Category: Driving News

Many drivers unknowingly harm their cars with everyday habits. Here are the top ways you might be accidentally destroying your car—and what to do instead:

1. Ignoring Warning Lights

• 🔥 Check Engine, Oil, Battery—they’re not suggestions!
• ❌ Ignoring them can lead to engine failure, overheating, or a dead battery.

2. Riding the Brakes (or Clutch)

• 🛑 Constant braking—especially downhill—overheats brake pads.
• 🕹️ Riding the clutch (manual cars) wears it out faster and leads to expensive repairs.

3. Revving a Cold Engine

• 🚫 Revving right after startup (especially in cold weather) damages engine components.
• ✅ Let it idle gently for 30 seconds to circulate oil.

4. Running on Empty Often

• ⛽ Low fuel can overheat or damage the fuel pump.
• 🧊 It also increases the chance of debris entering your engine.

5. Skipping Oil Changes

• 🛢️ Old oil becomes dirty, leading to engine wear and overheating.
• ✅ Stick to your manufacturer’s oil change schedule (usually every 5,000–7,500 miles).

6. Hitting Potholes and Speed Bumps Too Fast

• 💥 Destroys tires, suspension, alignment, and even your undercarriage.
• ✅ Slow down and steer carefully when roads are rough.

7. Using the Wrong Fuel

• ⚠️ Using regular fuel in a premium-only engine can damage it.
• ✅ Always check your owner’s manual.

8. Overloading the Car

• 🚙 Too much weight strains the brakes, suspension, and tires.
• ✅ Stay within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

9. Not Rotating Tires

• 🔁 Causes uneven tire wear, worse handling, and shorter tire life.
• ✅ Rotate tires every 5,000–7,500 miles.

10. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

• 🔧 Skipping inspections, belt replacements, fluid checks, etc. leads to:
  • Breakdown risk 🚫
  • Expensive fixes 💸
  • Lower resale value 📉

A lack of knowledge is one of the easiest ways you can harm your car! You should always be aware of just how dangerous the road is and try to improve your driving skills by taking driving lessons!

You should use your headlights not just when it’s dark, but anytime visibility is reduced or required by law. Here’s a clear guide:

💡 When Should You Use Your Headlights?

🌙 1. From Sunset to Sunrise

• Required by law in all states.
• Turn them on as soon as the sun starts going down—not just when it’s pitch dark.

🌧️ 2. In Poor Weather Conditions

Use headlights during:

• Rain
• Snow
• Fog
• Smoke or dust

In many states, if your wipers are on, your headlights must be on too (even in daylight).

🌫️ 3. In Low Visibility (Less Than 500 Feet)

• If you can’t see about 2 city blocks ahead, turn them on—even during the day.

🚗 4. When Driving Through Tunnels or Mountain Passes

• Required in many areas due to changing light conditions.

🔁 5. When Using High Beams vs. Low Beams

• Use high beams on dark rural roads (no oncoming traffic).
• Dim them when:
  • Another vehicle is within 500 feet (approaching)
  • You’re following within 300 feet
  • Driving in fog, rain, or snow (they reflect light back at you)

⚠️ 6. Anytime You Want to Be Seen Better

• Dawn/dusk hours
• Shaded roads
• Parking on roadside at night

As always, you can always improve your driving through courses like the defensive driving program, as this program has many benefits beyond just improving your abilities. It can also lower your insurance prices!

Knowing who has the right of way is crucial for avoiding accidents and keeping traffic flowing smoothly. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you understand common right-of-way situations:

🚦 How to Know Who Has the Right of Way

🛑 1. At Stop Signs (4-Way or All-Way Stops)

• First come, first go: The first car to stop should go first.
• If you stop at the same time:
  • The driver on the right has the right of way.
  • If you’re directly across from another car and one of you is turning left, the one going straight or turning right goes first.

🔄 2. At Uncontrolled Intersections (No Signs or Lights)

• Yield to traffic from your right.
• If you’re on a smaller road entering a larger one, yield to traffic on the main road.

🚥 3. At Traffic Lights

• Green light: You have the right of way—unless you’re turning left.
• Left turn on green: Yield to oncoming traffic unless you have a green arrow.
• Red light: Stop. You may turn right on red if allowed, but yield to all traffic and pedestrians first.

🚸 4. Pedestrians

• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (marked or unmarked at intersections).
• Yield when turning at an intersection, even if you have a green light.
• Stop when school crossing guards signal.

🚌 5. Emergency Vehicles

• Yield to police, fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles with lights and sirens.
• Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until they pass.

🚍 6. School Buses

• Stop when a school bus has red lights flashing and a stop arm extended—in both directions, unless there’s a physical median.

🛣️ 7. Merging or Highway Entrances

• Cars entering the highway must yield to vehicles already on it.
• On ramps: Use acceleration lanes to merge safely, but don’t force your way in.

