Driving Distractions

Every driver and passenger in a car knows we are faced with distractions while in any vehicle. The passenger itself can be a distraction. No matter how much we try there will always be some type of distraction but if we are aware that they may be there we might be able to better deal with them. A good drivers education course can help you be even more aware of what distractions await you on the road.

Again, your passenger(s) may be a distraction. It’s best to let them know you need to concentrate on your driving and the drivers around you. My mother would threaten to turn around and go home when we were in the vehicle with her and made too much noise. I say be serious about it. If it’s too much for you to concentrate properly then perhaps the trip isn’t worth it.

Billboards: We’ve all seen them. Larger than life faces and catchy headlines distract us everywhere. Learn to ignore them or better yet pick up a magazine and look at it when you’re safely at home.

Pedestrians: I love to people watch as I’m sure most people do. Did you see that lady with dog? Look at what he is wearing in this heat. She shouldn’t be wearing that outfit out in public. Well first things first and the first consideration as a driver is safety. You need to notice pedestrians but don’t gawk. There are vehicles around you as well as other people.

Environmental Distractions: The sun, the rain, the snow are unavoidable but there are things to help. I wear sunglasses as many hours as the sun is out. I wore them long before my ophthalmologist recommended them. Keep a spare pair in the car just in case. You can also buy longer visors for your car to help with the glare. If you can’t see, make sure you slow down or pull over. As for the rain and snow, keep your wiper blades in good shape. Pick up a new pair and change them with the seasons. I use Rainex on my car and it just helps me tremendously in the bad weather. This isn’t an ad for it but it’s something I know I use.

Get Your Parents To Stop Worrying

All parents worry about their children. They may understand that as a teen you want to get your drivers license but they still remember you falling down when you were learning to walk and then taught you how to ride, abide and not run into things. What they may not see that you having your license is a good thing and can help them out.

Responsibility First
First tell you’re parents you’re ready to get your license and you know that driving any vehicle is a big responsibility. Not only tell them but show them but doing what they ask you before that so it’s not such a blow to them when you say you want your license and they see that the dog you said you’d walk never get walked or the lawn that you say you’ll mow is 5 feet tall. Let them know that you know it’s not all fun and games and that it’s a very serious step in your life. Of course you want to take a drivers ed course to ensure that you know everything that the state wants you to know to keep you and everyone around you safe on the road. You won’t wait until the last minute to ask to use the car and you won’t ever take the car without asking. You’ll remember the rules of the road every time you drive the vehicle. And, should you get your own car, you’ll always tell you’re parents where you’re going.

Free Up Their Time
They key to the car is also the key to their freedom. Tell you parents that it’ll so much easier for them not to have to drive you to football (soccer, baseball, etc) practice. Everything you learned in drivers ed will help everyone stay safe and they can stay at home and do all the stuff they keep saying they need to do while they are driving you around.

Run Errands
Hey, here’s a big one. Let them know you’ll do errands. If it’s a quick trip to the store, you can get it. Local pizza place doesn’t deliver? You’ll get it! Your sister/brother wants to go to a friends house and they are in the middle of relaxing after a hard day of work, you’ll drop them off.

Drivers Ed Games Online

Teen Drivers who are getting prepared for their driver’s license need to take a class. Some may prefer to take it in a classroom with a bunch of other people trying to get their license and listen to a teacher that will just go over the information once and that’ll be that and then you are on your own to study. I think taking it online is a must much effective way to learn.

My parents found this really great thing where you actually can learn everything in a digital environment so it’s almost as if I’m playing a game instead of learning. I could log in anytime and anywhere as long as there is internet access. I didn’t have to go at the pace of the teacher but instead my own pace. I have a part time job so it wasn’t going to be easy to sit there and learn and get to my job.

I was able to log on before and then after work and be at the same place I left off. Here’s another great thing if you get confused you can chat live to one of the staff members. I didn’t have to waste my Saturday sitting in a classroom especially after sitting in a classroom all week.

My folks thought it especially great since the games were state certified so they weren’t wasting their money and they were given regular updates via email so they could see how far I was progressing. They even offered a money back guarantee, not that I needed it, but it made my parents happy.
It took my parents a little of time to find the place on line but it was worth the search.

