Category Archives: Safe Driving

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend provides an extra day off and a great opportunity for road trips. But this year, due to high gas prices and a lethargic economy, many have decided to skip travel plans. If you are among those who are going ahead with a long-weekend trip, be sure to get the most from your vacation budget by saving on gas.

Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. You will get better gas mileage, and you’ll be safer on the road. You can also save on gas by using a price finder website to locate the best places to buy gas along your route. We’ve all had the experience of filling up during a trip, only to see a much lower price per gallon at the very next exit. You might be able to avoid that frustration by spending  a little time online looking at gas prices. Sites like gasbuddy.com also have app versions, so you can check prices while you are on the road.

And before you leave, here are a few additional tips:

  1. Make sure your battery, fluid levels, lights, and wiper blades are in good shape.
  2. Whether you use a GPS system or old fashioned paper, make sure your maps are up-to-date.
  3. Keep roadside emergency items like jumper cables and travel compressor in the car. Don’t pull them out to make room for the tent!
  4. If you don’t have one, get a cell phone charger with a car adaptor. This is a must have item any time, but especially on road trips.

As  for those who are staying home this weekend to enjoy picnics and parties, make sure you also think ahead about your travel plans. Decide on a designated driver before you let the good times roll.

Have a Safe and Fun Memorial Day weekend!

Getting a Grip on Hydroplaning

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Not only do April showers bring May flowers, they also mean more water on the road and greater risk of hydroplaning. Anyone who has experienced it knows that hydroplaning is one of the more frightening situations that can occur while driving.

What is hydroplaning and how does it occur?

Hydroplaning occurs when water pressure causes a vehicle to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water. It is like skidding, but potentially much more hazardous. The reason hydroplaning is so dangerous is because your vehicle loses contact with the road, leaving you with little way to control it.

The tread on tires is designed to help prevent hydroplaning. The treads function to channel and disperse water and slush, away from the face of the tire. If the tread is unable to do this, the vehicle will hydroplane, and the driver will lose braking and steering control. This can happen for a number of reasons including worn tread, improper inflation, and driving at speeds that are too high for the conditions. Traveling at high speed does not give the tire enough time to push the water out of the way, as it is designed to do.

Prevention is the best defense.

The best way to avoid hydroplaning is by keeping your tires properly inflated and making sure you have adequate tire tread. Your driving habits will also help or hurt you when it comes to wet conditions. Slow down when driving in rain, snow, or slush, especially when turning or on curves. Do your best to avoid puddles or standing water in the roadway. In the case of snow,  drive in the tire tracks left by the vehicles in front of you.

If hydroplaning does ever occur, resist the urge to brake or turn suddenly. This is likely to throw your vehicle into a skid or spin. Ease your foot off the gas until the vehicle slows and you can feel the road again. If it is necessary to brake, do so with a light pumping action. Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems will automatically pump as you brake, safely and effectively.

Remember, the best way to manage hydroplaning it to do all you can to prevent it from occurring.

Free “SaferCar” App for iPhone

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A new free mobile app released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now available for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The app provides real-time information to help consumers “Buy Safe, Drive Safe, and Stay Safe.”

The SaferCar app  gives consumers on demand access to important safety information to help them make informed decisions. Features include:

  • 5-Star Safety Ratings: Car shoppers can look up crash test ratings and compare them across different makes and models.
  • Recalls and Complaints: Drivers can stay on top of safety issues for vehicles they own by registering their vehicles to be notified by NHTSA if a safety issue is discovered. The app also provides an easy way to submit complaints to NHTSA regarding potential safety issues with a particular vehicle.
  • Child Seat Installation Assistance: The app helps users to readily access driving directions to the nearest child seat inspection station and get knowledgeable assistance in properly installing car seats and booster seats.
  • Safety Headlines and Alerts: Users can receive essential news and information from NHTSA, as well as recall notices and push notices on their recorded vehicles.

For now, the SaferCar app is only available for iPhone and iPod Touch devices, and can be downloaded from Apple’s iTunes Store. Development is currently underway for an Android version of the SaferCar app.

