Frances McDormand

Best Actress Oscar winner, Frances McDormand, clearly drives a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Her acting career is built just like the car she drives, classy and durable. If her powerful performance in Three Billboards was of any indication, McDormand would drive the car equivalent of a giant box.

Gary Oldman

Known for his roles in True Romance and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, you may have seen Gary Oldman in his most recent film, The Darkest Hour, reprising his Oscar winning role for Best Actor. Therefore, he would drive a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. The idea of Gary Oldman driving a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan might seem preposterous. But, Gary Oldman only drives the latest and greatest minivans.

Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro deserved his title of Oscar winner for Best Director. He directed the film The Shape of Water, which told the captivating love story between a woman and sea creature. That’s why we speculate Guillermo del Toro drives a 2018 Honda CRV. With spacious room, compact design, and 28 miles per gallon in the city, there’s no reason why Guillermo del Toro wouldn’t drive a red 2018 Honda CRV.

Jordan Peele

One of the most praised films of 2017 was Jordan Peele’s original screenplay, Get Out. That’s why he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay last Sunday. Coincidentally, his victory and nominations solidified our theory that he drives a Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van. He might need a lot of room to fit his Oscar trophy, so that’s why we would assume Jordan Peele drives a van used to ship large boxes.

Allison Janney

Oscar winner of Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film I, Tonya, Allison Janney is an inspiration to many. That’s why we believe Allison Janney would drive the most inspiring car of all, the 2018 Toyota Camry. With a combined 34 miles per gallon, front wheel drive, and compact – yet spacious – room, the Toyota Camry is the #2nd most popular sedan, but the most inspirational sedan.

Sam Rockwell

Sam Rockwell won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Three Billboards. With a performance like none other in his category, Rockwell would obviously drive a car like none other: the Honda Fit. The Fit is a hatchback that is roomy and versatile to meet the needs of the driver – just like Sam Rockwell.

One thing that makes these Oscar winners stand-out among other celebrity drivers is they all completed the best defensive driving courses online NY has to offer. They know that getting a traffic citation could end their acting career and their good driver career. But, they won’t sweat when paying their car insurance. The reason being, taking a defensive driving course keeps your annual insurance rate from increasing when you receive a traffic citation.

For us, choosing the next Oscar winner is challenging. The real joy in finding out who wins an Oscar is speculating the car they drive.

The Repercussions of a Traffic Ticket

Does the government think we’re all big bags of money? Look at these outrageous prices you must pay when you’re ticketed! You can face anywhere from $90 to nearly $1,000.

The expenses don’t end there.

When you commit a traffic violation, you receive points on your driving record. We know that sounds like a good thing, but, trust us, it’s not! We learned that the hard way. Like a good game of golf, having the lowest score on your driving record means you win. The points are allocated to drivers who are deemed unsafe and reckless. When you accumulate a lot of points, you’re a bad driver.

A high amount of points on your driving record will result in a higher annual insurance rate. You won’t just pay the fine attached to your ticket, but your annual insurance rate premium will increase. That’s why dismissing your traffic ticket can save you big money.

Dismissing the Traffic Ticket

Buckle up, bucko! It’s time to fight back against that traffic ticket. You just found out you’re getting points for being a bad driver and you have to pay $90 to $1,000? There’s so at stake for going 30+ MPH over the speed limit.

It’s easy to put a spin on reckless driving, but you must prove to the court how you do not deserve your traffic ticket. If you would like to dismiss your ticket, the first thing you have to do is plead “not guilty” with the court. This will issue a court summons and give you a chance to state your case.

Before the court, consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney or lawyer. Choosing to represent yourself could be a tricky situation since you will be expected to follow procedures of a NY traffic court.

When contesting, you could face negative and positive results. If you lose your case, you can face the consequences of when you received your ticket. Which includes:

● Jail sentence
● Suspended license
● Points added to your driving record
● Community service
● Fines

Successfully proving your innocence in court, by showing you are undeserving of the traffic ticket, will result in the following:

● Dismissed traffic ticket
● No fines
● No points
● Insurance rates stay low

Dismiss the Ticket by Defensive Driving Course

Finding out there’s no real excuse for driving 30+ MPH over the speed limit can be hard. Remember you can still save money. Most NY courts will dismiss your if you take an approved NY defensive driving course. You will still have to pay a hefty fine, but at least you will not get any points added to your record. By taking a NYS defensive driving course, you can keep your driving record from accumulating points and y won’t have to suffer from increased annual insurance rates!

