The Superior Auto Group doesn’t really make it a habit of dwelling on unfortunate or writing about stuff that literally puts our stomachs in knots, however, I couldn’t pass this up. It’s very interesting information.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has some interesting stats available to the public through their Fatality Analysis Reporting System.One of the statistics they keep is the number of crashes on each day of the year. We decided it would be interesting to see which days had the most accidents and which days had the lowest number of crashes across the country.
Without further ado, here are the fifteen days with the most accidents on average from 1999-2008 (ten years):
Most Accidents
January 1 132.1 average crashes
July 4 131.5 average crashes
July 3 126.3 average crashes
August 3 123.3 average crashes
September 2 122.7 average crashes
September 1 120.9 average crashes
August 6 120.8 average crashes
September 22 120.6 average crashes
July 2 120.4 average crashes
October 14 119.7 average crashes
August 4 119.6 average crashes
August 31 119.5 average crashes
June 30 119.2 average crashes
July 15 118.4 average crashes
August 11 118.3 average crashes
It’s no surprise to see New Years Day and the 4th of July near the top of the list, but there a few odd ones in there.
Least Accidents
January 8 81.9 average crashes
January 23 82.1 average crashes
January 29 82.6 average crashes
January 30 83.2 average crashes
January 15 83.2 average crashes
February 27 83.3 average crashes
January 24 83.4 average crashes
January 2 83.6 average crashes
March 14 85.1 average crashes
March 20 85.1 average crashes
December 25 85.2 average crashes
February 1 85.3 average crashes
February 28 85.4 average crashes
February 9 85.5 average crashes
March 22 85.7 average crashes
The winter months dominate this list which makes sense. The danger of icy roads obviously didn’t outweigh the lower amount of drivers on the road.
I admit, not one of my most exciting or joyous posts, but an important one just the same. Everyone, the Superior Auto Group wants you to stay safe out there!
I ran across a video recently that I couldn’t believe. If you think that seeing one child behind your new Cincinnati car, truck or SUV was hard, I’m sure you’d have no problem seeing 60 children? Of course you can! Right?
Wrong! Even with your mirrors properly set, it is virtually impossible to see, not just directly behind your vehicle, but almost 15 ft in some cases depending on the height of your vehicle.
Watch the video below and you’ll understand.
It’s OK, I’ll let you change your answer.
Please be 110% aware of all of your surroundings. It is your responsibility. It is your requirement. It is your duty to be as safe a driver as you can. Yes, accidents do happen, but they usually happen when we aren’t paying attention.
Now…watch the video again.
All of us here at the Superior Automotive Group would like to ask that you please please re-post this as many places as you can.
Now we haven’t really been hit with any extreme snows just yet, but you know as well as Superior knows that a Wither storm can pop up almost without warning. I expect many of you would appreciate hearing some winter driving tips. Take a look at this video from Michelin, which talks about:
Exiting a tight turn
Traction
High-speed cornering
Four winter tires in winter
I know the roads in the Tri-State area haven’t been great, have you had any troubles driving your vehicle so far this winter? Can you give Superior any advice you’ve learned while driving in Winter weather?
No matter how safely you drive, once you hit the road in Cincinnati, there is always the chance that you will get into an accident. We see it all of the time here at Superior. Weather, road conditions, and other drivers can all lead to getting your car into a bad situation. While there may be a lot of adrenaline and scattered thoughts that come after the accident, it is important to know which steps to take if it happens to you.
I found a great checklist from about.com in regards to the steps you should you be involved in an accident. Print out this checklist and keep it in your car next to your insurance information.
Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries Try to stay calm. Panic can make others panic and the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine the extent of damage and to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention.
File a Car Accident Report with the Police Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report.
Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your insurance agent only.
Get the Facts This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don’t just assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number.
Call Your Insurance Agent Call your agent or insurance company’s 800-number immediately, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because you are upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.
Remember to stay calm and let the authorities and your insurance company do their jobs to let things go by smoothly. No matter if it is your fault or not, being angry or argumentative will not help the situation. Accidents are called accidents because no one means for them to happen. Just make sure you and everyone else involved is OK and follow the steps above.
If your car is involved in an accident, be sure to swing by any Superior Auto Group location and we’ll help you get out on the road again as soon as possible. Remember that the best way to stay accident free is to always drive safely and be aware of your surroundings.
We at the Superior Auto Group found this list compiled on Insurance.com and at first I thought…Oh my. How rude… Ha ha. But after I started reading the article and I got down to the end I totally understood what they were saying. Now this isn’t meant to offend anyone by any means, but if you read the blog and see where it all came from then it makes total sense.
