousness and frustration bring out the worst in both of
you. The new driver knows you are nervous and out of your
element, so showing a calm and reasonable demeanor will
help ingrain that approach to driving as well as making the
time together pleasant and successful.
Remember that the driving student is doing everything
for the first time and must think through every move. While
you can see the gap, hit the turn signal, give more gas,
check your mirrors and scratch your nose simultaneously.
The new driver has not developed muscle memory andreflexes to accomplish all these things and get directions at
the same time. You must be able to give instructions clearly
and concisely. If you cannot say, Follow that red truck on to
the ramp and then go right at the light, its not good enough
to shout, Hey, go where that guy goes. No. That guy!
Turn.nonot yet!
Many school districts provide driver's education
programs, and if those are not available in your area, there
should be some other professional training available. It isoften best to have the course taught professionally simply
because it is easier for the student to make mistakes with a
teacher rather than a parent.
The professionals will teach the basics thoroughly and
in a way that will meet the licensing requirements and will be
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11 P a g eup on recent traffic regulations or changes that you might not
be aware of. Be sure that you are involved in practicing with
the person who will soon be soloing in your car and that you
read the manuals so that you are on the same page as the
driving instructor. Of course, make sure the school is
reputable and licensed, if it is a private company. Even if
you have worn a comfortable slouching groove in the drivers
seat and have some disagreements with what the instructorsays is the right way to position the seat or grip the wheel,
try to compromise and explain or discuss when the car is not
in motion and pick your battles.
The young driver needs basic, safe techniques that
are taught consistently. Save corrections while driving for
those things that are important and which must be done for
safe and legal driving and which other aspects of being a
good driver techniques are built on. Do not try to fine-tune
every move or dictate every twitch of the wheel. Rememberto give credit for good moves. Your son or daughter may roll
his or her eyes when you say something as inane as, That
was a good smooth turn, but it doesnt hurt a bit.
While your teen is studying the manual or attending
class, prepare a checklist of information she might need
when she begins driving alone. List phone numbers to call
in the event of breakdown or accident, insurance information
and towing services. Make sure that they understand that
you know mistakes will happen and honesty is the right wayto deal with accidents or tickets. Learn to control your
temper and make sure they know your first concern is their
safety.
While the most worry and most time is often devoted
to high-speed driving, the mall parking lot and parallel
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12 P a g eparking are where more accidents will take place. Parallel
parking is one of the most difficult skills to learn and
demands the ability to judge space and distance. The driver
must show patience and develop recognition of the
perspective the mirrors provide. This can seem boring and
slow, but it needs to be a large part of driving practice.
Remember that gaps in traffic are difficult to judge forthe new driver. Better to let easy ones go by than to rush at
the wrong moment. Remember when you are judging the
moment to turn into traffic you are used to seeing it,
deciding, hitting the gas (your turn signal was already on,
wasnt it?), and turning the wheel, all nearly simultaneously.
When you are out practicing with your student, you must see
it, say it, and he or she must hear it, process it and relay all
those messages for the physical movements required. The
essence of learning is patience, and of learning to drive is
speed and distance.
The young driver has better reflexes than someone
even ten years older. His vision is usually sharper and his
hearing is often better. Yet the young driver has more
accidents and more moving violations than other age
groups. The first explanation is judgment, which, as we have
already discussed, is to some extent beyond his control.
Until that faculty completely matures, which studies suggest
is at about age 25 (and which, wives say, in men is probably
never), the young driver must compensate by driving slower,allowing more space between vehicles, and having fewer
distractions.
Unfortunately these are all the things a young person
finds most difficult to do. The younger driver is most likely to
be speeding, and remember that speeding is not just going
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14 P a g eposition. If you cannot stop a drunken friend from driving,
get out of the car, and be a true friend and call police. A
persons desire to keep a license or a friendship does not
excuse the risk of the lives of others. Many medical workers
will tell you that it seems that it is always the innocents hit by
a drunken driver that are more seriously injured than the one
that caused it.
If you are a teenager drinking or using any type of
drug to enjoy your social life, do something unimaginable
and very brave. Talk to your family. It is not true that you
need it, and it is a rather cowardly lie that Everyone does
it. But it is very difficult to know for yourself if you are able
to handle it (How many people have you ever heard admit
that they couldnt?) and much more difficult to overcome
these habits without help. Even bad days are a precious
part of your life, and the good ones and really fun memories
are too valuable to be lost to alcohol and hangovers.
Parents: Ask your teenagers about using alcohol or
dope, including marijuana. Dont accuse but ASK. Dont
accuse but dont condone either. If you want to be their
friend, care enough to ask and care enough to face scary
answers. You may be amazed at the fact that your son or
daughter is willing and maybe waiting to talk about these
things. If you drink or use weed, get legal yourself. If you
can honestly say you can drink responsibly and dont take
any risks of driving when you know you have had morealcohol than is safe (and that is very little), then you can
have a reasonable discussion. If you are one of the many
who cant drink a little without drinking a lot, your child is
already well aware of that, and perhaps you can help each
other. Some people cannot drink at all without drinking all
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15 P a g ethats there (most teenagers are in this category), and it is
not weakness to admit that and simply avoid the risk. Some
parents dont want to be called hypocrites. This is too
important. Get OVER It!
This may have all seemed over the top, but just one
drinking episode can cost your life and those of others.
Some risks are just too great and losses too painful. Talkingabout this subject, patiently and wisely, may do wonderful
things in many areas of your relationship far beyond knowing
your son or daughter is driving safely. A teen who can say
that they have to check in when they get home and that their
parents check for traces or alcohol or smoke often benefit in
the form of reduced peer pressure.
Road-rage incidents are more common for younger
drivers than older ones. The fact that emotions are closer to
the surface for younger people is natural, but it means thatthe young driver must give more space to other drivers and
be willing to ignore stupid mistakes or aggressive driving.
Losing your temper puts you in the wrong and often in
danger. Learn to take a deep breath and let the incident go
by. Let the other guy act stupidly, and be proud that you
know that the few moments of dealing with an irritating driver
have no importance in your life.