A NYS defensive driving course is the cheapest solution to showing your insurance company that you can be a safe driver. When it comes to traffic tickets, we’ve been there and done that. We know just about everything when saving money and violating traffic laws.

• For information About How much is a Red Light Ticket in New York?, click: How much is a Red Light Ticket in New York?

The Ranchero

This 1968 Ford Ranchero restoration was a very familiar project for fans of the show. This car’s “notable achievement” was its long journey from Alaska to Los Angeles. But, if you ask us – they might as well call it the 1968 Ford Mentiroso (Spanish for liar.)

But, after doing some research and questioning, we concluded that David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan did, in fact, conduct heavy restoration to the original vehicle. That’s not stopping us from diving deeper!

Big Pen

Do you really expect us to believe that they took a broken down 1950 GMC Pick-Up Truck and drove it off the lot, where it sat for 30 years? Likely story, Roadkill. Instead of calling the show Roadkill, they should rename it to Road Fibbers, because that’s all they do to the viewers.

However, again, after a careful examination of the research, we discovered they were able to the beater running. Something still smells off, so the sting story continues!

The General Mayhem

Here is a prime example of what really happens on Roadkill. Freiburger and Finnegan just so happened to be sitting on a ‘68 Dodge Charger, which, was essentially, three pieces of scrap metal attached to wheels. Then, they somehow put a transmission in from a literal motorhome. Supposedly they created it over 6 months – the perfect amount of time to get a brand-new car delivered.

Editor note: after rereading the notes taken during several credible interviews, we have concluded this car was actually restored on the show.

The Blasphemi

Come on, really? Do they honestly think viewers will believe the hosts brought the bare body of a ‘55 Chevy Bel Air Sedan to a shop and had it restored with a 530ci Mopar Performance Hemi? That idea is – ahem – blasphemy!

Seriously? They did that? That’s so cool! I mean – the search continues to find the real answers.

The Rotsun

Finally – the truth you’ve all been waiting for! They were given a 1971 Datsun 240Z that was rustier than your little league throwing arm. It was a valiant attempt, but after doing some hard-hitting research we discovered what really happened. After they successfully rebuilt the car to near perfect operating condition, the engine gave out when the hosts drove back from Arizona “after filming.”

There you have it. Nearly all the cars they built on Roadkill continue to work. You can clearly see this is another example of Hollywood Reality TV elites us feeding us fabricated lies.

If you’re ever conducting your own car restoration, and get a ticket for violating a traffic law, you should enroll in traffic school online. It’s the easier way to keep your insurance rate from skyrocketing for being a reckless driver. But, you’ll never be as reckless as the hosts from Roadkill.

Faster Vehicle Sales?

When a vehicle is sold, it’s standard for this ownership to be transferred from seller to buyer. A new bill, S.B. 1062, aims to speed up bill sales by further streamlining odometer readings. Prior to the bill taking effect, the only way to meet the odometer reading requirement for a sale was to do it on a secure form. Why? Because it prevented any tampering from occurring. After it was done this way, the form then had to be mailed, which could potentially delay the vehicle ownership transfer process by a few days.

Now, it’s no longer a requirement to file the odometer reading this way. Per the bill, electronic forms are the only thing that’s needed today, making for faster transfers. It’s also worth noting that electronic readings may also now be submitted in the case of filing an insurance claim. Sometimes, the waiting is the hardest part – this makes the wait times much more manageable.

No Texting and Driving

Though this involves a law that went into effect in 2017, it’s worth repeating. Texas has joined many other states in the union and has made texting and driving illegal thanks to H.B. 62, which went into effect on September 1, 2017. The statewide ban can result in a misdemeanor offense for those who violate it while operating a vehicle.

