Other Drivers Driving You Crazy? There's an App For That!

Appropriately called "Drive Me Crazy". One can report lousy driving straight from their iPhone, and soon from their Android phone, according to this article in the Los Angeles Times.

Did That Driver Cut You Off? Report Him with "Drive Me Crazy" Mobile App

The California DMV has it's own mobile app, but this sounds like it would be a nice adjunct!

If anybody has it on their iPhone, please let us know how it's working for you, and whether you would recommend it or not.

TEENS: A Tip; Don't Do This, You'll Regret it!

Here's an article that ought to give pause to anyone without having first reached 151/2 years old, plus completed Driver's Ed., and obtained a Learner's Permit.

Teen On Joyride Crashes Grandmother's SUV Into 4 Cars; Flees On Foot

This sort of behavior is not going to endear you to the DMV (as well as various other law enforcement agencies), who can be a bit persnickety on people driving without the proper training, permits and licenses. After all, that's what they were set up to do; make sure everyone is fully capable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

Needless to say, this young man is in serious trouble. He will most likely have a juvenile arrest record, which will make it harder, and a lengthier process, for him to get his first license in the future.

Remember, you have a lifetime of driving privilege ahead of you once you do get your license. Believe it or not, one day, after your 10 thousandth time of sitting in slow moving traffic, gnashing your teeth, trying to get to where you are going, ironically thinking way back when you were a teen driver and super eager to get your license so you could have freedom to go where ever you wanted to whenever you wanted, you'll be muttering, "This is freedom!?"

An Expensive Reminder of the Dangers of Drinking and Driving

A very good article in the New York Times by David Updike about what can happen if you are caught drinking and driving. It deals with the financial aspects of having a drunk driving arrest on your record. It's definitely something to keep reminding one self.

Drinking, Driving and Paying

The best rule of thumb is, if you are going to a party, and you know you are going to be driving afterwards, the best course of action is to abstain from alcohol completely.

After all, as the article admits, you don't need alcohol to have a good time! Being surrounded by friends and laughter, and enjoying being in each others' company is what makes a good party.

Announcing two more successful graduates from Alliance Defensive Driving School

Lauren has just passed her driving test with 100% accuracy! Very impressive. The Driver Guy said she was a fun, smart, energetic student, who made the lessons fun!

Congratulations Lauren!

The next successful grad is Jennifer. Another fun student! Great job Jennifer! Congratulations!

We hope you'll keep in touch with us!

Lose Your Child; Get Kicked in the Teeth

An unbelievable story out of Connecticut, involving a driver with past multiple convictions for DUI's, who is currently serving time in prison for vehicular manslaughter due to striking and killing a 17 year old boy as he was recklessly driving his car at reportedly 85 mph in a 45 mph zone.

He is suing the dead boys' parents for negligence, because he was allegedly skateboarding in the street and not wearing a helmet.  Never mind that he was going way beyond the speed limit at the time. The fact that according to tests performed at the time, he was sober behind the wheel, doesn't lessen the crime.

Driver in Fatal Connecticut Crash Sues Victim's Parents

Apparently, prisoners file lawsuits quite often, but it's usually based on perceived, or maybe actual, injustices that they are undergoing while incarcerated. Rarely do they file suits against the victim or their family.

What do you think after reading the article? Does the man have a valid point? Or is he just using every available means to deflect culpability by raising even the most ridiculous accusation possible?

Distracted Driving: Screaming Babies, Flying Binkies

From the Huffington Post an interesting blog post regarding the hazards of driving while your infant is screaming in the back seat. As David Petrie, the author, points out, most of the attention to distracted driving involves texting while driving. But, there are countless other distractions that could be just as dangerous, but are not given the publicity that texting and driving are.

What do you find are personally distracting to you when you drive?  Please share, you may make someone more aware of a potentially hazardous distraction that they'd never thought of.

Distracted Driving: Are Back Seat Kids Worse Than Texting?

Beware of Predatory Car Loans!

Here's a very interesting article about predatory car loan companies that are an insidious presence in poorer neighborhoods--much like check cashing firms.

It's good to be aware of such dubious practices.

Driven to the Poorhouse

New Study: 17% of Accidents Are Due to Drowsy Driving

Today marks the start of Drowsy Driving Awareness Week. A condition just as dangerous as drunk or drugged driving, but not often talked about. Driving while sleep deprived is the equivalent of driving drunk.

Please folks, if you begin to feel sleepy behind the wheel, pull off the road and rest awhile. It's better to do that than permanently "resting". Isn't it?

Study Says 17% of Fatal Crashes Involve Drowsy Drivers

Drugs and Driving: Important Information

We ran across two very interesting synopses on the effects of drugs, both prescription and illegal, and alcohol, while driving. The articles were written by EMSA of Oklahoma and PA DUI of Pennsylvania.

How do Drugs Affect Driving?

The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol

Their clarity are very helpful in providing a clear understanding of the various effects that drugs and alcohol have on our system, including giving the false impression that normal senses and reaction times are enhanced. Instead what they do is merely (and dangerously) mask the symptoms of fatigue.

Attention to impaired driving is given mostly someone who is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. But prescription and over the counter medications can be just as dangerous while driving, and their side effects should be considered at all times when getting behind the wheel of a car.

A Crucial Reminder: ALWAYS HAVE YOUR PERMITS WITH YOU WHILE DRIVING!

Whether your taking your behind the wheel lesson, or practicing with someone 25 years or older sitting beside you, please, always remember to have your Learner's Permit with you at all times! Recently, several of our students could not take their lessons because they did not have their permits as they were in the other parent's car and both car and parent were out of reach.

Not only does it waste your time, but it also wastes The Driver Guy's time, and, per our policy, we will have to charge you $49 for a one hour lesson that you couldn't take.

California Law requires all driving students, whether teen or adult, to have their permits with them when they are behind the wheel of a car. Failure to do so, and getting caught, should a police officer pull you over for some reason, could have serious setbacks to your progress in the form of fines and delay your goal of getting your provisional permit should the DMV decide to suspend your driving privileges for failure to have a learners permit with you when you are behind the wheel.

The learner's permit is like a limited license to drive (with a licensed adult 25 years or older sitting in the passenger seat with you) and should be treated as such.

It's important to develop good driving habits early--including remembering to have permits, licenses, whatever form of license, whether it's temporary or permanent, on your person at all times. They will save you much frustration throughout your driving life.

