Sure, I´m A Good Driver, #2

We received such positive reader feedback following our first driving article; we decided to provide a sequel with some not-so-obvious pointers. Thanks for riding along, once again.

Safety

If you are ever in a serious accident, a flying glass, and horns type collision, you will learn very quickly about the danger created by all your own personal belongings becoming airborne in your car´s interior. If you have any number of different objects in the back seat and you experience a front-end collision or a roll over, those items from the rear of the car become dangerous and harmful projectiles that can come from behind and cause serious injury to the passenger and driver up front. So, secure them. Better yet, minimize the chance of those items becoming flying weapons by storing them in the trunk before you get on the roadway. SUV's and vans without a trunk make this procedure even more important. Use the cargo nets if so equipped. Many a driver training film has shown, in graphic detail, passengers impaled by harmless appearing items that become missiles given enough energy and inertia.

Repairs

Every car eventually needs some type of repairs. Do your homework ahead of time and have a quality car repair shop already picked out for those unexpected times when Old Bessie needs some work. Some folks prefer to have their local car dealer service their vehicle. Some trust independent mechanics. Whatever your preference, check out repair shops with the Better Business Bureau or your auto club, like AAA. It is not the time be deciding where you want your car towed when that tow truck picks you up because your vehicle broke down during commute traffic. Ask tow truck drivers and local car aficionados at car shows to recommend reputable mechanics. If you do not understand the mechanics of the car and the general problem, take someone who understands cars with you when you are getting a repair estimate. Unfortunately, some mechanics still take advantage of the uninformed. Repairs are expensive enough without paying for parts and labor that you might not need or even get. You do not want to pay extra for headlight fluid. (Wait... there´s no such thing as headlight fluid!) Oh, and when you leave your car for repair or service, take your house key off your key ring, and take your personal items with you, such as your work ID card or your checkbook.

Pull Over

Pay attention. If you are in the number one lane (fast lane) and traveling at or above the speed limit, watch the traffic behind you. If you have a string of cars on your tail, regardless of your speed, and especially if they are following too closely, move over. All the safe driving manuals tell you to slow down and leave more space ahead of you if someone is tailgating you, in case something develops, so you have enough time to react. But, not in this circumstance! Get out of the way. If more than one car passes you on the right, and especially if those cars then cut you off as they return to the fast lane and speed off, pull over and let the other drivers pass. They will be the ones getting the tickets down the road.

The Truth About Road Rage

You can learn how to better deal with road rage from sources such as the web, car insurance agencies, automobile clubs, or law enforcement agencies. From the streets, let us hear from Officer Tim Stephens:

Avoid Road Rage at all costs. People have been murdered or seriously injured over Road Rage incidents.

When you are driving and someone is persistently on your tail, either change lanes or pull over and let them pass.

Mind your own business. If someone is driving like an idiot, let them. Do not try to "teach them a lesson" or slow them down, or any other form of "citizen enforcement." Just back off and let them go on their way.

If you see something that concerns you, call 9-1-1 and be prepared to provide, at minimum, a license plate and make/model/color of car, a description of the driver (sex, race, approximate age, at minimum), what occurred that concerned you enough to call the police, and a last known location and direction of travel of the Road Rage driver.

The main thing to remember about Road Rage drivers is to not engage them at all.

Dealing With Impaired Drivers

We all have encountered impaired drivers weaving along the roadway in front of us. I have been lucky twice to make eye contact with a police cruiser parked along side the road, and was able to point to the car ahead so the Officer could pursue and pull over the suspected driver. If you encounter an impaired driver or a dreadfully smoking vehicle on the roadway, get the car´s description and license plate letters/numbers (if you can safely get close enough), then call the information into the police. Stay clear of the car if you can, either far back or well ahead of the questionable vehicle. Officer Stephens shares more street wisdom:

For a suspected DUI driver, call 9-1-1 and provide the information about make/model/color of car.

Remember someone who appears impaired may not be. They could just be tired, "slow," texting while driving, lost, or in many other situations. Do not assume that because someone cannot drive straight that they are drunk. Be careful and use your common sense. Play it safe and call the police; let them do their job. It is not worth your life for you to follow them, scare them, or make them think you are following them to do them harm.

Driving In Or Through Disaster Areas

Mother nature is not always kind and there might be times when you need to drive through or evacuate from a disaster area to reach safety, when no other option is available. The key trick to driving during an evacuation is to be prepared for it. Keep your car filled with gas and have some emergency supplies in your trunk. Keep a clear head and focus on where you need to go. Think about alternate routes to get there. Evacuate early; do not wait thinking the disaster will subside before you really need to leave. Always follow the instructions of emergency services personnel. They normally have up to the minute data and know what is best for all persons in a disaster area.

Cop At The Side Of The Road

So what if you are driving at a good clip and you spot a Cop on the side of the road? We asked our Beat Cop, Officer Tim Stephens, about that occurrence.

Q. Should I hit the brakes, and as I go by the Cop, then he/she will see I have my brakes on? Is that a good thing in the mind of the Cop?

A. Yes! At least we know that the driver is attempting to slow down, even if it is too late ticket-wise.

Q. Should I just downshift or let off the gas and coast to a slower speed and not hit the brakes, so the Cop does not see my brake lights as I go by?

A. For me, I would rather see brake lights, unless the other methods above result in an obvious and immediate reduction in speed.

Q. Should I do everything I can to slow down regardless of how anything looks to the Cop?

A. Just slow down. Do not panic and make a fool of yourself.

Q. Should I drive as safely as I think I should for the current conditions and not worry about seeing the Cop, unless he pulls me over?

