Technological Advances for Gas Pedals Increase Automobile Safety

When it comes to driving, it’s only a matter of a split second between successful application of brakes, and a disaster due to a delay. The importance of a car’s braking system can’t be overestimated. The automotive parts supplier might just have struck gold by developing a foot pedal that communicates with the driver to keep the occupants safe.

The consequences of car crashes need no introduction and they can range from minor bruises to fatalities, or lifelong debility. However, the startling fact is that many car accidents still occur well over a 100 years past the automobile’s invention. The US alone witnessed about 6,420,000 auto accidents in 2005, costing over US$ 230 Billion, about 3 million injuries and killing 42,000 people.

If the drivers had access to a system that could actually prompt them to release the accelerator and be prepared to brake, a lot of accidents perhaps could have been averted. This technology might not just be wishful thinking anymore as a new pedal called the Accelerator Force Feedback Pedal (AFFP) actually does make collision warning happen. The pedal, whenever it senses danger, is programed to sound a warning to the driver by vibrating and generating counter pressure, hence signaling the driver to release the gas pedal and be ready to press the brakes.

Such pedals should come in handy during most dangerous circumstances, but should be especially useful in avoiding rear-end collisions. Most of which happen because the driver in the front, brakes abruptly, while the trailing driver is caught unawares. However, the trailing driver can avoid a collision only if she is alert at that point of time. And if not, because she was distracted, it spells a catastrophe. Hence in such a situation if the accelerator pedal itself prompts the driver to take the foot off the gas pedal and push the brakes, initiating the braking system, the consequence would probably be desirable.

Buying a Car? Know the Safety Features First!

It’s important for consumers shopping for a new or used car to know what car safety features to look for in order to ensure that the vehicle is safe. There are quite a few online car safety guides for car owners and buyers to go to learn more about the safety features of a particular vehicle. Guides offer an overview of the features that effect the safety of a vehicle the most. Kelly Blue Book, located online at www.kbb.com, provides unbiased and accurate information to consumers including pricing for new, used, and trade-in vehicles. This guide to car safety outlines what consumers should consider before making a vehicle purchase. The ability to adjust and be comfortable are important features, along with handling and stability, the restraint system, front/side air bags, audible warning devices, anti-lock brakes, front and side impact protection, and traction control. Other factors to look out for are whether it’s four wheel drive, front wheel drive, or rear wheel drive.

According to CNN Money at www.money.cnn.com, cruise control is more important to some consumers than side air bags (a safety feature people need but don’t want to pay for). Many buyers overlook car safety features, and auto companies tout their crash test ratings and advanced safety features because they believe that safety sells. According to a recent survey by Consumer Reports, anti-lock brakes came in fourth in desirability after air conditioning, a radio and a CD player. More focus should be emphasized on finding out which cars have which safety features, instead of color and cruise control when shopping for a new or used vehicle. With rising gas prices, consumers also may want to keep in mind economy and gas usage in addition to the car’s safety features.

It’s a good idea to test drive a vehicle at night to check visibility of headlights, make sure the seat belts fit comfortably well, and that head restraints, roof structures, and windshield designs don’t interfere with the driver’s ability to see.

Other important car safety features that buyer should pay particular attention to are front/side air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, all-wheel drive, and electronic stability control (designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles during extreme steering maneuvers). New car safety features are ever increasing, and many are included as standard equipment or available for purchase as an option. To learn more about available car safety features, visit www.auto.msn.com, www.carsdirect.com, www.kbb.com, or www.travelers.com for reliable consumer car buying information.

Roadside Safety Tips If Your Car Breaks Down

One of the most dangerous parts of having car trouble on the road is that when it happens, your attention immediately shifts from driving or traffic, to the problem, and that can lead to accidents. Thus, it’s good to keep some safety tips in mind if your car breaks down.

