How dangerous is a floor mat when it comes to associating it with car accidents? Well as far as Toyota is concerned, the current recall in the car mats that they package with their Toyota Lexus is still a puzzle. A fatal car crash which claimed four lives in Southern California last month has forced the arm of Toyota to order its dealers to make prior inspection of car mats in the light of this unfortunate tragedy.

It seems that the car mat caused the Toyota Lexus to get out of control, forcing it to crash into another vehicle, turn over and burst into flames. But to this day, no one knows if these car mats were truly the culprit but just the same, Toyota has taken the initiative for this tragedy.

Some tips to drivers when it comes to car mats though. Avoid the thick mats to be used in cars. Do not place more than one mat since this may become a reason for your accelerator to get stuck. Check out your car now. This could make all the difference between life and death on your end.

You can watch the report here.

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(Source) Yahoo

Tags: accelerator, car accidents, car mat, car mats, Cars, culprit, fatal car crash, flames, floor mat, initiative, life and death, puzzle, southern california, thick mats, Toyota, toyota lexus, unfortunate tragedy, yahoo

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A large chunk of car accidents and collisions among teens are due to their lack of attention on the road. And the number one reason for this has been whittled down to these mobile devices called cellular phones. Whether it is a call or for sending a text message, it only takes a second to make a different for a driver to get into an accident.

Now, federal laws are tightening up, issuing a new law that will ban texting while driving. The ultimatum laid down is that should states fail to address this concern, concerned states stand to lose annual federal highway funding.

However, a Texas study demonstrates that certain teen drivers have fewer crashes via the use a certain product called Driver Ed in a Box. Parents who follow the Driver Ed in a Box program provide nine months to a year of extended supervised training to teach their teen to drive.

Driver Ed in a Box provides parents and teens with a complete, safety-oriented process for teaching the teen the techniques of collision-free driving.

(Source) Press

Tags: car accidents, cellular phones, chunk, collisions, driver ed, driver education, lack of attention, nine months, parents, sending a text message, supervised training, teen drivers, ultimatum

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Alertness while driving is important. It is normally something that helps a lot in avoiding accidents or even getting into them. Apparently this is one purpose of this software, the DriveSharp which is a new addition to the Posit Science software roster.

DriveSharp is clinically proven to train the brain to think and react faster on the road. This helps drivers feel more confident, capable and alert behind the wheel. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the non-profit research affiliate of AAA, announced today that it is recommending DriveSharp to enhance driver safety and AAA Clubs across the nation are promoting the product.

Ideally, this software does seem to serve a purpose. There are drivers who have problems when driving and it takes more than turning the wheel and stepping on the gas pedal. The mental area of driving needs sharpening as well and hopefully this new software can provide that to avoid car accidents which cannot be totally avoided.

(Source) Press

Tags: aaa clubs, aaa foundation for traffic safety, brain fitness, car accidents, driver alertness, driver safety, fitness software, new addition, new software, posit science, profit research, research affiliate, science software, turning the wheel

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Thanks to a new device, we may soon see a rash of cars probably thinking for themselves. This was revealed as Saga Car Insurance is reportedly checking out the new device called the Cohda intelligent transport system.

The technology uses a GPS locator and a chip that allows cars to communicate their speed and location, 10 times per second over a radio frequency, to other similarly equipped vehicles within a 500ft radius. The device will alert drivers if, for example, a car jumps a red light, or advise them when it is unsafe to overtake. If it detects the potential for a collision, the system can give an audible warning or take the wheel if the driver’s reactions prove too slow.

This certainly sounds like an interesting development in the world of car technology. Never before have we seen such an enhancement which should help bring down the number of car accidents and violations that has been growing in number.

But the downside is that with the use of such devices, drivers may become overly reliant on them, making driving skills deteriorate. With that, you have to wonder if age limits would still be imposed or drunk people can leave the driving to the device.

Well, until we see it coming out, all we can do is wait and see. Whatever happens, there will certainly be restrictions surrounding it.

(Source) Press

Tags: car accidents, car insurance, car technology, Cars, downside, enhancement, gps locator, intelligent transport system, radio frequency, radius, rash, red light, saga, wheel

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At a first look, it may seem like a common keychain or even a multi-functional Swiss knife. Rarely would we consider a device that was designed to make a difference as far as car trouble or accidents are concerned but perhaps the concept that the Houdini Emergency Escape Tool can indeed make a difference at times we least expect it.