Sometimes it seems that the teenager never gets a
break from being warned, taught or scolded. Lets getsomething straight, boys and girls (I bet you hate being
called that): There is nothing wrong with you. You are
young, unique, have your own personalities and interests,
and you are valuable. You are not stupid and you are not
here just to be bossed around. The things that affect your
driving and safety also affect the driving of parents, teachers,
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16 P a g eand people of all ages; and the more you know now the
longer and better your life will be. Dont hesitate to say and
demonstrate that you know and understand these things to
older people. Be courteous and patient; we learn slower as
we age.
Still, distractions and driving errors are more common
and more dangerous to young people simply because theyhave more of them and they do not have experience to help
balance the risks. That is why it is important to minimize all
the risks and distractions you can. Cell phones and texting
are far ahead of the field in contributing to accidents and
fatalities, but other distractions that contribute much more to
young people than to adults are passengers, some of whom
actually think its funny to try to bug the driver. There is no
possible way to claim to be mature if you do that or allow it in
your car.
Music is a big part of most teenagers lives and
personalities. Played too loud it can affect your attention and
also drown out warning sounds from your engine, horns or
shouts from people and cars around you, and, most
humiliatingly, that wailing noise from the car with all the
flashing lights filling up your rear-view mirror.
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17 P a g e
The few seconds it takes to change the radio tuner or
replace a CD are often enough for the driver to veer into
another lane or collide with another vehicle.
Eating and drinking in the car are done more by
younger drivers and are the cause of accidents not only
through not paying attention due to reaching for food or
obscuring your vision with the sandwich or cup but also bynot being able to grip the wheel. Many one-car accidents
are caused by spilling drinks and jerking the wheel in reflex.
Other objects in the car can be equally distracting, such as
books or packages on the seats or floor that can shift and
distract your attention or slide or roll under the brake or gas
pedals.
Make the drivers seat your own. Even though this
causes irritation between drivers sharing the same car, you
must position the seat and the mirrors to give you the best
control and the best view around you. Mirrors are your eyes
in many situations. Purchase high-quality wide-view mirrors
and attach them properly. Do not try to compensate by
leaning or slumping. It only takes a moment to make the
adjustments you need to be able to see better and react
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18 P a g efaster, as well as to prevent becoming tired or cramped while
driving. Teenagers are the least likely drivers to use seat
belts, and this neglect is responsible for more frequent and
more severe injuries.
Remember that many areas use Graduated Driver
Licensing systems, allowing different levels of
independence. The license may restrict the beginningdrivers from driving at night or with passengers in the car.
These systems allow more freedom as the driver gets older
or has more time as a licensed driver.
If you are in an accident remember to stay calm and
evaluate what needs to be done. Do not lose your temper or
panic. Call for help. Get to a safe place and assist anyone
who is injured. Do not try to move any injured people unless
they are in danger of fire or oncoming traffic. Place flares or
reflectors as needed. Let the professionals help and guideyou through whatever is needed.
Driving is fun, and driving safely makes it fun for a
whole lot longer.
Lets Recap:
Taking the wheel is usually the most challenging step
in a teens life up to that point.
Learning to drive is a time for both teens and adults tolearn about safety and each other.
The greatest influence on how a beginner drives is
the parent.
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19 P a g eThe teen has a lot at stake when learning to drive, but
parents are risking a great deal in allowing the use of
the car. Give each other some slack.
Per mile driven, teens are more likely to be involved in
an accident than any other age group
Judgment does not fully develop until about age 25.
There is no shame in driving within this limitation.
Teen drivers underestimate or do not recognize
hazards; allow more space than you think you need.
Alcohol affects any driver but has greater effect in
smaller amounts on teens.
Parent or teen, dont wait for the other to talk about
drinking or other safety issues.
Financial responsibility is an great motivator.
Phone Use and Texting are the number one
distraction for teens in accidents.
Young passengers in the car greatly increase the rate
of accidents for teen drivers.
Recognize the higher levels of energy, emotion,
anxiety, and exhaustion that teens deal with.
Parents, spend all the time you can with your youngdriver, but recognize your own limits.
Eliminate all distractions from the car
Set the seat, steering wheel and mirrors for the
individual driver.
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20 P a g eGet Maxi View Mirrors to improve your childs safety.
The first few years of driving may have special
limitations on the license.
Remember, Its about safety, not punishment.
If you are in a crash, stay calm, get into a safe place;
call for help and place flares or reflectors as needed.
2
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21 P a g e
2. DONT TALK YOURSELF TO DEATH
Did she mean to text I love you when the
air bag hit the phone?
Driving distractions come in all shapes and sizes
when we drive. Eating, reading, putting on makeup, people-
watching, or looking at maps are all common mistakes many
people make. Every one of these steals your attention from
the road and places you in a position that can ruin or end
your life or the lives of others. What follows is mostly about
phoning and texting, the most common driving distractions
today, but please remember that the car is traveling just as
fast and you are taking just much risk if you try to do any of
those things that take your eye and mind off the road, or
your hands off the wheel.
We have all seen people drifting unevenly down theroad as they chat into their phone, letting go of the wheel to
make gestures that the caller cannot see. Maybe you arent
that bad. Perhaps you face forward and keep one hand on
the wheel as you discuss small events and great thoughts
with your friends, but the fact is you cant be as good a driver
as you should be if you are trying to communicate with
people who are not in the car. For the purposes of this
discussion we are referring only to earthbound people and
talking to them by phone, and especially texting. Attempts at
telepathy or spirit contact are even more demanding anddistracting but would take too much time to go into.
There has been a great deal of discussion in the news
and chat shows about the use of phones and texting while
driving. Twenty-nine states have already passed laws
banning texting and more are in the process. Even if it
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22 P a g eseems that the lawmakers are just a bunch of spoil-sports
trying to control everybody or make money from fines, traffic
laws really are designed to keep you safe, and there is logic
and science behind most of them. Some controversy is
added because in some places the laws restrict texting only
to younger drivers, and you may think this is very unfair.
You have a good point.
Texting is distracting at any age, and there is no
reason to be typing away while you try to drive no matter
how long you have been driving. The only slight reasoning
behind placing more restrictions on young people is that
younger people tend to do more talking and texting and the
older driver may have enough experience to respond
instinctively to hazards even if not fully focused. That slight
advantage is not enough. Anyone in control of more than a
ton of steel and glass, traveling at over 95 feet per second,
should be using all their faculties to keep themselves and therest of us safe.
THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION!
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23 P a g e
Its true that teens and young drivers have much faster
reflexes than older drivers, but that is balanced somewhat by
needing more time to make decisions due to inexperience.
Now, add texting and your reaction time is slowed by
30%. In fact, texting can slow a young persons response
time to that of a 70-year-old, so put the phone down orlet grandpa drive.
The fastest human reaction time is about half a
second, which means if you are going 55 miles an hour, your
car will travel over 40 feet by the time you start to deal with
some sudden change. Depending on the person and any
distractions, reaction time can take several seconds and
hundreds of feet. Dont convince yourself you are the
exception no matter your age or skill. Ego gets people
killed! Every person being lifted into an ambulance orlooking at the wreckage of cars or lives felt able to multi-task
and take care of himself and the car. Think back over every
conversation you have had for the last few weeks, and try to
imagine one that would have been worth even damage to
your car, let alone injury to yourself or someone else.
Lets do the statistics thing
You may think numbers are boring, but they tell a
story and they tell the truth. You can ignore the statistics on
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24 P a g eroulette if you want to, but the casino still gets your money.
Ignore the facts on driving distractions and the highway can
get your blood.
If you care enough about being a good driver to be
reading this, then you are intelligent enough to know how
stupid it is to drink and drive, yet texting is about six times
more likely than driving while intoxicated to cause anaccident.
Over 21% of fatalaccidents involving drivers 19 and
under involves texting while driving. Thats more than one
out of five, and the percentage gets higher each year. Think
of five people you care about and try to decide which one is
expendable for the chance to talk or text just a little bit
sooner.
25% of accidents are caused by cell phone use. The
Harvard Center for Risk Analysis reported that cell phone
use is estimated to contribute to 636,000 crashes, 330,000
injuries, 12,000 serious injuries (dont try to play the odds
with that statement; remember that its a seriousinjury if it
happens to you), and 2,600 deaths per year. The University
of Utah simulator studies show that there is no reduction of
risk using hands-free devices rather than hand-held phones.
Before you compare talking on the phone to just talking to
someone in the car with you; the U. of U. also found that it is
significantly safer to talk to the passenger.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics study showed
that someone using a cell phone is much slower to react to
brake lights and slower to regain speed after braking, so you
are a danger from the front andthe back.
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25 P a g eFrom the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute:
Texting is the most dangerous of phone-related activities.
Truck drivers were 23.2 times more likely to have a crash or
near-crash while texting than when not distracted.
Remember these are pros who drive for a living.
Eighty percent of accidents are caused by distracted
drivers, and there may be more dangerous activities thanusing cell phones but that is the one that occurs more often
and for longer periods. Cell phone use is the number one
driver distraction.
The numbers go on and on, and there simply are
none that would make you think driving and cell phones,
whether texting or talking, is worth the risk. It only takes a
few minutes to pull off the road and communicate important
messages.
Its about more than safety
I mentioned ego earlier, in the sense that you should
not convince yourself you are an exception to reaction times
and statistics. Now Id like you to think about self-respect,
which some people confuse with being egotistical, but is not
the same. Respect for yourself and others is a very good
reason to leave texting and phone calls for when you are not
driving. You deserve to be safe and to not be put into
dangerous situations. You deserve to treat yourself with this
kind of respect and you deserve to have friends and family to
treat you this way also. The time in the car is a wonderful
time to relax and clear your mind. Sometimes it is the
closest thing to privacy we get.
For centuries people could not communicate every
thought that came into their head without even seeing the
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26 P a g eperson they were talking to. This doubtless prevented both
fights and unwise relationships. The people who wait to
hear from you appreciate your time and company. Im sure
you realize how meaningless so much of your conversation
is when you simply talk for hours because the phone allows
you to do so, and you are simply filling in silences. To put it
crudely, some people call this kind of chatter a mind vomit.
No thought and no value. When you wait to talk tosomeone, and you know your time with them is limited, you
both tend to think about what you want to say and consider
the other persons interest and reaction. It feels good to use
your mind to express yourself the best way you can, instead
of relying simply on the number of words spoken. Respect
for yourself and others are great trade-offs for the dubious
convenience of wireless chat.
Texting is much more distracting than talking, and
your car travels a surprising distance in the time it takes youto read a text message. If you take only 3 seconds to read a
message while driving on the expressway, your car will
travel the length of a football field before you even look up to
see what is coming.
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27 P a g e
Notice the distance in car lengths
. There are plenty of statistics and studies to show how
dangerous texting and driving is, but you already know why.
Not only are you distracted by the conversation; you are
taking your eyes off the road to read, you use more of your
concentration to type than to speak, and of course you have
at least one hand off the wheel.
One more little note about respect: It is rude to text
when you are with other people. You will find that those who
disagree only do so depending on their place in the situation.
Texting while in the company of others serves to exclude
those people. The one text message that should be
acceptable while driving is in the nature of: He has a gun,
hes hearing voices, and we just crossed the state line...
There is time to enjoy conversations (or snacks, or
books, or having great hair or makeup), and a time to be a
safe and courteous driver with a healthy future. Knowing
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28 P a g ewhen to do the one helps ensure a lifetime of the others.
LETS RECAP:
A few seconds distraction can mean a lifetime of
regret (or no lifetime at all).
A car at 55 miles per hour travels over 80 feet per
second.
80% of accidents are caused by distracted drivers:
TextingPhones
Eating
Drinking
Changing radio or other music player
Using GPS or other device
Reading
Watching video of some type
Make-up or shaving
Anger at other drivers
Emotional upset
If you can think of it, people have probably tried
to do it while driving.
Anything taking your focus from driving or hands fromthe wheel is a distraction.
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29 P a g eCell phone use is the number one driver distraction.
Texting slows your reaction time by over 30%.
Texting is the most dangerous phone-relatedactivity.
More than one fifth of teenage driving deaths arerelated to texting.
Texting while driving is illegal in most states.
Young people are most likely to text, but the risksfrom distractions affect all ages.
You deserve to drive safely without distractions.
