How often do you check your blind spots? Sure, you probably know where they are - but do you actively check your blind spots while driving?
Here are a few quick tips to get you ahead of your blind spot troubles
Take a moment to gauge where your blindspots are
While stationary, take a moment to look around your car. In the normal driving position, look straight ahead and then glance to the back of your vehicle using your rear view and side mirrors. Now look around without using your mirrors taking note of what you didn't catch sight of in your initial test.
Keep your side mirrors and windows clean
Dirty side mirrors can add potential danger.
Continuously check your blind spots
While you’re on the move, it's important to continuously check your blind spots. Such instances that would be more critical would include changing lanes, merging or joining major highways.
Be aware that other drivers also have blindspots
The drivers around you may not be paying attention to their blindspots, so if you catch yourself in a potential blindspot of another driver, be aware and more defensive in your driving strategy.
Maintain a safe distance while driving
Get help in determining fault
Accidents happen - if you feel like you were not at fault and need expert help in handling your case, then our team can help you.
Not at fault? Contact our team, we’ll help you ?1300 889 256
Accidents can sometimes happen as a result of one or more of the drivers not seeing each other - and this may play a factor in many motorcycle accidents. So how should you drive when a motorcycle is around?
Motorcycles may just appear
Perhaps you’ve had a momentary loss of focus or maybe they have weaved their way through traffic to be right next to you - but motorcycles may just suddenly appear. It’s important to not get a fright if you suddenly see a motorcyclist near you, but rather keep driving the way you were.
Allow motorcyclists to overtake or to pass you
It’s so easy for a motorcycle to weave through traffic. Accidents can happen if you try to cut in front of a motorcyclist or refuse to allow them to overtake. As always, it’s good to be kind to all motorists on the road.
Take extra caution when changing lanes
A split second to double check your mirrors and blind spots may just be all it takes to catch a glimpse of an approaching motorcycle.
Be clear about your decisions and movements
Using your indicator helps other motorists to know what your plan of action is - and it’s no different for motorcyclists. Seeing your indicator can help them to make a call on either overtaking you or slowing down in their approach to your car. Jerky lane switches and sudden turning can cause unnecessary accidents.
Not at fault? Contact our team, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
If you’re not at fault after an accident, then you shouldn’t be inconvenienced - or left out of pocket. We will help you. Carbiz offers accident management services - services designed to make your life easier after an accident. Contact us as soon as possible after your accident via our dedicated accident support line.
Here are some of the benefits of using our service.
“I was met at panelbeaters so easy transfer after dropping off my car then straight into hire car. It took a while to get used to driving it as my car is bigger. Hopefully I won’t be requiring a hire car for a while but wouldn’t hesitate using them again and recommending to friends.” - P Hadden
“The car was delivered clean and on time. Paperwork was quick and easy. Good service.” - Mario PV
“The service was excellent!! I got the car within 2 hours after lodging my request... and it was on a Sunday!! Thank you Carbiz!! “ - Georgia
“Oh wow. I am totally amazed by the customer service provided to me by Triffon from Carbiz. He was so thorough in explaining the end to end process and expectations. I was amazed that the entire process was so easy. To all out there, I highly recommend that you will have a great experience when dealing with Carbiz.
My personal thanks to Carbiz for a great, fantastic, out of this world customer service.” - Edwin
“Excellent service. Angela is so helpful and Carbiz was willing to take the risk even without the third party's accepting the fault to lease the replacement car and working to claim back from the third party afterwards, this is service above and beyond, and I would recommend their service to anyone”. - William
“What a refreshing change rather than having to deal with an overseas call centre. Excellent service from professionals and courteous team members. Highly recommended.” - Marcus Heron
“I had to make some changes to the pick up time of my rental, bringing it forward by several hours. Ben was extremely helpful and made this happen. I also had no idea what rental I would be given (and would have been happy with anything) but I was dropping my new C class Mercedes off for repairs due to a not at fault accident. My surprise when I was given a new C class, same year and specs as my own was huge. It was a really pleasant surprise. Thanks for the hard work.” - Robert
The more you drive, the more you will probably notice bad driving behaviours of the drivers around you. While it can be frustrating - and maybe even enraging, it’s important to keep a cool head.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when you encounter that bad driver.
Accept that some drivers will just be bad drivers
Accepting that bad driving behaviours may just be a way of life will definitely help calm your reaction to the situation. Having a better frame of mind will help you to avoid their mistakes and hopefully - avoid that accident.
Don’t take it too personally
Whether it is another driver just not paying attention, or an aggressive driver taking out his frustrations on you, it’s incredibly important not to take any of it too personally.
Life happens - it may just be affecting the other driver that day
Receiving bad news, having a fight with a loved one or having problems at work can all affect someone’s mood. Bad driving can sometimes be attributed to these types of events - life happens after all! Be kind to those around you.
