POST CATEGORY : Driving

Evasive Driving

time lapse photography of man riding car

Practicing safe driving techniques and keeping your head towards will keep you out of accidents. However, you should also prepare yourself for some possibilities in which you have to apply evasive driving – this is where you need to think quickly and keep yourself and your vehicle from the harm of another driver.

The typical example of this situation is encountering another driver that doesn’t see you and slams on his brakes reflexively. Another is a driver that runs a red light, and you have only a single second to react and stay out of the intersection.

It could perhaps be an aggressive driver behind you and you need to get out of their way quickly. Any of these can result in an accident or death. When these situations occur, you should be confident in your evasive driving skills and knowledge that you won’t panic and worsen the situation.

So, first and foremost, know your vehicle well. You may not have done this when you have learned driving, but do to look for an empty parking lot to do this.

Practice the following:

1. Quick Panic Stops

Image result for evasive driving

With your car traveling at 25-30mph, try to make a quick stop. Be sure no to do this more than once in a row without cooling off your brakes. Press firmly on the brake pedal to know how effective your anti-lock braking system in these situations.

2. Swerving

Related image

At times, you may need to change lanes quickly to avoid hazards. One common example of this is when one lane is suddenly at a stand-still and you have to swerve or use the panic brake to avoid a collision.

The safest move in this situation is to swerve your car to the shoulder even if you think you have enough room to brake. You may not have as much space as you think, and the person on the other car behind you may not be as alert as you. But, swerving properly helps avoid collisions on both ends of your car.

3. Practice on a Less Traveled Road

gray concrete road under blue sky during daytime

To practice evasive driving, do it on a less traveled road. Turn your car and simulate these situations and notice how it reacts to sudden direction changes. Staying alert even in the practice of evasive driving is the most important of all. You need to be cautious about both obstacles and other vehicles.

There are companies like Ford, who allow test drivers to run their vehicles in rigorous testing to anticipate the vehicle’s reaction in these situations. Through this, you get to know it for your own sake and be confident that your vehicle can handle dependently.

However, keep in mind that while it’s important to know your car’s limits, you need these activities in minimum to avoid excessive wear on the car.

4. Practice in Both Dry and Wet Conditions

Image result for dry and wet road

Moreover, it is suggested to practice these maneuvers in both dry and wet conditions. If you can have an experienced driver to accompany you and share the experience with this practice, call them as they may provide valuable insight.

Make sure that your safety belts are fastened at all times. Once you’ve chosen your practice spot where there is no traffic, be sure to still keep an eye out for other vehicles.

After sensing your vehicle’s ability, visualize some of the situations I’ve mentioned, and plan how you would react.

person driving car near vehicle under nimbus cloudes

Practicing defensive driving (signaling early, double-checking mirrors and blind spots, obeying the road rules) will help keep you out of most situations, but learning evasive driving can help give you peace of mind. Both of these are crucial to safe driving.

Baby Car Seat Alarm

Image result for baby car seat alarm

Baby car seat alarm can be a lifesaver. In fact, in Italy, all drivers are now required to install baby car seat alarms. This mechanism can help parents not to forget their child in a car and prevent deaths from happening.

The US also now follows suit when the number of deaths in hot cars becomes alarming. The advocates in the country say that the baby car seat alarm is more efficient. The said requirement will become mainstream by 2025.

According to the AAP or American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading cause of non-car crash death in children is heatstroke. Surprisingly, a child’s body heats three to five times faster than an adult’s body.

When this happens, the temperature rises to 104 degrees, then the child’s major organs start to shut down. If it reaches 107 degrees, it can lead to death. And if you think that breaking a window is the solution, well, it’s not. It’s because car heats up in 10 minutes, and kids can have heatstroke when it’s 57 degrees outside.

So, what the adults should do is always to check the backseat to ensure that the child is out of the car. Though it may be easy to some, that doesn’t ever happen all the time. So, for this reason, it would be worthy of investing in baby car seat alarm to alert parents before leaving the vehicle.

4 Baby Cart Seat Alarms

1. Elepho eClip Baby Reminder

Image result for elepho eclip baby reminder

This baby car seat monitor reminds you that your baby or child is in the car and will sound an alarm if you leave them in the car.

