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Tips to avoid being driven to distraction gives you some good ideas of how to stay safe while on the road. With texting and all the other distractions you are up against while driving you need to stay alert and pay attention.

(NAPSI)-Texting while driving has received a great deal of attention lately, and with good reason: Keeping your eyes on a tiny keyboard rather than the roadway ahead is a disaster waiting to happen. However, texting is just the latest in a long list of distractions that could have deadly consequences on America’s roadways.

“Safe driving is about focus,” said Bill Moore, president of MetLife Auto & Home®. “Many accidents could be avoided if the basic principles of defensive driving and driver attentiveness were observed.”

To stay focused on safety, drivers may want to ask themselves the following questions:

• Are you keeping your eyes on the prize? With cars more than ever resembling mobile offices and entertainment centers, it can be easy to forget you’re behind the wheel. Most accidents occur in seconds and distractions delay your reaction time.

• Are you awake enough to drive? Driver fatigue leads to inattentiveness, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 100,000 crashes are caused each year by drivers literally being asleep at the wheel. Recognize the signs of drowsy driving, which include difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, irritability and frequent yawning–and then, take action.

• Are you more interested in your cell phone conversation than the road ahead? Even in states where it’s permissible, talking on a cell phone increases the likelihood of getting involved in a motor vehicle accident. If you need to call, pull off the road.

• Do you have a designated deejay? Simple things like changing the radio dial or finding that “perfect song” on your MP3 player may seem harmless, but they can be a big distraction.

• Are you being lazy about changing lanes? It’s critical to look briefly over both shoulders before changing lanes. Even if you have onboard technology installed in the car, such as blind-spot and rearview indicators, the basics you learned in driver’s education will always apply: signal your intention, check your mirrors and then glance back both ways to be certain that no one–or nothing–is in your blind spot.

• Are you day driving or daydreaming? Even without external distractions, it’s easy to get caught up thinking about personal problems or work assignments. If you feel yourself losing focus, give yourself a wake-up call and set aside your problems. They can wait until the ride is over.

By preparing for rough-weather driving challenges, you will be on the road to safety this winter. Find these simple tips from the National Safety Council.

(NAPSI)-These simple tips from the National Safety Council can help you drive down your risk of accident, even in inclement weather:

Floor Mats.

Something as simple as floor mats can have a major impact on driving safety. But the days of one-size-fits-all floor mats are gone.

Most mats, even aftermarket mats, are now designed for specific vehicles, and drivers should be sure to use only a mat designed for their vehicle. Many vehicles these days also have anchors or clips to secure mats. You should always check to make sure your mats are properly secured, especially after visiting the car wash.

Floor mats should never be flipped upside down and mats should never be doubled up. Improperly used floor mats may slip and interfere with the movement of pedals during driving and could cause an accident.

Tires.

While today’s all-weather and all-season tires are sufficient for winter-weather driving in most areas of the country, sometimes snow tires are necessary. In either case, tires should be checked for wear and proper air pressure. Many have wear indicators.

If a wear indicator is showing or tire tread is below 1.6 mm (0.06 in.), the tire should be replaced. The same is true for snow tires. The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.).

Tire air pressure should be checked only when tires are cold (vehicle parked for at least three hours) and should be set to recommended manufacturer levels. Under- or overinflated tires can result in excessive and uneven wear and poor handling.

Windshield Wipers.

Months spent baking in the sun can have a severe impact on windshield wiper efficiency. Be sure to check for cracks and other damage and replace if necessary, rather than discover your wipers aren’t up to the added challenges of winter driving.

Oil and Other Fluids.

Check the oil level and level of other fluids. If you use heavier-viscosity oil for warm-weather driving, it may cause harder starting during the winter.

So check your owner’s manual for the recommended type of oil to use during the cold-weather months. Make sure to use washer fluid containing antifreeze in cold climates and warm the windshield with the defroster before using the washer to avoid the washer fluid freezing on the windshield and blocking your vision. Ensure that engine coolant is at the recommended level.

Battery.

Cold temperatures can reduce the capacity of any 12- volt battery, so inspect your battery to make sure it is in top operating condition. Check the battery for signs of corrosion, loose terminal connections, cracks and loose hold-down clamps.

Emergency Equipment.

