Tag Archives: Driving Safety

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.

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!

May 26 2022

100 Deadliest Days

For many people, summer unofficially starts Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. While the start of summer is an exciting time for most, not many people know that the time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is considered the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, especially for teen drivers. From the year 2010 to 2019, over 7,000 Americans died in teen related driving accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The NSC (National Safety Council) has noted an association between the monthly number of vehicle miles traveled and motor-vehicle fatalities. The NSC states that mileage and motor vehicle death rates increase during the summer months, particularly the months of July and August. So, don’t let your guard down while we are enjoying lighter traffic due to schools being out for summer vacation. Always be alert and aware of other drivers around you… summer vacation doesn’t mean you should take a vacation from good defensive driving habits.

Apr 22 2022

Summertime Dangers

With summer just a few months away we have a few tips to make your summer a safe one.

Summer brings sunnier days and sunnier days make for harsh sun glare. Sun glare can be extremely dangerous while driving. The NHTSA or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that sun glare is the cause of approximately 9,000 accidents per year. Make sure to have a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes, but be sure to avoid frames with wide side pieces that reduce your ability to see to the side!

With summer also comes heat and we tend to change our choice of footwear to something lighter. While flip-flops are great for the pool or for walking along the beach, they can be a hazard while driving since they can get stuck underneath the brake or the accelerator. Experts even claim that flip-flops can actually double the time that it takes for a driver to brake. Flip-flop accidents are not that rare. In 2013, a study was conducted and it turned out that 7% of drivers who were polled had actually crashed or nearly caused a crash because of the flimsy sandals!

Have a safe summer and another quick summer reminder: Never leave children or animals in the car unattended. The temperatures in a vehicle can reach dangerously high temperatures in just minutes.

Mar 23 2022

Don’t Let Rage Take the Wheel

Road rage can happen to anyone, even the calmest drivers can experience it. There have been many studies to find out what exactly causes road rage and the results conclude different things. From stress, to a bad morning or even traffic congestion, it all varies. The American Psychological Association actually did a study and they found that the people most likely to exhibit road rage are young males. But ultimately, both males and females experience it.

Road rage can be dangerous, a small altercation can turn deadly. The L.A. Times wrote an article about road rage and stated that, in 2021, every 18 hours someone was shot and injured or killed in a road rage incident in the United States.

If you ever encounter another driver acting aggressively, remain calm, switch lanes if possible and ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver. Responding to the aggressive driver might lead to the situation escalating. If you are ever caught in a road rage situation where the driver could be following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station. Remember to ignore the urge to reciprocate an aggressive driver’s actions, your loved ones will thank you.

*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_03232022