Many car insurance companies offer significant discounts to individuals who own or operate a vehicle that is equipped with certain safety features. Cars with the following four safety features are known to produce lower auto insurance quotes:

1. Automatic Seatbelts

Manual seatbelts that require drivers and passengers to buckle-up can be easily forgotten. Car insurance companies offer discounts to individual driving cars with automatic seatbelts, as it is almost guaranteed that the seatbelt is strapped when the car is in motion. With over 15,000 lives being saved each year because of the use of a seatbelt, it’s no wonder insurance companies give drivers with automatic seatbelts a discount.

2. Tire Pressure Sensors

Tires are one of the most important features on a vehicle as they are the only things that separate you from the road. While they are the most important, they can also be the most dangerous. Tires with low air pressure can cause problems with steering and moving the vehicle, which can result in an accident. Likewise, too much pressure and the tire can explode, causing an accident.

Car insurance companies offer discounts to those with a tire pressure sensor as it can reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident. A tire pressure sensor will alert the driver when the tires are over or under-inflated, giving ample time to fix the problem.

3. Lane Departure Warning System

Whether due to falling asleep at the wheel or distracted driving, lane drifting is a problem that can result in serious and potentially deadly accidents. Vehicles equipped with lane departure warning systems use motion sensors to detect when a car is traveling close to the painted highway lanes. In an effort to alert the driver and bring their focus back to the road, the warning system will issue a beep.

4. Blind Spot Alert System

Every vehicle — no matter how big or small — has some type of blind spot or reduced area of visibility, where drivers are unable to see vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes. Without the ability to fully see other vehicles, drivers have an increased chance of getting into an accident when changing lanes. Car insurance companies support the use of a blind spot alert system as it alerts drivers when cars are traveling in the dangerous no-visibility zone and prevents them from making lane changes that can result in an accident.

The advanced technology of vehicle safety features has created a win-win situation for drivers. They are able to drive safer and save money. What safety features will car manufacturers come up with next that offers these same benefits?

Driving distracted can result in damage and even death. Both outer and inner distractions can cause accidents. Some distractions can include:

• Texting or talking on a cell phone

Especially with touch-screen phones, texting requires extended glances at a phone. Every second spent looking at a phone is a second not looking at the cars around you. Many states are beginning to outlaw texting while driving and are imposing serious fines on violators.

• Eating

It is important to have a snack, and especially water, nearby when you are driving. However, it’s important not to become overly occupied with food or drink while driving. Messy foods are especially distracting, and no one wants to get in a wreck over a hamburger.

• Loud passengers

Traveling with friends and family can be a wonderful, fun experience, but loud passengers can make it difficult for the driver to concentrate. Drivers, don’t hesitate to ask passengers to quiet down. Passengers, be polite.

•  Music

At times, driving  is a solitary, lonely thing, especially on long trips. Virtually every car has an audio system for your enjoyment. However, like food, enjoy music but do not overindulge. Do you really want to explain to a policeman that you rear-ended that nice lady because you were rocking out to heavy metal?

• Putting on make-up or shaving

These get-ready chores are often put off as things to do in-transit. Make-up especially causes a problem for drivers, since it usually requires a mirror, and that means looking away from the road. Take the extra minutes at home to perform these steps before you start driving.

•  Activity on the road–car wrecks, construction, other drivers, pedestrians

Drivers must constantly stay alert for out of the ordinary things around them and ahead of them. Watch and be alert.

While these can certainly make concentrating on driving difficult, distracted driving can also come from inside the driver:

• Worrying about something

Distractions such as these are every bit as dangerous as outer distractions. A driver focused on a situation at work or a problem at home can’t pay full attention to the road and possible hazards.

• Anger

Anger can not only distract someone from paying attention to the road, but can also lead to road rage and ensuing accidents.

• Sleepiness

Driving while drowsy is extremely dangerous. Drivers should never forget that they are operating a 1,500 lb or more machine. A car can go from vehicle to battering ram in a blink of an eye. If you are driving and feel sleepy, switch with a passenger. If you are alone, pull over into a parking lot or the shoulder of the road and nap for 10 or 15 minutes. It will be worth the time.

It’s a miraculous thing: a machine that gets you where you want to go, and quickly. Be safe getting there so you can enjoy being there.

Now that the autumn foliage is turing all kinds of impossible colors, many people are “hitting the trails” to enjoy some brisk outdoor exercise while viewing the autumnal crazy-quilt as it brightens day by day. Both city dwellers and rural denizens have embraced the union of the Rails to Trails projects locally, across their states, all over the nation and crossing international boundaries with the recently popular pastime known as Geocaching.

What, readers may ask, is this “geocaching” thing? According to its official website, geocaching is “a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online.” Because of the unique location of my homestead within ‘spitting distance’ of the Mount Mitchell trail from Graphite, abutting the Pisgah National Forest and comprising the interior of the primary omega loop of the Round Knob loops of the Norfolk-Southern grade over the eastern continental divide, we have known about this geocaching phenomenon for years. There are at least three caches within 5 miles of us, and there are summer camps just up the road near the trail-head that ‘specialize’ in organizing geocaching expeditions for teenage campers. Thus for geocachers to join with the Rails to Trails projects is a match mae it… natural world heaven!

