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Liability- Required by law to protect a person against having to pay for damages that are not his or her fault. Pays for the other person's injuries and damage to their property if you are at fault. It covers bodily injury and property damage. New minimum 30/60/25, is the only coverage required by law. $30,000 for injury or death to one person. $60,000 for injury or death to two or more people. $25,000 for property damage, one car or anything else that is damaged. Did you pass an 18-wheeler on the road recently? How much do you think a fully loaded one of those might cost? Imagine if you were financially responsible for causing one to wreck. Would your minimum liability cover it? Uninsured Motorist-Pays for your injuries and damage to your vehicle if another person is at fault and they don't have any or enough insurance. It covers bodily injury and property damage. Medical Payments-Pays medical expenses to you and anyone in your vehicle regardless of fault. Personal Injury Protection- Pays medical expenses, lost wages or substitute services and death benefit to you and anyone in your vehicle regardless of fault. Collision-Pays to repair damage to your vehicle resulting from upset or collision with another object. Pays up to the actual value of the vehicle at the time of loss minus your deductible. Comprehensive-Pays to repair damage to your vehicle resulting from anything other than a collision: Theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, flood, riot, glass breakage, windstorm, explosion Pays up to the actual value of the vehicle at the time of loss minus your deductible. Note: If your car is financed, meaning you are currently paying on a loan to buy it, you will be required by the bank to carry both collision and comprehensive. Why? Because they want to protect their property. Rental-Pays for a rental vehicle if you are without a vehicle due to a covered claim. Pays for up to 30 days or the date the claim is settled, whichever comes first. Towing-Pays to tow your vehicle if your vehicle is inoperable due to mechanical breakdown, flat tire, or out of gas.
An insurance company may not cancel an auto policy that has been in effect for more than 60 days unless: You do not pay your premium You file a fraudulent claim Your driver's license or car registration is suspended or revoked (this also applies to other drivers who live with you or use your car). During the first 60 days you have a policy, a company may cancel it for any lawful reason, including a ticket or crash. If the company cancels your policy because of a crash, it still must pay for covered damages resulting from the crash. The company must send you a written notice at least 10 days before canceling your policy. If you get a cancellation notice or non-renewal, start shopping for new insurance immediately. Make sure you buy a new policy before your old policy is canceled to comply with state law. A company cannot refuse to renew your policy unless it has been in effect for at least 12 months. The company must give you at least 30 days' notice before refusing to renew your policy. In Texas, a company cannot refuse to renew your policy because of: Weather-related claims, including damage from hail, floods, tornadoes, high winds, and hurricanes Damage from hitting animals damage from gravel and other flying and falling objects (the company can raise your deductible if you have three of these claims in 36 months) Towing and labor claims (the company can refuse to renew your towing and labor coverage if you have four of these claims in 36 months) Other claims or crashes that cannot reasonably be blamed on you, unless you have more than one of these claims in 12 months.
Lane Departure Warning system provides a valuable safety benefit, and can help keep you and your passengers safe from crashes such as: Striking a car in an adjoining lane, which could either involve "sideswiping" a vehicle traveling in the same direction or hitting a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. A rollover, which often occurs when a vehicle leaves the road.
Curve Speed Warning technology allows connected vehicles to receive information that it is approaching a curve along with the recommended speed for the curve. This capability allows the vehicle to provide a warning to the driver regarding the curve and its recommended speed. In addition, the vehicle can perform additional warning actions if the actual speed through the curve exceeds the recommended speed. Adaptive Cruise Control is a system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. Drowsiness/Fatigue warning technology focuses on the movement of the driver's head. It projects the possibility of a collision based on how long the driver turns their head away from the road. First, a pre-crash warning alarm sounds; if the situation persists, the system will briefly apply the brakes.
