Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD )have worked with several groups and policy makers to stop drunk driving, prevent underage drinking and to support those affected by drunk driving. For many years, MADD campaigned for lowering the legal limit for measuring blood alcohol content from a BAC of.10 to a BAC of.08. In 2005, every state in the U.S. had a new illegal BAC of.08 limits. Most recently, MADD has proposed that breath alcohol ignition devices be installed in all new cars. An amendment to the 2010 Motor Vehicle Safety Act, calls for $40 million over the next five years to develop alcohol detection sensors. This research could lead to sensors becoming standard equipment in all new vehicles in as few as 5 to 10 years.

MADD studies show that alcohol ignition interlocks are effective in reducing drunk driving by an average of 65%. Largely, the current use of this technology is targeted for DUI offenders. Most states require this device to be installed for drivers with multiple DUI offenses prior to receiving a Restricted Driving Permit. The driver must provide a breath sample into the device, before the ignition will start.

Although proven effective in preventing drunk driving, this technology is still being researched before it will be more common in new vehicles.

Drivers need to consider the many other deterrents to not drink and drive or alternatives.

* There is the fact you could seriously injure or kill another person.
* You could hurt yourself, and total your car.
* And let’s not forget you could lose your driver’s license, go to jail, and spend lots of money on lawyers, court costs, assessments, education classes and miss work and time with your family and friends.

To prevent drinking and driving the main recommendation is to not drink at all, but if you do have an alcoholic drink, please have a designated driver.

A designated driver is someone who will abstain from drinking alcohol in order to drive their companions (who have been drinking) to the destination. This concept is a great idea, but at times the responsible driver does not follow through. In that instance, have Plan B or even Plan C ready if you need it!

Plan B may be to call a cab. Most cab companies run late into the night and can be easily coordinated through many of the bars or restaurants.

As with having a designated driver, calling a cab is not always an easy solution for some people. Sure you can get home safely but, what about your car? How will you retrieve your vehicle the next day? So even though calling a cab is a safe thing to do, many do not want the headache of leaving their car and having to go get it the next day.

That may be your Plan C. In recent years there has emerged another option that combines both a designated driver and taxi service. This new option is called Professional Designated Drivers. These companies work a bit like a cab company. A person can call and request a pick up if they have had too much to drink or do not feel in top shape to drive. A professional driver will meet the client and drive both client and their car home. For some companies the driver has a small moped that can fold up and fit in the trunk of the client’s car, while other companies have a chase car that will pick up the professional driver after they have driven the client home. Many of these Professional Designated Driver companies offer discounted rates for people who buy a membership. These companies also offer designated drivers for events and can be reserved for a night out on the town.

Driving under the influence is avoidable. Remember your options and have a plan to make the right decision to prevent drunk driving.

The National Safety Commission works to increase awareness of important safety issues, particularly those that deal with highway and traffic safety information. Our mission is to make consumers more vigilant and understand that “safety is no accident,” through education, quality traffic school online courses and outreach programs. Through our traffic safety blogs we promote defensive driving techniques, driver training and safety.

Learn more about how to prevent drunk driving and designated driving services.

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Thinking about opening an oil change franchise? Start searching online or speak with a realtor. Location is the number one priority for a fast lube business. A shop should have easy access both in and out, be noticeable with easy to see services and prices.

Another consideration is urban development. Will the oil change franchise receive adequate business? Will traffic be a problem? Is there a street hindrance such as a median or no U-turn nearby which prevents future customers from entering your business or exiting into traffic patterns?

Once a site is established, the shop design is next. There are two ways to design, depending on the city’s building codes and land development: basement or use mechanical lifts to access cars for servicing. Some owners say a full basement is better because lifts slow services, and customers may choose another fast lube instead.

If a basement is used, the designer must decide how many bays the shop will include. Shop owners must research the building size before offering ideas to the building designer. More efficient oil change franchises have multiple bays to service more than one car at a time, offering the ability to service more customers and offer more services. Full basements with catwalks also serve as storage for supplies, bulk oil, cleaning supplies and a break room.

However, to minimize safety hazards, precautions must be installed. Since a basement has open pits, install easy-slide pit covers so customers and employees do not accidentally fall through. The sliding covers are four feet long and slide over each other down to the pit so mechanics need only open the area they are working on. When the automotive service is completed, the covers slide back into place, closing the pit.

