Mary Lou Jay If you want to have a safe stopping distance, you must: Next time you’re out driving, count to three. It’s not a technique for controlling your temper, although that’s also a good thing to do when you’re behind the wheel. Counting to three can help you maintain a safe following distance between … Read more
Mary Lou Jay When it comes to safety, vehicle size as well as a slew of features and technologies can affect how you and your car will fare in a crash. While there’s some debate about whether it’s the car or your own driving capabilities that play the biggest role in your safety, investing in … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Your brakes are the last line of defense between you and an accident — and auto insurance claims. Even if you’re not a mechanic, there are proactive steps you can take to make sure your brakes will do their job when you need them. Brake fluid Fortunately, according to a guide from the … Read more
Jill Overmyer Auto insurance fraud is a growing problem in Florida, but an anti-fraud bill introduced by state Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, died in the spring of 2011. The bill proposed unprecedented crackdowns on fraud through measures like harsher penalties and more detailed crash reports. Yet it raised concerns over the unintended negative effects on … Read more
Jill Overmyer Distracted driving has devastating consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 515,000 people were injured and 5,870 were killed in 2008 in traffic accidents caused by distracted driving. Many people automatically think of phones as the major culprits — and recent distracted driving legislation has focused on texting and talking … Read more
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently released its report on auto theft hotspots. It bears some good news — national vehicle thefts trended downward in 2010, for the seventh consecutive year. But the news isn’t so good for Californians. The Golden State is home to eight of the top 10 hot spots for vehicle … Read more
Marcus Pickett The economy is forcing many to make tough decisions about their household expenses — and auto insurance is no exception. Car owners might cut coverage and cut corners to pay their bills. In fact, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), more than half of U.S. drivers … Read more
Jill Overmyer A new seat belt law in Illinois took effect Jan. 1, 2012. It’s tougher than the old one and will require passengers of all ages in all seats to buckle up. Illinois seat belt law overview Illinois’ mandatory seat belt law, first enacted in 1988, has been revised a number of times over … Read more
Linda Melone You’re much safer driving a car today than you were years ago, thanks to crash testing and the crash-test dummies that take the hit for you. Crash testing progresses so quickly, in fact, that the car you were driving last year may not meet the same safety standards this year. Because of the … Read more
Gina Roberts-Grey As part of the natural aging process, eyes lose the ability to see clearly under dim conditions, which risks the safety of drivers and those sharing the road. “Safe operation of automobiles, motorcycles and recreational vehicles require split-second actions to stay on course,” says Dr. Thomas Harvey, an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon in … Read more