Category Three Second Stop

May 31 2023

Warning Lights

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Today’s Three Seconds: Low Tire Pressure

Have you ever started your car and immediately received a low tire pressure notification? If so, here’s what you should do. First and foremost, it’s crucial not to drive on significantly underinflated tires. Stay parked and inspect your tires for any signs of punctures or holes. It’s not uncommon for tires to be punctured by shards of glass, nails, or other debris while driving. If you don’t notice any punctures, the issue could be related to the weather. Cold temperatures can cause a decrease in tire pressure. Alternatively, it may be time to replace your tires if they are old and worn. However, in many cases, the most common and simple solution is to refill your tires. Make it a habit to regularly check your tire pressure, ideally every two to four weeks, as part of your routine maintenance.

Feb 28 2023

Spring Wake Up

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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.

Nov 30 2022

Fog Blog

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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.

Jul 25 2022

See You Later Tailgater

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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!

Dec 17 2021

Winter Driving

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Today’s Three Seconds: Tire Pressure During Winter

3 Second Stop

When the cold of winter comes, it’s important to check your tire pressure. While nobody wants to check their tire pressure outside in the cold, it’s important to do so since cold air reduces the air pressure in your tires. Low tire pressure can be extremely dangerous. When your tire pressure is low, it can lead to a blowout, increase braking time, and also reduce your tire life. When temperatures are colder than usual your tire pressure can drop about 1 – 2 pounds per square inch for every 10℉ in temperature change. So this winter make sure to take a few extra seconds to check your tires for your safety and the safety of others. Stay warm and stay safe!

Jul 30 2021

Poor Vision

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Today’s Three Seconds: Night Blindness

3 Second Stop

Compensate for poor night vision by slowing down.  This gives you time to identify a potential hazard in your headlights and react to avoid it by stopping in time.  Also, avoid looking directly into the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Instead, guide your car by looking at the road markers on the right-hand side of the road.

*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 off your driving record, sign up today at https://www.trafficschool.com/california/california-traffic-school/?source=blog_07302021

Feb 25 2021

Parking Safety

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Today’s Three Seconds: Parking on a Hill

3 Second Stop

When parking on a hill or steep incline, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your vehicle doesn’t roll into the flow of traffic. If you are parking next to a curb facing uphill, turn your front tires away from the curb, then gently let your vehicle roll back so your front tire is touching the curb. In all other hill parking scenarios (downhill with curb, uphill without curb, and downhill without curb), turn your front tires towards the curb or side of the road.  Always set your parking brake. It is separate from your regular braking system, so both systems don’t fail at the same time. Also, leave your vehicle in gear if you have a standard transmission (stick-shift), or in “park” position if it is an automatic. Remember, the goal when parking on a steep hill is to make sure your vehicle doesn’t roll into other traffic, potentially causing a collision.

Aug 31 2020

Intersection Safety

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Today’s Three Seconds: Judging Time to Make a Maneuver

3 Second Stop

Judging time to make a maneuver requires you to estimate the distance and speed of other vehicles, and then proceed when you believe you have enough time to execute the maneuver safely. Whenever you drive in city traffic, you should always look a block ahead. It takes approximately 10 to 15 seconds to travel one block. If you are traveling on a highway with several lanes, or on a divided highway, check for vehicles in all lanes that you have to cross. Don’t forget to look for smaller bicyclists and motorcyclists and check crosswalks for pedestrians. You should cross or turn only after you have determined that you can complete the movement safely without impeding other road users.

Mar 30 2020

REAL ID Deadline Extension

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Today’s Three Seconds: More Time to Get REAL ID

3 Second Stop

With people being encouraged to stay home to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline by one year. REAL ID enforcement will now begin October 1, 2021. In a statement issued on March 26, 2020, Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, expressed, “Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.”

A REAL ID is a driver license or identification card that meets minimum security standards and is a federally accepted form of identification. A REAL ID can be used to board flights within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities. For more information on REAL ID requirements in your state, check with your local department of motor vehicles.

Nov 27 2019

Extra Space

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Today’s Three Seconds: Three-Second PLUS Rule

3 Second Stop

Under normal driving conditions, the “Three-Second Rule” works great in determining following distance and should give you plenty of time and space to avoid a collision.  Sometimes, however, you may need to add additional space to the equation, and this is called the “Three-Second PLUS Rule.” Here are some instances when you need to leave extra space and increase your following distance to 4 seconds or more:

  • When visibility is poor.
  • In adverse weather conditions.
  • On poorly paved roads.
  • When following a motorcyclist.
  • When towing a trailer or are carrying a heavy load.
  • When being tailgated.

For a more in-depth look at the 3-Second Rule check out our blog on Following Distance.