Good Tread May Not Mean Good Tire

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Dear Tracy,

Our family has inherited an RV/Camper that is older, but in excellent condition. It had belonged to  my aunt and uncle who have not been able to use it much over the past several years due to health issues. They very generously decided to give it to our family so we could enjoy it. My uncle suggested that we have the tires replaced since they have not been used often, but we think the tread on them looks fine. As long as the tread is not worn, the tires should be safe, right?

Melinda D.

Dear Melinda,

Congratulations on your RV! RV vacations are wonderful, and will make great memories for your family.

Regarding those old tires, I am inclined to agree with your uncle – they could be an issue.  Even though the tire tread looks fine, tires are subject to the affects of “tire aging” and can become unsafe. Tire aging specifically refers to the deterioration of a tire’s structural integrity. On a typical vehicle that is driven regularly, tire aging is not an issue because the tread wears out before degradation from aging can occur. Vehicles that are driven only occasionally, such as collector cars or those used for recreation, are especially susceptible to tire aging problems. While un-mounted tires that are properly stored should not age as quickly as mounted tires, spare tires can also become too old to safely use before they actually wear out.

In deciding whether or not to replace your RV tires consider a few things. How old are the tires? Has the RV been stored in a garage or out on a driveway? Having an overall inspection of the RV performed by your auto shop is a good idea – you can get professional opinion on the tires then. Lastly, according to general advice given on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website www.safercar.gov, “it is always wise to err on the side of caution if you suspect your vehicle has tires that are over six years of age.”

Run Flat Tires – Things to Consider

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Dear Tracy,

I have heard that there is a new type of tire, called a run flat tire, that prevents blow outs. I recently had a blow out that scared me so badly, I almost wrecked. Can you tell me more about these tires? I really think I would like to get them!

Cindy W.

Dear Cindy,

You may have just heard about run flat tires, but they have actually been around for awhile. In fact, the idea for a self-supporting tire goes back to the 1930’s when a “bullet-proof” tire was developed for military vehicles and armored cars. This tire featured a sponge rubber inner tube that did not require air and was drivable, even after taking several bullets. (Tire history fans can read more in this 1935 article found in Popular Mechanics.)

Today’s run flat or zero pressure tires are designed to resist the unstable effects of deflation when punctured, and allow the vehicle to continue to be driven at a reduced speed for a limited distance, usually up to 100 miles. Run flat tires do not “prevent” blow outs, but they do keep your car more stable and drivable in the event of a flat. While these are good features, there are some draw backs to consider:

  • Run flat tires have much stiffer sidewalls so they are able to maintain vehicle weight. The result is compromised ride comfort.
  • The reinforcements necessary in run flat tires add weight to each tire. The heavier weight compromises vehicle handling.
  • Run flat tires may cost up to twice as much as standard tires. Some reports also suggest that they have a shorter life-span.
  • Drivers must pay close attention to tire pressure as pressure loss is harder to detect with run flat tires. While the use of a tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can provide low pressure warnings, if those warnings are ignored, tire damage and destabilization may still occur.

Some vehicle manufacturers are designing vehicles to be equipped with run flat tires and engineering ways to offset these drawbacks. The good news is that as car manufacturers move in this direction, the technology behind the run flat design should continue to improve. One day, tires that prevent the type of experience you had may be the new standard.

Studded or Studless Winter Tires?

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Dear Tracy,

I have been hearing about studded tires and how they are best for driving on snow and ice. Is this just another name for winter tires or are they something all together different?

Jean A.

Dear Jean,

While studded tires are for winter driving, not all winter tires are studded tires. Studded tires feature a series of metal studs, which are built right into the tire tread. These studs are designed to penetrate snow and slush,  and grip into ice that lies beneath. Winter tires without studs, or studless tires feature a softer rubber than all season tires, which is intended to provide better gripping. The open tread design is another feature that gives winter tires better handling capability on slush and snow.

