Benefits of Drivers Education

January 26, 2022 by

Many benefits come with enrolling in driver’s education (or enrolling your children and loved ones in a course). Some of them are obvious, as many states now require a course for people under a certain age before they can attempt to get their license.

Other benefits may take more thought, but they are still critical to a safe driving experience. Let’s take some time to talk about all of the benefits of taking a driving education course.

Practical Preparation

Part of driver’s education is getting student drivers ready to take and pass their tests. It gives them the practical experience they need and a solid understanding of the laws and risks that they need to be aware of.

Confidence

Learning to drive a car can be intimidating. A car is the largest vehicle they will ever be in control of for most people. That can be scary. However, diving headfirst into a driver’s ed course can help give people more confidence over the situation. It’s easier to feel confident about something we properly respect and understand.

Rules of the Road

There are hundreds of laws and rules of the road that one must learn and follow. Some of these rules may feel second nature. But many require a proper explanation, especially for those that have never been on the road before. Instructors also educate students on driving etiquette and other potential safety concerns.

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Attending a driver’s education course helps ease the burden on one’s wallet. Teen drivers are the most expensive group to insure, but a targeted course can help reduce those premiums.

Hazards and Risks

Drivers ed does more than teach students the laws of driving. It teaches them about potential hazards they may face on the road. This includes risks such as driving under the influence, distractions within the car, and potential dangers on the road. 

Many instructors also believe in teaching students about defensive driving. This is a form of driving where one always strives to avoid accidents. Usually, it requires the driver to be aware of their vehicle, other cars on the road, and any other potential concerns – including environmental changes.

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The Future of Brake Technology

December 27, 2021 by

Every year there are technical experts in every field working to make driving safer for everyone. While many people are focused on the latest inventions, others look to perfect what already exists.

Automakers are currently working on new ways to make braking and driving safer than ever. High-quality brake systems are one essential component of preventing accidents. It doesn’t do a vehicle any good to automatically detect a potential accident when the brakes cannot prevent it from happening. Read further to get a look at the future of brake technology.

Current Braking Systems

Currently, there are three main types of braking systems. The first is called brake-by-wire, where there is an electronic system (wires) in control of the braking system. This is instead of having a physical connection working the brakes.

Next, there’s automatic emergency braking. Automatic emergency braking systems automatically detect impact and apply the brakes to prevent further damage. Ideally, this system will help accidents from becoming worse.

Finally, there’s post-crash braking. According to Henry Scott of Ford, up to twenty percent of all accidents are followed by a second collision. That’s where post-crash brakes come into play. They are designed to help prevent a secondary accident from occurring.

New Braking Systems

In response to the increased need for safety, many car manufacturers are working on their own solutions to braking systems. For example, Siemens is working on what they’re calling a wedge brake. Their wedge brake reportedly has a shorter stopping distance than traditional brakes.

Brembo is another company looking to revolutionize the braking system. Brembo’s latest initiative looks to make driving both safer and greener, and that includes their brake systems. They are currently working with AI to develop a more innovative way of autonomous braking, which can take weather conditions into account, among other things.

Different Uses for Braking Systems

Believe it or not, braking systems are being deployed beyond their most obvious uses. Manufacturers are looking to use braking systems to help cars stay in their lanes, maintain a better grip on slippery roads, and even the ability to brace for a detected and impending collision.

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Distracted Driving Laws and their Impact on Driving Safety

November 22, 2021 by

Distracted driving has become a focal point for debate in recent years. At this point, it is well understood that most accidents are caused by driver error. This rate has been increasing in recent years, as drivers find themselves more distracted.

Distracted Driving

According to Mass.gov, the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers has gone up by one hundred and seventy percent (2014-2016). And that’s just based on Massachusetts statistics. Every state and country is dealing with the same concern.

One federal report indicated that there were 3,142 deaths associated with distracted driving – in 2019 alone. Delving into these stats a little further, young drivers under thirty had a higher percentage than older drivers.

Distracted driving can come in many forms. A driver could be focused on their phone, GPS, music, hundreds of different things. Think back to the last time you were on the road: how often did you see somebody on their phone or a driver without hands on the wheel?

New Laws

In response to the rise of distracted driving, many states have opted to enforce new laws. In America, forty-eight states have passed laws banning texting while driving. In addition, thirty states have banned handheld devices for drivers. 

Some states don’t stop there – twenty-four states have now banned all cellphone use while driving. As with many regulations, these are specific to the state and can have slight variations. Some states have even begun to tackle other forms of distracted driving. For example, New Jersey recently passed Maggie’s Law, a law designed to target drowsy driving.

In many instances, the laws regarding distracted driving tend to be harsher for teen drivers. Having a distracted teen behind the wheel has always been a concern. As such, there are laws already on the books in many states regarding teen distractions. These new initiatives are merely adding to what was already there.

