Budget Brakes knows that getting ready in the morning often means rushing out the door without makeup or with other personal hygiene issues. At times, individuals are concerned with minor issues and choose to apply or fix makeup while driving. Budget Brakes does not encourage this distracting practice.
Not only is it dangerous, but its not effective. It is better to quickly apply makeup at home and be five minutes late than to risk your life and the life of others on the road. The amount of makeup that can be applied with one hand while driving is limited. Lipstick can be applied in seconds after parking; eyeliner in under a minute.
The use of the vanity mirror while parked at a stop light is the only safe in-car time to correct personal hygiene issues. Budget Brakes hopes that you and your family take driving distractions seriously in order to improve road safety for all road users.
Budget Brakes Safety Reminder: Texting While Driving
Budget Brakes cares about your safety. For this week's article, we are covering driving distractions like texting or talking on the phone while driving.
Budget Brakes strongly recommends that all cellular phones are put away while driving. Texting while driving is the fastest-growing cause of both fatalities and fender benders. Even sending short texts requires taking both your eyes and your hands off the wheel, delaying normal reaction time by up to half a second on average. It can also be a distraction that results in missed road signs or stoplights.
Even talking while driving can be dangerous. Holding a phone can lead to loss of control, and using earbuds while driving can block important aural information like the sound of a car engine from a passing car, emergency siren, or horn. The safest way to use a phone in the car is with a hands-free system, but in a pinch, use the speakerphone and keep the phone in the console.
Budget Brakes hopes that you and your family are serious about enforcing driving rules, especially with teens, the demographic at the greatest risk of accidents while texting.
Budget Brakes strongly recommends that all cellular phones are put away while driving. Texting while driving is the fastest-growing cause of both fatalities and fender benders. Even sending short texts requires taking both your eyes and your hands off the wheel, delaying normal reaction time by up to half a second on average. It can also be a distraction that results in missed road signs or stoplights.
Even talking while driving can be dangerous. Holding a phone can lead to loss of control, and using earbuds while driving can block important aural information like the sound of a car engine from a passing car, emergency siren, or horn. The safest way to use a phone in the car is with a hands-free system, but in a pinch, use the speakerphone and keep the phone in the console.
Budget Brakes hopes that you and your family are serious about enforcing driving rules, especially with teens, the demographic at the greatest risk of accidents while texting.
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Leaving Children Behind in Cars
Budget Brakes is here to protect your family. That's why we want to remind you of the "zero second" rule for leaving children unattended in cars. Budget Brakes firmly believes that, for their safety, children should never be left alone, unattended, for any reason.
In 2009, non-profit organization Harrison's Hope documented 789 children left unattended in or around cars and 146 children who lost their lives in these incidents. Budget Brakes encourages parents to realize that these deaths are not accidental, they are neglectful. If every parent put forth the effort required to unbuckle a car seat and carry his or her child inside for a two-minute trip to the ATM or convenience store, hundreds of children's lives would be saved every year.
KidsAndCars.org, an advocacy organization, also recommends two crucial car habits to avoid accidentally leaving a child behind.
• Keep something you'll need for work in the back seat of the car, like a cell phone or employee badge.
• Keep a large teddy bear in the child's car seat when it is not occupied and in the passenger's seat of the car when the child is occupying the car seat. This serves as a visual reminder that the child is in the back.
The next time you consider leaving your child in the car, Budget Brakes hopes that you remember the zero second rule: a child should never spend time alone in a car for any reason.
In 2009, non-profit organization Harrison's Hope documented 789 children left unattended in or around cars and 146 children who lost their lives in these incidents. Budget Brakes encourages parents to realize that these deaths are not accidental, they are neglectful. If every parent put forth the effort required to unbuckle a car seat and carry his or her child inside for a two-minute trip to the ATM or convenience store, hundreds of children's lives would be saved every year.
KidsAndCars.org, an advocacy organization, also recommends two crucial car habits to avoid accidentally leaving a child behind.
• Keep something you'll need for work in the back seat of the car, like a cell phone or employee badge.
• Keep a large teddy bear in the child's car seat when it is not occupied and in the passenger's seat of the car when the child is occupying the car seat. This serves as a visual reminder that the child is in the back.
The next time you consider leaving your child in the car, Budget Brakes hopes that you remember the zero second rule: a child should never spend time alone in a car for any reason.
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Car Seat Safety
Budget Brakes wants to remind every parent of the value of car seats from the time a child is born until they are eight or nine years old. Car seats are vital to protecting your loved ones in the event of an accident.
The most important thing you can check on a car seat is whether or not your child is securely seated in the car seat. The key is to make the seat belts as tight as they can be so that the child stays secure in an accident. Car seat manufacturers make optional ratchet-style adjustments to be fixed to the car seat belts to tighten the belts to the optimum level.