Remember - it won't last forever!
Being around a bad driver will only last a few seconds - or a couple of minutes max. Remember to leave it there, dwelling on it or remembering the incident days or weeks later will most likely just upset you!
Unfortunately, bad drivers can lead to accidents - and you may not even be at fault! Carbiz is now available to help you nationally, so if you are in Australia give our team a call.
Been in an accident that was not your fault? Contact our team, we’ll help you ?1300 889 256
Driving can always be risky, but with experience and constant awareness, you can be a safer driver. Here are some other tips to keep in mind the next time you go for a drive.
Always keep a safe distance
Leaving a safe distance between you and the car in front of you may just be enough to prevent a nose to tail accident. Fender benders aren’t fun - so leaving this 2 second or more gap will give you enough time to avoid any potential disaster.
Be aware of the weather conditions
Glare from the early morning or late afternoon sun, fog, rain or driving in the dark all affect your reaction times. If you find yourself in any of these situations, rather slow down or pull over and take a break.
Be clear on your decisions and use your indicator - always
Being clear on your decisions will help those drivers around you. Indicating early and being in control of your movements will help in making you a safer driver. Last-minute decisions, such as cutting in front of other drivers or swerving to make a turn can lead to potentially serious accidents.
Avoid being distracted
It only takes a split second of broken concentration to cause an accident. From using your cellphone, figuring out where to go - to even listening to your radio, there are endless distractions.
Stay calm
Keeping your emotions in check while driving can instantly make you a safer driver. Being a courteous driver can keep you out of dangerous situations.
Emergency vehicles are often first responders to accident scenes - those sent to help when others are in need. Flashing lights and sirens can indicate that they are on their way to a new accident scene - and as such they need to get there as quickly as possible.
Being constantly vigilant and observant while driving is incredibly important - and the responsibility to help emergency vehicles get to their accident scene as quickly as possible is on us.
Hearing sirens and seeing flashing lights in the rear view mirror can really frighten some, however, it’s important to remain calm and give way as quickly as safely possible. This often means moving left so that they can overtake on your right hand side. However, if you are not confident in moving left - or it’s unsafe to do so, it’s recommended that you slow down and come to a safe stop so that the emergency vehicle can overtake you safely when the opportunity presents itself. Remember - it’s never a good idea to speed up for the emergency vehicle or to block their way. Impeding or intentionally blocking emergency vehicles can land you with a fine.
While you must allow emergency vehicles to pass, you need to ensure that this is done safely and you should not break the law in order to let an emergency vehicle pass. No speeding or running of red lights is permitted as this increases the chances of an accident.
Emergency vehicles include ambulances, police cars and fire trucks - these are all services that can be reached by dialling 000. Tow trucks and repair vehicles are not considered to be emergency services.
Need help after a car accident? Then call our team at Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
Our team at Carbiz is committed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Australia. As such we are taking countless safety measures to make the experience of hiring your accident replacement vehicle safe for everyone.
If you’re in an accident and your car is in the repair shop, then we don’t want you to be stuck on public transport. A car is a good way to maintain social distancing - another win for accident replacement vehicles!
During the pandemic, our team wants to ensure your safety and we’ve introduced a number of Covid safe practices in place including
Other areas in our accident replacement vehicles that are cleaned before dropping them off to you include
Been in an accident that was not your fault? Contact our team as soon as possible, we’ll help you, every step of the way. We’ve simplified the whole process - and our goal is to get you the best deal.
Rear end collisions can happen to even the most experienced and cautious drivers. While rear end collisions can often be unexpected and sudden - due to a momentary loss of concentration or a lapse in judgement and unfortunate events - determining fault can often be tricky. We investigate a few types of rear end collisions and the possible at-fault drivers.
These are general guidelines and we advise that you speak to the experts when determining fault - call our team, we’ll help you.
Scenario 1
Two cars are involved. Generally it is the driver who hit from behind or caused the accident that will be at fault and liable for damages.
Scenario 2
There are two cars involved and one rolls back. Generally in this instance, the driver in front or the driver who rolls back - regardless of how close the other car is - is at fault.
Scenario 3
Three or more cars are involved. Determining fault in this instance is often a lot trickier. In some cases it could be the last car in the pile up that is deemed responsible. However, the exact circumstances will come into play - for instance, were the first two cars already stationary.
The specifics of your accident will need an individual assessment - need help in determining fault? Contact our team at Carbiz, we’ll help you.
How should you get around while your car is getting repaired?
Bypass any inconvenience by securing an accident replacement vehicle - as the driver who is not at fault, you are eligible for a like for like hire car. The costs are for the account of the at fault driver - so be sure to speak to the experts at Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256