2. Never drive a vehicle that could be unsafe because of damage

3. Some insurance companies may want you to visit their claim center before having your vehicle repaired. You can do this, or you may leave your vehicle at our shop and ask that the insurance company inspect your vehicle here.

4. By law you are NOT required to obtain more than one repair estimate or appraisal for the damage incurred by your vehicle

5. You have the right to go to the shop of  YOUR choice. An insurance company CANNOT require you to go to a particular shop.

6. Differences in repair estimates are common. A lower estimate may not include all necessary repairs. If you are not sure why one estimate is different from another, please ask us.

7. Choose a shop that has unibody repair equiptment and certified (I-CAR or ASE, for example) technicians.

8. Ask if a shop will be using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.

9. Ask if a shop offers a lifetime guarantee or even a repair warranty.

10. We will help you negotiate your claim with the insurance company.

Jan. 20, 2012—The California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) said auto manufacturers’ attack on the aftermarket parts industry has heightened in the government affairs process, according to a statement released by the organization this week.

In December 2011, several automotive organizations sent a joint letter to senators and assembly members in opposition of aftermarket crash parts legislation. Organizations that signed the letter include the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, California New Car Dealers Association, California Autobody Association and Consumer Attorneys of California.

The organizations’ joint letter stated the following:

“The above-identified organizations and signatories write to inform you of their collective opposition to legislation that promotes non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) crash parts as the functional equivalent of OEM parts. Non-OEM crash parts are parts made by a party other than the original car manufacturer without the dimensions, design specifications, tolerances or other information known to the original equipment manufacturer.

“Existing law requires insurers that compel consumers to accept non-OEM parts when vehicles are repaired to inform consumers that ‘imitation’ parts will be used and to warrant the ‘imitation’ parts are ‘of like kind, quality, safety, fit and performance’ as OEM parts. For years, the insurance industry and offshore, aftermarket parts industry have tried to weaken the law so they may compel unsuspecting consumers to accept inferior non-OEM parts.

“We support existing law and oppose efforts to weaken it for the following reasons:
• Existing law promotes disclosure and fair repair practices.
• Too many non-OEM parts are clearly inferior to OEM parts. For example, see the Bureau of Automotive Repair study on this issue. Also, Consumer Reports has debunked the argument that aftermarket ‘tin’ parts are comparable to OEM parts.
• Use of non-OEM parts may impair warranties and reduce the value of used vehicles.
• Vehicles are increasingly complex, designed to dissipate crash energy by collapsing as engineered, and rely on multiple sensors to immediately deploy airbags upon contact. The use of ‘imitation’ parts may impair these highly integrated functions and endanger passengers.”

The CAWA said it has regularly reminded aftermarket business owners, executives and managers about the perception legislators have of aftermarket replacement parts. Legislators do not distinguish between crash and hard parts as manufactured and distributed by the aftermarket, according to the CAWA.

The CAWA will continue to defend the aftermarket’s reputation as a necessary option in the public’s best interests when it comes to replacement parts and service, the organization said. The CAWA plans to promote the aftermarket parts industry through meetings with legislators and their staffs, district visits to parts stores and warehouses, lobbying efforts and political action funding.

“This new and bolder attack by the car companies and their new car dealers will not go unnoticed and will be challenged with the resources available to us,” the CAWA said. “Rest assured, CAWA will continue to promote and protect the interests of the aftermarket industry and your ability to do business in the states we represent.”

Article can be found at: http://www.fenderbender.com/FenderBender/January-2012/CAWA-refutes-letter-to-policymakers-opposing-aftermarket-parts/

• Leave about 3 car lengths of space between you and the car in front.
• Use low gears when on hills.
• Avoid using cruise control.
• As always do not text and drive.
• Bring sunglasses, glare from the snow can be worse than the sunniest day.
• Be careful on bridges.
• Always check  your fluid levels before driving.
• Keep a blanket and extra gloves/socks/hat in the car.
• Carry water and food in your car in case of emergency.
• Purchase or build your own emergency roadside kit and keep in your trunk.

Some accidents cannot be avoided, but caution and preperation are always important.

The NTSB’s announcement was made following its board meeting on 2010 multi-vehicle highway accidents, held in Gray Summit, Mo.

The safety recommendation specifically calls for all 50 U.S. states to ban the nonemergency use of PEDs for all drivers. The safety recommendation also urges use of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) model of high-visibility enforcement to support these bans, and implementation of targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and heightened enforcement.

The NTSB said there has been exponential growth in the use of cell phones and PEDs over the last 20 years. Globally, there are 5.3 billion mobile phone subscribers—77 percent of the world population. That percentage is even higher in the U.S., according to the NTSB.

A study of commercial drivers conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the NTSB said, found that a safety-critical event is 163 times more likely to occur if a driver is texting, emailing or accessing the Internet.

“According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” said Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the NTSB. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving. No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life.”

