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

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

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

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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

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 Video Monitor

A baby car video monitor helps you keep an eye on your child without taking your eyes off the road. Watching out for your child while you’re driving is hard to do. A baby car video monitor helps make this task easier and safer for you and the child.

Baby car video monitors work through a system where it focuses a camera on the baby and sends the image to a screen for easy viewing of the driver. Through this, you can see how your baby is doing at the back without turn around to check.

Baby Car Video Monitor Features

Some baby car video monitors use a camera that straps to the back of the seat located in front of the baby’s car seat. The monitor screen is used similarly to GPS devices where you can install near the center of your windshield.

The modern baby car video monitors are wireless. This is convenient as you don’t need any cords between the monitor and the camera. While driving, all you need is to turn on the baby car video monitor and see the live feed of your baby during the trip.

Some baby car video monitors work in both daytime and nighttime conditions. It would be preferable to purchase a baby car video monitor with a night vision feature.

Tech That Puts Safety First

A baby car video monitor is not a necessity like a car seat. But, if you are spending much time in a car and you want to make things easier and safer for everyone, then it’s worth an investment.

Baby Car Video Monitor Options

Parents believed that owning a baby car video monitor helps to increase safety. Since you want to ensure that your baby is content, you want to purchase the best baby car video monitor for your needs.

So, allow me to share with you the top three baby car video monitors to choose from.

1. Yada Tiny Traveler Digital Wireless Baby Car Video Monitor

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The Yada Tiny Traveler Baby Monitor comes in a few different packages. The basic package includes a monitor video camera and monitor. The deluxe package features upgrades to the monitor size and quality.

Both packages guarantee a reliable baby car video monitor with a color display and streaming video. The night vision feature allows for viewing in the dark from the video camera with either a 45 degree or 90-degree viewing angle.

This baby car video monitor is wireless and uses rechargeable batteries but can run out with prolonged use. So, make sure you have extra batteries on the road.

The Yada car baby monitor is easy to install. You simply strap the video camera to the seat headrest or adjacent window then run the power cable to a power source.

2. Infanttech Automobile Baby Monitor

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The Infanttech Video and Audio Baby Monitor are designed for both car and home use. Its versatility makes it an excellent idea for keeping an eye on your child while in the back seat.

The monitor has size options, which can be either 3.5″ or 4.3″. Some have a split-screen feature which allows for viewing of multiple cameras simultaneously.

The baby car video monitor features night vision technology for constant night time viewing. It’s also 100% wireless and lasts up to 3 – 4 hours on a single charge. You can also install this anywhere in your car without the hassle of cords,

When compared to other baby car video monitors, the Infanttech unit is disguised in a stuffed animal like a puppy, giraffe, or monkey. So, if you want to add a bit of fun to your car, then this baby car video monitor is for you.

3. Driver’s Little Helper

The Driver’s Little Helper baby car video monitor uses a sensor pad that is placed under the car seat’s fabric. This pad senses motion, so you know if your child gets out of the seat. It will also make an alarm if you stop and forget your baby in the vehicle.

Aside from its ability to monitor the movement of the child, the sensor will relay the car seat’s temperature with a 15-second delay. It’s useful mostly in places with extreme conditions as you can determine if the baby gets uncomfortable with the temperature.

The power pack and sensor are easy to install. You’ll simply slide the monitor under the car seat fabric and attach the power pack to the back of the car seat or seatbelt.

In addition to monitoring the movement of your baby, the sensor will relay the temperature of the car seat with a 15-second delay. This is very useful in extremely cold or hot climates where your baby can get uncomfortably hot or cold to the point where it can become a real threat to your baby’s safety.

The sensor and power pack are easy to install by simply sliding under the car seat fabric and attaching the power pack to the back of the seat or seatbelt. The product comes with detailed instructions if you need further assistance.

This product does require the app that can be downloaded from the Play Store and App Store. Once the product is installed, you need to sync it with the app. By then, you can start receiving updates and alerts so you can have some peace of mind and confidence with your baby car video monitor

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

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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

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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

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

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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.

