Most importantly, not only can New Yorker’s lower their points by four, residents can also save 10 percent on their liability and collision premiums by participating in “The Point and Insurance Reduction Program” through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV).

Courses must be approved by the NYSDMV and require a minimum 320 minutes (six hours) of instruction and must be completed within 60 days of the course enrollment date. Also, the courses typically require the registrant to answer 70% of the course content questions correctly.

Six hours of instruction may seem excessive but after the 10 percent savings, participating in the course is definitely worth it!

Key things to note, the course will not change any existing suspensions or revocations, does not affect a driver responsibility assessment, and the course cannot be used as credit against future driver violation points.

Finally, after completing the course make sure you contact your insurance company and let them know to take advantage of the benefits and savings. Although the state computer systems are updated automatically your insurance company will have no record.

New York Residents Save on Car Insurance

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Save on Your Commute

Gasoline prices may be significantly lower than the record highs of last summer, but that offers little solace to most people, because the country has endured the worst economic downtown since the Great Depression.

That makes money a huge issue for all but the very rich. One area where cost-saving measures are possible involves the trip each day to work. In fact, there are at least seven ways to save money on your commute.

Carpooling
One method is to organize a carpool. The more the merrier, because a carpool of four people cuts gasoline costs by 75 percent and reduces the wear and tear on vehicles that only have to make the commute one out of every 4 days.

Ditch the Car
Three more of the seven ways to save money on your commute fall into the category of avoiding the car completely. Depending on the distance to work, you can ride a bicycle or scooter, or even run or jog to work and get some exercise.

Get there earlier
Another possibility is to get to work earlier. By missing the height of rush-hour traffic, the trip is faster. That means fewer trips to the gas station and much less wear and tear on your vehicle.

Ride the bus
If the office is too far away to jog or run, and you don’t want to buy a scooter, another alternative is public transportation. This can remove large segments of drivers and their vehicles from the road and help reduce pollution as well as toxic emissions that harm the ozone.

Don’t go!
And finally on the list of seven ways to save money on your commute is an idea that may be intriguing to some employers: work from home, either completely or a few days a week. Considering the increasing importance of computers in most offices, telecommuting is not so unlikely an option.

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· Close your sunroof and windows when parking your vehicle.
· Never leave a set of spare keys in your vehicle.
· Do not leave your motor running in your vehicle, even if you are running in somewhere for “just a second” or to warm it up on a cold morning.
· Keep your car in your driveway rather than parked on the street. If you must park in the street, choose an area that is well lit. If you have a garage, use it.
· Turn your car wheels sharply away from or toward the curb when parking
· If you have a manual transmission, park the vehicle in reverse or in first gear. If you have an automatic transmission, place it in park.
· Don’t leave valuable items in plain site on the floor or on the seats of the car.
· Install burglar alarms, steering wheel locks and other anti-theft devices.

In addition to taking these steps to keep your vehicle protected from theft, there are a few things you should do to keep your identity protected and to make it easier to recover your vehicle and to file any necessary claims. Some of these include:

· Keep your proof of insurance and vehicle registration in a safe place outside of your vehicle.
· Make photocopies of your vehicle registration and proof of insurance for other drivers in your family.
· Never keep anything in your vehicle that contains your social security number, your name and address or any other personal information.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim – and you will be able to count on your vehicle being right where you left it the last time you saw it.

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100% Nitrogen for Your Tires?

Have you noticed nitrogen pumps popping up in your area? A growing number of dealerships and garages are offering nitrogen fill-ups to those who are interested in filling their tires with 100% nitrogen rather than the gases that are typically found at a tire pump. But, what is the purpose of using 100% nitrogen rather than the traditional air? Are there really any advantages to using this gas instead?

What is in Your Tires Anyway?

The “air” that is at the traditional air pump is already made largely of nitrogen. In fact, about 78% of that gas is nitrogen, while about 21% is oxygen and the remaining 1% is made from a variety of other gases. 100% nitrogen, on the other hand, consists solely of nitrogen gas. As a result, there is no water vapor inside your tires, whereas traditional air can potentially have a great deal of water vapor that can be affected by changes in temperature.

What are the Advantages of Using 100% Nitrogen

Proponents of 100% nitrogen claim that using nitrogen at your fill up will help reduce the tire pressure changes that typically occur when the temperature changes. By reducing tire pressure changes, the wear and tear placed on the tire is reduced and the life of your tires is expanded. Supporters of nitrogen fill ups also claim that using nitrogen helps improve the handling of the vehicle and actually improves fuel efficiency.

