Archive for August, 2011
Driving in Bad Weather: Keeping Safe When Road Conditions Are Hazardous
It’s amazing what a little rain (or a lot) can do to road conditions. In the matter of moments, an easy afternoon drive can turn into a treacherous experience that has you white knuckling the steering wheel. However, this doesn’t have to be the case if you understand the steps and caution that should be taken the moment the first drop hits your windshield.
Rule number one to remember that the road will be the most slippery and slick within the first ten minutes of rainfall. This is because the moment the rain hits the pavement, oil and other residue that had dried to the road once again liquefies, causing immediate hazard to you while you drive. This is the time that you are most likely to hydroplane, so be aware and keep distractions such as cell phones, radios, and other in-car issues to a minimum.
Another important tip is to turn on your headlights immediately. Less than savory weather conditions can make it difficult for other drivers to see you, even during the middle of the day. Many states require headlights when it is raining, regardless of the hour. However, if your state doesn’t, a great rule of thumb to follow is to turn them on as soon as the first thunderclouds start gathering in the sky.
When you are driving in the rain it is also important to drive below the speed limit, regardless of what “souped up” 4 wheel drive features your SUV has. Drive slow and keep five car lengths in between you and the vehicle in front of you. This allows you appropriate time to make decisions while driving as well as a line of sight that will help you anticipate problems before they happen.
Next, consider your tires. Remember that the maximum speed that you are capable of driving is related to the current condition or type of tires you have on your car. While you may have radial tires on your car which boast better traction than other types, even this type of tire loses effectiveness as the tread wears out and it will not be able to channel the water on the road.
It is necessary for you to be aware also that your brakes are not immune to water and they can be compromised. Avoid driving through deep water as this will affect your brakes ability to do their job.
Finally, depending on what area of the country you live in, this may or may not be applicable to you. Some areas of the country experience road wash outs from river overflow during heavy rain. While you may know that the water isn’t deep, you should never try driving through moving water. Even an inch of water that has a current has the ability to carry a car. Remember, this moving water is GOING SOMEWHERE, likely to another water source where there is a lot more of it, like a river. While it may only be a inch on the road, if you try to maneuver through it and you get washed away, you will have much bigger problems.
Stay safe. Remember, it might seem just like a little rain and you might say you are not made of sugar, but it has the ability to be very dangerous, especially if you are behind the wheel of a car.
Road Traffic Accidents Due to Poor Road Surfaces
No matter if your a motorist, biker or a cyclist, you’ll have witnessed at least once in your lifetime an accident or near accident where the main negligent party was the actual road surface itself. It is a problem that anyone who uses our roads is aware of and it is a problem that is getting worse. When you hear of a road traffic accident you automatically think of a vehicle collision. Poor road conditions amount for a high percentage of road traffic accidents each year including deaths.
Road Surfaces and the Weather
Adverse weather conditions make driving dangerous. It also makes roads sometimes virtually impassable to drive along. The weather causes all sorts of wear and tear to road surfaces, by wiping away road markings and wearing away the top layer of the road that helps with the traction of tyres.
Heavy Rain or flash floods, can dump 2 months of rainwater on an area in just a couple of hours. Uprooting trees and placing various obstacles making driving in these condition absolutely lethal. Strong winds can tear down road signs used to inform the driver of any up-and-coming dangers such as tight bends or speed limits. Ice is another danger that can lead to road traffic accidents, especially during the winter months, poor drainage is normally the problem with water freezing on word down tarmac leaving driving conditions to be extremely treacherous. You can visit http://www.ms-payday-loans.com for further information.
Pot Holes Mean Danger
Potholes are another common problem. Drivers will automatically try and swerve their vehicle out of the way of a pothole and can then put themselves in even bigger danger by over-steering into oncoming traffic or even mount pavements and put pedestrians at risk. The same can be said for motorbike riders and also cyclists. Hitting a pothole at speed is not good for the wheels and carriage of any road vehicle and can cause serious accidents if the driver loses control.
In most cases, if you have suffered an injury or damage to your vehicle or bike due to poor road conditions you may be eligible to make an injury claim against your local authority or council. By contacting a personal injury lawyer you can find out the correct action required and also receive expert legal advice about an injury you have received through poor road conditions.
The Exercise For Any Medical Condition
The Thera-Plex Unit is great exercise for medical use. Really the unit is great exercise for everyone. From the quadriplegic to the victim of arthritis – the Thera-Plex Unit can help anyone exercise. Hope has arrived! In most cases physical therapy is limited – at least in time anyhow. People who suffer from all types of medical conditions can benefit by using this exercise machine after their physical therapy is over. The unit can work wonders on a medical client. Personally, I have seen people come in with a walker and leave after a few weeks of treatments (approximately 180 minutes total) without a walker or even a cane for that matter!
I worked under a lady named Sally Nelson for a few months with Body Designer in which she used the Thera-Plex Unit with clients. She was 90 years young at the time. She had run the business for over 50 years. She had used the unit herself too and she really looked good for a 90 year old lady. A gal once told me that Sally needed to give that 16 year old her body back!
Sally worked with “the” Pat Walker in the early 50s. As a matter of fact, Pat Walker introduced Sally to the unit. The Thera-Plex Unit is basically a spin-off of the Pat Walker of the 1970s.
Anyhow, Sally’s daughter, Penny was diagnosed with polio in 1950 something. Sally had just begun work with Pat Walker at the time. The unit was perfect for work with polio victims and Sally quickly put her daughter on the unit. Today Penny walks! That was due to the success of the exercise she performed on the unit!
I know of a lady who used a walker and suffered greatly from pain in her back and legs. After just 4 treatments on the unit she no longer used her walker or even her cane, for that matter. (I told you!) And she even quit going to her chiropractor as well. But a chiropractor could benefit from having a unit like this in his or her office too.
Stroke victims also benefit from workouts on the unit. Even if they suffer paralysis their arms and legs can be strapped onto the unit in such a way that their body will get the proper range of motion and work. The machine does all the work. This is the same manner a work-out would be done with someone who is totally paralyzed.
People who suffer from pain in the back, shoulders, arms, legs, etc. benefit tremendously from exercise on the unit. The unit enables them to exercise when otherwise they would not be able to exercise at all. If the injury prevents them from moving a certain way they could just stop the range of motion and lay there (still getting work) or they could slow the machine down to a speed that was comfortable for them.
You see, the great thing about the machine is you can adjust the speed accordingly. So when a person who suffers from an injury first uses the unit you just slow the speed down to a 2 or 3 and then increase it up to a 5 or 6 as you progress. And if you are consistent on your treatments, you progress quickly!
If you are looking for exercise even though you suffer from a type of medical condition which prevents you from exercising there is hope! It is called the Thera-Plex Unit and it can provide exercise for anyone from the athlete to those who suffer from all types of medical conditions!