A Brief History of Anti-Lock Braking Systems

The Statue of Liberty is not the only world renowned object designed by the French.

Anti-lock braking systems, also known as ABS, were also designed by the French for aircraft around 1929. Before they put anti-lock braking systems on cars, if the road was slick and you slammed on your brakes, your wheels would lock up and you would skid out of control. So drivers would pump their brakes to create traction in a skid. Anti-lock braking systems pump the brakes for you. That’s what that vibrating and hammering feeling is in the brakes where it feels like the brake is slipping. Now, when you apply your brakes, rather than locking up, they still rotate, but they rotate at intervals. Because the brake is gripping the wheel at intervals, i.e. it is pumping the brake. So, when the road is slick, you no longer need to pump the brake. Rather, you only need to apply steady pressure and hold down the brake, while it gives you a nice, relaxing foot massage.

How Do Anti-Lock Brakes Work?

So, there is no need to pump the brakes anymore. In a car with ABS, the wheels should never lock in the first place, so pumping the brakes will just make you take longer to stop. They prevent wheels from locking up on slippery surfaces. So, all-in-all, better traction and better steering control are the main attributes to ABS.  An ABS does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance, but does allow you to keep control of your steering allowing you to have better control over your vehicle.

So, while the Statue of Liberty, French bread, French fries and French toast are all very important contributions to society as well as history, and the French maid is arguably the most noted costume at any party, the Anti-lock braking system is their greatest contribution of them all.

How To Apply Anti-Lock Brakes

• Press and hold the brake, you will feel the petal vibrating, don’t pump the brakes, just steer your car to safety.
• Keep your tires filled with the proper air pressure and make sure you have adequate tread.
• Allow enough space to stop.  Use the 3 second rule and if there are bad conditions increase the seconds appropriately.

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What to do in a hail storm

http://www.comedydefensivedriving.com/texas/ This video tip will let you know what to do when an emergency situation occurs while you are driving. Hail storms can cause severe damage to your car and can even harm you if you get caught off guard. Watch the whole series of short tips! Also, feel free to share the videos as well if you want, the more people to learn about this the better!

Have you ever been curious about the way hail is formed? Hail formation requires the perfect environment of strong, upward sweeping motions or currents of air. Each time the hail formation is swept up through the clouds, another layer or concentric ring is added to it. This happens over and over again until the formation is heavier than the wind is strong and it falls to the earth.

Another thing that I find interesting is that hail is usually described as the size of a sports ball, while tumors are usually described as the size of a breakfast fruit…just an observation.

Tips for driving in a hail storm

• Keep your radio tuned in to a weather channel.

• Be sure to use your headlights. Most states require you use them in rain anyway.

• Slow down. Call your boss or whomever you are trying to impress and tell them you are going to be delayed by weather. Tell them how hard you will be to replace!

• Allow extra breaking distance between you and the car ahead of you (use a 6 second rule for wet weather or a 9 second rule for icy weather).

• Move your car to a covered area and sit there until the weather alert has ended. A parking garage would be ideal as hail tends to bounce back up after hitting the ground at such a high speed and may bounce into your direction.

• If you stop, keep your seat belt on and put on your hazard lights. If pulling over to the shoulder of a freeway, put your signal light on instead, as if you are planning to re-enter the freeway.

• Whatever you do, if you stop under an overpass, pull onto the shoulder, do not stop in the traffic lane. Otherwise, people will think that you have already been hit in the head by the hail.

• Be extra careful in intersections for people who may not be able to stop.

• Be careful stopping or driving near power lines that may be weighed down with ice.

If you practice these recommendations when driving in bad weather, you’ll make it safer for you and everyone around you. And remember, if there is the slightest warning of approaching hail or any other kind of inclement weather, don’t drive unless it is absolutely necessary.

Until next week…keep your car and your head wrinkle-free.

Daun Thompson

Driving In Bad Weather – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Hand Signals for Bicycles:

• Stop – Extend the left hand and arm downward
• Left Turn – Extend the left hand and arm horizontally
• Right Turn – Extend the left hand and arm upward, or extend the right hand and arm horizontally.

A bicycle is a vehicle and a person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle. This, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, gives good legal cause to sharing the road with bikes. Bicyclists that do not follow street signs and laws are subject to the same penalties as a motor vehicle driver. If you ride a bicycle, you should check your own city’s bicycle laws as well as city ordinances on wearing a helmet.