Renewing your License

Each state is different so please check with each state’s DMV at least 60 days before you know it is expiring. In many cases you will receive notification that it is expiring but it is not the responsibility of the DMV or any other state agency to remind you. In most state your license expires on your birthday so it’s not truly that difficult to remember.

Also remember that any time you move you need to contact your DMV office for the address change. You may not need to get a new license but will need to definitely tell the DMV of the address change.

Remember for military personnel this information does change as for the most part you aren’t living in the state where your license is.

Remember that all states require you to have your old license with you. If you do not you will need some type of proof of identity and this varies state to state.

Many states, and I know mine does, requires you to take a vision test when renewing your license. It’s not difficult. If you have corrective lenses they will need to know this. They always ask if I have my glasses with me even though I do wear contacts. I can’t drive without them. I also became an organ donor and this noted on my license. Also remember that they will be taking your picture again. So unless you want the hairstyle of today to stay with you for years, you might want to comb it out. I am one of the few people that I know that can say they have a decent picture on my drivers’ license. DMV must have been having a bad day or there machine just messed up.

If you currently have your social security number on your license it is best (for identity theft reasons) to have that changed.

Child Safety

First let’s discuss child safety seats. Remember to always read the instructions for installation. If you have any questions about the installation, call the manufacturer. You’d rather have the child safe and secure. For infants it is recommended riding rear facing until they are age or (or weigh at least 20 pounds). Toddlers and Preschoolers can ride forward facing but remember the 20 pounds weight from before.. School-aged children can use a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly which is usually when they are 8 to 12 years old (or is about 4’9” in height). Older children should ride in the back seat until 13 years of age and of course always be in a seat belt. I have a brother whose child is still in a booster seat and she’s 8. They can’t even begin to think about her remaining out of it for her safety. Many of these things can be learned in drivers education.

Remember to set a good example by always using your seat belt and NEVER leave your child unattended in a car. Remember to listen to your child but don’t try to turn around and hand toys or juice etc to them. That’s just dangerous.

While transporting my niece years ago I would put her bottle with her and a toy or book to keep her busy. If she got too cranky, I’d pull over and see what was wrong. She loved riding in the car and often times slept within minutes of getting in.

Don’t let the kids fight in the car. Instruct your children in the rules of the car. They need to be quiet while you drive; no throwing of toys or fighting with another passenger, and they need to remain in their seat. Now they have DVD players in a lot of vehicles. What a great invention but remember you need to be able to pay attention to the road not the noise of the DVD player.

Automobile Insurance

Let’s discuss the different types of auto insurance. There is:

(1) Liability Insurance. Covers what you must pay if you cause bodily injury (to a person).

(2) Property Damage. This coverage pays for damage you (or someone driving the car with your permission) may cause to someone else’s property. It usually also covers damage to telephone poles, buildings, fences etc.

(3) Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

(4) Collision. Covers for damage to your car resulting from a collision with another car, object or as a result of flipping over. It also covers damage caused by potholes. Even if you are at fault for the accident, your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible. If you’re not at fault, your insurance company may try to recover the amount they paid you from the other driver’s insurance company. If they are successful, you’ll also be reimbursed for the deductible.

(5) Comprehensive . This coverage reimburses you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object, such as fire, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, or contact with animals. Comprehensive insurance will also reimburse you if your windshield is cracked or shattered. Some companies offer glass coverage with or without a deductible.

Some states do not require that you purchase collision or comprehensive coverage, but if you have a car loan, your lender may insist you carry it until your loan is paid off.

(6) Uninsured and Under-insured Motorist Coverage. This coverage will reimburse you, a member of your family, or a designated driver if one of you is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Under-insured motorist coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver has insufficient insurance to pay for your total loss. This coverage will also protect you if you are hit as pedestrian.

Remember each state has its minimum amount of coverage for each. Talk to your insurance representative about each item as you are purchasing insurance.

Your License Plate

For the most part you got to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and apply for a license plate. That basically takes you filling out the registration form and going to the DMV. It varies from state to state what other forms you may need. License plates are no longer boring. You can get them with all sorts of stuff. NFL, Nascar, Civic Organizations, Colleges just to name a few.

For the most part you will need the following information to complete the Title/Registration Application:

(a) The manufacturer’s certificate of origin, or a current title showing ownership has been transferred to you.

(b) Bill of sale.

(c) Current registration documents if the car is registered in a jurisdiction or state not requiring titles.