According to the geocaching website there are 1,540,286 active geocaches at various obscure spots worldwide, and more than 5 million active geocachers who spend time seeking them out. Some are bikers, some are hikers, all enjoy the outdoors and being able to pinpoint their position on the globe via satellite device. How these interests work with the Rails to Trails projects is to enlist dedicated geocachers to help the Conservancy produce GPS-accurate maps of various landmarks along their converted trails. Once mapped the trails then become popular destinations for geocachers, who just might set up some caches here and there for others to find. Win-win situation all around.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy offers a site called TrailLink that uses your current GPS position to return a map overlay leading to its trails in your immediate area. Or it can be searched for any area you may be planning to travel to for an autumn break and some dedicated leaf-looking. In my neighborhood a mountain biking group recently purchased a lodge nearby educated to the many mountain bikers who use our trails and bikeways and such during the ‘nice’ 9 months of the year, including the annual “Assault on Mount Mitchell” and the later descent from, which makes those days not a very good time to try hiking. They have a nice geocaching station with its own GPS and really nice heads-up displays, and regularly updates its trail and road maps with GPS data collected by bikers who stay there.

Almost every state has a Rails to Trails organization working to buy up the right-of-ways to old, no longer used railroad lines that are converted into trails. This gorgeous October weather beckons, and the trees are busy putting on their most colorful gypsy costuming for your delight. So grab a pack and some hiking boots – or your handy-dandy bicycle – and your cell phone GPS, and head out into the countryside to enjoy the season’s fine offerings. Some of you may enjoy it so much you start thinking seriously about joining us homesteaders out in the boonies where we get to enjoy all the seasons and all the ‘best-of’ our regions have to offer.

Happy trails!

Links:

Rails to Trails Conservancy
Geocaching.com
TrailLink
Good Roads, Rails & Trails

1) Go Back to Basics

No matter how experienced you are, there are some basic rules you should always follow to keep yourself and fellow drivers safe. Always wear your seatbelt, no matter how familiar the surroundings or short the trip. Never drink and drive—even one drink can impair judgment and reflexes. And no matter how tempting, resist the urge to talk or text on your cell phone! Avoiding unnecessary distractions and dangers keep the roads safer for everyone.

2) Drive Defensively

Assume the worst, and drive thinking that no one knows what they’re doing. It sounds drastic, but it will keep you alert and on the defensive. In turn, you’ll be ready and able to react if something does go wrong. Also, keep an eye out for potential hazards, such as drivers running a light or a stop sign, to give yourself enough time to react.

3) Practice Basic Skills

Doing simple things like merging and changing lanes smoothly will improve your overall driving experience. When merging, don’t just come to a complete stop and try to sneak into traffic. Instead, use the space you’re given to get up to speed–then slip into traffic seamlessly. Changing lanes is similar. Just make sure to always anticipate the change.

4) Save Some Space

A safe minimal driving distance between you and the car ahead is one car length for every 10 miles an hour you’re driving. (Of course, this is affected by conditions like weather—you’ll need more distance in bad conditions.) Why is this important? Keeping space between you and the car in front of you gives you more time to react to a problem, and likewise gives the drivers behind you more time to adjust to your reaction.

5) Go with the Flow

When driving in bad weather, driving in a straight line is key. The rules of physics mean that the car will continue traveling in the direction of its momentum unless something changes it. Applying the brakes or jerking the steering wheel could be that change. Don’t panic if you feel your car sliding a bit—it won’t veer off the road without reason. Overcompensating by slamming the brakes or moving the wheel is what could make your car go the wrong direction.

6) Keep Your Focus

Keep a close eye on what’s going on around you. Pay attention to the flow of traffic and anticipate what other drivers will do. Simply put, being aware will allow you to compensate if something does go wrong.

7) Learn From What’s Out There

Read up on tips and tricks for driving safely:

• Safe driving tips from 21st.com
• Tips from insurance companies
• Tips from physicians

These tips can make you a better driver. What tried and true methods keep you safe?

Yeah, I know. EVERYBODY is starting to dream about a whole new generation of cars and trucks for getting around in the 21st century without fossil fuels. But those of us who live in the wider countryside inventing wider, self-sufficient lives as homesteaders usually have to plan a bit farther out than city dwellers. Who, when push comes to shove (or just $5+ a gallon gasoline), can always ride the bus or take their bike or even hitch-hike on crowded roads full of mostly empty vehicles at a near standstill any time of day.

I’m a big fan of Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Insight, but the hybrid technology isn’t really where it needs to be for my desire to somehow translate someday homestead energy self-sufficiency to transportation as well. For that, I’ll need all-electric. And something a lot more stable, dependable, useful and warmer in the winter than a glorified golf cart.