Additional laws bicycles need to follow:

Here’s some additional information which is not only good for the bicyclist to know, but those driving around bicyclists as well. If a person operating a bicycle on a roadway is moving slower than the flow of traffic, they need to ride as near as possible to the right curb or edge of the roadway. However, there are exceptions to this law. Under the following conditions the law allows bicyclists to take the full lane of travel when:

• The person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction.
• The person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway.
• When there are unsafe conditions on the roadway, including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards that prevents the person from safely riding next to the curb or edge of the roadway.
• The lane is of substandard width (less than 14 feet in width and not having a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane) making it unsafe for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side.

And persons operating bicycles on a roadway may ride two abreast, but they must share a single lane. They may not impede the normal flow of traffic and they may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles. I’ve been stuck behind a row of those guys at the lake. Although, the view wasn’t so bad, I still want those hours of my life back.

Share the road with bikes:

If you are a bike enthusiast or just a weekend warrior, you may be interested to know that now, in Texas, you may purchase specialty license plates from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that will hopefully remind people about sharing the road with bikes. And, a portion of the fee funds a variety of Bike Texas programs such as the Safe Routes to School program, the Community Trails Program as well as the Share the Road program for bicyclist and motor safety education.

Until next week…bicyclists are people too (just goofier looking). Look out for them.

Daun Thompson
Writer/ Comedienne/ Artist

Sharing the Road With Bikes – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Texting and driving or cell phones and cars can kill you

http://www.comedydefensivedriving.com/ Driving while intoxicated or under the influence is dangerous, however, texting, talking on the phone, playing with the radio or just being distracted can kill you. Driver distractions… Leave them at home!

It is no doubt that our world today is fast-paced. Thanks to the advancement of technology and interconnectivity, having a cellphone today means being able to do a multitude of things besides good ol’ fashioned calling. Checking e-mail, browsing social networks, changing music, and — more popularly — texting, has given us more mobile power than ever before. This has helped accelerate our modern world into a global community of high speed multi-taskers.

However, this new lifestyle has also heavily impacted road safety by providing drivers with more distractions than ever before. Younger drivers especially are prone to these distractions, which puts everyone at risk for injury or fatality. It is no surprise to find texting and mobile phone distraction at the forefront of road safety concern and policy. Below you’ll find some alternative tips from your friends here at Comedy Defense Driving to staying connected, but more importantly, staying safe on the road.

• Check your messages before departure

It’s a reactionary effect to check your cellphone once it makes a sound. To avoid reaching for your phone immediately, a smart and safe precaution is to simply leave your phone on silent mode before departure. Any important check-ups or calls you need to make should be made before you depart. This way, you can dedicate your attention to the road without having to be bothered by phone alerts or calls that you need to make.

*In addition, setting up music playlists or GPS routes before departure is a smart idea. Again, this helps keep the road distractions at a minimum. Set up what you think you will need to adjust during travel before leaving so that you can keep yourself alert, safe, and comfortable.

• Consider Hands-Free Devices

The basic problem with cellphones and driving is not committing full control over your steering wheel. As a popular alternative to many cellphone drivers, hands-free devices and headsets help keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. They also help in preserving your peripheral vision, which otherwise would be comprised with a cellphone to your ear. Not to mention, headsets, in particular, help improve the sound quality of your conversation. This balance helps you remain attentive to the road and the conversation.

• Pull over and stop if needed

Of course, we can’t avoid unexpected situations. No matter how much we prepare, there will be something to catch our attention off guard while driving. If you receive a call or text during your route, remember that it is okay to stop. If it is important enough, it requires your undivided attention. By pulling over or making a quick stop, you can take on an emergency matter without compromising yourself or other drivers on the road.

• Is It really urgent or habitual

Cellphone use, although a popular contributor to road distractions and accidents, is only one danger out of an unlimited amount of distractions available to us as drivers. The point is to stay alert and dedicated to the road.
As responsible drivers, it is our duty to keep the distractions to a minimum, and if you are as connected to your phone as are millions of other drivers on the road, why not simply turn it off before turning on the ignition? It is the same principle for applying make-up, eating, drinking, or checking texts. Re-evaluate the urgency of these habitual activities in contrast to the real-life, often fatal consequences associated with using your phone while driving.

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This is why tailgating is most definitely a moving violation. With the rise of speed limits, the current following distance is now 3 seconds in dry weather. This is to be doubled to a 6 second rule in wet weather. And it is to be tripled to a 9 second rule in icy/snowy weather.

I believe that most driver education instructors teach drivers the following way. Once the car ahead of you has passed a stationary object, you should be able to count the appropriate number of seconds before your car passes the same object.