Auto repair bills can be very expensive. Check out the repair history of your chosen car and make sure that you will be able to afford to keep it running. There are always exceptions. It is possible to get a "lemon", a poor example of a usually reliable car. It is unlikely that the price of gas will ever go down again and fuel costs make up a large part of the running costs of your vehicle. Unless you just have to have a gas-guzzler due to your vehicle requirements, you need to pay attention to gas mileage when choosing the car you plan to buy. Posted mileage is not guaranteed. Mileage will depend on how you drive. Vehicles today are safer than ever, but some are safer than others. Be aware of what safety features your desired car offers. This includes occupant restraint systems and electronic vehicle control systems. Buying a cheaper model with less safety features is a false economy. Don't scrimp on your safety.
Depending on your budget, your vehicle requirements, and your personal preference you will either be buying a new or a used vehicle. Here's what you should know about each. No wear and tear on any of the car's components (tires and brakes are new) Latest in safety and technology Pay a high price to be the first owner Depreciation occurs in the first couple years of ownership With an average cost of over $25,000, most people either finance their new car purchase through the dealership, a bank, or a credit union. You should shop around for the best rates and conditions. The title (ownership certificate) of the vehicle will be held by the lender until all payments have been made. Keep up with your payments. If you miss enough of them your vehicle can be repossessed; taken back by the lender. Least expensive path to vehicle ownership Know how to buy a used vehicle (study the vehicle history report, understanding how much the vehicle is worth by researching used vehicle values, and complete a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic) There are many places to buy a used car; new and used car dealerships, friends and family, online, or even in parking lots or parked along the road. Just make sure you have any used car that you are considering buying checked out by a professional no matter where you are buying it from. Be aware of the "blue book" value of the vehicle you are considering. It's easiest to find this information online and it will tell you the retail, wholesale, and loan value of any vehicle. This information will help to keep you from paying too much. As with a new car, there are different ways to finance a used car if you can't afford to pay cash for it. The same information will apply regarding lenders, title, and payments. A car lease allows you drive a new vehicle without paying a large sum of cash or taking out a loan. To lease a vehicle, you simply make a small down payment usually less than the typical 20% of a vehicle's value you would pay to buy. Then you make monthly payments for the term of the lease. When the term expires, you return the vehicle to the dealership. Most leases allow you to drive from 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Do not exceed this mileage amount or you may be charged an additional 10 cents to 30 cents per mile over those amounts at the end of the lease. In addition, If the vehicle has damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear, you may be charged additional fees at the end of the lease.
Full sized-The largest model of car. Lots of power and space for up to six adults to travel in comfort. Examples include a BMW 7 Series and the Lincoln Town Car. Sports Models-These are usually more expensive status vehicles with high performance and luxury features. They usually don't get very good mileage and they are expensive to buy, own, and operate. Examples include most Porsches and the Nissan 370-Z. Mini-vans-Large family vehicles with lots of storage space. Not the greatest gas mileage, but not too expensive to operate. Examples include the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Trucks & SUV's-These specialty vehicles, while necessary for certain professions or lifestyles are expensive to own and operate. Usually get poor gas mileage. Examples include the Ford F-150 and Range Rover.
Do your research before spending any money on a car. Make sure you buy one that suits your needs and your budget. You can find tons of information online and in publications. Here are some things you should be considering. Purchase cost and cost of operation The more you know about the real cost of the car, the better you can negotiate. There are websites that can tell you what the dealer actually paid for the car and what their mark-up is. Every car has average running or operating costs. What it costs to insure, maintain, and it's depreciation all play a part in this calculation. It's important you know the costs associated with the cars in which you are interested. Most of us cannot afford to pay the entire amount of the cost of a vehicle and we finance the amount. Monthly payment equals: Purchase Price x Interest Rate x Length of Finance = Actual Costs $20,000 x 10% x 36 months = $23,232.24 Monthly Payment = $645.34 Cost to owning a vehicle includes: Car payment Insurance Fuel Scheduled maintenance (oil changes, tire rotation, etc.) Unscheduled maintenance and repair Registration and taxes Parking fees, if applicable It is easy to find websites and publications dedicated to owner reviews of all different vehicles. People like to talk about their cars, both the good and the bad. Who better to tell you about a car than the person who actually owns one?
