Distracted Driving - Are You Guilty?

Used Cars Hamilton, Ontario Wholesale Division
Tuesday July 12 2011

The Ontario Provincial Police are ready to start handing out tickets - does one have your name on it? Distracted drivers are the focus as the Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other campain goes into it's second week of a four-week campaign. Cell-phone users are the prime targets, as are people eating while driving, searching for something in their car, and people using entertainment devices. One of these distracted driving tickets can run you as much as $2000, jail time, or a license suspension. Some may think this is harsh, but what price can you put on your safety?

The first week of the campaign was May 16-22 and resulted in 1600 tickets being handed out.
As the second week of the campaign rolls out, drivers in Hamilton, and all of Ontario need to ask themselves...
You hear your ringtone while you're driving - what do you do? If you answer or check your phone, you are a distracted driver. You desperately need some lip chap while you're driving - what do you do? If you search your bag or vehicle for it, you're a distracted driver. You pick up some lunch on the way to work and eat it while you drive, you're a distracted driver!
Being a focused driver saves you money, time, worries, and possibly your life.
Some tips to avoid distracted driving:

• Bluetooth. Just be sure to set your Bluetooth Headset up before operating your vehicle.
• Enjoy your drive. Leave work e-mails, text messages, and phone calls until you're out of your vehicle. If you just focus on driving it can be a way to destress and take a break from everything else that's going on.
• Taste your food. Avoid cramming your sandwich down your throat while you drive. Take an extra few minutes before or after you drive to sit down and enjoy what you're eating.
• Use your co-pilot. Have someone sitting shotgun? Use them to map out routes, use the GPS, and other things that require attention. What are friends for right?

What distracts you while driving, and can it be avoided?

Improve Your Fuel Economy

Summer is the perfect time for family vacations, camping trips, road trips, and travelling. Whether it's taking a drive up to the cottage for the weekend, visiting family in the next city, or simply the daily commute to work, there are some easy alterations you can make in your driving to make that tank of gas last a little bit longer.

1. Lighten up - Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle. Transport your golf clubs to and from the course, but take them out before visiting the in-laws for dinner. Same goes for other heavy items like coolers and tool boxes.

 2. Carpool - Family members or friends work in the same area? Take turns driving with them! Carpooling also means you can take advantage of the HOV lanes in Ontario!

Not this kind of car pool!

3. Cruise - Try to maintain a constant speed on highways and city driving when possible. Avoid speeding up and hitting the brakes, this is better for fuel economy and easier on your car.

4. Tire pressure & tune up - Check that your tires have the proper PSI. Proper tire pressure and a tune up improves fuel economy. Check your owners manual for the magic number!

5. Plan! - Group errands together to avoid multiple trips. This reduces distance travelled, and your engine is most efficient when it is already warmed up.

These 5 tips will help to spread out the trips you need to take to the gas station.
What are some of your tips and tricks to increase your fuel economy?