by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Really…you were driving 50 in a 65 speed zone, weaving into my and other drivers’ lanes while oblivious to the dangerous conditions you were causing. Then you looked up from your texting to glare at me as I passed and noticed what was causing your erratic driving. Really?!
It certainly wasn’t safe and it was illegal. You were in one of the 46 states that specifically ban texting while driving. It is a citable offense and could lead to serious charges if you caused a crash while texting.
Not only were you endangering yourself, but dozens of others around you as you blithely tapped away at your phone – on the Interstate no less. Thankfully, this time there was no crash and hopefully not the next time, but the odds are against you.
In your smug defiance, did you know?
- 3,179 people were killed and another 431,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers
- One-third of drivers in a 2015 survey admitted to texting while driving and 75 percent said they have witnessed others doing it
- 10 percent of fatal crashes and 18 percent of injury crashes were reported as caused by distraction
- For the first time in a quite a few years, the number of fatalities on the nation’s roads and highways increased in 2015
- August is one of the deadliest months on American roads
- More drivers are using their mobile devices to surf the internet to check sites such as Snapchat and Facebook
- The average text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, comparable to driving the length of a football field blindfolded
So, what can we do about drivers like this? WE must continue educating all drivers, especially younger ones, about the carnage caused by all forms of distracted driving. Barring that, technology may come to the rescue with devices that block all texts and phone calls while a person is behind the wheel, or another that prevents the car from operating if the phone is not secured in a special docking mechanism.
In the meantime, here are 10 actions to stop distracted driving:
- Turn off phones and other devices and stow them away
- Spread the word with a cell phone message telling callers you’re driving and will get back to them when you are off the road
- Pull over if you need to make or receive an important call
- Use passengers to make a call or respond to a text for you
- X the text – don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read email while you are driving
- Know the laws about whether you can use a hand-held cell phone behind the wheel
- Prepare in advance and program your GPS device before you start the car – if you need to change or review the directions, do so only after pulling over and stopping
- Secure pets to keep them from being a danger or distraction
- Mind the kids or other passengers and pull over to interact with them or address any issues or behaviors
- Focus only on driving – never multi-task, refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking or any activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road
Recognizing the danger of distracted and reckless driving, California Casualty is a proud partner of Impact Teen Drivers, a nonprofit that educates parents and teens about the realities of bad choices and behaviors behind the wheel. Their programs have reached millions of young drivers, employing peer-to-peer messaging, focused school presentations and community workshops to prevent the number one killer of teens today. Learn more or lend your support to this important organization here.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
There are a lot of decisions that come into play when deciding which vehicle best suits you. Some say that your car reflects your personality, especially the color. Car color expresses to the world what we want others to think of us. Gender and age can influence this choice as well.
Nancy Lockhart, a color marketing manager, says “color preferences change throughout time and may differ by region or vehicle type.” She that a luxury sedan is more attractive in black and white colors, and sporty versions are more likely red and colorful shades.
Here is what your car color says about you:
-White looks fresh, young, modern look to the world.
-Black declares itself as important, sophisticated, and classic.
-Silver is the color of security and style.
-Red projects action, power, and masculinity.
-Blue is practical and happy.
-Beige exudes quiet and peace.
-Yellow is positive attitude and joy.
-Green is a tie with an interest in nature.
-Orange says that you are comfortable with value and saving money.
Trends can rapidly change across the U.S. and regionally. The latest research predicts that brighter and bolder colors are becoming more and more popular with consumers. What does your car color say about you? Share with us in the comments.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Summer is here and the adventure of the road is calling. If you are thinking of a road trip, Wallet Hub has their annual recommendations for the best states to visit. After factoring in the cost of fuel, lodging and tolls, road conditions and the number of fun and scenic attractions you can see, Oregon was determined to be the best summer destination in the U.S. The rest of the top ten were:
- Nevada
- Utah
- North Carolina
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Idaho
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Vermont
Before you load the car and head out, make sure your vehicle is ready for the rigors of the road. The dog days of summer can take a toll on your vehicle so here are some summer car care preparations to help you avoid a breakdown on a sweltering day:
- Periodically check and test batteries for proper charging (summer heat drains batteries faster than the cold of winter)
- Be sure your cooling system has the proper anti-freeze/coolant and all belts, hoses and the water pump are properly working (never open a hot radiator cap; the liquid inside is a scalding 200 degrees or hotter)
- Check the air conditioning system for leaks and proper coolant
- Verify the viscosity of your motor oil will stand up to hot weather days (10W-30 or 10W-40)
- Check the tires for tread and proper inflation
- Make sure the spare tire is inflated and there is a jack and tire changing tools
- Test your windshield wipers and change them if they are streaking
Consumer Reports advises that you should also have a basic safety kit that consists of:
- Cell phone and spare battery
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Warning light or reflective triangles
- Tire gauge
- Jumper cables
- Foam sealant for flat tires
Things you should know how to do in case you have a roadside emergency:
Some repairs may be more complicated. That’s why it’s important to have a reliable backup. Whether the battery let you down, your spare tire went flat or you locked the keys in the car, for as little as $1 a month California Casualty’s towing and roadside assistance pays for:
- Lockouts
- Flat tire repair
- Fuel
- Oil
- Dead battery start
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
It’s the season for potholes. I don’t know about your city, but I nearly broke a tooth after hitting a neck jarring pothole last week. The impact left a noticeable pull to the left to my steering. It could be worse; a friend bent the rim on his car after hitting a monster of a hole, leaving him with a flat tire and a costly repair.
Damaged and deteriorated roads are also a real danger. Approximately a third of the 33,000 fatal crashes each year in the U.S. are attributed to poor road conditions, and many bicyclists are injured after hitting a pothole or from traffic as they try to avoid one.
