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Vehicle Safety Systems and the Law: The Newest Federal Requirements

Proven automotive safety technology is a wonderful thing especially when it’s required as a standard feature on new models. It might slightly raise the price of each vehicle, but it’s definitely one less feature to worry or negotiate about. Many features are currently required, such as tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), and dual front airbags.

Things are different for electronic stability control, side airbags, anti-lock brakes, rearview cameras and active head restraints, among other components. None of these are currently required. However, some of these features will soon be required by regulation and some likely will be needed to meet safety performance requirements. Here are some regularly mentioned safety systems and the government regulations or requirements surrounding them. (Government decisions are subject to change. Don’t be shocked if dates for some yet-to-be-required systems are pushed back a year or two. )

Tire-pressure monitoring systems, or TPMS give a warning when one or more tires are radically under-inflated. This system has been required on all cars since the 2008 model year.

Electronic stability control (often abbreviated ESC, but also called by a host of other names and acronyms) will be required on most 2011 vehicles and all 2012 model-year vehicles. ESC has been optional or standard equipment on some cars for more than a decade. ESC uses a sophisticated computer system to sense when a vehicle is about to spin out or plow straight off a slippery road. In such situations, the computer will apply brakes at individual wheels and, possibly, reduce engine power. Many drivers won’t even notice the butt-saving they just received.

Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) are part of a package. In other words, while not specifically required, everything needed to make ABS work is part of the ESC system. It would require some skillful programming to not have ABS. It’s not unfair to say ABS will be required on all 2012 vehicles.

New Federal regulations for active head restraints, designed to reduce neck injuries, began to take effect in 2009 and will be in full force by late 2011. However, passing the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test and earning its Top Safety Pick award is just as important to some carmakers. It’s feasible to both meet the law and pass the IIHS test without active head restraints. However, many consumers can’t find a comfortable driving position with the resulting devices. The bottom line: Active head restraints won’t be mandated by law (or required to pass the IIHS test), but carmakers may find they have to employ them to produce a comfortable vehicle. (Active head restraints use the force of a rear-end collision to move the head restraint toward the occupant’s head.)

Front airbags for the driver and front passenger airbags have been a government requirement since 1998. The government isn’t specifically requiring side-curtain or side-impact airbags. Rather, it has created new side-impact tests. The new tests include more sensitive crash-test dummies, smaller dummies to represent shorter people, and a crash that simulates sliding sideways into a tree or utility pole. The new crash standards go into full effect starting with 2012 model-year vehicles. To get top ratings on these tests, manufacturers may be required to fit both types of these airbags and make other modifications, such as increase door structure. The answer: not required, but might as well be. One benefit of side impact airbags and side-curtain airbags is that they will also help protect occupants of automobiles struck by large sport-utility vehicles or pickups.

Legislation passed in 2008, called the “Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act,” requires car manufacturers to install rearview cameras or sonar sensing systems that warn drivers of objects in the blind spots behind them. Specific enforcement dates and regulations have not been drafted. Versions of rearview cameras or the sonar-based sensing systems currently available on many vehicles will likely meet the law’s requirements. In the relatively near future, a “rearview camera” or “sonar rear sensing system” will be featured on every new vehicle. While the feature has very definite, positive benefits, it doesn’t preclude us from turning around and looking before backing out.

Is An Automotive Franchise For You?

Have you always had a passion for cars? And often thought of having your own business? The time is now to check out the many automotive franchise opportunities available with little start up investment and plenty of rewarding benefits. The number of franchises is increasing as more consumers realize the great earning potential and appeal of becoming a business owner. There are many automotive franchises available catering to various kinds of car maintenance, repair and sales depending on your individual preference and interest.

With franchise opportunities ranging from windshield repair, oil changes, auto parts and even automotive insurance, there is sure to be one that is right for you. While there are several considerations in determining which automotive franchise would be the most suitable, the benefits of purchasing your own franchise are clearly favorable. Just imagine how satisfying it would be to go to work each day knowing that you are your own boss and the business that you operate is your own.

Which Automotive Franchise is the One for You?