For more information, visit ntsb.gov.

Article taken from http://www.fenderbender.com/FenderBender/December-2011/NTSB-calls-for-nationwide-ban-on-PEDs-while-driving/

Parents: Tsk, tsk.

With all the cash that has been spent on safe-driving campaigns to keep teens from chitchatting on the phone while driving, parents apparently are teaching their kids to do the opposite.

That’s according to State Farm, which found that 61 percent of teens said their parents had been distracted by a cell phone at least once while teaching them how to drive.

Most parents admitted it. Fifty-three percent of parents owned up to talking on the phone during a practice drive.

It’s the wrong example at the worst time for teens, which already have tendencies toward distracted driving in this technological age.

“These results are troublesome on multiple levels,” said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources at State Farm. “Parents should know that how they handle themselves behind the wheel creates a powerful example for their teens – for better or worse. During practice drives, parents should be alert at all times to coach teens and serve as a second set of eyes. Being distracted even once while teaching not only sends the wrong message, it creates real dangers for those inside and outside the vehicle.”

The findings come as part of a State Farm-commissioned survey of 517 teen driver/parent duos by the research company Synovate.

Talk about a wake-up call for parents, particularly when 89 percent of teens – in a separate survey – told researchers that their parents have the biggest influence on how they drive.

Feel the pressure? Good.

Article taken from : Collision Guard

http://collisionguard.com/blog/2011/10/teens-parents-distracted-by-phones-while-teaching-driving/

Deer can rest a little easier in the United States. For the third consecutive year, motorists are hitting fewer of them on the road.

That’s according to State Farm, which found a 7 percent decrease in deer-vehicle collisions between this year – July 2010 to June 2011 – and last.

Are deer getting smarter? Or are motorists driving safer? That’s a question the insurer didn’t answer.

But although State Farm’s claims data shows a decrease in the number of collisions, it reports that the cost of repairs is going up. The average claim was $3,171 this year. That’s up 2.2 percent from the year before.

Bigger deer, maybe?

As to the timing of crashes, State Farm found that most run-ins with deer happened in November, when the animals are mating and migrating. More than 18 percent of crashes happen during that month alone. In fact, motorists are three times more likely to hit a deer in November than on any day between early February and late August.

October is the second most troublesome month. December is the third.

Chances are that texting while driving, drinking while driving or just about anything else while driving will increase your chances of coming bumper to nose with a deer. So stay alert and drive safely.

In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of your chances of hitting a deer – based on where you live – courtesy of State Farm.

If you have a little time, the State Farm press release is worth a read. This paragraph alone is worth it:

“The state in which deer-vehicle collisions are least likely is still Hawaii (1 in 6,267). The odds of a Hawaiian driver colliding with a deer between now and 12 months from now are approximately equal to the odds that that driver is a practicing nudist.”

How often do you get the word nudist in a story about safe-driving and deer.

And then there are these driving tips, which Collision Guard would gladly endorse.

* Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas.
* Remember that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.
* Use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.
* Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds – if you see one, there is a strong possibility others are nearby.
* Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles.
* If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The 630 bicyclist deaths in 2009 accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities during the year.

KNOW THE FACTS?

In most states, a bicycle is considered a “vehicle” (like cars, trucks and motorcycles). All bike riders must follow and obey the same laws as the drivers of other vehicles..

Many pedestrian crossings are marked with a sign saying “Yield to Pedestrians,” reminding motorists that pedestrians have the right-of-way. However, motorists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks even if they’re not signed.

The biggest difference between motorists and bicyclists as road users is that bicyclists are less visible, quieter and don’t have a crumple zone to protect them.

  Important Safety Reminders

All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.

Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.

Drivers of motor vehicles need to share the road with bicyclists. Be courteous-allow at least three feet clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or right.

Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, dawn, and dusk. To be noticed when riding at night, use a front light and a red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.

Motorists

• Stay alert, avoid all distractions while driving.
• Yield to bicyclists when turning.
• In bad weather, give bicyclists extra passing room, just as you would other motorists.
• Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
• Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.
• Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially when the road is narrow.
• NEVER honk your horn at a bicyclist, it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.
• Always check for bicyclists before opening your car door.
• Children on bicycles are often unpredictable, expect the unexpected.

Bicyclists

• Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks.
• Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.
• Signal all turns.
• Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride.
• Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and tail lights at night.
• Remember that respect is a two way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.
• Almost three-fourths (72%) of the bicyclist fatalities were killed during the daytime between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 pm., a 6-percent increase from the previous year. The remaining 27 percent were killed during the nighttime hours.

  In 2009, the average age of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes was 41. During the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in the average age of both bicyclists killed and those injured

Average Age of Bicyclist Killed and Injured 2000-2009

To see additional safety information from AAA visit:   http://www.aaaexchange.com/Main/Default.asp?CategoryID=7&SubCategoryID=25&ContentID=74&SubContentID=9&