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Archive for December, 2011

Pedestrians And Dangers From Hybrid Vehicles

The other day I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in front of her hybrid car. She was shaken up and looked stunned that an adult would be so careless. I was just embarrassed.

But as I told a friend about it the next day I found that its more common than I thought. He had done the same thing a few weeks earlier. Then someone else told me about a woman who was putting groceries in the trunk of her car and didnt even realize that a hybrid vehicle nearly backed into her!

Hybrid cars are so popular that auto manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The ones already on the market include Toyota Prius Toyota Camry Toyota Highlander Lexus Honda Civic Honda Accord and the Ford Escape.

They use both gas and batteries to operate. At higher speeds they run on gasoline just like any other car. However at lower speeds such as less than 20 mph hybrids are powered by batteries. At the slower speeds these batterypowered cars have virtually no noise compared to their motorized counterparts that have a running engine.

As great as they are for the environment the problem is you can’t always hear them coming!

Pedestrian groups say the lack of noise poses a new hazard to peopleespecially those who are blind or dont hear very well. While these groups are still in favor of the benefits that hybrid cars offer a cleaner greener environment and less noise pollution they say these new safety concerns need to be addressed and are working with manufacturers to come up with solutions.

Meanwhile it’s up to us.Both drivers of hybrid cars and pedestrians need to be reminded that things are a little different than they used to be.

* Whether you are driving or walking Be aware of what’s going on around you and never make someone else responsible for your safety!
* Remember and practice proper safety measures when crossing the street. Use crosswalks look both ways and dont walk out from between cars.
* Be extra alert if you are talking on your cell phone or having a heated conversation.
* Be clearly visible to the driver. Make sure they see you. Crossing the street from between two parked cars makes it difficult and is extra risky. That goes double if it’s after dark.
* Look for signals on automobiles that can tell you they are in operation. Look for reverse lights. Look for headlights. Cars manufactured within the last few years come with daytime running lights. If the lights are on that can be a signal that the driver is getting ready to pull out.
* Always make sure you have emergency contact information with you whether you’re driving or walking.

Hybrid cars are here to stay and lots of us like that idea but everyone needs to take extra precautions to safeguard themselves as pedestrians. If you drive one yourself just remember pedestrians can’t necessarily hear you coming so be extra alert when they are present.

About the writer:  Valerie Nay is the founder of Emergency Contacts and writes a free monthly newsletter full of valuable information to help you and your family stay safe.

Pass Your Driving Test With Visualization And Subliminal Messages

Driving a car can give you a sense of freedom if you are not stuck in jams of course! But you will only be able to drive if once you get a license. However may of us start getting a panic attack at the mere though of a driving test! If you’ve taken one and failed or are turning into a nervous wreck at the mere thought of taking one the following tips may help you:

Visualize clearing your driving test

You may have heard of athletes or sports persons visualizing winning before an important game or match. They do this because visualization is considered to be powerful technique which prepares the body and mind for peak performance. You can also use this technique to ensure peak performance in your driving test. Start practicing the following technique a week before you are due to take your test:

Step 1 Lie down and sit in a comfortable position

Step 2 Close your eyes and deep breathe

Step 3 Now visualize yourself driving confidently. Feel as if you are in complete control of the car. See yourself smiling confidently as you take the test. Imagine that you are being told “congratulations you have cleared your driving test

Step 4 Relax

Step 5 open your eyes

When you visualize something intensely and repeatedly your body and mind start pushing towards making that visualization come true.

Listen to subliminal messages

Our subconscious directs our so called “natural behavior”. Things like saying “hi!” when you meet someone or putting your hand forward to shake hands which you seem to do “unconsciously” are actually behavior patterns which are embedded in the subconscious. When we do something repeatedly with time it becomes a part of our natural behavior. Subliminal messages can modify our behavior as they have the power to influence our subconscious.

The most commonly used instruments for transmitting subliminal messages are audio cds. Soundtracks in these cds come packaged with subliminal messages. Subliminal messages if used regularly and repeatedly will boost your confidence and help you to develop the belief that you are going to pass and remove the possibility of failure from your mind.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Dan Bainbridge is the Director of Real Subliminal:Try our “>http://www.realsubliminal.com/product/passyourdrivingtest”> pass your driving test album and calm your nerves to pass your test effortlessly!Or view our full range of over 200 powerful subliminal learning cds.

Park Ride Lot: Save Time And Money

Park and ride lots or incentive parking areas are places that help to facilitate the use of public transportation for commuters who live on the outside of city limits. If a person living in the suburbs needs to commute to the downtown area in a major city he or she may drive to a park and ride lot in close proximity to the subway or the train. Then they pay a fee to leave their car there for the day while traveling to the place of work by bus or train or by carpooling.

There are many benefits of using a park and ride. For one expensive city parking rates are avoided. In many cities if a person’s place of work does not provide a free parking spot paying for parking can cost a total of 75 for a single day. This is hardly an economically viable solution for most commuters. Using a park and ride lot on the contrary is a cheap alternative and commuters may also purchase a monthly public transportation ticket or card for a very affordable flat rate.

Park and ride lots first began appearing in the United States in the 1960s. Many park and ride lots incentivize commuters who happen to drive alternative fuel vehicles as well offering prime parking spots for cars with low emission designs cars or trucks that participate in carpooling arrangements and high occupancy vehicles.

But park and ride lots do not necessarily accommodate commuters needing to use public transport exclusively. Car sharing services that operate out of park and ride lots are also very common. Many park and ride lots also facilitate informal or casual carpooling. The service may only travel in one direction at a certain time of the day taking passengers toward a central business district in the morning and then in the opposite direction in the evening. Midday trips are less frequent. Generally parking in a park and ride lot overnight is not allowed but the rules may vary depending from place to place.

However park and ride lots themselves may even become too busy from time to time. When this is the case people will sometimes organize separate carpooling arrangements to transport themselves to a public transit station and they will then take a bus or train into a city center from there. On the whole park and ride lots are a great travel alternative helping to reduce pollution traffic congestion and allowing a commuter to save money in gas and parking charges. You can find out more information on car pooling and car sharing by visiting MyCasualCarPool .

About the writer:  Danielle K. D. works for RideshareOptimizer.com that helps commuters form carpools. He works to help for those who want information about best rideshare websites commuter parking lots Instant carpooling Ride Sharing Park and Ride Lots. For more detail visit: www.rideshareoptimizer.com SEO USA