There are many factors that might be important as you decide if an automotive franchise is the kind of business that you want to purchase. If you enjoy the busy shop atmosphere and have a special interest in cars and the many aspects of the automotive industry, a franchise in which you can invest and build a solid, long-lasting business that is car-related, may be the one you are looking for.
As well as the general type of franchise, you may also want to know what kind of investment and initial start-up costs are associated with purchasing an auto franchise. Many of the top car franchises available require minimal up front costs. For example, a Novus Glass Windshield Repair franchise has initial investment costs starting at only $14,900. This is very affordable and provides limited risk when you consider the popularity of this kind of franchise and the potential business and profit as it grows over time. If you are more interested in automotive accessories, you could purchase a Millennium Plus franchise in which you become a GPS distributor with an initial investment of just $10,000 and you can even run your business from your own home!

While there are many automotive franchises available at very reasonable investment costs, there are also plenty of other franchises that offer solid and proven earning potential with the added assurance of owning your own business and boasting a brand name service. The initial start-up costs may vary but the decision to become a franchise owner puts you in a very advantageous position from day one. Since today’s consumer often seeks businesses with familiar names and a good reputation, a franchise may be a wise investment since the brand name provides an immediate client base. Although there is definitely a great deal of work and determination necessary to build your franchise into a strong and thriving venture, you need not start from scratch as you would with a non-franchise business.
Other Important Considerations

Deciding on the particular auto franchise may be one of your first considerations but learning about various other aspects of having your own business may be just as important. Being a franchise owner has a number of benefits. From taking advantage of the franchise name, to the potential income potential, the benefits are many.
When you purchase an automotive franchise, you automatically access a complete and proven business operating system that covers virtually all aspects of operating that particular franchise. Essentially, the framework is already in place and the franchise will provide extensive instruction and support before, during and after your purchase. After all, it is their name and reputation that comes with your franchise and all legitimate franchisors want to ensure that your business represents their company in a strong and positive way. Their ongoing interest and training keeps you on top of the latest franchise information and up-to-date with any changes or new company initiatives.

Franchise owners pay pre-determined “royalties” to the franchisors depending on the size and income related to the car franchise. Before purchasing your own, make sure that you discuss all these operating details and get it in writing. Reputable franchisors will have no issues in providing this information and will be very willing to explain the system fully and answer any questions that you may have about any of the business aspects of your auto franchise. There are also some legal considerations as well and these should be reviewed carefully as you decide whether your own automotive franchise is the business for you.

Location is another consideration that may be crucial in determining if a car franchise is feasible as well. Some of the current franchises available may be operated from your own home. So you must decide whether you have adequate space and if it would be possible to run your own business with your home as central base. Some of the bigger franchises require a larger location that would not be appropriate as a home based business. Automotive franchises such as a Meineke Car Care Center or Eagle Transmission involve greater space requirements and significant amounts of equipment that would simply not be suitable for a business at home.

Something to Think About
Is an automotive franchise in your future? The benefits are clear as the strong base and proven potential for success in franchise ownership in the industry gains attention worldwide. Making the decision to purchase your own franchise is indeed a huge responsibility but it may also be the answer to your desire to experience business ownership and the ability to work for yourself.
Ultimately, an automotive franchise has many attractive features and it is definitely a franchise that could generate a significant amount of business since most consumers own or operate vehicles. So, the need is there. An automotive franchise may be a great way to tap into that earning potential. If becoming a business owner in the automotive industry appeals to you, a franchise may be exactly the way to a bright and profitable future!

Safety and Self Defense Products While In Your Vehicle

Most of us spend much of our day in our vehicles traveling from “Point A” to “Point B”. In most cases we are commuting to and from work. Others travel for a living and constantly find themselves on the road. We leave before the sun comes up and get back home after dark. I personally travel on average, close to 14 hours per week. Statistics show I’m on the lower end as many of you spend upwards of 20 hours per week inside your car or truck. That is nearly 1000 hours per year behind the wheel.

When we spend that amount of time doing something, problems are bound to arise. Are you prepared should you come up against a flat tire or engine trouble? Worse yet, what if something happens in a “not so safe” part of town. Would you have the ability to protect yourself and family?

Every vehicle should have a few key self defense products and safety items. The items I’m speaking about are inexpensive, but you can’t put a price tag on these types of items. In today’s society, it is becoming necessary to carry self defense weapons such as pepper spray or personal alarms.

