Do You Pull To The Right?

If you or someone you love requires emergency assistance, you want help to arrive as quickly and safely as possible. You can help first responders reach an emergency as quickly as possible and it  is as simple as pulling to the right for sirens and lights.

Some people  see an emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens panic or simply do not adhere to the rules of the road.  Drivers must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle. Failure to do so can cause serious accidents or delays for paramedics, firefighters and police officers arriving at the scene of an emergency. First responders are careful to avoid vehicle collisions by passing vehicles on the left, driving slowly when traveling against traffic or coming to a complete stop at intersections if necessary. The cooperation of ALL drivers on the roadway is critical for everyone’s safety.

There are a few simple steps and rules to follow when you are on the road and encounter  emergency vehicles responding to a scene:

• Stay calm.
• Pull to the right and come to a complete stop.
• If you are traveling on a high-speed road or if there is no room to stop, move to the right and slow down as much as possible.
• If you are in the left lane, move over into the right lane as other traffic in the right lane moves over and stops.
• If you cannot move to the right because of another vehicle or obstacle, just stop. Your action will let the driver of the emergency vehicle know what you are doing and allow the driver to anticipate where to drive.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right.
• On a four-lane highway or street without barriers, both sides of traffic should pull to the right.
• Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working.
• Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

 

There are several actions you should avoid when encountering a responding emergency vehicle:

• Do not panic.
• Do not play your radio so loudly that you are unable to hear sirens.
• Do not drive distracted.
• Do not stop in the middle of your lane when there is room to pull to the right.
• Do not pull to the left into the center turn lane, left turn lane or into oncoming traffic.
• Do not race ahead to make the green light or turn before the emergency vehicle gets there.
• Do not turn quickly to the left onto a side street or driveway.
• Do not drive through a red light or stop sign when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind.
• Do not disregard the presence of the emergency vehicle by continuing to drive.

 

Car-Lotta reminds you that during emergencies, seconds count. Following these rules, you can assist both first responders and victims of emergency situations. Speak with your local first responders for more information.

Why Buy Gas On Monday?

With the busy summer travel season right around the corner, drivers are starting to notice higher prices at the pump!

 

f you’re trying to save as much money as you can, you may want to change the day of the week that you fill up.

 

After analyzing gas price data from January through March, reports indicate in Pennsylvania that Mondays offers the lowest average gas price making it the best day of the week to buy gas and  Friday is the worst day to buy gas.

 

There is variation in daily gas prices across different states, the consensus is that the earlier motorists fill-up during the week, the better. Following Monday, Sunday is the cheapest day to fill-up.  Conversely, Thursday follows Friday as the most expensive day to fill-up.

 

Car-Lotta wants to make sure you get all the info you  need when making a purchase.

Do You Have A Summer BreakDown Kit?

Summer heat can  wreak havoc on a vehicle and its function. The warm weather, hot roads, long  trips, and dry air combine to create a hostile work environment for your car. Here are a few things to consider as you hit the road during  hot summer months.

Checking your tire pressure is an important things to  do  — especially during the summer months. Hot tires on hot pavement is  a recipe for a blowout. If your tires are improperly inflated, the risk of catastrophic failure is even greater. Help prevent hazardous situations by checking your tires once a month and replacing them before they become dangerously worn.

Hot weather can also shorten your battery’s usable life. The extra vibration from summer trips can also damage your battery. It’s always a good idea to carry a set of jumper cables, or even a battery jump box, so you don’t get stranded. Check your car’s battery terminals for corrosion, and make sure the battery itself is  mounted securely.

 Low coolant levels can literally kill your engine. Worn hoses or a damaged radiator can allow coolant to leak and engine temperatures to rise. Keep an especially close eye on your vehicle’s temperature gauge during summer months to prevent  any overheating.

Every driver should put together a “summer breakdown kit”:

• Water (one gallon per person)
• Non-perishable snacks
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Emergency blanket (doubles as shade)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Basic tool kit
• Pocket knife and/or multi-tool
• Duct tape
• Tow strap
• Replacement fuses
• Cell phone charger
• Jumper cables
• Hazard signs and flares
• Can of tire sealant
• Shop towels or paper towels
• Work gloves

 

Car-Lotta Credit and Car Sales reminds you to Drive Safe.... and enjoy your summer 

Would You Know What To Do If You Were Driving And A Tornato Hit?

In the event of severe weather, it is important to know where a tornado could form and what safety precautions you should follow. You should  know what to do if you are driving and become caught in severe weather.

Strong winds from a tornado are capable of picking up debris and depositing it miles away from where it was lifted. If winds are strong enough, vehicles can be blown over and picked up by the tornado.

Trying to outrun a tornado in your vehicle is the number one thing to remember NOT TO DO.


Trying to outrun a tornado is a bad idea because tornadoes have the potential to travel over 60 mph and they don't have to follow road patterns. Driving on a 90-degree angle away from the tornado is a good strategy to follow in order to distance yourself from the tornado.

A compass or GPS may be helpful to determine which way to drive on a 90-degree angle away from the storm.

If you see a tornado developing where you are driving, the best thing to do is to pull over and evacuate your vehicle. Seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter; do not hide under your car. The wind could potentially roll your car over.

 If there is no available shelter, find the nearest ditch or low-lying area and crouch low to the ground covering your head with your arms.

Potentially sturdy structures to look for while driving are fast food restaurants and banks. Fast food restaurants will usually have a cooler that could withstand a tornado similar to a safe in a bank.
Seeking shelter in an interior wall is also a good idea.  The more walls between you and the tornado, the better off you are.

Underpasses may seem like a safe place to hide, but this is a myth, due to the fact that they are above ground. Winds from a tornado can accelerate through the small places of an underpass causing the potential for the underpass to collapse or your vehicle to be blown away.


Car-Lotta reminds you to  know where you are and what counties have watches and warnings issued for them, and keep a watchful eye to the sky