A. What you think is safe and what the Officer thinks is safe could be two different things. In addition, for ticket purposes, it only matters what the Officer thinks if he is going to issue a ticket. A judge ultimately would decide whose perspective is right, if it went to court. Just obey the traffic laws, use your common sense, and you'll be fine.

Q. What is the Cop thinking when this happens?

A. Most Officers who are working radar set a speed limit in their mind that they feel is unacceptable. There are generally no Officers who will cite for one mile over the speed limit. Usually that range is in the five to ten mile an hour over range. It just depends on the area (school/parks/pedestrians/open country road/etc). If I was working radar and a car was close to my speed threshold, I would be more likely to go after them if I DID NOT see brake lights, or an effort to reduce their speed.

Unusual Tips

Some meticulous drivers like to keep their car in perfect condition, and buy every cool gadget in an attempt to do so. In some states, clear plastic license plate covers are not permitted. They do not always allow a clear reading of the license plate numbers, so they are illegal to use. Customized tail and headlights may also be forbidden is some jurisdictions. Some states prohibit cool fuzzy dice or other decorations hanging from the rear view mirror. There are states that require both a front and back license plate be installed on your car. Be sure you know the laws in your state.

Experts have cautioned that car thieves can discover the VIN number of a particular car and use that data to steal or alter car registrations, as well as other illegal activities. On newer cars, the VIN Number is located on the driver´s side of the dashboard, visible through the outside of the windshield. There are vehicle codes that state that the VIN Number cannot be permanently covered. If you wish to protect your car´s VIN number from sight while parked in parking lots, buy an oversized windshield shade from your local auto parts store and, when positioned in a certain way that it will cover your VIN number and hide it from prying eyes.

In our previous article, we talked about using low restriction air filters and mufflers. This driver is enjoying 2 mph gallon savings on gas mileage since I replaced my stock air filter with a Fram Air Hog air filter. I am not talking about the Fram Ram-Induction Air Hog system; I am merely speaking of a swap of the standard air filter cartridge. Naturally, jackrabbit starts and a lead foot will negate any mileage savings, but with normal driving habits, you should see some noticeable gas economy improvements.

More Fuel Tips

Front end alignments can often yield 2 to 3 more mpg; an often overlooked fuel saving tip

Do not drive all over town looking for gas stations that offer gas just a few cents cheaper than your normal favorite station. If you find cheaper gas during your daily travels, that is great, but if you go too far off of your normal route, you waste gas and your price savings looking for cheaper gas.

Renting Cars Or Loaning Yours

Before you rent a car, contact your personal insurance agent to find out what kind of total insurance coverage you have when you rent a car. Also know how friends or family members are insured if they drive your car. Just because a person is a relative or you gave permission to someone to drive your car, that does not mean that they automatically have the same full insurance coverage you enjoy as the primary owner or insured driver of the car. We had to pay an increased premium to provide for our grown sons to access the same full coverage protection my wife and I have when they drive our cars. One reason was that our sons no longer live under our roof. So, check with your carrier or agent about insurance coverage on a regular basis.

Giving Up That Senior License

When my mother realized her time had come to give up her driving privilege, she conveniently "forgot" to renew her license, for the sake of the family. Dad´s first step was to cease to drive at night. Then, when he felt he could no longer drive well on the roads, he mailed in his license to the DMV. My brother and I still felt he was a good driver when he voluntarily gave up his driving privileges, because he was not up to his own standards. So, what is your plan when that day comes when you must put the keys in the drawer for the last time? The world is now more user-friendly for non-drivers. Grocery stores have home delivery. Outreach and other senior transportation systems have refined their schedules and services. Bus lines and taxicabs will mostly likely always be around. The computer world has improved on-line shopping. Our Aunt paid the next-door neighbor to take her to the store whenever the neighbor made her own shopping run. Whatever your procedure will be, prepare yourself early so your reliance on transportation has dwindled by then. Whenever it happens, know your own skills or lack of them and bow out gracefully. Hand the keys over to the family. Do not go out amid the sound of breaking glass, honking horns, or wailing sirens.

More Words From The Streets

To give you a glimpse into the mind of a daily Beat Officer, we asked Officer Tim Stephens of the San Jose Police Department to comment on his "pet peeves." We caught him on a good day and here is his list of no-nos for drivers. Heed and learn:

Using your cell phone while driving.

Reading while driving.

You are lost. Instead of pulling over to figure out where you need to go, you slow down to about 10 mph, backing up traffic, slightly weaving, while you either read your map or look for the street sign you need to see.

Putting on make-up while driving.

Drinking a beer while driving. Do you really need a beer THAT bad that you cannot wait till you get home?

Very loud bumping stereo. Do you think that everyone else wants to listen to your music? (Yes, this is a violation.)

The red light turns green and you just sit there because you are not paying attention. (Yes, that's a violation too!)

Driving 55 mph on a freeway posted for 65 mph, backing up traffic, making people drive around you. (Yep, yet another violation.)

About The Co-Authors:

Lt. James E. Huber is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement. He was the Operations Commander for the patrol division, which included motorcycle, D.U.I., and traffic officers, as well as traffic investigations and the officer-training program. Lt. Huber maintained final authority for the primary collision factor of over 1,000 annual traffic accidents. He managed the targeted enforcement of those factors at key locations to reduce accidents and injuries.

Officer Tim Stephens is patrol officer for the San Jose Police Department.