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

Driverless Cars in the News Again!

Another interesting report, this time by a team led by Italian engineering researchers, that involves two vans traveling 8,000 miles from Italy to China, ending in Shanghai. One of the reasons for the experiment, explained the engineers who designed the computerized system, was to be able to help motorists reduce accidents with advanced technology.

Sounds wonderful...and, for now at least...expensive...

Four Vans Travel 8,000 Miles Without Drivers

A (Fortunately) Rare Occurrence Captured on Film

A couple of weeks ago, a seemingly innocuous parked car suddenly exploded in San Francisco's Financial District, totally engulfing the vehicle in flames. No, fortunately it was not, as people presumed initially, a terrorist attack, since the car was parked beside a Wells Fargo Bank branch, but a catastrophic malfunctioning of the engine. Luckily the owner of the car was not inside at the time, and was not injured.

Here's a video about the incredible event:

ONLINE SCHEDULING NOW AVAILABLE!

Tired of dealing with an imbecilic secretary who gets dates and locations wrong? Want a quicker, easier way to see available spots and dates for your next lesson?

If you are, you're in luck! We have introduced online booking on our website http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html so you can book your next behind the wheel lesson any time, day or night, without having to wait till the office opens at 12:00 noon. You can even add a note to your appointment if you need to for The Driver Guy.

We hope you will go online and book your appointments---it's fast, easy, and fun!

For more information, please go to our website at http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen Program, please go to http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

Red Light Runner-Predictable Tragedy

Another article from the LA Times, describing the predictable carnage committed by a teenage red light runner.

3 Youths Held in Eastside School Bus Crash

Please people, never forget--driving is a deadly serious activity! It takes skill, both mental and physical. Your actions (or inactions) behind the wheel could have devastating consequences.

Tips For Success for the Big Test!

Remember The Driver Guy's tip for your success at The Test. Yes, --that test-- to get your provisional license after all the hard work learning and practicing driving well so you can become independent, and your parents or older siblings or friends, or...well...you get the idea...don't have to drive you all over the place!

After your second lesson, please go to the DMV Website or call, and schedule your Behind the Wheel test one month out from when you want to take the test. Then call us back at 760-298-2277 or 760-500-9559 to schedule your third lesson approximately one week before your test.

Between the last lesson and the test, you will have more time to practice your skills and prepare over all for your big day!

Another tip: please don't call and schedule your final appointment with us without giving at least three to four weeks notice, as we may not be able to find open spots for you on our busy schedule, and it's unfair to other students to ask them to re-schedule their times and dates to accommodate you. After all, you wouldn't like it if that happened to you, now would you?

A Needless Tragedy For Two Families

From the Sacramento Bee comes an article describing a woman who, upon her fifth, and this time fatal, DUI was sent to prison for 30 plus years to life because of her preventable actions.

In essence, driving a car is akin to driving a guided missile: it kills.

Because of this woman's actions, not only has the victim's family lost their loved one, but the woman essentially lost her life as well. Is being in prison for the rest of your life because you chose to drink and drive considered "living"? Assuredly, not to most people.

It's something to think about.

Judge Issues Maximum Sentence

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

Parents: Please Be Involved in Your Teens Training! You'll Be Glad You Were!

Another interesting article in the NY Times about how parents very often end up not teaching their teens adequate skills in driving. The article mentions that most of the time, the lessons devolve into stressful episodes for both parent and child.

Study says teens need more driver training from parents

Teaching a loved one if very often an exercise in frustration, especially when it involves a skill that has dangerous consequences if not taught properly. Familiarity, and feelings of inadequacy at trying to teach probably play a significant role in these sessions.

Yet, it is very important for the parent to be as much involved as possible with their teen while they are learning this important skill.

We at Alliance Defensive Driving School encourage the parents to be involved with their child's driving practice as much as possible as we've found that active parental involvement can make a substantial difference in the ultimate success of their child. At the very least, we like the parent to go along on their child's first lesson, so they can see how their child is being taught, and how their child is reacting to this new learning experience.

So often the attitude concerning driving seems to be geared toward it being a right, rather than the privilege it is. Never forget the importance, in terms of safety as well as money, how important it is to learn how to drive correctly and defensively. Ultimately, through out your driving life, you will be glad you did!

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

A Self Driving Car? Sounds like Heaven To Some!

Apparently Google is expanding it's world domination by getting involved in the automotive industry. According to this interesting article in the New York Times, Google has been working on a fully computerized car for quite some time, and by the sound of it, is having quite a few successes with their experiments!

This is good news for those who don't particularly enjoy driving, yet are dependent on a car for daily transportation.

Hmmm...wonder if Apple is now working on the "iCar"....

Google Cars Can Drive Themselves, In Traffic

Another Student

Meet Brandon, another one of Alliance Defensive Driving School's successful students, well on his way to becoming an expert and safe driver.

Pictured with Brandon is Louis, our new "teaching associate" i.e. training car. He is a 2009 Toyota Corolla, outfitted with both gas and brake pedals on the passenger side for ultimate safety!

A very nice picture of two handsome guys!

Happy Driving Brandon!

Brandon (holding certificate) and "Louis", our new training car

For more information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to our newly re-designed website at: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen Programs, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

Another Tragic Reminder...

....of why you should never believe you can beat a train! Either by foot, as this kid did, or by car.

12 Year Old Killed Trying to Beat Train In Fresno

It never fails, the train is going to always win in the end--no matter how fast you think you are, or how far you think the train is.

Have you ever been tempted to try and cross the tracks when you know a train is coming?

And The Message Goes On...

Another interesting article on the dangers of texting and driving. Though we DO NOT recommend that you start drinking and driving! Despite the title of the article, in reality, you are NOT better off driving drunk!

Awhile back we published articles relating to studies conducted by the University of Utah and Virginia Tech on their findings regarding texting and driving. This article further corroborates the findings.

The next time you feel an overwhelming desire to whip out your iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, or ordinary cell phone, just remember, it may be the last text you'll ever make. Is it worth it?

Remember, driving a car is akin to handling a loaded weapon. Improperly used, the results can be just as deadly.

Texters You're Better Off Driving Drunk

Oooooooppps!!

Now see what can happen when you are driving while distracted? Luckily for the woman the police chief did not cite her on the spot!