Like tire chains, the problem with studded tires is that if the studs are not digging into snow and ice, they are digging into the road surface. This is why studded tires are not allowed many areas. Typically if studded tires are permitted, it is only for specified times during the year. While studded tires do offer handling advantages such as better cornering ability, increased traction and more powerful braking force on snow and ice, they can actually cause a poorer handling on non-icy roads due to increased friction. Unless you are an ice road trucker, you are probably better off with studless winter tires.

Safe Driving Challenge for Teachers and Students

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Dear Readers,

Periodically I like to share news relating to tires and driving, and I thought this was a great program worth mentioning. On October 18, Toyota and Discovery Education announced two exciting contests in which teachers and teens are invited to come up with their most creative ideas for promoting safe teen driving habits. While these contests give students and teachers the opportunity to win some big prizes, the best part is the energy, attention, and motivation they inspire surrounding a critically important topic – teen driving safety.

Surpassing tragedies caused homicide and suicide, as well as deaths from cancer and heart disease, vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of teen fatalities, claiming more lives than all of the others combined.  This has been a troubling trend for the past several years, and in 2010, Toyota and Discovery Education teamed up to create Toyota Teen Driver, a comprehensive program and website to provide safe-driving tools and resources to educators, students and parents. This year, the program includes two creative contests:

Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge

This contest invites students to produce an original video describing what they can do in their communities to help make teenagers safer drivers. The top ten videos will be selected by a panel of experts for their originality and compelling content, after which an online public voting period will determine the winner. Multiple winners will receive large cash prizes, and Discovery Channel film crews will visit the top three students’ hometowns to hear their stories and capture their visions for safer driving for pieces that will air on the Toyota Teen Driver and Discovery websites. The contest is open to students in grades 9-12.

Toyota Teen Driver Educators’ Challenge

For this contest, teachers are asked to create innovative and motivating plans for keeping students safe on the roads. The grand prize winner will receive a big cash prize along with trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a safe-driving conference. In addition, the winning teacher’s school will be awarded a Virtual Driver Interactive simulator and a safe-driving assembly, led by Toyota Teen Driver experts. A second place winner will also receive a driving simulator and school safe-driving assembly, as well as a cash prize.

I applaud these terrific programs. Safer teen drivers mean safer roads, not only for them, but for everyone. If you know any creative teens or teachers, let them know about the challenge! The deadline for both contests is February 14, 2013. For more information you can follow my links above.

Wishing you safe roads and happy travels,

Tracy

Along for the Ride

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Dear Tracy,

I am a relatively new driver and just became a car owner for the first time in my life! I am extremely excited about being a car owner, but I also take the responsibility seriously. To make sure that I am prepared for any crisis situation that I may encounter while on the road, I would like to put together an emergency kit of items to keep in my car. Can you advise me as to what the best items are to include in my kit?

Alicia K.

Dear Alicia,

Congratulations on your car ownership! Isn’t it a great feeling to have the freedom that comes with owning your own car? I applaud your commitment to being a responsible driver, and traveling with a car emergency kit is an excellent idea. Here is a list of items I suggest keeping in your car:

Spare tire – Your car should include what you would need in the event of a blow out, but if you have purchased a used car, it might be a good idea to confirm you have a spare and that it is in good condition.

Portable air compressor –When your tire is leaking but hasn’t totally blown out, you can use a portable air compressor to get back on the road. The compressor fills your tire up enough to allow you to drive to a repair shop to get it fixed.

Jumper cables – One of the most basic items to include in your car emergency kit is a set of jumper cables. Your car battery could fail due to any number of reasons, from your car dome light being left on to cold weather. A set of jumper cables can mean the difference between waiting for a tow and getting back on the road. Not only may the cables help you in a jam, you might be able to assist someone else in need.

Flashlight – Keeping a strong flashlight (with a fresh set of batteries in it) is a good idea for emergency. Even in non-emergency situations, like when you drop your cell phone between the seat and the center console, a little light is a huge help!

Roadside flares –An immobile car on the side of a dark road poses a serious risk for a non-alert motorist turning a single car problem into a multi-car problem. Roadside flares not only provide a “help” signal, they alert unsuspecting drivers of a disabled vehicle near the roadway. Today, you can get LED flares, so you don’t have to light them.

