Boyd Autobody & Glass Articles

Is It Safer To Drive A Vehicle Today?

With all the modern advancements in safety technology, it might seem like it should be safer for us to drive today than ever before. But is that really the case?

When cars were first invented, they were such a novelty that only a few people had them and everyone approached them with caution. You couldn't go very fast in them and they weren't completely covered against the elements.

Today, vehicles are everywhere. Families have more than one vehicle. Vehicles go faster and are safer than ever before.

That Doesn't Necessarily Make It Safer To Drive We have more and more people using the same number of roads. Therefore, roads are more congested and that congestion can lead to collisions...

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...

Safe driving is everyone's responsibility

Here are eight ways you can be a safer driver Slow down. Speed is one of the top causes of collisions. Actually, it's not speed itself but it's the reduced reaction time that you have when you drive above the speed limit. Speed limits are chosen for a reason, including the number of potential hazards you'll face on a road and the distance you need to stop Don't call or text. Distracted driving is on the rise as mobile devices become more popular. We lead busy lives and feel the need to multitask in the vehicle while we drive. However, driving takes 100% of our attention Slow down at crosswalks. Yes, you are already watching your speed (see #1) but slowing down at crosswalks is a good way to stay vigilant...

Back To School!

It's that time of year again when our mailboxes are brimming with flyers for back to school specials. Pens for a dime? Notebooks for a quarter? Back to school outfits for a toonie? Sounds good! We'll take a dozen of each!

"Back to school" means something else entirely for drivers

"Back to school" should be synonymous with "SLOW DOWN".

In the summer drivers tend to relax a little because (compared to winter driving) the roads are nice and dry and we can see further ahead. The sun is out for much longer and people take vacations, so there are fewer people on the roads. In other words, it's much easier to drive safely in the summer and (if we were to be honest with ourselves) we may slack a little in our driving...

There's nothing like a road trip for the summer (or any other time of year for that matter)

It's great to get away from it all, feel the freedom of the open road, and just point your vehicle to an interesting (and perhaps new-to-you) destination.

But road trips can also be dangerous

far more dangerous than sitting on the couch or taking a walk around the park. Once on the road, you are opening yourself up to the risk of collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and wildlife. Here are some top ways you can stay safe while on a road trip:

Plan where you are going. It's fun to drive until the road ends but when we don't know where we're going, that's when things become unsafe. An unexpected turn in the road can yield new unknown dangers...