drivemecrazy.blogr.com - Tag 'surviving the roads' (RSS 2.0)

Interior Scents Matter (2)

drivemecrazy — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:56:14 +0200

My previous post discussed the scents that should be kept away from the vehicle’s interior, and more importantly, to prevent the driver from experiencing these scents. In fear of the possible effects of smells to your safety, you could come into a decision not to give your car a scent. But, it would bring you no good too. Studies even show that having a neutral smell inside your car could lead drivers to be disturbed that could lead to irritation and hallucinations.

If there are scents to be avoided, there are some that are beneficial. These are as follows:

Peppermint and cinnamon. This makes the drivers become less irritable and improves the concentration levels.

Lemon and coffee. Also for high concentration levels, these are also good for clear thinking.

New car smell (cleaning products and organic solvents). This has the power to make drivers concentrate more and practice more care while driving.

Sea ozone. This encourages deep breathing that helps relax the muscles, relieves stress, and calms the mind.

In the event that you are inviting passengers to get inside your vehicle, they will surely be turned-off with smells like pet odor, stale smoke, dirty interior, smelly gym gears, urine or vomit, sickly air fresheners, food wrappers, spilled drinks, mildew from air conditioning, and more.

So, get these things out and stick to the recommended ones. Have a great ride always.

Interior Scents Matter (1)

drivemecrazy — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:55:03 +0200

Road accidents should not be blamed only to carelessness, driving under the influence, defective auto parts, and the usual things often blamed for accidents. Did you know that a study says that there could be one root for speeding, dozing, road rage, and meeting mishaps? Yes, there is. It is the wrong smell inside the vehicle. At first, this sounds so funny yet it pays to follow what I’m saying here.

The RAC Foundation stated in their study that the right smell inside a vehicle could aid the driver distinguish dangers earlier, to keep focused on the road ahead, and to be patient enough to forgive other drivers’ errors. It has been found out that the smell is such a powerful sense that could result to a lack of concentration or an overreaction even to the small irritations on the road. These things could then result to trouble.

Researchers found out that the following scents should be avoided:

Chamomile, jasmine, and lavender. Perhaps if you want to sleep, you can get these. Known as relaxing odors, these scents are dangerous for drivers to smell for they could make them too much relaxed in front of the steering wheel. A too relaxed driver is not good as this feeling could lull him to sleep. You should also be aware that air fresheners with flowery scents contain the same effects.

The smell from fast food wrappers, fresh bread, and even pastry. These odors could result to drivers’ irritability, the want to speed up, and a greater possibility of being involved in a road rage. This is supported by the fact that these odors could make drivers feel hungry, thus making them want to be in a hurry to fill their appetites.

The scent of fresh cut grass, pine woods, or roadside flowers. Indeed, these scents could be relaxing, but these could also make the drives be in a nostalgic stage that could make them daydream while driving.

With these, you should not anymore allow your vehicle interior have odors like those mentioned. Though these smells are not sickly, there’s a proper time and place to satiate your feelings about these smells, but not in your vehicle, please. Care about every road user’s safety.

Drive Away From Accidents (2)

drivemecrazy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:08:13 +0200

Again, I’m back talking about the promised DON’Ts in driving. I know you appreciate the fact that accidents should be avoided as much as possible. Who would want to be in an accident in the first place? I assume that even the most adventurous person in the world would not wish to be involved in this kind of situation. So here, take a look.

Don’t remain in someone’s blind spot. Same as tailgating, keep a consistent space from other vehicles. Moving so close to one would be like begging for an accident, I tell you.

Don’t assume that trucks drive like cars. It would be great trouble if you happen to be involved in a collision with a truck. So keep your distance. Remember that trucks could not be operated as easily as your car.

Don’t play loud music. If you think that driving only requires the use of your eyes, you’re wrong. The ears should be used as much as the eyes are used. With loud music, how could you possibly hear other cars, especially horns and sirens? Think about it.

Don’t fool around. There’s no point in imitating what you see in movies. Concentrate on your driving instead.

Don’t drive when you’re tired. Did you know that driving when you are tired is a lot similar to driving under the influence? So when you really need to drive, take a nap first or take an energy drink or get some coffee.

Don’t commit intersection errors. Stop and look in all directions before you dare keep your car running in intersections.

Don’t give in to road rage. When you are angry or emotional, better not drive. The road could be so stressful and you may suddenly be in a road rage. That’s a problem.

I hope that upon knowing all these things, you are now ready to face the road without much fear of accidents. You know, accidents are sometimes in our hands. If we only make an effort to avoid it, we can do so. So, have a great ride!

Drive Away From Accidents (1)

drivemecrazy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:57:03 +0200

If you read my previous posts about the DOs of driving so you could minimize the risks of meeting an accident, I tell you that doing those things is not enough still. There are things that you might be doing when driving that could bring you into trouble. With that, I compiled here the DON’Ts in driving for you to use to avoid meeting road mishaps.

