Archive for the ‘Defensive Driving Blog’ Category

Defensive Driving Video from 1936.

It was obvious even in the 1930’s that someone had to be extra vigilant when taking to the road. Watch this old defensive driving instructional video where, even if the rules were a lot looser than today, there was already a push for more road safety.

Never mind terms like ‘poking along’, almost non existing lanes, double parked cars and the lack of turn signals…it was clear that defensive driving skills and attitudes were going to become increasingly necessary.

Can you imagine how much more needed those skills are today with so many more cars, trucks and motorcycles on the road? Enjoy this video made by the Chevrolet Motor  Company and keep the guard up while driving.

Tips to Stay Safe While Traveling this Labor Day

Fellow travelers will need to share the road with a very high number of drivers this Labor Day holiday.

AAA is estimating 34.1 millions travelers will hit the road this Labor Day weekend (source AAA – http://goo.gl/NvgVUB). That is a new high record since the recession hit. 29 million of these travelers will travel by car (85%). That’s a lot of cars on the road in a very short amount of time.

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Texas drivers can take some measures to minimize the risk and make sure the week-end is not spoiled by accidents or bad driving experiences. Here are some tips for the folks that will be traveling on the road:

1 – Make sure the vehicle is in good condition. Check all the fluids, tires and brakes. Being Texas, temperatures are still pretty high across the state and the stress on the vehicle is usually high due to the long distances and the heavy loads (even just by having a car full of passengers).

2 – Drivers should take an emergency kit along for the ride and some extra water if traveling in wide open areas where rest areas and gas stations are not easy to find.

3 – Sleep, rest and relax. Before taking to the road, the driver should make sure they are rested and not agitated, fatigued, or under the influence of alcohol. With all the celebrations, over eating and drinking, drivers need to be extra careful and make sure their senses are sharp and focused.

4 – Keep the distraction to a minimum. Usually holiday travels means a car full on people in high spirits, excited in anticipation of a great time. Without being the ‘downer’ and bringing everyone down, the driver needs to remind the passengers to help him or her with the task of driving. Instead of creating constant distractions, passengers can help by looking for problem drivers, problems with the road and by keeping the driver alert.

Labor Day car travel has always brought an increase of fatalities on the highways. The usual suspect is alcohol and the fatalities due to DWI. This Labor Day, the Texas Dept. of Transportation, together with other law enforcement agencies, will enforce the no-refusal anti-DWI campaign from Aug-30th to Sept 2nd.

Along with TxDOT’s “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.” campaign, law enforcement across the state will work thousands of overtime hours as part of the national crackdown effort being coordinated and sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Please be safe, “We are counting on you”… just like in this video from TXDot of 1965

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WirelessDefensiveDriving.com

Keep Safety in Mind While Car Shopping for Your Teen

Want to find the best and safest car for your new teen driver? Think in a defensive driving mode. Young drivers do not have the driving experience to know what to look for but you should. No matter how much pressure they put on you to buy what they want, you need to keep certain guidelines in mind.

Focus on safety features such as electronic stability control and curtain airbags as well as good crash test results. Never consider a car without antilock brakes. In general the larger, heavier autos do better in crash tests. But extremely large vehicles can be difficult to handle and too much for a young driver, as well as poor fuel economy and would allow your teen to carry more passengers than necessary.

For the most part, SUVs and large pickups are not recommended due to their high centers of gravity, which may cause them to roll over more than other vehicles. And sports cars are always a bad choice for a new driver. They just have too much speed for that level of maturity. So as much as your young son wants to have a car he can race, you need to put the brakes on a potentially dangerous combination.

Consumer Reports has done extensive research on autos that are appropriate for young drivers. Their conclusions take into consideration desirable features and safety and budgetary constraints. The best bet is to find the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. You can view their results at:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/cars-for-teen-drivers/index.htm

To insure your teen is equipped to drive safely you should always enroll them in an advance driver training course. And to be sure they know the rules of the road have them take the Wirelessdefensivedriving.com course. As Sir Francis Bacon put it, “Knowledge is power”.

Stay Safe this Independence Day

This 4th of July there will be 34 millions cars on the road going and coming from relatives, family gathering, lakes, beaches, mountains and where ever else we like to go and spend our beloved Independence Day.

