Thursday, January 31, 2013

How Empty Is Your Tank?



     When your fuel light comes on, it is usually an indication that your gas tank is empty and must be filled as soon as possible. However, the website Tank on Empty is giving drivers a much different view point on their low fuel light with the motto: “How far can you go after the gas light in your car comes on?”  
     The site is solely dedicated to collecting figures from its visitors and turning that information into an estimated measurement of how many miles a vehicle may have until it completely runs out of gas. Even though it might not be the brightest idea to run your gas tank until the last drop, we must be thankful for those who have done so for the sake of others awareness. 
     With over 3 million page views, the site has quickly developed a plausible rating with all recognized car models. For example, a Honda Civic can go an average of 44.12 miles after the fuel light comes on, according to the 255 voters for that specific model. Each car model is also represented by its own easy-to-read chart that depicts how many people have voted for each distance they have gone. So, if you’d like to know how far your car can go, head over to Tank on Empty and type your car's make and model in the search bar! 

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Monday, October 22, 2012

Invisible Steering Wheel


     Astoundingly, the new cutting-edge technology for automobile safety happens to abandon the need for a steering wheel. Japanese automaker, Nissan, created new features that are designed to prevent collisions as opposed to typical safety features that accommodate safety during a collision. With this new technology in hand, Nissan executives plan to eliminate deaths and severe injuries involving Nissan vehicles by the year 2015. Taking a defensive driving course, online, with comedy can also help eliminate the risk accident and injury on the roadway.
     The ‘camera and processing module’, mounted on the rear-view mirror, detects the condition and direction of the roadway ahead then communicates the data to the ‘steering angle actuator’ resulting in the superlative driving performance. The vehicle nearly drives itself.
     The “autonomous emergency steering” feature intends to maneuver the vehicle to the left or right in order to avoid an accident when the breaks are not capable to stop the vehicle in time. The technology is also able to accurately detect and avoid unexpected debris and/or pedestrians.  
     When parking, Nissan also added a feature to distinguish if the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake.
     Nissan said that the ‘digital drive’ car will be the first of its kind to be produced commercially, and they plan to initially install the technology in the 2014 Infiniti G37S model.



Thursday, October 11, 2012

Are You Eligible to Take Defensive Driving?


Are you able to dismiss your ticket by taking a Defensive Driving Course?
                To be sure, you will need to contact the court that you have received a ticket with, and inquire if you are eligible to dismiss the ticket with a Defensive Driving Course. Depending on the court, you may be able to request permission by phone, mail, or in person. Please be mindful that every court in Texas has their own specific procedures that are different from others.
                Once the court has given you permission to dismiss your ticket, they usually give you 90 days to take a Defensive Driving Course. Comedy Driving Inc. offers a $25 defensive driving course, online, 24 hours a day, with 24 hour customer service. Comedy Driving Inc. is also approved by the Texas Education Agency and Region XIII Education Service Center, so their course is accepted by every court in Texas. To begin the course, go to ComedyDriving.com and click “Sign Up”. Then, you will create a username and password, so that you may log in and out of the course, and complete it at any pace you wish. Once you have completed the course, Comedy Driving will mail your certificate of completion to you, First Class Mail, the same or next business day. If you need your certificate sooner, Comedy Driving has several delivery options, so your certificate of completion can be shipped to you overnight.
                After you have received the certificate of completion, it is your obligation to sign the “court copy” and turn it in to the court, abiding by their requests. An “insurance copy” will always be mailed with the “court copy”, sign it and turn it in to your insurance company to possibly receive a discount on your current rates, or contact Iron Property Insurance for a better rate.
If you have any questions, contact Comedy Driving Inc. – customer service – at 713-465-0042.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Animal Passenger Safety Awareness


     Traveling with your pet can be an amusing and exciting adventure, but it is incredibly important to be mindful of your furry friend’s safety in the same way you would your own children.
Typically, people are often seen traveling with pets unrestrained, even though this behavior is just as dangerous for a pet as it would be for a human. Therefore, this matter should be taken quite seriously.
     Accordingly, your pet needs to be restrained within a ventilated crate that is properly fitted to their size and weight, which means the animal will be able to situate themselves in any position without difficulty or discomfort.   In addition, be sure that the animal is introduced to the carrier prior to the excursion in your vehicle. Also, be sure that the kennel is securely fastened, so that it will not shift or slide in the event of an accident or unexpected vehicle movement.
If you plan on taking a lengthy trip with your pet, it is suggested to let them experience several short trips beforehand to increase the comfort and avoid anxiety during travel.
     Please, be aware that there is never an acceptable situation or excuse to leave your pet in your vehicle unattended, ever. In any case, such behavior is against the law. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Even outside temperatures in the 60’s can cause a car temperature to rise well above 110° F.” More importantly, leaving any animal neglected in a vehicle, for any amount of time, puts their life in jeopardy.
     Lastly, steer clear from feeding your pet in a moving vehicle to ensure an enjoyable excursion for the both of you!

