Staying AWAKE Behind the Wheel

Hey, Fans.  Here at the dealership, we make your well being a huge factor.  By creating and maintaining a safe environment for you, we give you the chance to feel comfortable in coming to see us for a vehicle.  Any questions regarding vehicle maintenance and safety can be answered quickly and efficiently.  We wish we could be with you every step of the way after your purchase, but we know that most commutes occur alone.  That’s why we’ve compiled some details of staying awake behind the wheel.  We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one. 

         Get a Good Night’s Sleep! – Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good driving habits.  Eight hours is the usual requirement, but almost a third of adults receive less than 6.

         Learn and Heed Warning Signs of Fatigue – experiencing wandering thoughts? Yawning repeatedly? Find yourself dosing off periodically?  Take a break and re-adjust yourself.

         Drive with a Passenger – if you can, have someone accompany you on the drive home.  That way, you can engage in conversation and avoid dosing off. 

         Schedule a Break – on long trips, every 2 hours or every 100 miles, take a break to stretch and catch your bearings before you continue to your destination.

Feel free to add your own tips!

Hey, Fans.  Here at the dealership, we make your well being a huge factor.  By creating and maintaining a safe environment for you, we give you the chance to feel comfortable in coming to see us for a vehicle.  Any questions regarding vehicle maintenance and safety can be answered quickly and efficiently.  We wish we could be with you every step of the way after your purchase, but we know that most commutes occur alone.  That’s why we’ve compiled some details of staying awake behind the wheel.  We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one. 

   1.  Get a Good Night’s Sleep! – Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good driving habits.  Eight hours is the usual requirement, but almost a third of adults receive less than 6.

     2.    Learn and Heed Warning Signs of Fatigue – experiencing wandering thoughts? Yawning repeatedly? Find yourself dosing off periodically?  Take a break and re-adjust yourself.

         3.    Drive with a Passenger – if you can, have someone accompany you on the drive home.  That way, you can engage in conversation and avoid dosing off. 

       4.    Schedule a Break – on long trips, every 2 hours or every 100 miles, take a break to stretch and catch your bearings before you continue to your destination.

Feel free to add your own tips!

We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one.  

7 Facts About Texting That Can Save a Life

Multitasking has increased in the last few years to astronomical heights.  With one hand and a smartphone you can watch a YouTube video, send an email, play a game, voice chat and place a call in a five-minute span.  However, with much power comes much responsibility because NOW that we have this access 24-7, it has carried over into our driving habits. 

For some time, researchers have been telling us to focus only on driving, quoting a greatly increased chance of accident, injury and death when we distractedly call a friend or answer a ringing cell phone.

Now, new research has revealed the most dangerous driver distraction of all: texting.

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, along with prior studies by Liberty Mutual Insurance and state-funded organizations located online, reveals the shocking statistics of texting behind the wheel:

• ·      Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving.
• ·      Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.
• ·      In the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spend nearly five seconds looking at their mobile devices—enough time at typical highway speeds to cover more area than the length of a football field.
• ·      Though 95 percent of drivers surveyed said texting behind the wheel was unacceptable and unsafe, at least 21 percent admit to doing it anyway.
• ·      Especially amongst teens, texting results in erratic driving behavior, like lane weaving and speeding up and down, increasing the likelihood of hurting pedestrians and running into other vehicles.
• ·      Texting behind the wheel is generational: 37 percent of drivers 18 to 27 admit to texting while driving, compared to 14 percent of 28 to 44 year olds, and 2 percent of 45 to 60 year olds.
• ·      An accident can happen in two to three seconds while texting.

Annual Summer Maintenance Checklist

Summertime is here!  Small children are parading the streets with a sense of pride and enjoyment, parents are scrambling to avoid the heat by hibernating near air-conditions and consumers nationwide are looking forward to the faint smell of charred BBQ.  This summer, we’re running down our checklist of car maintenance tips for our customers.  In today’s blog, you’ll find a quick list of services we can provide that will help you maintain the life of your vehicle and ensure a smooth summer this year. 

Radiator Flush – Coolant is important to your radiator and should be replaced accordingly. 

Replace Air Filter – This should be replaced twice a year.  It only takes us a few to complete the change.

Tire Check – summer traveling IS the rainy season.  Try and make sure that your tires are up to snuff.  Ask us about the tire pressure and we can provide a thorough breakdown.

Replace Wipers – When’s the last time you replaced your wipers? This is important for wavering summer rain.

Inspect Your Brakes - It's a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is up t snuff. Car safety should always be a top priority. Go ahead and check your brake fluid while you're at it.

Check Your Battery – Corrosion buildup can happen quickly.  Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you’ll have no starting problems.

Come in today for a maintenance check and we’ll be happy to help!!!

12 tips you should know before driving in another country

While we love to travel preparing for our trip should include transportation and not everyone wants to take the bus tours.  So it makes perfect sense to do your homework before renting a car or even taking the company car when driving in other countries.  These tips should be helpful and prevent you from being served a fine or even being tossed in jail. 

The following are some tips on driving in other countries:

·      Check to see if the rental car takes diesel or gas (this can be a costly mistake if you use the wrong one)

·      Create a travel file with proper documentation

·      Find out if you need an IDP or International Driving Permit (this is used with your valid drivers license

·      Some countries require a Test Pass Certificate

·      Most countries you must be over 18 to drive

·      Research the rules on Drinking and Driving (some laws prevent you from having a drop of alcohol)

·      Find out if the police are allowed to collect on the spot fees

·      When getting insurance coverage double check to prevent paying for additional coverage that maybe covered by your credit card

·      Before driving off check for the original vehicle registration

·      You may also need to carry a Vehicle on Hire Certificate

·      Be sure to check for any additional safety equipment and requirements. (In Germany you need to carry a Warning Triangle and in Italy you need to have a Drivers Safety Vest)

·      Even if you are allowed to use your company car, ask for a letter of authorization to be given to you.  This letter must come from the registered party

These are just a few items to be aware of if you travel.  It always makes sense to prepare ahead of time and to know that the old saying goes “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. 

For more information contact Bernardi Honda of Brockton.

The Dangers of Texting and Driving (2013 Edition)

You’ve heard it all before.  Texting and driving should not mix.  We’ve all been ridiculed and yelled at for checking our phones in the HOV lane, dashing passed a red light while flicking our phone and having full blown conversations via MMS.  Texting and driving is DEADLY.  This isn’t a filtered blog with soft-spoken words, it’s a PSA for those who drive while browsing and texting on their phones.  We’re providing some scary facts on WHY LOL can lead to RIP.  Please be safe out there, fans! We care about ‘ya!

• In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cellphones.  That’s 1.3 million crashes.
• Five seconds is the average amount of time your attention is taken away from the road.  So, if you’re traveling at 55 mph, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.
• 77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.
• 55% of young adults claim it’s easy to text while they drive.
• Teens who text while driving spend 10% of their driving time outside of their lane
• 48% of young drivers have seen their parents drive while talking on a cell phone.
• 1 in 5 drivers of all ages confess to surfing the web while driving.
• Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving.
• Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.

Drive safely!