Older children should have booster car seats, as well. As an adult, riding in a car places the edge of the seat in line with the knee. Children, however, with shorter legs, often find that their legs stick straight out. Without a booster seat, an accident that causes the car to compact would also crush a child's legs. A booster seat also prevents the seatbelt from crossing the neck, instead, placing it firmly across the shoulder as it was designed.
Budget Brakes hopes every parent realizes the value of proper car seat use.
The most important thing you can check on a car seat is whether or not your child is securely seated in the car seat. The key is to make the seat belts as tight as they can be so that the child stays secure in an accident. Car seat manufacturers make optional ratchet-style adjustments to be fixed to the car seat belts to tighten the belts to the optimum level.
Older children should have booster car seats, as well. As an adult, riding in a car places the edge of the seat in line with the knee. Children, however, with shorter legs, often find that their legs stick straight out. Without a booster seat, an accident that causes the car to compact would also crush a child's legs. A booster seat also prevents the seatbelt from crossing the neck, instead, placing it firmly across the shoulder as it was designed.
Budget Brakes hopes every parent realizes the value of proper car seat use.
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How to Keep Your Family Safe on Road Trips
Budget Brakes cares about your family's continued safety. Before leaving on your next road trip, be sure to stop by and have your brakes inspected at Budget Brakes. Here are some other things to remember before starting a road trip.
Check your windshield wipers and wiper fluid. New wipers are a small investment and they can make driving in inclement weather much safer.
Check the oil in the car for both color and depth. Oil should come up to the “Full” line on the dipstick and be clear or tan. If you are within 1000 miles of a scheduled oil change, or if the oil is dark brown or black, change the oil.
Check the other fluids, like transmission fluid, radiator fluid, and freon. Most new cars do not leak these fluids, but older cars have issues and should be checked regularly.
Check your tires for air pressure and tread. If necessary rotate, or even change, your tires before traveling. If you are headed to a snowy region, change into snow tires.
Finally, be sure to come by Budget Brakes for a brake inspection to ensure that your brakes are operating at peak efficiency for your safety.
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What Your Teen Needs To Know About Driving
Budget Brakes cares about the safety of you and your family, that's why this series of Budget Brakes articles is devoted to keeping your family safe while driving. This article discusses things your older teen going off to college needs to know.
Stay off the phone while driving. Any distraction that takes your mind off driving increases the risk of having an accident. This includes eating, talking on the phone, or rubbernecking at accidents.
Learn the new state laws. If your child is going out of state, new laws may apply with regard to road rules, vehicle inspection, or parking. Make sure your teen has reviewed the new state's drivers handbook.
Keep your car maintained. Car maintenance is often overlooked by young drivers or busy individuals. College students fall into both categories, so take extra care to remind them of scheduled maintenance.
No drinking and driving. Drinking often makes smart people do dumb things like drive. Even your college student may make bad decisions. Be sure to remind them that cabs and designated drivers are always available, and are only a phone call away.
Budget Brakes hopes these tips helps your teen stay safe while they are at college.
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Budget Brakes Used Car Tips: Check the Suspension
Budget Brakes' encourages customers to thoroughly check a used car's suspension and not overlook bumpiness, even in older cars.
First, visually inspect the car to see if it is sitting higher in the front or back. If so, the springs could be worn. Next, check the shocks by pressing down on the bumper in both the front and back. The car should bounce up and down only once. If the car bounces easily or multiple times, have a mechanic inspect the shocks and struts for wear.
When test driving the vehicle, pay particular attention to stability, traction, alignment, and comfort. A vehicle that pulls either to the right or left is either out of alignment or has uneven tires. The vehicle should feel tight, responsive, and not shake.
Budget Brakes wants to remind used car buyers that the suspension, shocks, and struts are often overlooked parts of a purchase, but they can be as costly as an engine or transmission repair. If you have any doubts about the car, Budget Brakes recommends that you see a mechanic before purchasing.
First, visually inspect the car to see if it is sitting higher in the front or back. If so, the springs could be worn. Next, check the shocks by pressing down on the bumper in both the front and back. The car should bounce up and down only once. If the car bounces easily or multiple times, have a mechanic inspect the shocks and struts for wear.
When test driving the vehicle, pay particular attention to stability, traction, alignment, and comfort. A vehicle that pulls either to the right or left is either out of alignment or has uneven tires. The vehicle should feel tight, responsive, and not shake.
Budget Brakes wants to remind used car buyers that the suspension, shocks, and struts are often overlooked parts of a purchase, but they can be as costly as an engine or transmission repair. If you have any doubts about the car, Budget Brakes recommends that you see a mechanic before purchasing.
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