Potholes are a product of the freeze/thaw cycle that destroys asphalt and wears away the underlying materials. Damage to a vehicle varies depending on the size, depth and the speed at which they are hit. It could include:
- Tire puncture
- Misalignment of the steering system
- Damage to wheel rims
- Engine damage
- Cracked or broken suspension parts
- Untimely wear to shocks and struts
- Holes or crimping of the exhaust system
These can lead to dangerous driving conditions and experts say we should check for:
- Bulging sidewalls or flat spots on tires
- Uneven wear on tire tread
- Strange noises or odors from the exhaust system
- Cuts, flat spots and cracks on tire rims
- Dents or punctures that could lead to fluid leaks and rust from the undercarriage
The pothole epidemic is a real financial burden, costing us as much $3 billion a year in repair bills. The average fix from hitting a large pothole can range from $300 to $600 dollars.
And, here’s some more bad news, while damage to your car or truck from a pothole is covered by collision insurance, it only kicks in after you pay the deductible. Also, filing a claim for pothole damage is considered an at-fault collision and could increase your insurance rates at renewal.
Some cities and states have funds to reimburse drivers for damage from potholes, but the process is very restrictive and cumbersome and very few actually receive any compensation.
Since spending to fix deteriorated roads is limited (the American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that it will cost trillions of dollars to repair crumbling roadways and bridges across America), here are some tips to lessen the damage caused by potholes:
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Keep a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you to spot and avoid potholes
- Slow down during pothole season – often times damage is reduced the slower you hit one
And here’s one final thought; faded traffic lane markings and shoddy asphalt conditions are confusing to autonomous vehicles, slowing testing in many areas of the country.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
The annual list of cities with the most stolen cars has bad news for drivers in the Golden State. California has the dubious honor of taking eight of the top 10 spots for stolen vehicles in the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) 2015 Hot Spots report.
Motorists in the Modesto area of Central California need to be especially watchful, as it was the metropolitan area with the highest per capita vehicle theft rate in the nation. Number two was Albuquerque, New Mexico followed by three other areas in Northern or Central California.
The NICB’s Top 10 Hot Spots metropolitan areas were:
- Modesto, CA (4,072 stolen vehicles)
- Albuquerque, NM (6,657)
- Bakersfield, CA (6,000)
- Salinas, CA (2,934)
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA (30,554)
- Stockton-Lodi, CA (4,656)
- Pueblo, CO (983)
- Merced, CA (1,605)
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (25,001)
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA (2,352)
The report also found a slight increase in vehicle thefts in 2015 compared to a year earlier.
The NICB said that older vehicles are taken for parts while newer, high-value vehicles are often shipped overseas or, after some disguising, sold to an innocent buyer. Others are stolen for a “joyride” and are most often abandoned and recovered.
There is nothing worse than going to the place you last parked your car and finding it gone. To prevent your car or truck from theft, the NICB recommends everyone use these four layers of anti-theft precautions:
Common Sense —is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:
- Remove your keys from the ignition
- Lock your doors /close your windows
- Park in a well-lit area
Warning Device — the second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:
- Audible alarms
- Steering column collars
- Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
- Brake locks
- Wheel locks
- Theft deterrent decals
- Identification markers in or on vehicle
- VIN etching
- Micro dot marking
Immobilizing Device — the third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:
- Smart keys
- Fuse cut-offs
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
- Wireless ignition authentication
Tracking Device — the final layer of protection is a tracking system which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
We wouldn’t allow our children to play with an unsafe toy, nor would we use a household item that was deemed dangerous. But, when it comes to our autos and trucks, many Americans continue driving one that has been recalled because of a safety concern.
It’s More Than You Might Think
The statistics are a bit unsettling – the number of recalled vehicles reached 51 million in 2015, second only to 2014’s record of 60 million vehicles.
What do you need to be worried about?
Auto experts say the bulk of the recalls are for faulty airbags, which have been linked to injuries and deaths. However, other recalls were for hazards involving steering, cruise control, engines and seat belts. These failures have led to sudden loss of control of the vehicle, parts failures in a crash, or caused vehicle fires.
Many Are Not Getting Fixed
Despite a major effort by automakers, only 75 percent of vehicles that might have issues are being looked at or repaired.
And that’s the concern; a recent Carfax survey found that tens of millions of vehicles that have been recalled the past few years have never been fixed. By their estimate, one in five on the roads today is in need of a repair for a safety defect. Even more troubling is that the type of vehicle with the highest rate of unfixed safety issues is a family-owned minivan. SUVs and pickup trucks are a close second and third. Often, this means the drivers of those cars or trucks, maybe someone you know, is at significant risk if a part should fail.
So Why Wouldn’t Someone Get the Fix?
There are many reasons why drivers aren’t getting defective vehicles to a dealer or mechanic:
- They are not aware of the recall
- They worry it will take too much time or cost too much
- They just don’t care
- Recall notices are often mailed to an old address
- So Has Your Vehicle Been Recalled?
The government maintains an excellent website where you can check, for free:
https://www.safercar.gov/CheckForRecalls
If you find your vehicle on the recall list, safety groups recommend that you contact the car dealer immediately to set up an appointment to have it looked at. Keep in mind, you should not have to pay for any parts or labor because of a recall. Not all vehicles may need a fix, but finding out will bring you peace-of-mind. And, if you think your vehicle has a defect, but hasn’t been recalled yet, save any receipts; you should be reimbursed if the recall occurs later.
What Does a Recall Mean for My Insurance?
While driving a recalled vehicle shouldn’t affect your insurance, the quicker you have it checked out or repaired, the safer you and others will be.
However, you should contact your insurance company if the dealer gives you a loaner car while yours is being repaired; you’ll want to verify that you have the right coverage..