Under the Texas Litter Abatement Act it is illegal to do the following: Dispose of or allow someone else to dispose of litter at a place that is not a legal landfill. To receive litter for the purpose of disposing it at a place that is not a legal landfill, regardless of whether the litter or the land on which the litter is to be disposed belongs to or is controlled by the person. To transport litter to a place that is not a legal landfill for the purpose of dumping.
Here is everything you need to know about littering fines: The type of littering offense and fine associated with it depends on how much litter is illegally being disposed of. Here are the different classes of offenses: Class C misdemeanor to illegally dispose of litter that weighs 15 pounds or less, or has a volume of 13 gallons or less. Class B misdemeanor to illegally dispose of litter that weighs 15 to 500 pounds, or has a volume of 13 gallons to 100 cubic feet. Class A misdemeanor to illegally dispose of litter that weighs 500 pounds or more, or has a volume of 100 cubic feet or more. Class A misdemeanor to illegally dispose of litter, if it is for a commercial purpose, and if the litter weighs more than 15 pounds, or has a volume of more than 13 gallons. For a first offense the fine is up to $500. For a repeat offense the fine is up to $2000 and up to 180 days in jail. If you are hauling a load of trash in an open pick-up bed or trailer there is a fine associated with failing to cover a load with a tarp. A fine up to $200 for a first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenses.
The Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking system is a crash avoidance system that uses information from forward-looking sensors to automatically apply or supplement the brakes in certain driving situations. If the system determines a pedestrian is in imminent danger of being hit by the vehicle, the system automatically applies or supplements the brakes. Four common pedestrian crash scenarios include when the vehicle is: Heading straight and a pedestrian is crossing the road. Turning right and a pedestrian is crossing the road. Turning left and a pedestrian is crossing the road. Heading straight and a pedestrian is walking along or against traffic.
It is important to understand that the rearview backup camera does not eliminate the need for you to visually scan around your vehicle before backing up. The rearview backup camera system is not a replacement for mirrors or turning around to look; rather, they're an added safety tool for revealing hidden dangers. A backup camera is a safety technology (standard equipment 2018) that helps prevent back over crashes to protect our most vulnerable people—children and senior citizens. The camera provides an image of the area behind the vehicle to help drivers see behind the vehicle. When you shift into reverse, the backup camera shows (either in the dashboard or in a small display in the rearview mirror) an image of the area behind the vehicle, field of view includes a 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. Pay attention to the video on the following page. You will be asked some questions about what you saw.
Here are some common littering violations you should avoid. Can you make suggestions for alternatives? Throwing litter out of a vehicle or boat. Rolling junker cars into a river or lake. Hauling trash for profit and dumping it anywhere other than a legal landfill. Letting someone else dump waste on your property, regardless of whether or not you profit from it. Pouring used motor oil (or other vehicle fluids) or restaurant grease into storm drains or down manholes. Pouring motor oil onto the ground.
Litter is ugly to look at and can lower the perceived value of property in that area. It can also be a fire hazard (oily rags, lit cigarettes thrown from car windows). Millions are spent each year cleaning up the litter that people absentmindedly or purposely leave behind. Littering is not just illegal, but immoral and potentially dangerous. So, what can you do? Just don't litter. Keep a litterbag in your vehicle and empty it every time you refuel. Always dispose of hazardous material properly and make sure anyone who is working for you does so as well. A lot of items these days are valuable recyclables, so your efforts may even pay off financially.
insurance score-This is just another way of saying your credit score. Believe it or not, if you have bad credit you will pay more for insurance. Did you know that you will get a discount on your insurance just for successfully completing this course? Sometimes discounts are also given for being a good student. Make sure you check with your insurance company. SafeWay students and their families are entitled to special discounts with Nationwide Insurance, just because you completed our course. Powerful, high-performance cars cost more to insure. However, a more expensive car isn't always more expensive to insure. You need to check with your insurer before you buy.