One item you should make sure you have in every vehicle you own is an automotive safety kit; we thave a very complete car safety kit put together and manufactured by the American Red Cross.

This safety kit contains twelve essential items you need (or will wish you had) in any emergency. The automotive emergency tool is a multi-function glass break hammer, seat belt cutter and flashlight all in one! An easy-start battery charger will recharge your dead car battery using your cigarette lighter. No need to go under the hood! A reflective safety vest and triangle will ensure oncoming traffic can see you at night. In cold weather climates removing ice from the windshield can prove to be a tough task; the ice scraper tool makes life much easier. Some work gloves, a “help me” sign and automotive safety guide are all simple, but vital tools you need in any automotive emergency.

Next, you’ll need a good pepper spray for self defense while in your vehicle. Our Fox Labs pepper spray is an excellent choice. This is a debilitating spray that is used and trusted by law enforcement nationwide.

In most states, carrying a gun in your vehicle is illegal without special permits. Ev en if it’s legal; would you be willing to pull the trigger if necessary and then deal with the potential criminal and/or civil consequensces? Most people say no and opt for a non-lethal option; this is where pepper spray works so well. The effects are almost instant and last for over 30 minutes. Pepper spray is totally non-lethal with no long term effects. You can spray with confidence against an aggressive person or animal. It will give you plenty of time to get yourself to safety.

Refuse to be a statistic, step up and take a proactive role in your safety and that of your families as well. Is there anything more important?

Car Reviews Tips And Tricks

The decision to buy a new or even used car can be quite overwhelming. There are so many things to take into consideration that one can become quite easily confused and not know where to start. The best place to start is to decide which type of car you are most interested in. This can be determined by taking into consideration what you will be using the car for, what you are willing to pay for a car, and what features you want in or on the car. Even just these factors can be overwhelming. That is why it is a great idea to look at car reviews before you make any final decision.

Car reviews are a wonderful way to become more familiar with different makes and models of cars. They will offer great insight as to what the car entails and what options are available with a particular make and model. This is very important when deciding how you are going to be using the car most. For instance, you might really like the looks and the space included with a sports utility vehicle. However, if you do not actually need all that room and you are going to be doing a lot of travelling with the vehicle, a car review may let you know that these vehicles take up a lot of fuel. This will mean that it is going to be quite expensive to drive the vehicle all over the place and you may want to look at other car reviews to find one that is going to be easier on the petrol, and your pocket.

Car reviews will also often give a brief history and description of the company. This can help the car buyer become more familiar with not only the cars but the company that manufacturers them. This can often make the buyer feel more secure in deciding to go with a certain make of car. One may find through a car review for instance that although a car looks nice, the company actually specializes in high-end cars and although they may have originally wanted to get a certain type of car, they may decide that the cars that company makes simply does not fit into their budget.

Car reviews can often also include the experiences of other drivers who have driven that particular car. There is sometimes nothing more valuable than word of mouth and hearing about what other people thought of the car, this can offer valuable insight. A potential buyer may find through a third party, that even though a car looks and runs nicely, the seats are not very comfortable at all. For a lot of people, that can make a huge difference when buying a car. These comments can often be about small, personal preferences or be based on pure facts such as fuel consumption. Through a car review, a person may find out that they will only get ninety miles out of a full tank. On the other hand, they may find out that although they thought it was expensive to fill that sports utility vehicle, it actually uses gas quite a bit more slowly than other vehicles on the market.

Car reviews are a great tool for anyone interested in buying a new or used car. They allow the consumer to have more information at their fingertips and being informed is always a great first step in buying a new car!

Pursuing a Motorcycle Accident Claim

You can ride safer by following these quick tips on motorcycle safety:

1. Always assume that you and your motorcycle are totally invisible to other drivers.

2. Leave plenty of space in front and back and to the sides from all other vehicles.

3. Beware of motorists turning left in front of you at intersections.

4. Never drink or take drugs and try to ride a motorcycle.

5. Avoid riding at night, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday when drunken drivers may be on the road.