Monday, September 17, 2012

A Ticket for a Text


Presently, a total of 39 states in America have outlawed text messaging to drivers. In June of 2012 the statewide ban of text messaging while driving, pursued by Texas Legislatures, was vetoed by Governor Rick Perry. Governor Perry believes: “The keys to dissuading drivers of all ages from texting while driving are information and education.” Indeed, Texas enforces distracted driving laws. Drivers who are under eighteen years of age, or have a learner’s permit are strictly prohibited from using a cell phone when driving. Additionally, the use of cell phones is also illicit when driving through school crossing zones, and to anyone operating a school bus or government vehicle. Keep in mind, several cities across Texas have created their own ordinances regarding distracted driving, and fines can be as much as $500 if you fail to comply. Even if your city or state allows cell phone usage while driving that does not dismiss the danger of doing so. A driver can quickly lose focus of the road when using a cell phone, which may lead to an accident. One hundred percent of physical and mental concentration is required when driving; otherwise, it puts yourself and others that share the road with you in jeopardy. To be safe, minimize the possibility of distractions before you begin to drive. 


Thursday, August 30, 2012

New Innovative Bicycle Helmet - Hövding



       Unquestionably, a large portion of bicyclists consider wearing a helmet, while riding, is entirely impractical and unfashionable.  Others argue that fashion is of no concern when it comes to safety, yet enjoyment is. Hence, Swedish engineers designed the Hövding for those who find that wearing a helmet just isn't quite comfortable or convenient. The Hövding is a safety helmet for cyclists that can be worn without being seen.  This nylon helmet is calculated to inflate with helium gas in one-tenth of a second if the sensors detect any movements of the cyclist being involved in an accident. The Hövding is worn as a collar; therefore no one can detect it as a helmet. The Hövding also has different color pouches to choose from, helping it blend with your outfit even more. The helmet is completely undetectable, and this is why the creators refer to it as “invisible”.  If one is involved in an accident with the Hövding, take note that it is not re-usable. However, the company does provide a fifteen percent credit toward a brand new Hövding if the one used is returned at the time of purchasing the new one. In addition, some insurance agencies do cover part of the cost for a new Hövding if he or she is involved in an accident.  Certainly, the creation of this innovative helmet was a direct response of the survey conducted on the Sweden’s streets. They concluded that the primary reason for not wearing a helmet when cycling was that it is impractical and uncomfortable in several ways: “They're a pain to carry about, they all look hideous, they ruin your hair, nobody else wears them, you can't get your hat on underneath.” The Hövding solves all of these inconveniences, as well as increased visibility compared to a standard bicycle helmet. The only unfavorable character of the Hövding is the $600 price tag. In all, the Hövding allows cyclists to enjoy the outdoors entirely while abiding by bicycle helmet and safety laws.




Friday, August 24, 2012

Prepared for Evacuation?



Coastal cities around the nation have developed evacuation procedures to help residents exit areas predicted to be affected by bad weather.  Bad weather can occur at any time, but cities that border the seas are in heightened alert during June thru November which is the hurricane season.  To be prepared for when an evacuation is mandatory or voluntary one must be a step ahead of others to avoid either running out of gas or other resources which become scarce in a crisis situation.

Residents of coastal cities are probably aware of evacuation routes in their areas, but how familiar are those routes?  Make sure the routes posted by city official are roads that will lead to the final destination in mind.  When planning an evacuation decide whether a major highway or a road less traveled like back roads will be best.  Whatever is decided, make sure there are plenty of service stations on the way and that a GPS or maps are accessible.  Remember, filling up a vehicle with fuel is very important to do before leaving on that journey.  Likewise, pack additional fuel if it can be done. 

Plan to take one car per family and make transportation arrangements.  Use public transportation if needed.  If you have enough time before evacuating, shut off all utilities. It is not uncommon for fires to occur after evacuations, due to natural gas leaks. Also, turn off electricity at the main fuse or breaker, and turn off water at the main valve.
The city of Houston faced major gridlock in 2005 when nearly 2 million residents decided to leave the city simultaneously.  All major roadways were at a complete stop and traveling one mile took almost an hour.  Motorist found themselves stranded, out of fuel and only miles away from their initial starting point.  The highway congestion finally relinquished when all major highways leading out of the city became “Contraflow Highways,” meaning the lanes going into the city were turned into lanes leading out of the city.  There was no traffic allowed to come back in on the major highways. 

Make reservations ahead of time to ensure there will be a cozy room waiting.  Hotels and Motels are probably not going to be vacant during an emergency.  Always plan ahead and reserve a place to stay even if it’s with a relative.  Keep in mind, to avoid danger get away from an area that needs to evacuate, it may not necessary to travel far.  Often times, traveling outside a city limit or just getting away from a coastline is enough to avoid danger