Males pay more than females. Why? Because statistically men have more wrecks. Maybe because they are more aggressive? Take more risks? Or maybe it's just because men tend to drive more. The younger you are, the more you pay. Younger drivers have less experience so they have more wrecks. A bad driving record will cause you to pay more for insurance or lose it altogether. Where you live makes a difference in how much you pay. If you live in an area with heavier traffic and therefore more wrecks, you will pay more.
Vehicle hacking is when someone attempts to gain unauthorized access to vehicle systems for the purpose of retrieving driver data or manipulating vehicle functionality. Vulnerabilities may exist within a vehicle's wireless communication functions, within a mobile device - such as a cellular phone or tablet connected to the vehicle via USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi - or within a third-party device connected through a vehicle diagnostic port. In these cases, it may be possible for a hacker to remotely exploit these vulnerabilities and gain access to the vehicle's controller network or to data stored on the vehicle, although vulnerabilities may not always result in a hacker being able to access all parts of the vehicle systems. As the cybersecurity threat to vehicles began to emerge, NHTSA adapted to focus on the issue by changing its organizational structure, completing new research, and encouraging the industry to take steps to improve the cybersecurity of vehicles in the United States.
Mitigating Technology automatically takes action without driver input to attempt to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash. A. True When the distance between vehicles becomes so short that a crash is imminent, ___________ technology emits a signal that alerts the driver so that the driver can apply the brakes or take evasive action. B. Forward Collision Warning
Intermediates
More expensive to purchase and to operate. Usually seats at least five adults comfortably. Good for long distances as well as being maneuverable around town. Decent storage. Examples include the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion.
Use the proper fuel. There are different types and different grades of fuel. Don't just use the cheapest. Read your owner's manual and be sure to use whatever the manufacturer recommends. Avoid unnecessary engine idling. If you have to sit in your car for an extended period you should shut off the engine. Don't just sit there, waste gas, and pollute. Don't drive around with a lot of unnecessary weight. Get that old engine block out of the bed of your pick-up or the camping equipment out of the back of your SUV. The smoother you drive, the better mileage you will get and the less you will pollute. Don't race from light to light. It's hard on your engine, hard on your brakes, and it won't get you there that much (if any) faster.
Motorized vehicles use a lot of different types of fluids. Most of these fluids are toxic, dangerous if ingested, and will pollute water and soil if disposed of improperly. It's important that you do your part in preventing any type of water or ground pollution. Following is a list of some different fluids associated with your vehicle and how they are harmful. Contaminates soil and water, affects ground water (aquifer), surface water and water treatment facilities. Used oil contains particles of heavy metals, carcinogens and toxic contaminants. Contaminates soil and ground water and poses a risk of explosion/fire. A poisonous liquid (can cause blindness, sickness, even death), pets and children are attracted by the sweet taste. Although it is biodegradable, it contaminates water and soil temporarily. Toxic and sweet tasting like anti-freeze. Used fluid contains heavy metals, carcinogens, etc. Toxic. Contaminates soil and water, can cause eye and skin irritation, and combustion produces carbon monoxide.
If the driver does not take any action to avoid the crash, the Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) automatically applies the vehicle's brakes to slow or stop the vehicle, in an effort to reduce the severity of the crash. If a driver does brake but not enough to avoid the crash, the Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) automatically adds to the driver's braking. Dynamic Braking Support technology can be in vehicles in an effort to avoid a rear-end crash or reduce the severity.
Park Assist uses a rearview display system consisting of a rear camera with a screen installed to display images of the area immediately behind your vehicle. The Parking Assist: Cross Traffic Warning lets you know if one or more vehicles are about to enter your backing path. It detects vehicles that might be crossing behind you as you back up. However, it does not detect cars behind you when parking spaces are angled and also may not detect pedestrians. Semi-Autonomous Parking Assistance detects the parking place where a vehicle can park. Once the parking place is identified, a feasible path geometry has to be designed and the tracking of this reference is realized by controlling the steering wheel.
V2V uses dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), a variation of Wi-Fi tailored for moving vehicles. This technology allows vehicles to rapidly broadcast and receive messages (up to 10 times per second) so there is a 360-degree "awareness" of other vehicles in the proximity. Communication messages have a range of approximately 300 meters or 900 feet and can detect dangers obscured by traffic, terrain, or weather. Prototype V2V systems have used visual, tactile, and audible alerts—or a combination of these—to warn drivers of the potential for a crash.