For extreme cases of car accidents and crashes, have you ever considered a keychain tool that could be of so many uses? Well, maybe this can enlighten you.

The keychain-attachable tool contains the items you’d need to not only get free, but to signal for help when no one is in the immediate area. Besides a spring-loaded glass breaker, and sealtbelt cutter, the standard version also comes with an LED light and a safety whistle that can sound as far as 1/4 of a mile. There is also a Pro version that, while lacking the whistle, is larger, and comes in black or yellow

At $25 for the regular model and $40 for the Pro, the Houdini Emergency Escape Tool may not be that bad to consider. Besides, it is better to be ready when you are in your car, regardless if you are driving or not.

(Source) Examiner

Tags: car accidents, car trouble, crashes, extreme cases, glass breaker, houdini, keychain, safety whistle, swiss knife

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When it comes to hitching a ride, people barely notice the state that a driver may be in. And among these include that of “Drink” drivers who may be exposed to potential hazards such as car accidents if they are not careful. But the question remains, would you ride with such a driver when your safety or even your life may be on the line?

“There is no excuse for drink driving and people’s willingness to get in the car with a drunk driver is alarming. By condoning this behaviour they are risking not only their own lives but those of other road users. If you know someone who plans to drink and drive, stop them, persuade them not to drive, even take their keys off them, but before volunteering to drive their car make sure you are insured, because if you’re not you will find yourself breaking the law.”

So eventually, it is not just about looking out for your own safety. You are doing that person a favor as well by pulling him away from potential mishaps in driving. Causes of drink driving range from addiction all the way to irresponsible behavior. Whatever the case may be, it would be best to make sure to make judgment calls before getting on the vehicle with such people. Your life may be on the line if you are not careful.

(Source) Press

Tags: addiction, breaking the law, car accidents, drink driver, drink drivers, driving range, drunk driver, excuse, hitching a ride, irresponsible behavior, judgment, mishaps, road users, willingness

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Do you know the procedures to undertake when you find yourself in an auto accident? There are legal rights and for sure, most motorists would not be aware of this until they get into a mishap. Thus, to help educated and provide a free reference for people in these extreme cases, a free booklet titled A Consumer’s Guide: Auto Accidents in Wisconsin, has been authored by Milwaukee Attorney, Randall L. Rozek for Wisconsin locals.

“Every year in Wisconsin more than 50,000 people are injured and over 700 people are killed in automobile accidents. I wrote this guide in order to provide these accident victims and their family members with answers to their many questions during the difficult time period following an auto accident.”

Among the contents of the booklet include:

• The Four Elements of Every Wisconsin Personal Injury Case
• Common Questions Following Your Auto Accident
• About Your Property Damage Claim
• 10 Common Mistakes That Can RUIN Your Personal Injury Case
• 5 Ways to Get Your Doctor’s Attention About Your Injuries
• 40 Arguments the Insurance Company May Use to Diminish the Value of Your Claim
• The Importance of Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Wisconsin
• 5 Things That Should Be Done After A Car Accident

You can get your free copy here.

(Source) Press

Tags: accident victims, auto accident, auto accidents, automobile accidents, car accident, car accidents, four elements, free booklet, free reference, guide auto, insurance company, mishap, motorists, personal injury attorney, personal injury case, rozek, time period

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Teen driving can be reckless at times and as parents, we barely get to see this. Testing them by asking them to drive for you will not work since they will certainly be cautious and drive like rational drivers. But the real problem starts when you are no longer looking. But that was yesterday’s news.

Today, Zoombak makes teen drivers become more cautious. With their latest GPS tracking device, parents will be able to monitor their children’s driving habits and pinpoint where they are. The rising number of car accidents caused by teens has been a cause for concern and now thanks to Zoombak, another preventive measure may be able to help curb down these numbers.

How Zoombak speed tracking works:

• Following a quick over-the-air software update, Zoombak customers will be able to set up a speed threshold, (say 60 MPH) and receive alerts if that threshold is exceeded.
• Setting up a speed alert for an account at Zoombak.com is simple and fast, and users can choose to receive alerts by SMS text to their mobile device, or by email. Users can set the speed alert to be always on, or set on/off schedules around certain times of day.
• Zoombak determines the speed and direction (North, South, East, West) of the driver based on their location signal every 5 to 15 seconds.
• When conducting Find-Now searches at Zoombak.com, in addition to the regular current location information, the email or text message will now also automatically display both the speed and the direction the driver was heading. So even if automatic alerts are not set up, parents can still see on-demand how fast and which direction their teen was driving. Direction is displayed as North, South, East or West.
• The new “Speed” section of the Zoombak website provides Zoombak customers with more detailed instructions on setting up and getting the most out of the speed tracking feature.

