Tag Archives: cars

Mobile

5 Ways Smartphones Have Made Driving Safer

The term “smartphone” has become a misnomer. Today, our so-called phones are basically small computers that we can keep in our pockets. While we used to only use them to communicate with one another, the current abilities of the modern smartphone now allow it to be used as a legitimate road safety device. Thanks to our phones’ GPS capabilities, Internet connectivity, software adaptability, and the fact that nearly everyone with access to a vehicle is likely to have a smartphone, engineers have come up with various ways to use them for improving driver safety.

Fostering Safe Road Culture

Smartphones are notorious for distracting drivers on the road. However, a company called Cambridge Mobile Telematics has recently released an app that turns this idea on its head. DriveWell is designed to monitor driver behavior by measuring abrupt acceleration, sharp cornering, speeding, hard braking, and even how often a driver is distracted by their phone. The free app uses all the data it collects to generate a safety score for each user, compiled on competition leader boards to determine which drivers are the safest. The highest scorers are awarded with car insurance discounts and in some cases, even cash prizes.

Dashboard Navigation

The popular app Waze is more than just a device for calculating and plotting driving routes. It also comes with live warnings about nearby road accidents, or any incidents and obstructions that may get in the way of safe driving. By giving its users a way to avoid dangers and inconveniences on the road, Waze is a massive step towards road safety and traffic efficiency.

NHTSA Smartphone Driving Mode Guidelines

Recognizing the unique role of smartphones in modern vehicles, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA recently launched road safety guidelines for smartphone manufacturers. The Guardian has the scoop on the details of the voluntary guidelines. If manufacturers are so inclined, they can choose to update their phones with a “driving mode” that enables road-based applications while blocking ones that may distract from driving, like messaging and video apps. This means that drivers who need to glance at their phone from time to time for navigation purposes, won’t be distracted by their phone’s other notifications and features.

ELD Mandate

The US heavy trucking industry now uses smartphones to improve road safety through the ELD Mandate. Through the combined efforts of the government and the private sector, ELDs or Electronic Logging Devices are now mandatory for every commercial heavy truck operating in the U.S. An overview provided by Verizon Connect details the various safety and efficiency features offered by ELDs. First, the devices track driver hours to prevent over-driving. Second, the included driver monitoring technology helps drivers improve their braking and acceleration, allowing heavy trucks to save on gas as well as be driven more safely on the nation’s highways. Third, ELDs also come with field service and management software that allows operators to better plan out routes and assign the right people for the right jobs. And it’s all done through government-approved Internet-enabled devices, including certain smartphone models that can handle the specialized ELD software.

Diagnostic and Anti-Theft Apps

The same technology in your smartphone that is used for navigation can also be applied to fighting car theft by providing a live update of the vehicle’s status. Combined with your car’s on-board diagnostics or OBD computer, the app called CarLock can connect your phone to your car, and tell you everything you need to know. This includes your car’s current location, whether or not it’s moving, its battery life, mileage, previous routes, and when the alarm is triggered. It can even allow parents to monitor whether their teen is driving recklessly.

These new features are proof that even though smartphones are notoriously unsafe on the road, there are many ways to modify their use and allow them to contribute to driver safety instead.

 

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This post was written by Louise Anderson

Applications, Mobile

This is How Uber Exactly Works & More Interesting Stuff!

 

You don’t call a cab anymore, you call an Uber. The taxi giant has taken the world by storm since its inception in 2009. Started as just another start-up, Uber has now become a synonym for taxi or cabs across the globe.

However, the fascinating part is that it doesn’t even own any taxis that run on the streets under its name.

Uber is basically a mobile application that connects passengers with drivers for here. Let’s try to find out how the app works

  • Requesting a cab: A passenger installs the Uber app on his smartphone and can request for a cab at any time through this app. A passenger has the option to either ride instantly or to schedule the ride for later.
  • Matching: As soon as the passenger makes the request, a notification is sent to a driver who is free and is in the near vicinity. The driver has the option to accept or reject the ride. If the driver accepts the ride, Uber sends the passenger’s details to the driver and the driver’s details to the passenger. The driver then reaches the location of the passenger, picks him up and drops him off at his destination. If, on the other hand, the driver rejects the ride then the notification is sent to another driver who is also in the nearby area.
  • Ride & Tracking: Customers/Passengers can track the cab when it is on its way to pick them up and the ETA is also showed to the passengers on the app screen. The meter starts as soon as the passenger sits in the cab and can be tracked by the passenger as well.
  • Payment: Once the ride gets over, the passenger makes the payment in cash or via online wallets, whichever he prefers.
  • Rating: After the ride, the passenger has the option of rating a driver. Ratings allow other people to know and trust the driver before booking a cab.

To know more about Uber, check out the fun facts filled infographic developed by Unboxing Deals below.

Uber Story

 

 

General, Internet

Buy a Used Vehicle Without Getting Ripped Off by Car Dealers

Mercedes-SLS-Sport-Car

Purchasing a vehicle whether new or used is a great investment and you want to make the smart decision for your budget and lifestyle. You need to take your time in finding the right offer so you can avoid getting ripped off by car dealers. Here are some tips that can help you close the right deal.

Ask for a mechanical car check

You need a mechanic or any car knowledgeable friend that will open the hood of you vehicle and do a quick inspection to make sure the car is in a good condition. If you can’t find anyone at least listen the engine and make a transmission and air conditioning check. You need to be rational and don’t have great expectations if you are paying a very small amount of money.

Check the tires

Observe the tire wear. They need to be even and consistent. If there are worn out you might have to invest in new parts sooner than you’ve expected. You also need to make sure the oil is ok and make simple comparisons. Check if there is water or some additive in the oil. If it’s more brown than red, you need to check whether it smells burned. Don’t forget to check under the car as well and anything that might been hidden. Even small visible scratches may indicate there has been a more serious damage to the vehicle.

Ask for a test drive

Drive the vehicle at least 15 minutes to check whether overheating may occur. Once you are on the road pay attention if the car tracks straight down the road. Practice stopping your car on the side road with your hands off the wheel. Can you notice if the car stops straight? While driving, make sure the car doesn’t bounce all around and it has the same mileage as on the odometer. Focus on all the small details. Is the windshield sand blasted and appears old? Are the brake pads worn out? Use your test drive wisely and inspect the condition of the vehicle carefully.

Ask for a car history report

This is one of the inexpensive and trustworthy ways to check the record of the used car. The vehicle history report will give you a detailed record based on the car’s serial number and all the public record information you need. You’ll be able to find out whether there were minor damages in the past due to improper maintenance, odometer frauds and recalls. You can also identify whether it’s been stolen or owned by hire car rental agencies. However don’t rely completely on this report since only the public information is revealed and further car inspection might be required.

Never settle for the first offer

Remember, there are a lot of options online and you don’t want to settle for the first car that looks good. Do a research of the model and ask for a car comparison between two or three models you prefer. Some reputable used car supermarkets such as Fords of Winsford and others will offer you advice from automotive experts and help you make the right decision. So take your time and enjoy the car buying ride.

Good luck with buying your very first car.