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30 P a g e
3. BAD HABITS MOST DRIVERS DONT
KNOW THEY HAVE
Many people do careless things without even realizing
it, or dont understand how dangerous some of their behavior
is. While some of these habits may not seem as dangerous
as others you might think of, the very number of people
doing them and the frequency that they take place makethem a high priority for change.
The behavior that makes number one on just about
any list of high-risk driving habits is texting, and talking on a
cell phone runs close behind. The idea that a quick phone
call is that you will only talk for a very short time ignores the
fact that the act of dialing or reaching to answer a phone is
more distracting than the actual conversation. Even drinking
while intoxicated causes fewer accidents than phone use.
There has been much more written elsewhere on
driving while distracted, and this section is about other,
sometimes subtle errors. Consider whether any of the things
on this list hit close to home.
Speeding is almost too easy to list, but just saying
everybody does it is not an excuse any adult should be
using, and there is more to consider than just the number on
the street sign. The simple idea of driving the posted speed
limit is not the most important factor in how fast you drive,although of course going faster than the limit will get you a
ticket. Studies show that speed as a factor in collisions is
usually because the driver is going too fast for conditions.
Far too often we drive at the speed that is posted or that we
are used to driving in a familiar area but which is far too fast
when the pavement is wet or icy. Materials spilled from
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31 P a g etrucks can ruin traction and obstacles, or road damage can
limit room to maneuver and damage your cars steering or
braking components.
Rain, snow or fog can reduce visibility. Be aware of
road and weather conditions and adjust your speed
accordingly. The amount and type of traffic is a factor, too.
Allow for unusual motor traffic but also pedestrians in thearea, especially children. Adjust speed to your own
condition too; certainly if you have had any alcohol or are
using medications, but also if you are tired, ill, anxious or
distracted. Sometimes the only right speed is what you can
achieve by walking.
Tailgating is a habit that many people do regularly but
almost all would deny, yet those same people are very
aware of when someone is following them too closely.
Some people tailgate because they feel that they canintimidate the person ahead into moving aside or picking up
speed; this type of tailgater is also often the one flashing his
headlights at the car ahead. The most likely result of this
behavior is to distract or temporarily blind the person in front
of you from the lights in his mirror, or to cause him to
become irritated or anxious. This means his driving
judgment will be poor, and that makes two of you.
Tailgating obviously makes accidents more likely.
Remember that the one in the rear is almost always
considered at fault. It is a trigger to many road-rageincidents. What tailgating will rarely do is get you to your
destination much faster.
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32 P a g e
Sometimes tailgaters are simply not experienced
enough to realize what the safe distance is from the car
ahead. Its not enough to estimate some fixed space such
as 2 car lengths, because the distance it takes to react andstop increases with speed. A simple means of keeping a
safe distance is to make sure you are at least 2 seconds
behind the car ahead. Watch for a fixed object such as a
road sign or tree and as the car ahead passes count slowly:
0ne-one-thousand, two-one-thousand; if you reach the
marker before two seconds have passed, you are following
too closely. If conditions are slippery or foggy, allow a longer
gap, preferably double the length or more. Remember your
closeness to the car in front of you has nothing to do with
how fast you get where you are going.
Turning signals are not just there so you can be polite
to the drivers around you if you choose to. The use of turn
signals is required by law and can save you from serious
accidents. Remember the people around you are capable of
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33 P a g ehitting your car with more than 30 tons of force even if
driving less than 30 miles an hour. Its a good idea to give
those people all the warning and cooperation you can.
Turning signals are to be used when you are making a turn
or changing lanes. Signal about 100 feet before the turn.
Use your turning signals every time it is called for,
regardless if you think you are alone on the road or not. Notonly do you want to have the habit of signaling ingrained so
strongly that you do it without thinking, but this is exactly the
situation when collisions often occur. In those times that you
feel like you are alone on the road and need not worry about
signaling, someone that you have not seen may be
approaching and your signal would alert them to your move
and save you both.
It is probably more common to fail to signal when
changing lanes than when turning a corner and also moredangerous. You may suspect a person at an intersection is
going to turn, but there is no way to predict when a person is
going to move into your lane unless they signal.
Aside from the chance of accident, do not
underestimate the anger and frustration that people
experience when taken by surprise by a thoughtless driver.
In these days of road rage, simple courtesy is not only the
right way to behave; it can save your life.
In newer cars, turning signals are made to
automatically turn off when the steering wheel is
straightened after the turn is complete, but it is not
uncommon for this feature to fail. Be sure that your signal is
not flashing when you are notplanning a turn. This can be
as dangerous as not signaling, for example, if you are driving
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34 P a g estraight through an intersection when other drivers expect
you to turn.
Some cars have a warning tone that will sound if your
signal stays on too long. There are no mechanical devices to
remind you to turn your turn signal on, but a good substitute
if you have kids or grandkids is to teach them when you are
supposed to signal; An excellent method for this is to angrilypoint out other drivers who failed to use signals. After that,
your kids will almost certainly remind you every time you turn
or change lanes without moving that simple little lever and
making the signal click and flash.
Know when to use your high beams. Laws may vary
depending on your locale, but typically you must dim the
lights if you are within 500 feet of cars traveling toward you
and 300 feet of a car ahead, moving in the same direction.
Be courteous to pedestrians and bicyclists as well. The highbeams are designed to be used, and you should take
advantage of the improved vision they afford, but dont forget
how blinding they can be. A person being blinded by high
beams can become disoriented and drift from his lane.
Remember that wildlife will often freeze when hit with bright
lights but may also become confused and blindly rush into
your path.
It is common practice to flash your own high beams
on and quickly off when meeting someone whose brightsare in your eyes. In some places this is illegal. Some
people also use this as a signal to oncoming drivers that
there is a police car ahead. Police tend not to appreciate
this dubious method of good fellowship, and it is probably
wiser to assume that the folks you meet are driving the
speed limit. The other common and dangerous response to
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35 P a g emeeting someone who does not dim their lights is to put your
own high beams on and leave them until the other person
dims theirs. Of course, now both of you are dazzled and
quite often there is a clash of wills between bright lights and
dim drivers. Sometimes this occurs because one driver
simply doesn't realize his lights are on high and he thinks he
is the wronged party. It's best to assume the other driver is
not intentionally being a pain in order to keep your owntemper and judgment.