According to the law, first-time violators may be fined about $100, with fines doubling for repeat offenders. For context, Texas speeding ticket cost for going one to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit carries a base fine of $97, while speeding 20 miles per hour or more carries a base fine of $200. (We should also note that if you have tickets and points on your license and are interested in getting your insurance premiums decreased, taking courses at a TX traffic school can help.)

In 2015, almost 3,500 died from an accident involving a distracted driver nationwide. What’s more is that nearly 400,000 people were injured because of distracted driving. It’s these facts that are leading many states to take such matters very seriously, and Texas is now no exception. To date, 47 U.S. states ban texting while driving, as does Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

New Weight Limits on Milk Hauling

S.B. 1383 likely doesn’t apply to most Texans, but it’s certainly worth noting when it comes to new driving laws for this year. Specifically, the law has increased the weight limits on the amount of milk that can be hauled in a truck. Prior to 2018, that limit was 80,000 pounds. Now, it’s 90,000 pounds. According to the bill’s sponsor, the last time the milk transportation limits were updated was in 1995, so this was evidently due for a review.

Per the bill, drivers must have a permit to do so. The permit costs $1,200. Again, this won’t apply to the majority of Texas drivers, but we’re guessing that the increased weight limit is welcomed by drivers and grocery stores. For reference, a gallon of milk weighs about 8.6 pounds. That means trucks will be able to carry an additional 1,162.7 gallons with their load.

How They Work

DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) checkpoints can pop up just about anywhere and anytime. You can spot them, because traffic officers create a road block and close off all lanes except for one. This is to check on the status of drivers by filtering them through one, single lane.

The goal is to catch and remove any drivers who may be operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Therefore, any suspicious behavior is often a sign of someone who is under the influence.

What To Do

Not if, but when you find yourself in the middle of a DUI or DWI checkpoint, the important thing to remember is to comply with traffic police during this process. Creating any kind of confrontation or suspicious behavior is often a red flag. Especially when officers just want to keep the roads safe for everyone.

More often than not, officers ask for your driver’s license and car registration form. Following this, you are asked to briefly answer a series of questions. This will help determine the sobriety of any drivers behind the wheel. Any unusual behavior will encourage the police officers to conduct a field sobriety test.

So, what’s there to expect if you’re expecting a field sobriety test?

Field Sobriety Tests

The Field Sobriety Test is a in depth process to determine the sobriety of the driver. This test is broken into three different physical challenges. But, it’s not like competing in a game show, like how I just described it.

During the first phase of the test, you will be asked to balance yourself on one leg while stretching with the other. If you are under the influence, finding balance will be difficult.

The second step is the notorious walk-in-a-straight-line test. This will challenge your ability to, well, walk in a straight line. Which, when you’re under the influence is extremely challenging to do.

If you’ve made it this far in the test, then get ready for the eye gaze test. This final step tests your ability to follow an object with your eyes while holding your head still. Which, in case you haven’t seen the pattern, is extremely challenging to do while under the influence.

Because it’s designed to be that way.

These tests have been tested to be accurate, since they are standard across the country. So, forget about trying to learn the alphabet backwards, because that’s a sobriety test that nobody can pass. Not even people who are sober.

When you find yourself stuck in a DUI checkpoint, just remember that the traffic officers are keeping the roads safe. You should always comply and make their job easier, because nobody enjoys dealing with difficult people. Finally, never operate a vehicle while under the influence.

If you know someone who is a first time Nevada DUI offender, they will be required to take a NV 8 hour DUI course. Other states may order offenders to take traffic school to lessen the charges.

Keep a clean driving record and never get sloppy behind the wheel!

Quality Sleep Wherever You Go

Heed not weary travelers, your aching joints will finally find a cushiony mattress to catch some
sleep on during your journey. New Jersey may be one of the smaller states in the country, but
its stunning landscape is peppered with more than 300 hotels, bed & breakfasts, and resorts,
rich with early American history; among them, Cape May—one of the country’s oldest vacation
resort destinations.

You may not have gotten into AP US History, but you can finally take the field trip you missed out on—without those pretentious nerds incessantly suggesting new NPR podcasts to you.

Wineries

With nearly 50 wineries across the state, New Jersey is the perfect destination for you to be a
reliable, designated driver for your friends. Nothing’s cooler than being the responsible friend or
partner, drunk and high only on the ceaseless beauty of a life driving through the Garden State.

