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Archive for November, 2011

Common Causes For Road Accidents

November 30th, 2011 Comments off

Despite all of the safety precautions and knowledge attained by man regarding road safety, you may still find road accidents happening anywhere and anytime. Even though it is an accident, we can’t always reason out that it just happened. Upon investigation of the accident, there, always comes up why it happened. Sometimes the main reason could be as a result of driver’s negligence, mindset while on the wheels, or any other man’s negligence. At times society plays a job when accidents happen. When the reasons are known also it remains disregarded by anyone in society, that same accident is bound to happen again. When that accident happens again, lives will be at stake. Like a driver, we should be aware of why road accidents happen and a minimum of, study from it. Here are some common reasons why these happen:

1. Using a mobile phone while driving- A person that manually handles a mobile phone while driving is at a risk of having an accident. Another of focusing on dialing numbers may take your vision off course where a child might suddenly cross the road or any other drunk driver encounters you.

2. Over-speeding- We sometimes drive fast and end up forgetting to become a cautious driver. The effect could be fatal whenever we cannot use our brakes on time and that we encounter another over-speeding driver. At other times, over-speeding makes us miss the curve and that we run directly into another vehicle’s path.

3. Heart attack or collapse- Even when we are in a state of excellent health before driving, a sudden heart attack or collapse might be inevitable. As we drive alone this may be a risk factor. However, if you have already a known ailment similar to this, then do not drive alone.

4. Negligence on road safety for society- There are situations wherein drivers aren’t the major cause of the accident, particularly if he isn’t from that locality. Hence, he isn’t acquainted with the road situation of the place he’s driving in. It might be their state or society failed to cut that tree or repair/replace a road sign. Maybe the blind curve was neglected without a warning sign or perhaps, that pothole remained unchecked.

5. Substance abuse- Driving while intoxicated by legal or illegal drugs and driving under the influence could be a major cause of road accidents. Visions and dexterity could be impaired. Behavior can also be altered by these substances and may cause someone to speed drive or be reckless.

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Brake Repair – What Should You Know?

November 30th, 2011 Comments off

A vehicle’s brakes can make all the difference between dangerous and safe driving. A responsible driver must have their brakes checked regularly, even when there are no problems. However, many driver’s will require their brakes as a given until it’s past too far, and expensive brake repairs are unavoidable. Vehicle owners should know some typical brake repair indicators to assist prevent costly repairs, and be sure the vehicle is always in safe driving conditions.

Replacing the brake pads is one of the most typical brake repair issues. The brake pads can be found between your calipers and the rotors. When the brake pedal is applied, the calipers press the brake pad from the rotors, which slows the wheel’s momentum, and stops the automobile. Although most brake pads are made to continue for up to 100,000 miles, they’re made of a natural material that will wear down over time. Actually, brake pads have a metal indicator tab which will scrape against the rotors once the pads are thin and need to become replaced. Anytime the brakes are applied, and there’s a slight squealing noise, the brake pads ought to be checked, and replaced if required. According to most vehicle manufacturer specifications, the brake pads ought to be 10 to 12 mm thick for proper operation from the brake system. The brakes will operate efficiently enough for quite some time within this condition. However, if it’s not addressed inside a reasonable time, it will require longer to prevent the vehicle, and the rotors could become stripped and warped in the constant connection with the metal indicator tab.

Many mechanics will recommend replacing both the pads and rotors simultaneously, which can be a large added expense to some comparatively cheap job. Resurfacing the rotors is more affordable, and merely just like getting new rotors. Many auto shops will offer this service using specialized equipment to shave a few of the metal surface of the rotors to provide a more even finish. Unfortunately, resurfacing is less effective for newer cars, since the rotors are lighter and slimmer, making their lifespan much shorter if the brake pads can wear too thin for too long. However, the rotors in older cars are enduring, and damage depends upon driving habits and the quality of the parts.

An automobile braking mechanism is an essential operating system in the vehicle. However, many vehicle owner’s will take this for granted until you will find expensive repairs, and also the car isn’t longer safe to use. The best way to avoid a few of these costly repairs would be to focus on the way the system sounds and feels when driving the vehicle. A squealing sound is one of the most typical indicators the brakes should be serviced. If serviced inside a reasonable period of time, there won’t be any added expensive and time lost off the road.

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Common Causes Of Traffic Accidents

November 30th, 2011 Comments off

It’s believed that the earth’s first ever vehicle related fatality occurred in 1896, working in london. The coroner investigating the accident stated that he hoped that such an event would never happen again. Exactly what the coroner could not had foreseen was that within the next century more than twenty-five million people would die as a result of traffic accidents.

Although modern vehicles are a lot safer than anytime in the past, the amount of people who die on the world’s roads rises every single year. The World Health Organization shows that nearly 1.Two million people meet an earlier death in traffic accidents every year, which figure is expected to increase as car ownership rates increase globally, specially in countries for example India and china.

There are specific factors that are primarily to blame for the high quantity of injuries and deaths on the roads. The following examples are the most typical causes in developed nations.

One of the leading causes of road traffic accidents are distracted drivers, studies have indicated that around 25% – 50% of vehicle crashes are as a result of drivers not paying attention or just being distracted. There might be many distractions that result in a driver taking their gaze off the road, this includes staring at scenery, adjusting the in-car audio system, speaking on the phone, texting, speaking with passengers, looking at maps.