A better response when meeting a person who does
not dim their lights is to leave your lights on dim and direct
your eyes toward the left edge of your lane. The bright lights
are much less dazzling when seen with your peripheral
vision, and your eyes will adjust much more quickly when the
other driver has passed.
Scratches and smears on your windshield make
bright lights much more blinding. Keep your windshield
clean and maintained. Fog or snow can reflect the light from
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36 P a g eyour own high beams back at you, making the situation
worse. Use the right light for conditions.
Turning safely is an art. One of the most common
driving errors everywhere is made when there is more than
one turning lane. The proper way to turn from one multi-lane
street onto another is to stay in the lane you start from. If
there are two lanes for turning left and you are in the lanefurthest to the right, then you will stay in that position
throughout your turn and be in the same lane on the road
you turn onto. It is most common to see people drift toward
the inner lane as they turn, but some drift outward, possibly
to position themselves for another turn down the road.
There are too many things happening in that situation,
with oncoming traffic and those behind you and beside you
to keep track of. Remain in the same lane position until you
are out of the intersection and traveling down the street youhave entered, and then safely change lanes if you need to. If
you are turning left onto a one-way street, you always turn
onto the left-most lane of that street.
When trying to turn left at an intersection when the
light is green, you must, of course, wait for an opening in
oncoming traffic. If no other left-turning vehicle is already in
the intersection in front of you, you may enter the
intersection and turn when there is a safe opening or when
the light turns red and oncoming traffic stops. Use your turnsignals, but keep your wheels pointed straight until you
actually begin your turn. That way, if you are hit from
behind, you will not be driven into oncoming traffic.
There is such a thing as being too polite. When you
are at an intersection controlled by stop signs rather than
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37 P a g elights, the first to arrive is the first to go through the
intersection. If two or more cars arrive at the same time, the
car furthest right has the right of way. Do not be such a nice
person that you ignore these rules and wave the other driver
ahead when you are clearly the one whose turn has come.
This is confusing and frustrating to the other drivers, and
rather than a smooth waltz through the intersection there is
usually a flurry of starts and stops and gestures that aredistracting and often result in near misses if not fender
benders.
The person who stops traffic behind him to allow
drivers to exit a driveway or turn across the lane can also be
doing a good deed with bad consequences. This may just
cause more traffic delays and frustration behind you, but it
also may place the person you are letting through in the path
of oncoming traffic that he cannot see for your vehicle,
especially someone coming up from behind you in the nextlane, or coming around you because they may think you are
simply stopped or stalled.
Driving while drowsy is becoming a universal
condition. It is all too easy to blame your workload, your
kids, or just having a bad night for the fact that you are not
alert enough to drive safely. Many people are so chronically
tired that they are not aware that their judgment is impaired
and their reflexes slow. Coffee is not an adequate substitute
for alert senses.
If you realize you are becoming too sleepy to drive, do
not try to force yourself to stay awake. Get off the road and
get some rest. If you cannot stop in a safe place and take a
nap or rest for the night, then at least get out of the car and
stretch your muscles. Walk around, stop for something to
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38 P a g eeat or drink, and honestly evaluate your ability to continue
before getting back on the road.
Sleepiness may be a chronic state for you, but that
does not mean it is normal. Several illnesses or conditions
such as sleep apnea are serious, dangerous, and require
medical treatment. Determine if any medications you are
taking are contributing to your sleepiness. Driving whiledrowsy is far too great a risk to continue.
Music that is too loudis a distraction. No one is trying
to stop you from listening to your radio in your car, unless
you have converted it into one of those rolling boom-boxes
with the super-powered bass amps, in which case you may
face anything from rock-throwing pedestrians to senior ladies
in BMWs approaching you at ramming speed. (Not
condoning those things either; just sayin) This is not
about your taste in music but about safety. Todays newercars are soundproof, and with windows rolled up and the
heater or a/c blowing outside sounds are already muted.
Keep your music set at a volume that you can hear the
sounds of your engine or drive shaft giving warning cries.
You should be able to hear your cars electronic warning
signals or the shouts or horns honking outside your car. Its
also a bad thing if your music keeps you from hearing the
police car so that he thinks you might have been ignoring
him.
Follow the rules, be as polite as you can safely, and
play fair; driving is a lot like first grade, but no coloring while
you are behind the wheel.
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39 P a g e
LETS RECAP:
Remember the big ones: Do not eat or drink, text, talk
or focus on anything but driving.
Using turn signals isnt a just a courtesy, it is a law
and a life-saver.
High beams are for your safety but misused can be
dangerous to you and others.
Use the right lights for the road and weather
conditions.
Keep your cars windows clean and scratch-free for
safe vision.
Learn the rules of the road; turn within the proper
lane.
Tailgating is stupid. Cant say it any nicer.
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40 P a g eRemember the 2-second rule to stay a safe distance
from the car ahead.
Pull over when you are drowsy; chronic sleepiness
can be a symptom of illness.
Be courteous but within the rules of the road and
established right-of-way.
Music is to accompany your driving experience, not
overwhelm it.
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41 P a g e
4. WHAT SHOULD BE FOUND IN EVERY CAR
Sometimes the car seems like a self-sufficient room on
wheels. If you have a dependable car and keep it
maintained properly, it will take you where you want to go
almost any time, but every car eventually needs a little rest
and repair, and it usually seems to happen in the worst
possible place. Cell phones make being broken down atthe side of the road a little less hazardous than it used to
be, but you still need to be prepared, either to fix the
problem yourself, or to stay safe and reasonably
comfortable until help arrives.
The articles in this list are easy to find and need not take
up a lot of space. Few would cost as much twenty dollars,
and many of them you will already have. They are useful
for any location, but your particular area or driving habits
may give you a sense of which should be a priority andideas for other items you consider being necessities. Give
it some thought, and enjoy creating a stash in your car that
gives you confidence in your ability to deal with
emergencies.
1. Cell phone and battery charger that plugs into your
car lighter.
2. Owners manual; if you dont have one, get one
through the dealer or buy a basic repair manualspecific to your car at an auto parts store. They are a
gold mine of information.
3. Spare tire; I know it seems obvious but its surprising
how often the spare is missing or flat. Check the air
pressure when you have the oil changed.
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42 P a g e4. Four-way lug wrench; these give more leverage and
are safer to use than the simple jack-handle type and
will let you remove different-sized lug nuts.