This baby car seat alarm attaches to the car seat or seat belt. It connects to your smartphone and notifies proximity alerts. It automatically alarms if you leave your child in the car.

To use, simply turn it on and sync via Bluetooth to your smartphone. When you walk 15 feet away from your car with your child inside of the vehicle, the eClip starts texting a spouse, relative, or a friend. Moreover, it also has a built-in thermometer and will alert the driver if the temperature gets too hot or too cold.

2. Cybex Sirona M SensorSafe 2.0, Lavastone Black Car Seat

Image result for Cybex Sirona M SensorSafe 2.0, Lavastone Black Car Seat

This car seat sends a notification to your phone when you leave your child unattended inside the car. Thanks to SensorSafe 2.0, any non-car crash accidents will be prevented.

3. Ride N Remind

Image result for Ride N Remind

This baby car seat alarm requires professional installation. This delivers an audible reminder that helps you remember your child in the backseat.

For only $30, this baby car seat alarm works by monitoring your car’s rear doors. This is activated automatically when either the rear door is opened and closed within 15 minutes before your vehicle. A chime sounds to remind you to check the backseat.

4. CarLock Advanced Real-Time 3G Car Tracker & Alert System

Image result for CarLock Advanced Real-Time 3G Car Tracker & Alert System

If this sensor detects unusual movement, like a baby throwing tantrums or crying, an alarm will sound.

Technically, this device is to stop car theft, but one of its functionalities is to alert you if there are any unusual vibrations detected. It’s a real-time tracking system that monitors your car and alerts you of suspicious activity through an app on your Android or Apple device.

Best Car Seats: Guide for New Parents

Related image

For every parent, it’s important to ensure the child’s safety in any vehicle. Every year, many children get injured or killed in car accidents. The best way to prevent this is to restrain your child in car seats when you take them along your journey.

For New Parents

Image result for parents putting the car seat

If you’re new parents, it’s okay to give yourselves sufficient time to prepare and learn how to install car seats in your vehicle. This is because being stuck in traffic or traveling long trips with newborn babies is tiring and nerve-wracking. Having car seats for your children will give you peace of mind while you drive as you know they are safe.

It is essential for new parents to use the right car seats for their children. However, knowing which one is best for them depends upon various factors such as their age, size, and type of car you drive.

Importance for Babies and Children

Image result for car seat

Car seats are a necessity for babies who are three years old and below. However, the law still requires parents to use car seats and booster seats for children until they are 12 years of age.

Having a car seat can turn trips in the car into dreamlike travel for them. Child car seats are designed perfectly for small children to fit in. These also provide a security system that protects them in case of severe side impacts.

What You Must Do?

Image result for parents buckle seat baby car seat

You need to set a good example for your children. You can do this by wearing your seatbelts every time you sit in the car. Your children always learn from you.

So, once you’re inside the car with your children, ensure that all seatbelts are fastened before you drive. Don’t start driving with your child seatbelts twisted or unlocked. If your child has a habit of unlocking the straps or buckles, keep a watch over them through your rearview mirror. If you find it unlocked, stop and buckle it up again and tell them its importance.

For them to follow you, you can reward or give them incentives for not touching their straps and buckles. It’s a sure way of discouraging them from now play around with the straps and buckles.

Best Car Seats of 2019

When buying a car seat, safety should be your priority. But anyway, every car seat sold on the market has been tested and proven safe. Some car seats have extra features to make installation easier. In our search for the best car seats of 2019, we looked at things like seat size, ease of installation, steel-reinforcement, weight range, and lifespan.

1. The Graco 4Ever

Image result for albee baby graco 4ever

The Graco 4Ever is a practical, safe, and easy to install a car seat. It has a steel-reinforced frame and a five-point harness to keep your children safe and comfortable. There are reviews from verified buyers stating that their child survived accidents without a scratch.

Another good thing about Graco 4Ever is that it’s easy to install in any position. It has color-coded stickers on the base, so you’ll know which belt to use. Furthermore, you can use your car’s latch system, adult seat belts, or both.

However, this Graco4Ever convertible car seat is pricey. But then, the cost is good for the long-term. It can accommodate the weight ranging from 4 to 120 pounds. Also, you can shift this between front-facing, rear-facing, backless booster seats, and high-backed booster seat positions.