Distracted Driver Rear-ends Police Chief

What do you think after reading this article? Should the police chief have fined her? His argument that it wouldn't have been wise to do so as he was involved in the collision. But is that a valid ethical dilemma. Some readers of the article commented that it wasn't, and that he should have cited her.

What's your opinion?

Terrific Toronto!

We're back after an extended absence. To all our readers, we apologize for the lack of updates. Things have been rather hectic around Alliance Defensive Driving School, with new students, new friends, and a recent week long trip to Toronto, Ontario.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada, with approximately 5 million residents, offering a multitude of interesting sights and sounds. It is also the capital of the Province of Ontario and the Provincial Government is headquartered in the City. Team Alliance managed to take some interesting pictures of this very dynamic city. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we did not get to see all of the sights, but we did manage to get to the Royal Ontario Museum, and see a fascinating exhibit of the Chinese Terracotta Army, among other things.

Aside from the Terracotta Army and other more permanent exhibits, one of the more interesting things about it was it's exterior!

The Royal Ontario Museum and it's new addition--an architect trying to
eat a previous architect's work.

As with many large cities in North America, Toronto is having to cope with it's share of traffic congestion, and the emergence of the bicycle culture in an environment designed for vehicular traffic. Bicycle lanes are being added onto many streets, often narrowing roadways to drivers in order to accommodate the new lanes, with the usual debates of cars versus bikes ensuing.

One of the more interesting things Team Alliance noted was the traffic sign parallel to the traffic light that is geared toward pedestrian traffic, rather than the usual vehicular traffic (click on the picture to see a bigger version of the photo):

"Pedestrians Obey Your Signals" Reminder at Bloor St. W. , Toronto

"Pedestrians Obey Your Signals" Yes indeed! A very important, yet all too rare, reminder, that, for ultimate safety, pedestrians as well as drivers have to obey the signals too. So often, the emphasis on traffic rules is solely placed on vehicles, but quite often the pedestrian is just as guilty for flouting the law and creating a potentially dangerous situation. On a daily basis, Team Alliance sees pedestrians walking against a red light, seemingly unperturbed that they are taking someone else's right of way, even if there seems to be no vehicle in the immediate vicinity. A car can travel extraordinary distances in a very short amount of time, even if it's going at the legal speed limit.  It is very foolish for people to assume that it is safe to cross just because there are cars half a block away. Never underestimate the power of a vehicle!

Remember, it only takes an extra second to be safe!

"You went to Alliance Defensive Driving School? Oh, those guys know what they're doing!"

This exciting bit of news was relayed by Chris, one of our most recent successful graduates, quoting an employee at the DMV as he processed his papers. He was so excited to pass his DMV behind the wheel test with only two mistakes, that he wanted to personally show his exam form to The Driver Guy and headed to his office. The above quote was just the icing on the cake for Chris and for the staff at Alliance Defensive Driving School.

So if you're confused about which one of the myriad of driving schools to enroll in in North San Diego County, please

choose Alliance Defensive Driving School. We will point you in the right direction toward success!


And, of course, a big congratulations! and thank you! to Chris for coming in and sharing the quote with us! Happy Driving!

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information on our online driver education program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Another Licensed Driver is Born!

Congratulations to Gretchen, who passed her DMV test today with only four mistakes! Very impressive! We're sure there will be more than one happy smile in Gretchen's household tonight!

Congratulations again Gretchen. Great job!

Obviously Not An Alliance Defensive Driving School Student

Unbelievable to hear, but a couple of days ago, a 20 year old student driver struck six people in a crosswalk in Livermore California. A licensed adult driver was apparently in the car with her, and she had a learners permit!

What the article does not state is whether the licensed adult was 25 years or older, which is required by California law--even if the student is legally an adult. The law does not only apply to teens.

Student Driver Strikes Pedestrians

For more information on the requirements for a student in the practice of the art of driving, please go to the

DMV California Driver Handbook . This is a good book to have handy, even if you are a seasoned driver. You might still have questions that the book will hopefully answer. And best of all, you can one up at the DMV for FREE!

This Is Why It's Important To Always Drive At The Speed Limit!

Here's another example of the importance of obeying the speed limit--even when you think there's no other car around and therefore can safely take liberties with the limits imposed.

Luckily the occupants of the houses that were affected weren't hurt, though it appears that one of the houses is teetering on the brink of collapse. All because of the deadly stupid actions of a motorist who knew better.

The moral of this story is: even if you think it's safe to go over the speed limit because no other cars are on the road, you could still very easily lose control of your vehicle due to unexpected events--and lose your life in the process, as this driver did.

Based on the information in the article, how fast do you think he was driving to cause the damage that he did?

Darien Resident Killed In Accident

An Experimental, But (Hopefully In Future) Permanent Law To Go Into Effect July 1

A law that is more experimental than permanent is to go into effect tomorrow, July 1, 2010, making ignition interlock devices on cars belonging to first time and repeat DUI offenders mandatory in several California counties. Unfortunately San Diego County is not on the list of counties where this law is applicable. At least not yet.

The experiment will run five years, at which time the legislature will review the findings regarding the effectiveness of the new law. Hopefully, the law will clamp down on DUI's enough so that lawmakers will indeed expand the law throughout the rest of California.

DMV: Ignition Interlock Law Takes Effect July 1

A Great Idea? Or a Supremely Bad One?

Here's a link to the latest money making venture proposed by the State of California: ad displaying digital license plates. Yes, you read that correctly. Ads on digital license plates.

A host of interesting questions just beg to be asked regarding this idea, the first one being: isn't the whole idea of license plates a way to quickly convey valuable information about a vehicle and it's owner, and nothing else, when checked by the DMV? Even personalized license plates, which may double as an ad for the car owner's business, still function as an vital piece of information that doesn't really distract from it's primary intended purpose. And speaking of inattentiveness, wouldn't an ad that kept changing on a car in front of you be considered a dangerous distraction as it would lure your attention away from the business of keeping your eyes moving and on the road, thus preventing an accident?

Of course, those pushing for the new fangled plates say all those concerns are being addressed as we debate this exciting opportunity. Are they truly, one wonders?

California lawmakers consider license plates that flash ads

What are your thoughts regarding this...ahem...interesting idea? Good, bad or...meh (shrugs shoulders)...?