5. Cheater bar (this is not something to whack your
boyfriend with if you think hes fooling around); it is
simply a pipe about 3 feet long, just large enough to fit
over the lug wrench handle. Too often repair shopsusing air-wrenches tighten lug nuts so much that you
cannot get them free without the extra leverage a
cheater bar affords. Slip it over the lug wrench handle
and use the extra length to grip and lift. Be careful
that the wrench does not twist or slip off the nut.
6. Small, wheeled hydraulic jack. These are more stable
than most of the jacks that come in the car and often
allow you to roll it into place and lift the car with little
effort. Be sure to point the length of the jack in the
direction of the slope if you are on a hill. Of course,
your brakes should be set and a rock or chock placed
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43 P a g ebehind the wheels of the car when jacking it up, but if
the car moves downhill, it is better for the jack to roll
than to tip the car. They do take up trunk space, but it
can be well worth it.
7. A small flat piece of wood to give the jack footing on
soft ground and a chock to block the wheels.
8. Tire sealer (commonly called fix a flat) for slow leaks,
or partially flat tires for situations that are unsafe for
tire changing. I recommend two cans. Be sure to
warn the tire repair shop if you have used this stuff
because it will stay in the tire and excess material can
spray out when they break the tire loose from the rim.
This is a temporary fix only, and I have read varying
opinions on whether it will actually damage the inside
of the tire or prevent having it permanently repaired
later, but it can get you out of a dangerous situation.You get the idea that tires are good things to take
care of by now, dont you?
9. Flashlight and extra batteries, or crank-and-shake-
type batteries. These allow you to recharge the light
by turning a crank or shaking the flashlight.
10. Reflectors or warning lights. The orange triangles are
standard warning emblems and dont rely on
batteries. Many fold flat. Flashing LED lights areattention getters, and the batteries are very long
lasting. The lights that joggers wear are very handy
and inexpensive. Get enough to place behind and on
your car and one or two to wear while you are moving
around at roadside. Being seen is the key to avoid
being hit.
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44 P a g e11. Flares used to be a basic staple in the trunk, but
electric devices and reflectors have replaced them as
they usually only burn for less than 30 minutes. On
the other hand, they are very visible and drivers have
no doubt that they are a warning of a stalled car.
They also are a great fire starter if you are broken
down in cold weather and are going to be stuck for
awhile. They have even been used to keep someonewho did notstop, because he wished to be helpful, at
a safe distance. This is definitely not advice to use
them as a weapon. Your best course when in doubt
of a persons intentions is to lock yourself in the car
and use lights, horn and cell phone to get attention.
Jumper Cables: There are few things as depressing
as having your hood up as you stare at a dead battery
and, when someone offers a jump-start, finding neither of
you have any cables. Battery booster or jumper cables
are heavy wires with large clamps on each end. They
come in various lengths and 10 to 12 feet will usually be
long enough for any situation. They usually will be
marked with a number called the gauge of the wire. The
lower the number, the thicker the wire, and the better the
conductivity of the cable. Never get a cable smaller than
an 8-gauge; and 6 or 4 are best.
Be very careful to match the clamps to the same battery
post on both cars. Put the red clamp on the positive.
Crossing them will cause a short circuit, a very hot cable,
and maybe a battery explosion. Place the positive clamps
on first and then the negative. It is safest to clamp the
negative clamp onto the engine block rather than directly
onto the battery post. This keeps any sparks (and your
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45 P a g eface) away from the battery. Car batteries can release
gases that are explosive.
Allow the booster car to run for a short time before trying
to start your car. If your car is very low or if you have lights
or other accessories turned on you may hear the donor
cars engine slow down as your car pulls energy. The other
driver may need to increase the rpms by giving the enginea little more gas. Do not pump the gas pedal if your car is
reluctant to start as that will flood the engine. Do not hold
the key on for more than a few seconds since that will
make the starter get hot and create more electrical
resistance. Cranking the starter motor for too long can
damage it. Disconnect the cables as quickly as possible
when the car starts.
12. Battery Jump-Starters: These are great for the person
who is very independent or just cant ever get
anybody to help them (in which case you might want
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46 P a g eto work on your first impression or move to a different
town), but that can get expensive. They are basically
a nicely packaged battery with jumper cables
attached. Some also have lights and even air
compressors.
You hook these to a low battery just as though
you were being jumped from another car. There aredownsides, such as the cost; certainly over $50.00 for
one that has enough cranking power, which is
measured in amps, and the higher the better. Higher
amps and more frills can increase the cost to well
over $100.00. You also must charge these units from
an electrical outlet periodically, because they will run
down while sitting in your trunk. They are wonderful
when you need them and they are ready to use, but
probably a low priority due to cost and infrequent
need. This device might be something to save for a
winter purchase.
13. Poncho or rain gear
14. Large plastic bags: Used to lie on or protect or store
other items
15. Blankets: one regular soft blanket rolls up tightly and
takes up little space, and they are great for warmth or
cushioning. The emergency-type Mylar blankets takeup almost no space and can keep you warm or be
used to reflect the sun to help keep you cool.
16. Water: Gallon Jugs, not just drinking bottles. Water
has always been and will always be a staple of life.
On the road it can fill an overheated radiator, cool you
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47 P a g eby dampening your clothes, and even when warm
from the trunk will prevent dehydration when you drink
it. It can also be used to clean cuts. It is surprising
how quickly a broken-down vehicle and a long wait or
an unplanned walk for help make us realize how
precious water is.
17. One container of each of the basic fluids: oil,transmission fluid, antifreeze, power-steering fluid and
windshield cleaner. The antifreeze and windshield
solvent are the only gallon jugs; the rest are quarts or
less. Your engine and steering pump life and
efficiency depend on fluids, so learn how to check
them and do it routinely.
18. Long-neck funnel. This is a must to get transmission
fluid into the filler tube. You fill the transmission
through the same hole that the dipstick goes in, andits rarely in a good spot. Remember that the
transmission has to be checked with the car running,
and the stick is marked in pints, rather than quarts.
This funnel will also be handy for some brake fluid
reservoirs and power steering pumps. Let the funnel
drain and wipe it out before using it with different
fluids or storing it.
