What Is The Biggest Driving Distraction??

Of the more than 172,000 people killed in car crashes over the past five years, one in 10 were in crashes where at least one of the drivers involved was distracted. These statistics come from  a nationwide census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But distracted driving doesn’t just mean being distracted by your cell phone.  Daydreaming or being “generally distracted” (being inattentive, careless, or distracted–details unknown) or “lost in thought” was the number one distraction associated with fatal crashes.

Some people see driving as a time to relax and unwind and let their minds drift off, but that’s actually one of the worst things you can do.  People know about the dangers of texting while driving, but daydreaming while driving is an almost invisible distraction – people do it automatically without even realizing the risk.

 Analysis of police data from 2012-2016 showed the majority of drivers who were distracted were “generally distracted” or “lost in thought.” In fact, police report that 61 percent of distracted drivers were daydreaming at the time of a fatal crash, compared with 14 percent of drivers who were distracted by cell phone use.

Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to stay alert!  

How Are Your Roads?

Driving around PA you've probably noticed that the roads you're driving on suck. They suck more  than a string of gas station bathrooms, more than hundreds of bug carcasses on your windshield. Our roads are riddled with potholes and cracks and bumpy asphalt band-aids over more potholes and cracks.     Would you like to report a concern on  Pennsylvania state-owned road conditions, construction projects, signs or signals, speed limits, or damage to personal property? Please click   Here  and select the county involved in your concern.  Car-Lotta wants to stay informed- get involved.

Is Your Vehicle Under Recall?

Buying a used car requires a bit  of due diligence on your part. In addition to making sure the car is in good shape and isn’t a flood vehicle and  you’ll want to consider is whether the car is under recall.

It  seems  as if there is  a new vehicle  recall  every week. This is  affecting the used car market in a big way. Data reveals that of the 955,368 used cars available for sale in the United States on a single day, more than 36,000 had recalls.

Wondering which states had the most used cars under recall? Or the most common reasons these cars fall under recall?  Protect yourself by buying your used car from a reputable dealership—some even offer a recall-free policy.

 

Car-Lotta Car Sales wants you to protect your investment.

 Visit  https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your current vehicle has any open recalls  

Are You A Distracted Driver?

Did you  know the number of drivers who report using a cell phone behind the wheel has jumped 30 percent since 2013?

 

As National Distracted Driving Awareness Month begins in April, surveys  indicate  that almost all drivers are already aware of the problem but they still engage in distracting behaviors at the wheel.

It is believed that 88 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is on the rise, topping other risky behaviors, such as aggressive driving, drivers using drugs and drunken driving.

 

• 49 percent of all drivers report recently talking on a hand-held while driving and nearly 35 percent have sent a text or email.

 

• 58 percent say talking on a cell phone behind the wheel is a very serious threat to their personal safety.

 

• 78 percent believe that texting is a significant danger.

 

Drivers talking on a phone are up to four times as likely to crash while those who text are up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash.

 

 

PennDOT reports that in 2016 in Pennsylvania:

 

• There were 16,036 crashes where a distracted driver was a contributing factor — 12 percent of all reportable traffic crashes in 2016 — an 8 percent increase over 2015.

• Of those crashes, 61 were fatal — 5 percent of all fatal crashes in 2016.

 

 

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales  urges drivers to act responsibly behind the wheel and avoid distractions:

• Put aside electronic distractions and never use text messaging, email, video games or internet functions, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.

 

• Pre-program your GPS and adjust seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before driving.

 

• Properly secure children and pets and store loose possessions and other items that could roll around in the car.

 

• Snack smart by avoiding messy foods that can be difficult to manage.

Do You Know What NOT To Do To Your Vehicle??

You probably rely on your vehicle every day to get you where you need to go. But how well can your vehicle rely on you?

There are some things you should never do to your car. Are you guilty of any of them? Check out the list below to find out—and learn what you can do to give your car the care it needs.

8 things to never do to your car...

1. Put off the recommended maintenance. There’s a reason the car manufacturer gives you that little book when you buy a car. It contains important maintenance guidelines for the age and mileage of your car. By following what it says, you can keep your car running smoothly and safely—and save on having to pay for big repairs later on.
2. Ignore any warning lights. Most cars come with a check engine light and other warning lights. If any warning light goes off, it’s time to take your car to a qualified mechanic ASAP.
3. Never change the air filter. A fresh air filter keeps your engine running smoothly and improves your car’s fuel efficiency. Most manufacturers suggest you replace your filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. (Err on the lower side if you drive in dusty conditions or in stop-and-go circumstances.)
4. Never check your tires’ air levels. Not having the right tire pressure makes for unsafe driving and reduced fuel efficiency. Most vehicles list tire pressure requirements on the driver side door post so you know how much air to give your tires.
5. Have an unqualified person work on your car. Take the time to find a qualified car mechanic. (Keep in mind that you could qualify as “unqualified” if a repair is beyond your skill level.)
6. Rev the engine during the winter. Doing this doesn’t warm up the car—in fact, it can cause damage since the oil hasn’t yet worked its way through the engine.
7. Leave keys in the ignition of an unattended car. This is one of the easiest ways to tempt thieves—
8. Run your gas tank down to empty. Doing so cuts the life of the fuel pump—and puts you at risk of running out before you get to a station.