For information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our Online Drivers Education and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Do you really want to drive next to a car that has 15 cats roaming inside it?

A South Dakota court has ruled that driving around with 15 loose cats inside is indeed a safety hazard. Uh...yes, Team Alliance thinks so too!

S.D. 15 Cats in Car is Too Risky

Alliance Defensive Driving School's two mascots, Poppy and Benny, always ride in the car with their own veterinarian approved safety belts, which attach to the car's seat belts. Driving a car with any loose animal is simply asking for trouble, and is also a danger for the animal itself. Please, as you do with your human friends and family, buckle up your furry companions for your own and their sake. After all, they're depending on you, their driver, to be responsible for their well being!

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

Parallel Parker Extraordinaire! Of course!

Meet Tara, another one of The Driver Guy's first try Champion Parallel Parkers! Congratulations Tara!

An Issue of Safety or Just a Mere Money Maker For Cash Strapped Cities?

We ran across an article in the North County Times that seems to put more emphasis on the profitability of red light cameras, than on the possibility that they might just save lives.

For us and our students, the emphasis should be on the improved safety factor of having the cameras, though unfortunately the issue does generate the usual hue and cry of, "it's just another way of finding more profit for the city from it's citizens". The tone of the  article seems to enforce this unfortunate perception of the cameras, while paying scant attention to their true intended purpose: to catch red light runners and make them aware, (yes, monetarily--it's called waking them up by hitting them in the pocketbook), that what they are doing could be potentially lethal.

Escondido: Red Light Cameras Not Jeopardized By Contract Change

What do you think? Is the program a mere money maker, or do you feel that it has cut down on red light runners and thus saved lives?

A Very Easily Preventable Tragedy

Here is a link to an article about an elderly woman whose unfortunate death was most probably caused because she forgot to set the parking brake on her car.

Oakland Woman Run Over, Killed By Own Vehicle

A tip: when you are learning to drive, get into the life saving habit of always setting the parking brake after you put the car in "Park". Even on level ground, this extra step will add a layer of protection should something occur with the car.


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Senior Driver Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/services.html

For more information about our online Drivers Education program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Chalk Up Another Success from the Professor of Parallel Parking!

Yes, The Driver Guy has done it again! Unleashed onto the world another perfect parallel parker! The latest is Melanie! Congratulations Melanie! Now you can teach your friends and family how to park like a real pro!

Have a Safe Memorial Day!!

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend comes an interesting series of opinions published in the New York Times from various experts in the transportation world. There are some very interesting and valid viewpoints that we thought we'd like to share with our friends.

Do We Tolerate Too Many Traffic Deaths?

Have a safe Memorial Day everyone! Remember, a student of Alliance Defensive Driving School, past or present, always drives responsibly!



For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our Online Drivers Ed. program, and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Extreme Multitasking!

This cool article came to our attention very recently. Minn. Mom Gives Birth While Driving to Hospital

 With a mother like Amanda McBride as a role model, we wonder if little Joseph Dominick Phillips will turn out to be a natural born driver!

iPhone--The Driver Nanny

Today we came across this article on the internet from MacWorld about a new free iPhone app that monitors teens driving habits, taking notes on speed and manner of driving and records everything for the parent to review later on. On the more advanced version it will even sound an alarm if the driver goes over the speed limit and will send an email to the parent giving details of the drivers performance. On the surface it sounds great. But we wonder just how effective this would be in a real situation.

On the iTunes Safe Driver app page, there is a warning saying that accuracy may vary depending on iPhone version, area coverage, signal strength and how secure the device is. Reading and experiencing the many troubles with the AT&T signal, we wonder how effective this app really would be?

 This may be the one and only time that teens would not want a cell phone anywhere near them! Oh, the irony!



For information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our Online Drivers Ed. program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Remember: CLICK IT OR TICKET!

Starting today and continuing to June 6, over 150 law enforcement agencies, starting with the CHP, will be on the look out for unbelted drivers and passengers in California in an effort to remind people to buckle up-- even if just driving down the block. Studies have shown that most car accidents happen close to home, where the territory is most familiar.

This year the fines for not buckling up are steeper: $142 for adult violators; for children under 16 years old, it's $445 for the first violation.

Since the law was implemented in 2005, the number of people wearing seat belts have gone up from 92.5% in 2005 to 95.3% in 2009, which translates to 1 million more people using seat belts.

Despite the figures, there are still an awful lot of people who for a variety of reasons don't heed the warning about what could happen by not wearing a seat belt until it is too late.

Please friends, don't let it be one of you! Buckle up!



For information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please visit: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our Drivers Ed. program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Teens: Thinking About Driving Before You're Licensed? Our Advice...

DON'T!

Last week we received a call from a young man asking about our Drivers Ed and Behind the Wheel Training programs. We gave him the information and prices and talked a bit about the benefits of our programs, when toward the end of the conversation he admitted that he had been pulled over by a sheriff's deputy and given a ticket for being a minor and driving without a license. He asked if this would impact on his ability to obtain a license. The answer is a big bold: YES!

It is considered a very serious infraction by the DMV as well as law enforcement and could delay your license for one year! Also it could have bad consequences for your parents or guardians, not just you. 

While it may seem useless all these hoops that you have to jump through, i.e., driver's ed., the six hours of professional behind the wheel instruction, 50 hours of practice--ten of them at night, leading to the provisional license with it's own set of restrictions, etc. They are all designed to make you a better, safer driver. 


If you're feeling impatient, and thinking about driving without a license, thinking if you're very careful, you won't get caught, please consider this: Is it worth risking having a pre-existing mark on your record and having your license denied for a year? And also delaying the freedom that you crave? We don't think so, and we don't think you do either!

So, remember: to drive unlicensed is to delay a license!




For information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information on our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online drivers ed program and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Another Heartbreaking Story

Another story in the San Diego North County Times about the untimely death of a teen driver, Michael Hoffman, just 18 years old. He was just 10 days shy of graduating from High School.

Firefighter Dad Helped After Son's Crash

How sad that we will never know if he indeed followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps to become a firefighter. We will never know how many lives he would have touched by his dedication to helping others in their time of need.

Be careful out there. Drive carefully. Cars can be replaced. People can't.

Alliance Defensive Driving School extends our deepest condolences to the Hoffman family for the loss of their son, Michael.