Many of those 34 millions cars will have drivers and passengers that have had not enough sleep, too much to drink and are tired after a long day in the sun. Your defensive driving skills need to be as sharp as ever. Be attentive, pay attention of your own driving and vigilant of the drivers around you.

As always do a few things to make your journey safer.

1 – Check your tires before getting on the road.

2 – Check your battery and replace it if needed. Most auto parts stores will be more than happy to check the condition of the battery for free.

3 – If your car does not have automatic running daylights, turn your lights on (and remember to turn them off when you park). You want to be as visible as you possibly can and having the lights on helps a lot, even during the day.

4 – Have water in the car. We know that some parts of the State of Texas are enjoying a cooler than normal 4th of July, but during the sun’s peak time, temperature and exposure can still cause dehydration.

5 – Avoid traffic congestion if at all possible.

6 – Stay positive and do not engage in aggressive behavior. Diffuse any friction with other drivers you may encounter on the road. Remember why you are on the road in the first place…to have a great day with family and friends. Be cool, stay calm.

7 – Put that phone away please! Texting while driving turns out to be just as bad as driving drunk…and speaking of drinking, have a sober designed driver.

And last but not least, HAVE A GREAT DAY!

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WirelessDefensiveDriving.com

Why do we wait ’till the last moment?

Are you a procrastinator, or maybe even a chronic procrastinator? At WirelessDefensiveDriving.com we see this on a regular basis. Many people tend to wait until the very last moment and rush to finish the defensive driving course early enough to get their certificate in the mail on time.  Sometimes this works; often it does not. Why do people tend to procrastinate? Let’s look at some common reasons as posted by Mike Reeves-McMillan in Living Skillfully: Change Your Life.

1) Fear is the most common factor in why we procrastinate. Fear of failing. The only way to overcome this is just to push through it and prove to yourself that you can succeed. Our defensive driving course is structured with small quizzes right after each chapter is completed, when the information is still fresh in your mind. No big final test to pass.

2) We also feel a task can be too daunting or too big for our skill level. The thought of taking a 6 hour defensive driving course may seem overwhelming but the key is to break it down into workable units, which is what we do with our chapters. Take on this task one chapter at a time and it will be done before you know it.

3) Rebellion and laziness work hand in hand to keep us from getting things done. If you have to take defensive driving you may resent it and rebel by putting it off. The thing to do here is figure out a reward you will give yourself when you are finished and just get on with it.

4) Lack of motivation can be a powerful reason to put off defensive driving. If you are not emotionally compelled to do something you have to reframe it – make the payoff more important to you. Getting your ticket dismissed on time can be that motivation.

5) Being tired and unable to focus is a big problem. Go somewhere where the distractions are at a minimum and concentrate at the task at hand. Wirelessdefensivedriving.com makes it easy to take the course anywhere.

6) Not knowing how to get started can delay a task. We make that easy with our course – you know exactly how to start, how long it will take and when you finish you will know when to expect your certificate.

7) Some people are just perfectionists and don’t want to start a task they feel they might not be good at. But you will never know until you start and after the course you will be a much more skilled defensive driver.

There is a little procrastination in all of us. At WirelessDefensiveDriving.com we realize that and have made a course that is convenient and informative and not too taxing. So stop putting it off and log in now!

Ready to take it the summer family road trip?

Everyone pokes fun at it, people start making weird faces when they hear the mention of it, but the good ol’  fashioned road trip is still a fantastic idea that will make your family long lasting memories. With a little consideration, planning and a dose of good luck, you and your family will have a grand time.

National Parks? Beach? The urban landscape? Whatever your destination may be, getting there is more than half the fun. Having the right attitude is everything! Don’t rush or stress, allow for some unplanned diversion and remember that the journey to get there is just as important as the final destination.

Take your defensive driving skills with you. The driving times are long and the loads are heavy. The car is full of people and the distractions are easy. The weather is unpredictable and the surroundings are unfamiliar. Because of all these things, you need to be extra vigilant while scanning the road.

We have just published a great survival checklist to take with you. It talks about tires, trunk entrapment, nap times, emergency kits and other things you may not think about while planning your trip.

Have fun, let the good times soak in and remember, be a defensive driving champ. Check out the cook looking infographic we have found below.

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WirelessDefensiveDriving.com

Your Family Vacation Planner infographic by taniacreative.

 

Feel like helping the people of Moore, OK this Memorial Day Weekend?

