Traveling for the Holidays? Driving Laws You Need to Know

There are basic rules of driving that are the same for all 50 states – like we all drive on the right side of the road, and we are all *supposed* to obey the speed limits. BUT there are differences among states, and when you are traveling it is very important to know the laws in the states you will be driving through (like did you know, many states can actually take your license from you even for a minor traffic violation if you are from another state?!).

FindLaw’s State Traffic Laws provide information about the traffic laws and driving rules in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It includes information like statutes for common traffic violations, and state specific driving manuals.

 

Laws in All States

There are driving laws that are  common in all states – like requiring a valid driver’s license, registration and insurance. Of course also you are not supposed to speed, run red lights, leave the scene of an accident, or drive under the influence.

 

Distracted Driving

Hand held cell phone use is prohibited in 15 states including D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, which means an officer can ticket you for using a hand-held cell phone – and that reason only.

There are some states that ban ALL cell phone use (like California) but 38 other states just ban cellphone use completely  for young drivers.

Text messaging is banned in about 47 states now – even if you are just ‘tying in a number” to call, or an ‘address’ to pull up on the GPS system on your phone. (Plus it’s just not safe, whether it’s legal or not, and you put not only your own life in your hands -literally -but others as well, so just don’t do it).

Your best bet is to keep your phone put away, or in a dash holder and use bluetooth to keep yourself

 

Vehicle Maintenance

From tire pressure, to headlights being out, brakes, cracked windshields and more, some states can give you a citation for not keeping up with the maintenance on your vehicle – be sure to visit your local dealership like East Hills Subaru to make sure your vehicle is road trip ready.

 

Car Seats/Infant Seats

Different states have different laws as far as what age your child can be out of a car/booster seat, and also which way the infant seat is facing (front or back) up to what age/weight. They assume it is your job to know these laws before you drive through these states, so it’s very important to check the laws before traveling.

 

 

 

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Why The Chrysler Pacifica Isn’t Your Typical Minivan

My first ‘soccer Mom” vehicle was a Chrysler Pacifica crossover. I never really wanted the whole soccer-Mom van, but with 3 kids and all of them in some type of extra curricular activities – well, it was needed. When I found the Pacifica I fell in LOVE.

Though the Pacifica is no longer a crossover- but a minivan, it still holds the same appeal as it did before – and maybe even more. It still has the sleek sporty appeal it did as a crossover, just more to love.

Besides the amazing features that make driving just more enjoyable, my favorite features on the Pacifica are the safety features -they are par to none.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

The ABS brakes automatically sense when a tire has stopped rotating under extreme braking and will modulate the brake pressure so the tire can rotate which helps increase the vehicles ability to turn while braking.


STABILITY CONTROL

Stability control senses automatically when a vehicle is having issues handling – or limits have been exceeded – so it reduces engine power and/or applies brakes to help prevent you from losing control.

 

FRONT-IMPACT AIRBAGS

Front impact airbags for both the driver and passengers are designed to protect the head during any type of frontal crash.

SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS

Side airbags in the front seats are designed to protect the torso if there is a side impact collision. I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear that this is starting to be an standard inclusion in the auto industry.

 

OVERHEAD AIRBAGS

Overhead airbags though seem excessive, are there to protect the occupant’s heads in the event of a side collision or rollover.

KNEE AIRBAGS

 

Knee airbags help protect lower extremities from serious injury – which is actually one of the most common injuries in an auto accident.

 

PRETENSIONERS

The pretensioners automatically tighten seatbelts to keep the occupant in the most optimal seating position during a collision.

 

SECURITY SYSTEM

 

The Pacifica is also equipped with an ignition disable device that will prevent the engine from starting if the correct original manufacturer key is not used – which cuts down on car theft.

 

 

Visit your local dealership like East Hills Chrysler Jeep for a test drive and find out for yourself how awesome the new Pacifica is!

 

 

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Using Lasers to Tighten Your Skin and Make it Look Better

Laser devices have long been used in the skincare industry for many different purposes. Among those purposes are tightening up the skin and removing imperfections through encouraging natural restorative processes within the body. If you want to try using lasers to make your skin better, making a laser appointment is easy because clinics offering such services are everywhere. However, you should prepare yourself by learning what lasers have to offer before you book an appointment.

Lasers Offer Less Expensive Solutions as Opposed to Surgical Procedures

There are several benefits of using lasers to tighten or otherwise revitalize your skin. One of the most obvious benefits in the cost break. If you were to have surgery to tighten your skin you would pay an astronomical amount of money, but laser procedures can often be performed for only a few hundred dollars. Although, you must prepare for the fact that you are likely to need a series of laser procedures in order to significantly improve your skin health.

 

Lasers Treat Many Different Skin Concerns

Another reason why lasers are so prevalent in the skincare industry is that they can treat a variety of issues. For example, there’s tattoo removal equipment as well as lasers for resurfacing the skin and other lasers which work by generally encouraging the production of healthy cellular building blocks like collagen within the body. The latter are among the lasers most commonly used to treat patients with wrinkle concerns.

 

How Lasers Can Tighten Your Skin Cells

Lasers may seem magical, but there is science behind the magic. The lasers heat up the skin cells, causing the collagen that helps to hold them together to contract over time. Also, over time your body will start to make more collagen, as well as other proteins and defensive components to repair any minor damage caused by the lasers. At the same cells which were damaged in the past will be repaired, leaving you better off than you were prior to your laser skin tightening appointment.