For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online drivers ed. program and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Midas Presents: Teen Car Care Clinic at San Diego Midas Shop

Most teens think about one thing only when they finally get that coveted California drivers license: freedom! However, with that freedom comes responsibility--lest your new found freedom comes to an abrupt end with a car breakdown.

Midas has partnered with Lauren Fix, a nationally recognized automotive expert, aka "The Car Coach", to educate teens on safe driving and car care with interactive clinics.

On Monday, May 24, 2010, the Midas Shop on 10445 Friars Road in San Diego will host a Teen Car Care Clinic with Lauren Fix, where she will conduct a hands on demonstration of vehicle safety checks, and "parents and teens will explore their vehicles for safe equipment and instruments".

If you have the time, it sounds like something worthwhile to attend! You never know what little tidbit of useful info you will pick up, then end up using it later on!

When: Monday, May 24, 2010

Time: 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Location:

Midas Shop
10445 Friars Road
San Diego, CA92120
Phone: 619-285-1101
Web: www.midassandiegoca.com

Google Map: 10445 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92120

Have fun and stay safe!!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online drivers ed and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Teacher with Multiple DUI's Allowed To Teach?

Here's an article in SFGate.com about an Orange County fifth grade teacher who, over 25 years, has had  a spotless record in the classroom--but not so spotless behind the wheel, where she has had three serious drunk driving convictions.

Apparently one of Shirley Broney's arguments, through her lawyer and substance abuse counselor is that she has learned her lesson and will not repeat her mistakes again. Don't two subsequent convictions for the same offense qualify that she has NOT indeed "learned" her lesson--and most likely won't anytime soon?

What do you think? Should a teacher with a known DUI history be allowed to continue teaching?


Drinking, Driving and Teaching Don't Mix

Happy Mothers Day!

We want to wish all of our Mothers out there a very Happy and Safe Mother's Day. Teens, if you're wondering what to get for your Mother on this very special day, Team Alliance has the perfect gift: Safe Driving. Yep! That's it. Safe and conscientious driving.

What better gift to give your mother than the knowledge that her offspring are doing all they can to avoid accidents, and are being a role model for other drivers who may be tempted to act foolishly.

Have fun, and drive carefully! Make your Mother's proud by giving her the ultimate gift: Yourself--Alive!

Natural Driving Talent? Seems Like It To Us!

Meet Jake, The Driver Guy's latest pupil. After only 3 hours, Jake was able to parallel park without any difficulty. Of course he was being taught by the best parallel parker in North County, so of course he would succeed!

Sounds like Jake will be an accomplished driver in no time at all! Good job, Jake!!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed program, and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

More Evidence of the Dangers of Distracted Driving

The National Safety Council has released a white paper on the dangers of cell phone use, hand held or hands free, that further illustrates the problems of driving while distracted. More and more, it seems as though, no matter what action you take in talking on cell phone while driving, even employing a hands free device, seems to be a very bad idea all around. Increasing evidence shows that the brain is incapable of true multitasking in critical areas, regardless of how skillful we think we are.

National Safety Council: White Paper on Distracted Driving

Obviously, the best rule of thumb when deciding whether to engage in chatting or texting while driving is: DON'T. Turn off the phone, and just drive. Otherwise, that message or phone call could very well be your last--no matter how good a driver you think you are!


For more information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed. program, and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

One Good Man

It's good to see that the needless to say, extremely dangerous--not to mention illegal-- practice of holding a cell phone / texting is getting more and more media attention these days. This latest article tells the story of one dedicated Los Angeles police officer, Kamaron Sardar, who's hot on the trail of yakkers and texters, doing all he can to get the message across to even the densest individual that such a practice could very well end up being their last act.

Distracted Drivers, He's Just Got the Ticket For You

A followup story of the many varied and wild excuses he's come across, of which some are mentioned, would be entertaining to read, we're sure!

Keep up the great work, Officer Sardar! and on behalf of Alliance Defensive Driving School: Thank You Kindly!


For more information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information on our Teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed program and our prices, please go to:http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Present (and Future?) Success!

Congratulations to Monica! She took her behind the wheel DMV driving test recently and passed with flying colors, making only three mistakes! Way to go, Monica!!

Monica very kindly wrote a review of Alliance Defensive Driving School on MagicYellow.com Alliance Defensive Driving School Page. See what she and others have written about us!

We wish Monica and her growing family much success on the road and life ahead!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Adult Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/adults.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online drivers ed program and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

And of course, don't forget to go visit our sister blogs for more great tips: http://wwwthedriveguy.blogspot.com/ and http://wwwaddsinfohiwaycom.blogspot.com/

A Highly Preventable Tragedy

Periodically in the news we hear the unimaginable tragedy of another infant being found dead in the back seat of a car, simply because either parent thought the other had dropped their child off at day care, or grandma for the day. Usually it is at the end of the day that the parents, each thinking that the other had picked up the baby from day care that they realize their miscommunication. By the time they discover their child still strapped in their infant seat in the back, it's too late.

The searing heartbreak that follows is accompanied by the inevitable questioning by the  authorities, media,  friends and family, and by the parents themselves, with one overriding question being asked repeatedly, "How could any parent forget their child?"

Good question. And one that is not all that easy to answer. The overall circumstances of children left in hot cars varied, with 51% being forgotten in the car by the caregiver.

In 2009, 33 children died of hyperthermia (extreme high body temperature) as a result of being left in hot cars. So far in 2010, three have died. 

These are but two examples of many statistics that were compiled by Jan Null, CCM, who is an Adjunct Professor of Meteorology at San Francisco State University.  Dr. Null has created a very interesting and important fact sheet giving a wealth of information on Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehicles. We urge you to read it as it gives a comprehensive look at the statistics, and gives numerous resources and links for more information about this preventable tragedy.

But the best pieces of advice on preventing hyperthermia in a hot vehicle, and we quote Dr. Null's Fact Sheet, are:

NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE!

And

IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE, CALL 9-1-1 

Finally

BE SURE THAT ALL OCCUPANTS LEAVE THE VEHICLE WHEN UNLOADING. DON'T  OVERLOOK SLEEPING BABIES!!




For more information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online drivers ed. program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Taming the TWD (Texting While Driving)

At not a moment too soon, it looks like some tech companies are rolling out some cell phone apps designed to block phone communications while a vehicle is in motion. A very good article in the New York Times by tech writer David Pogue explains the different apps available.

