Michael J's Body Shop

Examples of Aggressive Driving and What You Can Do to Avoid Them

When you’re running late, you may feel the need to speed. Some defend aggressive driving as a style choice that does not necessarily put others at risk when implemented carefully. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as when an individual commits a “combination of moving traffic violations so as to endanger other persons or property.” Auto body damage is the least disastrous potential outcome to aggressive driving, as it can easily lead to injury or death. Here are a few examples of aggressive driving behaviors and what you can do to stay safe behind the wheel.

Speeding

Within the context of free-flow driving (driving within the flow of traffic), law enforcement may elect to ignore speeds of up to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. However, aggressive drivers exceed this threshold by going faster than enforcement speed. Aggressive driving entails disregard for posted speed and willingness to accept a ticket or other punishment in exchange for driving too fast to be considered safe.

Reckless Driving

In addition to unsafe driving speeds, reckless driving includes failure to indicate turns and lane changes, lack of awareness for pedestrians, and other general disregard. Reckless drivers only think of themselves. Speeding and disobeying traffic laws not only reflects poorly on you as a driver, but it puts you and others at serious risk for injury and death. This type of driving can be punished with fines, and even jail time.

Aggressive Driving Prevention

There is no excuse for aggressive driving. Planning ahead and leaving for your destination earlier can help you to avoid the need to drive aggressively in the future. There are also classes that you can take to help alleviate the stress and anxiety that can be the root of aggressive driving, as some people drive this way regardless of circumstance.

If you are ever the victim of someone else's aggressive driving or another type of collision, pome to Michael J’s Body Shop for collision repair. Call us at (877) 763-5195 to learn more about our auto body repair services and pricing. We offer lifetime warranties on our collision repair work and accept most major auto insurance policies for San Jose area drivers.

Check out These Sites to Learn More About Car Safety and Winter Car Preparation

Staying up with maintenance for your car this winter is critical if you are going to leave town into a colder climate. To learn more about preparing your car for winter and how your airbags work to keep you safe, visit these webpages. 

Preparing Your Car for Winter Weather

Although San Jose is not exactly known for harsh winter weather, it’s still a good idea to prepare yourself and your car for winter weather should you head out of town for a winter vacation. Your local car repair shop can ensure that your vehicle is in good shape for winter driving, but you should also know what is included when winterizing a vehicle.

Change Your Engine Oil

In cold climates, your vehicle’s engine oil is likely to freeze and clump up, effectively preventing it from circulating throughout the engine. To prevent difficulties with starting your car when you head out of town this winter, replace your old engine oil with low viscosity oil that can handle below-freezing temperatures.

Check Your Car’s Engine Coolant

Your vehicle’s cooling system does more than just cool the engine—it is also responsible for heating your car. To ensure that your cooling system can function in a cold climate, head to your car repair shop and have the coolant fluid inspected. The experts at the repair shop will check your fluid and adjust the coolant/water ratio to ensure that your coolant system works strong all winter long.

Make Sure Your Battery Has Enough Juice

Because winter weather is harsh on car batteries, it’s vital that you get your battery inspected and cleaned at your local car repair shop before heading out of town. It only takes a few minutes, but servicing your battery will greatly lower your chances of becoming stranded on the side of the road.

If you have any questions about preparing your car for winter, come to Michael J’s Body Shop of San Jose. You can also call (877) 763-5195 to speak with a car expert. With over 20 years of experience, we are the shop to visit if you require high quality automotive maintenance or service.

A Look at How Seatbelts are Made

Although a collision may cost you a trip to the car repair shop, wearing a seatbelt can oftentimes prevent you and any passengers from being seriously injured. Find out how seatbelts are made by watching the video clip.

First, a seatbelt engineer must fit the belt to your specific car. When the seatbelt is being produced, the locking mechanism is installed first. This mechanism ensures that your seatbelt stays tight when a hard deceleration is detected. After this, the woven polyester webbing is attached to the aluminum spool, and then the seatbelt is tested to ensure it is safe.

If you are ever in a collision in the San Jose area, take your car to a Michael J’s Body Shop. We are a high quality auto body repair shop with two locations in the Bay area and over 20 years of experience. To get in touch with a collision repair expert, call our shop at (877) 763-5195.

Examining Common Airbag Myths and Facts

Next to the seatbelt, airbags are the most important safety feature found inside your vehicle. Airbags prevent a countless number of deaths each year. Unfortunately, there is a lot of speculation surrounding airbags. Discover more about how your car’s airbags work to help reduce bodily harm during a car collision by reading these airbag myths and facts.

Myth: You Must Wear a Seatbelt for the Airbag to Function

Though you should always wear a seatbelt to give yourself the best protection in the event of a collision, airbags will work even if your seatbelt isn’t connected. Airbag sensors sense sudden deceleration and impact before telling the airbags to deploy.

Fact: The Airbag Light Lets You Know when the Airbag Isn’t Working

Pay close attention to the airbag light on your car’s instrument panel. Your car is equipped with an airbag sensor that continually monitors the airbag system while the vehicle is running. If the airbag light on your dashboard flashes after you start your car, or if you don’t see the light come on at all, you should visit a car repair shop as soon as possible to make sure your airbag system is in good working condition.

Myth: Side Airbags Are Mandatory on Today’s Cars

There are a number of types of airbags that you can get on a new car, including side airbags, curtain airbags, and knee airbags. However, these safety features are not yet required by U.S. law. So before you purchase a new or used car, make sure that it comes with functioning airbags by bringing it to a body shop for an inspection.

Fact: The Dust That Comes Out of an Airbag Is Not Toxic

After the airbags are deployed, your car will probably be filled with smoke. Though irritating, this smoke isn’t toxic; it’s just a mixture of corn-based powder and harmless nitrogen gas that is designed to help the airbag to deploy rapidly.

If you find yourself needing an expert car repair shop for service or collision repair in the San Jose area, come to Michael J’s Body Shop. If you have any questions about your airbags or collision repair in general, call us at (877) 763-5195.