So, good luck there my friend! It may take you twice as long to get to your destination if you practice this method, but at least you will arrive (undead).

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

FOLLOWING DISTANCE – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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1. Avoid distractions.

Yes, this means your cell phone. Do not text and drive. There are more cars on the road than ever during the holiday season, your text to friends and family can wait. It is important to remember that even just reading a single text message can be considered extremely dangerous. Reading one standard text at 55mph amounts to driving the length of an entire football field. It is not worth the risk.

2. Check weather conditions

This is a big one that some may forget while in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Always check to see what is on the radar. Make sure your car is suited to handle the conditions. Follow the below tips to make sure you are at your best:

• FOG: make sure to turn on your fog lights, also referred to as low beam lights. Be careful not to think you are in the clear too fast. Fog will normally come in patches.
• ICE and SNOW: this weather also calls for low beam lights. Take extra precautions and drive slowly. Try not to break suddenly, this can cause you to lose control as the roads are prone to be more slippery. When turning or using breaks, do so gradually to avoid skidding.
• RAIN: take extra precautions by driving slower than normal. Leave more room in between you and the car in front of you. Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly.

3. Do not drive while impaired

This should come as an obvious but unfortunately, not everyone sees it this way. The holiday season has the largest increase in drunk driving accidents. During the holiday season 40% of all auto accidents include alcohol. Currently, in the U.S., someone loses their life in a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes. Combine this with the fact that the average person that consumes alcohol will increase their intake by 25% between the time period of Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

These statistics aren’t meant to scare anyone, more to make people aware of the dangers that come with consuming alcohol. If you plan on having a drink, make sure you have a safe ride home either through a friend or a ride share app.

4. Check your coat

Lastly, it is important for people to remember to take off their large winter coats before buckling up. This can be easily over looked, especially if you are in a hurry or just really cold. Large coats can get in the way of a seat belt working properly. This is even move true for children still in car seats. A large puffy coat can make it difficult to harness small children properly. A loose harness, much like a loose seat belt, can be extremely dangerous in the event of a crash. Take the extra step of taking not only your large coat off but also any little ones in the car with you.

Overall we wish you all happy and safe holiday driving. Remember to buckle up and keep your eyes on the road. Don’t get distracted and definitely DO NOT drive while impaired. Remember if you are someone you know needs a refresh on their driving lessons or need to dismiss a ticket, you can do that right here at Comedy Defensive Driving. Happy Holiday Season.

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This holiday season (and any other occasion!), please don’t drink and drive. It’s great to have fun, and It’s easy to think you are under the limit of intoxication, but far too many times people underestimate how much alcohol they have drank and how impaired they actually are.

There are so many options available for getting home safely these days, Uber, Lyft and Juno, just to name a few.  Check out this list of ride share apps: https://www.ridester.com/list-of-ridesharing-companies/

First, start with taking a ride share to the location you are going to so you don’t have to worry about leaving your car overnight if you can’t drive.   This will force you to ride share home whether you have drank too much or not.

Designated Drivers

Having a friend in your group stay sober so they can be your designated driver is great, but does that really ever happen?  Well, statistics say that it does work approximately 75% of the time.  What happens the other 25% of the time?  Your dd may have 1 or 2 drinks early on and think that the alcohol will be gone from their system prior to driving, this is definitely risky, but if the dd has knowledge of how they are affected by alcohol, they may be able to pull this off safely.

The cost of a DWI

The DWI costs can vary from state to state, in Texas a first time offense can cost up to $20,000.  At that price a ride share at $20 bucks seems darn cheap.  Something to think about is not just the DWI fine itself, but all the ancillary charges associated with it, such as;

• Court fines, surcharges and costs
• Lawyer fees
• Time spent in jail or prison (loss of income)
• Bail bonds
• Driver’s license suspension
• Community service (do you dream about picking up trash on the roadside?)
• Educational programs driving
• Educational programs for drinking alcohol
• Auto insurance premium increases
• Vehicle towing and impound fees

Please don’t drink and drive, the solutions around it are easier than ever.  The statistics on DWI’s and traffic fatalities are really staggering, you don’t want to be one of them.

Comedy Defensive Driving®

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Not only can hurricanes and tropical storms do a number on your sweet ride, you must also be prepared to travel. The American Red Cross has compiled a list of items for your survival kit for traveling during hurricane and tropical storm season.

