Safe Holiday Driving

image courtesy of flickr.com/Xurble Nothing burns a brotha up more than having to dodge soccer moms with “neckdontworkisis” trying to coordinate offspring pickups/dropoffs! neckdontworkisis (neck-dont-work-isis); n: - The inability to turn one’s head around and look in one’s blindspot BEFORE switching lanes during a phone call while driving. Multiply that with old people who should be forced to take a eye exam/driving test EVERY YEAR and road yachts full of anxious family members struggling to get to Grammy’s house to suffer the misfortune of tasting her green bean casserole, and VOILA’ – the perfect storm for what is known as “Holiday Traffic”. So during one of the busiest travel days of the year, please allow Brotha Tech to give you some tech tips & gadgets that will help you stay safe…and sane! The Lowdown: - Actually use your GPS/Navigation system: Don’t use your smartphone as a GPS, unless you can attach it to your dashboard/windshield (I am a culprit). Why? Unless your arm is made of steel and/or you can drive for MILES with your knees, it’s not a good idea to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road in order to fool with your phone’s tiny screen to find out where your next turn is. I know it’s quick to whip out your phone instead of playing with the GPS screen that places all the letters alphabetically, instead of keyboard style, but do us a favor and deal with it! - Program your GPS ahead of time: Most of the built-in GPS systems don’t allow you to operate the system while the car is in motion; but for most of us who buy aftermarket systems from Garmin, TomTom and others, all we have to do is ignore the “do not operate while car is in motion” notice after the unit powers up, and keep on trying to decide between the “shortest route” and the “fastest route” while flying down the interstate. Just take the time and do it while you are warming up the car, please. - Speed/Voice dialing is your friend If you MUST call Grammy and update her of your ETA every 2 hours, program her number onto one of the numbers on your keypad. Or setup your voice dialing (voice dialing is getting better, I promise). …and while you are on the phone (you didn’t think I was done with soccer mom did you?) - Take that phone off your ear and get a Bluetooth Headset or Car Kit! For some strange reason, people MUST talk while they are driving. Even stranger is that people think they can drive as good or better while they are talking while driving. Fact of the matter is, a distraction is a distraction. Trying to explain to Grammy why your brother isn’t coming this year because he thinks nobody likes his perky, half-his-age new girlfriend is a recipe for disaster if you are trying to navigate Thanksgiving traffic. So at the very least, do it as safely as possible. - Do I even have to tell you not to text while driving? Twitter, Facebook and your BlackBerry Messenger Contacts will be okay if you are off the grid for awhile you spend time with your family singing holiday songs in the family ride. Here are some useful links: CEA’s Position On Driver Safety Using your Car Electronics Safely …use some common sense and stay safe out there folks! Oh, and before I forget, HAPPY TURKEY DAY! (Tell Grammy I said Hello)

View article...