Your Phone Is Locked. Just Drive.

Pogue briefly quotes some of the numerous statistics comparing the effects of driving under the influence versus texting and driving. Hopefully, with the uptick in media interest, people are starting to realize what a supremely bad idea it is to take your eyes off the road for even a split second.

I hope driving instructors and driving schools across the country are teaching this extremely important concept of distracted driving. The Driver Guy sure is!


To learn more about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

To learn about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

To learn about our online Drivers Ed. program and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

And please don't forget to visit our sister blogs: http://wwwthedriveguy.blogspot.com/ and http://wwwaddsinfohiwaycom.blogspot.com/

From The Inspiring To the Bizarre: A Tale of Two Incidents

Colorado has a pint sized hero today, after he grabbed the wheel of his grandmother's pickup truck and steered it straight until it came to a stop.

Boy, 8, Grabs Wheel After Grandma Suffers Seizure

Congratulations to Dillon Earl! A lot of people of driving age should follow your example in how to keep calm in an emergency!

One man who could have used your example is an 18 year old in Winona, MN who lost control of his car and ended up crashing it into a utility pole...because his dog was vomiting on him.

Police: Vomiting Dog Causes Man To Crash Into Pole

Obviously, the guy needs some pointers on keeping calm from Dillon and Alliance Defensive Driving School.

Hmmmm....could we have a possible future driving instructor in Dillon? Sounds good to us!



For more information on our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online drivers ed. program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Don't forget to look at our other blogs: http://wwwthedriveguy.blogspot.com/ and http://wwwaddsinfohiwaycom.blogspot.com/

Another Successful Graduate!

Meet Marina, The Driver Guy's latest graduate. And, of course, another expert parallel parker! Hmmmm....seems like The Driver Guy's rapidly bursting this myth about the impossibility of easy parallel parking!

Congratulations Marina! Keep in touch! We'd love to hear about your new adventures in driving!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed. program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Please be sure to read our other blogs for more helpful tips on the world of driving: http://wwwthedriveguy.blogspot.com/ and http://wwwaddsinfohiwaycom.blogspot.com/

DWE: Driving While Exhausted

A short while ago The Driver Guy called up a friend at a not unreasonable hour in the morning, fully assuming that she'd be awake.  She answered the phone, sounding as fine at first. But as the conversation evolved, it was clear something was wrong. She was slurring some of her words, and her sentences came out in an awkward fashion.

"Are you all right?You sound like you've been drinking!" The Driver Guy asked half jokingly, knowing full well she didn't drink, and, in fact, had a very strong hatred of alcohol of any sort due to alcohol related deaths in her family.

It turns out that when he had called he had woken her up out of a sound sleep of only two hours. She had been pulling all nighters on a large project she had been working on, and getting very little sleep in between. Fortunately she did not have to commute as she worked from home.

Later that day, when The Driver Guy called her again, she said to him, "You know, in a way you were right. I was drunk when you called. But drunk from a lack of sleep--not from alcohol. I was barely able to keep a coherent thought in my head, I was so sleepy."

Driving while exhausted-- drowsy-- sleepy-- however one wants to term it, is just as serious as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, yet the topic is very often given little notice. It almost seems like the only time it is ever brought up is when there is a news story involving fatalities, such as this one.

An Australian study recently found that being awake for 18 hours produced impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of .05; double that after 24 hours without sleep.

Conservative estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration point to at least 100,000 crashes due to driver exhaustion each year.

The most vulnerable to drowsy driving are, long distance truck drivers, teens, adults with young children, and shift workers.

In 2003, New Jersey made it a crime to drive while drowsy. In California, manslaughter charges are brought up against the driver who falls asleep at the wheel and causes fatalities.

Unfortunately, our fast paced culture thinks of sleep as more of a nuisance than a necessity. Afternoon naps are considered only for young children, certainly not for adults. But several studies have proven that taking a short nap in the afternoon is not only beneficial for overall health, it actually improves productivity. This makes sense: when the mind and body are well rested, things are done faster and more efficiently. In some countries, taking a mid afternoon nap after lunch is considered de rigueur and would probably look at us askance if we told them that naps are only for the young and the very old!

The National Sleep Foundation has developed a website written specifically about the issue of drowsy driving: www.drowsydriving.org. Please visit the site, as it offers some very good information about this underreported problem.

There are numerous suggestions when it comes to driving while sleepy, most of which can be found at the Drowsy Driving site. But the over all best advice that Team Alliance can give you is: if you feel tired, overwhelmed, and have been driving for long periods of time, please pull over, if possible, and take a rest. Better yet, before setting out, make plans to stop periodically for rest and sleep breaks. It isn't worth risking your life or the lives of others, thinking that you are going to save time getting to your destination if you just kept going. It ultimately will not work, as you will probably find out all too tragically!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

It's Never Too Late To Learn!

Congratulations to Dorris for passing her DMV Behind the Wheel test! Dorris took our Mature Drivers Program, and obviously had no trouble passing, thanks to The Driver Guy's skilled teaching!

 See? It's not only teens that go to Alliance Defensive Driving School, but all age groups. You are never too old to learn how to drive defensively and safely. And it's even easier when you've got The Driver Guy teaching you!


For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Mature Drivers Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/services.html

No "Grandmother of the Year" For This Granny!

There are no words to describe this report out of Memphis, Tennessee about a 45 year old grandmother who crashed her car in a drunken stupor with her three toddler age grandchildren in the back seat--unbuckled.

Team Alliance has a strong feeling that contrary to Kimbrough's son's explanation that this is a single aberrant episode, it is merely one among a string of instances of his mother driving drunk...the only difference being is that she got caught this time. Thankfully, there were no tragedies involved.

And...uh...yes, she was indeed drinking and driving, contrary to her son's statement that she wasn't. Having an open bottle of alcohol in the car qualifies as drinking and driving--even if the bottle or cup wasn't touching her lips at the time of impact. And it goes without saying that it is highly against the law to have an open alcoholic container in the car while driving.

Friends, please keep your thoughts and prayers with the Kimbrough grandchildren. With a family so out of touch with the concept of responsibility for themselves and others, they are obviously going to need all the spiritual and intellectual help they can get.



Be sure to visit our other blogs: The Driver Guy  and The Highway for more interesting articles on the world of driving.



