Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is in May. This time is perfect for motorists to reconsider ways they can remain alert and watch for motorcycles on the road. Motorcyclists must wear full-coverage DOT-approved helmets for peak protection.
Long-sleeved clothing constructed from abrasive-resistant material, tall boots, and motorcycle gloves must be the usual attire according to motorcycle safety organizations. All motorcyclists must enroll in a riding education class and pass a written exam and riding test to get a license different from their usual driver's license. Though, even the most meticulously ready rider relies on motorists around them to guarantee a safe trip. Why It's Important to Watch for Motorcycles As the weather change, drivers must be conscious of motorcyclists. In places around the country where severe winter weather keeps motorcyclists off the street, the transformation to warmer spring temps means motorists must pay close attention to motorcycles' possible presence. Given the comparatively standing of automobiles vs. motorcycles on the road, it could become easy for a motorist to "pattern match" car silhouettes when swiftly looking for other vehicles. Stop, pump the brakes, and remind yourself to watch for smaller vehicles such as scooters and motorcycles. For motorcyclists, even a little accident can be devastating. Riders sustained significant injuries over 30 times as frequently as the operator of a full-sized vehicle. For each mile traveled, motorcyclists are 25 times more likely of a fatality and six times more likely to sustain injuries related to the accident. Ways to Help Motorcyclists Stay Safe 1. Drivers should put their cell phones in the glove compartment to reduce distractions. It's critical to relay this rule to young adult drivers. 2. Be alert and sober. Driving while buzzed put everyone on the road at risk. According to studies, alcohol is the most significant factor in motorcycle-related fatalities 3. Urge passengers to tell drivers about the presence of motorcycles. It's crucial for everyone in the vehicle to look for things and people that a driver might not see. A passenger in the back or front seat has a different vision scope than the driver and can deter an accident by saying something. 4. It's easy to underestimate a motorcycle's distance and speed. Please provide them with plenty of time and room. Many motorcycle accidents occur from cars rear-ending motorcycles. For automobiles, this can be just a slight fender bender. But for a motorcycle rider, it could be fatal. Motorcycles are incredibly vulnerable when you're unaware of them. 5. Make sure mirrors are in the correct position when getting into a car. Assess blind spots with mirrors. Turn your head around before changing lanes. While this is a vital habit of encouraging drivers, it's particularly critical when there might be a motorcycle in the auto's blind spot. 6. Talk with new drivers about being mindful of motorcycles. Be sure they realize that a fender bender for them could be deadly for someone operating a motorcycle. 7. Be alert when opening a car door, particularly in spots with a lot of traffic. Always look towards the rear of the vehicle before opening a door. 8. Decrease the speed when going through intersections. One of the critical causes of crashes between motorcycles and cars is the driver not seeing a motorcycle at an intersection. For everyone's safety, it's critical to watch for motorcycles. If you find yourself in an accident, reach out to us at Buffalo Towing Service. 
What is roadside assistance? Roadside assistance plans are optional add-ons to required auto insurance coverage. Purchasing roadside assistance insurance could save you money and make your life securer and easier. Though not everyone wants or needs one of these plans.
Most auto insurance companies have roadside assistance plans. Businesses like AAA and numerous major credit cards also offer roadside assistance separate from auto insurance packages. While every plan varies, all policies cover a similar list of emergency 24/7 roadside and towing services, such as battery jumps, fuel delivery, auto lockout, towing, and flat tire change. What is Roadside Assistance? Roadside Assistance Plans and Business Auto insurance businesses frequently offer roadside assistance to customers as an add-on to other auto insurance coverage. The insurance company then partners with roadside assistance service businesses who deliver the on-site help to drivers. When you call for help, the dispatcher usually calls the closest roadside assistance business with your desired services. This company also has a contract with your auto insurance provider. Some organizations also offer roadside assistance plans. For instance, AAA is a private member association and federation of automobile clubs offering maps, auto insurance, and roadside assistance insurance. Drivers can join for roadside assistance for about $100 per year. Some credit cards, like American Express, have a roadside assistance plan in their membership benefits package. Coverage for roadside emergencies includes new vehicles for some time after purchase. Roadside Assistance Plans Coverage Every plan is different. Therefore, purchasers of roadside emergency plans should read the coverage thoroughly to ensure they are choosing the best plan for their needs. Many plans include minor adjustments or repairs to the vehicle if it stalls. Roadside service usually includes:
Every plan states the number of service calls, costs for lockouts, number of towing, and other services are part of the annual cost. If a driver wants additional services, the company still offers assistance, billing the customer for the overage. Before Buying a Roadside Assistance Plan Not everyone wants or needs roadside assistance. Here are some facts to consider when determining if a roadside assistance plan is right for you: Age – Older cars are more liable to stop running and need towing. New automobile owners are less prone to use roadside service for towing. Commuting Distances and Mileage - If you commute to work or travel for pleasure, you're more liable to require roadside assistance at some point. Personal Needs - Some folks have no issue changing a flat tire or stopping a driver for a jump start. Other folks prefer professional help in case of these sorts of roadside emergencies. Cost - Roadside assistance insurance is typically not very pricey, but it does cost. Price is an issue for some individuals. Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to get roadside assistance is up to your budget and you. If you find yourself in need of help, get in touch with us at Buffalo Towing Service. 