Do They Work?

The real question on everyone’s mind is: do these distracted driving laws work? While no such initiative will be flawless, there is evidence to suggest that these laws impact society.

The University of Alabama Birmingham School of Public Health looked into the impact made by these laws. They found three critical factors. First, enforcement of the laws resulted in fewer fatalities associated with distracted driving. Second, targeting specific populations (IE: teen drivers) was highly effective in terms of reducing the number of deaths among this group. And third, a total ban on phones/handheld devices did effectively reduce accidents resulting in fatalities.

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Car Tech Designed with Seniors in Mind

October 25, 2021 by

Supply and demand go hand in hand. When there’s a need, it is only natural that the market responds by creating an appropriate product. In this case, that means designing a car with seniors in mind.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than forty-five million drivers over the age of sixty-five. This is relevant information, as this number is a significant increase from the years previous. By 2030, it is estimated that there will be another significant increase as Baby Boomers grow older.

All of this means that more people than ever face the ever-growing fear that they will not be able to transport themselves safely at some point in their futures. The ability to drive places is integral for independent living – in some states more than others. Current solutions have proved not to be enough, so it is time to look towards auto manufacturers.

Enhancing Controls

One option that car manufacturers are considering is enhancing the controls already available to drivers. These options include access, visibility, and management. In other words, they’re working to make the cars more comfortable and approachable. While this will undoubtedly help, it is but one side of the solution.

Accident Prevention

These days, many car manufacturers have been working hard at developing collision prevention tech. This tech includes rear and side cameras, automatic crash notifications, blind spot warnings, adaptive headlights, and more. 

Taking it a step further are companies such as Nissan Murano, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo S60. Their models have an additional feature available to detect when a driver is becoming drowsy and prompt a warning. 

Injury Reduction

Sometimes it isn’t possible to avoid an accident, and that’s where the next round of research has been focused: reducing injuries. The University of Michigan and Wayne State University have been working on reducing injuries seniors receive during car accidents. These studies understand that older bones are more fragile and prone to further damage during a crash. The ultimate goal is to design a car that will help protect passengers as much as possible. 

Emergency Response

AAA makes driving safer for everyone, as they offer immediate response times for broken-down vehicles and accidents. Other companies have followed suit, making it easier to reach out for assistance when on the road.

Self-Driving Cars

While self-driving cars have yet to be perfected, there’s no doubt that they will help seniors once fully available to the public. Realistically, self-driving vehicles will make everyone safer in the long run; this is why companies have been pushing so hard to perfect the technology.

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How Advancing Car Tech Can Prevent Drunk Driving

September 9, 2021 by

The drive to create new and safer ways to travel is still going strong – especially in the automotive industry. Each year new advances come out, from better seatbelts to collision prevention features and cameras.

Most recently, the government has been encouraging automakers to develop a new line of safe cars: cars that will automatically detect whether the driver is drunk and prevent them from getting on the road.

Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act

The Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone Act was introduced in April of 2021 as part of a larger bill. This infrastructure bill encompasses many concerns and has a one trillion dollar budget alongside the proposed changes.

One of those proposed changes is anti-drunk driving technology – in all cars. The bill has yet to be finalized, so nothing is yet set in stone. But automakers would be wise to start paying attention – and planning.

The bill has many driving-related concerns, most of them reliant on new technology. For example, the creation of an automated alert system for children left behind in the car.

Anti-Drunk Driving Provisions

While the wording is slightly ambiguous, the implication within this bill feels reasonably evident. Automakers will have a few years to design and begin implementing preventive technology, assuming the bill passes.

The idea is very similar to cars available to drivers with a history of impaired driving. The technology would automatically look for standard physiological features of an intoxicated driver – and prevent the vehicle from moving should the results be concerning.

One feature may be a more advanced version of an automotive breath-testing unit. This would potentially mean that each car would have to be equipped with a unit or a different means of testing for impairment – such as cameras.

The fight to prevent drunk driving has been a long one, and at times it feels like the impact of these lessons and laws has not been enough. Given the current car crash statistics, it is hardly surprising that lawmakers are trying to take matters into their own hands.

One of the primary problems with enforcing this new level of technology would be the additional cost – which would likely be passed down to the consumers. 

 

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Are Smarter Cars Making Drivers Worse?

August 12, 2021 by

Who doesn’t love the idea of a smart car? They’re comfortable, convenient, and make our lives easier. Yet there’s a growing concern that the latest generation of cars may just be training people to be worse drivers – and that’s dangerous.

Who can forget the headlines from 2020, when a Tesla user crashed their car because they were too busy watching a movie. While this may be a stand-out example, it does raise a very valid concern. 

