Broadcaster Press 13 September 24, 2013 www.broadcasteronline.com Is There A Link Between Reach Top Mileage On Your Car Color And Accidents? Car With It Still Going Strong The color drivers choose for their car may say something about driver personalities and preferences. It also may play a role in the propensity to get into an accident. Various studies have been conducted to determine if a certain car color puts a driver at a greater risk for a crash. Though it’s difficult to pinpoint which color vehicles are most likely to be in accidents, common sense suggests that certain colors that are more conspicuous on the road are more easily seen, and this may make them less prone to accidents. Daimler Benz once conducted a study on the conspicuousness of cars. White cars were the most inconspicuous, followed by black, dark red and blue. Dark-colored vehicles tend to be the most difficult to see on the road and therefore might be most prone to accidents. Another study from researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 2003 showed that drivers of brown cars had a higher risk of injuries in car accidents. Black and green cars also were involved in a high number of car accidents resulting in injuries. In addition, findings also indicated that people who drove silver cars had a 50 percent less chance of being involved in accidents resulting in injury. The reason why certain color vehicles are involved in more accidents was missing from the studies. Visibility may play a role, which would make lighter color vehicles less prone to accidents. Another point to consider is that certain colors may be favored by individuals who have specific driving tendencies. For example, silver and gray cars are often seen as conservative and may be driven by an older demographic that is more cautious on the road. Black cars are often viewed as sleek and may be favored by those who like to push the envelope regarding speed. While vehicle color may play a role in accidents, other factors also come into play, such as usage of lights and other features. The National Safety Council has stated the safest car color to be “one that is highly visible in the widest range of lighting, weather, and vision conditions.” They also indicated that white is most visible in uniform lighting but can be an unsafe color in bright sunlight, snow and fog. Furthermore, safety behind the wheel has a lot do with driver ability. Defensive driving and being observant on the roadways can significantly reduce accident risk. Here are some other ways to reduce accidents. •Do not tailgate. Leave an adequate cushion between your car and the one in front of you to allow for braking or maneuvering around an obstacle. •Use daytime running lights when available to make your car even more visible in all weather conditions. •Leave for trips early enough so that you’re not rushing and being aggressive on the roadway. • Drive with weather conditions in mind, slowing down when necessary. •Avoid distractions in the car. Taking your eyes off the road for mere seconds can result in lost opportunities for accident avoidance. •Always wear seatbelts, even for short trips. •Make sure you keep your car well maintained so that breakdowns do not contribute to accidents on busy highways. While car color may play a role in accident rates, there is no definitive answer as to why certain cars are more prone to accidents than others. n Metro Creative Connection Prep Work Important Before Painting Painting a home’s interior can give it a completely new look and feel. A fresh coat of paint can make a room feel more vibrant and up-to-date, creating a whole new attitude within the room without breaking the bank. Whether creating an accent wall or painting each wall within a room, painting is a relatively easy and inexpensive home improvement project. But that doesn’t mean painting does not require a little prep work before the project can begin. •Address any holes or bumps on the wall. Holes or cracks in the wall will need to be patched with spackle, which then must dry before the wall can be given a new coat of paint. In addition, sand down any bumps until the walls are smooth and free of any unsightly abnormalities. •Wash the walls. Walls can get dirty, and that dirt may or may not be masked by paint. Before adding a new coat of paint, wash the walls and inspect them for dust. Dust can collect on molding, especially in rooms that get little natural air. When dust has collected on the molding and around doorways and trim, use a damp cloth to wipe it away before adding any new paint. •Apply primer. Primer can serve many functions, not the least of which is its role as a bonding agent between the wall and the top coat of paint. Primer can also help conceal dark colors, prevent stains and increase the life expectancy of the paint job you are about to undertake. •Prepare your paint. Many drivers may find the idea of keeping a vehicle that has surpassed the 100,000-mile mark preposterous. However, perhaps due to the rising cost of new vehicles, many drivers now recognize the benefits of keeping their vehicles for the long haul. According to Polk research, many of today’s drivers are keeping their cars for longer periods of time, with the average age of all cars on the road being 11 years. In October of 2011, Joe LoCicero saw his 1990 Honda Accord crack the one million mile mark, a feat for which Honda awarded him a new Accord and a parade in his hometown. There are many benefits to keeping a car longer, including the financial impact of such a decision. In a recent survey and study from Consumer Reports, the savings of keeping a vehicle for 225,000 miles over 15 years versus purchasing and financing an identical model every five years equated to a savings of more than the original purchase price of the car. A person can potentially save $20,000 or more on a properly maintained older car. Keeping a car running beyond 200,000 miles was once pure luck. Cars made 10 to 20 years ago might not have been up to the task. But improvements in rust prevention, lubricants and engine technology have made it easier for today’s vehicles to last longer. But as durable and reliable as today’s cars may be, AAA notes the importance of regular maintenance. Knowing your car is one of the first ways to make sure it gets the service it needs. Over time, many drivers start to identify warning signs, such as abnormal noises or if the vehicle simply feels off when out on the road. Finding a mechanic that can be trusted is an important step for drivers who want to keep their vehicles going strong for years to come. A driver is more likely to bring the car in for service if the price is right and he or she does not feel like any costly and unnecessary repairs are being recommended. Building a good relationship with a mechanic can keep a car working longer. Newer model year cars can be taken to dealership mechanics, who may have a better working knowledge of newer electronics and the subtleties of specific models of cars. The owner’s manual should not be something that simply takes up space inside the glove compartment. It is worthy of a read. Understanding the recommended maintenance schedule and what other steps can be taken to prolong the life of the car can keep it on the road longer. Keeping the tires inflated to the proper pressure and using the right type of gasoline are the types of information that can be found in the manual. Drivers can save a lot of money on unnecessary repairs if they follow these guidelines. Many people are keeping their vehicles longer, reaching mile marks that were once unheard of. Investing in a car that has a good track record of longevity and then properly maintaining the vehicle are necessary to getting the most out of your vehicle investment. Preparing the paint is a simple task, but one novice painters may not be aware of. When opening a new can of paint, stir the paint before using it. In addition, even if you don’t plan to use a roller when painting, do not paint straight from the can, which can be heavier to hold than a small bowl, and a light bowl is less likely to be spilled than a potentially heavy can of paint. In addition, once paint has been removed from the can, replace the lid so dust and other impurities do not settle in the can. •Purchase painter’s tape. Painter’s tape can be especially valuable to novice painters. Painter’s tape makes it easier to paint smooth and clean paint lines, giving a room a more professional looking coat of paint without the cost of hiring a professional painter. Painting can be an inexpensive and fun way to upgrade a home’s interior. But even though painting does not require the technical know-how of more largescale home improvement projects, it still requires some prep work and attention to detail to ensure the job is done right. n Metro Creative Connection n Metro Creative Connection shaw?oors.com you we St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® on select Shaw Flooring SHAW WILL DONATE 10% OF EVERY REDEEMED COUPON VALUE TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL. OCTOBER 1 THRU NOVEMBER 18 ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL. FINDING CURES. SAVING CHILDREN. DELANCEY MAE AZALEE BROOKLYNN JAGGER Carpet || Area Rugs | | Tile & Stone | Hardwood | Laminate | Resilient Carpet Area Rugs Tile & Stone | Hardwood | Laminate | Resilient II I I I I I I CHRISTIAN IYAH 24 Month 24 Month Financing Available Financing Available ©2013 Shaw. At participating retailers ©2013 Shaw. At participatingMaterialonly. Save Save $100,pad, andor $500 (*USD/CAD)styles available. 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