Common reasons for getting pulled over!

Avoid these common mistakes on the road!

Here are the obvious reasons for getting pulled over:


Speeding: The speed limits are put in place for a reason. Depending on what area you are in (neighborhood, highway, business district, etc.) dictates how fast you can go and stop. On highways, the chance of needing to stop quickly are slim. As opposed to being in a neighborhood where children or animals might sprint into the street.



Texting/phone calls: This is especially a problem with the younger crowd, who think they are invincible. People are generally "plugged in" most hours of the day and feel the need to be available at all times. However, while driving, even glancing away for a few seconds to check on a message can end a life. While most accident aren't fatal for phone use, it should be avoided at all costs. If a text or call is that important, pull over first. 



Not wearing a seat belt: This is so simple, yet very hard for some people to do. Wearing a seatbelt saves way more lives than it takes away. 'Just wearing your seat belt properly can reduce injuries by half. It is also extremely important to wear your seat belt properly, not just half. Using it improperly can damage the occupants more than help them. Using the full 3 point harness belt will reduce the risk of paralysis by only using the lap part or sliding under the seat belt by only using the sash part. Check it out here in more detail!


Tailgating: While this may seem harmless, it is usually paired with road rage. Also, it shortens the driver's reaction time tremendously. You should leave a safe distance, a few cars lengths in between, between yourself and the other driver.

• Blowing a stop sign
  
• Illegal U-turns
• Busted or burned out head/tail lights

• Expired registration, tags, license or insurance

• Drag racing

• Having warrants for your arrest (Police run plates randomly)

Here are a few lesser known violations:

• Tinted windows
  
• Broken windshields (Even if you don't think it's blocking your vision)
  
• No front license plate
  
  
• Loud exhaust
  
• Driving in the left lane, while not passing
  
• Squealing tires (Police may think you are drag racing)

Eating while driving: This can be just as dangerous as texting and driving because your concentration is not on the road. (Can also include: Shaving, changing clothing, reading, etc.)

Using the GPS on your phone: This can sometimes be confused with texting. Police can't tell if you were texting or using the GPS. Either way, it's safer to get a mount to put your phone in. It will also help to not allow  notifications while using the GPS.





Being near a bar late at night: Some police officers camp out near bars and may even conduct a check point. This is especially prominent at closing time, near colleges or bars that have problems with drunk drivers.




Driving too slow: This can and will disrupt the flow of traffic and cause a back up. It may cause people on roadways to have to slow down alarmingly fast. Driving slow is also a tell-tale sign of drunk drivers.

What to do if you were involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or deer!

Do you know what to do if you find out the at fault driver has no insurance or a deer just jumped at your car? Let Medford Auto Body make it easier for you!

 

Uninsured/under-insured drivers in accident

If you do end up in an accident with an uninsured driver, they may decide to leave the scene of the accident due to the serious trouble they could be in. For driving uninsured in New Jersey, you could face heavy fines, points on your license, possible jail time, license and registration suspension and the possibility of your car being impounded. This may also be the case for under insured drivers; meaning they do not have enough coverage to pay out the damages to other cars, people or property.


New Jersey requires all motorists to, first, have an insurance policy on their car, basic or not. Then, secondly, to cover uninsured motorists and property in an accident.

About 14% of motorists are not insured in the United States.

What to do at the scene of the accident with an uninsured driver:

Exchanging information

• First, call the police like you normally would in any accident and check to see if any parties involved need an ambulance, if able to. Then get to safety if the accident occurred in a busy or bad area. Try not to move the vehicles at all or you could alter the outcome of the situation, unless told to do so by the police.  Put your hazards on and, if needed, cones or flares.
  
• Then, get all their information:
  
  Name, phone number, address, type of car, license plate number, insurance information (if available)  and any witness' name and phone number. Taking pictures of your car and, with their permission, the other car(s) involved helps too. Never accept fault while talking to others; that is for the insurance company and police officers to decide.
  
  The police officer will also get this information and put a crash report together, which takes a 7-14 days to become available. So, having it earlier can jump start the repair process.
  
• Contact your insurance company and explain the situation; they will walk you through the process. They will put a claim in under your policy, through your uninsured motorist coverage (UIM). However, you will still have to pay a deductible, regardless of who is at fault. But since it wasn't your fault, it will be noted as a "no fault accident" and will usually not have a rate increase to your policy.
  
