Fighting Distracted Driving to Save Lives

Drivers attempt to eat, read, discipline children and apply makeup while driving. All of these activities are dangerous and can result in an accident. In recent years, the increasing popularity of cell phones and texting has resulted in a significant increase in distracted driving. The distraction when using electronic devices is more severe. Historically, distracted driving was a minor issue. Now it is known as a major problem.

Distracted driving resulted in over 3,000 fatalities in 2012. It has been reported that distracted driving is three times more dangerous than drunk driving. Forty-four states have passed laws banning texting and driving. Fourteen states require use of hands-free phones when driving.

One community has taken a different approach to fighting distracted driving. Rochester, New York claims to have success with their Yeah, You're That Distracting campaign. The campaign involves focus on the person who is not in the vehicle. The goal is to have the person on the other end of the cell phone get off the phone or stop texting if they know the recipient is driving. When placing a phone call to a cell phone, the caller should first ask if the person they are calling is driving. Therefore it is up to the driver's friend and family, not the driver themselves, to wait to hold the conversation and prevent a potential accident or fatality.

The Ad Council responsible for this campaign has reported a 20 percent decrease in distracted driving since 2012. Community-wide polls show significant increases in driver awareness as well. For example, 84 percent of respondents indicated they already have or are willing to cease to use their cell phone while driving in a poll taken in November of 2013. Compare that to 68 percent in 2012.

Next time you place a phone call or send a text message, consider whether the recipient is driving. Consider asking if you are unsure. If they are driving, postpone the conversation until a later time. Take responsibility for your role in preventing a potential accident.

Even the most careful drivers can’t always avoid accidents. Call Americo Direct Insurance at (214) 374-9997 for more information on Dallas auto insurance policies.

How to Keep Your Car Battery Strong

Chilly weater is tough on a car battery. Cold temperatures impact the power the battery provides. Batteries that are not properly maintained may fail. No one wants to get stuck with a dead car battery on a very cold day. Consider the following tips to keep your car battery strong.

• If you notice any issues, have them resolved immediately. If the car takes a few times to start or seems slow to start, those are both indications of a potential issue. Don't ignore these warning signs.
• Drive your vehicle on a regular basis throughout the winter. If you will be going away for an extended period of time, consider asking a friend or family member to run the engine once a week.
• When you exit your vehicle, be sure you are not leaving electronic accessories on. These will drain the battery when the car is not running. In addition to verifying that your lights are off, unplug the GPS, DVD player and cell phone.
• Make sure the battery is properly secured so it doesn't jiggle while you are driving. This will prevent damage of the battery. Also verify that the cables are properly tightened.
• Clean the battery terminals so corrosion, grease and/or dirt won’t reduce the energy flow. Battery terminals can be cleaned with a wire brush while wearing eye protection and gloves.
• If your battery is three to five years old, consider bringing it in for a test. If the battery is weak, consider replacing it. Although a weak battery may work fine during warmer months, a weak battery may not start in the winter.
• If possible, park your car in a protected environment like a garage. This will keep the car at a slightly higher temperature and will protect the vehicle from winter weather.

Following the above tips will reduce the chance that your car battery will fail in the cold weather. However, you should still be prepared for being stuck in case another issue arises. Equip yourself with a quality auto insurance policy, some of which come with roadside assistance.

We’ve got you covered. Call Americo Direct Insurance at 214-374-9997 for more information on Arlington auto insurance.

Construction and Surety Bonds

What are surety bonds and how do they relate to construction? According to the Small Business Administration, a surety bond ensures contract completion if a contractor defaults. They also state that there are four types of surety bonds that relate to construction, which are as follows.

1.       Bid Bond: At the beginning of a contract, companies bid on the job. Once the different companies submit a bid, one is chosen to fulfill the contract. A bid bond ensures that the bidder will enter the contract and furnish the payment and performance bonds when awarded the contract. The bid bond helps ensure that there aren't a lot of bids submitted only to find out most of them weren't serious about taking the job.

2.       Payment Bond: After the contract has been awarded to a company, that company will need suppliers and might use subcontractors. A payment bond ensures that the suppliers and subcontractors will get paid. Without this bond, suppliers and subcontractors are not protected, and they might sue you for the payment.

3.       Performance Bond: The contract was awarded to a company and you want to be sure the job is finished according to the contract. A performance bond ensures that the terms and conditions of the contract will be met.

4.       Ancillary Bond: This type of surety bond ensures that requirements that are not directly performance related, but are related to the contract, are performed.

Why do you need a surety bond? If you are bidding on a contract, a surety bond can protect you. If you are having others bid on a project, then requiring them to be bonded can also protect you.

Get the coverage you need. Call Americo Direct Insurance at (214) 374-9997 for more information on Dallas surety bonds.