So here are some great driving safety tips when traveling near or in hurricanes or tropical storms:
• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

And my final driving safety tips to you this day is – always plan ahead and leaving early when a serious storm threat is broadcast, is the best bet. There is no way to instruct someone how to drive in a tropical storm and certainly not during a hurricane. So, being as far away from the site of the storm is the safest place to be.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms – Comedy Defensive Driving

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No one likes getting pulled over by the police. It can sometimes be an overwhelming and stressful experience, especially if it’s your first time getting pulled over. Remember that the officer approaching you will often take precautions since many cops have been attacked during routine traffic stops. The best approach is to make sure you stay calm and cooperate with law enforcement officers to make the interaction as comfortable as possible. 

What To Do When Pulled Over by Police Officers

The information below outlines the behavior to avoid while being stopped. We have also included helpful tips when being pulled over. The following best practices will help ensure your encounters with police officers are a smooth experience.

Turn On Emergency Flashers

When you see the flashing lights from the officer’s car, turn on your emergency lights. It will inform the other drivers that yours is the car that’s getting pulled over. Then, use your turn signal, slow down and pull over to the side.

Show That You’re Cooperating

Next in our list of helpful tips when being pulled over is to show the police officers you’re cooperating. Roll down your window, turn off the ignition and keep your hands on the steering wheel where they can be seen. If it’s a nighttime encounter, turn on your interior car lights. Move slowly and don’t make any sudden movements. Rummaging is a behavior to avoid while being stopped.

Wait until the officer asks for your license and registration. When asked, give the officer your name and address. Remember to be polite when you respond to the officer’s questions.

Stay In Your Vehicle

Unless you’re being asked to step out of the vehicle, you don’t have to get out of your car. Sometimes it will take some time before the officer will get out of the patrol car. Most likely, this is because they’re calling the police station to inform them that they’ve stopped a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. They may also be getting information about your car by running your license plate. The info they gather includes traffic infractions you may have incurred. In this scenario, be patient and stay put to show cooperation.

License, Registration and Insurance Policy

Let the officers do the talking. Expect them to ask a few questions. They will also ask for your license, vehicle registration and insurance card or policy. Gather these documents promptly. If one or two of these are missing, tell this to the officer and explain your reasons.

Keep Your Responses Brief

Respond calmly to the officer’s questions, but it’s best to keep your responses brief. You want to avoid extended stories or convoluted responses. It’s also not a good idea to refute any of the allegations against you at this point. Some officers will want to inform you about safe driving principles. Be patient and listen. If you are issued a traffic citation, calmly accept and avoid starting a conflict.

It’s also inappropriate to ask about point reduction or past traffic infractions. Another behavior to avoid while being stopped is being rude to police officers and arguing about getting a citation.

Pat Downs

Step off your car only if the officer asks you to. They can pat you down if they suspect that you’re carrying a weapon. It’s best to remain cooperative and do as the officer says if you are subject to a pat-down search.

Drunk Driving

If officers suspect you have been drinking or driving or driving under the influence, they may ask you to get out of your car. Even though many states give drivers the freedom to refuse field sobriety tests, your refusal to cooperate will inevitably make you look guilty if you decline. In many instances, if you refuse a breathalyzer test, you may have your license revoked or suspended for a year. Cooperate with the officers and take the test.

Getting Things Up To Speed

Getting pulled over is not always a pleasant experience, especially if you’ve disobeyed the speed limit. It can also mean working on getting the point reduction after a citation has been issued. At Comedy Defensive Driving, our experts can help you remove traffic violation points while enjoying comedic relief. And we don’t just help you with point reduction —We help you avoid the traffic infractions that may get you pulled over in the first place. Call today and let’s start cleaning up that driving record.

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MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT

Keeping up with the flow of traffic, even if everyone is speeding, is the absolutely proven to be safest. But, as police say, the sign posts the “limit” and if you go over the limit, you could get a speeding ticket. And proving why you were going 40mph in a 20mph school zone will be close to impossible. But, come on, driving 20mph feels like you’re crawling. And, heaven forbid the guy in front of you is driving like a nervous chihuahua and not even doing 20!

MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT

Minimum speeding limits are typically posted on higher speed roadways and freeways. Not keeping up with the flow of traffic, or driving too slow definitely causes more car accidents. But, it is said that the high-impact from speeding crashes cause more traffic fatalities. And that’s why police still write so many speeding tickets. They should absolutely be writing them for driving too slow, as well.

For more information about why speed limits are set and a list of speed zone studies, check with your state’s department of transportation. If you live and drive in the great state of Texas, go to https://www.txdot.gov/driver/laws/speed-limits/studies.html.

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

WHY WE HAVE SPEED LIMITS – Comedy Defensive Driving

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