🔑 Golden Rule: When in doubt, yield. It’s better to be safe than “right.”

As always, you can always improve your driving through courses like the defensive driving program, as this program has many benefits beyond just improving your abilities. It can also lower your insurance prices!

Passing another car is only legal when it’s safe and permitted by road markings, signs, and traffic laws. Here’s a breakdown of when it’s legal—and when it’s not:

✅ When It’s Legal to Pass Another Car

✔️ On a Two-Lane Road:

• Broken yellow line on your side: You may pass if it’s safe and there’s no oncoming traffic.
• Both lines broken: Either direction may pass when safe.

✔️ On Highways/Freeways:

• You can pass on the left, and sometimes on the right if the vehicle ahead is turning left or in slower traffic (check local laws).
• Always use your turn signal before changing lanes.

✔️ When There’s a Passing Zone:

• Confirm it’s marked by signs or road lines allowing passing.
• Make sure there’s enough clear distance ahead to safely pass and return to your lane.

❌ When It’s Illegal or Unsafe to Pass

🚫 Solid yellow line on your side

• Passing is not allowed.

🚫 Hills, curves, or blind spots

• Never pass where you can’t see at least several hundred feet ahead.

🚫 Near intersections, crosswalks, bridges, tunnels, or railroad crossings

• These are high-risk areas; passing is often prohibited.

🚫 School zones or areas with pedestrian traffic

• Risk is too high for sudden stops or unpredictable movement.

🚫 In no-passing zones

• Look for posted signs or road markings that explicitly prohibit passing.

 

To legally drive a vehicle, you typically need the following three essential documents:

✅ Documents You Need to Legally Drive

1. Valid Driver’s License

• Proves you’re authorized to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be appropriate for the type of vehicle (e.g., standard, commercial).
• Must be current and not suspended or expired.

2. Vehicle Registration

• Shows that your vehicle is legally registered with your state’s DMV or transport authority.
• Usually kept in the glove box.
• Must be current (renew annually or biannually in most states).

3. Proof of Insurance

• Verifies that you have the minimum required auto insurance (liability at a minimum).
• Can be a physical card, digital copy, or app-based proof depending on your state.
• Must be presented if pulled over or involved in an accident.

🔍 What Is a DUI?

A DUI occurs when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. This includes:

• Alcohol: BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.08% or more (in most U.S. states)

• Illegal drugs: Including marijuana, cocaine, etc.

• Prescription or OTC meds: Even legally taken medications that impair alertness

🚔 What Happens If You Get a DUI?

1. Immediate Consequences

• Arrest: You’ll likely be arrested and taken to jail.
• Vehicle impounded: Your car may be towed or impounded.
• Booking: Includes fingerprinting, mugshots, and a record of the offense.

2. License Suspension

• Administrative suspension: Often happens immediately, even before court.
• Duration: Typically 6 months to a year for a first offense. Longer if there was injury, high BAC, or prior DUIs.
• You may need to install an ignition interlock device to regain driving privileges.

3. Court and Legal Penalties

• Fines and court fees: Often range from $500 to $2,000+
• Jail time:
  • First offense: May be 1–30 days depending on the state.
  • Repeat offenses: Can lead to months or years in prison.
• Probation: DUI offenders often receive 1–3 years of probation with strict conditions.
• Mandatory DUI classes: Substance abuse education and treatment programs.

4. Insurance Consequences

• Your car insurance will:
  • Skyrocket (if not canceled)
  • Require SR-22 insurance (proof of high-risk coverage)

5. Long-Term Effects

• Criminal record: Affects employment, housing, and travel (some countries deny entry to DUI offenders).
• Job loss: Especially if your job involves driving or has a strict conduct policy.
• Restricted travel: Countries like Canada may deny entry after a DUI conviction.

6. Additional Costs

• Towing and impound fees
• Court fees
• License reinstatement fees
• Ignition interlock device installation and monitoring
• Lost income due to court dates, jail, or job loss

What You Should Do If You Get a DUI

• Hire an attorney: Don’t try to handle it alone.
• Follow court orders: Complete all classes, pay fines, attend hearings.
• Avoid repeat offenses: Another DUI makes everything much worse.
• Get help if needed: Alcohol or substance counseling can help prevent it from happening again.

 

There are many common misconceptions about driving that can lead to unsafe practices, legal trouble, or general confusion. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most widespread ones:

1. “Hands-free means risk-free.”

• Reality: While using a hands-free device is legal in many places, studies show it’s still a major cognitive distraction. Your brain is focused on the conversation, not the road.

2. “I drive better when I’m a little buzzed.”

• Reality: This is a dangerous myth. Even small amounts of alcohol impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving.”

3. “Speeding slightly is no big deal.”

• Reality: Even 5–10 mph over the speed limit increases stopping distance and the severity of crashes. It’s also illegal and can still get you ticketed.

4. “I don’t need to use a turn signal if no one is around.”