Pedestrian Detection technology uses cameras and sensors to alert the driver of an impending impact with a pedestrian. If the driver does not do so, the technology automatically applies the brakes to help avoid the impact with the pedestrian or lessen the severity of the impact.
subcompact
Small and easy to maneuver. Cheap to own and run. Seating for at least two adults with limited storage. Good for short distances and light loads. Examples include the Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris.
compacts
Still rather small and easy to drive. Good gas mileage. Seating for four adults. Some storage and trunk space. Examples include the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps prevent wheels from slipping sideways when cornering or sudden steering. VSC is a system that helps prevent side skids and helps stabilize the vehicle while turning on a curve. When the vehicle senses a loss of traction or a slip, braking is automatically applied to all 4 individual wheels and engine power is reduced to help secure the safety of the vehicle. For example, if the steering wheel refuses to turn from over-speeding (under-steering), the vehicle will take control to steer toward the inner curve. Also, when the vehicle begins to spin from abrupt steering handling (over-steering), the vehicle will take control to steer toward the outer curve.
The Anti-Lock Brake System only supports the driver's control of the vehicle, it is not a substitute for it. It is the driver's responsibility to drive at the appropriate speed depending on the condition of the road and to keep a generous distance from the car ahead of them. The ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) monitors the speed of each wheel to detect locking. When ABS detects sudden braking, it will release braking pressure for a moment and then provide optimum braking pressure to each wheel. By repeating this process in a short period of time, ABS enhances steering control during sudden stops. As a result, it will also help improve the ability of stopping the vehicle.
Using lane monitoring technology, lane keeping support (LKS) is an emerging safety technology that prevents drivers from unintentionally drifting out of their lanes. Striking a car in an adjoining lane, which could either involve "sideswiping" a vehicle traveling in the same direction, hitting a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, and a rollover, which often occurs when a vehicle leaves the road.
The Blind Spot Warning system recognizes when another vehicle is traveling diagonally behind the driver's car and signals the presence of the vehicle using indicators in the vehicle. These indicators are often found on either the side view mirror or the A-pillar (the part of the car body separating the door window and the windscreen). The driver is alerted to the presence of the other vehicle by the flashing indicator and an audible signal. The tire pressure monitoring system notifies the driver with a warning light appearing on the dashboard when one or more of the vehicle's tire is significantly under-inflated. The following video has more information on the tire pressure monitoring system. Pay close attention to what you see. You will be asked some questions when it is through.
Most of the fluids from your vehicle can (and should) be recycled. Call 512-239-1000, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or your local household hazardous waste office for information concerning the nearest recycling facility. No car lasts forever. When a vehicle is no longer worth fixing it must be disposed of properly. Tires, plastic, metal components, fluids, etc. are all recyclable. You might even make a few bucks. Do your research and dispose of your junker in a responsible manner.
The Texas Litter Abatement Act defines litter as decayable waste and nondecayable waste. Decayable waste is from a public or private establishment, residence, or restaurant, including animal and vegetable material. Non-decayable waste (except ashes) includes: combustible material such as paper, rags, cartons, wood, furniture, rubber, plastics, yard trimmings, and leaves; non-combustible solid waste such as glass, crockery, tin or aluminum cans, and metal furniture; discarded or worn out materials and machinery such as motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, and old appliances.
What type of motor do most cars have? C. Internal combustion engine Which of the following automotive fluids is not a pollutant (or toxic)? C. Air conditioner condensation What types of waste are considered litter? C. Both A & B Most of the fluids in you car can be recycled. A. True What is the fine for first offense littering? C. Up to $500
The difference between warning technology and mitigating technology. warning technology-The technology informs the driver of the need for the driver to take action to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash. mitigating technology-The technology automatically takes action without driver input to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash.