Historic Locations

From the Revolutionary War reenactments at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, to the final
homes of Albert Einstein and Walt Whitman, to the point on the Delaware where George
Washington famously crossed in Christmas of 1776, the freedom of driving in New Jersey is
part of the same freedom enjoyed, celebrated, and secured by the history of these landmarks.
It’s the freedom to turn off the few moments of remaining history on the History Channel or toss
out your textbooks—and absorb the American story firsthand.

Gamblers Paradise

Something you should never gamble: your riskiness as a driver by not taking our online defensive driving course. Something you can sometimes gamble: small, responsible portions of money that you can afford to lose. Atlantic City is home to 11 casinos, perfect for those looking for a chance to win it big, perhaps to buy our online defensive driving course for friends and
family!

Just like the subject header suggests, you can’t not have fun at the Six Flags resort in Jackson,
New Jersey. If it were up to us, we’d make it against New Jersey state law to not have
fun at the Six Flags resort in Jackson, New Jersey. But there’s really no use, since everyone
has fun at the Six Flags resort in Jackson, New Jersey.

State of Pickup Trucks

The pickup truck is the most popular car that is sold in the state of New Jersey. We can only
speculate why. Our best guesses:

● New Jersians carry a lot of things from place to place
● Driving a few feet above everyone is awesome
● It’s ingrained in friendly New Jersey culture to always be ready to help a friend move
● I mean pickup trucks are pretty sweet in general

I-95 Rest Stops

There exist 12 rest stop locations on I-95. For those small-bladdered folk, large drink fanatics, or rest stop explorers, New Jersey has more than enough to offer you.

National Parks

Within just about 9,000 square miles, the state of New Jersey contains 12 national parks, including a leg of the Appalachian trail, Ellis Island, and Paterson Great Falls. For those of us that love hiking, immigrants, and waterfalls—which is all of us, of course—we’re satisfied by just a fraction of what beauty and significance the National Park Service offers in New Jersey alone.

The Red Coach Inn

Remember how we used to talk about going to Niagara Falls in the winter to see if the water will freeze over, Jake? I mean, this romantic hotel has a perfect view of Niagara Falls – especially from your warm, regal hotel room. On sight is a luxurious restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a delicious buffet.

During your stay at the Red Coach Inn, you’ll be given priority treatment. So, expect to find some chocolates on your bed.

Mohonk Mountain House

Perfect for this time of year, the Mohonk Mountain House is a castle tucked away in the Hudson valley of upstate New York. There are live events, indoor heated pools, spas, and seasonal activities that will keep you active your entire stay.

Whether you need a relaxing, romantic getaway or to live out your fantasy of being a princess and Jake – I mean – your partner as a prince in a wintery castle, the Mohonk Mountain House will be the perfect stay for you.

Tarrytown Castle Hotel & Spa

Speaking of spas and castles, the Tarrytown Castle Hotel & Spa is another great idea that I have on my list for no apparent reason whatsoever. I totally didn’t expect any romantic person, who I have known for the past 3 years, to take me to the Sankara spa or the luxury, gourmet Equss restaurant – which are all amenities of the Tarrytown Castle Hotel & Spa.

With special offers for couples, the spa and restaurants you’ll find at Tarrytown Castle are ideal for two people. Not one.

Thousand Islands

Not just the excessive amount of dressing that I’m using to cope with my feeling, Thousand Islands is a seaport town filled with lovely attractions. So, if your partner has an unhealthy obsession with boats, like Jake, then this tiny town would be a great romantic vacation for Valentine’s Day.

You can visit the boat museum, Boldt castle, take an island tour, or explore the Fort Ontario State Historic Site.

Glenmere Mansion

Based in the farmlands of New York’s Hudson Valley, the Glenmere Mansion is ideal for escaping the busy city. This regal Mansion is built in the style of a Tuscan villa and has panoramic view of the surrounding nature preservations. The onsite gardens were built by the first American female landscape architect, which features a diverse set of exotic flowers that will captivate anyone.

