A-Z Tech Auto- Auto Repair & Body Mission Viejo

It’s no surprise that talking on the phone while driving is distracting.  But now researchers at the University of Warwick have quantified it.  A mobile phone conversation impairs a driver’s visual attention so much that it can add more than 18 feet to the braking distance of a car traveling 60 MPH and cause 83% more errors in driving.  What’s more, these findings apply even to drivers who are merely listening on the phone and using hands-free devices.

Whether you’re just going to the store or driving cross-country, safety behind the wheel is paramount.  Avoid becoming a statistic by following these safe-driving tips:

• Stop signs. To ensure you come to a full stop and avoid an accident (or a ticket), spell the word S-T-O-P to yourself and feel the car rock backward before stepping on the gas again.  Remember to look left, right, and straight ahead before proceeding.
• Stopping time. Always make sure you’ve got enough time to stop your car if the vehicle ahead of you slams on the brakes unexpectedly.  To be safe, start counting when the car in front passes a stationary object.  If you pass the object before reaching a count of four, you’re too close.  Slow down.  At night, or when the weather is hazardous, increase the count to give yourself enough room.
• Parked cars. In the city, be careful when driving past a line of parked cars.  Stay toward the center of the road in case someone opens a door without warning.
• Armrests. Don’t use the armrest while driving.  Your arms need to be free and ready to turn the wheel in case of emergency.
• Lights. Check regularly to make sure they’re clean and clear so oncoming drivers and pedestrians can see you in low visibility.  If your car has a center-mounted brake light in the rear window, be sure that’s clear when wiping off snow, ice, or mud.  Switch your headlights on any time visibility may be even slightly impaired.
• Steering wheel. Keep your hands at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions while driving, or the 9 and 3 positions.  This gives you maximum control over your steering.

Toyota owners afraid of crashing due to sudden, unexpected acceleration problems may be able to prevent a collision using certain maneuvers, according to one safety expert.

If a car suddenly accelerates, the driver should brake hard, shift into neutral or depress the clutch, then turn off the ignition when the car has come to a full stop, public safety expert John Banzhaf says.

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