TA-13_AllPages

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Tallahassee Advertiser & Big Bend Classifieds March 24th, 2022 Page 4 tallyads.com powered online by recycler.com How to reduce distractions behind the wheel Distracted driving is a significant safety issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevenon indicates about eight people in the United States are killed in crashes that are aributed to distracted driving every day. The Naonal Highway Traffic Safety Administra- on says there were 2,895 distracon-affected fatal crashes in 2019, with distracon-related events accounng for 9 percent of all fatal crashes in the country. Distracted driving also puts Canadians at risk. Transport Canada’s Naonal Collision Database says distracted driving prevalence rose from 16 percent of fatal collisions in 2006 to 21 percent in 2016, and those numbers are sll climbing. According to the Insurance Informaon Instute, distracons are a major safety threat. Eang, talking with passengers, adjusng vehicle controls, and using a mobile phone while behind the wheel are acvi- es that take drivers’ aenons away from the road. In fact, distracons are broken down into several categories: • Visual distracons: Anything that takes one’s eyes off of the road. • Manual distractions: Anything that takes one’s hands off of the steering wheel. • Cognitive distractions: Anything that takes one’s mind off of driving. Drivers can follow these tips to make vehicles distraction-free and reduce the risk for accidents or near misses. Make adjustments before setting off Make adjustments to mirrors, radio stations and seat settings prior to driving. In addition, drivers who intend to utilize a GPS navigation system should enter the address and look ahead at the course before getting on the road. Keep smartphones out of sight Reducing the urge to check a phone alert or send a text may come down to out of sight, out of mind. Silence the phone and store it in the glove compartment, center console or a purse in the back seat. The phone should not be handled until the destination is reached or if the vehicle is pulled over safely out of traffic. Smartphones have settings that can be programmed to send automatic notifications to people contacting the phone owner to say they’re driving or temporarily unavailable. Eat before leaving Consuming food or drink on the road takes a person’s hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. Drivers should try to eat before geng on the road, or pull over to a rest stop for a snack if need be. Use hands-free devices in emergencies Many cars come equipped with Bluetooth or other hands-free technology that enables a distress call to be made without having to take hands off the wheel. Many are voice-acvated or can be engaged with the push of a buon. Limit passengers A vehicle full of passengers can be very distracng. It’s why many areas no longer allow newly minted teenage drivers to transport more than a few passengers unl they’re older and more experienced. Liming passengers even for experienced adults can help reduce distracons as well. People can take steps to reduce distracons on the road and share their advice with others they love. — Courtesy of Metro Creave Services
tallyads.com powered online by recycler.com March 24th, 2022 Page 5 Tallahassee Advertiser & Big Bend Classifieds Tips for negotiating with contractors Spring is the season for fixing up a home. Homeowners who aren’t interested in doing the work themselves turn to contractors to ensure the job is done not only to code, but on me and efficiently. Aer receiving an inial esmate from a contractor, homeowners may wonder if there is any addional wiggle room in contractors’ costs. Certain contractors are willing to negoate while others are firm in their prices. However, learning the basics of negoaon can put homeowners in posion to save money on dream renovaons. Do your homework Geng the best price typically require shopping around and not seling on the first bid. Experts recommend geng at least three esmates on the same job and be sure to let each contractor know that you are solicing mulple bids. This alone may ence a specific contractor to give you his or her best offer up front. Avoid simply choosing the lowest bid. Look at quality of work, reputaon and reviews. If you like a costly contractor more than another, see if that contractor is willing to match a lower bid to win the job. Pick the right season As with other industries, home renovaon work heats up during certain seasons or mes of year. General contractors may be more willing to negoate for a lower price depending on when their busy season may be. Jobs may slow down in winter, for example. Talk about supplies Even aer geng a good bid, you may be able to speak with your contractor about lowering costs even more by choosing less costly supplies. Find out if contractors can source materials from a low-cost supplier. In addion, discuss if you can purchase your own supplies. Ask to do a poron Be honest with the contractor about your budget and figure out if there is any way for you to do some of the work to lower costs. The contractor can give you jobs that are within your abilies, which can shave dollars off the final price. Know your rights and laws Understand the laws governing contract language in your state or province. Contracts should also spell out the change order process so that expectaons of changes and costs will be known in advance. These are just some of the taccs homeowners can use when negoang the price of home remodels or improvements. — Courtesy of Metro Creave Services
Page 1 and 2: Find It, Buy It, Sell It. “JUMPIN
Page 3: tallyads.com powered online by recy
Page 7 and 8: tallyads.com powered online by recy

TA-13_AllPages

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?