You Can Become a Safer Driver by Avoiding Left Hand Turns

Making a left hand turn is one of the most dangerous maneuvers you attempt while driving your car. It can also be the deadliest because you are exposing the thin, weak sides of your car to oncoming traffic; airbags and seatbelts are much less effective in these left hand crashes. Green left turn arrows, roundabouts and "Michigan U-turns" are becoming more popular at busy intersections and safety is improving. But there are many times when you must make a left turn across many lanes of traffic.

Or do you?

United Parcel Service now routes all their trucks to make right turns only:

"UPS's routing software shaved 20.4 million miles off their routes last year while delivering 350,000 more packages." and "Turning right decreases safety hazards and delays. If a driver is stuck waiting for traffic to pass with a left blinker on, it's going to set them back. Jutting out into traffic is also a good way to get side-swiped, especially when driving a big truck" according to Bob Stoffel, Senior VP of UPS.

Think about your neighborhood and subdivision and your route to work, the grocery store and school. Instead of making a beeline to the main road where you must make a left turn can you go the opposite way and make two right turns to get out to the main road? This may seem like a waste of time and fuel but according to the UPS study you will not wait as long idling your engine while waiting to make the left turn.

We live in a "grid style" subdivision so it easy for me to drive a few blocks on residential streets to where the traffic light is. I can then make a left turn under the protection of a traffic signal. Modern subdivisions with curving winding streets and cul-de-sacs may be more difficult but explore other routes, you may find a path to a traffic signal or where you can make a right turn.

And how about the mall and grocery store? Before you go shopping next time think about your route and the traffic signals in and out of the area. Can you drive to the store and back home again making all right turns? Major shopping areas with restaurants and theaters will have their own traffic signals with green left turn arrows to protect you from traffic. Use the roadways inside the parking area to get to a traffic signal and then make your turn onto the main road.

Many intersections have gas stations, convenience stores or banks right on the corners adding even more danger and complexity to your trip. Have you seen people making a left turn across three and four lanes of traffic trying to get in or out of a gas station? If you get into an accident while making a left turn you will almost always be at fault because left turn traffic is expected to yield to all through traffic. Take a look at the lane stripes close to any intersection. You will see a "double yellow line" which under any circumstance you must not cross. Turning right into or out of these locations is your only legal choice.

The vast majority of our trips in the car are to same places day after day. With little effort we can find new routes avoiding dangerous left hand turns. In just a few weeks these will become habits that will not only save fuel and time but increase the safety for us and our families.

Frank Kalinski has driven trucks and passenger buses since 1974. An advocate for better transit, pedestrian and bike safety he has been working in the Detroit area to improve fair and safe access to roadways for bikes, wheelchair users and pedestrians.

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Why Should You Have a 4x4 for Your Aussie Road Trips?

Aside from being a region that possesses some of the world's most stunning scenery, Australia has a reputation for offering a variety of popular four wheel drive touring routes. The many roads and off-road routes wind their way through country that includes mud and water crossings, rocks and steep climbs best travelled and most easily traversed in a 4x4.

Australia is grand in scope and what it has to offer those who want to see it, but more of Australia can be seen whilst travelling in a 4x4 vehicle than by any other means of transport. The modern 4WD vehicle has the best capabilities as the preferred off-roader, referred to as bush ability. It is the four-wheel drive mode that provides for maximum manoeuvrability in such low traction conditions as mud, dirt and gravel.

Four-wheel drive is what allows a vehicle to be manually switched from two-wheel street driving mode. The demanding terrain of the off-road trails requires the 4WD advantages of higher load capacity, more storage space, passenger comfort and the greater engine capacity to tackle soft sand surfaces for the power needed to pull trailers or tow boats. There are more modern conveniences for driver and passengers than ever before plus greater economy with the latest generation of diesel engines now available.

It is the 4x4's ability to provide a safe journey that is comfortable while being practical that has contributed to the growing popularity of 4x4s and has made for increased interest and availability of 4x4 clubs. These tours utilise modern satellite navigation systems along with sophisticated mobile communications devices. The 4x4s available today are a far cry from the expensive and cumbersome transports that, while useful in their time, certainly did not represent the pure fun and enjoyment of today's vehicles.

Australia is a land of natural beauty. The unique flora and fauna that can only be found in her wilderness represents a vaste expanse once off limits to the majority of Australians and visitors from overseas. Taking the land under 4x4 control is an exhilarating experience that offers many choices of how to thoroughly enjoy exploring the great unknown. Planning trips is easy and essential.

There are groups that plan to carve out a good segment of the year to make a sweeping journey of the land while others are happy to enjoy a holiday that can last up to ten days. There are many road trips to be enjoyed that provide stops along the way in various towns. Many of the tracks have been arranged as part of the management of forests for fire control. Tracks that may have been in good condition one year may not be so the following year. These journeys allow for the opportunity to get to know the locals while learning which tracks are most accessible.

There are routes that will take visitors to terrain that is covered with snow. As the seasons change and warmer weather melts the snow, spring brings flowers and grasses and more bush tracks opening that are so very popular among 4WD enthusiasts and campers who enjoy the rivers and fishing in the streams. The 4x4 road trip is ideal considering most of the roads are not sealed. Venturing into the deepest places for fun and adventure results in memories that will last a lifetime.

Hugh McInnes loves experiencing driving adventures in his 4x4 car and he says that Australia is one of the best places to make a road trip with this kind of car.