What are the dangers of being a tow truck driver? Plenty, since it takes just seconds for an accident to occur. This article brings attention to the subject, hopefully, to stop any more casualties from occurring. Below are some of the everyday hazards tow truck drivers face:
What are the Dangers of Being a Tow Truck Driver? Driving a Tow Truck (Loaded or Unloaded) in Traffic Transporting loaded tows through congested, heavy traffic is one of the leading issues drivers face while on the job. Though their trucks' design is for towing broken-down vehicles, it still necessitates experience and knowledge to drive towing equipment and manage traffic accurately. Some folks may not know this, but there is a vast difference between driving a loaded tow truck and driving a tow truck with no tow. The thing is that every type of vehicle that needs towing requires a different set of skills. Diverse towed vehicles affect the tow truck in various ways. For instance, dolly tow trucks might be somewhat challenging. The numbers game won't work for tow truck drivers. They spend a significant number of hours in traffic and on the road, handling unloaded and loaded towing equipment. This fact means they have a higher risk of being in a road accident. Moreover, tow trucks are far less navigable and weightier, especially when loaded. So, when you spot a towing vehicle in traffic, be sure to give it plenty of space and remain out if its blind spot. Struck by a Passing Vehicle This act is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous risks tow truck drivers face while on the job. Stopped or marred automobiles are typically near busy streets and roads. The towing mechanic, therefore, has to park the truck close to active, moving traffic. The technician also spends time going from the tow truck to the damaged or broken-down vehicle, increasing their risk for injury. Again, it takes only a split second for a motorist in a passing car to not notice the tow truck driver and hit them. This fact is why you must take extra care each time you see towing equipment parked on the street side. Likely, the technician is standing right by it. Fatigue Fatigue is a vast issue for all towing experts who have to be on call at all hours of the day. Tow truck drivers are no different. Driving when exhausted is never a good idea. You must be mindful of all the hazards involved in this activity. Driving necessitates a high level of attention and concentration. Tiredness consumes many towing mechanics near the end of their workday. Though it is essentially up to the towing experts themselves to be sure they are doing their work professionally and responsibly, other motorists in traffic have to be sure they are making their challenging job much more manageable. As fellow drivers, you must always consider the chance of a tow truck driver on the road near you being exhausted. Therefore, a little consideration and courtesy on the road go a long way. This aids in helping towing service specialists do their work correctly. If you find yourself needing a tow, battery jump, fuel delivery, or any other type of roadside assistance, call Buffalo Towing Service.  The odds that you've never seen a message cautioning you against the danger of texting while driving is extremely low. If you've read an online ad or watched a TV commercial, it can be said with certainty that you've seen at least a couple of campaigns telling you, don't text and drive.
But in spite of the frequency of these safety ads, cell phones still contribute to over one million car accidents annually. It's hard to measure or see the efficiency of campaigns like "Don't Text and Drive." Perhaps drivers continue to have distractions at the wheel since they aren't fully aware of the dangers involved. Currently, over 750,000 drivers are using some handheld cellular device. Even if you strive to be utterly distraction-free while driving, it's vital to note that around one out of every twenty motorists is using a cell at any given time. And even if you have a hands-free phone, chatting with a friend still takes up a good amount of your attention. Hands-Free is Not Better Contrary to popular belief, research has discovered that hands-free communication tools provide no real safety benefits over typical cell phones. Maybe the fact that many states have prohibited the use of handheld phones but not the use of Bluetooth and hands-free phones have let a vast number of motorists jump to the wrong conclusion. Research has shown that taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds will double the chances of a collision and need to call Buffalo Towing Service. Distractions can include way more than only a cell phone. Applying makeup, eating, reaching for fallen objects, or adjusting the radio are all typical distractions that lead to a vast number of accidents each year. If your belongings could become a distraction, it could be best to put them in the back seat until you get to your destination. Teenagers are way more likely to be involved in a deadly car crash due to being distracted. Car accidents are the top cause of fatalities for teens in the U.S. Don't text and drive, this is a major cause of distraction. This might be directly related to the fact that teens are the largest age group to be texting while driving. Educating young adults about the dangers of driving while distracted is crucial to their safety as well as the safety of other drivers.  If you are a motorist, then you want to have a emergency kit with you in case you get stranded. What is a emergency kit and why you need one? Keep reading.