Automatic Car Transmission Problems

Dealing with a defective automatic transmission can be costly and time-consuming for the owner. Hence, it’s essential to keep an eye out for the signs of automatic transmission problems before it worsens.

Remember that it’s always better to fix the problem while it’s small rather than leave it until it becomes big. You know, significant problems mean it’ll cost you more money to fix. So, don’t make it to the point that automatic car transmission problems will start occurring altogether.

But even if you’re not an automotive expert, you can check on the automatic car transmission problems as we’ve put them all here for you.

5 Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems

1. Transmission Fluid Color and Condition

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Automatic transmissions use transmission fluid or ATF to operate the bands and the clutches. However, automatic transmission fluid doesn’t for a lifetime. That’s why it’s crucial to check your car’s transmission fluid at least once a month. Checking this can tell you a lot about its condition, whether it needs to be changed already or not.

For instance, dirty or burnt fluid would mean that it needs a change. That color indicates that it already has dirt, metal, and other contaminants. New automatic transmission fluid is transparent pinkish-red in color. Make sure to also check the smell as a fluid that smells burnt is a red flag for problems.

2. Low Fluid Levels

An automatic car transmission requires a specific amount of ATF to work. A little amount of fluid may result in disastrous complications such as overheating, slipping, shifting issues, and failure altogether.

Using a transmission dipstick is a simple process of checking the fluid levels. If it’s low, simply add more ATF to your automatic car transmission. A leak within your transmission is another indication of low fluid levels.

3. Signs of Leaks

Leaks usually occur because of a gap somewhere in your automatic car transmission. Leaks may be in the faulty gaskets, seals, loose pans, or transmission lines. Replacement of the damaged part is often enough to fix the leak, though the complexity of changing this will vary.

Fluid leaks need immediate attention, though, as the longer you ignore it, the more fluid will leak. Worse is it can lead to problems that are usually associated with low fluid levels.

4. Overheating

Overheating is one of the worst things you wouldn’t want to happen in your automatic car transmission. This can cause parts of the vehicle to malfunction and decrease its overall life.

This is the reason why it’s a must to change the transmission fluid as it’s the lifeblood of your transmission. Without this, automatic transmission would not be possible.

It could be difficult to know if the transmission is overheating. However, checking the fluid is the best way to do this. It’s essential to know that overheating is the consequence of an inefficient liquid.

So, look for any signs of low, dirty, or burnt fluid. When you see any of these signs, that would mean that you need to change the fluid immediately.

5. Transmission Slipping

If you step on the gas, but the transmission doesn’t accelerate or the engine revs, this is a sign of slipping. There are reasons why transmission slipping happens. These include defective solenoids, inefficient fluid, worn gears, or burnt clutch discs, to name a few.

If you experience transmission slipping, the best thing to do is to avoid driving to prevent rapid clutch wear. If your clutch discs wear out too much, you might have to replace your transmission, which could be expensive.

Are Baby Car Seat Protectors Safe?

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Most car owners, especially the expectant parents, ask how to protect their car seats. This is a common question for those who wonder what car seat protectors can do to the untouched vehicle interior and on how effective it is on protecting the car from food mess and spilled beverages.

The answer here is “it depends.” Some car seats permit the use of car seat protectors. Hence it’s safe. However, others don’t allow, so it’s unsafe.

In this post, I will explain to you in detail the answer to this question.

Protect Your Vehicle Seat

Every car seat has a manual. So before you consider purchasing a car seat protector, see to it that it’s permitted according to the car seat’s manual.

The manufacturer may allow a specific brand of seat protector underneath. Some will just recommend you to use a towel or a blanket. However, others will specify that nothing should be placed under the car seat at all.

How Can Car Seat Protectors Be Dangerous?

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A thick car seat protector between a car seat and vehicle seat creates a space between two. If the car seat protector changes shifts in time, it can loosen the installation of your car seat.

So, to understand if the car seat protector is for you, there are some tests which you can do.