You should consider carrying some emergency equipment. Some of the things you might put in your vehicle include tire chains, a window scraper, a bag of sand or salt, flares, a small shovel and jumper cables.

Consider carrying such emergency equipment as tire chains, a window scraper, a bag of sand or salt, flares, a small shovel and jumper cables.

Keeping safe when deer take to the road is something we should all take very seriously. Cars and deer do not mix well. It’s dangerous for the animal, for you and your passengers and for you vehicle.

(NAPSI)-Deer that suddenly appear out of nowhere can often put drivers someplace they don’t want to be.

With the deer population increasing across the country and living space for wildlife habitat on the decline, the number of incidents involving a deer jumping into the path of a car has been on the rise in the past few years.

Activity is greatest during October through December, when male deer activity dramatically increases, resulting in a number of vehicular collisions.

Often, a deer colliding with a car can result in significant property damage and even life-threatening situations. According to the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), on average, deer-vehicle collisions cost $2,800 per insurance claim, and the cost increases to $10,000 if there is an injury involved.

In order to stay safe, consider the following:

• Watch the Clock.

Deer are most active from sunset to midnight and during the hours just before and after sunrise, which are feeding times.

• Watch your Speed.

It’s not just the speed of the animal that plays a factor–it’s the speed of the vehicle as well.

• Be Vigilant.

Deer don’t run alone. If you see one, there are likely others nearby.

• Don’t Swerve.

If a deer is suddenly in front of you, sound your horn to frighten it away. Break firmly but stay in your lane. Crashes happen when drivers swerve to avoid a deer, only to hit other vehicles or lose control of their cars.

• Wear your Seatbelt.

Most people injured in deer/car crashes were unbuckled at the time.

“Deer are bigger and heavier than people may think,” said Mike Convery, vice president and chief claim officer of MetLife Auto & Home. “However, by staying alert and reacting appropriately, it’s possible to avoid many collisions.”

Sugar and salt – the right recipe for safe highways. Did you know sugar can help keep you safe on the road in winter?

(ARA) – Sugar is commonplace in the kitchen, but it may be a surprising ingredient when it comes to removing ice and snow from streets and highways.

A growing number of government agencies and snow removal contractors are turning to rock salt or salt brine that has been combined with naturally occurring sugars from renewable sources such as sugar cane and molasses. When these sugars and salt are used together, they can keep traffic moving during winter weather by removing snow and ice more efficiently and at lower temperatures than traditional road salt.

Understanding why this combination works starts with the fact that salt has to dissolve into a liquid solution before it will melt ice. The colder it gets, the longer it takes for salt to form a liquid. Adding a properly designed liquid sugar solution to road salt causes the solid salt to turn to liquid more quickly, removing ice and snow at significantly lower temperatures than the melting point of untreated salt. For example, one product available from North American Salt Company and Sifto Canada Corp., Thawrox Treated Salt, works at temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit). Untreated salt loses some of its ability to melt ice at temperatures below 25 F.

In addition to its obvious public safety advantages in keeping roads clear in colder temperatures, the addition of natural plant sugars to traditional road salt also makes the salt “stickier.” This causes the salt to stay where it has been spread, unlike untreated salt that tends to bounce and scatter during application.

Another benefit of a sugar-salt combination is that it can help reduce the need for sand applications, which sometimes are used to provide additional traction when temperatures are very low. Sand applications can create additional problems, including costly cleanup and negative impacts to air quality.

Snow removal crews report that sugar-treated salt applications during extremely cold temperatures let them clear more roads in less time, using less product, labor and equipment. The reduced labor costs, combined with the increased safety they can provide residents, make treated salt an economical choice when weather conditions warrant.

Residents might notice the different appearance of sugar-treated salts because they may have an orange or brown tint. The salt is highly visible once it is spread, but the color quickly breaks down and doesn’t stain clothing or vehicles. Also, because the sugars are derived from molasses and sugar cane, there is no offensive odor that some other additives might provide, making it a friendlier product for residents.

With more winter weather on the way, road crews are looking for highly efficient de-icing products to keep drivers as safe and roads as clear as possible. So don’t be surprised if your road salt arrives with a healthy dose of sugar this winter.