While it is true that nitrogen can help reduce tire pressure fluctuations, there is nothing to show that it actually increases the life of the tires, improves handling or improves fuel efficiency. So, unless you are getting your 100% nitrogen fill up for free or at a price that is comparable to the traditional air fill up, it probably isn’t worth your while to go out of your way or to pay extra for pure nitrogen gas.

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Selecting the Right Mechanic

If you are like most people, you are deciding to hang onto your older vehicle for a little while longer rather than running out and purchasing a new vehicle to replace it. After all, purchasing a new vehicle is a costly endeavor and the current state of the economy makes it difficult to justify taking on such a large purchase. In order to keep your older vehicle operating smoothly, however, it is important for you to undergo routine maintenance checkups and to have a relationship with a mechanic you can trust. This way, you will know precisely who to contact if something goes wrong and you need someone to repair your vehicle.

Beginning the Mechanic Search

Ideally, you should begin searching for a mechanic long before you experience any problems with your vehicle. In addition, you should start taking your vehicle to the mechanic of your choice for routine maintenance. This way, you will have a better idea o how the mechanic runs his or her shop and you will know whether or not he or she is trustworthy.

To begin your search, it is a good idea to talk with family members and friends. Ask them if they know of any mechanics that they would recommend. Chances are good that you will have a good experience with the mechanic if someone you know recommends his or her services. If you don’t know anyone who can recommend a good mechanic or if you simply want to do a bit more research, you should turn to the Internet for more information. By browsing through reviews, you can get a better idea of whether or not the mechanic is well suited to your needs.

Deciding on the Type of Shop

As you search through your options, you will need to decide if you want to conduct business with an independent shop or a dealer shop. While dealer shops generally charge more than independent shops, some people are more comfortable working with dealer shops because they are specially trained to work on specific types of vehicles. In many cases, an independent shop can perform whatever repairs you need to be completed. If you have an odd problem or if you are getting repairs due to a recall or that are covered by warranty, on the other hand, it is usually best to stick with a dealer.

Once you have settled on a shop, be sure to test it out with routine maintenance work. This way, when it comes time for major work, you will know exactly what you are getting into!

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Keep Kids Safe

Did you know that approximately 500 children between the ages of 4 and 7 are killed each year in automobile accidents? In addition, thousands more are injured when involved in these accidents. Yet, the Partners for Child Passenger Safety reports that only about 19% of children between these ages use booster seats. This is an unfortunate fact, as booster seats can significantly reduce a child’s risk of suffering from injury or death.

Why Your Children Should Use Booster Seats

Many parents think they are protecting their children when they strap them up with an adult seatbelt, but the reality is that these seatbelts are too large for children. In fact, using an adult seatbelt on a child without using a booster seat can actually be more dangerous to the child than wearing no seatbelt at all. This is because a booster seat helps elevate your child so the seatbelt can properly fit over his or her hips. If the seatbelt is out of proper position, it can cut across your child’s neck and into his or her stomach. As a result, your child can suffer from serious neck or abdominal injuries.

When to Move Away from the Booster Seat

Once your child has grown out of a forward-facing child seat, he or she should use a booster seat until he or she is at least 4’9″. Even if your child is 4’9″, however, you shouldn’t set the booster seat aside until your child is able to be belted with the car’s seatbelt properly. You will know your child is ready to move to the car’s seatbelt when he or she is able to sit with his or her back to the rear of the seat and with both feet flat on the floor. Your child should also be able to sit with his or her knees bent and with the lap belt across his or her thighs.

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Considering Your Size

If you aren’t used to driving an RV, it will take some time for you to get adjusted to the massive size of your vehicle.  Unfortunately, many RV accidents occur because the driver failed to properly account for the extra weight and size of the vehicle.  Therefore, you need to be aware of your RV’s height and to be aware of clearance levels when passing beneath overpasses, bridges and other possible obstacles.

Keeping it Properly Maintained

The last thing you want while taking a dream vacation is to have your RV breakdown.  Not only will this cut your vacation short, it is also more difficult to receive mechanical assistance when driving an RV rather than a car.  Therefore, it is important to inspect your RV thoroughly before you hit the road.  Some of the checks you should make before heading out include:

· Look for cracks in hoses and belts and make replacements as necessary
· Make certain the headlights, tail lights and turn signals are all working properly
· Check the air pressure on the tires and make certain the tires have an ample amount of tread depth
· Make sure your towing or hitch equipment is working properly
· Test smoke alarms and check fire extinguishers
· Clean your vent hood in order to prevent grease fires when cooking

Despite taking all of these precautions, it is still possible to break down while on the road.  Therefore, be sure to carry a cell phone with you as well as a list of emergency numbers you can call if you break down.  You should also provide someone you trust with your itinerary in case of emergency.

