Monthly Archives: June 2010

Back it up!

Posted by on June 28, 2010 No comments

Backing out of your parking spot at the mall or pulling out of your garage can be a stressful experience.  You already know that when reversing from these tight spots your visibility is reduced dramatically.  What you may not know that the majority of minor fender benders and accidents occur in parking lots.

The majority of people will drive right into a parking space, saving them time and anxiety.  If they are driving into their spot avoiding these things, they will likely return to the same situation, same feelings and same amount of time reversing out of your spot, maybe more.

There are a few reasons why you should begin backing your vehicle into your parking spot.  First, when you locate your parking spot you are currently in an active traffic area.  Your brain is aware that there are parked vehicles, moving vehicles and pedestrians.  Basically, your mind is already in the zone if you will.  Backing into your spot when parking you become more aware of obstacles around you.

The benefit to this is might not come immediately.  You may even feel that it was a waste of your time.  If you really think about it, it is much easier to drive out of a parking spot.  Also, when you are walking to your vehicle after you’ve left the mall or grocery store, your mind is more lackadaisical.  You are more likely to not be aware of the cart behind you.   You are more likely to rush out of your spot (in reverse!) where you will spending less time making sure your front corner wont hit their bumper.  Backing out of your spot you are going to need to back up at least 4 feet before you can see on coming traffic.

There isn’t soo many reasons why one should back in a vehicle – but if it is going to reduce stress and minor accidents, why wouldn’t you?

Photo Credits: wreckedexotics.com

What’s in a bumper sticker?

Posted by on June 25, 2010 No comments

Bumper stickers are purchased by millions of people all over the world.  Found in every single gas station, amusement parks and novelty store, many bumper stickers are characterized in some manner whether it is humorous, confrontational, religious, sassy and or even cute.

Bumper stickers generally show some type of personality trait or belief that the person carries.  So does that mean the guy who has “Cut me off and I’ll find you”, will find me if I were drift into his lane without a signal light?  NO! Well hopefully not, but he may try to make you feel uncomfortable for your actions.  He might lay on his horn, tailgate you, shake his fist in frustration, you may even see him attempt to speak to you via your rear view mirror.

Washington Post ~

A study by Colorado State University social psychologist William Szlemko informs us that ” Drivers of cars with bumper stickers, window decals, personalized license plates and other ‘territorial markers’ not only get mad when someone cuts in their lane or is slow to respond to a changed traffic light, but they are far more likely than those who do not personalize their cars to use their vehicles to express rage — by honking, tailgating and other aggressive behavior.

It does not seem to matter whether the messages on the stickers are about peace and love — ‘Visualize World Peace,’ ‘My Kid Is an Honor Student’ — or angry and in your face — ‘Don’t Mess With Texas,’ ‘My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student.’ ”

The key to the phenomenon apparently lies in the idea of territoriality. Drivers with road rage tend to think of public streets and highways as “my street” and “my lane” — in other words, they think they “own the road.”

– So knowing this, does this mean I should be cautious of drivers with bumper stickers? Should I be nervous of my actions while in proximity to a “Princess Protection Transportation Unit. Ahhh – Maybe, never really thought about it though.

Staying relaxed, refreshed and always aware of your own surrounding’s and action’s. You should arrive to your destination safely and more importantly, stress free.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/15/AR2008061501963.html?sid=ST2008061502199

Does listening to music make you a better driver?

Posted by on June 21, 2010 1 comment

Every now and again you come to a stop light, crosswalk, stop sign etc.  You look around to pass the time of the world’s longest red light infront of you.  Upon looking to your left you see Cindy enjoying herself as she belts out lyrics from her favorite Christina Agruilera CD.  Thinking to yourself “Oh she is really in to this song”, you hope that she is so focused on her music that she is going to be still back at the line as you cruise through the intersection upon seeing your green light.

Clearly all these young kids singing to their favorite beats must be distracting to their ability to stay focused and drive safely right? Wrong!  A study done by a British insurance company suggests differently.

Dr. Nicola Dibben, a music psychologist from the University of Sheffield explains that:

Singing while driving stimulates not only the mind but also the body which in turn produces heightened alertness and reduced fatigue.  Singing may be less distracting than conversation because drivers recall words to songs they already know, or because it is fairly easy to learn the words to music where it uses repeated lyrics.

Dibben’s study found that particular genres of music such as: Easy Listening,  Classical and Indie Rock are actually listened to by drivers who have had four or more accident free years. While those who have had less than four accident free years listened to: Dance, House, R’n'B.

So next time you’re on a long road trip or just had a long day of work and you start feeling drowsy, just bust out the Bon Jovi and the Taylor Swift – Forget about the embarrassment of getting caught singing out loud and get to your destination safely!

My favorite thing about Bluetooth.

Posted by on June 3, 2010 1 comment

Today during my morning break  I decided to go out on our outdoor patio for some fresh air.  It’s nice to go outside, have a coffee and like I said,  get some fresh air.

I am probably the only fortunate one to witness the site I am about to describe to you.  I look down to and to my surprise there man in his vehicle very evidently in some sort of crisis.  I am clearly too far away to simply ask the man if there is any problem.  Not too sure if I would anyhow…He was pretty upset.

With arms flailing and blood pressure rising the gentleman jumps out of his vehicle and continues to rage. Thinking there was someone else in the vehicle I thought to myself, “who is he yelling at?”

I guess this is one of those stories where you have to be there, but this was great.  I was able to finally come to the realization as to what was happening when he turned around, (ending his phone call with his bluetooth headset) only to be greeted by one of our sales staff.

I’m sure whoever helped this man had no idea of the trauma this gentleman was just experiencing… and how would he, the man played it perfectly!  Whatever was going on in that man’s life abruptly stopped, then quickly rejuvenated by -  like I said laughter, smiles and handshakes.  It was great, it was like watching a dog bark at his reflection in the mirror-  then quickly persuaded by a tasty treat.

You see this periodically at stop lights or street corners; someone “talking” to themselves.  Maybe this whole ordeal shows how big a small town kid I really am.

Either way this was a treat for me and it always will be!

Image Credit: Cartoonstock.com

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