Snacks & Water Bottles – If you spend a lot of time in your car, it might be a good idea to carry snacks and bottled water in your emergency stash. No one ever plans on being stranded on the side of the road, and it may occur at a time when you need to eat or drink. Just be sure to swap out the snacks from time to time, so you are not relying on stale sustenance.

Warm blankets – A few warm blankets, spare gloves, or even packets of instant hand warmer can make a long wait in the car much more bearable.

Ice scraper – In the winter months, make sure you are prepared for that layer of ice and frost. Don’t be the person out there trying to clear frosty windows with your library card!

First aid kit – Bandages, Neosporin®, pain relievers, antacids, basically anything you reach in the medicine cabinet for on a regular basis can be extremely handy to have on hand in your vehicle.

LifeHammer® – This tool is used it to break a window or cut a seatbelt, enabling escape in extreme situations. This item is definitely one that you may never use, but they are not too expensive, so it might be worth adding one to your cache.

Winter Driving – Keep the Pressure On

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Dear Tracy,

Now that fall is here, I am beginning to worry about another season of winter driving.  I have heard that if you reduce the pressure in your tires you will have better traction on snow and ice. Is this true? Sliding on the ice really scares me – especially on all the hills around my home!

Olivia D.

Dear Olivia,

I understand – driving in winter weather has a chilling effect on my confidence, too. But, you should not reduce tire pressure to increase traction on snow or ice, mainly because it does not work. In fact, underinflated tires cause the engine to work harder, due to increased rolling resistance. Not enough tire pressure also affects the steering and handling of your vehicle. Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure because it results in excessive tire stress, irregular wear, and loss of control.

There are plenty of other ways to prepare for driving in winter weather.  Install a set of quality winter tires before the first storm hits. You can also use the changing seasons as a reminder to take care of routine tire maintenance. Being prepared for winter weather will help you anticipate and avoid dangerous circumstances so you can maintain control and remain safe on the road.

Once your winter tires are installed, here are a few safe winter driving reminders:

  • First and foremost, always drive a little slower during winter conditions.
  • It always take longer to stop a vehicle on ice and snow, so double the anticipated stopping distance when braking anytime conditions are not dry.
  • Remember that a four-wheel drive vehicle does not have better braking ability than a two-wheel drive vehicle, so don’t expect an SUV to stop faster than a sedan.
  • In order to gain all of the handling and traction benefits of winter tires you need to install four of them. This assures all tires have the same grip capabilities.

Blowing it during a Tire Blowout

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Dear Tracy,

I have not been driving very long, and have not had a lot of on-the-road experience. Even though I do take care of my tires and have all of the necessary maintenance done, I am worried about having a tire blowout while I am driving. I am afraid I will not be able to handle the car and have a wreck! Do you have any advice for me?

-Kristy M.

Dear Kristy,

Having a tire blowout while driving along at 55 mph is a frightening mishap, even for an experienced driver! It is great that you are doing what you can to keep your tires maintained to prevent a blowout, but road debris can easily destroy a good tire at any time.

If you find yourself in a blowout situation try to remember not to panic. It is very important that you maintain control and balance of your vehicle. If you slam on the brakes or even take your foot of the accelerator tot quickly, you will lose stability and control.

The best way to maneuver through a tire blowout is to first slowly release the accelerator. As you gradually reduce speed, correct steering until you regain control and stabilize the vehicle. At this point, it should be safe for you to slowly pull off the road. Whether the blow occurs in the front or back, on the passenger’s side or driver’s side, a tire blow out should always be handled the same way.

While you should react the same way to a front or rear tire blowout, the two types of blowouts do not feel the same. A front blowout is felt in the steering of the vehicle, and a rear blowout is felt in the vehicle’s body.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) website, www.safercar.gov, has some helpful flash animation videos that demonstrate what to do and what not to do in the event of a blow out:

What not to do in a front tire blowout situation.

What to do in a front tire blowout situation