 

Calculating Exact Laser Skin Tightening Costs

Calculating the exact costs involved with laser skin tightening can be difficult. How much you will spend will depend on the size of the treatment area and how many laser sessions you choose to have. Each clinic also sets its own prices for procedures. Typically, costs are higher in heavily populated cities. However, in general you can expect to spend as little as $500 or as much as $3,500 per laser treatment session.

 

Verifying Your Candidacy for Laser Skin Tightening

In order to be a candidate for laser skin tightening you must meet certain criteria. First of all, your skin wrinkles must be mild to moderate. Lasers cannot correct severe skin sags, even over multiple sessions. If you suffer from severe sagging you may require surgical intervention instead.

 

Another factor which can influence your candidacy for laser skin tightening is the type of skin you have. For instance, your clinician may recommend against the procedure if your skin is too oily because you will be at high risk for burns caused when the laser beam interacts with your excessively oily skin.

 

All such concerns regarding whether or not you are a candidate for laser skin tightening can be discussed during a consultation appointment at your local skincare clinic. If it is deemed a good idea for you to have your skin tightened with lasers then you will also learn the particulars of the procedure and the expected costs at the consultation appointment. You will be able to ask any additional questions you have about the process before having your skin tightened as well.

 

 

 

 

 

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Myrtle Beach MUST SEE Attractions – SERIOUSLY, YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

When you think of a trip to the beach you think of laying in the sun, searching for shells in the sand, braving the waves, and moonlight walks down the beach – at least that’s what I do. I planned on enjoying ALL of that on my recent trip to Myrtle Beach, but I didn’t realize all the other fun, MUST SEE attractions that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

First off, how I never heard of TIGERS Myrtle Beach Safari before this trip I will never know. But it was the most AMAZING adventure I think I’ve ever been on , and it’s on my bucket list to take my kids before they are grown! If you do nothing else on your trip to the beach (besides the beach) this is a MUST DO!

If you are a Napoleon Dynamite fan – you know ALL about the infamous liger – well guess what? I GOT TO SEE ONE! (That baby is HUGE!)

We also got to get up close and personal with a lot of animals that most of us only dream about touching and seeing so up close. This amazing adventure is definitely a once in a lifetime type of experience. They offer day experiences, and they even now have a night time

You will want to schedule in advance since their tour does fill up  – and plan on spending the whole day there – hey, and they even feed you lunch! You have an option to get the photo package (which I highly recommend) so that you have the photo memories to share with your friends and family.

There’s also a great Ripley’s Aquarium that was amazing – they have hands on experiences with the stingray (I absolutely love that places are offering hands on experiences that we never had as kids!)

They even offer – a dive with the sharks!

I never realized there was so much more to enjoy at Myrtle Beach than the Beach. I learned so much this trip, not only about what Myrtle Beach has to offer, but how much I enjoy the hands-on and up close adventures with all these beautiful creatures. I think maybe an African Safari may be in my future!

 

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Why a Routine Car Maintenance Schedule is Important for the Life of Your Vehicle

A car maintenance schedule is very important to the life of your vehicle – it’s like your cars regular doctor appointments. Making sure to have regular preventive maintenance is one thing you can do as a car owner to keep your vehicle running and save money on repairs in the future.

Most car owners don’t even realize what their vehicle is lacking – a recent survey showed that

  • 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil
  • 13% had low or contaminated brake fluid.
  • 18% had dirty air filters.
  • 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels.
  • 16% needed new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid.
  • 18% needed new belts

Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of at least one service or repair. These were people who thought they were doing everything they needed to do to keep their vehicles in the best condition possible – but they were missing a few key steps.


Infograph courtesy of CarCare.org

Read Your Owners Manual
I understand if you aren’t a instructions reader – I usually just dive in to a project too, but you need to pay attention to your owner’s manual. No matter what type of vehicle you drive your regular maintenance schedule is in it – you can find out when the recommended time to change your oil is (it’s different for different cars) , your air filters, driving belts, etc. You will even find out if you are putting the right gas in! There is a ton of information in that book, and all of it is for the benefit of keeping your vehicle in tip top shape.

Check the Fluids
Even if you don’t know how – learn how. It’s very important to check the fluids regularly – not just when you take your vehicle in for an oil change or other routine maintenance. You should check the level of your antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid weekly – a good time to do that is when you fill up your gas tank. Even if your car isn’t leaking fluids one time, it can be the next.  If you’re running low, add more (if you can) or get it changed. Most importantly, never ignore a leak.

 

Change the Oil Regularly
I can’t stress how important this step is – this is one of the most important. Not only will it improve your gas mileage but it will protect your engine. Also be sure to change the oil filter at the same time. If you are like me, you don’t like to do these things yourself. One it’s just a bit too messy, and two, I’m just a bit too busy. That’s why I take it to a trusted dealership service center, like Atlantic Toyota . 

Check Your Brakes
Make sure not to let your brakes wear down to the metal! That gets expensive and can cause other issues as well –  also wearing down to the metal can damage your brake rotors and possibly your calipers as well. Rotors and calipers are much more expensive to replace than pads.

Tire Check
Rotate Your Tires. Rotating your tires is very important – it reduces uneven wear and tear on the tread and helps extent the life of the tires. It’s recommended to rotate your tires about twice a year or every 6,000 – 7,500 miles.
Tire Pressure.  Did you know that under inflated tires can reduce the life of your tire by 15%? It also can decrease your gas mileage as well. Inflating tires is super easy to do, and you can check them while you are the gaas station as well. I recommend doing that just like when you check your fluids – each gas fill up (or at least every other).

Alignment
If you start to notice that your car is getting a little shaky while driving, you may want to get an alignment. Keeping the alignment ‘on track’ will help extend the life of your tires and also keep you safe!

 

 

 

 

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