Cars and Driving Blog by Improv: June 2015

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

4 Traffic Tickets You Didn’t Know Existed!

Completely avoiding traffic tickets is tricky, even for the most experienced drivers. All it takes is a moment of lost concentration to make a mistake and receive a citation. This is one of the reasons traffic schools are so popular.

Of course, it’s even more difficult to avoid traffic tickets if you don’t even know what you’re being ticketed for! To help you out, here are four of the most common traffic tickets that many drivers aren’t even aware of. You will be able to use the tips below to become a safer driver, and get pulled over less.

Driving Too Slowly

Everybody knows that it’s illegal to speed, it’s one of the most common tickets drivers come to defensive driving schools to try and dismiss. Speeding is dangerous, interrupting the flow of traffic, and putting yourself and others at risk.

It makes sense, then, that driving too far under the limit is also a ticketable offense. Like speeding, driving too slowly interrupts the flow of traffic and puts others at risk. If you’re driving below the limit, you should always stay in the right-most lane. Even then, you must drive fast enough to not impede traffic

Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule:

If you’re passing a slower vehicle (like an oversized load), you’re permitted to move one lane to the left in order to pass them.
You’re permitted to slow down if you’re preparing to make a turn.
During certain hazardous road or weather conditions, it’s expected that you will be driving far below the posted limit.

Making a U-Turn

It’s easy to get turned around or lost when you’re driving in a new place. Sometimes, it’s just easier to turn around and go the other way. Making a U-turn is often necessary, but it’s also sometimes illegal. Illegal U-turn tickets are quite common, so it’s important to know exactly when they’re illegal.

Exact laws on U-turns do vary by state, but in general it’s legal to make as long as it’s reasonably safe based on approaching traffic, cars in the area, and the road you’re on. However, several things can make a U-turn illegal. Typically, this will include things like:

Being on a hill or sloped road.
Being close to a bend or curve that limits visibility of oncoming traffic.
Going across double-yellow lines on a road.
Making a U-turn near an explicit ‘No U-Turn’ sign.

Driving With a Pet

There’s nothing as fun as taking your dog on a road trip to the park, to the ice cream store, or anywhere in-between. What you might not have known, however, is that you might be violating traffic laws by doing so.

Several states do explicitly ban drivers from holding their pets while driving. Others ban pets from sitting on the driver’s lap while the vehicle is in motion. In New Jersey, for example, you could be fined up to $1,000 for driving with a dog in your lap.

If you want to safely drive with a pet, you should consider a traveling restraint for them. It allows them to safely sit and lay down, without giving them the ability to freely roam throughout the vehicle as you drive. It also prevents them from running out when the door is opened.

Having an Unsafe Vehicle

Traffic tickets are simply limited to mistakes you make while driving. If your vehicle isn’t safe to operate, you can receive a ticket for trying to drive it.

There are many types of unsafe vehicles, but there are a number of conditions that can make it unsafe:

Worn down, balding tires that are at the end of their life-cycle.
Faulty headlights or brake lights.
Snow on the top of the vehicle that hasn’t been shoveled off.
Excessive fluid leaks.

Getting Rid of Tickets With Defensive Driving Courses

If you received a traffic ticket, one of your best bets is taking a defensive driving course. It provides you with the necessary tools to become a defensive, safe driver. You’ll be able to remove violation points from your record and possibly even have the ticket thrown out.

Best of all, voluntarily enrolling in a defensive driving course often encourages insurance companies to lower your premium. So make sure to check us out and enroll in a class today!

The post 4 Traffic Tickets You Didn’t Know Existed! appeared first on MyImprov.

from Improv Traffic School Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/improvtrafficschool/~3/T7ul1uF3bEM/

Monday, June 29, 2015

Is Marchionne right? Let's find out

We were fascinated a few weeks ago when FCA boss Sergio Marchionne made his now-famous PowerPoint presentation to the analyst community. Whatever his motivation, we have decided to take Marchionne seriously.

from Improv Traffic School Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/improvtrafficschool/~3/B6lSDx1fdIo/is-marchionne-right-lets-find-out

Sunday, June 28, 2015

After 'chicken tax,' a flood of foreign trucks?

