How to Keep Your SUV Safe

SUVs are built to survive punishing roads, reckless drivers, and family road trips. Therefore, you should do everything you can to keep your SUV safe. That way it can withstand the biggest challenge: time itself! Below is a guide to keeping your sport utility vehicle as safe as possible, without locking it in your garage for the rest of eternity. [framed_box]

Be wary of road conditions

You don’t want to be caught off guard when you encounter strange and unusual road conditions. Whether it’s ice on a bridge or construction detours, always be cautious of the roads you drive on. Also, never underestimate the relentless, destructive power of a single pot hole. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Check your brakes

Brakes are - arguably - one of the most important features of an SUV. They can prevent you from driving through your garage or plunging off the side of a cliff. Routinely check your brakes and replace them if they’re bad. Knowing your SUV is safe will give your conscious a much-needed break. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Know the weather forecast

You don’t need to be a meteorologist to drive your SUV. But, it couldn’t hurt! Checking the forecast for storms, snow, acid rain, or fog, before you leave your home can mentally prepare you to drive in extreme weather conditions. The last thing you want is to be caught outside in acid rain without an umbrella! [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Keep a spare tire

Always keep a spare tire in your SUV. In the instance you blow out a tire on the road, you will always have a back-up to keep you from being stranded. Also, something you should add to your repertoire: learn how to change a tire! [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Lock your SUV

Locking your SUV is a quick and simple way to ensure its safety when parked. Just like your front door, keeping it locked-up will keep people locked-out. It’s hard to steal an SUV from the outside. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Use a turn signal

You may know this from acing your online traffic school course, but using turn signals is the best means of communication with fellow drivers. However, turn signals often are the car’s most underutilized feature. They’re the most important way two drivers can communicate - outside of giving each other the middle finger. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Don’t Rage

While driving, never let yourself fall into a fury that makes Mad Max jealous. Staying cool behind the wheel is just as important to your SUV’s safety as it is to other’s safety. It could feel cathartic to rear-end the person who just cut you off, but the ones that suffer will be your SUV and your driving record. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Know where you’re going

Always know where you’re going. You can drive the same route to work every day or map your road trip in advance with a GPS. When you know where you’re going, you will have a better idea of what to expect. This is also helpful advice for living your life. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Headlights and brake lights are important

Double check those headlights and brake lights with a friend before long road trips. Broken lights make it difficult for other drivers to see you. More importantly, it’s a reason to get pulled over by the police. Driving without lights isn’t a bright decision. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

Keep an emergency kit

First aid kit, flashlight, road flares, blanket, and a gallon of water is a recommendation of what to include in your emergency kit. Being prepared for the worst is always the smart decision. Accidents are unpredictable and can happen anytime and anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for them. [/framed_box]

SUV and Compact SUV Leasing

SUVs, or sports utility vehicles, are what’s hot – and what’s been hot for some time now when it comes to the auto market. In fact, according to a December 2017 report on auto sales in the Wall Street Journal, all SUVs and crossover SUVs are up about 6.5 percent in sales compared to last year at this time. This is led by the compact SUV category, which is up about 4.5 percent, followed by the luxury SUV category, which is up 3.4 percent from 2016. As you can see, sales are still trending up among this vehicle class. Yes, people love their SUVs – and Texas drivers are no exception. While Texans might be best associated with driving pickup trucks, the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the increased number of SUVs on the road in the Lonestar State and elsewhere throughout the country today. Vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Chevy Tahoe, Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee continue to top the charts, especially when you consider that these vehicles are made much more affordable and practical with leasing options. [framed_box]

The Benefits of Leasing an SUV

Buying a vehicle is an investment. That is, there’s a lot of incentive to take great care of it so that you’re driving it for many years after you’ve made the last payment on the auto loan. For some Texas consumers, buying is ideal and can present a cost-savings for several years after you’ve paid the vehicle off. For others, buying can be a hassle. Not only do older cars become more expensive to maintain, but with how fast technology is changing, you’re going to be driving an outdated vehicle before long. That’s where leasing comes in, especially when it comes to SUVs. With leasing, you’re always making a car payment for as long as you have the vehicle, but there are lots of benefits to going this route: • New cars every 2-3 years: Most leases don’t last for longer than three years, which means that you’re driving a brand-new vehicle with each new lease. • Latest technology: Technology in the automotive industry is always changing, and by leasing, you’ll be privy to the latest and greatest every 2-3 years. • Less maintenance: Newer cars require less maintenance than older ones, and chances are that any lease you’re driving isn’t going to come due for any major suggested maintenance (i.e., brakes, transmission flushes, new tires, etc.) until well after you’re done with it and have turned it back into the dealer. There’s a good chance that the only thing you’ll need to worry about with your lease is a regular oil change and tire rotation. • Under warranty: Most vehicles these days come with 36-month full warranties, so if something should go wrong with your lease, the only thing you’ll be out is the minor inconvenience of taking it into the repair shop. [/framed_box] [framed_box]

SUVs in Texas: A Convenient Choice

SUVs provide a little bit of the best of both worlds in Texas in that they offer good fuel economy and still allow for plenty of storage room. Plus, they’re easy to handle and fun to drive. You don’t need to take a TX defensive driving course to understand that. What’s more is that lease payments are often significantly lower than auto loan payments, which can make it more convenient for drivers to afford higher-end SUV models. As you can see, for many, it makes sense to lease. To clear any recent TX traffic tickets, make sure to take advantage of the best online defensive driving Texas programs today. [/framed_box]

Melrose Place Star Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter

The star from the original Melrose Place continues to make headlines following her DUI car crash last June in New Jersey, which resulted in the death another motorist. Amy Locane-Bovenizer is facing manslaughter charges. The 39-year-old mother of two pleaded not guilty to aggravated manslaughter and assault by auto charges, reports say. Somerset County prosecutors say Locane-Bovenizer's SUV hit the vehicle of 60-year-old Fred Seeman as he was turning into his driveway, breaking 10 of his ribs and killing his wife. Officers detected alcohol on Locane-Bovenizer's breath and arrested her, but she was shortly freed after posting $50,000 bail. We talked about this subject before, but it never ceases to amaze and anger us.  We come across many people from different walks of life in our Traffic School. 
 

Celebrities often drop by our Hollywood classes, showing that even stars get traffic tickets. Everyone slips up with speeding now and then. But fame brings **big responsibilities.** Reckless driving, especially drunk driving, isn’t OK for anyone. It's even worse seeing a star in the news for it. Seriously, if you're having a few drinks, hire a limo—you can totally afford it!