(Source) Press

Tags: air software, car accidents, direction north, driving direction, email, gps tracking device, mobile device, more detailed instructions, news today, north south east west, parents, preventive measure, teen drivers, teen driving, text message, threshold, zoombak

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Car accidents can occur at any time and while we try our best to avoid them, using the seatbelts is still needed. It can change the difference between saving lives. And to further highlight that importance, TxDOT aims to emphasize that importance with a campaign initiative starting May 8.

Beginning May 8, five inflatable characters—including Godzilla, a rock star icon and a rubber duck—will travel to major cities across Texas. Looming more than two stories tall, these unconventional messengers will warn Texans that thousands of state troopers, police officers and sheriff’s deputies will be on Texas streets and highways between May 18 and 31, including the Memorial Day holiday weekend, to enforce the state’s safety belt laws.

Drivers and front seat passengers can be ticketed for not wearing their safety belt and so can drivers who do not buckle up their children. Safety belt violations can result in fines ranging from $25 to $200.

(Source) Press

Tags: car accidents, front seat, gears, godzilla, holiday weekend, major cities, memorial day, messengers, police officers, rock star, rubber duck, safety belt laws, safety campaign, seat passengers, seatbelt safety, seatbelts, star icon, state troopers

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One thing we are all aware of today to avoid tragic accidents and injuries is to fasten our seatbelts at all times. And with the growing number of casualties who have been claimed by car accidents, wearing seatbelts can really make a difference.

For that matter, PennDot is doing its part to make sure that people of all ages are aware of the importance of wearing seatbelts today. As more than 350 police departments across 28 counties prepare for a targeted seat belt enforcement effort, PennDOT urges schools to take advantage of free educational programs offered through its highway safety network, according to PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler.

“Teaching children about safety is one of the most important lessons we can offer,” Biehler said. “Safe driving isn’t just about buckling up, or refusing to drink and drive, it’s about making the right decisions every day — by choosing to Drive Safe PA.”

PennDOT funds the efforts and works closely with its highway safety partners to conduct three educational seat belt programs for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The free programs are available throughout the school year and are presented by one of the more than 1,500 municipal police officers and State Police troopers specially trained in the curriculum.

(Source) Press

Tags: biehler, car accidents, free educational programs, highway safety, penndot, safety drive, safety network, safety partners, seat belt enforcement, seatbelts, tragic accidents

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What causes car accidents? Well for one, we are familiar with the warning not to text or use your mobile phone while driving. But stubborn as most drivers are today, until an accident would come their way, chances are they would not heed such warning. However, thanks to Drop Stop, a new car interior accessory designed to guard the gap between the seat and console, and help keep drivers eyes on the road aims to change all that.

Drop Stop provides a safer, more convenient driving experience by eliminating the automatic reaction of taking one’s eyes off the road when a personal article slips through a vehicle’s seat/console gap. Drivers also save time and money with the easy-to-install Drop Stop because they no longer have to replace credit cards, make-up, earphone accessories, and other personal articles thought to be lost, stolen, or damaged.

Drop Stop(R) retails for $19.95 plus shipping and handling (set of 2: one for the driver side and one for the passenger side) and is available online at www.BuyDropStop.com.

(Source) Press

Tags: automatic reaction, car accidents, driving experience, eyes on the road, gap, mobile phone, new car, slips, time and money

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The holiday season is all about feasting and getting drunk but that does not mean that drivers should start forgetting about how it is to practice safety on the road. The police are monitoring drivers these days and for the drunk drivers, here is a little warning if you should get caught by the authorities, especially if you are in the vicinity of Illinois.

The new “ignition interlock license” was created this year to stop offenders who might otherwise drive illegally to work or school after their license is suspended for drunken driving. The goal is to enhance public safety and provide both accountability and an option for people who need to drive for work, school or child care, but still pose a potential risk.

The Breathalizer may seem new to most of us but you can be assured it was developed to aid the police and look out to curb the rising number of car accidents caused by drunk driving.

Source

So the next time you find yourself driving, make sure you are drinking up to your capacity to avoid accidents and being caught by the authorities.

Tags: authorities, breathalizer, car accidents, drunk drivers, holiday season, public safety, vicinity

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