All In A Days Work

I have to admit, when I was younger and really up until about 10-12 years ago, I would get super frustrated when I was on the interstate behind a semi truck. I never understood why “they wouldn’t just speed up” or why their trailer was all over the road. But I also never understood why people will cut right in front of a big rig getting over into a lane without thought of how that 70,000 pound vehicle might not be able to stop, or why people would just drive in a lane next to a semi in their blind spot.

As some of you may know, my husband is a truck driver and I’ve road with him a few times. I’ve learned a lot about how it is for them on the road, and how we as drivers need to be more respectful of truckers on the road – for more than one reason.

This post is sponsored by Reedman Toll Chevy.

Trucks Can’t Stop on a Dime. There’s that old saying , and it rings true. If you cut in front of a semi truck in traffic or just going down the road and you are frustrated with them for going slow – just don’t! Trucks have a lot of weight behind them and they don’t stop as quickly as a car does. Being a few minutes early (if even that) isn’t worth your life – or theirs.

Stopping Riding Their Butts. Did you know most semi trucks are speed regulated? Literally they cannot go past a particular speed. So if they are going up a hill, or dealing with trying to pass another slow truck, give them space. Most will get right over once they pass, or get up the hill. But stay off their butts  – if they do have to stop and you aren’t paying attention, things could get ugly fast.

Speaking of Distractions. Overall a rule for the road needs to be to stay focused on the road – stay off you cell phone, don’t be putting on make-up, or reading something, or worse going down the road. (And YES, I’ve about seen it all!) If you run into the tail end of a semi truck, odds are you won’t make it out alive. It is not a trucks fault if you are not paying attention, but it could be a deadly mistake for you as a driver.

Watch Wide Turns. When a truck needs to turn, they need a lot of space. You should pay attention to their turn signals to see where they are planning on turning and stay out of their way! As a rule don’t pass any truck as its turning in any direction. Being 14 feet high and weighing over 40 tons, trucks can easily topple over and roll right on top of a smaller vehicle. Keep this in mind too, when trucks are coming towards you at an intersection. Be sure to stop behind the lines, because if you are beyond it your vehicle could be in the way and you could get hit.

Move on By. Don’t stay directly behind, in front of , or next to a semi. (unless you can’t help it at all, like in a traffic jam). Most likely if you are in any of these spots the trucker cannot see you!

They are Just Trying to Do Their Jobs. Most truck drivers aren’t like the truckers you see on T.V. or in the movies. They are on the road to provide the best life for their family, often staying out weeks and months at a time. They have a lot riding on them – not only taking care of their families, but getting to their destination with their trailers full of products safely. They just want to get home like you do – give them some respect.

Motorcycles

Yes we have one of these too – and I am shocked at how many people ride the butts of people on bikes. Or who turn out in front of them! So many people have generally no regard for motorcyclist and though your life might not be as in much danger – their lives are.

Give them Space. If you get behind a bike on the road, give them a lot more space than you would another vehicle. Though it may be a minor fender bender if you would hit another car, you could cost someone their life by bumping a motorcycle when you are going 25-35 mph. They also may need to stop in a hurry because of vehicles in front of them, so giving yourself extra room to stop to avoid an accident is a great way to give them space.

Stay off Your Phones! Same way with the semi’s, but with a bit more danger. I cannot tell you the amount of times a car has passed us, and went into our lane that have been on their phones! Being on the back of a bike I CAN SEE IT! We have to be on high alert, and we know when you are distracted. Whatever is going on on your smartphone is not worth anybody’s life!

Give Them Time to Turn. Turning off on a road or exit is a bit more of a challenge on two wheels than on four. Bikes will turn corners at a lot slower of a speed than a car, so make sure that you are giving them time (and space) to make the corner safely.  Debris on the road such as gravel, or grass can also be extremely dangerous for a biker and you need to give them time and space to cross it safely.

Listen and Watch. Driving down the road and switching lanes is probably like second nature to most drivers – but sometimes you are so comfortable with the process that you aren’t cautious. Bikes can be in blind spots just like you can be in a blind spot for a big rig, and you need to do a double take when switching lanes, or turning.

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are all the rage – it can be a great way to make some extra money if you are a driver – and also a great way to get where you need to go as a passenger. With the popularity of these apps sometimes we forget that we still need to take some basic safety precautions. Here’s what you need to know to make it a pleasant ridesharing experience for both drivers and passengers:

This post is sponsored by Reedman Toll Nissan of Drexelhill.

