Loudoun Insurance and South Riding Insurance, Northern Virginia Zip 201*-221*, Near 20152

Monitor Your Teens' Behavior When They're Behind the Wheel

Monitor Your Teens’ Behavior When They’re Behind the Wheel


Author Dorothy Parker once wrote: “The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.” However, if you’re one of those people here in South Riding, (adjacent to Aldie, Arcola, Brambleton, Chantilly, Ashburn, Leesburg etc. in the counties of Loudoun & Fairfax) who insist on keeping your tires inflated, you’re probably going to have to let your teenagers borrow the car. (http://www.south-riding-insurance.com/)

If the thought of your teen behind the wheel sends a little shiver down your spine, there are a few things you can do to relieve your uneasiness:

· Talk to your kids. Have an open and frank discussion with your teens to find out their attitudes about driving. Be sure you talk about the consequences of actions like speeding, or ignoring stop signs and stoplights. Establish ground rules, such as the number of people allowed in the car (keeping in mind any state laws about the number of unrelated teen passengers permitted in a car with a teen driver), where the car may be taken and how long your teenager is permitted to stay out with the car.

· Enroll in an emergency roadside service. Be sure that the motor club you belong to provides 24-hour emergency road service. That way, your teenager can call for help any time he or she needs it. You also can arrange with the motor club to provide service if your teen is riding in someone else’s car.

· Discuss the consequences of driving under the influence. Most parents want to believe that their teenager will never be foolish enough to drive while intoxicated. However, you need to be realistic and realize that no matter how levelheaded your teen may be, peers have a great influence. Your teen could be at a party and be coaxed into drinking alcohol. That’s why you should make it understood that driving after drinking is not acceptable, nor is it acceptable to get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Make sure you teen knows that he or she can call you at any time of the day or night, and that you will come to get them.

· Install a speed-monitoring device. This type of device is commonly referred to as a “governor.” Its purpose is to restrict fuel injection, which stops the car from being driven over a certain speed. A governor may help prevent your teenager from driving over the speed limit.

· Install a Global Positioning System (GPS). This device can help you keep track of where your teen is driving. You establish a radius of operation and the GPS will alert you if your teen has taken the car outside that radius. It also alerts you when your teenager is driving above the speed limit, or if the car is being kept out past curfew.

As your teen matures and gains experience behind the wheel, you can reconsider the need for some of these measures, such as the speed-monitoring device. In the meantime, you are helping your teen to develop safe driving habits, and giving yourself some peace of mind.
http://www.loudoun-insurance.com/

Labels: Leesburg Auto Insurance, Leesburg Car Insurance, South Riding auto insurance, South Riding car insurance, Stone Ridge Auto Insurance, Stone Ridge Car Insurance

posted by Khalid Umerani @ 3:28 PM
NOVA Insurance (20152) Group - Loudoun Insurance

Learn to Safely Navigate Winter's Driving Conditions

Learn to Safely Navigate Winter's Driving Conditions

The hazards of the road increase in winter, as the weather becomes less predictable. To avoid these conditions, you might be able to cut down on your driving, but you probably can't eliminate it altogether...and maybe you wouldn't want to. Therefore, it's essential that you take steps to lessen your risk. Even in moderate weather areas of Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Northern Virginia (South Riding, Chantilly, Ashburn, Sterling, Aldie, Arcola, Brambleton etc.), one must exercise caution.

As with many things in life, preparation is the key to managing winter driving hazards. The following tips can help to keep you safe on the road, regardless of the weather:

Check tire pressure monthly. Keep your vehicle's tires inflated at the manufacturer's recommended pressure for maximum performance on icy roads. It's important that you perform a pressure check monthly because a change in temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit changes the tire pressure about one pound per square inch. Added benefits of keeping tires properly inflated include better gas mileage and increased tire life.

Have your battery checked. Cold slows down the chemical reaction in a car's battery, which decreases its power output. In fact, starting power drops dramatically below 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure your car's battery is fully charged to compensate for the drop in output.
Know what your car is capable of handling. Your vehicle may have all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and all-weather tires. However, don't be fooled into thinking that these features are a panacea for all the problems associated with winter driving. Becoming too complacent about the car's ability to handle tough road conditions is a sure fire way to find yourself in a bad situation.
Learn to stay focused. When you drive, focus all of your attention on the road so you can anticipate hazards. Keeping your mind on the road ahead allows you to plan for areas that usually remain icy even when roads are clear, like bridges, overpasses and heavily shaded spots. The more aware you are, the better your ability to respond.

Exercise extra caution when necessary. Intersections with stoplights or stop signs can become deceptively treacherous when the weather is bad. Because so much traffic slides to a halt in the same location, the snow tends to become packed, and develops a slick icy surface. Drivers who spin their tires when starting up from a stopped position compound the problem. To compensate for these conditions, begin braking sooner when approaching an intersection. This will allow you more time to make necessary adjustments.

Plan when and how you will travel. Travel during daylight hours and wear sunglasses that provide UV protection to shield your eyes from snow and ice glare. Take the most direct route possible to your destination, and allow extra travel time in case you encounter unexpected problems.

Keep your vehicle stocked for an emergency. Be sure to have blankets and snacks in your car or truck to tide you over if you are stranded or stopped by bad road conditions.

Labels: Ashburn Auto Insurance, Ashburn Car Insurance, Centreville Auto Insurance, Centreville Car Insurance, Leesburg Auto Insurance, Leesburg Car Insurance

posted by Khalid Umerani @ 1:08 PM
NOVA Insurance (20152) Group - Loudoun Insurance