Check it out:
“Professions that demand multi-tasking – being on the phone, moving fast on a tight schedule – are prone to more distractions and, from there, more accidents,” says Sam Belden, insurance.com VP, all joking aside. “On the other hand, though the job of a homemaker demands multi-tasking, young children are often along for any car ride. And when children are involved, people tend to take their time and use greater caution.” Homemakers and athletes also tend to be off the road during rush hour.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Drivers by Profession
1. Attorneys and judges
2. Financial professionals
3. Government employees
4. Bartenders and waiters
5. Business professionals
6. Dog groomers
7. Advertising and marketing professionals
8. Barbers and stylists
9. Coaches
10. Nurses
So see? It makes sense… I’m always on my phone trying to make a deal or send an email. I get it. Do you think you are one of these types? Superior would like to hear your thoughts on this!
This Cincinnati car dealer has heard all of the stories. The Superior Automotive Group knows that having a car accident and having your car broken into are just about two of the worst things that can happen to you and your new car. Sometimes no preventative measure can help either, but with just a little caution and some helpful tips, you can increase the chances of those measures.
Avoiding fender benders. A lot of minor accidents can happen when you’re going into, or leaving, a parking area. That’s just a fact. Excessive speed and distractions around you are usually the culprits. The best tip here is to drive slowly and monitor your surroundings (watching for other cars, people, etc.), and also use your turn signals to alert others to what you’re doing. Pretty simple stuff!
Park with awareness. When parking, especially in bigger lots, try to park as close to the front of the lot as possible, and also in a well-lit area where there might be a lot of people around. This is just a good practice to get into. Criminals and predators alike avoid light and activity. They look for moments of opportunity and parking in a dark corner of a large lot is exactly what they are waiting for. Also, try not to park next to really large vehicles, because this will make visibility harder when you go to leave. Another tip here is to not park next to vans with sliding doors. There could be someone behind that sliding door who is waiting for you to come back to your car. It might sound paranoid, but awareness is crucial to safety.
It was here when I left. Having your car stolen, or broken into is a horrible event, and it feels like a true violation. The first thing to remember is, don’t leave valuables in your car whenever possible. Sometimes you’re going to have to have these items in your car, so if this is the case, just put them in your trunk or hide them. Be careful when putting valuables in your trunk when you’re actually parked in the lot, because someone could be watching you. Lastly, keep all of your doors locked and your windows rolled up, and be very cautions of leaving an extra key in one of those magnetic boxes under your car. Thieves are aware of those.
Just remember when returning to you car, that you are still monitoring your surroundings and have your keys in your hand when you approach the car. If you have some other tips that you find useful, go ahead and post them, the Superior Auto Group of Cincinnati car dealers welcomes any and all advice regarding this subject. You may actually provide information that will really help someone out one day.
For those of us who have kids who are new drivers in Cincinnati, we are well aware of the increasing costs in regards to insuring teen drivers. Now I’m past that initial shock as my kids are old enough now to pay for their own insurance, but I do still have nightmares about our car insurance bills.
I found a good article at The New York Times which I’ve taken the liberty of paraphrasing below for your convenience.
A new study from Insurance.com shows how much a parent’s insurance policy can go up when a teenage driver is added.
When a teenager is added to the parent’s policy, according to the study, the annual insurance premium for a one-car family typically increases 44 percent, while for a two-car family it generally jumps about 58 percent and for a three-car family, about 62 percent.
This is because drivers ages 15 to 19 tend to get into more accidents than older drivers and have little driving experience.
So how can parents of teenage drivers reduce the insurance costs? Insurance.com recommended comparing rates from different companies; making sure your teenager is driving a safe car that is inexpensive to insure; and asking for discounts if your child gets good grades in school, takes certain driving classes or drives a vehicle with a monitoring device installed.
The data is based on an analysis of car insurance quotes provided to Insurance.com users for all levels of liability coverage from October 2009 through September 2010. Collision and comprehensive coverage was not included in the analysis.
How much did your insurance jump when your child started driving? How have you lowered the cost, if at all? Leave me a comment or two. Oh, and if you are ever around an Superior Auto Dealership location, let’s talk cars!
Most of us at Superior Cars have kids, and we understand that when a teen is getting his or her license, it can be stressful. While there are driving schools you can (and should) enroll them in, you can also teach them yourself. Some of us take our kids to empty parking lots. Heck, I remember the first time I drove…
But I digress, I found a great website, teendriving.com, that is full of resources for teaching your teen how to become a competent driver. There are many links for how to teach your child how to drive in many different situations, but it also laws out two basic rules that you, as a teacher, need to understand from the beginning.
