Are Convertibles Safe? When the weather warms up you can bet you'll see more convertibles on the road. Our office is in the southeastern U.S. which means people start putting the tops down around April...and that raises the question, are convertibles safe? Whether you're thinking of trading in your car for something more sporty or your kids have a friend with a canvas top covertible, you should know a few things about the overall safety of these kinds of cars. First and foremost, safety. Even the NHTSA says convertibles are "likely to be less crashworthy than the same model with a hard top." It just makes good sense. Even with roll bars, canvas-covered vehicles provide less protection in the event of a rollover or a high-speed crash. You and your family members are far more likely to be thrown from a convertible than a conventional car. The good news is,...

What is "Defensive Driving"? Do Teens Need It? Defensive driving is a skill every teen driver should have, but what exactly  is  defensive driving? In essence, defensive driving is the ability to "defend" yourself as the driver of a vehicle against possible threats to your safety and risks of accidents. Good drivers are those who drive on the defense, not the offense, and every teen on the road should know a specific set of skills to help themselves stay safe and also protect others on the road. If any of the following describes your kids, they may need to take a defensive driving class in your area before you hand over the keys: They've had trouble following house rules or other parameters you set for them They make rash decisions that show little insight or forethought They've had trouble with motor skills and reaction time while playing sports They're highly...

Excuses To Stop Making for Driving Drunk Did you know over 15,000 people die in DUI-related crashes in the U.S. every single year? That’s way, way too many. In fact, DUI driving deaths are one of the most preventable kinds of auto accidents that exist, but far too many drivers are excusing their bad behavior time and time again. Nearly 1.5 million people are arrested for DUI each year and some statistics indicate about 80% of all DUI offenses are committed by less than 5% of the total pool of DUI offenders. That’s staggering. So, are you making excuses for driving while intoxicated? Are your friends excusing their DUIs? If you’ve thought, said, or heard any of these 19 excuses recently you need to take a good hard look at the danger you’re putting yourself and others in. You’re at risk of causing a terrible accident, injuring someone, or at...

Things You Need to Know About Motorcycle Accidents -  Who hasn't dreamed of crusing on a motorcycle? The wind in your hair (under your helmet, of course), the feel of the open road, the speed, the power...But before you rent a Harley for the weekend or take your friend up on his hog-riding offer you should know that the seat of a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous places you can be on the road. Here are 7 things you need to know about motorcycle accidents that might save your life... 1. Between 1999 and 2008, motorcycle deaths in the U.S. effectively doubled.  Over 1,200,000 non-life threatening motorcycle crash injuries were treated in ERs across the coutry while more than 34,000 people were killed . 2. Motorcyclists are over 35 times more likely to experience a deadly accident on the road than cars.  Lack of protection and safety gear...

Are You Driving A Dangerous Vehicle on the Road? Some cars are more dangerous than others. That’s a fact. Of course, many accidents are due to factors like weather, lack of education, and recklessness rather than defects within the cars themselves. Still, certain models and makes of cars have higher-than-average accident statistics and it’s something worth considering, especially if you’re driving kids or have teens of driving age. Here’s a quick look at some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road you should think twice about taking for a spin… Chevy Corvette Sure, they may look cool but Chevy Corvettes have arguably killed more people than any other car in history. It likely has something to do with the type of people who tend to buy Corvettes and the fact they go from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds. For every 10,000 Corvettes registered in the U.S....

What to do If You've Been Pulled Over for DUI -  Have you been pulled over for suspicion of a DUI in GA? There are few things more terrifying than flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror, particularly if you've been drinking. It's important to remember that the only surefire way to avoid being convicted of a DUI is to AVOID DRINKING AND DRIVING. The legal limit for adults over 21 years of age in Georgia is a BAC of no more than .08%. If you're under 21, it's 0.0%.  Risking a DUI is never, ever worth it. Not only are DUIs incredibly expensive, difficult to move past, and scary, you run the distinct possiblity of hurting yourself or others if you drive while intoxicated. A full 40% of all accident fatalities in the U.S. each year can be linked to drunk driving. Remember: buzzed driving is drunk driving. Just...

Deadliest Days of the Year? It’s a no-brainer that certain days or periods mean tougher driving conditions. For example, this winter’s icy weather meant inclement road conditions for much of the country and anyone who’s sat in stop-and-go traffic during their commute can tell you that rush hour’s a dangerous time to be behind the wheel. But did you know that for teenagers, there are 100 days out of the year that put them at specific risk for being killed in a drunk driving-related accident? In fact, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day (summer vacation for most kids) contains 9 of the 10 deadliest days of the year, statistically, for teen drivers. Why? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services say about 6% of all 16-17 year olds reported driving while intoxicated in 2010, along with 15% of 18-20 year olds. Over 3,000 teenagers were killed in...

