Will You Be Traveling Over The Holidays?

The holiday season brings a number challenges that make safe driving difficult. During this time of year, there can be difficult weather conditions, limited daylight, and drivers in unfamiliar areas. Here are six ways you can drive safely and smartly this holiday season. 1. Plan Ahead Before you start your trip, make sure your vehicle is in good shape for travel. This is especially important for winter driving conditions. Check the weather before heading out to ensure the roads are safe to drive on. And don’t forget a windshield scraper! 2. Stay Fresh And Alert Make sure you’re well-rested before a long drive. A study carried out by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that, from 2009 to 2013, 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths were attributed to driver fatigue. Plan the trip so you share the driving and take regular breaks to avoid drowsy driving. 3. Mind Your Speed Give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you. An Automotive Fleet Magazine article notes that for every one percent increase in speed, a driver’s chance of an accident increases by two percent, the chance of serious injury increases by three percent, and the chance of a fatality increases by about four percent. 4. Drive Defensively Increased holiday traffic and winter road conditions can be frustrating. Put the safety of everyone in your car first by letting impatient and aggressive drivers pass you or go through the intersection ahead of you so that you control the situation. 5. Don’t Drive Impaired If you plan to drink, don’t plan to drive. NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign has set out to end drunk driving through cutting-edge technology. Using a designated driver when you have a couple of holiday refreshments is always the safest choice. 6. Avoid Distractions According to Distraction.gov, the “Official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving”, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the distance of an entire football field. Driving requires your full attention. When you’re able to do so safely, pull off to the side of the road or find the nearest rest stop when you have to use your cell phone.

Have You Seen Any Deer Lately?

Did you kow that that if you are involved in an accident in Pennsylvania with a deer your insurance company cannot add a surcharge to your premium? Under Pennsylvania state law, crashes involving deer are considered not-at-fault accidents, and insurance companies cannot add a surcharge to a policyholder’s premium as a result. This excludes drivers that do not come into contact with a deer. The autumn and early winter months have the highest rates of accidents involving deer, with November being the highest. Pennsylvania had the second highest rate of auto accidents involving deer in the country in 2019. Pennsylvanians have a one in 70 chance of being involved in a deer-related accident. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Daylight savings time ends November 1, which means that more drivers will be making their daily commutes during these peak hours. To report a dead deer for removal from PA state-maintained roads, you can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.

How Do You Get Your Vehicle Ready For The Winter?

Winter is almost here. Lower temperatures during this time of year can still cause issues with your vehicle. That’s why the right preparation is so important to safeguard your vehicle against cooler temperatures. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is ready for fall and winter. Change Your Oil Your owner’s manual will likely provide a schedule for how often your oil should be changed. However, changing before temperatures drop is a good idea regardless. Using a lower viscosity oil during the winter months is recommended, as thicker oils can have trouble flowing through your engine when temperatures go below a certain threshold. Test Your Battery Cold weather also increases your risk of a dead battery. Lower temperatures deplete battery power at a much faster rate, which means you might find your car unable to start at the most inopportune time. A battery tester is a great tool to have in your arsenal, as it can tell you the current condition of your battery. If you have an older battery with a lot of corrosion, it’s probably time for an update. Have Your Lights Inspected With fall and winter comes shorter days and longer nights. If you have a headlight out, your ability to see in the dark will be compromised. You’ll also have a greater chance of being pulled over and possibly even being ticketed for a traffic violation. Next time you start up your vehicle, have a friend or family member come outside with you for a light check. If there are any burned out bulbs, have them replaced as soon as possible. Schedule a Tune-Up There are many other components of your vehicle that can also be affected by winter weather, including belts and spark plugs. Scheduling a tune-up during fall gives you the big picture on the state of your vehicle. It also allows you to fix any issues before they get worse, and more expensive. Your mechanic can also top off fluids to keep your car running smoothly until next spring. Car-Lotta cares about your safety and well-being, which is why we offer automotive tips on how to properly care for your vehicle. Our core values, which include being trustworthy and hardworking, illustrate our commitment to you.