Texas Driver Safety and Training

The one part of our first driving test we all dreaded most was the parallel parking portion and even drivers with years of experience still have a problem with it. It really isn’t all that difficult; all it takes is a little practice.

Parallel parking is a situation that is full of potential for collisions, both major and minor. The first step to avoid a collision is to let other drivers know your intentions. When approaching a parking spot, check your rear view mirrors for traffic behind. Drivers behind probably aren't expecting you to slow and stop. Stopping quickly without warning is an invitation to a rear end collision. If a car behind is following too closely, look for another parking spot. Warn drivers behind you by lightly tapping your brakes two or three times. Turn on your right turn signal and slow down gently.

Once you have warned other drivers, slowed to a stop, and determined that the parking space is large enough for your car, follow these steps to park:

• Pull up within two to three feet next to the car in the space ahead. Your rear bumper should be even with the rear bumper of the other car.
• Shift into reverse, turn your steering wheel sharply to the right and slowly start to back up.
• Start straightening the wheel when your passenger seat is even with the rear bumper of the other car.
• Continue backing and turn your wheel sharply to the left once the front of your car has cleared the car ahead.
• Once you feel you are parallel with the curb, turn your wheel sharply to the right to straighten the wheels.
• Stop your car before you hit the car behind.
• Shift into drive and straighten up your car in the space. You should be no more than 12 to 18 inches away from the curb.

If you live in a location where you have to parallel park a lot, you may want to consider getting a backup warning sensor as an option on your next car purchase. Just remember that they can be unreliable sometimes and don't rely on them too heavily. Backup video cameras are also available at around $100 at some of the major big box stores.

For a video demonstration of parallel parking:



For more information on driving safety, visit our website at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com/

Labels: backup cameras, collision, driver safety, drivers license, driving test, parallel parking

Blind spots are a big problem for drivers and forgetting to check them as you change lanes can have disastrous consequences. You can never totally eliminate your blind spots but, by adjusting your mirrors properly, you can reduce them to a very small level. Following this procedure may seem a little strange at first but, as you get used to it, you will find that you have virtually eliminated your blind spots.

(Note: If you don't have electric mirrors that you can adjust from within the car, you will need a friend to help you adjust your outside mirrors.)

To adjust your mirrors, follow these steps:

Center Mirror - Sit upright in the center of the driver's seat and adjust your center mirror so that it gives you the widest possible view of the road behind.

Left side mirror – From your center position in the driver’s seat, lean to the left until your head is touching the window; now adjust your left side mirror outward until you just barely see the rear of your car in the far right side of the mirror.

Right side mirror – From your center position in the driver's seat now lean your head approximately the same distance that you did when you adjusted your left mirror. From this position, adjust your right outside mirror outward until you can just barely see the rear of the car in the far left side of the mirror.

Adjusting your mirrors so far outward may seem strange and will take some getting used to but you will find that, as a car to your rear moves to change lanes and come alongside you, you will see half of the car in both mirrors. Once that vehicle moves to your left or your right, you will see it in your side mirror until it appears in your peripheral (side) vision.

This procedure won't completely eliminate your blind spot and it may have the benefit of getting you to check your blind spot more frequently as you become used to positioning the mirrors this way.

Are you getting ready for your drivers license test? Complete a prep course for the Behind the Wheel Road Test and be over-prepared. With practice we guarantee you'll pass your driving test!

Labels: behind the wheel, blind spots, driver safety, driving test, road test

Police officers and driving school instructors hear it all the time; "But I had the right-of-way!" In today's frenetic driving environment, drivers seem reluctant to give up the right-of-way, even when someone else is trying to take it. This attitude can result in instances of road rage and car crashes. The truth is, on America's roads, no one has the right-of-way.

It can be a hard concept to understand, especially since, when we were learning the rules of the road to get our driver's license, we had to learn who had the right-of-way in certain circumstances. Actually, state laws do not give any driver the right-of-way nor do police try to determine who had the right-of-way. The laws only state who should have given up the right-of-way to another driver.

No driver can take the right-of-way; they can only give up the right-of-way to another driver. When entering the interstate from an on-ramp, we were all taught that traffic on the main thoroughfare has the right-of-way. At a four-way stop, we all learned that the driver who arrived first has the right-of-way. What that actually means is that we should give the right-of-way to the traffic on the interstate or to the driver who arrived first at the intersection. The driver on the interstate can't "take the right-of-way" if the driver on the on-ramp doesn't want to give it to him. The driver at the four-way stop can't claim the right-of-way if the other driver tries to take it first.