Know the Rules
Having the right information can make your job as driving mentor so much easier. First, visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website. Most states have a new driver’s booklet, list of places and times to take the exam, state driving laws, and more on their site. If you don’t have access to the Internet at home, you can use the free computers at the library, pick up printed materials at the DMV offices, or often request them by phone. Parents should review the materials as well as ensuring that their teen studies them. This is usually one homework assignment, they are eager to do.
Another helpful resource is your insurance agent. Many insurance companies have programs for new drivers including videos, safe driving booklets, and criteria for getting good student and safe driving discounts. This is a good time to check the rates for having a teen driver on your policy. If you have more than one vehicle, chose one with an airbag if possible, and find out which one will have the lower rate and best safety rating. Then add the teen as a driver to that car.
Be a Role Model
Setting a good example is one of the best ways that you can help your teen be a better driver. If you run red and yellow lights, speed down the highway at 75 MPH, weave in and out of traffic, take chances on the road, ride the bumper of the car in front of you, scream at other drivers, or exhibit other signs of road rage, you’re showing your teen that the rules don’t count—and this can be fatal. Model the behavior you want your teen to follow and start early.
Before you teach your child to drive, you should know what you should do to prepare in becoming the teacher. If you are looking for a new or used car for the new driver in your family, be sure to check out the Superior family of dealerships.
Go to any New Car Dealership in Cincinnati and, if they’re worth their salt, they’ll say that you shouldn’t wait to get your car ready for the winter months. There are things that you should do to your car to ensure that you will be able to drive your car once the snow starts to fall without getting caught in a freezing situation. The end of fall is the perfect time to do this. It is still nice enough outside that you can work on your vehicle, and it will give you peace of mind when driving on the icy roads that lie ahead.
The first thing you should do get your oil changed. In the last post we talked about what kind of oil is right for your car, so make sure that you are using an oil that is made to handle the cold weather easier. When the temperature drops, the oil in your car starts to thicken which can lead to engine lock-up. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for what kind of oil should be used for your car in the colder temperatures.
When the roads are slushy and covered in salt, it won’t take long for you to realize that you have old worn out windshield wipers. The winter months can be hard on your wipers, so make sure that you change them to a new pair now. The streaks that occur from bad wipers will impair your vision and lead to safety issues. You should also change your wiper fluid to one that can handle sub-freezing temperatures. While you are changing your wiper fluid, you should also check your antifreeze levels in your cooling system.
The other major components you should have checked are your tires and battery. The cold can suck the charge out of your battery, so make sure that you clean them and get rid of any corrosion. Check the tread on your tires and their pressure. If your tires are beginning to look worn down, then get them replaced. You may even want to think about getting winter tires that are made to handle the slick roads. It is easier to get in a wreck and need major repairs if your tires aren’t gripping the road.
Getting your car ready for winter is an important safety tip that should be done now. If you need help getting it checked, then bring it into a mechanic. If your car is going to cost more to get ready for winter then it is worth, then you should come into Superior Cars and start the winter season right with a brand new ride.
Superior knows that there are a lot of different components that go into safe driving. Following road signs, checking your mirrors, and leaving space around you are are the better known aspects of safe driving, but there is one crucial thing that you may not think about. How you sit in your car can help improve the way that you drive. While you may think that seat adjustments are only for comfort, there are many little tricks that you can do to become a better driver while staying comfortable.
The car seats that are installed in many new models of cars have many different ways to adjust them to your liking. Instead of simply going closer and farther from the wheel, you can now change the chairs height and tilt. Having all of these at a proper setting for you can go a long way in safe driving. How high your seat is can actually affect how fast that you travel. The higher up you are sitting, then slower your body will perceive you are traveling. If you are in a larger car or SUV, then lower your seat to get closer to the road. This will help you maintain a safe speed instead of feeling like you are crawling along.
Another way you can help yourself is where you put your hands on the wheel. We all know about the ten and two system of where to hold the wheel, but there is more than that to help yourself in a wreck or accident. You should position your seat so that when you reach for the wheel, your wrists can hang over it. This not only makes driving more comfortable, but it will also help you control the car better. When holding the steering wheel, do not hold it like a tennis racket. Instead, keep your thumbs along the top of the wheel. If you wrap your thumbs around it, they can break in the event of an accident.
Driving safely is the most important part of driving, so be sure that you put yourself in a position to do so successfully. If you are looking for a new car, then be sure to come into Superior Cars.
The Superior Automotive Group and Mike Albert Direct have been serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 1928. We care about you, your cars, your safety, and our community.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask and any suggestions are always welcome at SuperiorAutomotiveGroup@gmail.com
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The Superior Auto Group doesn’t really make it a habit of dwelling on unfortunate or writing about stuff that literally puts our stomachs in knots, however, I couldn’t pass this up. It’s very interesting information.