It’s also a fantastic location if you were expecting your partner to propose to you on the most romantic day of the year. But, life happens, and Jake leave you for someone else who “gets” him more than you do.

If you’re planning to be swept off your feet and taken to somewhere romantic for Valentine’s Day or you just want to go to a castle spa to cry out your feelings, then consider visiting one of these great destinations.

The Largest Waterfall

Home of tranquil New England lakes, mountains, and forest, New York has an abundance of waterfalls. Niagara Falls receives millions of tourists a year, but contrary to popular belief. It’s not the largest in the state. The lesser known Taughannock waterfall is the largest in the state with a 215-foot plunge.

A World-Renowned River

There’s plenty of rivers in the world. But what makes the Genesee River special is its ability to flow from the south to the north. It’s typical for rivers to flow to the south, but Genesee is something unique. So, unique it’s one of few rivers to do this in the entire world.

The First National Park

New York is a state of firsts. But, one first you might not know is Niagara Park was the first national park established in the United States. In 1885, the waterfall and its surrounding acres were signed into law establishing it as the first state park in the entire country.

Defensive Driving Courses Lowers Your Insurance Rate

Here’s one very interesting fact you might not know. If you are ever given a speeding ticket or traffic violation, you can avoid penalties that will raise your insurance rate. By signing up for a defensive driving course you can gain an insurance reduction and may receive a reduction of points on your record.

The First Pizzeria

New York can claim the owner of the first national park and the first pizzeria. The very first pizzeria in the United States opened its doors to the public in New York City. The cost of one slice equaled the price of one subway ride.

New York City, The Capital City

Washington D.C. wasn’t always the capital of the United States. In fact, the very first president of the U.S., George Washington, was sworn in on a balcony in New York City. Few people know that, in 1789, New York City was the capital of the United State of America.

Toilet Paper Was Invented Here

You have New York to thank for your bathroom comfort. More specifically a man named Joseph Gayetty. Because, in 1857, Gayetty was the first person to invent the commercialized toilet paper you use today.

The Longest Toll Road in the Country

Congratulations, New Yorkers. With your detailed, efficient transportation and infrastructure you were able to snag the title of having the longest toll road in the country. The ever-popular thruway has a total of 46 toll stations.

The First to Require License Plates

Long ago, there was a time where you didn’t have to register your vehicle every year. Cars didn’t have license plates, and the coppers had no chance of tracking down your bank robbing posse. But, New York took a stand and required every vehicle, starting in 1901, to have license plates.

New York’s Economy

New Yorkers are known for their state’s pride. It’s the melting pot of America, and it’s home to millions of people. It almost acts like its own country. If New York were to ever succeed from the Union, then it would have the 15th greatest economy in the entire world.

Why Check Your Credit Score Before Buying a Car?

There are two significant reasons why you should check your credit score before buying a car. Firstly, your credit score influences the willingness of lenders to finance your auto purchase. You can think of it as a measure of your trustworthiness to your loan financiers based on your previous debts and payments history. Secondly, although you may get an auto loan with a very low credit score, your interest rates will be much higher. Therefore, knowing your credit score in advance gives you time to improve your rating and thus avoid paying very high interest rates on your auto loan. Remember, lowering your interest rate even by a small percentage loan’s lifespan.

Does Your Credit Score Drop Every Time You Have It Checked? Myth or Real?

It is important to know that not all searches into your credit score cause it to drop. Instead, the primary determining factor is whether you are placing a hard or soft inquiry. As per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the reason for accessing your credit score and the person pulling it are the two major factors that determine if the inquiry is hard or soft as explained below.

• Hard inquiry: Occurs if your business or lender obtains your credit report following an application for a loan or credit. Every hard inquiry reflects on your credit report and will, therefore, drop your score.

• Soft inquiry: Results if you or a lender obtains your credit score report to serve as a background check without necessarily applying for the loan. For instance, if you want to get a quote for your auto loan, the lender will do a soft search, and doing so will not affect your credit score.

Additionally, you can personally check your credit rating as many times as necessary because it would only amount to a soft inquiry that cannot hurt your score in any way.

