Apr 28 2023

Bumpy Road



California has received an abundance of rain this year. While the rain does wonders for the environment, it does the opposite for our roads. You might notice more potholes in the roads once heavy rain is over. That’s because water goes into the pavement cracks that are formed by constant travel of vehicles. The water under the road can either freeze and expand, or in warmer temps, can make the soil soft and flexible. The changes in the soil under the road, combined with heavy traffic, cause the road surface to crack and break apart.

Potholes can be dangerous for drivers, as they can cause accidents and severe damage to your vehicle. If you happen to see one in the road ahead, switch lanes if it is safe to do so. If you can’t change lanes, then try to go around it within your lane to avoid hitting it, or safely decrease your speed and drive over the pothole cautiously.

Mar 31 2023

Distracted Driving Is No April Fools’ Joke

Did you know that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month? It was started as a way to raise awareness of how dangerous distracted driving can be, with the hopes of putting an end to preventable injuries and deaths on roadways. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), in 2020, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 drivers in America. When behind the wheel always remember to keep both hands on the wheel, your focus on the road, and do not use your cellphone while operating your vehicle. This is especially important for the younger drivers. EndDD.org states that, “The fatal crash rate for teens is 3 times greater than for drivers age 20 and over.” Do your part in keeping the roads safe this year and help bring those statistics down!

*This traffic safety topic is covered in our 8-hour California Traffic School course for traffic tickets. If you need traffic school to keep a moving violation hidden on your driving record, sign up today at https://www.trafficschool.com/california/california-traffic-school/?source=blog_03312023

Feb 28 2023

Spring Wake Up

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Increased Animal Activity

3 Second Stop

Soon the days will start to get sunnier and warmer from winter ending and hibernating animals will start to wake up. Animals waking up from hibernation will now be out on the roads foraging for food. As drivers, we are aware of the necessity to share the road with cyclist and motorcyclist, but what happens when an unexpected animal shows up on the road? We need to always be prepared for this possibility to avoid potential collisions that can lead to car damage and animal deaths. Make sure to always follow speed limits on highways and keep your speed low in residential areas where unpredictable pets and children could be playing outside. Driving at a responsible speed will help you stay in control of your vehicle. You will also have more time to react to your surroundings and avoid possible collisions.

Dec 27 2022

Driving in the Rain

Driving in the rain can be difficult for almost every driver. In fact, the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) states that “the vast majority of most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement and during rainfall.”

Some things you can do to avoid a potential weather-related crash are:

  1. Slow down and give yourself space between other vehicles.
  2. Use your low beam headlights to help you to see better and to make yourself more visible to other drivers.
  3. Ensure that your windshield wipers are in good condition. This is very important as visibility is already bad with rain.
  4. Tire health is also very important. Bad tires can lead to your car sliding and potentially skidding. Check your tread depth and tire pressure regularly.

If you still don’t feel safe about driving in the rain, then postpone your outing if possible.

Nov 30 2022

Fog Blog

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Dangers of Fog

 
3 Second Stop

Now that summer is officially gone, the weather will start to slowly change. You’ll start to notice mornings are now cold and foggy. Driving in the fog can bring more challenges. Did you know that the number one danger of driving in the fog is low visibility? The U.S. Department of Transportation states, “Each year, over 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog. Over 600 people are killed and more than 16,300 people are injured in these crashes annually.” If you can, it’s best to stay at home and avoid driving in the fog. If you need to drive in foggy conditions, always use your low beam headlights and be sure to give yourself extra time to arrive to your destination safely.

Oct 28 2022

Happy and Safe Halloween

As you are gearing up for the spookiest holiday weekend, take a minute to setup a safe ride home. TrafficSchool.com and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourage you to not drive impaired this Halloween!

You’re no mummy, vampire 🧛, or Frankenstein 🧟—once you’re gone, there’s no coming back from the dead. You have one life—don’t waste it by driving drunk. #BuzzedDriving is drunk driving.

A good time can quickly turn into a nightmare if you, or someone you know, get behind the wheel after using drugs. Don’t let your drive home become a cautionary tale. If you feel different, you drive different. #ImpairedDriving

Aug 26 2022

Smaller Road Users



Did you know that motorcyclists and bicyclists share the same rights as other vehicle drivers? Bicyclists and motorcyclists must follow laws and regulations just as drivers of automobiles. Since both cyclists and motorcyclist are less visible and much smaller than the average car, we have to be mindful and always keep an extra eye out for them as they face different challenges; challenges that other motorists might not always face. Weather can impact cyclist and motorcyclists much differently. Rain, wind, sun glare, and low light can make driving much more dangerous for them than for drivers of passenger vehicles. So when you’re in your car and see a bicyclist or motorcyclist make sure to treat them with the same consideration as you would any other vehicle on the roadway.

Jul 25 2022

See You Later Tailgater

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Dealing with Tailgaters

3 Second Stop

Summer break will soon be coming to an end and children will be returning to school. As school hours return so does the morning traffic. You might notice more tailgating occurring as people rush to get their kids to school and try to make it to work on time. Tailgating is not only dangerous but also illegal, not to mention that it is also a form of reckless driving. If you notice that you are being tailgated, make sure to remain calm and allow more space in front of you. This can help give you more time to slow down if there is a problem up ahead, lowering the chances of being rear-ended. If you are able to move over to the next lane do so. Drivers who tailgate are impatient and the best way to avoid the situation getting worse is to just let them go ahead. Tailgating can be deadly if it leads to an accident. Losing a few minutes of your life is better than losing your life in a few minutes!