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Your 12-Monthly Scooter Upkeep Assessments

It's that time of year again, when many of us motor heads are looking forward to getting out our old scooters or mopeds and giving them the first ride of the season. I know several people who rides a scooters during the winter, braving subzero temperatures and icy roads.

I've had some particularly bad experiences doing that myself, it's not something I would like to experience again. A couple of years ago I was riding a scooter locally to work on what was probably the first frosty day of the year, and ended up sliding 40 feet down a busy main road being followed close behind by an articulated lorry. His brakes were not that clever either. I nearly ended up as road puree.

These days, my scooter comes out perhaps March, a few weeks before that there are a few things that need to be done. I timed the MOT and servicing of my scooter for February each year. So sometime late in January get it out, dust it off and make sure it is presentable. This will often involved turning over and letting a run for 20 minutes or so to blow away the cobwebs.

All then book her in for her annual MOT. Yes, my scooter is she, isn't everyone's?

The tax disc also needs updating on 1 March each year. The UK law regarding taxes on scooters is pretty strict, and the tax disc being a different colour every year, it's easy to spot one that is out of date. Don't take the risk. You can have your bike taken off you and destroyed if you're riding on the road without valid tax. Remember if your tax is not valid, neither is your insurance, and driving without insurance is a criminal offence.

Although I do object to paying about £18 per year for my scooter tax, it's not the worst thing in the world. But given that cars were slightly higher emissions pay Zero, then it would make sense to scooters to be zero rated as well, the fact they are not annoyed me quite a bit.

So here is my three point checklist for getting your scooter or moped ready for the new season.

1) Wheel your scooter outside, and start the engine. Make sure the electrics work by using all the lights on for and dipped beam and testing the indicators. Make sure there is no compensation under the instrument panels as this will eventually seep through to your electric system and possibly short it stop

2) Send away for your tax disc replacement. A few weeks before the beginning of riding season is the ideal time to do this, it costs less than £20 and without it you are not road legal and your insurance will not be valid. If you do this online they will give you a number which you can note down and will allow you to ride before your tax discs arrive however, having an out of date disc may mean you get stopped more than once and some of the police officers that stop you are less than friendly in situations like this.

3) Book your scooter in for its annual MOT if it's required. I would always check the basics first, clear away any rust, make sure the engine starts and test breaks oil and lights. There is no point paying an MOT free more than once for something as simple ineffective brakes or a lightbulb not correctly screwed in.

The final bit of advice I would give would be to ensure that the weather really is suitable for riding your moped or scooter. In the past I have set myself a fixed date such as March 1, only for that to be the coldest day of winter and there to be a foot of snow on the ground. Be practical and safe, there is no point in risking life and limb just to get back on your scooter a few days earlier.

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What to Consider While Buying a Used Car

The decision of getting a car from used cars lots on its own is an intelligent one. If you continue to be smart, you can have your hands on just about a brand new car for a lessened cost. Cars that are merely a year old are low-priced by 20 to 30% than the brand-new cars.

There are still more reasons to buy a used car. You are able to keep aside cash on insurance by getting a used car. You are able to make bigger negotiations. A used car can be definitely more trustworthy because the erstwhile owner has tried and tested it. The record of a used car can be found out comfortably from vehicle identification number. When you buy a used car from a used car dealers, the bargain is less problematic.

Hence once you think to purchase a used car you should have knowledge about what precaution must be observed at the time of purchasing one.

It is recommended to fix on which car to buy but it is better to analyze matters with yourself for example will that car suit your funds. Also decide if the car will fulfill your existing requirements. It is advised to give a thought to three separate cars. Sometimes if you watch keenly you will understand that 3 or more different brands of cars are manufactured for a similar category of clients still they feature unalike characteristics and often cheaper than the other.

The price of a car from used cars lots is dependent upon its status, dependability, capability, popularity and performance. Your inclination must be at dependability and functionality. You can also consider how much cost difference exists in functional and famous cars and well-known but not-so-esteemed ones. You can come across a discrepancy of even 3000 dollars or more.

You need to even look at some legal as well as technological things. Every licensed car is met with an examination. You can demand the papers to watch what was mended. The papers will be better to hold even to utilize for forthcoming troubles. Further you may request for servicing records. You can tell them to blacken the name of the owner. If you are able to obtain a stretched test drive, often till next day, it will be nice. Impart the broker an assurance on paper that you will give the car back to him with full tank and you have insurance.

Prior to that you take the car on test drive perform some visual inspection of the car. Ensure that there are no bends in the door frames which indicate that the car has faced a breakage. Also uneven spaces between the doors and also along hood are undesirable. You can also inspect underneath if there is some fluid leak. There are some specific symbols such as coolant outflow is of greenish shade, while that of oil is black, transmission fluid seepage depicts pink coloration while gasoline's seepage can be identified without problem from the odor.

At the time when you detect the most perfect car that goes with your every need and is in the finest status, the next fundamental step is payment. Look into the alternatives of payment. When it comes to financing one method is to get the funding from a credit union or a bank which is well suggested. Another option is through the trader. This works as per your credit scores. You can also have an experience that if you pre-arrange the finance from a third party, the used car dealers may present funding with decreased interest rates.

Hence you may get a car from the used cars lots at a very beneficial transaction. All you must do is to go through the details of many cars and be prepared with a complete homework. It will assist you to take a much well-informed decision while buying a used car.

There are a lot of used cars lots and even more used car dealers, so take some time to investigate them to find thrust-wordy ones.

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