Floor type is another safety issue, and should be included in the planning of any oil change franchise. A floor should have rough resistance and have an abrasiveness texture to it. Keeping an organized and clean shop is also just as important. Small spills should be mopped immediately, while a thorough cleaning of the shop should be done every day after business hours.

Convenience and efficiency work hand in hand for the most successful oil change franchises. The flow of traffic in and out of the shop should be an owner’s next consideration. The design of the shop should be convenient for the customer as well as the city traffic. The most efficient and convenient set up is the “one way in, one way out” design. Cars pull into the entrance of the bay and drive out the other side.

After the structure of the oil change franchise is finalized, the next consideration is organization of supplies. Air and oil filters, oil bins and transmission fluids, rags and cleaning supplies can all be stored so it maximizes time on task. Utilizing a basement for all supplies is most efficient. Shelving installed near the mechanics work area will maximize time spent gathering oil and supplies to service the vehicles. Label all shelves with the specific air and oil filter types. This will not only save time for mechanics, but also for restocking items and taking inventory.

Store bulk oil in overhead tanks to pump oil out using gravity; it helps to use all the oil in the tank. Buried tanks tend to waste more oil and need to be filled more often. Tanks that are above ground should have a secondary containment area around it as well.

Although there are many ways to design oil change franchises, efficiency and convenience should be at the top of the list.

Tim LaGanke, Jr. is president of QuickChange Oil, a 10 minute oil change center, with locations across Cleveland, Ohio. QuickChange is currently seeking applicants interested in the oil change franchising business. Please contact LaGanke at gank@quickchangeoil.com for more information.

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Here he started dating a bookkeeper named Louise Kaes. Later on he married her. They had two children, Ferdinand, nicknamed Ferry, and Louisa. Ferry inherited his father’s passion for cars and joined the business when he reached adulthood.

During the course of his employment at Egger, Porsche was promoted to the testing and experimental department. However, in 1898, young Porsche left Egger and went to work for Lohner, a company that manufactured electric cars.

Here, at age 23, he designed the Lohner Porsche. Then, the L’Exposition Universelle De Paris was the most prestigious car exhibition of the time and Porsche was fortunate enough to have his car exhibited there in 1900.

Porsche then won the opportunity to design another prototype, a 4-wheel drive with an electric motor in each wheel. In 1902, with Porsche driving, it won its class at a hill climb in Exelber, Austria.

During the same year, Porsche was drafted into the Imperial Reserve. There he was employed as a staff driver for top ranking officers of the Austro-Hungarian Army and at one time chauffeured Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

During the next 25 years, Porsche worked for many different companies. He designed a road train that was used in World War I and rated as one of his most important achievements.

In 1923 Porsche joined Daimler, Germany and then in 1926 Daimler merged with Benz. This enabled Porsche to work on the Mercedes S and SSK. He also designed a popular automobile and a diesel powered truck.

In 1930 Porsche decided to open his own engineering office in Stuttgart. Porsche had always dreamed of creating a small affordable car for the European mass market as Henry Ford had done for the American market.

He saw an opportunity to realize this dream in 1934 when he received an order from Adolph Hitler to design and build the first ‘people’s car.’ The result was the VW Beetle. Porsche also designed several military vehicles for the Nazis’ use during World War II.

Following World War II, the French government charged Porsche with collaboration with the Nazis and imprisoned him for 20 months in Dijon. His son was also incarcerated. However, his son was able to take control of the business and raise sufficient funds to post a bond and secure his father’s release.

The University of Stuttgart awarded Porsche an honorary doctorate degree for the most prolific auto designer of the first half of the 20th century.

Porsche is quoted as saying; “I couldn’t find the car of my dreams so I built it myself.” However, in pursuing his dream, he must have encountered some obstacles as he also said, “If one does not fail at times than one has not challenged oneself.”

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Vauxhall has changed the engine options for the new Astra so that they could lower the emissions while still giving the car great performance. You have eight options for engine types, including some that take diesel fuel and some that take petrol. Those who want a more powerful engine have the option of paying for it. The diesel options include a 1.7 L engine and a 2.0 L engine. There is a EcoFlex model that has a 1.3 CDTi, and five petrol engine options ranging from 1.4 L to 1.6 L Turbo. All of the cars have been designed to have lower emissions than the previous models.

