Boyd Autobody & Glass Articles

There's Nothing Like That Sinking Feeling When You Turn The Key In The Ignition and Nothing Happens

Since a vehicle is a big group of complicated systems -- with each one connected to several other systems -- it can be daunting to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a few common reasons and these are a good place to start.

Here Are A Few Of The Top Reasons Why Your Car Won't Start

Immobilizer. Many vehicles are equipped with immobilizer devices and those devices are engaged and disengaged through computer chips embedded in the key or a key fob. Unfortunately, those chips aren't always durable when they're jammed into your pocket with your cellphone, chewing gum, and coins. Check to make sure the immobilizer light isn't...

Part of driving safely means spotting the dangers, and some of those dangers are easy to spot

That weaving vehicle? That speeding driver? That guy who ran the red light? Those are obvious. Here are dangers that are more difficult to spot.

Be aware of them and watch for them so you can avoid a collision when these invisible dangers are present Vehicles in your blindspot. This is probably the best-known "invisible danger" and yet so many drivers fail to check their blindspots before turning. A quick shoulder-check gives you an opportunity to sweep your blindspots with your eyes to make sure it's safe to turn Children. Children are oblivious to the world around them. And they're short. That's a scary...

It Happens Every Day On Canadian Roads

One vehicle stops suddenly and the vehicle behind them locks up their brakes but can't stop in time and – CRASH – two cars try to occupy the same space. In the eyes of the law, the second car that couldn't stop in time is the one at fault in this completely avoidable collision scenario.

Drivers Are Not Keeping Safe Distance From Each Other

The reason is, drivers tend to follow each other too closely.

In some cases, it's obvious: Tailgaters ride right up on the bumper of the vehicle in front of them, which something you should only see in a NASCAR race and not on the roads.

In some cases, it's less obvious: Drivers might attempt to drive safely but still don't leave...

We live in a do-it-now society

Remember when phones were connected by a cord? When you needed to call someone, you waited until you got home. Or perhaps you had those family vacations where dad drove all day and you stopped for a picnic lunch and for supper in a roadside diner.

Not anymore. We live in a do-it-now society. When you think of something, you do it. We have access to a variety of very convenient things that allow us to multitask. It's not always bad. But the temptation is to multitask when driving.

Here are four things that you shouldn't do while driving. Wait until the vehicle is stopped before you do these things

Calls: Increasingly, laws are being passed to ban handheld mobile devices while driving. This is a good...

Transport Canada has released a shocking statistic – in 2009, there were 124,000 collisions causing injury or death

In the past 3 years since those numbers were researched, is it likely that collisions have decreased? We don't think so.

So we're trying to do something about it. Each month, we've been highlighting one skill to help Canadian drivers improve on the roads. Although we'd love to see sweeping improvements in how safely drivers drive, we think that a realistic goal would be to improve one driving skill each month. If everyone worked at improving just one driving skill each month, imagine how much safer our roads would be!

This month, we're focusing on the safe driving skill of remaining in control. That sounds like...

During the Academy Awards, we are reminded that it takes far more than a talented actor and actress to make a movie

There is also the director, the producer, the film crew, the musicians, and (of course) the supporting cast… and so many more.

The same is true if you think of driving as a type of on-the-road performance

The driver might be the leading actor or actress, as well as the director and producer all rolled into one. They are not the only actor in this drama! Consider some of the other actors that can change the scene at a moment's notice:

Other drivers. Vehicles share the road with other vehicles and those vehicles are driven by other drivers. Each driver has a goal (to get where they want to go) and usually...

It's the commute home FROM work that really does you in

Your day starts off just fine. It's a little rushed in the morning but everyone gets out the door on time and you get to work (with a quick stop at Tim Hortons of course).

Why is that?

It's not always easy to tell while you are in the vehicle driving home but here's what we think Your day at work can sometimes build up stress. Bosses are annoying, coworkers are far from perfect, customers can be demanding, and you're reminded by the end of the day that you don’t get paid enough to do what you do You're thinking about the project that you wanted to finish today but didn't get a chance to do and you'll have to rush it a bit tomorrow morning to have it ready You haven't...

When A Collision Happens, Everything Seems Distorted

For a brief moment after the grinding metal and broken glass, the world takes on a dizzying, almost unreal feeling. It's a physiological response to such a jarring event.

Actions To Take Once a Collision Has Occured

But it's these first moments after a collision that we need to act very rationally. It's difficult but here's what you need to do after a collision:

Make sure that your vehicle is safely out of harm's way and stop the vehicle. One of the most dangerous aspects of a collision is not necessarily the first collision but the potential for subsequent collisions that occur as people try to drive through a collision scene. If possible, pull your vehicle to the side of...

Times Have Changed!

Years ago, driving was a privilege enjoyed only by a few people who could afford it. Vehicles were more like open air buggies. They didn't go very fast and you were exposed to the elements. Drivers drove safely because vehicles were such a novelty and they didn't want to get bugs in their teeth or spook the horses that they shared the road with.

Today, things have changed

Roads are paved. We don't share the road with horses. Vehicles are enclosed, much faster and built to be safer.

But is it making us unsafe when we drive?

Since vehicles are enclosed and built to be virtually soundproof, we can drive very fast without realizing it. We don’t experience the feeling of speed because we are safely...

Years ago, roads were just pathways where more than one horse or wagon traveled

Horses didn't move very fast so no one needed a lot of road signs. As vehicles become more prevalent, and faster, road signs and lane markings were needed to help drivers drive safely.

Our driving is made safer and more informed by the number of road signs and lane markings that are posted

We're told what the speed limit is and when road conditions change (i.e., lanes merge or an intersection ahead or pavement turns to gravel). Signs help us to know how and where to drive.

But signs also tell us something else. They help us to read the minds of drivers around us and anticipate where collisions could occur.

For example, if you are driving down...