(d) Application fee which varies state to state.

(e) Any sales tax due.

(f) Proof of insurance if your state requires it

(g) Inspection of the vehicle if your state requires it.

(h) Driver’s License

From there you will be issued the license plate unless you wish a personalized one (which will cost you additional money) and then that will be mailed to you at a later time and you will probably be issued a temporary one.

Remember your license plate is your link that law enforcement uses to find your vehicle. If you’re speeding they can punch up the tag.

Some states are using cameras as traffic lights. They’ll just take a picture of your license plate.

Drinking & Driving

You’ve all heard the speech. Don’t drink and drive so you know it by now. But here’s maybe what you don’t know: All states have adopted 21 as the legal drinking age. Two-thirds of the states have now passed laws that allow the arresting officer to take the license of drivers who fail or refuse to take a breath test. All states have now lowered the legal blood alcohol level and all states have passed Zero Tolerance Laws. So for all the drivers that have any (AND THAT DOES MEAN ANY) amount of alcohol in their blood system will lose their license and worse. Many state legislatures have passed laws requiring mandatory jail time for repeat offenders. For those of you that think you’ll be able to get an attorney to get your sentence lowered or thrown out in its entirety have a wakeup call. The penalties that the judge is passing out are mandated by state law. There’s nothing anyone can do about it unless you get the law changed. Remember also that in some state even first time offenders may be facing a weekend in jail and lengthy license suspensions. And what’s worse if you are in an accident you may lose someone you love but even more so other people may lose someone they love just because you thought you got get in the car after drinking and drive home. We’ve all seen the pictures and heard the stories so maybe it is time we all thought before we drink and even more so before we get into the vehicle after drinking including getting into a vehicle in which the driver has been drinking (that includes motorcycles as well). No one, no matter what they say, can drive home drunk even if it is just a “beer” or just “one” drink. That’s one too many.

Summer Driving Hazards

Summer means sunshine and vacations which also means children on bicycles, playing ball on the streets, and more traffic in certain areas. Your local neighborhood that was pretty quiet from 7ish to 3ish is now crowded with kids all over the place. They’ve got bikes and skateboards and rollerblades and may just ride into the road if they aren’t careful. They are throwing all sorts of balls around and some go into the street so beware of not only the ball but the child. You’ve got people walking all over the place. Instead of driving (and with the price of gas many more will try to avoid it) people are walking to the nearest park for some time for the kids to play so you’ve got more strollers around as well. On the roadways there are more people going to the beach and they aren’t in vehicles you have the dangers of motorcycles out more. With all that sunshine who can blame them for trying to get to the beach? You would do the same thing if you were on vacation but of course they all travel at the same time so while you don’t have bumper to bumper with people going to work you have MORE bumper to bumper traffic with people trying to get a good spot in the sand. Here’s another hazard of summer driving: the Sun itself. After a day at the beach you may find yourself a little “crisp” so take caution and get the sunscreen out and be cautious driving home. You don’t realize just how much you’re going to hurt when taking that turn with a burn! Also remember if you don’t know where you’re going, get out a map beforehand or go on line for directions. You can also ask for directions! No one will find this strange and it could save you gas instead of just driving around aimlessly.

PREPARING FOR YOUR ROAD TEST

It’s been a few years but I do remember what I did. Drive as much as I could but in retrospect it was more than just driving. When I took my test, I only drove around a long block and into a little bit of traffic but I was the last one of the day and I think the person testing was way too tired so let’s not go by my example on that one. Here’s my suggestion and take it as you may. Since you don’t know who the person testing you will be and what exactly they will be testing you on me suggesting breaking out your Driver’s Manual and going section by section see how many of the items you might be quizzed on during a road test. Parallel parking is always big. For a day or two you should try to parallel park as much as you can. In some parts of the country I’m sure you won’t be doing much of it at all but again it is one of those things you may be tested on. Check out road signs along your drives. Make a note of them and perhaps you can slip in a bit of extra credit with the person testing you by naming some odd one you have in your area. It certainly can’t hurt and might help you relax. Do lots of right hand and left hand turns so you’re very comfortable with them. I took a driver education and the instructor made me do left hand turns I think for the better part of a week. The road test will not take long but the person testing you is the only thing standing between being able to drive by yourself or having to retake the test and driving with Mom and/or Dad along every time you want to go to the mall.