To top it all, it provides a 10-year lifespan. This may be the only car seat that your child can use until they can already fit in an adult seat belt.

2. Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio

Image result for Peg-Pérego Primo Viaggio

The Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio is stylish, sleek, and safe. Aside from its aesthetic look, it also offers many unique safety features that other car seats don’t have.

This car seat has a contoured steel backplate, adjustable side-impact protection, and expanded polystyrene to absorb impact from a crash. All of this is in this car seat, so you are ensured that your little ones are comfortable and safe during long rides, hot summers, and cold winters.

The AAP or American Academy of Pediatrics commends children for using rear-facing car seats until they reach the weight limit of 40 pounds. The Primo Viaggio car seat follows this closely and allows children up to 45 pounds to fit in the rear-facing position.

Only when they reach 65 pounds they can ride in the front-facing position. This car seat should suit your children for the seat’s entire seven-year lifespan.

3. Chicco Keyfit

Image result for Chicco Keyfit

The Chicco Keyfit is the most purchased car seat of all. This is because it easily clicks into the base and is compatible also with strollers. It only weighs nine pounds, which makes it easy for you to transport your baby from one car to another.

It’s also easy to install in the backseat. The LATCH or the adult seat belt secures the base. Once the base is on the level, you will click the seat into the base and secure the baby in.

The five-point restraint system and easy pull straps keep your child snug and secure throughout the ride.

It’s the best choice for infants but should have a maximum height of 30 inches and a weight of 30 pounds. It has six years lifespan, which means you can reuse it if you have a new baby again in the family.

4. Evenflo Tribute

Image result for Evenflo Tribute

Owning car seats is costly, especially if you have many kids. If this is the case, the Evenflo Tribute LX is a budget-friendly car seat for you. It has all the standard features like LATCH connectors, five-point restraints, and side-impact protection to protect your precious cargo.

However, it has a limited weight and height range, so you would need to buy a booster seat for your kids if they pass the 40-inch mark or hit 40 pounds. But then, it has a lifespan of six years, so you can use it if you have another baby soon.

5. Cybex ATON 2

Image result for albee baby Cybex ATON 2

The Cybex Aton 2 boasts its portability and some cool safety features. It has a load leg feature along with a steel-reinforced shell. This metal leg comes out of the car seat and adjusts to land the floor of your vehicle for steadiness. The Cybex Aton is costlier than others on this list, but it’s guaranteed to be safer for your child.

6. UPPABaby MESA

Image result for albee baby UPPABaby MESA

The UPPABaby MESA is a good start if you a safe car seat with a few extra features. It has a machine washable cushions, canopy, and compatible strollers where you can transfer the car seat when you head to the mall or the park. 

It also has a stain-resistant fabric that is perfect when inevitable milk or any other liquid spillage happens. The strap and the pockets on the side have a tightness indicator to tuck the buckles in while you put your baby in. This one may cost a bit pricey, but it’s one good way to ease your parenting better.

Guide to Transporting Kayak Using a Car

Who would not fall in love with a kayak? Many people find themselves in this situation. There is something about feeling the sun on your skin, being so close to the water and paddling on your adventures in unfamiliar areas.

Does that interest you? Now, your search for the kayak for you. You did your assignment and found the one to take home and realize how you get it to your home? So, you call a friend with a pickup truck to have your kayak back.

You start to Google and think of buying the right accessories to strap your kayak properly not to blow it in your car.

Just like you, these were my worries too. I need to learn a lot before I get some clues to transport the kayaks I purchased.

In this post, I will guide you on how you can transport your kayak carrier without a roof rack.

Here are the things you’ll need:

  • Pool Noodles
  • Ratchet Straps

Note: Be careful about doing the whole process. There are chances you might damage your car paint if you’re not careful.

Continue reading →

List of Car Camping Gear You Can’t Live Without

There’s fun in car camping! And when we say fun, we mean that it doesn’t require tons of up-front costs. Personally, I don’t want to buy the most expensive car camping gear with all the features. I found these intimidating. I like to start car camping small and ease my way into making it as my hobby. I better have a car camping gear list with me.