19. Waterless hand cleaner and towels: You dont want to
just get to your meeting after a car problem; you wantto look like you handled it with ease. Seriously, you
will feel much better if you can clean up after a
setback. More importantly, you want to be able to
clean any cuts or scrapes you may get while getting
back on the road.
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48 P a g e20. Fuses: An assortment of fuses of the type designed
for your car. Use your manual and only replace a
blown fuse with the same size. The fuse holder itself
will often have a diagram of which fuse controls which
devices. Fuse boxes may be under the dash or inside
the glove compartment, or a few other places. Some
designers seem to think that fuses should be kind of a
hidden treasure. The little fuses are often difficult toremove, but there may be a little gadget either in the
box of fuses you bought or in a little nook in the fuse
box itself.
21. First-Aid Kit: You dont need a terribly extravagant
first-aid kit, but at least go further than Band-Aids.
Get one that includes gauze and tape, aspirin, and
absorbent pads. The self-cooling ice and warming
packs are a welcome addition. Get the most complete
kit you can afford, and read the manual. Its a great
feeling to know what to do in minor emergencies, and
you dont want to be trying to read directions if you
are in the middle of one.
22. Fire extinguisher: A extinguisher designed to work on
all materials, called a multipurpose or A-B-C
extinguisher, will weigh under 5 pounds and usually
comes with a mounting device so that you can clamp
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49 P a g eit in an accessible place in your trunk. There are
smaller ones available that could be fixed under the
dashboard if there is safely room to mount it there.
You dont want them rolling around your floorboards.
A fire extinguisher can save damage to your car by
preventing a small fire from getting larger, but if there
is any question that the fire is out of hand, then forget
the extinguisher and get away from it. Remember theP.A.S.S. system to use the extinguisher.
(P)ull the pin in the handle
(A)im at the bottom of the fire
(S)queeze the trigger
(S)weep the spray from side to side
23. Lubricant (Oh, be serious): Spray lubricants can free
a sticking bolt or lug nut. Some lubricants can be
sprayed on damp electrical connections such as coil
wires to overcome the moisture and get you moving,
but check the manufactures' recommendations and
beware of flame and sparks. Dont leave any aerosol
can on a hot engine. You may free a sticking lock by
spraying into the cylinder or onto the key itself. Get
one of the cans with the spray tube to reach small
spaces. These little tubes invariably fall off and get
lost, so put a couple of fat rubber bands around the
can to keep them together.
24. Money: A small stash with enough to get you some
gas or pay a toll, including some change in case by
some miracle you find a real pay phone if your cell
phone is dead. Keep it in the trunk and forget it is
there until you reallyneed it. Midnight munchies are
not an emergency.
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50 P a g e
25. Long-lasting foods, nuts, or MREs (Meals Ready toEat). These are military food packs, but you can find
similar items in a camping supply store. If you are a
city dweller you may not think this is necessary, but
having some nourishment may make the difference
between an inconvenience and a really miserable
breakdown experience, if not actually a matter of
survival.
26. Duct tape: Come on, you knew that was going to be
on this list, didnt you? Include a small roll ofelectrical tape as well.
27. Light rope: I dont know why. You just gotta have
rope in your trunk. Actually, you will find hundreds of
uses, from supporting an injured limb, or securing
your new garage sale purchase on the roof, or
keeping the trunk closed, to keeping your mother-in-
law from feeding the kids all those snacks.
28. Tow rope or strap: Usually about 20 feet long, thesecan be used to get you out of an icy or muddy
situation. Be careful to stand away from them as they
can pull loose or break with a great deal of force.
Pulling or being pulled requires knowledge of safe
places to hook onto the frame of your car and the
ability to control your speed and brakes in synch with
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51 P a g eanother person. That is not easy, and you need to be
aware of your limitations and the laws in your area. A
tow rope is only to get you to safe place or solid
ground and not for pulling a disabled car more than a
very short distance.
29. Basic tools: If you arent very mechanically inclined,
you may not get much benefit from a set of tools, but
a couple of screw drivers, both flat blade and Phillips,
a set of Hex wrenches (I refuse to make a pun about
using them to put spells on people; they are often
called Allen wrenches), needle-nosed pliers, heavy
channel-lock pliers (often called plumbers pliers) and
an adjustable wrench or two, plus a hammer and a
utility knife, will meet many basic needs for minor
repairs. There are ready-made kits for cars whichcome in their own little compact cases, and these can
be handy, but quality is definitely linked with price on
these. If you are the do-it-yourself type you may
prefer to assemble your own kit with better quality
essentials.
30. Ice scraper with a brush
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52 P a g e31. Gloves: Get a pair not just to keep your hands clean
but also to protect them. Keep some thick gloves,
preferably with leather or heat-resistant palms.
Remember that parts of your engine and exhaust are
well over 200 degrees. The rims of your wheels can
be hot enough to burn you, because of the heat
generated from friction.
32. Large candle and matches: This can help you start a
fire if stranded in the countryside, and a single candle
can warm the inside of a car enough to help you
conserve body heat. This is never recommended
except in extreme situations, of course, because there
is always the chance of flammable gases inside the
car.
33. Extra cell phone with car battery charging adapter:
Even cell phones that are not on a current providerplan can often be used to call 911.
34. Extra set of clothes: When you have been exposed to
rain or snow, these can help you stay clean and
comfortable, or they can save your life.
35. Carpet remnant: This can lie flat in your trunk under
everything else but be handy to lie on or to place
under your tires if stuck on ice.
36. Bag of road salt or sand for traction.
37. Small shovel: OK; you may think of this as overkill,
but it makes all the difference when stuck in snow or
mud, and the small, folding shovels made for camping
will take up very little space.
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53 P a g e38. Camera: Just something cheap and disposable can
be nice to have to document an accident or prove you
were abducted by aliens.
39. Note pad and pencil: Not vital but useful to take down
directions. If all else fails, you can leave a note for
those left behind to let them know how you got
yourself into such a dumb situation.
This may seem like a lot of items, some obvious and
some you may not have thought of but which will come in
handy. It can be fun to decide what is needed and look
around for some of the cool, compact items, and you will
be surprised how much of this will fit into a plastic storage
container that sits neatly in your trunk Almost all of it can
be placed in one container. You may want to store
liquids in a separate box or just fitted, like the jack, along
the inside walls of your trunk where they will take up littlespace.