Cell Phone – A fully-charged cell phone can be one of the most helpful tools in your vehicle for getting out of a bad situation. If you don't usually carry a cell phone or want to avoid a time when your battery runs out on your phone, keep another inexpensive, charged cell phone in your emergency kit. Emergency Numbers – Either stored in your phone or listed on a piece of paper, you need to have a list of dependable contacts such as medical, fire, police, and towing service. First Aid Kit – A first aid kit with some necessary sore cleaning and covering products can assist recovering from an injury before medical professionals come on the scene. Lug Wrench, Spare Tire, and Car Jack – Being stranded due to a flat tire is a preventable situation if you have a spare tire in your automobile. With a lug wrench and a jack, you can get rolling down the highway again quickly. Jumper Cables – Jumper cables can get your vehicle running again if it won't start and there are other motorists around to help you. Your cables need to be at least ten feet long. Blanket – A blanket is a substantial addition to your breakdown kit. If your vehicle dies in the wintertime, your heater won't be working to deliver heat inside your car. Blankets can be put in a small space so that you can keep a couple of them in your kit for passengers too. Food and Water – Protein bars can help you survive if you're stranded for a long amount of time. Be sure to keep bottled water in your vehicle as well since it's highly crucial for survival. Flashlight – It's an excellent idea to keep a flashlight that winds up or one with extra batteries in your emergency kit. Many cell phones have a flashlight, but a real flashlight puts more light and can be more useful in emergencies. A car emergency kit is a critical tool for when you travel, so you have options if your care breaks down. Buffalo Towing Service is always here to help you with your towing needs.  If your car dies on you, you might not be comfortable leaving your vehicle in a parking lot or an untrusted location, so your wisest option is to have it towed to the nearest repair shop. But, if you follow these tips below and take care of your car battery, you could save yourself a lot of headache and trouble as well as having a dead battery when you need it most.
Get Your Battery Tested If your battery is a couple of years old and you aren't sure if it's going to stay charged for much longer, you need to get a load test performed by your local mechanic. A load test will tell you if your car battery is going below 12.45 volts. This is an indication that your battery will probably die soon, and you need to get it charged or replaced. Your Vehicle Parked for a Long Time Not driving your car for a considerable amount of time can cause your battery to die. If your vehicle isn't driven often, the battery slowly starts to lose its energy and might not have enough juice to start back up again. Your best option at this point is to call a tow truck service to come and correctly jump-start your battery. You could ask a neighbor, but they might not have the right tools for the job. Keep Your Car Battery Clean Another thing that can lead to a failing car battery is dirty terminals. If your battery is polluted due to grease buildup, it might either block the current or produce corrosion. Luckily, for cleaning a car battery, all that is required is a couple of things like mechanic's grease, a wire scrubber, pliers, and a cleaning cloth. By using these things, you can separate your battery and adequately clean the terminals before driving. There might be a time when your car battery could still die in spite of your best efforts. For instance, frigid temps could make it hard for a car battery to work. If you're stuck on the highway or in a secluded area with a vehicle that won't start, contact a Buffalo Towing Service to take you to your residence or an auto repair shop.  During the winter, it's not unusual for accidents to happen. Snowy roads can frequently lead to hydroplaning and can make your automobile slide right off the road or cause an accident. When these sorts of incidents happen, you might have to get your vehicle towed to a mechanic or pulled out of a ditch. During these situations, it is only natural to feel anxiety, but it is also vital to make sure to avoid tow truck scams.
While you can't predict when you may need a tow truck, it is crucial to be ready just in case. Begin by researching so that you are familiar with all the Syracuse towing companies in the area. Put the number of reliable towing service in your cell phone to make sure that you have easy access to a dependable tow truck service in case you need it. Avoid Unmarked Tow Trucks In case you have an accident or need a tow truck in the wintertime, be cautious of a tow truck that comes to your spot unannounced. This is imperative if the tow truck isn't marked with a company name and phone number. Moreover, keep in mind that you don't have to pay more money because of adverse weather. If your car is in a difficult place, then getting your car out might require more work that could necessitate more payment. But otherwise, you shouldn't be paying more money just because it's wintertime. It's smart to get a cost estimate for the job before scheduling for the tow service to come to your spot. If you call one company and get an estimate that sounds too high for the required job, contact another tow truck service. Documenting damages Take a picture of your vehicle with your phone before the arrival of the tow truck. This will give you a record of what your car looked like before service. This way, if there are any issues, you will know if the damage happened as a result of your accident or because of a problem with the towing company. You will always receive great customer service from Buffalo Towing, so contact us for all your towing needs.  At some point in your adult life, you could find your car will be running out of gas. The fuel gauge on the awful E. You could hate fueling up and put the task off until it's too late. It could be a non-working gas gauge that catches you off guard.