The first thing is to notice that something has gone wrong; your engine might be overheating, you’ve run out of oil, or maybe you have a flat tire. Whatever it is, accept the fact that something bad is happening so that you can get your car out of traffic as quickly and safely as you possibly can. Then, don’t panic, do your best to move in a safe manner to the lane that is closest to the shoulder, then ease onto the shoulder. If you can’t get the vehicle out of traffic, wait until no cars are coming and then try to get away from the car, because if it gets hit, you don’t want to be in it. Also, be aware of the other passengers in your car, do whatever you can to help them get out of the car and away from traffic as well.

If you are able to pull your car off the road, do so as far as is humanly possible from the road; many cars and people are struck alongside roadways because other drivers fail to see them in time. Next, get yourself and your passengers out of the car. Get the passengers to all exit the vehicle on the side that is the farthest from traffic, so that won’t be getting out next to speeding vehicles. Then, get all your passengers to get even farther off the road if possible. Being anywhere near a broken down vehicle on a roadway is a very dangerous place to be.

Then, call for help; whether it’s AAA, a local garage or whatever. Call the police if you have too. Call someone to come tow your vehicle to wherever it will be repaired. If it’s a flat, only change it next to the roadway if there is a lot of room between the car and the road. And if its possible, you might want to try turning the car around so that the flat tire is facing away from traffic so you won’t be working so close to the road.

If you have flares, use them. Better is if you have some red flags on a pole that you can put near your vehicle so that cars coming can see your car sooner. Also, put on your blinkers. In short, do whatever you can to alert other drivers to the fact that your car is broken down on the side of the road.

And then, just wait for someone to come help you.

Camping Tips

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity with about as many meanings as there are campers. This means we use our time to relax doing what we like and resting our mind and body. That pretty much sums it up. Learn many tips for camping from experts. Whatever your reasoning and rationale for going camping it can lead you in many directions to many places.

Your camping experience and ability will influence your planning and in selecting a location where to go camping. Many campgrounds have campsites with facilities such as fire rings, barbecue grills, restrooms and utilities such as water and electricity. These are ideal for families and occasional campers but are less challenging for the more experienced adventurer looking to exercise their survival skills and techniques to venture into uncharted wilderness.

Locations of campsites vary and range from primitive sites in forests to well groomed sites such as those found in many of the state parks, national parks and private sites. Fee's will also vary depending on location and services provided.

HowToCampingTips.com will help you polish your current skills and prepare you for advancing to the next level. This includes those that are planning their first outing and don't know where to start. We will show you how to successfully plan your camping trip and using our camping checklists make sure you don't forget any items of importance, necessity or luxury.

Checking Your Tire Pressure Can Bring Down Your Insurance Costs

Having tires that are properly inflated can greatly improve the overall safety of your vehicle. Thousands of accidents, ranging from small bands to large crashes, are caused every year all over the world by people driving cars with under-inflated tires.
Recent studies have also highlighted a surprising number of drivers don’t even know how to check their tires, or regularly forget to do so.
If you’re driving a car with under-inflated tires or incorrect amount of tyre tread, you’re putting yourself at a much higher risk of getting into an accident; meaning you’re at much greater risk of losing any no claims bonus.
Inflating your tires properly may not reduce your current insurance premium, but it can certainly improve your chances of stopping it increasing. So if you do end up having an accident due to your tires, you’re not only likely to end up in pain (or worse), you’re guaranteeing you’ll be paying more per month on your insurance premium. This will happen regardless of whether you’ve got a temporary car insurance policy or full annual cover.
So why is there such a difference when driving on tires that don’t have the correct pressure? On the whole, it mainly affects your breaking distance. If your tires aren’t properly inflated, your stopping distance will be greatly increased, meaning you might end up with unpredictable results when trying to break (thus increasing the chances of an accident).
In order to avoid getting into an accident and seeing that instant car insurance quote shoot up, you should try and get into the habit of checking your tyres before you go on a journey. You should always check the tire pressure using a simple tool, and also check the thread level, ensuring both meet legal recommendations. This shouldn’t be overlooked under any circumstances, even if you’re just on a day car insurance policy on a rented car and you’re taking a short journey, it’s better safe than sorry.