For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go tohttp://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our Teen program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our Online Drivers Ed. program and our prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

A Timely Reminder: When it Rains, Slow Down!

It looks like the rain is not over for California. To paraphrase someone quoted in a recent newspaper article, winter does not want to let go!

This article is a reminder to change our driving habits during wet weather. Further compounding the tragedy of this latest round of rainstorms, a crash on I-5 near Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles, resulted in 5 children being killed or severely injured in a four car pileup that happened at approximately 12:15 am.

While the article does not say what caused the crash, it's a safe bet to say that probably excessive speed was involved.

For further tips on driving in the rain, please see The Driver Guy's Blog for more helpful information.

Added to physical and psychological injuries of an accident, there is also the financial fall out in the form of medical bills and future higher insurance premiums. Plus, if the accident is deemed to be primarily your fault by the DMV, points will be added to your driving record and possible license suspension if the agency considers your actions serious enough.

So, please folks, adjust your driving habits accordingly during this latest round of wet weather and help prevent even more tragedies. Your driving skills affect not only you, but your passengers and your fellow motorists.

 Who knows, you could even be the hero and end up teaching other drivers how to drive by your fine example!


For further information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to our home page at: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen course, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our Drivers Ed course and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

A New Low...But A Good Low!

In this recent article on traffic fatalities, the NHTSA has declared that traffic deaths have dropped to their lowest point since the 1950's. Several factors are at work, namely, more awareness of drunk driving, increased seat belt use, and the decline in overall driving because of the economy.

It seems as though education and laws are working after all!

Another Expert Parallel Parker Is Born!

Meet Maureen, the Driver Guy's newest adult student. Taking lessons for awhile now, she has recently successfully learned the fine and precise art of parallel parking! The Driver Guy is naturally an expert parallel parker, and, equally important, he is a master at teaching how to parallel park--an often elusive and frustrating exercise that reduces one to either a raving lunatic or a defeated puddle of mush as you try to sandwich your car between two others without destroying either one of them or yours.

But thanks to the Driver Guy, it seems as though Maureen had an easier time of it, judging by the Victory sign she's flashing! Maureen says she feels so confident in her progress that she's planning on taking her DMV Behind the Wheel test soon!

We'll be rooting for you Maureen!! Please keep us posted!

For more information on Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to:http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information on our adult program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/adults.html

For more information about our prices and online Drivers Ed program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Announcing Teen Driving Safety Week!

On March 21 Teen Driving Safety Week begins, declared by the Assembly of the State of California as an awareness of the dangers and responsibilities of driving.

According to the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) there were 13.2 million young drivers between the ages of 15-20 years of age in 2008--a 4.8 percent increase from 12.6 million within the decade. Within this same timeframe there was a 27 percent decrease in fatal crashes and a 20 percent drop in  driver fatalities among this age group. Despite this encouraging news, motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death for 15-20 year old people. In 2008 there were 5, 864 (12%) young driver involved fatal accidents; 2, 739 of those were killed and an additional 228,000 were injured.

Taking the most salient points from the NHTSA 2008 statistical data on young drivers, here are some sobering numbers to remind us of the preventive work that still needs to be done:

•  30% (291) did not have valid operators licenses and had previous license revocation and suspensions.
• 31% of young drivers killed had been drinking and had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .01 grams per deciliter or higher.
• 25% of young drivers killed had a BAC of .08 or higher--in other words, they were legally drunk!
• The severity of a crash increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. To wit: DUI crashes involving only property damage were 2%; DUI crashes resulting in injury leapt to 4%; DUI crashes ending in fatalities jumped exponentially to 22%!
• Alcohol involvement is higher among male young drivers than female; 26% of male drivers involved in a fatal crash had been drinking just before the accident, compared to 13% of young female drivers who were under the influence at the time of the accident.
• 63% of young drivers who had been drinking and were involved in fatal crashes were unrestrained.  73% of those drivers who were not wearing seat belts were killed on impact.
• In California there were 593 young driver fatalities for 2008.

Unfortunately, these statistics do not mention any fatalities involving texting while driving, an increasing concern. Two studies by the University of Utah in 2003 and 2006 respectively, comparing the effects of drunk driving versus texting and driving, showed that on the whole, texting while driving had the same effect on driving ability as being behind the wheel with a .08 BAC. What's more, it showed that a hands free device was not any safer than a hand held one. The conclusion is, anytime you take your eyes and mind away from the task of driving, you are inevitably putting yourself and others in much greater danger.

Keeping this in mind, the next time you're behind the wheel, ask yourself if it's worth getting in an accident and you and/or someone else gets hurt or killed while you answer the message on your phone? Is any message/call really that urgent, that it couldn't wait? Isn't it worth waiting a few seconds until you're safely off the road before you answer the phone or text message? Think about it...what if the last call/message you answered while driving...

                                                                    ...was your last?

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information about our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our prices and online Drivers Ed Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html



Car accident photograph from: www.fugly.com
Casket photograph from: www.scrapetv.com

Weird and Funny Video? Not Really....

We found this video on YouTube, and, despite the title, we think it illustrates an important point when driving in wet weather. In this particular video there are several elements that make this driving experience all the more treacherous:

1. The wet weather!

2. People NOT slowing down in wet weather!

3. People NOT slowing down when approaching the curve--in wet or dry weather!

Added to this is the dismaying lack of any sort of regulatory or advisory sign before the curve--or at least one that could be seen on the video.

All these elements make for very dangerous driving. Make no mistake, while the filmmakers clearly intended this to be a form of entertainment, judging from the title and the accompanying music; to us, it is a very pointed reminder that this sort of driving is no joke! It also goes without saying that all these drivers would fail the Behind the Wheel test at their DMV!

One thing to keep in mind while watching this video, is that probably most of the drivers use this route on a daily basis as part of their commute, and therefore may think that they know how to take the curve in any sort of weather. This is dangerous thinking, as you'll hopefully notice as you watch the film. Never underestimate what could happen in an unexpected situation, such as a pedestrian stepping off the curb when you least expect it. On a sharp curve, you cannot really see this happening until it's too late. Look closely at the film and you'll see some frightening near misses involving pedestrians as well as on-coming and cross traffic.

Please, always remember in wet weather, always drive 5 to 10 mph slower than the posted speed limit! Especially during the first few days of rainy weather when the roads are particularly slick due to a build up of dirt and oil! Also, coming on a blind, uncontrolled intersection, such as the curve shown in the video, slow down to 15 mph before entering it!