The Intention Behind Smart Cars

Smart cars are designed for comfort, yes, but they are also designed for safety. That’s their primary goal. The whole push for self-driving vehicles has less to do with lazy drivers and more to do with eliminating human error.

According to studies, more than ninety percent of car crashes were caused by drivers. In other words, they were caused by human error. Naturally, this explains why car and insurance companies alike would be interested in developing safer tech.

How This Concept Can Backfire

So, given the altruistic intent behind smart cars, how is it possible that the idea is backfiring? It’s simple – people are getting distracted. We are not yet at a point where self-driving cars are easily accessible (or necessarily legal), and that means the current tech out there can create just as much of a distraction as anything.

People get distracted by all of the devices in their cars. They play with the radio, their phone, and now the new shiny tech that comes along for the ride. According to a study run by State Farm, these distractions are making us worse drivers.

Part of the problem stems from the fact that certain drivers rely too much on safety technology. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist tools are being abused so that people can multitask within the car. Until we hit a point where self-driving cars are a given – this is extremely dangerous. The result is a road full of dangerously distracted drivers. Even if these drivers are in the minority, plenty of drivers are still too distracted by their phones. 

The Solution

Like many problems in the automotive industry, the solution comes down to regulation. More and more states are outlawing cell phones in cars – and that is just the first step in the process. Regulating these distractions is unfortunately essential, but that’s not the only step.

The other part of this process is education. Drivers need to be made more aware of the risk they take when doing this – and what it can cost. The automotive industry can get involved in this process by developing technology that discourages phone use and the like, much like the push towards seatbelts. 

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Apps Making Driving Safer

July 15, 2021 by

Every day new technology is made for the express purpose of making people safer. This is especially true in the car industry, where safety is paramount – and the definition is constantly shifting.

Most recently, a new trend has been popping up in the auto industry. There are now dozens of apps out there to help people drive more safely. These apps are great for teenagers and adults alike and are available on multiple platforms. 

SafeDrive

SafeDrive is the perfect app for anyone actively trying to limit their phone usage while driving. SafeDrive is an app that believes phones can be a dangerous distraction in the car and works to reward drivers for keeping their phones away when behind the wheel.

LifeSaver

While LifeSaver is targeted more towards teen drivers (or, more accurately, the parents of teen drivers), this is an app for anyone. LifeSaver combines GPS monitoring with a rewards system similar to that of SafeDrive. Parents can track their teens and help reward them for keeping their phones safely tucked away. 

DriveMode

DriveMode is very similar to the apps mentioned above in that it discourages distracted driving by reducing phone use. DriveMode silences call, alerts, and texts while driving. Additionally, it can send out auto-replies in the meantime, so there is no need to worry about a lack of response on the driver’s part.

Inrix

Inrix doubles as a safety and map app. It learns from users’ driving habits, creating individualized routes that help avoid traffic. The goal is to keep drivers focused on the road and not figure out how to get from A to B.

Mojo

Mojo is another monitoring app, but with a twist. Mojo monitors user driving statistics and rates them according to how safe their driving is. The app allows users to accumulate points, which eventually begin to earn gift cards as physical rewards.

iOnRoad

iOnRoad is an innovative new app that takes full advantage of today’s technology. It uses augmented reality to map out the other cars on the road and will send automatic alerts when your vehicle gets too close to another.

EverDrive

Are you feeling a bit more competitive about safe driving? EverDrive is the perfect app for that. EverDrive rates users on their safe driving by monitoring acceleration, braking, and speed. From there, it provides total scores, which can be shared with the neighborhood.

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The Learning Curve for New Car Tech

June 17, 2021 by

Who doesn’t love to buy a car with all of the newest gadgets and tech? Unfortunately, doing so does come with a bit of a learning curve, especially for those that aren’t quite so technologically savvy.

Here’s the good news: cars, on the whole, are designed to be user-friendly. This means that they are designed under the assumption that most people will thoroughly learn to operate their car, all gadgets included. Though for some, this may take longer than others.

Increase In Tech Means Increased Learning Curve

The fancier a car’s tech gets, the longer it will take the average customer to understand it. Still, many consider this a small price to pay for increase comfort, convenience, and safety. Again, the price is sometimes higher for others.

Voice commands can be tricky, especially for anybody with an accent – or even a voice pitch outside of the program’s parameters. This makes people feel like they aren’t understood or represented and can even discourage them from using the tech again.

Likewise, pairing phones and other devices to cars can sometimes be easier said than done. This will vary dramatically based on the vehicle and even the phone model, making it impossible to create a comprehensive guide for all.

Creating Something Familiar

Naturally, car companies don’t want to create cars that people don’t like or want to use. Thus, it’s their job to make this newly emerging technology as approachable as possible. For some, that means emulating standard technology.

