Tip of the Week
The danger of being hit by a drunk driver or receiving a citation for DUI may be far greater between Thanksgiving and Christmas than at New Year’s Eve, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Here are some tips from FindLaw.com on how to have a safe, DUI-free holiday season:
– Select a designated driver. Make sure to choose someone who promises not to drink and who will make sure that all passengers buckle up.
– Take a cab or public transportation. If you’re traveling alone or with just one other person, consider taking a cab or public transportation to and from your holiday event.
– If you host a holiday party, either at your home or at your workplace, make sure to offer your guests a cab ride to get home if they need it. Make sure to also offer non-alcoholic beverages to your guests – as well as food to offset alcohol intake.
– Be aware that you can receive a DUI while operating snowmobiles and ATVs as well.
– Behavior matters. Even if you do test below the legal limit of .08 (standard in many states), an officer who still believes that you have demonstrated behavior that prevents you from safely operating a motor vehicle can arrest you. If you are taken to court, the prosecution will almost always rely on the arresting officer’s testimony about your behavior and operation of the vehicle. This includes swerving your car, having slurred speech and/or bloodshot eyes, a heavy odor of alcohol and your inability to walk straight.
– ARA
The List
According to Kelley Blue Book, these are the vehicles that have the best resale value:
1. Honda CR-V
2. Jeep Wrangler
3. Toyota Tacoma
4. BMW X5
5. Lexus RX
Did You Know
The Chevrolet Volt was named Car of the Year by Motor Trend Magazine.
Car QA
Q: The overdrive went out on my 1989 Ford Crown Vic 5-liter, although the other gears work correctly. We replaced the transmission with another one from a scrap yard, but the overdrive still does not work.
A: Before any parts are replaced, the trouble flow chart needs to be followed. This can be had at Alldata, and there is a checklist that needs to be followed to find the problem. I have seen many mismatched transmission replacements in vehicles. These mismatched transmissions fit right in but will not have all the features that the correct transmission had. At this point you need to take the car to a transmission expert to have them check the transmission and application.
– Junior Damato, Talking Cars columnist
GateHouse News Service