Why You Need a NYS Defensive Driving Course Certification

Insurance companies usually provide discounts to drivers who actively sharpen their driving skills and take steps that encourage safe driving behaviors. With safer driving, insurance companies receive fewer claims, which is the reason they can afford to offer you a discount if you have completed a defensive driving course. The certification usually covers the following aspects:

• Traffic laws

• Alcohol and drug awareness

• Defensive driving techniques

• Driving in adverse weather

• And more

Most insurance providers grant a defensive driving discount only one car and you should have completed the course with a passing grade to earn it.

Final Thoughts:

Ensure that you have a defensive driving certification before buying a car because you can it to negotiate an insurance discount that will go a long way in keeping your premiums as low as possible. Additionally, let different car dealers access your credit score only to quote their interest rates for your auto loan. This way, you avoid hurting your credit score with hard inquiries that come with applying for a car loan which you are not sure you can qualify.

Parking Violations in NYC

Parking violations are very common in the city. Your precious vehicle baby could get ticketed, towed, or ticketed and towed. That’ll cost you a fortune. Give those pesky car boots the boot and pay attention when parking.

Some parking tickets can cost as low as $60 and as high as $125 depending on a number of factors.

Whatever the cost of the ticket is, it’s not as pricey as parking in a lot, parking garage, or at a city registered parking meter. When putting your car in park around the city’s sidewalks, always err on the safe side.

You don’t want to pay your parking (which is between $60 and $125 to be exact).

Speeding Violations

Slow down when driving through the city, speed demon. With bumper to bumper traffic, it’s hard to go over the speed limit, but people somehow manage to do it. When these speedsters are caught wheel-handed, they get slapped with an outrageous, but, totally understandable, speeding ticket.

How much are speeding tickets?

If you get caught speeding in New York City, you could face anywhere from $45 to a whopping $600. Do you realize how many online traffic school courses you could get with that kind of money?

You can take as much defensive driving courses we offer, but the best way to not get caught speeding is by driving under the speed limit.

Time Penalties

Now that we’ve covered the speeding tickets and parking tickets, let’s talk about penalties. If you go long enough without paying your parking tickets, the price will only grow bigger. So, no running away from these ticket issues.

Even if ditch everything you know and love in New York City, vacate the state, and move to northern Maine to live as a mountain folk who hunts lobsters, “they” will find you.

By “they,” we mean The Collection Agency.

You can’t escape time penalties. They will begin within 30, 60, and 90 days of not making a payment on your tickets. Time penalties can accumulate hefty fees on top of your already large ticket payment.
If you’re trying to pay off a ticket, it’s always wiser to do so sooner rather than later.

Cost

Traveling via the New Jersey transit network is without a doubt, the safest and most cost-effective, transport means in this state. Driving on these road networks can, however, be an expensive money pit affair. Auto owners always need to cough up cash to cater fuel and ensure their vehicles. Additionally, the cost of operating cars increases as you dole out money for parking and other routine servicing and maintenance services.

Traffic

Driving exposes you to the real risks of getting stranded in traffic snarl-ups in NJ. Most of the state’s highways and roads always come to a complete standstill at certain times of the day. Unless you perfect the fine art of timing the commuter traffic buildups, you’ll always find yourself caught up in the worst traffic jams. To escape the frustrating traffic gridlock, you’ll be better off jumping on the state’s trains than driving. These trains operate on a tight schedule and with them, you’ll never have to waste precious time and money on the massive mile-long traffic snarl-ups.

Safety

In 2017, NJ witnessed a surge in the number of road-related fatalities on their busy highways. According to the NJ.com, there were an estimated 83,751 serious crashes on the state’s roads. These accidents and incidents resulted in over 250 fatalities and over 20,969 serious injuries. The rising crashes have led to a spike in the number of people enrolling for defensive driving courses. Thanks to this course, accidents are predicted to drop over time as drivers become more aware how to evade the consequence’s arising from the common blunders made by their fellow road users.
NJ transit system has only recorded one fatality in the past decade, however. Save from that awful incident back in Sep 29, 2016, that claimed the life of a woman and injured over 100 people, this transport mode has remained the safest travel option in the state.

