Posts Tagged ‘Traffic Flow’

HD Traffic can help to avoid accident claims in traffic congestion

Written on July 14th, 2010 by admin
Categories: Car Accidents, Car Insurance Advice, Car Insurance Claims, General Information, Road Safety

With the latest GPS technology it is now possible to avoid heavily congested traffic and to be diverted to roads that are less busy. Information from GPS devices, tracking systems and even cellular phones all contribute towards identifying heavily congested areas – and this information can be used to provide important information for HD Traffic solutions.

Traffic congestion has a much wider impact than merely the fender bender collisions at slow speed. Traffic congestion leads to increased frustrations and many drivers try to make up for lost time by speeding and driving at inappropriate speeds when leaving the congested area!

If the driver is able to anticipate congested areas – this might well reduce these frustrations and result in reduced car insurance claims!

What is HD Traffic?

TomTom HD Traffic – or High Definition Traffic is a revolution in traffic information offering the road user the best coverage, the most updates from the best sources and is fully automated. It is now possible to receive detailed incident reports about the length and reason of the delays, the most accurate delay information, travel- and arrival times, and alternative route proposals. All this information is sent directly to the TomTom navigation system.

“We are constantly launching innovating technologies to save the driver’s time, money and fuel.” says Joost Jetten, Vice President Sales Sub Sahara Africa. “Our unique innovations guarantee the fastest routes, so users are empowered to confidently deal with the ever-changing road situation we face in South Africa.”

The latest in TomTom GPS technology now unlocks the power of online Local Search with Google allowing users to navigate to millions of locations at the tap of a screen, whether they are looking for a sushi restaurant, a shopping mall or the closest place to buy flowers for a loved one. As weather plays an important role in everyday travel drivers will now be able to receive the latest weather updates including a five-day weather forecast.

Technology should reduce car insurance claims

We would like to urge road users to use technology in the process of avoiding car insurance claims through safe driving. We often refer to the dangers of cellular phones and texting while driving. We also refer to the dangers of iPods and other driver distractions and how this could contribute to car accidents.

Technology should however not be a mere driver distraction –but rather a powerful tool to enhance road safety!!

Also view this on the Arrive Alive website: TomTom Route Planner

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Tags: Avoid Accident Claims, car insurance claim, Cellular Phones, Driver Distraction, GPS Devices, HD Traffic, HD Traffic Solutions, safe driving tips, Technology, Tracking Systems, Traffic Congestion, Traffic Flow
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Avoid accident claims from multi lane roundabouts

Written on June 23rd, 2010 by admin
Categories: Car Accidents, Car Insurance Claims, General Information, Road Safety, Safe Driving Tips

Too many accidents occur at the multi–lane roundabout! These are also referred to by South African drivers as “Traffic Circles” and are road designs intended to improve traffic flow – but are seen by many as a source of much agitation and part to many accidents!

Driving at traffic circles/ roundabouts require a knowledge of the Rules of the Road – and some extra caution.

The problem of the multi-lane roundabout

There is not much debate about the one line roundabout/ traffic circle. Most drivers understand that you have a duty to give way to the right – and few accidents and frustrations will result from this basic rule.
It is however the multi-lane roundabout that leads to road rage and many side swipe accidents. This happens when drivers are not aware of where they need to be before exiting the roundabout, drive at inappropriate speeds or fail to signal their attentions!

How should we drive at the Multi-Lane roundabout?

We would like to share some insights from the road safety experts on how to drive at the multi-lane roundabout to avoid accidents and car insurance claims:

Which lane one is driving in round a multi-lane roundabout type of traffic circle often depends on the traffic situation at the point of entering a circle. So, sometimes one can be in the inside lane by force of circumstances when entering the roundabout, when ideally one should be in the outside lane. Similarly, you may want to take the last exit but due to traffic are forced to enter the circle in the far left-hand lane.

Therefore the issue is not so much whether a driver is in the “correct” lane in the roundabout, but more the case of, once in the roundabout, how does the driver go about exiting the circle at the required exit. And this is primarily a matter of following the rules of the road regarding the correct use of lanes, signalling, and not changing lanes dangerously. And the rules can be simplified as follows:

1. BEFORE changing lanes to the left (in order to prepare to exit), check in the mirrors and the left blind spot to see whether it is safe to SIGNAL.

2. If it is safe (at that moment), signal your intention to move into the next lane to your left.

3. BEFORE changing lane, check mirrors and blind spot again to ensure that it is still safe to change lane; if safe, move across carefully.

4. If it is not safe, and you are close to your desired exit, circle the center island again until it IS safe to change lanes and exit the roundabout.

We would also like to urge drivers to view the following sections.

This will not help you find car insurance – but might well help to avoid car insurance claims and increased insurance premiums!