Two free-trade deals the U.S. is trying to negotiate would roll back the so-called chicken tax. Critics of the tax say it has priced imported trucks out of the market, shielding the Detroit 3's biggest profit machine from robust foreign competition.

from Improv Traffic School Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/improvtrafficschool/~3/n0AGryOkmz4/after-chicken-tax-a-flood-of-foreign-trucks

Saturday, June 27, 2015

How Mexico could color UAW talks

When the UAW and Detroit automakers open contract talks next month, Mexico will be hovering over the proceedings and influence the outcome.

from Improv Traffic School Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/improvtrafficschool/~3/_dVHP-gSAIQ/how-mexico-could-color-uaw-talks

Friday, June 26, 2015

Sparks flew when French designer and Bob Lutz met - and when they collaborated

When it came to matters of taste and vehicle styling Patrick le Quement never could hold his tongue.

from Improv Traffic School Blog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/improvtrafficschool/~3/oqtr2t0-KEY/sparks-flew-when-french-designer-and-bob-lutz-met-and-when-they

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Little-Known Driving Hacks for the Perfect 4th of July

You’re likely doing something this 4th of July, and it’s a very popular time of year for road trips. Whether you’re taking just a day or trip or a more ambitious three-day vacation, check out the information below. Before you get in it and lose yourself in the freedom (see what I did there) of the open road, it helps to be as prepared as possible.

Did You Know?

Only 19% of consumers actually consistently check how well their tread is faring which is a shame. Tires generally go about 4,700 miles farther when you have proper inflation, and can save you up to 9 cents a gallon. Also, almost 11,000 accidents are caused by poor tires. That’s why we’re happy to give you an easy upkeep solution.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Tire Tread

Seriously, who is thinking about their tire tread? What does 4/32″ inch even mean? Forget the measurements, forget breaking out a ruler or your phone to measure something way too small to even really think about. Grab a penny (see, they’re useful for some things) and place between your tire tread. It should be upside down with honest Abe’s head facing you. If you can see all of his head, then it’s bad news bears. Your tire tread is way too low and needs to be replaced pronto before you risk having a holiday accident because your traction is totally lame. Or, if you only have quarters then insert that into the tread, following the same rules as the penny (upside down, honest Washington’s head facing you.) If the tread goes up to the start of his hair and beyond, then congratulations! Your tread is good to go. There’s also a traction indicator on your tire, and it looks like a little bar connecting the patterns in the tread. There’s more than one throughout your tires, so it should be easy to find. When that indicator becomes about level with the tread itself, then that’s also a sign you should replace your tires. Word to the wise though, this test is not nearly as fun as the coin tests.

Car Tips

Do these things before you even head out for a stress-free ride:

If you’re using a rental or driving a friend’s car, you can find out which side the gas cap is on as soon as you get in by looking at the gas gauge on your dashboard. You should see an arrow in the middle either pointing right or left. Voila! Now you don’t have to guess.

Use an opened box of dryer sheets as opposed to air fresheners. They’re cheaper and they’ll keep your car smelling unlike your dirty feet (which are likely to be entirely exposed after your 4th hour in the car.)

You’ll be likely be using your phone a lot for directions, music, etc. Use a large binder clip to mount your phone onto any flat surface of your car, so you don’t have to hold it in your lap or watch it slide around your dash. Bend the ‘fingers’ (metal portion of the clip) down just a tad, use a rubber band to create additional tension and then clip onto your vent and insert your phone. I’d say voila again, but that would likely just annoy you.

Road Tips

Similar to our little arrow trick above with the gas tank, if you’re on an unknown road and aren’t sure which way to exit, look for where the little exit number is placed above the larger sign. If, for example, Exit 136A is on the right side, then you know that the actual ramp itself will be on the right side and vice versa.

Use a shower caddy to stow your burgers and fries. Skip the spills and stains in your car, with this little trick. Plus, you don’t have to eat of a bag.

Avoid Blue Highways. This term refers to stretches of road with little more than Wal-Marts and other obnoxious box stores on them. They’ll offer nothing to the charm or fun of your road trip. You’re much better off trying to find country backroads (if you can do it without getting lost.) And with that in mind…

Take a screenshot of your directions before you lose Internet connection!

Use the pin feature on your navigational system when you park, so you never have to spend time wandering around again.

Shoes and rolls of tape make for excellent (if slightly ghetto) additional cup holders.

A hoodie pulled over the eyes can let the primary or secondary driver get some well-deserved shut eye on the road.

And Finally

The smaller towns in particular tend to have cops who are a little… overzealous about their jobs during holiday weekends. Even a few miles over the speed limit or one second short of the appropriate stop sign rules can mean a ticket for you. And the last thing you’re going to want to do is driver back to the local courthouse to fight the ticket. Keep your driving record safe with traffic school or a defensive driving course. The points on your license and the higher insurance rates shall not be yours. Every region will have it’s own regulations, but this will typically clear you of the ill effects of a citation. And for goodness sake, stay sober! That’s not a hack, that’s just plain common sense!