Tips for Drivers:
Being a driver can be just as dangerous (if not more so) than a passenger. Essentially you are allowing a stranger to get into your personal vehicle with no knowledge about them whatsoever. You are not only putting your self at risk, but your vehicle as well. So there are a few tips you can follow to be a bit more cautious as you are out there trying to make some extra money.
Watch Where You Park. Sometimes your passenger can be standing at a very busy intersection, or corner. Instead of picking them up directly where they stand it is OK to let them walk a few steps. Be sure that you are out of the way of traffic and in a safe spot – also be sure not to park over a crosswalk or emergency lane area.
Assess Passengers Before they Get In. As a driver you do have an option to decline a passenger a ride if you don’t feel safe. Compromising your safety isn’t worth the possible extra few bucks, or even customer satisfaction rating. You must always chose your safety over money making, or upsetting someone.
Be Cautious of Your Hours and Your Neighborhoods. The great thing about the ridesharing app as a driver is you get to pick what hours you work, and where you will go. You can avoid driving late night or early morning hours, and even avoid certain neighborhoods or areas that have a higher crime rate. You can use crime-mapping apps and websites to get an idea of how safe a neighborhood is, and if you aren’t comfortable with a certain area – then you decline and wait to accept a ride in an area you are more comfortable with. I know of people who even won’t drive passengers on the interstate and prefer to stay in the city and suburbs. That’s what is awesome – you get to chose what is right for you and what makes you feel safe.
Get a Dash Cam. Dash cam’s have a lot of useful functions. First off, just having one can discourage a rowdy passenger from acting out, or someone trying to harm you or rob you. Also, if you have a cam you have proof and footage of anything that happens in your vehicle, in case a lawsuit or accident/ticket would arise.

Tips for Passengers: Being a passenger in a rideshare vehicle can be dangerous as well – especially for women. You need to always be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to the ‘star’ rating on your drivers when you pull them up on your app. I personally won’t take a ride from a driver who hasn’t been around for awhile if I’m alone; it’s just too much of a risk, and makes me nervous. Though you always need to be cautious, there are ways that you can be safe when getting a ride.
Make sure it’s the right car. Sounds pretty simple, but if you’ve been drinking ,or if there is a large group of people all leaving and ubering or whatever at the same time, you could see multiple cars there to pick up people – it would be very easy to get in the wrong car – or God forbid, even someone’s vehicle who was pretending to be your rideshare driver! Be sure to confirm car model, color, license plate number and even the driver’s picture on your app before getting in.
Leave early if you feel uncomfortable. If you start to get an odd feeling, you want to go ahead and get out as soon as possible. BEFORE you reach your destination. Pick a safe spot (preferably a busy place) and then call a friend, or family member – or even another rideshare driver. Also always make sure that you have your phone charged and some type of cash with you whenever you travel in a rideshare vehicle (or really anytime you travel).
Ride in the backseat. Though most ridesharing companies do require criminal background checks, it’s always a good idea to avoid any awkward situations. There’s always a chance you could get a driver that is acting in an inappropriate way, and it’s a lot easier to get out if you sit in the backseat than the front.
Use common sense. Just be smart – most ridesharing drivers are good people just looking to make some extra money, and it can be a great way to get to know new people (I have quite a few stories I’ve heard from my Uber drivers). Just keep these safety tips in mind, and enjoy the ride!

I have tried many a window cleaners – like a lot. Many have made a lot of promises for streak free sparkling windows, but the best cleaner I have tried is made up of my own concoction. A simple mixture of vinegar, ammonia and cornstarch.

This post is sponsored by Reedman Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jenkintown.

Here’s what you need for streak free windows:

• Cornstarch: (cornstarch helps prevent streaking).
• Ammonia: (ammonia helps remove grease and fingerprints).
• White Vinegar: (white vinegar is helpful and removing water spots).
• Warn water
• Clean bucket
• Spray bottle
• Lint free cloth

Create the solution: in the bucket mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch , 1/2 cup of ammonia, and a 1/2 cup of white vinegar along with 3-4 liters of warm water. Pour the finished mixture into a spray bottle.

Apply to car windows: spray the mixture onto your car window (it will be quite a milky texture).

Wipe, rinse and dry: wipe the window with warm water to rinse; then rub with the lint-free cloth (or even a paper towel). It’s best to avoid washing windows when you are in direct sunlight because the cleaning mixture may dry too quickly and could leave streaks. Try wiping the windows using an up and down stroke on one side, and side to side stroke on the other side so you can see if you’ve “missed” any area.

You can also use cornstarch to help deodorize your car – sprinkle it on the fabric seats, carpet and mats and let it sit for about 30 minutes or so, and then vacuum it up!