Every state has a law that says a driver has the responsibility to do everything possible to avoid a collision. If a collision results because a driver insists on taking what they believe to be their legal right-of-way, in spite of the fact that the other driver is also trying to claim it, both drivers will be held equally responsible. Doing everything possible to avoid a collision means that the responsible driver will give up the right-of-way to another driver who insists on taking it.

Recognizing that the traffic on the interstate or the driver who arrived first at the stop sign has the right-of-way and giving it to them is the key to being a safe driver. Another key to safe driving is watching for aggressive drivers and staying out of their way; even if that means you have to delay your trip for a moment or so.

A driver who has to give up the right-of-way to an inconsiderate aggressive driver has every reason to be upset and angry but at least they won't have to deal with a car crash. Remember the concept of F.I.D.O; Forget It and Drive On.

Labels: aggressive driving, driver safety, Highway Safety, interstate, right-of-way, traffic safety

When it comes to driving laws, there are a lot of laws that are easy to break and, indeed, are broken by millions of drivers each day. However, there are some laws that can’t be broken, no matter how hard one tries, and these are the laws that a lot of drivers tend to forget about or ignore. These unbreakable laws are, of course, the laws of physics; specifically, Newton's laws of motion. These laws play an important part in our driving experience and, when people forget about them, the results can be tragic.

How do these laws impact our driving? Newton's first law of motion says "An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force." What that means is that, when a car hits a solid object such as a tree or another car and comes to a sudden halt, the occupants inside the car will keep traveling at whatever speed the car was traveling until they come in contact with the steering wheel, dash, or crash through the windshield. This law can't be broken but it can be overcome - by the simple use of a seat belt.

There are actually three separate crashes in a vehicle collision; all obeying Newton's laws of motion:

1. When the car strikes another object – The faster the car was traveling at the point of impact, the greater the collision forces.
2. When the unbelted bodies inside the car fly forward – The unbelted bodies inside the car will fly forward and, once they strike a solid object, will rebound or bounce off in another direction resulting in more than one impact point until all the energy is expended.
3. When the brain and the internal organs fly forward and strike the skull or rib cage – This final crash is where brain concussions and internal injuries occur.

The seatbelt is the primary lifesaving device in a motor vehicle but lots of people have excuses for not wearing seat belts:

• "They're uncomfortable." – So is flying through the windshield!
• "I'd rather be thrown clear in a crash." – This means you are flying out the window onto the concrete at 30 - 40 - 50 mph. No matter how bad the crash, you are always safer restrained within your vehicle.
• "I'm afraid of being trapped by the seatbelt." – This event is incredibly rare. The seatbelt latch mechanism is so simple that it is almost impossible for it to fail.
• "I don't need it because I have airbags." – Airbags are considered to be a secondary or supplemental restraint system (that "SRS" you see on your steering wheel) and they depend on the occupant being restrained by the seat belt to work properly. Also, airbags only deploy in a head-on collision so they won't deploy in every crash.
• "I can just brace myself." – Imagine a 150 lb man trying to stick out his arms to stop himself as he flies into a brick wall at 40 mph. His arms will just snap as they hit. The collision forces are tremendous. In fact, in just a 25 mph crash, an unbelted 100 lb girl will hit the dashboard with a force of 2,090 lbs.

Actually there is no good excuse for not wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that, in 2009, 12, 713 lives were saved by seat belts. An additional 3,688 lives could have been saved had the occupants been wearing seat belts. Seat belts won't always save you from injury or death (some crashes are just too horrendous) but they will increase your chances of surviving a collision by up to 55%.

The good news is that, according to NHTSA, seat belt use has increased up to 85%. The greater use of seatbelts is one of the primary reasons credited for the steady decline of traffic deaths on America's roads over the past several years. Remember, it's not just smart to wear a seat belt, it's the law.

Labels: air bags, airbags, driver safety, seat belt safety, seat belts, supplemental restraint system, vehicle crash, vehicle safety

In spite of the economic slump that is affecting the nation, goods still need to be moved from place to place. One of the first indicators of an improving economy is the fact that manufacturers and suppliers are starting to move more goods and that means truckers will always be needed. However, that doesn't mean that it's an open job market. Truckers, like everyone else, need to stay competitive and the more competitive you are, the better your chances for finding a job.

The best way to stay competitive is to:

Have a safe driving record – Collisions mean lost productivity, late or missed shipments, and potential costly lawsuits so trucking companies are looking to hire drivers with safe driving records.

