How to Drive Defensively

Driving can sometimes be a scary ordeal. Aggressive, inattentive, and impaired drivers not only pose a threat to themselves, but to other drivers sharing the road with them. While you can’t control the actions of others, you have the power to make the roads safer while protecting yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle by being a defensive driver. 

Follow these tips to hone your skills and stay safe behind the wheel:

• Be Aware. Being aware of your surroundings may seem like common sense, but this is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and others while traveling the roadways. Check your side- and rear-view mirrors periodically (every 5-10 seconds is suggested) and when your changing lanes or turning. Scan your peripheral for other vehicles and potential obstructions for at least a quarter-mile ahead. For those driving larger vehicles or towing wider loads, make a conscious effort to scan your surroundings more frequently. 
• Delete Distractions. In today’s digital world, our main distraction is the cell phone. While hands-free calling appears to be safer, it takes your attention off the road and increases accident risk. Your best bet is to resist the urge to use your phone while driving. If you need to make or take a call, pull over in a safe area and resume driving once your call is completer. However, cell phones are not the only factor. Checking your GPS for directions, adjusting the climate or radio, and even eating affects our situational awareness. Plan ahead by programming your GPS prior to the start of your trip and mapping our restaurants and rest stops along your route. 
• Rest Up. Tired or sleep-deprived driving is considered distracted driving and thus has a negative impact on your attentiveness. When driving long distances, stop every few hours to walk around, stretch out, and recharge your batteries. If you have a travel buddy, alternate driving shifts. 
• Get a Grip. In driver’s education we were taught to keep our hands at “ten and two,” but times have necessitated us to change to “nine and three.” Should you get in an accident and the airbag deploys, the “nine and three” position gives you the range of motion to turn and react if needed with a higher chance of avoiding injury. 
• Be Ready to React. Follow the “three-second rule” while driving; maintain a “three-second” following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Increase the distance inclement weather or other difficult driving conditions. This will allow you the necessary time to react to accidents or other unforeseen situations. 

Following these defensive driving tips will not only make the roads safer for everyone, but it also removes the fear-factor, allowing the drive to be an enjoyable part of the journey.

If you are driving a trailer this winter in the snow, contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com. 

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Sources

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/driving-safety.html

https://driversed.com/driving-information/defensive-driving/defensive-driving-techniques.aspx

https://www.businessinsider.com/defensive-driving-tips-2017-2

When Should a Paintless Dent Repair be Used?

It goes without saying that when it comes to vehicle repairs, some issues are far easier (and more budget-friendly) to repair than others. Replacing your windshield wipers, for example, is substantially less severe than, of course, needing a new set of brakes. Need a new battery? While an initial investment on your part, this is still significantly more tolerable then removing and replacing your vehicle’s brake pads.

Thankfully, another common car issue on the less-extreme side of things are dents; while this is a problem that can cause severe damage to your vehicle (especially if left unchecked), the initial repair is a relatively quick and painless process, both for you and your car. This is especially the case when it comes to paintless dent repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Depending on the type of dent that is present on your car, your mechanic may choose to repair the dent using a paintless dent repair rather than a traditional dent repair. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that paintless dent removal, just like its name suggests, removes dents that massage the dent out of the vehicle without compromising the paint. Some of the best use cases for paintless dent removal will vary, depending on the kind of car you have, but in most cases, paintless dent removal is an excellent solution to remove bodyline damage, door dings, hail damage, and minor creases. This is an effective repair method for steel and aluminum parts and is also a budget-friendly repair solution. That’s because, with paintless dent repair, you maintain the original factory paint because no fillers are painted and used during the restoration process.

Now, before you get too excited, keep in mind that a qualified mechanic may not recommend paintless dent removal as the best method for repairing your car. It all depends on the extent of the damage to your vehicle. For example, if the metal was stretched upon impact too much, a traditional dent repair may be the only way to restore your car to its proper condition.

A paintless dent repair is an effective method that keeps your car looking and operating its best. If your vehicle is currently inflicted with dents, don’t wait another minute to get it back to its best possible quality. Trust your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales—we’d be honored to assist you however we can. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.