Don’t eat or drink while driving. It is always necessary that when you drive, you use both hands. How could you comply with that if one hand is holding a burger, for example? If you badly need food in your stomach, then stick to easy-to-eat foods like snack bars and bottled water.

Don’t smoke. When you hold a stick of cigar, your movement will surely be limited making it hard for you to operate your vehicle. What more if you accidentally drop it? Imagine what trouble could happen!

Don’t keep loose objects in your car. Just don’t make the interior of your vehicle messy. Loose objects could roll or slide under the brake pedal. That would surely be trouble. Also, if you have a messy interior, chances are, you would keep an eye over these things so they won’t bother anything inside your vehicle. However, that would make you divert your attention from the road. It would also mean trouble.

Don’t tailgate. The safest distance from a vehicle is at least one car length. The more distance you can spare, the better. If someone is tailgating you, don’t risk your life by slamming the brakes just to teach that person a lesson. Give him a signal to move a little farther from you.

These would be all for now. There’s still more of the things you should NOT be doing while driving. So better watch out for my next post. I’m sure you’ll want to know more of it. Enjoy and be safe on the road.

Accidents No More (2)

drivemecrazy — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:59:09 +0200

So here is the promised continuation of my previous post about getting away from accidents. I hope this could help you. Take a look at the sixth to ninth reminders. Let’s start.

Fifth, beware of precipitation. When it rains, be aware that the roads will be slippery, a result of oil mixing with water on the road surface. Therefore, you should watch your speed.

Sixth, know your route. As much as possible, before you go driving through a particular route, you should know it completely. However, when it could not be avoided that you look at a map for directions, make sure that the map you got is easy-to-read and basically has large fonts so you won’t be distracted so much from your driving. If it is indeed hard to read, stop and read it.

Seventh, use hands-free devices for communication. With this, you would not anymore be tempted to use the phone making your other hand unavailable. You know it is important in driving to use both hands.

Eighth, follow road rules. You know this already! There’s no more need for elaboration.

Ninth, you should plan things ahead of time. There’s no point in wasting your time on the road thinking about where you’ll be heading. Remember, when you are in front of a steering wheel, a hundred percent of your attention is needed.

That would be all for now. Follow these as much as you can. I know we have the same desire of avoiding accidents. These are the DOs to avoid accidents. How about the DON’Ts? Watch out for my future posts on that. Have a safe ride always.

Accidents No More (1)

drivemecrazy — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:58:02 +0200

It is not anymore new to you that the scariest thing about driving or even riding a vehicle is the fact that meeting an accident is always a possibility. Perhaps, with this, the thought of not getting in contact with a vehicle had crossed your mind already. However, you cannot do that because you had grown so dependent on a vehicle. You have no other choice but to minimize, as much as possible, the risks of meeting a road mishap.

Though you would say that it is hard to get away from an accident, there are ways of minimizing at least the possibility of meeting it. Some things could really help.

First, check your vehicle regularly. You know, it doesn’t mean that when your car engine starts just fine today, nothing is wrong. Don’t assume that it is always at its best condition. Assume otherwise. It would greatly help if you ensure that all of the components of your vehicle are at the top of their shape. Many road mishaps are connected to a failing auto part.

Second, as much as the opportunity permits you, keep your vehicle a little isolated from the rest. It is always safe that you have a space where you can do your necessary moves and turns should the need arise.

Third, scan far ahead of you. Don’t limit your vision to the car just in front of you. When you scan farther ahead, you will be given much time to react about certain circumstances that could be happening ahead of you.

Fourth, communicate. You know this. Put your lights and flares on to alert other drivers about your move.

Here are only the first four of nine things to do to help you minimize the risk of meeting an accident. There are more to come and they are guaranteed to be of equal importance with the four mentioned here. Please refer to my future posts for the continuation of these important reminders for drivers like you. Be safe on the road always.

Are You Sleepy, Driver?

drivemecrazy — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:31:50 +0200

I hope it would not do you any harm if you find this blog entry talking again about drowsy driving. Well, it is. This is the sequel of my previous post Is Your Driver Sleepy. If in that post I was talking about how a passenger could tell if a driver is drowsy when driving, this post concerns the drowsy drivers themselves.

So when you are in front of a steering wheel, how could you know that it is the right time to stop and rest for a while? How would you know that another one mile drive could be a suicide already? Here, take these signs for you to check them out yourself.

Extremely tired eyes. If you experience difficulty in keeping your eyes open or focusing, better consider taking a break.

Weaving. Are you suddenly lost in the lanes? Bring your vehicle to a stop if your answer to that question is a yes.

Lost time. It doesn’t mean that when you can’t remember the last stretch of the road, you are getting old. Wake up! You’re just sleepy.

Disorientation. It’s obvious. Sometimes, problems are not the cause of disorientation in front of the steering wheel but drowsiness.

So if you happen to notice these signs, don’t allow yourself to drive more. There’s nothing wrong in pulling at the side of the road and taking a short sleep or break. Be concerned of everybody’s safety, please.

