Safe Driving Tips for the Holidays

It’s an exciting and hectic time.  If you’ve been running around frantically, searching for the best gift, buying decorations, or trying to balance work and home life lately, you’re not alone.  The holidays are a time of love, compassion and the occasional MAYHEM.  While you’re out and about this time of year, take precaution.  Traffic is heavy this time of year and its important to still keep your driving skills up to par.  Here are some tips on maintaining your safety this holiday season.

Vehicle Maintenance

Get a tune up and make sure your car is prepared for travel if you’re taking a road trip.  This is CRUCIAL, especially regarding winter driving conditions.

Restrain Yourself Properly

This should be the norm.  Remember, the rear seat is the safest place for any children to ride.

Stay Alert and Energized

Take plenty of breaks and don’t push to meet unrealistic schedules like finishing all of your holiday shopping in a few hours.  If you feel yourself getting tired, pull over into a rest area or business, and get out and stretch.  If that doesn’t work, find a place to rest.  These crashes most often occur during the late night/early morning hours and the late afternoon hours to drivers who are sleepy.

Keep Speed Down

Hey, Ricky Bobby, give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic around you.  Let impatient and aggressive drivers pass you.

Choose a Designated Driver

There will be tons of intoxicated drivers on the roadways.  If you absolutely have to drive during this time of year always have a designated driver.

So, do you have any tips?  Feel free to comment below!

Drive safely this holiday season with our blog tips!

Driving and Texting...Danger ahead

The Dangers of Texting and Driving (2013 Edition)

You’ve heard it all before.  Texting and driving should not mix.  We’ve all been ridiculed and yelled at for checking our phones in the HOV lane, dashing passed a red light while flicking our phone and having full blown conversations via MMS.  Texting and driving is DEADLY.  This isn’t a filtered blog with soft-spoken words, it’s a PSA for those who drive while browsing and texting on their phones.  We’re providing some scary facts on WHY LOL can lead to RIP.  Please be safe out there, fans! We care about ‘ya!

·      In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cellphones.  That’s 1.3 million crashes.

·      Five seconds is the average amount of time your attention is taken away from the road.  So, if you’re traveling at 55 mph, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.

·      77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.

·      55% of young adults claim it’s easy to text while they drive.

·      Teens who text while driving spend 10% of their driving time outside of their lane

·      48% of young drivers have seen their parents drive while talking on a cell phone.

·      1 in 5 drivers of all ages confess to surfing the web while driving.

·      Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving.

·      Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.

Drive safely!

Games you can play while traveling. (leave the remote control at home)

One of the best rides that I can remember was going to Kentucky with my best friend and her parents.   It was fun because we played games in the car during the long trip. This was before video games, tablets, cell phones of course. Some of us here at West Palm Beach Kia thought we would share some of our favorite “Road Games” with you.   Who knows it may even give you a chance to re-connect with someone you love or help you pass the time.

1.)  Alphabet Soup – Start with the letter “A” watch signs, billboards, street signs etc. When someone finds a word that starts with that letter they get a point.  Go through the entire alphabet until you get to “Z” and the person with the most points wins.

2.)  20 Questions - One person begins and asks a simple question such as “What’s your favorite cereal? Or “if you could go back in time where would you go?” Each person answers the question and finally, the person asking the question answers.  The next person then proceeds.  (This game is always fun, and it helps to get to know each other better.)

3.)  Geography – Pick a letter then guess as many states, cities, and countries that you can come up with to win points.   First person to reach 100 wins.

4.)  Scramble – Think of  5 to 6 letter word,  scramble the letters to stump your opponents.  Take turns. 

Sure these games maybe old fashioned but they can help to re-connect your family, help you to become closer and just simply pass the time.  If all else fails you can always have a DVD player installed in your car.  For this and other trip tips visit our website at  or give us a call.  (888) 256-5392