Qualify for endorsements on your CDL – The more CDL endorsements you have such as; hazmat, tanker, double, triple, and combination vehicles make you that much more competitive. Fortunately, you can qualify for an endorsement without having to spend a lot of money by taking the exam at your state DMV.

When looking for a job, one place to start is your State Workforce Agency. These are state employment offices that offer free job postings to employers and free job listings for those looking for a job. The office may also be able to provide help in creating a resume along with other services. They also allow job seekers to use their computers to build a resume, check email, and search for jobs. To find your local workforce agency visit: http://www.naswa.org/ and click on the map.

Typing "Truck Driving Jobs" into a search engine will bring up a lot of agencies that act as a go between for employers seeking employees and truckers looking for jobs. This is a good resource for anyone who may be looking for employment in another location but you will have to be careful when using one of these sites because they may charge a fee for their service and there are plenty of employment agencies who provide their services for free.

Check your local newspaper's business section to see if there are new companies locating in your area. You may also want to go online and check the newspapers of nearby cities. If you read of a new business opening in your area, go to their website online and see if there is a link to their hiring office.

For more information on qualifying for CDL endorsements or to take a CDL Practice Test, click on: http://www.testquestionsandanswers.com/

Labels: cdl endorsements, cdl license, commercial drivers license, hazmat, truck driving, truck driving jobs, truckers

Word's out: summer's almost officially over. Other than the nationwide-groans from kids, there's also something else to be concerned about: children's safety. These kids may be in their preschool years, or they may be at the driving age --- bottom line is: safety is a still a genuine concern.

Here are some tips both for parents and children to make their trip back to school a safe one:

• Parents should have a talk with their children regarding safety. For the younger kids, parents should be giving out more specific advice than "don't talk to strangers." These talks can and should also include the following topics: looking left to right before crossing, crossing/getting off the bus only where it is allowed or with adult supervision and numbers to call should they find themselves lost. For the older kids, maybe it's time to introduce a Parent-Teen Driving Contract --- to put down in paper what is specifically not allowed in the scope of their driving privilege/responsibility.
• Drive carefully. Be the example for your children. Always buckle your seat belt before driving, remove all distractions from the vehicle and always obey traffic signs or lights. Always keep the vehicle maintained so it doesn't break down and the kids (or you!) won’t get late.
• If the school is within walking distance from the home, parents should survey the route their children take. Is there a “walking school bus” (a group of kids on their way to school accompanied by an adult from the neighborhood) near the area where you live?
• For parents and teen drivers: always be aware of school zones. The penalties of going too fast or driving up where you’re not supposed to is even greater than when you're on the road --- even worse, you may get a crash. Remember that there is a speed limit of 25mph in school zones which apply before and after school hours.
• Have fun: school may end up being the best time for children, and a fond memory for parents. Making sure you and your family is safe ensures that you’ll cherish the moment more.

Labels: driver safety, parent teen driver, school bus safety, teen drivers

When thinking of traffic school, people usually tend to think only of the benefit of removing a traffic ticket from their record but there are benefits beyond that ; for the driver, their family members, and the driving public at large.

Here are just a few benefits one could expect by taking online traffic school:

It clears up points from recent traffic tickets. We all make mistakes from time to time and sometimes, that mistake can come in the form of a traffic ticket. Depending on the state, taking an online defensive driving course (traffic school) can remove the points assigned to a traffic ticket or remove any record of the traffic offense altogether. In some states, by voluntarily taking a traffic school, you can bank points against a possible future ticket. If you receive a traffic ticket in another state, you can attend that state’s traffic school online.

Lower insurance premiums. Think of it this way: with an investment of a few dollars and a few hours, you can save hundreds more in the long run. Some states allow drivers to voluntarily attend a traffic school to reduce their insurance rates. You can receive a double benefit by reducing your insurance rates and learning valuable tools to prevent getting a traffic ticket in the future. It’s a win-win process.

It will save you time and money. It can save money by lower insurance premiums, and also, if the driver has received a ticket, it will save the driver the time, effort, and money that contesting the charge in court might require. A few hours of online traffic school compared to months fighting a ticket? No contest.

Online traffic school allows you to learn at your own pace. Instead of attending class at a fixed time and place, an online traffic school allows you to take the course at your own time and pace. You can choose a time that is convenient to you, stop if necessary and pick up again right where you left off.

It will make you a better driver. What bigger benefit does online traffic school have other than teaching drivers better techniques to deal with different kinds of dangerous driving situations? Learning the tools for safe driving not only will it keep you safe, it will protect your family members as well.

Labels: auto insurance discount course, defensive driving course, online traffic school, texas driver record, traffic school, traffic ticket