How Courteous Are You

If you are in  the right lane on a highway, do youI legally have to let in cars that are merging into your  lane?

 

Here's the lane truth: there's no rule that says you have to let in merging drivers. But, it is a nice thing to do if you can.

Once you're in a lane, you have control over that lane. Any time another driver is trying to get into your lane, they're required to wait until it's safe.

 

That means they can't just turn on their signals and expect you to yield to them. They have to slow down and, if necessary, come to a complete stop.

Drivers of merging vehicles could be charged if they butt in when it's not clear – even if you hit the merging vehicle from behind.

 

It would be nice for the public to offer that consideration and let other traffic in . Consideration is something drivers lack, and we all need to be a little kinder on the road.

 

The best way to let in a merging vehicle depends on the situation. It could mean speeding up just a little to get ahead of them, slowing down a little to let them in front of you, or switching lanes.

 

When traffic's slowed to a crawl on expressways during rush hour, sometimes you see cars taking turns letting in merging vehicles.

 

                     Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to be courteous!

Ever Drive In A Flash Flood?

Flash flood can  happen quickly, but their damage can be  long-lasting. If you know your area is under a flash flood warning, the best thing to do is get off the road immediately and stay inside until you know it's OK to be outside again.

However, if you can't get inside right away and the road ahead is covered in standing water, turn around. Do not try to drive through the water even if it looks like you can. Just one to two feet of water can float most cars - even SUVs and large trucks.

If you do become trapped in a vehicle that's overrun by flood or fast-moving waters, don't panic. The vehicle will likely stall and move with the waters, so you need to get out fast so you don't get swept away or sink with the car.

        Follow these steps as calmly as you can to get out safely:

• First, unbuckle your seatbelt and instruct any children in the vehicle  to do the same.
• Roll a window down.
• If you can't engage the windows, use an emergency escape tool, umbrella or any sharp object to break the glass.
• Swim out and get to safety as quickly as possible.

 A vehicle emergency kit can make all the difference during a serious storm.  Make sure yours is in your vehicle  at all times.

In any of these scenarios, it's best to play it safe and wait out the threat. Once conditions improve, it's fine to re-start your vehicle or call 911 for help.


Car-Lotta Car Sales reminds you to BE SAFE!

Ever Get Stuck In Your Vehicle During Terrible Weather?

Unexpected weather can catch you off guard when you're on the road. Even if you're an excellent driver, heavy downpours, hail, and lightning can create dangerous and  even frightening conditions.

How do you  stay safe when faced with rapidly changing weather conditions on the road?

Get Off the Road When Visibility is Bad

• If you drive into a downpour of rain or hail, you're likely to lose visibility. If this is the case, pull completely off the road to a safe spot. If you can quickly and safely drive to a nearby covered area, such as a highway overpass or gas station, go there.
• Don't park under any trees or other tall objects, like telephone poles, because they can be toppled by high winds.
• Once you've parked, turn off your vehicle's engine and turn on the emergency hazard lights. Engage the parking brake and make sure that all other lights are off. This keeps other drivers from confusing your tail lights and brake lights for those of other moving vehicles.
• If it's hailing, turn away from car windows and cover your eyes, ideally with a blanket, jacket, or other clothing to protect yourself from shattering glass. If you can, lie face down on the floor of the car with young children underneath you. Otherwise, lie face down on the seat, and turn your back to the windows.

Stay in the Vehicle During Thunder and Lightning

• If you pull off the road during a lightning storm, stay in your vehicle unless you can very quickly get inside a structure. It's much safer to be in your metal-topped vehicle than to go outside. If lightning hits your vehicle, the electrical current will travel through the metal cage of your vehicle and into the ground.
• However, lightning can still move through your vehicle's electrical system and any metal pieces, so don't touch any metal parts or the radio, or use a cell phone or any device connected to the car. Keep your hands in your lap until the lightning storm is over.

Car-Lotta wants you to stay safe!  

Do You Own A Battery Charger ?

Dead batteries are a real  annoyance. You  never really know when your battery is going to need a boost. This  usually happens at the most inopportune time—and if there’s no one around to help out with jumper cables, you may need to pay a tow truck to have your vehicle towed to a mechanic. Then  pay your mechanic to fix the problem.

 A solution is to get  yourself a battery charger. You’ll be able to help yourself and probably  other drivers who break down as well. They are very simple to use and  relatively  inexpensive. It is a purchase worth the  investment  and  the time it takes to figure out   how to use  when you  weigh these  against the possibility of being stranded.

How Hot Is Your Vehicle?

Summer is here and so is the heat- If  you  think it is hot outside---- How high can the temperature inside your  vehicle  go?

The exact answer will vary, of course, depending on the type of car, where it is parked, the time of day. 

• The fastest temperature rise occurs in the first few minutes. Within just 10 minutes, the temperature can increase between 10 and 20 degrees.
• Over the first 30 minutes, the temperature increases by an average of over one degree per minute. If you park and go inside a store for 30 minutes on a 90-degree day, you’ll come back to a car that is over 120 degrees.
• After one hour, the average car is 43 degrees hotter than the outside temperature.
• After 90 minutes, the average temperature difference is 48 degrees. On a 90-degree day, that equates to 138 degrees—higher than the hottest outdoor temperature ever recorded on earth.
• Interestingly, these temperature increases are roughly the same no matter what the outdoor temperature is. Even on a beautiful 75-degree day, the temperature after 90 minutes will be over 120 degrees. If you’re in a desert heat wave and the outside temperature is 110, expect a car interior around 160 degrees.

Since these are averages, there’s about a 50-50 chance that your vehicle could get even hotter. The paint color, interior upholstery color, amount of window tinting, amount of shade, direction you are parked, and city where you are located can all affect whether your car is below or above average.