Convenience

The state has over 247 different bus routes linking the major urban metropolis surrounding the heart of NJ. Today, you’ll not have to wait for a second longer to book and board a public bus as there are over 1785 registered buses serving commuters the 21 counties in NJ. Commuters board these buses at the designated pick up points and pay on demand. Using public buses in NJ is more convenient and less-costly as compared to driving. What’s more, commuters take great delight in the fact that the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) railway services operate round the clock. On the other hand, there’s great convenience in not having to travel while jam-packed with other strangers on the commuter subways but all alone in your rental vehicle.

Moving in Traffic with Sense and Prudence

We’re all seemingly in a hurry these days. Places to go, people to see, deadlines to meet. Time is money and money is time. This behavior is often exhibited on the roads, as drivers are hesitant to let people into their lanes in times of congested traffic, honk when even the smallest slight is perceived and speed up rather than slow down.

That’s why it was refreshing to hear Pope Francis praise drivers who operate their vehicles with a sense and prudence in his annual homily. Is this how you drive? Or are you in such a hurry to get to your destination that you drive with an “every driver for themselves” mentality? The latter is not how Jesus would drive.

How Would Jesus Drive?

Obviously, the automobile was nowhere close to being invented in the days of Jesus, but we can glean a great deal of insight from Jesus’ teachings on how he would have operated a vehicle should it have been around. Jesus, being a welcoming and accepting individual, would have driven in a way that helped mold the community that he was trying to build. For instance, we’re betting Jesus would have exhibited some of the following driving behavior:

• Always allowing others to merge into his lane in front of his automobile to foster a community of friendliness.

• Always allowing pedestrians to cross public streets, even when there’s no designated cross walk area.

As you might realize, how we drive says a lot about who we are as people and what type of a community we’re encouraging. It’s why it was made a point in the Pope’s New Year’s address. In addition to promoting a more welcoming community, driving in a kind manner is also likely to lead to safer all-around driving. We’ll cover many of these points in our defensive driving course. But we leave you with this: What’s your hurry? Slow down, be kind and drive safe.

1. The Emergency Planners

Whether you’re driving upstate to go apple picking or trenching through a foot of snow in your hatchback, people who prepare for any emergency is a sign of a true defensive driver.

Got a spare tire in the back? Flashlight and road flares? First aid kit? These are questions to ask yourself when you’re driving through the perils of New York.

The people from downstate just don’t know how well they have it.

2. The Road Scanners

The Emergency Planners are prepared for anything, but the Road Scanners are the ones who really leave a defensive impact on the roads. Also known as the all-seeing eyes of the highways, the Road Scanners routinely check their rearview mirrors and their sides for any signs of reckless driving.

They see everything.

Even you, deer, who is hunched in the bushes and will run in front of the car as soon as it gets 10-feet from you. They see you.

3. The Hyper Focused

The music volume must not exceed 8, the windows must remain rolled up, and absolutely no cell phones may be check while driving.

You know the type.

The Hyper Focused are defensive drivers who are extra cautious about distractions while driving. Not even the beauty of taking the backroads with the serene fall foliage can waiver their focus. In fact, everything might as well look like a grey slate to them.

By cutting out all distraction while driving, The Hyper Focused are able to stay fine-tuned with the road. Some say, they merge, mentally, with their car. It’s quite beautiful.

4. The 3-to-4-Second-ers

The 3-to 4-second-ers follow a strict moral foundation of leaving at least 3 to 4 seconds of distance between their car and the car in front of them.

When stopping at a stop light, they make sure the back tires of the car in front align with the top of their dashboard. This is a measurement to keep them from tailgating any car.

They actively fight the constant battle against their mortal nemesis, the tailgaters. You know who they are.

The 3-to-4-second-ers are prepared for the worst. They understand that it’s New York state. Snow happens. Rain happens too. Leaving that space in front of them is important to avoiding any traffic accident.

5. The Traffic School Aficionados

It’s a shameless plug for the people who took a defensive driving course. These are the drivers who devoted their time and energy to learn how to keep the roads safe for everyone.

You can be among those chosen and make New York a safer place to drive by taking a NYS defensive driving course online.

If you don’t do it for the other drivers, do it for the foolish deer that run out in front of your car.