  Also, be sure to tell them of any injuries and/or hospital and doctors visits. Given that you have the insurance, your policy will cover some or all of the bills.
• Start getting estimates and make arrangements to get your car repaired.

You could try to sue the uninsured driver, but most times they do not have insurance because they can not afford it. Which leaves nothing to be collected if they are successfully sued. Always look out for yourself and make sure you have the uninsured motorist coverage.

If the driver has minimal insurance coverage and cannot cover all the damages they caused through their own policy, you must still submit the entire claim to their insurance company. Then, the remaining balance can be submitted to your insurance company under the UIM coverage.

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver and it is your fault, your policy still has to pay for their damages. However, the uninsured driver does not have the right to sue you for any damages, in any instance. Once a person decides to drive without insurance, they give up their rights to sue.

Deer accident

According to various surveys taken, October, November and December are the months with the highest deer accidents; November taking the number one spot. It's also most common when the sun sets and rises. Remember that deer usually do not travel alone, so always be on the lookout for more deer if you spot one near the road.


A deer/large animal accident is considered a no fault accident on your policy. It's covered under your comprehensive coverage, which also covers things like weather, fire and theft.



What to do after a deer collision:

• Pull to safety, if possible.
  
• Call the police if the animal is blocking the road, there a multiple cars involved or people are hurt. This also helps with the insurance company.
  
• Take photos, if possible. This can be extremely useful when dealing with your insurance company.
  
• Stay away from the animal and check to see if the car is safe to drive.
  
• Call your insurance company if the vehicle needs repairing. Insurance adjusters and shops writing estimates look for tell tale signs of a deer hit. Hair in the damage is a dead give away, so don't lie to your insurance company about it. 

 

Reminders: 

Never touch the animal! You could further harm yourself, your car, passengers or the animal.

Blast your horn if it is "a deer in the headlights" to get it out of the road.

How to beat those sleepy drives!

Are you ever on a long, monotonous drive and find yourself nodding off? Here are some tips to avoid that scary scenario!

Signs you or the driver are tired and need to rest:

• Drifting lanes and onto rumble strips
• Eyelids feel heavy and have difficulty keeping them open
• Feeling irritable
• Yawning excessively
• Missing directions, turns or exits
• Not remembering part of your drive or conversations with passengers
• The classic head-snap

If you notice these symptoms for yourself or the driver, stop the car and switch drivers or take a break. Also, if you see other cars/drivers on the road doing any of these, stay away from them.

Being awake for about 18 hours is the equivalent of being legally drunk; this is why some drowsy drivers are mistaken for drunk drivers in accidents. This, just like drunk driving, compromises your reaction time to a possible accident.




People impacted most by drowsy driving:

• Shift workers
• Students and people under 25
• Workers with long hours
• People with treated or untreated sleep disorders
• Business workers who travel by plane often (jet lag)
• Commercial drivers

Ways to prevent or treat drowsy driving:

• Have a form of caffeine 20-30 minutes before driving; it takes that long to enter the bloodstream and work effectively
• Singing loudly to the radio 
• Taking a nap before hand or at a rest stop during the drive (10-20 minutes)
• Driving with another passenger
• Avoid driving at times you would normally be sleeping (usually between 12-6 AM)
• Taking a break and/or walk
• Avoid driving with excessive heat (use the air conditioner if needed)
• Avoid alcohol and medicine that can make you tired before and while driving
• Planning (on long road trips) to switch drivers every so often
• Snacking on something

The old 'keep the windows open and the radio up loud' do not always work. They aren't nearly as effective as the methods listed above. However, the best way to avoid drowsy driving is to get 7-9 hours of well rested sleep.

If you need to take a nap, find a safe place like a parking lot or rest stop to do so.  Then lock the doors and take the keys out of the ignition. It might help to set an alarm for 10-20 minutes too. Any more than that and you could be sleepier/groggy or cause attention to yourself. (Never stop and nap on the side of the road, you could end up getting hit.)





Nowadays, newer cars are coming out with sensors that sense the car drifting lanes or off the road. This is especially helpful with drowsy drivers, but also for drunk and texting drivers.

Driving tired could end up costing youself, your passengers or other drivers on the road their lives.