There are many reasons to drive well. If preservation of life is not a sufficient motive, consider costly tickets. If you drive as though the police are watching, you may make fewer errors. There are many things that can attract a law officer’s attention, so…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that aggressive driving is still in the growth phase on American roadways. That’s a sad report, due to aggression’s resultant road rage, wrecks and death. Do your part to curb this phenomenon by resisting your own aggression, and…
I’ve often marveled over automotive technology. It’s progressed during the last decade to a point where it is virtually impossible to buy a bad new car or truck. Nevertheless, newer cars I drive have varying and sometimes disappointing headlight performance. Although every new vehicle facing…
Besides our typical New Year’s resolutions like exercising or quitting smoking, let’s all aim to drive better this year too! Since driving is likely the riskiest behavior we undertake that we have the most control over, doesn’t it make sense to do our best? Some…
When the roads get slick, a vehicle’s drive system — front, rear, all or four — affects handling. For example, an email from reader GC reminds drivers of the engine braking effect of a front-wheel drive system, warning, “I really enjoy your column but would…
While trying to beat, deal with or avoid the “holiday rush,” we must also strive to avoid the holiday crash. I believe that most “accidents” are preventable mishaps — especially if drivers identify and avoid the common causes. The majority of crashes are a result…
After a column about studded tires, I received many email responses supporting their non-use. D.M. wished, “I would like your article to at least get more people to go from studs to quality winter tires.” J.C. reflected, “…in all the years of my driving I…
Drivers now notice ever-emerging stripes and symbols designating bicycle lanes adjacent to vehicular lanes. Though those markings may soon be snow-covered, readers have questions about operating automobiles amid them. Bike lane proliferation is generally a good thing, with a goal of improving safety for bicyclists…
My column about parking lot escapades struck a nerve with readers. The behavior of drivers in these automotive arenas has made lasting impressions on many participants. Reader L.M. remarked that my description of careless parking lot escapades certainly “rang true” with her. And she further…
I thought most drivers now realized that driving continuously in the left-hand lane of a multi-lane roadway without justification is illegal. Unfortunately, driver behavior observed on a recent road trip offered doubt to that supposition. I encountered drivers in many states gleefully occupying the passing…
Why must parking lots often become free-for-alls? We could reduce parking lot angst with more courtesy and a loose application of road rules, but that is wishful thinking. Since most lots are private property, the only citations that can purportedly be issued to scofflaws thereon…
Soon, we will experience additional driving challenges. With winter’s rain, fog, frost, snow and additional hours of darkness, we must prepare for safe vehicle operation. Don’t drive “over your head.” If weather and road conditions deteriorate beyond your comfort zone, don’t drive. It’s actually advisable…
As leaf colors change, available hours of daylight diminish. This annual waning begins naturally about now and accelerates when we discard daylight savings time just after Halloween. As winter wears on, hours of darkness predominate. This yearly phenomenon is relative to driving because we encounter…
Children today are protected by rearward-facing seats, boosters and belts when they ride in vehicles beginning with their first ride home from the hospital. Given this indoctrination to safety, kids must perceive a mixed message when they find no belts on their school bus. The…
Attempting to control or correct the behavior of other drivers is generally pointless and may even lead to road rage. Try to take appropriate action to accommodate their driving shortcomings, but otherwise avoid engagement. For example, when someone makes a right turn across the nose…
We regularly see signs posted near school zones imposing a speed limit of 20 mph “when children are present.” It sounds fairly straightforward, but the signs leave some drivers confused and wondering, for example, if the limit applies only during school hours or at all…
As owner-drivers, we expect faithful service from our automobiles whenever we start their engines. For the most part, they dutifully fulfill those expectations, supplying convenience, dependability, and safety. What do we offer in return? Too often, drivers take a use-and-abuse approach to vehicle operation, while…
We see vehicles towing trailers during every driving outing. Passenger vehicles operating “in tandem” have things affixed to their rears ranging from small utility trailers to lengthy homes on wheels and everything else in between. Many of these towables are infrequently used, sometimes resulting in…
I’ve heard much talk about the new distracted driving rules in Washington. Sadly, much of that talk reflects an unwelcome attitude to the revised law. Many complain that the new list of distractions labeled “secondary offenses” is merely a step toward allowing law officers to…
I wrote of EV (Electric Vehicle) acceptance a few weeks back, noting some signs of progress. But despite advancements, consumers are still wary of EV range, power, recharging, battery cost, et cetera. With over 95% of American auto sales non-electric, it might seem like buyers…
I’ve read of pedestrian accidents caused by texting while walking. The reports range from people who bump into sign or light poles to those who lose their lives crossing paths with automobiles. In fact, there was a ten percent spike in pedestrian fatalities during the…
The state of Washington’s legislative body just made it possible for drivers to be ticketed for DUIE — Driving Under the Influence of Electronics. In a move to give its campaign against driving distracted more teeth, provisions of the new law went into effect at…
Advances in auto technology reflect welcome improvements in the cars and trucks we drive. Other than only exception I can think of, the short-lived seat belt interlock system of 1974, technological improvements have made automobiles safer, longer lasting and more convenient to operate with each…
The questions and comments readers send me regularly accumulate. Following are a few thoughts on some of the current buildup. Reader M.B. recently relayed one of her her driving annoyances, writing, “Drivers that make turns over double yellow lines. I don’t mind when there is…
I regularly hear drivers complain that law enforcement is too lax in observing and citing certain violations. Improper turns, speeding, following too closely, or domination of the left lane are errors that we all see all too often. But rather than resulting from lack of…