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Avoiding Road Rage

In this economy, stress is everywhere. From loss of jobs and income to loss of retirement and stocks, people driving in the U.S. are feeling the pressure of a struggling system. This stress can cause road rage to become an even higher risk for drivers every time you get behind the wheel.

Type in ‘Road Rage’ into Google and click on the News section, and its everywhere! There has never been a time with more irritated drivers on the road than in the recent past. Take a look at some of the samples:

‘Road rage‘ attack on bus driver
Man wanted in road-rage slashing surrenders to authorities
21 Million Drivers Have Been Victims Of Road Rage In The Past Year
Johnson City man arrested for pulling gun during road rage incident
Trucker arrested in road rage incident on Interstate 83 near …
Champlin fugitive wanted in road rage death is caught
Driver arrested in road rage incident
Authorities see rise in road rage incidents
Report: Road rage incident may have led to crash in Fridley
Road-Rage-April 22, 2009

The list goes on, and that’s headlines just from today only! What can be done about road rage, or more specifically, what can you do to avoid being caught in it?

Tips for Avoiding Road Rage

1. To quote Bill Murray speaking to the groundhog while driving a stolen truck in the comedy film GroundHog Day, “Don’t Drive Angry.” Sure, that’s easy to say, but not always easy to do, because of all the other drivers who don’t have your best interest in mind. So how do you avoid anger while driving? One suggestion is to pull over, stop the car, get out and count to 10. Or 20. Think about what it is that’s causing the anger, and try to breathe and relax. Being angry while driving can quickly escalate to Road Rage if you’re not careful. Do you find yourself getting angry at home, and work, as well as behind the wheel? You may need to speak with a doctor or therapist about what’s really behind the anger problem.

2. Music can Soothe the Angry Beast. Feeling like tailgating and cutting people off? If you’re rocking out or rapping with style, you may try a bold switch to soothing music, like jazz or classical music to change the mood in your car. Or if you haven’t had your tunes crankin’, you may need to flip the radio on and find your favorite song to take your mind off the stress of driving. Just don’t take your hands off the wheel!

3. Plan Ahead. Simply stated, most people who drive a lot have some kind of commute in their day. Want to avoid the rush and therefore, the rage? Check google maps before you leave work or home to see where the traffic clogs are, so you can avoid them and the stress. Change your schedule, leave 20 minutes early, or just be patient so being ‘late’ won’t be an option. Everyone on the road is trying to get somewhere, and avoiding that rush feeling will help eliminate the urge to get angry while driving.

4. Don’t Engage the Anger. It takes two to tango, as they say, and if you’ve found yourself cut off or worse, only you can stop the rage that could ultimately lead to an accident or worse. Remember: no one can make you angry if you choose not to respond. Don’t engage a person who wants to ‘fight’ on the road, use self control to ignore or leave the situation. Take the next exit, slow down or simply ignore an angry driver could save you from serious stress.

Don’t become another headline! Drive safe, stay buckled, and avoid road rage while driving today.

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1. Calming food (avoid the gas station junk)

2. Singing, playing ‘I Spy’ type games

3. Keep the windows down and the fresh air in the vehicle

Read the entire helpful article here: Survival Kit Created To Keep Kids Calm In The Car

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Lock It Down

There are several different ways that you can put your motorcycle on “lock down” so it is more difficult for a thief to steal. First, you should always be certain to keep the ignition locked so the thief will be unable to get the bike started. In addition, you should consider anchoring your motorcycle with a chain to a fixed object or even to another motorcycle if you are riding with a friend. When using a chain, you can further increase the security by stringing the chain through the bike frame rather than the wheels because wheels can be easily removed.

Choose the Right Location to Park

If you are parking your motorcycle at home and you don’t have a garage to put your bike into, it is good idea to keep it covered. This way, it will be less likely to grab a thief’s attention and become a target. You can help to further draw attention away from your bike by avoiding covers with the name brand of the bike on them. When out riding, on the other hand, be certain to always park your bike in an area that is well lit. This way, it will be more difficult for a thief to disturb your bike without being noticed.

You can also avoid becoming a target by varying your driving routines so it is more difficult to follow you or to identify the best time and place for stealing your bike. Of course, if your bike is stolen, be certain to contact the police as well as your insurance company right away. This way, you will have a better chance of recovering your bike and receiving the compensation you are entitled to receive.

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