6. Beware of taking curves that you can’t see around. A parked truck or a patch of sand may be awaiting you.

7. Do not give in to road rage and try to ‘get even’ with another rider or motorist.

8. If someone is tailgating you, either speed up to open more space or pull over and let them pass.

9. Take a motorcycle safety course to learn what to look for to avoid accidents.

10. Wear protective clothing and a helmet.

There is no New York No-Fault insurance available to motorcycle riders. This means that in the event of injury in a motorcycle accident, private health insurance must pay the bills. If the rider wins a lawsuit, these bills must usually be paid back to the health insurance carrier. If there is no health insurance available, the issue of medical bills and paying for medical care becomes complicated, indeed. Consult an experienced accident and personal injury attorney.

As a lawyer and rider who has held a motorcycle license for many years, I have some definite thoughts on this topic. But I’d like you to “cram down” some statistics about motorcycle safety, which relate to accidents and injuries, and which I find fascinating:

1. Approximately 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve collision with another vehicle; most often a passenger automobile.

2. Approximately 1/4 of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.

3. Vehicle failure accounts for less than 3% of motorcycle accidents, and most of those are single vehicle accidents where control is lost due to a puncture flat.

4. In single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error is present as the cause about 2/3 of the time, with the typical error being a slideout and fall due to overbraking, or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.

5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc. ) are the accident cause in 2% of accidents; animal involvement causes 1% of accidents.

6. In multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violates the motorcycle right-of-way and causes the accident 2/3 of the time.

7. Drivers inability to recognize motorcycles in traffice is the main source of motorcycle collisions. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle does not see the motorcycle before the collision, or does not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

8. Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause.

9. The most frequent accident type is the motorcycle proceeding straight and the automobile making a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.

10. Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.

11. Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.

12. Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen close to the place the trip began.

13. The view of the motorcycle or other vehicle involved in an accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost 2 of multiple vehicle accidents.

14. Visibility of the motorcycle is a critical factor in multiple vehicle accidents, and accidents are significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.

15. Fuel system leaks and spills are present after 62% of motorcycle crashes. This means that there is usually a fire hazard.

16. Significantly overrepresented in accidents are motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly underrepresented. Although the majority of accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96%), female motorcycles riders are significantly overrepresented in accidents.

17. Motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% are self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and reduces injury in the event of accidents.

18. Almost 1/2 of fatal accidents show alcohol involvement.

19. Motorcycle riders in those accidents have difficulty avoiding the collision. Most riders overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel, greatly reducing the ability to slow down and avoid the accident. The ability to countersteer and swerve are essentially absent in the presence of alcohol.

20. The typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist just less than 2 seconds to avoid the collision.

21. Motorcycle modifications such as those associated with the semi-chopper or cafe racer are definitely overrepresented in accidents.

22. The likelihood of injury is extremely high in motorcycle accidents – 98% of multiple vehicle collisions and 96% of single vehicle accidents result in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; 45% result in more than a minor injury.

23. Half of the injuries to motorcycle riders are to the ankle-foot, lower leg, knee, and thigh-upper leg.

24. Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg.

25. The use of heavy boots, jacket, gloves, etc. , is effective in preventing or reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent but rarely severe injuries.

26. Speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size increade the injury severity.

27. Seventy-three percent of accident-involved motorcycle riders use no eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on their unprotected eyes contributes to impairment of vision which delays hazard detection.

28. Approximately 50% of the motorcycle riders in traffic use safety helmets but only 40% wear helmets at the time of their accident.

29. Voluntary safety helmet use by accident-involved motorcycle riders was lowest for untrained, uneducated, young motorcycle riders on hot days and short trips.

30. The most deadly injuries to motorcycle accident victims are injuries to the chest and head.

31. The use of the safety helmet is the single critical factor in the prevention or reduction of head injury.

32. The riders abiblity to hear or see is not decreased by use of a safety helmet, nor does it cause fatigue or loss of attention; no element of accident causation is related to helmet use.

33. Helmeted riders and passengers showed significantly lower head and neck injury for all types of injury, at all levels of injury severity.

34. The increased coverage of the full facial coverage helmet increases protection, and significantly reduces face injuries.

35. There is no increase in neck injury by wearing a safety helmet; helmeted riders have fewer neck injuries than unhelmeted riders.