In the force of a crash, the thick fabric can compress. When that thick fabric compresses under the weight of the car seat, it might uninstall in an instant.

Car seat protectors with grippy sides might look like it can grip the vehicle seat nicely. But, in reality, it can’t.

Way back, a shelf liner was used to help with car seat installation, but it’s no longer a part of the CPST (Child Passenger Safety Test) curriculum. The reason is that it can mask a loose install and that it can also damage your car seats permanently.

Generally speaking, a properly installed car seat won’t damage your vehicle seats. Don’t worry about the dents as it will eventually go away. Even a car seat protector won’t guarantee to prevent that anyway. The best way to take care of your vehicle’s interior is to use proper cleaning products.

Are Car Seat Protectors Crash Tested?

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Some manufacturers test their car seat protectors and ensure that they comply with FMVSS or the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This may look convincing. However, there are no car seat protectors in the FMVSS standard. There are no qualifications for testing these products.

No one knows how the car seat protector was tested and how it performed.

But, when a company tested a particular car seat protector and approves it for use with their car seats, you can rely on them as they’ve done their testing and that it is safe to use with their car seats.

Testing A Seat Protector

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Here’s how to see if a specific car seat protector works under your child’s car seat:

Ensure the car seat manufacturer permits your car seat protector.
Read the car seat manual and follow the car seat instructions. Make sure that the car seat moves no more than an inch at the belt path side to side and front to back.

Test for Movement

Does your child’s car seat or base move more than an inch at the belt path? In most cases, the car seat moves more than an inch.

If the car seat’s tightness has to be adjusted even when the seat protector is removed, it is too bulky to use.

Overall Thoughts

If you have a car seat protector that is approved for use with your specific child car seat and have tested it and found that it does not interfere with installation, you can decide to continue using that item. Hopefully, in this post, you gain a better idea of what type of car seat protector to use and how to make sure that it’s safe.

Always follow the instructions for both your child’s car seat and car seat protector, and make sure to read the manual carefully. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer or a CPST with concerns.

Best Car Seats: Guide for New Parents

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

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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

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?

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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

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

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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

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

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.

Easiest Ways to Dry Your Car

Almost all the car washing guide you will read will tell you to dry your car after washing it. However, none will say to you that drying your car is as important as washing your car.

While I don’t have the stats to prove this, I’d just think that there are just as many people who have a problem with their car paint due to too weak drying techniques as there is from a poor washing technique.

Throughout this post, I will tell you the reasons to dry your car after each wash, the useful drying aids, the tools you can use to speed up the drying process, the detailing sprays, and the process of drying your car using microfiber cloths.

Why Dry Your Car?

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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.

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What to Do In an Uncontrolled Railroad Crossing

You ever watch those old western movies where bandits on horses rob a train? These days, those are not the dangers you’ll encounter in trains. But accidents still happen with cars and trains.

Train tracks are still all over the continental USA. Some of them have barriers to protect cars. What to do in an uncontrolled railroad crossing?

Different Types Of Railroad Crossing

The Level Crossing with Automatic Half-Gates

About 20 seconds before a train arrives, the red lights start flashing and the buzzer sounds. At this moment, the barriers are lowered. It is therefore natural to stop and wait for the barriers to be removed.

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What to do if You Meet an Accident with a Child in Your Car

We hope you never have to read this post. We hope you never have a car accident, period. Much less with your child in the car at the same time. However, as careful a driver as you are, other motorists are unpredictable.

It’s never easy if you meet an accident and your child is riding with you. We hope that you followed all the important safety precautions mandated by law. We have also written about tips on how to keep your kids safe in the car.

We have written an article on what to do if you meet an accident. But if you have a child with you during the accident, here’s what to do.

Call the Police and 911 if needed.

Make sure that you and the child are safe. To make sure that everything is fine, call 911 and the police. They can help ensure that you are really okay. Sometimes, kids and adults may be fine right after an impact, but they may exhibit some trauma a few hours later.

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