If you decide to take a drive to Moore OK, we have put together a condensed page of information to take with you. The drive is not too long being just over 3 hours from Dallas, slightly over 5 hours from Austin and a bit over 6 hours from Houston. The trail is easy, just take I-35 North and if you get to Oklahoma City, you went too far.

Traffic approaching Moore will be slow. Once you get close to Moore proper, it would help everyone if you take an alternate route to your destination. Make sure to have your best defensive driving skills on hand. There is enough going on for those poor folks without having to divert emergency personnel and vehicles your way.

As always, when starting a road trip, please check your vehicle’s tires, fluids and belts before getting on the road.

We have been following the social media feeds and have put together a short list with lots of good information. If you are a Twitter user (very helpful), there are some active and super sharp feed to follow. Facebook is also a great place to get updates. Of course there are large organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army but the smaller groups are in need of helping hands as well and can get you involved in no time. Follow them on Twitter and get updates on locations and needs…things change rapidly through the day. Show up at their volunteer headquarters/tents dressed to work outside, gloves and boots are preferred. If you can bring trash bags, coolers, chain saws, etc…etc…even better.

Very important! Make sure you have a place to stay before you get there. These volunteers organization will try their best to find a place for you to crash but if you can, don’t burden them with that task.

Be safe and thank you,
WirelessDefensiveDriving.com

Website:

https://moore.recovers.org/

Twitter accounts:

City of Moore –  @cityofmoore

Serve Moore – @ServeMooreOK

Operation BBQ Relief – @OpBBQRelief

Frontline Downtown – @frontlineokc

CityRescueMission – @OKCityRescue

Norman Chamber – @NORMANCHAMBER

Facebook Accounts:

https://www.facebook.com/normanokchamber

https://www.facebook.com/OKCityRescue

https://www.facebook.com/MooreOKTornado

https://www.facebook.com/MooreTornado#!/MooreTornado?hc_location=timeline

Some info and address we have received this morning via email from https://moore.recovers.org/:

Highland Baptist Church in Moore (2425 SE 4th Street, Moore, OK; at 4th and Sunnylane): 8am onwards. Lots of volunteers needed. Tasks: outdoor manual labor and indoor work.

ServeMoore Headquarters at 200 S. Howard Ave. Moore, OK: 8:30am onwards. Lots of volunteers needed. If possible, bring gloves, trash bags, sturdy metal rakes, shovels, chainsaws, and sunscreen. Tasks: neighborhood restoration and debris removal. @ServeMooreOK

Newcastle Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy (414 NW 32nd St Newcastle, OK 73065; exit 108 on I-44/Hwy 37): 8am-8pm. Dress prepared to get muddy and wear gloves if you have them; experienced volunteers can also bring chainsaws or tree clippers. Tasks: primarily drag off tree limbs.

First Baptist Church of Moore (301 NE 27th St., OKC 73160): 8am onwards; come to East side of the church. Bring a good set of gloves if you have one. Tasks: unloading vehicles, taking donations to their designated spots, and loading people’s vehicles who are in need of supplies.

Life Church in South OKC (7800 S. Walker Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73159): 10amonwards.

St. Andrews United Methodist Church (2727 SW 119th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma): 10am onwards. Bring an open mind and flexible heart. Tasks: deliveries and clean-up work.

Family of Faith (30 Kin-Ville Rd, Shawnee, OK): Samaritan’s Purse Headquarters is working in the Shawnee/Bethel/Meeker areas. Call 405 273-5331 for information; it is not a supplies distribution, but if you want to bring water, Gatorade, or food, please call the number. Tasks: debris clean up, chainsaw work and roof tarping.

Note for out of town volunteers: overnight accommodations are not readily available, so please be sure to make your own accommodations ahead of time if you need to stay overnight.

Weather report: Chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Dress for the weather!

“BUT OFFICER, I DIDN’T SEE THE SPEED LIMIT SIGN!”

Have you ever been stopped for speeding and scrambled to come up with a good excuse? Believe me, officers have heard it all, but it doesn’t seem to stop people from trying! So Insurance.com conducted a survey of the most popular excuses that motorists have tried to get out of that dreaded ticket.

Among the top ten are “everyone was doing the same speed” and “I didn’t know that my speedometer was broken”, or the oldie but goodie, “I really have to go to the bathroom!”.  This last one is very popular with women (65% of those who answered with this) and with men, the most common excuse is “I am just helping out – I am not even supposed to be driving”. This usually occurs when a friend cannot drive for one reason or another (usually intoxication).  It makes you wonder why anyone even tries such a lame excuse.