  Who’s Been Charged With a DUI? These famous names can’t seem to keep themselves out of trouble. From music artists to politicians, no one’s above the law when it comes to being charged with DUI. If you drink and drive you can count on getting caught…and the penalties for drunk driving in the U.S. are no laughing matter. You’ll likely have to pay a hefty fine, incur points on your license, and attend a DUI risk reduction class in your area to satisfy court orders. Avoid these consequences by always using a designated driver, never drinking if you’re under 21, and calling a cab when you need a ride! Don’t be like these folks… Chris Pine Star of the revamped Star Trek movies, Chris Pine was charged with a DUI in New Zealand, of all places, on March 1. His NZ driver’s license has been suspended for 6 months...

What is Online DUI School Really Like? No one really  wants  to be legally required to take a DUI Risk Reduction class. The thing is, a lot of DUI offenders say they benefitted greatly from participated in a risk reduction program and studies have shown time and again these classes really work! Reducing DUIs and DWIs is obviously the main goal of any effective DUI program but students just want to know how they'll be spending their court-mandated hours. Let's take a look. It's important to note that  most states set their own requirements  for DUI classes that pertain to everything from total hours to how many times an individual student can be late for class. Lots of states also set minimum pricing requirements for DUI school to ensure that all schools essentially charge the same thing.  Before you ever show up for a DUI risk reduction program you'll probably...

What Your Car Says About You- Is your car making you a target? If you live in a city with car culture like Atlanta or LA you’ve likely spent some time thinking about what your car is saying about your personality. Your friends, your insurance provider, and even the law are probably making assumptions about you based solely on your mode of transportation so it’s good to know what vibe you’re putting out!   If you drive a black or red car… Studies show that red car drivers are more inclined to want to stand out while black car drivers are aiming for a powerful, masculine vibe. Contrary to popular belief, red cars don’t get ticketed more often than other colors and in actuality, if you want to avoid a ticket you should avoid gray cars and go for white instead! If you drive a common sedan model… Think your...

Sobering Drunk Driving Statistics- Everyone knows drunk driving is dangerous. But do you know  exactly  how dangerous driving while intoxicated really is? Not only does it put other drivers at risk, driving drunk puts you and your passengers in unnecessary harm's way. The sad fact is, drunk driving accidents are totally, completely preventable. Whether you've been charged with a DUI, have friends who insist on driving when they shouldn't, or are even a parent of a teen, here are a few sobering statistics about driving drunk you absolutely need to know.   About 1 out of every 3 people will be involved in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime 82% of ALL FATAL CRASHES are caused by drunk drivers 21-25 year olds drive drunk the most, accounting for about 24% of all DUI offenders Every single day in the U.S. 28 people are killed in drunk driving accidents Among...

What is Counseling Like? Group counseling is a foreign concept to some people. There's nothing to be afraid of! Group therapy can be incredibly helpful when it comes to issues like alcohol and drug dependence and many people find it less intimidating than one-on-one consultations. You could spend years breaking down the elements of successful group therapy sessions but in general, they all have the same goals : Members help each other by imparting valuable experiences and information, which also boosts self-esteem for the sharer  In a group, unity is an important concept. A cohesive group helps each member towards a common goal (like sobriety) Group allows members at different points of treatment to interact with each other, thereby providing  hope   Most questions new members have revolve around what group counseling is actually  like.  It's important to remember that every single group is unique and will be different depending...

Winter Weather Driving Myths - Atlanta's winter driving conditions have been crazier than ever this year. It's time you learned how to drive in the snow, ice, and other adverse conditions in the event you  have  to. Of course, if you don't have to go out in inclement weather it's always best to stay home! If Snowpocalypse taught us anything it's never to underestimate the power of a little weather to make things miserable. Unfortunately, there are plenty of pervasive winter-weather driving myths that simply aren’t true. Not only is believing them unadvisable, it can actually be incredibly dangerous. Every year an average of 467 people  are killed while driving on icy roads in the U.S. Learn how to handle them to avoid becoming a statistic. Here are some winter driving myths you should never, ever believe…   Myth 1: All-Season Tires Can Handle Any Conditions It’s important to remember that...