Those deer are so very foolish.

Frankenstein, Missouri

This unincorporated community was probably not named after the infamous fictional doctor who could reanimate the dead. Instead, it likely comes from the name of one of their first pioneer founders, Godfried Franken. However, locals are good sports about the name. In fact, many residents took part in the reality-blurring movie ‘Frankenstein, Missouri,’ which was filmed there.

Boring, Oregon

Located along the northern edge of the state in the Cascade foothills, Boring, Oregon is anything but its namesake. It was built on the site of Union Army veteran William Boring’s homestead when he and his family settled there in 1856. If you visit the area, check out the Boring Lava Field north of town, get some fresh air on nearby Mount Hood, and keep an eye out for film crews. Jack Black is supposedly producing a ‘serial killer comedy’ set in colorful Boring, Oregon.

Paw Paw, West Virginia

This town is located in a bend of the Potomac River bordering the Green Ridge State Forest. The town’s founders named the site after, not a beloved grandpa, but the Pawpaw Tree. The fruits of this tree, which look like mangoes, were prized by American settlers who loved its banana custard-like flavor. If you’d like to experience the taste yourself, you can find pawpaw preserves in local markets.

Hell, Michigan

This town, located about 15 miles outside of Ann Arbor, certainly has an unfortunate-sounding name. There are two theories about how it came about. Some say a pair of visiting Germans came by one sunny day and declared the place was ‘hell,’ the German word for ‘bright.’ Others say the name came from hellish levels of mosquitoes that greeted early settlers. While you’re there, play something from town native Michael Katon and The Helltown Bluesband.

Red Shirt, South Dakota

Fans of Star Trek may want their photos taken by this town in the Pine Ridge Reservation on their way to Badlands National Park. However, this Ogala village wasn’t named after the ill-fated extras on that beloved sci-fi TV series. Instead, it was named in honor of Chief Red Shirt, who led the Ogala and Lakota to settle in the region in the 1870s.

Waterproof, Louisiana

If you’ve ever been to Louisiana, you understand what a bold claim the name makes. This village, on the banks of the Mississippi, was ironically struck by drought in 2008. Despite it’s small population (currently just over 600), Waterproof has been the birthplace of several celebrities including 1961’s Miss USA Sharon Renee Brown and football player John Henry Johnson. And the name? In the 1830s, wagons struggled to cross the flooded river. Waterproof was built on a small hillock of land that never submerged.

Looneyville, USA

Do you ever feel like you’re living in Crazytown? You may be! There are actually four in the USA, three of them located in Texas, West Virginia, and New York and named after various settlers with ‘Looney’ as a last name. The fourth is, naturally, in Florida. While visiting, keep your eyes peeled for real-life examples of Floridaman.

Paving the Way for Autonomous Vehicles

One notable development in New York that’s likely to come down the pike in 2018 is a mandate that will permit autonomous vehicle testing in the state. Specifically, it’s expected that the state’s 45-plus year-old law that all drivers must have at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times will be axed. It’s a stipulation that’s prevented autonomous vehicle testing in the state thus far, and eliminating it will certainly make such testing much more feasible.

The “Move Over” Law

When emergency vehicles are in the area, it’s customary for consumer vehicles to slow down and pull over to make way. But this law was expanded in early 2017 to include more types of emergency vehicles. Specifically, any motor vehicle that displays a green or a blue light qualifies under the updated law. These may include the likes of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers who otherwise may not have qualified. So, if you’re driving in New York and see a vehicle with flashing lights approaching, make sure you slow down and move over to make way. Who knows, ensuring that emergency vehicles can get through safely and quickly could be the difference between life and death for someone.

Window Tint

Whether it’s for style or personal privacy reasons, many drivers like their windows tinted to some extent. However, in 2017, a new stipulation was passed to regulate this. Specifically, window tint must now be examined on an annual basis by the New York safety inspection. To pass, all vehicles must be tinted no more than 30 percent of light transmittance. Anything beyond 30 percent and the vehicle will not pass, and will need to adjust the tint before it can legally return to the road. The revamped window tint mandate is to allow police officers and emergency personnel to better see inside consumer vehicles, and was established for safety reasons.