What are risky driving behaviors? Do you engage in any of these dangerous practices while you are driving your car? Read and find out more about these dangerous driving practices and if you do any of them…stop!

You are not paying attention to the road and the other vehicles around you if you are doing any of these 5 dangerous and risky driving behaviors while you are behind the wheel of your car.

Most people assume when they get into their car to travel, they’ll return home uninjured. But with the increasingly complex and time deficient lives most Americans are subject to, multi-tasking is the norm.

Unfortunately, multi-tasking when you’re behind the wheel of a car can be dangerous to your health and compromise the safety of other drivers on the road. Still, many Americans choose to use their daily commute time to engage in some rather dangerous car games. Do you engage in any of these risky driving behaviors?

Risky Driving Behavior: Talking On A Cell Phone While Driving.

It seems as if this practice has become epidemic. People are using their drive time as an opportunity to carry on completely unnecessary conversations with family and friends. When engaged in cell phone conversation, it’s been shown that drivers have slower reaction times and are more likely to miss seeing important obstacles in their road ahead. Hands free devices don’t appear to be the answer since drivers appear to be just as distracted when their hands are free. It appears that the simple act of carrying on a distracting conversation is enough to increase the risk of an accident.

Risky Driving Behavior: Applying Makeup While Driving.

This is a dangerous car game that many women play. It’s not unusual to see lipstick and mascara being applied while the car is in full motion and the guilty party’s eyes glued to the mirror instead of the road. The age group most likely to do this is the younger set who have the least experience driving. No wonder women seen at the site of a fender bender often have smeared lipstick.

Risky Driving Behavior: Eating Lunch Behind The Wheel.

Many people feel so time strapped that they feel compelled to eat their Big Mac and French fries with the car in full motion. With that oversized hamburger in one hand and their mouth full of fries, they can be seen going subnormal speeds in the left hand passing lane as drivers struggle to get around them. A study carried out in England using car simulators showed that drivers who ate while driving had double the risk of a car crash.

Risky Driving Behavior: Reading While Driving.

Yes, there are people who actually read when they’re driving. In fact, ten percent of people surveyed admit to reading a book or newspaper while driving. That’s not to mention the ones who access their laptop computers or iPods while behind the wheel. Isn’t this why ebooks were created?

Risky Driving Behavior: Trying To Be A Tough Guy.

There are people in this world who are quite convivial until they get behind the wheel of a car. Shielded by that tinted glass, they feel invincible and impervious. When someone inadvertently pulls in front of them, their dark side takes over and they emit a barrage of verbal abuses and hand gestures directed out the car window. They may even go so far as to play the dangerous car game of attempting to run the vehicle off the road. This is the power of road rage and it’s not surprising that it’s an important cause of accidents and even road related homicides.

When you get behind the wheel, take the job of driving seriously. Don’t let these risky driving behaviors and dangerous car games jeopardize your health and good driving record, not to mention the welfare of others. Listen to some soft music and keep your hands on the wheel.

Road To Safety talks about road trip safety. Driving safety tips and common sense car care tips for all of us.

(NAPSI)-When planning your next getaway, remember that safety begins before you pull out of the driveway. Here are some hints that can help:

• Be sure your vehicle is ready for the trip by having all recommended services performed, with particular attention paid to tires, engine coolant and fluids, windshield wipers and the air-conditioning system. Check your automaker’s website-many manufacturers, such as Subaru of America (www.subaru.com), post seasonal maintenance tips online.

• Stay safe while driving-take regular breaks, switch drivers periodically if possible, and pull over in a safe place to rest if you feel drowsy. Avoid distractions by using a hands-free device if you must make a call, and never text while driving.

• When traveling with kids, keep them busy with an assortment of games and entertainment. Happy kids means fewer arguments, which will help the driver focus on safe driving. Take along personal electronics, such as MP3 players and portable DVD players, but don’t forget about some of the classic “unplugged” road games, such as “license plate alphabet.”

• Exploring the outdoors is often a big part of any road trip, no matter what time of year you travel. For sun safety, bring sunscreen and apply it before getting in the car. Even an arm propped on the windowsill gets sun, as do faces and foreheads from an open sunroof.

• Keep pets safe-be sure they are secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier or see your automotive dealer for a divider that safely separates pets and cargo from the passenger area. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle; even on a cool day, it can become dangerously hot inside. Visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website at www.aspca.org for more tips on safe pet travel.

