411 PAIN - Thanksgiving Travel Time 2012

Once again it's that time of year when millions of Americans hit the road for a Thanksgiving feast with family and friends.

According to AAA, 90% of Thanksgiving travelers, or about 43 million people, will choose to drive this year drive as opposed to 7% who choose to fly. The average traveling distance will be 588 miles.
That means a lot of extra people on the roads for an extra long time.
And that's why it's a time to be extra cautious.

It's easy to be eager and excited to be on a road trip, and it's easy to lose your temper in major traffic. Be patient.

Be sure to focus all your attention on the road! This means, let someone else answer that call or text.
Let another passenger entertain the kids. Likewise for switching the radio station, passing out goodies, or referring to a map or gps system. Remember, distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents!

If you don't already have one, now would be a good time to stock your car with emergency supplies such as first aid kit, extra blankets, a flashlight and basic tools.

Also always have extra water and snacks on hand for each person in the car.

It's a good idea to give your car a check before you go - check your oil, tire pressure, wiper fluid and of course that your gas tank is full and everything is working correctly.

It's best to split the driving chores. Stop every two to three hours to refuel, stretch your legs and, if possible, switch drivers.

Make sure to wear your seat belt, don't drink and drive and always be on the lookout for signs of drunk drivers on the road such as swerving or aggressive maneuvers.

But most of all, enjoy your trip!

Everyone at 411 PAIN wishes you a happy healthy and SAFE Thanksgiving!

411 PAIN - Wet Weather Driving Safety Tips

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, 411 Pain offers the following safety tips for driving on wet roads, in rain and flooding. In wet weather it becomes crtical to slow down! Roads are slippery, even if they don't look dangerous. Follow at a far enough distance ,about 5 car lengths, since tires have less traction and brakes are slower to work in wet conditions. Also make sure to keep extra distance between you and large trucks or busses - the spray from such large tires will obstruct your view. Remember to turn on your headlights. Even if it's light enough for you to see, it helps others to see you! Turn on the defogger to clear your windows. When it's humid and the temperature outside is colder than the inside, your windows will start to fog up. Remember that the roads are most slippery when it first starts to rain, especially if it hasn't rained in a while. The road has a build up of engine oil and grease that becomes very slick when mixed with rain. Eventually it will wash away, but be extra careful at first even though it might seem safe. When driving through puddles, go slow and steady, no more than 30mph. This way you avoid having to break while your tires are in the water. If the puddle comes up past the bottom of your doors, don't proceed! You may get stuck and deep water can wreak havock with a car's electrical system. After driving through a puddle, lightly tap your breaks to help dry them. Wipers and tire treads are of utmost importance in wet conditions. Change your wiper blades at least once a year and periodically check the tread on your tires, ultimitely about every two weeks. 411 PAIN, the leader in road safety awareness, wishes a safe and speedy recovery to all those affected by the storm and, as always, safe driving to all!