There are some very creative answers to why a person is speeding. Insurance.com conducted this survey in February, 2013, of 500 licensed drivers age 18 and over. To see all the responses go to http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/04/29/290074.htm.

The article also includes a great list of suggestions for what to do if an officer does pull you over:

1. Acknowledge the officer’s presence by turning on the right turn signal.
2. Move your vehicle to the right shoulder of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
3. Turn on your hazard lights.
4. Turn off your radio. Do not make a phone call.
5. Remain inside your vehicle.
6. Place your hands in clear view; for example, on your steering wheel.

If you do speed and you do get pulled over and you need to take defensive driving to get that ticket dismissed, WirelessDefensiveDriving.com is always here for you!

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WirelessDensiveDriving.com
5470 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209

Mistake the gas pedal for the brake??
No, not me!!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has actually conducted a study of as pedal accidents and the conclusion? Two age groups top the list of most likely to mistake the two: Over age 76 and under age 20. And which sex is most likely to get confused on this issue? Women comprise two thirds of this group which is surprising given that about 60% of drivers in car accidents are males.

Why these two age groups? The scientists involved in this study of 2500 gas pedal accidents postulate that the teen brain is not yet fully mature and so certain functions are not completely consistent. The older driver, they say, lacks the attention, organizing and planning skills needed to adjust quickly to certain situations.

Given our aging population, an increase in senior-citizen drivers is a reality. The NHTSA suggested they would start ranking cars based on features able to aid senior-citizen in the driving task. The new “silver-car” rating system will be designed to help senior-citizen choose the right car. The NHTSA main focus will be the evaluation of systems to prevent the use of the wrong pedals at lower speeds, along with evaluation of how well a car protects pedestrians in case of low speed crashes.

Fortunately, most of these accidents occur in parking lots or driveways and incur no injuries. But every so often we hear about incidents, usually involving older drivers, where a car goes through a restaurant or crowd. Mistaking these two pedals can prove to be a deadly mistake, and special attention should always be given when starting or stopping.

These potential new guidelines from the NHTSA would not only help senior-citizens be safer, but will also benefit the rest of us.

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This blog posting is brought to you by WirelessDefensiveDriving.com, The Texas Defensive Driving Online Course.

www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811597.pdf

New Android App Ready For Texas Defensive Driving From WirelessDefensiveDriving.com

WirelessDefensiveDriving.com announces a new app designed to help Texas drivers take their defensive driving course on any mobile device.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) April 23, 2013

WirelessDefensiveDriving.com has produced and launched a new Android app to make their Texas Defensive Driving course extremely convenient and user friendly. While using this new app, students don’t have to browse the web, bookmark or even remember any web addresses.

With this new app, the state of Texas approved WirelessDefensiveDriving.com makes it very convenient for drivers to keep their defensive driving skills sharp. The course is composed of professionally produced, entertaining and educational podcasts for the driver to listen to from any computer or mobile device. The podcasts are free to stream or download to any driver willing to improve or refresh their driving skills. Once a podcast is complete the registered student can take a multiple choice verification test to obtain the Texas Education Agency approved certificate of completion.

The entire process, from registration to completion can be done on the new Android app, or of course the website at WirelessDefensiveDriving.com. The certificate of completion can be used to dismiss a ticket or for insurance premium reduction.

The app has been approved by Google, it is listed at the Google Play and can be found herehttp://goo.gl/NdPbN

Here are some screen shots of the working app (click on the image for larger view)

WirelessDefensiveDriving.com has also an iOS (for any Apple product) in the approval process to allow the same convenience to the Apple user. In the meantime our mobile website version, which is automatically displayed when visiting with a mobile device, can be used being almost as conveniently as the app.

WirelessDefensiveDriving.com has once again broken new grounds with the introduction of their state approved mobile, wireless defensive driving course. Over 10 years ago, the same good folks at WirelessDefensiveDriving.com made history by having created the very first state approved, defensive driving online course. The first of its kind at the time.

“We hope to remove every last barrier and make it as convenient as possible for our fellow drivers to become as safe and defensive as possible, especially in the youth age group” says Mr. Collins, founder and instructor at WirelessDefensiveDriving.com, “We think this new app brings us much closer to that goal.”