Something big enough to carry at least a couple of people, safe enough to protect us from bad drivers, fast enough to use the interstate, with enough range to get to and from the nearest regional farmer’s market – that’s about 60 miles round trip – without having to buy someone else’s electricity. Grocery store and other such amenities are in closer, smaller towns, 5-7 miles away (less than 15 round trip). I’ll need either a pickup-style bed – with sides and tailgate – or large luggage space in order to carry tools, machinery, trash (we have to haul our own), groceries (only shop once a week) and general ‘stuff’. Like logs for firewood and lumber for building and… well, you know what I mean. And something that charges in a short enough period of time (whenever gas stations start offering paid by-the-hour 110 and 220 volt chargers) to get 500 miles in one day on occasion.

All that, I’ve discovered, makes for a tall order for what’s actually available out there in the way of electric vehicles right now (or going into production in two years or less). Also, we live in the mountains. We’re going to need some actual power going up steep grades. That too is kind of just a wish right now.

We’ll of course have to just tighten our belts and pay for the gasoline through the next five years at least, but by then I do hope what we need out here will be available at a price we can reasonably afford. If all we needed was a commuter gad-about, there are some very, very cool ones out right now. Cheapest is under $7,000. Some cost as much as high end SUVs do now. Some sleek, fast sports car versions will set you back more than a new Corvette.

For YOUR dreaming-of-the-future pleasure, check out some of the websites I found for EVs (Electric Vehicles). I figure by the time I’ve got the solar panels on the roof, the wind turbine on the ridge and the hydro plant on the creek going and all hooked up to my backwards meter, there will be a pretty fair secondhand market for some of these, and including the current hybrids. Short of getting a mule or horse, I’m going to hold out as long as I can…

Global Electric Motorcars
Offers incredibly ugly glorified golf cart kits if you’re mechanically adept. Top speed is just 25 miles per hour, get ~30 miles per charge on a 72-volt battery using 110. Kind of nice if you live and work in the ‘burbs.

Commuter Cars’ Tango
Kind of cute 1-passenger skinny thing you can park anywhere a motorcycle can. It screams to more than 120 miles per hour, gets 80 miles per charge (depending on new battery tech), and is amazingly stable and safe. It costs more than $100,000, not in my league but will be a big hit with the young execs in the city.

AC Propulsion eBox
This is a strange one. You buy the boxy Scion xB, they’ll do the conversion. They don’t say if you get your actual engine back or anything. It’s exactly the size of an xB (surprise!) and just as ugly. It’ll go 95 miles per hour using an AC induction motor and lithium ion battery. It’s got a 120-150 mile range between charges, and there’s a quick-charge option. The xB and conversion will cost you in the range of $70-75,000.

Myers Motors NmG
The NmG (pictured above) is the cutest little cartoon car you ever laid eyes on! I want one so bad for my college-bound grandson that it’s a good thing I’m not rich (it starts at $30,000). Single passenger, it can get up to 75 miles per hour and accelerates quick, but has just a 35-45 mile range per charge. This is the PERFECT college kid campus town gadabout for anyone who isn’t worried about paying back huge student loans.

Phoenix Motor Cars
These are just what the homestead ordered, but I’m surely going to have to wait until the third-hand market comes around. Phoenix makes full-size SUVs and work trucks that are gorgeous. Selling mostly for fleet use at this point, probably because buyers are taking advantage of capital and tax breaks to do so – you have to email them before you can know how much it costs, I’m guessing $100,000+.

Using new battery technology, the trucks have a 130 mile range per charge, 250 with an expansion pack. They use 220 volt chargers, but do offer a 10-minute quick-charge adaptor.

Universal Electric Vehicle Corp.
The Electrum Spyder 2-passenger convertible is one very classy sports car with a 100+ mph top speed and a 250 mile range. Wowsa. UEV also offers the Electrum COM-V3 2-seater, 3-wheel commuter car. It’s got a 75-150 mile range, an 80 mph top speed, 16 cubic feet of luggage space and not too weird a look. You have to call them for pricing, so expect to bid high.

ZAP Electric Cars
ZAP’s got several models, the most useful-at-a-glance would have to be their Xebra line of 3-wheelers, offering a 4-passenger sedan and a pickup (they also have a 4-wheel pickup). A 40 mph top speed will keep you off the interstate, and the 25-mile range is too shallow for use around this homestead. But it charges on 110, uses lead acid batteries, and starts at just $11,700 – reasonable. Plus it comes in Zebra stripes, which I’m sure is a selling point somewhere.

Here’s a couple of good sources for keeping track of EV developments, as investment has started pouring in and the Big Boyz in Detroit are just not going to be able to stop it any more.

Drive Electric
Electrifying Times: Latest Electric Car News

I particularly enjoyed the lede…

In a recent news release from Solazyme and as reported at this years Worldwide Energy and Trade Show yesterday, their algae-derived biodiesel has passed its Department of Defense cold weather testing. To demonstrate the performance and readiness of their product an unmodified Ford F-450 diesel was driven to the conference fueled by Solazyme’s biodiesel by former Director of the CIA, James Woolsey.

Hahaha!!! Man, I’d have paid real money to see that! There is a real future here, and some folks have been putting in some serious R&D to make it happen. Go on over to RideLust and read the whole thing, it’s definitely worthy!