• If your vehicle doesn’t have all-wheel drive, as all Subaru models do, consider making it a “must-have” feature in your next car or crossover. While well known for great traction in snow and ice, all-wheel drive can also provide excellent traction in the rain and on dirt and gravel roads, as well as sports car−like handling on dry roads.

Teens and the dangers of distracted driving, how do you get your teen’s attention when teaching the dangers of distracted driving. This is one of the most important driving lessons you will give your child and it is important that they don’t tune you out during it.

(ARA) – Windows down, music turned up, friends giggling in the back seat, freedom … it’s the moment all teenagers dream of – getting their drivers license.

Teen drivers are often euphoric with this new sense of independence. After all, getting a drivers license is a big rite of passage. Teens are inundated, and rightfully so, with statistics and horrific stories that point to the dangers of driving while intoxicated. However, new research shows that distracted driving is among the leading causes of auto accidents, and the problem is getting worse.

“Although laws have been put into place in the spirit of eliminating dangerous distractions for drivers, it’s critical that parents, teachers and influencers at large talk to teenagers about the dangers of driving distracted,” says Duke Daugherty, vice president of auto at Fireman’s Fund Insurance. “It seems harmless to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to send a text, or change the station, but those few seconds could cost the loss of lives, and a lifetime of angst.”

Research complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving caused 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries in 2008. And data shows that these numbers are continuing to grow. Research also shows that teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a distracted-related collision than any other age group.

In general, three types of distractions are most dangerous for teenagers on the road. These distractions can be visual (actions that require drivers to take their eyes off the road), manual (actions that require taking hands off the steering wheel) or cognitive (actions that require drivers to take their minds off what they’re doing).

Local agencies, police departments and focus groups have put into place programs intended to inform teenagers of the dangers of distracted driving, but it’s crucial for parents and schools to keep the dialogue going so teenagers understand the urgency of the problem.

“Encourage your teenagers to be completely alert and fully focused on the road and their surroundings while driving,” says Daugherty. “Parents need to model good behavior in front of their kids by not texting or making calls that distract from driving. If we all take steps to show how important this is, we will see a drop in the behavior by teens.”

Discuss and stress the following driving guidelines:

* Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road (use mirrors).

* Avoid cell phone use – Cell phones are the number one distraction for teenager drivers. Cell phone use falls under the categories of visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Mobile technology has made texting, surfing the Internet and social networking all too easy.

* Encourage teenagers to avoid using their phones, for anything at all, until they are safely pulled off the road and parked. Devices are available to disable cell phone use in autos.

Drivers younger than age 20 represent the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes, according to the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS). Reiterate to your teenagers that making a phone call, using the Internet or sending a text message is never more important than somebody’s life. If they are driving with friends who participate in cell phone use while driving, encourage them to be bold and speak up.

Teenagers should also refrain from the following activities while driving, according to the US Department of Transportation:

* Eating and drinking
* Having lengthy or involved discussions with passengers
* Grooming
* Reading (including maps)
* Using a PDA or navigation system
* Watching a video
* Changing the radio station, CD or MP3 player

It only takes one simple distraction to cause a potentially fatal car accident. Remind your teenagers to avoid participating in distracted driving activities, and to be advocates for their own safety and their peers as well.

That’s the current image at the Bajaj Discover site home page. I am told that Bajaj has already shoved the Discover 135 into showrooms, but this has been a low key affair, on the lines of what is called a soft launch. I am still waiting for more details but here’s what I’ve dug up so far.

The motorcycle has had its valves redone, bore and stroke changed and now displaces 135cc. That brings the power up to 13 PS (Bajaj directly converts PS to bhp, so that’s 13 bhp). Since the bike is only marginally (if at all; this is unconfirmed) heavier than the 125, it should prove very peppy. The bike is also making a lot more torque so it should prove to be a fun ride. From the pic, I think there is no disc on the front wheel, but I know for sure that there is a tacho.

The marketing perspective is to create a 125 that’s more than a 125, so to speak. The Disco 135 will be priced close to the 125s but at a slight premium. The Disco 135 is also supposed to return phenomenal economy (which means at least at par with the 125s).