Fatigue is another component that is to blame for a large number of road traffic accidents. Tiredness can impact upon ability at anytime of the day, though it is much more prone to occur during the night. When tired, it’s all too easy to misjudge situations, it can also cause drivers to swerve erratically, and even doze off at the wheel. It is very risky they are driving when tired, if you are in charge of a vehicle and start to feel sleepy, the best thing you can do is pull over and take a break.

Drunk driving is a big killer. It is strongly recommended that thirty per cent of fatal car crashes can be put right down to the intake of alcohol, though this figure rises on weekends when more people drink alcohol based drinks. Every country presently has strict rules governing blood alcohol levels and driving, but a small percentage of drivers foolishly believe their skills aren’t impaired when in the wheel. Alcohol and driving don’t mix, many innocent people lose their lives each year as a result of drunk drivers.

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RV Safety 101 – the fundamentals

November 30th, 2011 Comments off

“Are RV’s dangerous to possess and operate?” After giving this question some thought I remarked that this one short question covered a really large spectrum. There isn’t any quick or easy response to this question. In most cases it’s not the RV that’s dangerous, but the person that is operating the RV that’s dangerous. Some examples of unsafe acts which i have witnessed are carrying a complete spare LP gas bottle within the RV, sleeping in the RV using the generator running and not weighing the RV or checking the inflation pressure in the tires.

When you begin your search to have an RV, the first thing to verify would be that the RV manufacturer is really a person in the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). If they’re, the RV will have an oval shaped RVIA seal shown on the outside, usually by the entrance door. This seal implies that the RV manufacturer is within compliance using more than 500 safety requirements regarding electrical, plumbing, heating, and fire and life safety. These safety requirements are established under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.2 Standard for Recreation Vehicles. This should put to rest any concerns you may have concerning the RV itself being safe when it’s manufactured.

The next step is to educate your self on the systems of the RV and what’s necessary to operate the RV safely and effectively. If you are likely to be towing a three or four ton travel trailer, or driving a six ton plus motor home you need to understand the importance of proper hitch work, weights and driving techniques. I also explained that anytime you are coping with petroleum products like LP gas and gasoline generators there is reason to be concerned, but if handled properly there is nothing to worry about. A good starting point is with our RV video and DVD library.

In no particular order, I offer the following advice concerning RV safety:

oTake proper care of your RV’s tires and they’ll look after you. When you are not using your RV keep the tires covered to safeguard them in the damaging affects of ozone in the air and Ultra violet rays from the sun. Buy quality inflation pressure gauge and check the tire pressure in all tires every time you use the RV. Check and adjust the pressure once the tires are cold, before you move it. Maintain the pressure recommended through the manufacturer. Consult the owner’s manual for proper tire inflation and not exceed the maximum pressure located on the tire sidewalls.

oWeigh your RV and tow vehicle. The only way to determine if the load is correctly distributed and that you are inside the allowable weight ratings for the RV and tow vehicle is to have them weighed. Search for certified platform scales inside your yellow pages under moving companies or truck stops. Whenever you weigh your RV and tow vehicle ask them to fully loaded for visit include passengers, cargo, fuel, personal belongings, and full fresh water and propane tanks. Verify that you do not exceed any manufacturer weight ratings for example, the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR), Gross Combined Weight Ratings (GCWR), and Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR). NEVER exceed any manufacturer weight ratings. It is quite possible to be inside the weight ratings, but still exceed a tire rating. This is why you have to weigh each axle end separately to insure that the load is within the capability from the axles, wheels and tires and to see if the burden is correctly distributed.

oHave the LP gas system inspected every spring before while using RV. Take your RV to a qualified service center and let them look into the LP gas system for proper appliance operating pressure and also to look into the system for leaks. Understand the odorant added to LP gas to help you in detecting a leak, and what to do if there is a gas leak. If you smell LP gas or the leak detector alarm chimes:

1) Extinguish any open flames and pilot lights.

2) Do not touch electrical switches.

3) Shut off the gas supply in the tank valve(s) or gas supply connection.

4) Open the doors and windows and leave the area before the odor clears.

5) Possess the LP gas system checked and repaired by a qualified technician before using the system again.

It is not a smart idea to travel with the LP gas turned on. If you have the gas on while traveling switch off each individual pilot light, appliance, and also the main gas supply before refueling.

oThe onboard generator makes your RV fully self-contained. It allows you access to 120 volts when there is no shore power available, but keep in mind that deadly carbon monoxide is deadly! NEVER sleep in the RV with the generator running! Before you begin and use the generator inspect the exhaust system. Don’t use it when the exhaust system is damaged. Test the carbon monoxide detector each time you use the RV. Know what the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:

1) Dizziness

2) Vomiting

3) Nausea

4) Muscular twitching

5) Intense headache

6) Throbbing in the temples

7) Weakness and sleepiness

8) Inability to think coherently

Should you or other people experiences any of these symptoms reach fresh air immediately. If the symptoms persist seek medical attention. Shut the generator down and do not operate it until it has been inspected and repaired by a professional.

In my opinion, these are some very real concerns that RVers need to be conscious of. I additionally wish to point out that this can be a very narrow your search. There are lots of other issues of safety involved with owning and operating a motorhome, but by practicing good sense, and through education, RV ownership is not only safe, it’s lots of fun.

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