Changes to the wheel base, core body design, and suspension make the new Astra more comfortable to drive and more responsive. There are also bespoke steering settings, the FlexRide system, two braking systems, and an easy to use electronic parking brake. There is also the option to add the Adaptive Forward Lighting system to this Astra model.

The interior of the New Astra has been redesigned as well, giving some great new storage options to those in the car as well as maximizing the safety features that are available. Places are available to store all sorts of different commonly carried objects, from sunglasses to drink cups to coins. Seats have been specially designed for safety with adjustable headrests, seat belts, the option to turn off the airbag for the front passenger seat when a child safety seat is being used, ISOFIX child seat mounts and top tether brackets for the rear seats, and front seats especially designed to minimize injury in the case of an accident.

Pete J Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. He currently writes for the automotive industry. Here he discusses New Astra cars.

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After all, how many times have you seen a saying and thought: “Well, it is okay, but not quite what I’m looking for? Well, now you can get that sticker for yourself, and get it made just the way you want with custom bumper stickers.

So, step one, go onto the Internet and use a standard search engine to find some companies that will print them. Be sure to compare prices. After all, you want to get the best deal possible. Some websites offer discounts if you order in bulk; or if you have more than one design in mind.

Also, some firms offer more than one size, and will print them on different materials. Maybe you do not want a standard three inch by ten inch bumper sticker; you would like a four inch by twenty inch one.

Or, if you do not mind spending just a bit more, you can get one That kind of sticker has the virtue of being able to be easily removed from your car’s bumper, and reused. Because, let us face it, how many of us keep a car for years and years? With a regular one, you sell your car, and it is gone. On the other hand, if you have that great custom style you design online printed on magnetic paper, you can transfer it to your new car.

Then there is yet another nice feature of a magnetic bumper sticker – it will stick to anything metal. So, if you are particularly proud of that design, you can slap a copy of it onto your refrigerator, your washer and/or dryer, and just about any other metal surface in your home.

Who knows, maybe people will take such a shine to it, they will ask where you bought it. That is when you can tell them it is a custom design. If they really like it, maybe you will get some orders for more. Once your creativity starts flowing you’ll think of many wonderful, humorous designs and sayings that you can make your own.+

Got Something to Say?Say it with a low price, high quality custom bumper sticker you design online. Visit http://www.humperbumper.com for magnetic and regular bumper stickers

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Some more change will come from space-age materials which are now being developed. Materials such as Carbon Nano-Tubes and Graphene will cut the weight of a truck by 10-times and that means less fuel, more room for cargo and radically new designs.

Luigi Colani is considered the ultimate truck designer and is famous around the world for his designs and brilliant marketing and flair for style. Above is a sample of one of his many designs, very impressive indeed, and so are the low-coefficients of drag.

Why are all these changes coming?

Because the Trucking Industry is trying to streamline and become more efficient and in doing so it has to look for where it can shave costs and improve in incremental steps. Lately those steps have been too small and slow in coming and now design teams are considering what else can be done in order to leap forward to larger cost savings.

Will Luigi Colani’s futuristic designs and prototypes become a reality? Well they very well could in the future, because some are said to be 80% more efficient with airflow and that is huge savings in fuel. Next take new materials coming down the innovation pipeline and you can see how the combination of such technologies may just drive the trucking industry into the future in style.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

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Victoria Beckham has become famous in the late 1990s with the girl pop group Spice Girls. She then pursued a solo music career but international success came with her modeling and fashion designer career. She was recently named the World’s Most Glamorous Celebrity by the make-up brand Max Factor. She is married to soccer star David Beckham and they are currently living in Los Angeles.

Victoria has always been glamorous starting with her music career with Spice Girls and as a style icon she hopes to help boost the image of Range Rover. The new Range Rover Evoque will be on sale in a year and will be the cheapest, lightest and greenest Range Rover ever. This compact Range Rover will be $15,000 cheaper than Range Rover Sport, and similar in price with Land Rover Discovery.