Is Your Driver Sleepy?

drivemecrazy — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:28:58 +0200

It is a fact that drowsy drivers are usually involved in road accidents. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation had stated that nearly half of all fatal crashes are attributed to fatigue or drowsy driving. To support that, even the Department of Transportation also estimates that about four percent of traffic fatalities in the U.S. are linked to fatigue.

Accident data had established the profile of drowsy drivers as young people (more often are males), those who have changing work hours, drivers who insist on driving through the night, those who drive long distances between breaks, and those who take medication (or even alcohol). Added to the list are drivers who drive frequently and those who drive alone.

However, the curse of drowsy driving does not only concern the driver but it extends even to innocent passengers and even to other people on the road. With that, passengers should be always on the lookout for drivers who sooner or later would fall into a catastrophic sleep in front of the steering wheel. So if you are a passenger, better watch out for these signs:

Weaving. Have you been noticing that the driver has been, most of the time, making steering corrections? Get that alarm ringing! He could be distracted enough by his fatigue or drowsiness from driving.
Erratic or confused behavior. When you notice that the driver had grown so quiet, it is a sign. Also, the same applies when the driver engages in conversations just to stay awake. A more obvious sign is if what he or she is saying doesn’t make any sense at all.
Restlessness. Fidgeting. This is a sign that the driver is fighting so much his or her urge to sleep. He or she keeps on moving around--restless as you call it.
Tailgating unusually close to other vehicles. More often than not, it’s not only tailgating but any driving style that’s unusually deviated from the normal practice of the driver.
The jerking neck. Also called microsleep, this is when the driver really falls asleep for a moment. This is for sure the sign you would not want to see. At least, the other signs involve the driver’s urge to fight it but in this case, it’s different and it’s more dangerous.
Other physical signs of fatigue. Signs such as frequent yawning, shallow breathing, and less frequent eye blinking speak of fatigue and drowsiness.

If you have been observing that the driver right beside or in front of you have these characteristics, then better advise him or her to stop and rest. It would be the safest move of a concerned passenger like you. Let’s all travel safely!

What To Do When You Feel You Are Being F...

drivemecrazy — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:26:29 +0200

You are being followed! You may often find this in movies or TV series. But are you certain that this could not happen in real life situations, especially to you? You may think you are not that prominent enough to expect this kind of situation however, I think there’s nothing wrong in knowing how to tell if someone is following your vehicle even if it is just a little chance.

To start with, there really is nothing wrong with being suspicious. You know there are things indeed that you know are not mere coincidences. When you see a car in this street and on the other one, it could be a coincidence. However, who would know that it is done intentionally?

First, observe the car that you think seems to move each time you move. Even if it is not confirmed yet that he is indeed following you, secure your vehicle’s doors and windows. If you are using the window for ventilation, just roll down the windows a little. As much as possible, the driver’s window should be the only window open. Just make sure that the window is not lowered enough to allow a hand to reach inside.

Next, take different movements and directions and see if they follow. You may slow down, speed up, and turn corners. If the car follows you still, then there really is something suspicious about it.

Then, you should go to a well-lit public area. Take for instance the area just before the front door of a grocery store. Park your car and act as if you are going to get out. But don’t get out yet, act as if you are getting something before you plan to get out. If the other vehicle stops too and no one gets out, wait for a few seconds and leave. On the other hand, if the person inside gets out of the vehicle and goes to the establishment, it could be a false alarm. Still, leave the area. It could be the best time to get away from them.

Lastly, if the car still follows you, drive to a police station and beep your vehicle horn over and over to catch attention. If you can’t find a police station, park in a well-lit area where there are many people. Don’t dare go home. For sure, it would not be a good idea to let that suspicious person know where you live.

Enjoying A Long Drive

drivemecrazy — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:41:00 +0200

Traveling is exciting! It could be one’s greatest experience ever. However, traveling, especially those long drives, could result to boredom. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, there are times that you could not help but feel bored. So here are some tips for you to survive the boredom you may encounter when you are off for a long drive.

Enjoy a good sleep the night before your intended travel. I assure you that you could not survive the road as a sleepy driver!

Have someone accompany you in your travel. Having someone to talk to or laugh with when you are starting to feel bored could be a great help.

Perform a mind trick. Instead of thinking that you are 1500 miles away from your destination, think that you are 130 miles away from the next city. In that case, you would have a sense of accomplishment everytime you approach another city or landmark.

Have a break often. Stop for a while and attend to your needs like going to the restroom or taking a meal or even stretching your arms and legs out. Those actions will surely awaken you.

Hear your choice of music. Listening to your sort of music could make your soul alive once more, thus helping you forget how many miles left for you to drive.

Start a conversation with your companion. For sure, you would not notice the time anymore. But be careful also that you don’t attend too much to the conversation that you lose concentration of the road ahead of you. Remember, safety first before anything else.

So what more could I say? Just enjoy your drive, fellow.