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54 P a g e
5. WISDOM OF THE SENIOR DRIVER
We hopped into the back seat together,
but only because we opened the wrong door.
Becoming an older driver is no joking matter. Age
and experience rarely get the respect they deserve, and
years of driving bring skill and decision-making ability that
younger drivers dont have. There are some harsh realities
we all have to face, however, and there are some limitations
and changes that are part of being a careful and responsible
driver. A sign of the wisdom, judgment and courage that
come with age is adapting to the changes that come without
embarrassment but with the recognition of what is best for
yourself and those around you.
The problem with so many of the things that affect
driving skills as a person gets older is that they can occurvery suddenly, as with a medication change, or they may
creep up on you so that it is difficult to be aware of them.
Vision dims over time, and little by little we may be driving
closer to the person in front of us or having to make sudden
stops or turns as a sign pops up unexpectedly. The car
crossing the intersection far ahead may be frighteningly
close by the time your foot travels from gas pedal to brake.
Traffic congestion or disruptive road work seem so much
more nerve-wracking than they used to be, and its so
frustrating that things arent marked clearly. What the heckis everybody honking for all the time, anyway?
Try asking yourself a few questions, and honestly
think back over your driving experiences lately. Ask
someone close to you to answer these questions from their
experiences with your driving. Promise not to hit them.
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55 P a g eHave I been drifting in my lane more or
dropping the tires onto the shoulder?
Are the road signs hard to read, or am I having
trouble remembering what some of the
symbols mean?
Is my parking less accurate, either when next
to a curb or when fitting between the lines in aparking space?
Do I hesitate, have to think about, or actually
mistake the brake or gas pedal sometimes?
Do I get confused or forget which turns to
make or miss my exits?
Is driving more frustrating, more difficult, or do I
get anxious more often when driving?
Is it true that people are honking at me or thatvery few of the gestures they are making are
friendly waves?
Have I gotten traffic tickets or warnings or had
any close calls while driving?
Are my friends or family worried about my
driving?
Is steering or working the pedals becoming
uncomfortable, difficult, or painful?
Few people are the best judges of their own
driving, no matter what age they are.
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56 P a g eA FEW LOUSY FACTS
Medications can affect your vision, thinking,
and level of awareness. Overcoming these
effects is not a question of willpower. It is
simply the way your body and mind react, and
is not something you can control or should be
ashamed of.
Older drivers receive the most traffic tickets for
failing to yield, improper turning, and running
stop signs and lights. These are all indications
of decreased driving ability.
In accidents where different ages collide, the
older driver is often the one hit, but in 28% of
those crashes the older driver was making a
left turn, more than 7 times the number of left-
turn accidents caused by younger drivers. This
reflects the decreased judgment and reaction
time of the older driver.
We all know that young people get into a lot of
accidents, but the sad truth is that in a 2007
study the rate of total accidents and the
number of fatal accidents were the same for
those aged 19 and under as for those aged 65
and over.
We dont bounce as well as we used to. The
older driver is injured more seriously, and
accidents are more often fatal, even when
wearing safety restraints. You are a valuable
and ever more fragile person; treat yourself like
one.
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57 P a g eADAPT AND CONQUER
Smart drivers, regardless of age, use every tool or
method available to keep themselves and the people around
them safe.
Give the cars around you enough room to allow you
to slow, stop or steer away from a collision. This means
greater distances as you get older and your reflexes slow.
Allow more time to get to your destinations; try to
avoid night driving and times of heaviest traffic. Plan your
route to avoid schools and truck traffic.
Stay physically active to maintain your strength and
flexibility. Consider some exercise classes to make it more
fun and consistent.
Get out of the aggressive drivers way. The driverriding your rear bumper or hugging your side of his lane may
be a jerk and is certainly wrong, but the safest and easiest
way to handle the situation is to let him get by and go on his
way. Dont let other drivers get on your nerves
Make sure your eyes are checked regularly and your
eyeglasses are correct.
Find a mechanic that you can trust and have your
cars checked regularly, especially the brakes and tires.
Drive with a companion to help watch the road, keep
you alert and warn you if you start to show diminishing
ability, but do not become distracted by conversation.
Some states have tried to pass laws requiring more
frequent testing for older drivers. In some cases these
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58 P a g ewould be based not only on age but on driving accidents or
tickets. Senior citizens advocacy groups have contested
these laws with the understandable desire to protect senior
citizens from biased laws. If there are no such laws in your
area, it would speak well of your judgment and responsibility
to voluntarily be tested or take refresher courses.
Be aware of physical changes which can be helpedby accessory items, such as cushioned steering wheel
covers to offer better grip for those with diminishing hand
strength.
Make sure your windows are kept clean and free of
obstructions. Do the same for the lights and mirrors.
Weakening vision and slowing reflexes mean you want more
warning of people coming toward you. Peripheral vision also
is reduced as the years go by. Eliminate blind spots in your
mirrors by using a well-made, effective device like the MaxiView mirror found at www.maxiviewmirrors.com
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59 P a g eWhen its time to say good-bye.
Sooner or later everyone reaches the point where it is
better not to drive. Make this decision for yourself and do it
in a positive way. Plan ahead for the day when you decide to
hand over the keys.
Set up a network of family and friends that can take
you where you wish to go. This is a wonderful opportunity to
spend private time with people who care about you.
Public transportation or shuttles for the older person
are available in most communities. If there is no publicly
provided service, check with hospitals or churches.
Shopping from home has become very easy, but be
careful to deal only with reputable companies, and protect
your credit information.
Enjoy the freedom from the responsibility that car
ownership includes. Appreciate the extra money saved from
gas, insurance, taxes and repairs.
Consider the gift you can give to someone you care
about. Almost everyone knows a person who really needs a
free or inexpensive automobile.
Lets Recap:
Age and experience deserve respect, but changesare inevitable.
Be honest in self-evaluation and consider the view of
those who know you.
Do not ignore the warning signs: near-misses,
forgetfulness, tickets, and others.
Be aware of the effects of illness and medications.
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60 P a g eTake care of yourself physically; stay active.
Use all the tools and accessories available to make
dri