First produced in 1970 initiated a new trend in all wheel drive vehicles. The design concept was aimed at offering excellent performance on pavement in addition to superlative performance off road. The acceleration and speed surpassed many conventional cars. The Classic Rover was replaced by a completely new model in 1994. Features such as improved air suspension, stronger chassis, improved dust sealing, more ground clearance or manual control of low range ratios made the new model become king off-road.

A more dramatic redesign took place in 2002, when a stronger monocoque body and chassis with independent suspension came with Range Rover III. All the ulterior updates tried to secure their position as the world’s most capable vehicle. Combining luxury with off-road abilities, Range Rover is as suitable for driving to the most exclusive club or on the roughest country terrain.

The recent addition to the line, the Sport puts an emphasis on sporty performance while maintaining off road abilities. It was designed as a more sporty luxury SUV trying to equal the on road performance of Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes ML, or VW Touareg. It also had a more stylish bodywork. The body shape was more compact and aerodynamic.

The vehicles have always been innovative in suspension design. This was probably the most important factor that distinguished it from its competitors. But this was not the only feature they has mastered over the years. The solid construction of underbody parts made it sustain very severe off road treatment. Such features have always distinguished Range Rovers from other SUVs that were mainly designed for looks. Will this change with Victoria Beckham as part of the creative team? Will Victoria help them make their vehicles as successful for their looks as they are for their performance?

Dennis runs Car Dealer Check a site that provides user generated Car Dealer Reviews and information on California Car Dealer.

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And for a while, it worked. The early engines had only a few horsepower, and thus speeds and performance of the mechanical engines were more or less identical to animal power they replaced. Unfortunately, as technology progressed, many carmakers failed to anticipate the changes new power plants would have on the frames they put them in, and accidents began to occur.

Over the decades, car manufacturers began to take into account the safety needs of their customers, and cars became safer. They were by no means perfect, but they were certainly better than their open-top buggies and wooden-wheeled predecessors.

In our modern age, car safety design is state of the art. With governmental safety standards and company reputations to uphold, automakers have to design their cars to be as safe as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes the inherent design or manufacture of a type of car makes the occupants more vulnerable to injury or death.

What even the best-designed car in the world cannot do is change the mentality of the driver behind the wheel. Some people are better drivers than others, but certain types of cars engender feelings of invincibility when normal people get behind the wheel. When that happens, accidents occur.

Common types of cars that can make drivers change their driving habits and become more dangerous include:

Sport Utility Vehicles: SUVs are commonly included on lists of cars that are simply more dangerous than others. Part of the danger is due to the driver’s sense of invulnerability that stems from their notion of driving what they believe are driving a safer vehicle, and partly due to the basic nature of the car. Studies consistently show that when people think they are safer, they tend to take more risks, and nowhere is this truer than behind the wheel of a monster SUV. Furthermore, many popular SUVs are simply large bodies attached to smaller standard frames, frames that were never designed to accommodate the differences in performance and weight distribution found in many SUVs. Basically, combining a vehicle with a narrow wheel base and a high profile with a misinformed driver is a recipe for danger.

Convertibles: Perhaps no image is more iconic in the minds of Americans of any age than that of tooling down the freeway in a convertible with the top down, throwing caution to the very wind that blows through your hair. There is no doubt, convertibles are fun and exciting, but there is also no doubt that they are extremely dangerous as well. As with SUVs, people that drive convertibles can get caught up in the experience of driving, and not pay attention to the dangers. The primary risk of any convertible is a rollover. Most cars have reinforced roofs and weight distribution to ensure that in the event it flips over, the roof will not cave in and crush the passengers. This is not the case for many convertibles, and even ones with so-called roll bars are not entirely free from this danger. Because of these factors, convertibles can make people more inclined to show off, take risks, and generally act in ways they shouldn’t on the road.

“Smart” cars: Thanks to the cost of oil, and due to the demand for smaller, less expensive transportation, micro compact cars have become a popular alternative for city-dwellers and suburbanites alike. Unfortunately, drivers of smaller cars fall prey to the same mentality of SUV drivers, in that they think their vehicles are safer, thus they drive more dangerously. Also, while SUVs have their dangers, their larger bodies and open interior space offer far more protection than a super small car. Potential drivers must balance the risks and dangers of these vehicles with the savings they provide in order to make an informed choice about their transportation.

Ultimately, driving a car is dangerous, regardless of the safety features or well-envisioned design. As a driver, you need to be aware that if you are involved in an accident because of another driver, you have rights.

