Summer Road Trip – Hudson Valley Region and Beyond

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checklistVehicle Check List, just prior to trip

  • Check all fluid levels
  • Check tire pressure, including spare
  • Check exterior lights, including signals and hazard lights
  • Check wipers and wiper operation
  • Check windshield washer operation
  • Top off washer fluid
  • Fill fuel tank
  • Clean car, inside and exterior
  • Trip information
  • School information

 What to carry in your car

  • Cell phone and charger
  • Road side assistance card
  • Bottle of washer solvent
  • Flashlight
  • Blanket
  • Drinking water and snacks
  • Road flares
  • Small shovel
  • Kitty litter (used for traction of snow, mud, ice)
  • Jumper cables or battery pack (used to jump start dead battery)
  • Gloves, shop rags
  • Flat tire sealant
  • First aid kit
  • Tire gauge
  • Small fire extinguisher
  • Disposable camera (or cell phone with camera)
  • Pen or pencil and paper
  • Ice scraper

Before you head out on your road trip be sure that you are prepared.

Dealing with a Flat Tire on County Roads in Putnam and Westchester County

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Important things to remember when dealing with a Flat Tire on the Roadtire

  • Don’t stop in traffic.
  • Don’t worry about damaging a flat tire by driving on it, it is probably ruined anyway.
  • Get your vehicle completely away from the roadway before attempting to change a tire.
  • Tackle changing a tire only if you can do so without placing yourself in danger. It may be better to call for help from a professional. Every driver needs to have emergency contact phone numbers and a road side assistance plan.
  • Finally, it is recommended that you have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle after having a flat tire to be sure there is no residual damage from the bad tire or the aftermath of the flat.

How To Handle Road Emergency Situations driving on County Roads in Putnam and Westchester County

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Tire blow-out - Engine stalls - Transmission failure - Breakdowns

 

Emergency-Road-Service-Saves-Time-and-Money

Eventually all of us will encounter an emergency situation while traveling on the road, which can be potentially dangerous. Maintaining your composure and following a few basic procedures will get your through the situation safely. Whether it’s a tire blow-out, engine stall or other major malfunction, you will need to follow a basic guideline.

Below is a check list of tips to follow:

  • At the first sign of tire trouble, grip the steering wheel firmly.
  • Don’t apply the brakes, unless you need to in order to control the car to safety.
  • It’s better to let the car slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas pedal.
  • Work your vehicle toward the breakdown lane or, if possible, toward an exit.
  • If it is necessary to change lanes, signal your intentions to drivers behind and do so smoothly and carefully, watching your mirrors and the traffic around you very closely.
  • Steer as your vehicle slows down. It is better to roll the car off the roadway (when you have slowed to 30 miles per hour) and into a safe place than it is to stop in traffic and risk a rear-end or side collision from other vehicles.
  • When all four wheels are off the pavement—brake cautiously until you stop.
  • It’s important to have the car well off the pavement and away from traffic before stopping, even if proceeding to a place of safety means rolling along slowly with a flat tire.
  • Once off the road, turn on your emergency flashers.
  • Remember that being safe must take precedence over your schedule or whatever other concerns you may have. Therefore, it may be best to get professional help if you have a breakdown on a multi-lane highway.
  • Don’t stand behind or next to your vehicle. If possible, stand away from the vehicle and wait for help to arrive.
  • All interstate highways and major roads are patrolled regularly. Also, some highways have special “call-for-help” phones. If you have a cell phone you can call right from the roadside. It is inadvisable to walk on a multi-lane highway. However, if you can see a source of help and are able to reach it on foot, try the direct approach by walking but keeping as far from traffic as possible.

Putnam & Westchester County Odors

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An Unusual Smell Coming From My Car Vents

new-shop-photo-450Do you get a whiff of foul-smelling air when you turn on your air condition or heater?  If you do you probably have a buildup of mildew and bacteria growing inside your air conditioner/heater unit located deep inside your car’s dashboard.

The condition is caused by leaves and other organic material entering your car’s vents. When the debris decomposes and combines with moisture, the result is bacteria and mildew, along with a foul smell.

Although this problem is common to every car, if your car sits a lot, the problem can be even worse, making your car a potential nesting home for small animals.

The buildup of bacteria and mildew is also unhealthy, and may lead to respiratory issues. In addition, if you car has an air conditioner/heater filter, it may be clogged with debris. This can cause a restriction in the air flow and reduce the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner.

The fix is simple. Your auto service professional using special tools can get inside the air condition/heater unit and clean up the duct work and vents.  A special odor removal deodorizer is used which will also kill the mold and mildew, and help to prevent it from occurring again.  If you car is equipped with an air conditioner filter, it should be replaced when this service is performed.  A follow up service should be performed once a year.

 

Teen Driving – Putnam & Westchester County, New York

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Staying Safe Behind The Wheel – What factors put teen drivers at risk?

Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations.

Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next). The presence of male teenage passengers increases the likelihood of this risky driving behavior.

Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 37% were speeding at the time of the crash and 26% had been drinking.

Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2005, 10% of high school students reported they rarely or never wear seat belts when riding with someone else.

Male high school students (12.5%) were more likely than female students (7.8%) to rarely or never wear seat belts.

In 2008, 25% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 g/dl or higher.

In a national survey conducted in 2007, nearly three out of ten teens reported that, within the previous month, they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. One in ten reported having driven after drinking alcohol within the same one-month period.

In 2008, nearly three out of every four teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving were not wearing a seat belt.

In 2008, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight and 56% occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

The good news… All this is preventable. Staying safe behind the wheel of a car starts with the driver. Yes, you need to have a well-maintained car, but ultimately we all have a responsibility behind the wheel, not only to ourselves but for others on the road and to passengers.