Now that you have bought your car, an important part of car ownership is making sure that you have not only the appropriate insurance, but that you have the right amount of coverage too. This is not just about protecting yourself, it is also required by law in Texas. We are going to discuss exactly what insurance is and how it works.
Transfer of Risk: Anytime you get behind the wheel you are at risk of having a collision and collisions, even minor ones, can be very expensive. Insurance is all about transferring risk to the insurance company so that you are not on the hook for all of the costs associated with that collision. You don't even have to be at fault for it to potentially cost you a lot of money. It's important that you protect yourself. Premium: This is just a fancy word for what you pay for your insurance. This amount can vary greatly from driver to driver and situation to situation. One thing is for sure; if you don't pay your premiums the insurance will not be there when you need it.
Vehicles today are cleaner burning and more efficient than ever. The majority, however, still use the traditional internal combustion engine. As these engines burn fuel to run they emit exhaust which contains harmful gases. The carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates found in car exhaust directly pollute our air. As a responsible driver you should do what you can to limit the pollution you produce.
Use public transportation when you can. You don't always have to grab your car. You may even find it more convenient. Try to combine several short trips into one. Organize your errands and your route to optimize your driving and your time. Carpool with friends and co-workers whenever possible. Look around you the next time your are caught in rush hour. See all those single people in those big cars? Imagine if there were just two to a car. That would take away half of the traffic. Keep your engine properly tuned. When your vehicle is running at its best it is burning less fuel and emitting less harmful gases.
Electronic stability control (ESC), standard in all vehicles as of 2011, helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle during extreme steering maneuvers by keeping the vehicle headed in the driver's intended direction, even when the vehicle nears or exceeds the limits of road traction. ESC uses automatic braking of individual wheels to prevent a vehicle's direction from changing too quickly (spinning out) or not quickly enough (plowing out). ESC cannot increase the available traction, but it can maximize the possibility of keeping the vehicle under control and on the road during extreme maneuvers by steering the vehicle in the direction intended by the driver. Note: ESC happens so quickly that drivers do not perceive the need for steering corrections. What types of crashes does it prevent? When you attempt an extreme maneuver (for example, to avoid a crash or because a curve's severity has been misjudged), you may be unfamiliar with handling the vehicle as it nears the limits of road traction. This can result in a loss of control, with either the rear of the vehicle "spinning out" or the front of the vehicle "plowing out."
When you are starting the vehicle or accelerating on a wet surface, you could lose control of the wheel because of wheel spin. Traction Control technology (TRC) will help prevent such events from happening. TRC continually monitors the condition between the tires and the surface of the road. When it detects wheel spin, the TRC system applies brakes or slows down the engine to regulate spinning and help ensure proper contact of tires. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems use sensors to detect slower-moving or stationary vehicles in front of you to prevent frontal crashes into the rear of slower moving or stopped vehicles. When the distance between vehicles becomes so short that a crash is imminent, a signal alerts the driver so that the driver can apply the brakes or take evasive action. Evasive action would be steering, to prevent a potential crash. This technology provide drivers with an audible alert, a visual display, or other warning signals.
Here's what you need to do if you are ever in a wreck: Be prepared Fright or flight? You have had a wreck and you are scared. What are you going to do, run or stay and deal with it? Stay calm and make sure everyone is okay. Remember you will probably be dealing with an older person who may try to intimidate you. Don't let them. Remember you won't remember, so follow the auto safety form that you got from your insurance company to make sure you get all the necessary information and do everything right. If you can, get contact information from any witnesses.
Which type of car is cheapest to run? B: Sub-compact Where can you get a loan for a new car? D. All of the above What type of insurance must you have by law? B. Liability Which of the following has nothing to do with the cost of your insurance? D. Where you were born What is the minimum amount of liability that you must have in Texas? A. 30/60/25 Which of the following is NOT considered part of the running costs of a vehicle? B. Down payment Your car is likely to be repossessed if you miss a payment. B. False What information does the blue book not give? A. Salvage value What type of insurance will the bank that is financing your car require you to have? D. Both B & C When you are talking about insurance you are talking about transfer of ________. C. Risk