For more than 25 years, personal injury attorney Bryan Snyder has worked with people facing damages, both physical and material caused by negligent and irresponsible drivers. As an auto accident lawyer, Bryan Snyder has successfully represented victims and families of those injured in Southern California.

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* Students who are a good blend of “right” brained creativity and “left” brained logical thinking.
* Young professionals looking to make their mark in the transportation industry, with particular emphasis on automotive part development, execution and implementation.
* Older professionals wanting to re-establish themselves through a unique, highly technical career path involving the automotive industry.
* Those individuals who have a passion for cars, auto parts, technology and the concepts of auto part creation, development, manufacturing and similar applications.

Once you determine computer aided design is the field for you and you have an idea of what occupation within the automotive industry you may want to pursue, you can begin your auto CAD education.

ITT Technical Institute not only has an in-depth computer aided design training curriculum that combines classroom study with real-world training, the institute also offers the option of taking certain required courses online, which makes it easy for you to balance your CAD education with your work and personal life.

At ITT Technical Institute, the auto CAD courses online carry the same high value as those offered in the classroom. Here, you will not only learn the fundamentals of auto CAD, you’ll discover how to apply what you’ve learned. This makes the transition from the classroom to the real world that is the automotive industry much easier.

Whether you choose to get your entire CAD training in person by attending class or to supplement your education through online courses that suit your lifestyle, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career in a field that’s shaped American culture and will continue to greatly influence the ways in which we get from one place to another. Who knows, perhaps you’ve got the ability to design the next supercar, the most advanced hybrid vehicle ever, or maybe a solar-powered car. Even if your biggest goal is simply to enhance current technology, and not necessarily to invent anything new, auto CAD training from ITT can get you there.

For more information, please visit: ITT Tech: Computer Drafting & Design

About the Author: Daniel’s professional writing career includes award winning, published works of non-fiction and fiction. The author holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors from Northern Arizona University.

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Each wheel is inspired by the designs of the classics. There are two broad categories of originals and classics. The originals are striking, straightforward designs for the most beautiful of cars. The classics follow the designs of classic roadsters and hot rods. In addition, the hottest in new wheels are available for your current vehicle.

The originals and classics come in multi-piece, two, and one piece wheels. The multi-piece wheels come divided into two or three piece designs, bolting in the center. The two piece wheels have a center welded to the rim and are available in a polished aluminum finish. The one piece wheels have been cast and are available in multiple finishes from shiny metal to black oxide. The multi-piece designs are also available in polished, chrome, and custom finishes. The variety in designs creates the ultimate custom fit for any car.

Foose wheels can also be matched and painted to the color of your vehicle. Many owners have ordered wheels in colors that include hot pink, neon green, bright orange, and lemon yellow. All these choices depend on your taste and wallet. The range for customizing is expansive. For many, their car is their baby, an expression of their personality, not just a means of transportation.

All Foose wheels are available in numerous tire sizes. If you have any concerns, their website will direct you to the list of available tire sizes for each design. Whether you are looking for a match to your truck, SUV, or car, you will find a wheel that’s right for you. When one is spoiled for choice, it would be difficult to not find your perfect match.

These wheels are the result of many years in the business of building hot rods and automotive design. Foose wheels are seen as the perfect pairing to creating beautiful cars. They are prized for their enhancement of a person’s vehicle. It’s hard to say if the wheels complete a beautiful car or if the beautiful car completes the wheels. Most would argue you can’t separate one from the other once they’ve been matched so perfectly.

If you attend a car show you can see the vast range of cars that can sit atop these wheels. They can be seen on modern vehicles, concept and award winning cars, and vintage roadsters. The wheels may not be the first thing to grab your attention, but once they do, it is undeniable that the pairing is like that of a good wine and a great meal. Once they are together, you can’t imagine it any other way.

Driving a vehicle with Foose wheels will get you noticed. Ignoring them is impossible. Owners adore them, and you will probably never see one with a scratch or with dirt on it. Once you’ve bought a set, you’ll probably never go back to plain factory wheels again. These perfectly crafted custom wheels have become an inherent part of car culture. Whether your taste goes to modern or vintage, you will find a set of Foose wheels. These classic designs are here to stay and will never go out of style.

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