New dashboards and panels in cars are beginning to look more and more like phones. This allows for the maximization of information transfer while also providing the users with something they already know how to operate: their phone.

Tips to Adapt

When buying a new car full of tech and gadgets, there are certain tricks users can employ to work through that learning curve at a faster rate. First, it’s essential to keep an open mind. Don’t jump into the car expecting to have a bad experience and hate the tech – that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Next, start small. Try pairing your phone to the car. Once done, you’ll now be able to safely talk on the phone and choose your music – which may just help your mood as well! 

It’s also essential to take your time adjusting to new technology, so don’t pressure yourself. Or the car, for that matter. And finally, don’t be afraid to access the owner’s manual if you’re stuck. If you find yourself having trouble after that, the dealership or even the internet can be a beneficial resource.

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How To Build A Strong Company Culture

December 29, 2015 by

The key to a successful business is happy employees. The key to happy employees is a strong company culture. 

When people are happy to come in to work every day, it makes them want to do better. Enjoying your office space and work surrounding is so important. By keeping employees happy and comfortable in the office, they will perform better.

Now that you know why its so important, here are some ways that you can improve your company culture:

Creative work space — Non traditional office spaces evoke creative work out of employees. Sure, having a desk and personal space to get your work done is important, but collaborative spaces have also proven to boost company culture.

Create a common space where employees can go to work when they need a change of pace. Everyone works differently, perhaps some employees would do better with a standing up desk option, while others might prefer to work on a couch with a lap top. You are doing your company a dis service to limit these kind of options. 

Flexible work hours — As I mentioned before, everyone is different. Not every employee will come in and do their best work from 9-5. Some people are feeling energized and ready to work really early in the morning and might like to come into the office around 7AM, while others cannot be productive in any capacity before noon. Grant the flexibility to your employees and watch the work quality sky rocket.

Foster an environment where people want to be — If employees enjoy the space that they work in, they will perform better. Company culture doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is up to the employees to participate. Hold weekly contests for some friendly office competition, start some clubs in the office that people can attend after work hours. For example, a yoga club led by someone in the office who is particularly fond of yoga. Wednesdays at 6 you all meet in the lounge and engage in a relaxing session before going home for the day. Not only are you potentially learning a new skill, you’re spending time with people from your office in a non work related way, allowing you room to get know your coworkers.

Social activities out side of office — Incentivize employees to meet goals with group outings as the reward. Happy hours are a great and easy thing to plan to celebrate the hard work of your employees that also goes along well with my last mentioned point. When people like the people that they work with, they are more inclined to come in and do their best. When they really enjoy to be where the work, they will go the extra mile. They will stay late to get some extra work done because their friends are staying late as well. 

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Best Practices: Retention & Customer Service

September 23, 2015 by

Running a business largely depends on maintaining and gaining customers each month. For an insurance agency in particular, retaining customers and making sure they are satisfied with their insurance agent will play a major role in deciphering your insurance company from many others. Here are a few ways you can make sure that your customer service is above and beyond so that you can retain customers and grow your business:

First, know your customer. At many insurance agencies, people become numbers and there are very little personal interactions and connections between employees and customers. A good company, regardless of what type of business it caters to, knows the people they are serving – without them, business would plummet. Communication is key when it comes to building relationships with your customers, so be sure your employees are great at effectively communicating. Nobody wants to get help from a computer, so make sure your employees don’t sound like one. Having compassion for customers is the initial step towards great customer service.

Amigo MGA Alan Rasof

Next, your employees should be knowledgeable and know how to answer questions about insurance policies in general and specific to your company. In the event that a question cannot be answered, there should be a protocol for your employee to tell the client that he or she will speak to a manager and will give them know as soon as possible. Make sure a follow-up email or phone call is setup so that the client is not left hanging. Your employees should speak with confidence and be well-educated for their position. If your company does not have a basic annual training program for both new and old employees, that is something that should be implemented right away.

Another aspect of customer service that your company should be up to par with is answering emails and responding to phone call in a timely fashion. No customer should be left in the dark if he or she has a question or is expecting an update of some sort. Be sure that your employees have a 24-48 hour rule when it comes to responding to voicemails and emails – even text messages if everyone has a company cell phone. Being attentive and responding to customers is extremely important for your business, because if you don’t respond the customer is not likely to a) refer you to prospective clients and b) have a good experience with the company, which could lead to negative feedback and may eventually not be a customer anymore. Even if the question seems vague or unimportant, your employees should hop on the phone with the customer and listen to what they have to say.

Amigo MGA, Alan Rasof

In conclusion, if customers are not satisfied with the service you are providing, they will not continue to use your product. Communicating effectively and responding quickly to voicemails, emails, and text messages are great ways to stay in touch and actively engage with your customers so that they will want to stay with your company as long as possible.

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