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Friday, April 5, 2013 Williams Lake Weekend
Spring... ON
THE ROAD
Stay smart, stay safe, stay connected At any given moment, an estimated 11 percent of drivers are talking on the phone, making this the most common secondary task people perform while driving. Mobile phones are an essential way most people stay connected on the go, but mobile phone users must be responsible for staying smart when they use their phones while driving. Many traffic accidents today can be attributed to distracted driving, including talking on the phone. Driving while talking or texting is not only dangerous, it is also illegal and carries a fine in BC. Here are three tips for smart drivers: • Always use smart, defensive practices when driving. Every driver should assess their unique driving situation and decide when it’s OK to talk on the phone. • Always use a Bluetooth enabled hands-free device or car system when you talk and drive, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. • Never manually text or e-mail on your phone while you drive. Bluetooth technology helps you drive smart, drive safe Bluetooth enabled wireless headsets and hands-free car systems have always helped drivers focus on the road. Today, new versions of these devices are better than ever, with features that ensure a completely hands-free calling experience made possible by speech recognition, text-tospeech technology,
After a hard winter, it’s time to get your car ready for spring...
Book your spring tune-up and tire change over at Sugarcane TreadPro Full Service • Expert Staff
There are many new products to help you keep your hands on the wheel while you talk and drive. Electronics makers have released dozens of hands-free calling devices that install in your vehicle or clip on your car’s sun visor and pair with your mobile phone. and “speech trigger” capabilities that lets you turn on hands-free calling devices just by speaking a command. Having a hands-
free device installed in your vehicle is a safety measure that can reduce fines and accidents. A complete
Bluetooth system can be installed for under $300.
Sugarcane TreadPro 2579 Cariboo Hwy 97S. Williams Lake, BC 250.296.4453
Submitted by Audio Video Unlimited
What to do with a cracked windshield The scenario is all too common. Drivers are traveling down the road, and a pebble gets kicked up and hits into their windshield, causing a small chip to appear. Slowly but surely that chip turns into a spreading, snaking crack that only gets worse with each bump and pothole. Having a broken windshield is not only unsightly and a big inconvenience, it can also be illegal. That’s because the crack reduces the efficacy of the window safety composition, meaning it may shatter in the event of an impact accident and cause extensive injuries. The crack also may impede a driver’s ability to see the road clearly. It’s important to note that liability car insurance typically doesn’t cover a cracked windshield that occurs in a collision. Instead, drivers hoping to be covered need to have collision insurance on their vehicle. However, not all windshields crack in a car accident. Many are damaged in nonaccident related circumstances, whether this be a tree branch that falls on the car or a rock kicked up from the roadway. It’s important to read an insurance policy thoroughly to be sure that nonaccident related cracks to the windshield will be covered.
Even if the damage is covered, it may not be worth the expense of paying the insurance deductible and filing a claim, which may end up raising your rate in the long run. Many small nicks can be repaired easily with a kit purchased from an automotive supply store. Inexpensive and user-friendly, the instructions guide users through the process of sealing the crack and preventing it from spreading. If the crack is beyond the scope of a do-it-yourself fix, a windshield repair service that specializes in this type of work might be necessary. These companies use products that harden quickly and reglaze the windshield so that the crack may not even be noticeable afterward. Upon inspection, a mechanic or a windshield replacement company may determine that the crack is not something that can be mended. The entire windshield will have to be replaced at this point. In some cases the windshield can be removed and replaced in the same day. While there is no way to prevent a cracked windshield entirely, there are certain ways to reduce the risk. This includes avoiding running over any debris on the road that can be kicked back at the windshield.
KDC-X597
eXcelon In-Dash USB/CD Receiver • Built-in Bluetooth with A2DP • iPhone Bluetooth Auto Pair • SiriusXM ready • Front USB for iPhone/iPod and Mass Storage • 3 RCA pre-outs 4 Volt
249
$
2 Year War ranty
Installation included *extra parts may be required
Matt Stewart Sales & Installation
234 Borland Street
250-392-7455 • 1-800-665-2511
Ben Sawyer Sales & Installation