• Reality: Using your signal is still essential—it’s a habit that promotes safety and is required by law. Skipping it can cause issues if someone appears unexpectedly.

5. “Four-wheel drive makes you invincible in snow or rain.”

• Reality: 4WD helps with traction but doesn’t improve braking or cornering on slick surfaces. Many crashes happen because drivers overestimate 4WD capabilities.

6. “Newer cars don’t need maintenance as often.”

• Reality: Modern cars are more reliable, but skipping oil changes, brake checks, or tire rotations can still lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.

7. “It’s okay to coast in neutral to save gas.”

• Reality: Coasting in neutral can reduce control of the vehicle, especially downhill. Modern fuel-injected engines often use less fuel when you coast in gear.

8. “You only need to check your mirrors—not blind spots.”

• Reality: Mirrors don’t show everything. A quick shoulder check is critical, especially when changing lanes.

9. “If the speed limit is 70 mph, it’s safe to drive 70 mph in any condition.”

• Reality: Speed limits are for ideal conditions. You’re legally and morally expected to slow down in rain, fog, or heavy traffic.

10. “You can’t get a ticket for driving too slowly.”

• Reality: Driving significantly below the speed limit can be dangerous and illegal, especially if it disrupts the flow of traffic.

11. “I don’t need to practice driving before my road test! I’ll be fine.”

• Reality: No, you will not. The reality of driving is much different than our minds depict it to be. Before even attempting a road test you should have had 6-hours of driving lessons with an instructor!

 

Who is Joshua?

Joshua Robert Brown was a high achieving teen who was bound for great things, as he had been accepted into a prestigious music school in Boston, which he was supposed to attend after his high school graduation. Tragically these plans were cut short by a terrible accident. Joshua’s truck hit a puddle of water leading him to hydroplane and crash into a tree. Joshua fought for his life for nine days but his life was cut short on July 9th.

What is Joshua’s Law?

After Joshua’s death, his parents, Alan and Christy Brown, advocated for stronger driver education. With the help of Alan and Christy the requirements have developed safer roads!

For 16-year-olds to get a Class D license:

• Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction (or online equivalent)

• Do 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training at a driving school (or 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of which must be at night)

• Hold a learner’s permit (Class CP) for at least 1 year and 1 day

• Pass a road test

17-year-olds must meet similar requirements, but the classroom and driving course isn’t always mandatory depending on their permit date.

Driving in a torrential downpour is dangerous, but if you must drive, here are critical tips to do it as safely as possible:

🚗 Before You Drive

1. Wait it out if possible – Avoid driving unless it’s absolutely necessary.
2. Check your wipers – Make sure your windshield wipers work well.
3. Turn on headlights – Even during the day, use low beams for visibility.
4. Inspect tires – Proper tread and inflation are essential to avoid hydroplaning.

🌧️ While Driving

1. Slow Down

• Rain reduces traction. Drive 10–20 mph slower than usual.
• Speeding increases the risk of hydroplaning.

2. Keep Distance

• Triple your following distance from other cars.
• Avoid sudden braking – brake gently to avoid skidding.

3. Avoid Standing Water

• Never drive through flooded roads. It only takes 6 inches of water to stall a car and 12 inches to sweep it away.
• If you can’t judge the depth, turn around.

4. Use the Center Lanes

• Water pools more in the outside lanes and along curbs.

5. Defog Your Windows

• Use AC or defroster to maintain clear visibility.
• Open windows slightly if needed.

⚠️ If You Start to Hydroplane

• Don’t brake or turn suddenly.
• Ease off the gas, keep the steering wheel straight.
• If your car starts to spin, turn gently in the direction you want to go.

🛑 If Visibility Is Near Zero

• Pull over to a safe area (not the shoulder if possible).
• Turn on hazard lights.
• Wait until the rain eases before continuing.

 

Hand-over-hand turning is a steering technique where one hand pulls the wheel down while the other crosses over to continue turning it. It’s widely taught in driver’s education and offers several key benefits:

✅ Benefits of Hand-Over-Hand Turning:

1. More control during sharp turns

• Especially useful for tight corners, U-turns, and parking.
• Lets you turn the wheel more quickly and accurately.

2. Keeps both hands on the wheel longer

• Compared to one-handed turning, this method keeps more consistent contact, improving control.

3. Better balance and body position

• Helps keep your upper body centered and balanced, which matters if you need to make quick corrections.

4. Safer for emergency maneuvers

• You can respond faster when swerving or recovering from a skid.

5. Improved precision at low speeds

• Ideal for slow maneuvers like parallel parking, 3-point turns, or driving in tight spaces.

⚠️ Note:

• At higher speeds, like on highways, you usually don’t need full hand-over-hand turns—push-pull steering (also called shuffle steering) is smoother and safer.
• In vehicles with airbags, some instructors now recommend keeping hands at 9 and 3 o’clock instead of crossing your arms fully, to avoid injury if the airbag deploys.