Regardless of the reason, it's an inconvenient and hazardous situation. A non-functioning car on a highway is deadly due to the high traffic speeds. You must have a great plan before you ever find yourself in this situation. At the moment, you could panic and make bad decisions. What Not to Do One thing you absolutely must not ever do is flag down other vehicles. Even though this might seem like a great idea in the heat of the moment, it isn't. A good-hearted person can stop to help, but there is the off chance that a less than respectable person might also stop. You never know an individual's intentions. Another option that might come to mind is walking to get help. It doesn't matter if you're familiar with the area, this is also not recommended. The dangers of passing traffic are dangerous. This is particularly true if roadways are icy or wet. Hundreds of people have been killed or injured by passing vehicles. What You Should Do Honestly, what you should do is not run out of gas. It usually is too late for that, so it's best to begin planning for an empty tank before it's empty. When you first see that you are going to be soon running out of gas, there are some steps you must take. Slow Down The most fuel-efficient speed for a car is between 35 to 45 mph. While this speed might be dangerous on freeways, it's an option on smaller roadways. Many folks think they have to speed up to get to a gas station, but you'll burn up more fuel going faster. Call 911 If you're in a remote spot and can't get help, calling 911 is a good option. They can arrange to have a tow truck get to your location if needed. If you find yourself able to call, contact Buffalo Towing and well will help you get on your way!  You get to your vehicle with your children, a couple of bags of groceries, and your mouth drops open. You don't have your keys. Did you drop them in the grocery store? Then you see them. You have locked your keys in your car. What do you do now?
While there is never, ever a great time to lock yourself out of your car, it always seems to occur at the worst possible time. It's easy to faint at a time like this, but it's crucial to stay calm and not make it worse. Don't Break Your Windows If you are in a hurry, you might be tempted to break into your car. Don't give in to the temptation. Doing so will be costly and extensively damage your vehicle. Instead… Check all the doors Before having a panic attack, check to see if all the doors are locked, including the hatch or rear door. You might be able to save yourself some trouble if you discover a way into your car. Call someone for assistance You might have a few options for who to contact in this situation. If you have a partner, roommate, relative, or spouse, call them and see if they can bring you a spare key. However, if you're far from home and there isn't anyone available to bring you a key, you might need to enlist the help of a towing service. Tow truck companies will always have an auto locksmith available to respond ASAP, which also makes it the quickest option for getting help. Once the towing technician arrives, they will use professional tools to open your car without damaging it. Calling 911 is also a solid choice. However, you should call the police only if you're in imminent danger. When cops respond to these sort of calls, it is typically to offer protection while a tow truck is on its way. Wait for help in a safe place You might be tempted to wait next to your vehicle, but a busy parking lot can be hazardous, particularly if you're with children. The safest place to wait for assistance is in a well-lit area, far from traffic. Try to find a well-known business close by where you can with people.  Many people have had their car stuck in mud or snow at some point. Stuck cars can also be an issue for individuals who live in a snowy climate and can get stuck in snow or mud.
These occurrences can be frustrating, particularly if you don't know how to get your car unstuck. Read these tips for getting your vehicle unstuck and knowing when it's time to get help from a towing company. Tips for Getting Your Car Unstuck Don't stop. If you feel your car sliding into mud or snow, keep the car moving if you can. Any forward movement is better than coming to a full stop. Don't spin the wheels. Once you're stuck, don't stamp down on the gas pedal and spin the wheels. You'll make it worse. This will lessen your chance of getting out. Rock your vehicle backward and forwards. Gently roll the car backwards in reverse then move it forward. Doing this over and over again can give you enough momentum to get you unstuck. Use traction. Put traction under your tires in the way you want to move. Small branches, rubber mats, and sand are all excellent ways to add traction. If you live in a location where getting stuck is a frequent occurrence, keep kitty litter or sand in your vehicle for this reason. Stay straight. Be sure your tires are pointed straight. Turning the tires will put additional stress on your tires, making it difficult to get out. Dig. If everything else fails, start digging. If you don't have a shovel with you, look for anything such as a plastic cup, board, or stick to get the snow and mud from under your car. Be sure to dig a long path that can get your car onto solid ground. If you've been stuck before, you know that there might come a time in which no amount of shoveling, rocking, or traction will set you free. This is when it's time to wave the white flag and call a tow truck service. It is always good as a motorist to keep the number of a Syracuse towing company in your cell. |
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