In efforts to keep my adventure simple, I wanted to put together a car camping gear list of all the things I think are super helpful. I’m also budget-conscious. So, you can count on me on not recommending a car camping gear list that isn’t good or helpful.

1.      Cast Iron Camping Cookware

Choosing a pan can be complicated because there are different types of camping. Also, different people who camp have different needs. But since we’re talking about car camping here, we choose cast iron as the best. Here are the following reasons why cast iron is in the car camping gear list.

  • Durability. It can withstand open fire for long.
  • Versatility. This can be used for a variety of dishes without bringing other pans from home.
  • Long-Lasting. This does not require early replacement.
  • Nonstick. Washing dishes is simple and easy with the type of coating this pan has.
Continue reading →

Here’s How You Can Go Camping in Your Car.

Many Americans hit the road and go for the great outdoors each summer. They take their cellphones away, sit on the beach chairs under a meter of battery-powered Led light, and toast their marshmallows. These people are called campers. In this article, I will teach you how to do camping in your car.

How to Find Campers?

Campers are easy to identify. When you seem a full-packed car filled with sleeping bags, inflatable bed, fishing equipment, tents, coolers, grills, and battery-powered Led lights driving down the road, you’ve found the campers.

Campers pack much stuff. The problem here is that with all this stuff you need to have, you sometimes have to carry it from your car to your campsite. So, if your parking lot is distant to your campsite, then you might have to work up to haul your stuff from here to there.

But if you’re not that keen on hauling off you gears around and still want to experience nature, you can try camping in your

What is Camping in Your Car?

Camping in your car is like a driveway camping. You pull up to your preferred parking spot, set your tent next to your car, put your grill next to it, and enjoy nature.

Continue reading →

Four Way Intersection Rules to Remember

Four Way Intersection Rules to Remember

Everyone remembers the time when you were a child and you would watch your parents sitting in the front of the car and just taking you to places. The family car was the magic carpet we saw in the movies and we were the fairy tale kings. Now, as we grew older, the magic of it gave way to an understanding of what a car is and how it works.

However, it did not take away the fascination of it. Even today, so many of us are fascinated by the working of a car and all the little things that go into it. Now, even if you are at an age that you can learn to drive. There is still some theory that you need to remember especially if you are finally on the road.

Continue reading →

Places Where Parking is Never Permitted

Places Where Parking is Never Permitted

Unlike driving, parking seems to be a piece of cake but you will be astounded to find that it is not as straight forward as you thought it might be. You cannot just park anywhere you want. There are rules governing public spaces.

Here are the places where parking is never permitted.

If you break these rules, you may get a ticket, or worse, your car may be clamped or towed.

Between two parking spots

This one is pretty obvious, if the place has been clearly marked as parking spots–that is there are lines demarcating each parking spot–then parking between them is not only very rude but also against the law. So, if you are thinking about parking between the two spaces then you probably shouldn’t and find a proper spot instead.

Unless you want to experience some bad parking revenge like the video below:

Continue reading →

Stop Eating While Driving

Stop Eating While Driving

Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to distract a driver. Someone cut you in your lane, somebody calls you, there’s a billboard that’s just too vulgar or bright; or you could be eating while driving.

I mean, I have done before. I would run out of the door in a hurry to start my morning commute, order a breakfast biscuit and a cup of joe at a McDonald’s drive thru and drive off to work.

When my family and I travel out-of-state in our car, I would sip coffee while driving, or munch on a burger or sub when I get hungry.

Can eating while driving increase the likelihood of a crash?

Eating while driving definitely saves some time, especially if you are in a hurry. But just like texting or using a phone while driving, it could have its risks.

Continue reading →

Download the Driver’s Manual of Your State

Download the Driver’s Manual of Your State

Most drivers probably reviewed their state’s driving manual, only when they applied first for a driver’s license. But you should still download the driver’s manual of your state. This can help you review the traffic rules and regulations in your state.

It’s especially important to do this if you have recently moved from one state to another. You can see a list of all the states and territories of the USA.

Clicking on the name of the State will bring you to website of the State’s Motor Vehicle Division or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Most state’s driving manuals can be downloaded for free. We have indicated the paid ones below. As a general rule, requesting for a printed book costs extra.

You will need a PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat) to open the files.

Continue reading →