For more tips, see The Driver Guy's Blog entry for December 22, 2009 for a more complete explanation on defensive driving in foul weather.

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please visit http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please visit http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For more information about our online Drivers Ed. course and prices, please visit http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Announcing Two New Drivers on America's Highways!!

We've decided to add an exciting feature to our blog: an Honor Roll of sorts, featuring our latest graduates and their well earned accomplishments!

To inaugurate this feature we'd like to congratulate JASON on a job well done!! Jason was a model student, listening to The Driver Guy's instructions very respectfully, thereby making the experience of teaching and learning easier for both of them! He passed his behind the wheel test on the first try with only five mistakes! Good going Jason!!

Jason said, "I'll recommend The Driver Guy to all my friends! Even my girlfriend!" Thanks Jason! We were happy to have you as a student and we look forward to meeting and teaching your friends (and your girlfriend!)


Our second honoree is JESSICA. Jessica had gone to another driving school only to fail after taking the DMV behind the wheel test. Deciding to start afresh with another driving school, she chose Alliance Defensive Driving School, and after the requisite six hour lessons with The Driver Guy, she easily passed her behind the wheel test with only three errors! Congratulations Jessica!

Said Jessica, "The Driver Guy is the best instructor in the world!! I am so happy!!! Also, the other school charged too much!" We're very glad we could help you, Jessica!

Again, our hearty congratulations to our two latest graduates! May they have a safe, long and happy driving experience!

Please keep in touch! Don't hesitate to email or phone us with any driving question or problem you might have!


For information regarding our school, please go to http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For information about our teen program, please go to http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online Drivers Ed. program and our prices, please go to http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Also, please read our other blogs: The Driver Guy and The Highway for more great tips on driving, cars, and car maintenance!

Keeping Safe--In The Car and Out

Recently there has been a lot of publicity surrounding the disappearance and subsequent deaths of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois, and the capture of  John Albert Gardner III in connection with their murders. Three commonalities will always join these two girls forever more in this heinous crime: they were teenagers, they were walking alone, they did not do anything to provoke their attacker.

Being in a seemingly safe, affluent area, as Chelsea King was, might give some a sense of security. But in reality, sadly, no one is safe anywhere, and our guard must not be dropped under any circumstance. It's a sad fact of our modern life. To be fair though, this has been true of any age. There have, and always will exist, people who, for whatever reason, want to do us harm.

There are various websites on the internet devoted to the subject of personal safety, offering valuable tips and classes that you can take to safeguard yourself and your family. A simple Google search will offer a plethora of helpful sites.

One of the core concepts of defensive driving that we at Alliance Defensive Driving School teach is S.I.P.D.E., which stands for Search, Identify, Predict, Determine, Execute. While this is often taught as part of driving defensively, the exact same concept could be used for walking...or jogging...or riding the bus. In other words, anywhere you happen to be in a public space; from an isolated wooded area to a bustling mall or crowded city street.

To illustrate how S.I.P.D.E. could be used as a pedestrian, let's imagine the following scenario:

You're walking along a busy street, aware of people around you, when you suddenly spot out of the corner of your eye someone possibly following you. You keep an eye on him, noticing that he is definitely following you. He is not going to stop following you, no matter what you do. You decide to go into the nearest store and call for help and you head for the store you're passing and call the authorities. Meanwhile you also let the store staff know about your concerns.

Search: For possible trouble

Identify: Person following you

Predict: By his actions, he looks like he will not stop following you

Determine: What you are going to do, i.e. duck into a store and call for help.

Execute: You go into the store and call for help.

Depending on where you are, the scenario would change slightly, but the principles of S.I.P.D.E. remain exactly the same, whether on foot or driving or on public transportation. That's the great thing about this simple acronym; remember it and it will carry you through any situation that you might find yourself in!

Whether in a car or on foot, please be safe out there! If you feel uncomfortable about a certain situation you find yourself in, heed your instinct and remove yourself from possible harm! If it turns out to be a false alarm, well, better to be embarrassed than to wind up in a hospital...or worse!

For more information about Alliance Defensive Driving School, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/index.html

For more information regarding our Teen Program, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

For information about our online Driver's Ed. Program and prices, please go to: http://www.thedriverguy.com/online_driversed.html

Also be sure to read our other blogs: The Driver Guy and The Highway for more great info and tips!

Buzz Off! Say San Diego Freeway Drivers!

According to this article in the San Diego Union Tribune, Caltrans has struck a nerve with freeway drivers over an electronic sign reminding drivers to share the road with motorcycles. It seems as if, uniformly, drivers are for the most part exasperated with motorcycle riders and their seemingly flouting the law with impunity as they watch them zip along the freeways, probably going over the speed limit, splitting the lane, riding up beside them noisily, exhaust enveloping their car. And now the county is asking its drivers to look out for them?!

To some people, especially novice drivers, hearing a motorcycle roaring up beside them can be extremely unnerving. Although the California Vehicle Code says nothing overtly regarding the legalities of lane splitting, if an officer spots a motorcyclist splitting the lane in what he/she considers to be a safety hazard, the officer can issue a citation. So, despite the perception, motorcyclists are not always given free passes.

The best rule of thumb to use in any driving situation, is to always assume that there are unseen dangers lurking on the roadway and one should always be on the alert regardless of where one is. After all, that is the central tenet of defensive driving.

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A Genuine Hero!

After all the negative publicity recently about teens driving irresponsibly and permanently affecting their lives and the lives of their loved ones, here comes a story to remind us the flip side. The quick thinking of this guy saved the life of his girlfriend who had a stroke behind the wheel, and saved the lives of other motorists as well.

Good going!


A Stroke of Luck

The next time you have a driving lesson, please ask your instructor on what to do if the person behind the wheel has a medical emergency. Such questions do not get asked enough, yet are one of the most important things to teach driving students. Medical emergencies behind the wheel do happen, and most people have only the vaguest idea of what to do. Obviously a calm attitude and quick, decisive thinking are paramount. But are there other, less known techniques that would help in this frightening situation? Might be worth  asking your driving instructor!

For information about how to obtain a teen driving permit, please go to http://www.thedriverguy.com/teens.html

Happy Driving!

The Driver Guy Blog

The Highway Blog

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