Talk to Your Kids About Before They Get Their License- Is Your Teen Ready for the Responsibility of a Driver’s License? As the weather warms up, more and more teenagers across the country are learning to drive or excited about getting their license before summer hits. The freedom of driving comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot of risk! In fact, 15-20 year old drivers account for almost a full  of all motor vehicle crash injuries despite making up only 14% of the population. So, what can you do to help your teens stay safer on the road? It's your job as a parent to prepare your kids for one of the most dangerous times in their lives...these are seven things to talk to them about before they ever even get their license. 1. Drinking and Driving You'd be surprised just how often alcohol is a factor in...

Lessons On How to Drive Safety in Winter Weather- It's no secret Atlanta was caught woefully underprepared this week when winter weather hit the city. Of course, many of the worst traffic problems were caused by unpreventable issues like accidents and black ice but there are a few things even the most southern southerner should know about driving in adverse winter conditions. Here are some safety tips for driving in ice and snow to keep in mind.  Decrease Your Speed No, really, decrease your speed. All too many drivers assume if the road  looks  clear, it is. Unfortunately, black ice is hard to spot and even the slushiest snow can cause hazards if you're driving too fast. Get off the phone, turn off the radio, and pay extra-close attention when you're driving in winter weather. Also, keep both hands on the wheel at all time. Know How to Brake Braking...

Spending Up To Catch Drunk Drivers- The Georgia State Patrol is getting (even more) serious about drunk driving. 2014 is going to be a bad year from drunk drivers if the highway patrol has anything to say about it. Late last year, the highway patrol was awarded a long-saught grant by the Governer's Office of Highway Safety that's meant to put more officers on the road and increase field testing for DUI suspects. The aptly-named project is called H.E.A.T., or "Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic" and its overall goals are generally to reduce speeding, catch impaired drivers, and make the state's roads safer places to be. All in all, the GA Highway Patrol is going to receive nearly $2.5 million in additional funding to make it happen. So, what does this mean for you?  First and foremost, don't drink and drive! In the state of Georgia it's illegal to operate...

Online DUI Schools- There are many DUI schools in Georgia. More than 270 but they are certainly not all the same. Because the state mandates how much they will cost, they all cost the same, which can make the selection process both more difficult and easier. It's easier because you don't have to take price into consideration and decide if you'd rather pay more for certain amenities. However, it's more difficult because you'll have to consider the following issues. Choose a Comfortable Environment You'll be spending many hours in DUI schools in Georgia, so you want to make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. Avoid old and outdated schools, instead looking for a school that offers newly built and designed classrooms. You want to choose classrooms that are bright and comfortable, to make your experience as positive as possible. Choose Entertaining Classes The information covered in any of the...

Online Driving Schools -  Are you thinking of making that commitment to but you don’t know where to begin?  The answer is definitely Driving lessons unless you need defensive driving.  It should be easy and fun to get your certification. Don’t shop for Atlanta Driving Schools just anywhere!  Look for quality and price and instructors. Now it’s your turn to do it too, and experience why everyone says it’s so awesome! So, if you are looking for the largest Atlanta driving school, go online and start today.  It’s true that where you learn to drive can have a great influence on your degree of safety and expertise on the road.  That’s why it’s so important to take this next step and commit so you can improve your skills and bring more safety into your life.  Take the leap this year into driving with the utmost skill and you won’t be...

Get A Defensive Driving Certificate- Why is it so dangerous to be a driver on the streets of Atlanta?  Going to Defensive Driving Atlanta is a wonderful way to kick start some new skills on the road to keep you safe...hands-down.  Department of driver services schools want to make you a part of the safe driving community in Atlanta, and once you’re in, you’re seriously in.  Look for services, prices, and quality to back up their claims. Our lives are busy but you’re going to be feeling a lot safer very soon, and experiencing all of the peace of mind that goes along with that! Have you noticed that the streets get more and more dangerous to drive on in the city?  Some drivers just seem so reckless!  Everyone needs safe driving skills we feel like. So, hop online today and find a defensive driving school near you.  

Will My Defensive Driving Class Be Approved? Atlanta Defensive Driving is a 6 hour program that is regulated by the department of driver services.  It costs $75 and many defensive driving schools offer the program once or twice a week, depending on the size of the school.  Upon completion of the course, an official certificate will be issued the next business day.  Look for the most convenient program in your area to get back on the road quickly.  Although many people take the Atlanta courses because of a recent ticket or court order the class can, in fact, be very helpful for teenage and new drivers to take as well. Other benefits of taking it would be to lower car insurance payments if the driver is over twenty-five years old and has a good driving record or a reduction of points on a driving record can be obtained. This can...