DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW

Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc.). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcycles are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime".

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as a motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Information provided by: Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Every driver knows how to put the key into the ignition and start the car in order to start driving. And every driver knows either how to slide the gearshift into D, or shift the car into first gear to start going. What every driver may not know is that there are several other very vital things that they should have in their car, in the trunk or the glove box, and that they should know the basic ways to use them in order to keep their car in good condition, and keep themselves and other drivers safe.

Jumper CablesThe first item every driver should keep handy is a tire gauge. This is perhaps the most inexpensive and most often overlooked item on the list. Checking the tire pressure is important for both gas mileage and for maintaining a safe amount of air in a car's tires to avoid a potentially very dangerous blowout. Next, every driver should have a set of jumper cables in their trunk, and know how to use them. It is not as simple as hooking them up to the battery's posts and getting going again, if the battery dies. Drivers must know the difference between the positive and negative posts and apply jumper cables properly to recharge the battery and prevent damage.

No matter the season, every driver should keep on hand at least half a bottle of windshield washer fluid. Whether it's winter and the driver is using a lot to de-ice windshields, or if it's just barely raining and the windshield is becoming difficult to see through, washer fluid is vital to safety and good viewing for drivers. In the winter, no driver should be without a can of de-icing spray, the kind of chemical spray on compound that can be applied to a frozen window or windshield to quickly clear it off for safe driving. Too often, drivers either rely on the mechanical defrosting system, which can be slow to heat, or they start driving with windows still opaque with frost and take a chance on harming themselves or others.

Duct tape is an item that is often maligned, but can become a lifesaver in a vehicle. It can be used to make a temporary repair to a hose that has become cracked. Duct tape can be used to secure windshield wipers that have become detached from the based, as long as they have not completely broken. It can also be used to secure minor parts that have become loose to prevent them from falling off a presenting a danger to other drivers. The next thing no driver should be without is a can of WD-40. It can serve many purposes, from de-icing frozen locks, to cleaning corroded battery posts if a car's battery is not dead, just weakened by posts covered in gunk. This little wonder chemical can also remove grease from hands and some clothing, if repairs at the side of the road become necessary.

Lastly, no driver should be without a set of basic hand tools. No mechanics set up is required here, just the basics like several sizes of wrenches and screwdrivers, as well as some strong cutting tools. With these seven items on hand, there should be no roadside emergency any driver can't deal with. These and a fully charged cell phone, just in case these items can't get the car back on the road again.

Five Things Every Driver Should Know about DUI
By Expert Author: Andy Taylor

Driving after drinking alcohol is not illegal. Driving while impaired or intoxicated is illegal. Every driver should know how to protect themselves from a false DUI conviction.

1. Cause to Stop The Police have to have a reason to stop you when you are driving. They mostly decide to stop you based on the way you are driving (doh). The signs they think show a DUI or DWI driver are many.

What they look for is erratic driving like unexplained speed changes, excessive movement within lanes or lane changing without indicating. Parking badly, having the appearance of not knowing where you are etc.

Unfortunately there could be, and often is, a perfectly acceptable reason for any and all of these ""signs"". A good DUI Lawyer can argue this in court for you.

2. Field Sobriey Testing These tests are NO indication of sobriety. In addition the officer who stops you has, in most cases, already decided that you are a DUI or DWI case. They only use these tests to confirm their suspicion.

I would fail these tests stone cold sober, most people would. They are only an indication of your ability to balance or count backwards or whatever.

You don't have to take these tests in most states, there is a free ebook available from the resource link below written by an experienced DUI Lawyer.

3. Blood Testing Blood testing is the most accurate and it is your right to ask for this to be done if you are stopped for DUI or DWI. You can even ask for your own doctor or hospital to do the testing. A DUI Lawyer will tell you what to do.

If you are unable to get your own doctor or hospital, you should ask for a sample of the blood taken so you can get your own, independent testing done.

4. Blood Alcohol Content The Breath Analysis Testing machines are only accurate when they have been regularly tested and aligned and used as directed. Your DUI Lawyer will get the calibration records to check.

Mostly the police do not use them as directed, you will be asked to ""keep blowing, keep blowing"" but that isn't the way they should be used. The air from the bottom of your lungs has a much higher concentration of alcohol then the air from the top or middle.

The Breath Analysis machine is calibrated for the middle concentration not the bottom so asking you to empty your lungs will give a false reading and will get you convicted of DUI or DWI even though you are below the legal limit.

5. Court Time If you are charged with DUI or DWI you will end up in court. Now the deck is really stacked against you if you dont have a good DUI Lawyer with you. If the police officer has rail roaded you, and over 30% of those in court have been, then the court will believe them rather than you 100% of the time.

Unless...you have an experienced DUI lawyer on your side. The cost of losing a DUI or DWI case will run out to $10,000 or more. If the lawyer costs $5,000 and reduces or eliminates the conviction you have reduced your costs and quite possibly got your life back.

tion OK, if you are reading this a bit late and have already been convicted of DUI or DWI what can you do now?

You need to find out how to get your life back on an even keel. you need to find out how to get your drivers license back, how to protect yourself when applying for a new job, how to get auto insurance at a reasonable price etc.

Here are the top 10 tips for drivers.

If you have trouble remembering which side of the car your fuel intake is have a look at the little pump in the fuel gauage. If the nozzle on the pump is on the right, then your fuel intake is on the right.

If you lock your keys in the car just phone home and get somone to press the unlock button on the spare fob against the phone. If your phone is on hands free and close enough to the car your doors will pop open. This should save a long round trip and a long wait for the spare to arrive.
10 Things that every driver should know!

Dipping the clutch as you start the engine means that the starter is not rotating the main gearbox driveshaft. This can help if your battery is low and will avoid causing the car to lurch forward if the last person to use it left it in gear.

Keeping the tire pressures high can save you (depending on your mileage) £100 ($200) per year in lower tire wear and wasted fuel consumption.

Use the airconditioning to warm the car up in winter as this is faster than waiting for the heat from the engine to kick in. Using the aircon in winter will also help to keep the compressor in good condition and prevent it from siezing up.

If you get white car wax on plastic trim you can remove it using a pencil eraser or peanut butter. Spread on and lick it off or just wipe it off, the TorqueCars member who came up with that little jem suggests that you avoid the cruncy peanut butter.

If your car is stuck in mud remember to keep the speed low. The more your wheels spin the deeper you will get stuck. Ride the clutch and try to rock the car backwards and forwards. The rocking motion will usually be enough to get you free unless you have dug right in. If it is bad get one of your car mats and place this on the ground, rubber side up. Using a very slow engine speed and riding the clutch try to rock the car forwards and backwards.

If your brakes fail, use a lower gear and engine braking to slow up the car. The as the speed drops pump the hand brake on and off until you reach a stop. On motorways when you are dealing with faster speeds and may not have the distance required use a barrier and push the nose of the car into the barrier at a shallow angle.

If your engine cuts out and you need to move forward, for example you are on railway crossing use the starter motor. Put the car in gear and turn on the starter motor. If your battery is in good condition there should be just enough to get you out of harms way. (Expect to replace the starter motor though!)

If your clutch goes completely you can change gear if you match the engine/gearbox speed carefully. Moving the gearstick to netural and then slipping it into gear will usually work. The higher the gear the easier this is to pull off without crunching the gearbox. This way, as long as you keep the car moving you should be able to get the car to a garage.

These tips were gleaned from our members - to get more tips and keep up to date use our forum - registration is completely free. If you have a tip to pass on please use the feedback form below or better still - drop us a line in the forum!