June 28, 2012


BICYCLISTS AND VEHICLES NEED TO SHARE THE ROAD

Summer means more bicyclists on the road and more opportunities for a collision between bikers and motorists.

It’s not surprising the bicyclists lose in this encounter but it is surprising how rude many drivers can be when seeing a bicyclist in a travel lane.

Bicycles have the same right of way as a vehicle.  Of course, that creates impatience on the part of the motorists but following these tips will keep the bicyclist safe and the motorist from having to explain their actions to a police officer.

Keep in mind more than 600 bicyclists were killed and 52,000 injured in traffic crashes in 2010, the latest available year for statistics.

Some tips:

  • Slow down and allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist. Don’t try to intimidate them by passing within inches.
  • Check mirrors and blind spots before turning, changing lanes or opening a car door. This advice works whether you are watching out for bicyclists, pedestrians or another vehicle.
  • Never honk your horn at a bicyclist. They may be startled and swerve off the road or into traffic.
  • Be especially cautious around children on bikes. Ten to 14-year-olds can be aggressive and risk-taking. Assume unpredictability on their part and be prepared.
  • Stay alert. Anytime you are behind the wheel, pay attention to what is happening ahead of you, beside you, even behind you. Don’t talk on a hand-held phone or text while driving.

Currently, 35 states have a Share the Road Campaign or message dealing with bicyclists or tractor-trailers. Both North and South Carolina have special license plates that advocate Share the Road with bicyclists.​

Published: 6/28/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 26, 2012


2012 TOP CARS FOR TEENS

Everyone remembers his or her first car.

For teenagers, it represents independence. For parents, it is the beginning of years of worry.

Before picking out a car, it is always good to have a frank and firm conversation concerning safety behind-the-wheel and a discussion on what type of car would best meet the teenager’s needs.

If a low price is paramount, there are several small cars for under $20,000 with a good reputation for reliability and above average gas mileage, a big factor for the teen who has to buy their own fuel.

However, one fact to always remember is in any traffic crash, the bigger vehicle is most often the winner, another strong point to make with your teen driver.

With speeding as a contributing factor in one-third of all crashes, teens don’t need high-performance, quick-off-the-line muscle cars. Smaller cars may go slower but that helps teach the caution and control new drivers need to have.

The Chevy Cruze and the Suzuki SX4 are small cars with strong safety features, such as rear airbags. Fuel economy ranges above 30 miles per gallon.

 Chevy Cruise 2.jpg

Chevy Cruze

The Ford Focus has a MyKey feature that can limit speed, radio volume and prevent teens from disabling safety systems. It gets up to 40 miles per gallon.

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Ford Focus

 Volkswagen’s Golf has plenty of pep, and gets more than 30 mpg while VW’s Rabbit TDI (turbo diesel) is a little slower but gets nearly 50 mpg.

VW Golf 3.jpg

Volkswagen Golf

Other good choices include the Honda Civic, the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion. Toyota’s Corolla, Kia’s Soul and the Scion Xb should also be considered.
 

For helpful hints on teen driving, visit AAA.com/Teens.​

Published: 6/26/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 21, 2012


TRAVEL AGENTS ARE A TRAVELER'S BEST FRIEND

I don’t have a bucket list but I do dream of places to visit.  Already a pleasant memory are a safari in Kenya, a trip down the Amazon, a cruise at the top-of-the-world, a stroll through the streets of St. Petersburg, a ride down the Nile and a tour of the Valley of the Kings where King Tut was buried.

So what’s left?

Well, it is as easy as talking to one of AAA’s veteran travel agents to get excited about the next vacation.

Sip tea at a private welcome reception at Windsor Castle.

Marvel at the construction of the Great Wall while exploring a section visited primarily by locals. 

Taste regional wines as an intimate guest at a private estate in Northern Spain, opening its doors only to you. 

Enjoy VIP access to the Vatican Museum. 

Delve into aboriginal culture as a local tribesman guides you on a private rain forest nature walk down under.   

Feel the power of the Colorado River as you enjoy an exclusive dinner on a sandy beach along the river. 

Relive history as an authentic cowboy regales you with stories during a private meeting before attending a Wild West rodeo show. 

Absorb the music as you are treated to an exclusive and private Jazz concert featuring the Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band and their leader Jimmy Maxwell. 

Experience private cooking demonstrations in Canada with top local chefs.  Enjoy priority embarkation on many cruises. 

Relive your childhood at Disney’s Story Time Experience at Walt Disney World, and enjoy preferred fireworks viewing.   

Okay, I have been to Disney and the thrill is going with children, at least for me.

But it is easy to develop a travel appetite with the unique and engaging experiences offered by AAA Vacations® – a customized collection of tours and cruises designed to provide AAA members with unique and exclusive life experiences.

The collection includes vacation options to faraway, exotic destinations throughout the world as well as the United States and Canada, and most vacations have discounts or benefits exclusive to AAA Members.

There are cruises with priority boarding, dinner for two in a specialty onboard restaurant, or a complimentary shore excursion.

Exotic destinations around the world include China, India, Vietnam, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, or South America.

Locally hosted packages feature unique member experiences in destinations including Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, London, Paris, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rome, Florence, and Venice. 

Or you can travel on your own- my preference because when I want to stop and browse, I can.

Lastly, there are independent city-stay vacations.  AAA Vacations can arrange for those who crave independent sojourns to establish a central base in hotels in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the United States.

So I don’t dream of buckets (sorry Morgan Freeman) but I do dream of the money AAA Vacations® saved and the benefits they added.

​

Published: 6/21/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 19, 2012


COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA GIANT IN INSURANCE PROCESSING

Who knew?

Earlier this month, The State newspaper unearthed a little known secret that Columbia has passed Hartford, Connecticut as the world’s leader in insurance technology and processing.

How is it possible?

Well, Blue Cross BlueShield of South Carolina processes 75% of all the insurance claims for United States military personnel and retirees. They al​so administer more than one-fourth of all Medicare business nationwide and 70% of all Medicare claims. It adds up to about one billion claims a year, the paper said.

Then they cut checks amounting to about $1 billion a DAY in health care payments or 10% of the total health care payout in the United States.

And there are another 20 insurance companies, not agents, housed in the city, like Seibels Bruce and Colonial Life, the nation’s second largest supplemental insurance company. Aflac, the nation’s number one supplemental insurance company bought Continental American Insurance Company in 2009 and is planning to open an office in Columbia with 825 new jobs.

So, congratulations Columbia.

An often-thought of sleepy Southern city (a view held by many who have never visited the Palmetto State) has bested a New England city (Hartford) often characterized as the nation’s insurance capital.

Now that the secret is out, it is only a matter of time before the question of what city is the nation’s insurance capital is asked on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

It is also information that is valuable for consumers to know when insurance issues come before the state legislature. It’s important to know who has clout when insurance rates and policies are being discussed by elected officials.​

Published: 6/19/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 14, 2012


AGE-BASED ROAD TESTS DON'T IMPROVE ON-ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

The prevailing wisdom is that when drivers get older, they should be road-tested more frequently. The aim, of course, is to reduce fatal crashes among older drivers.

However, studies done on age-based Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) road testing found there was no benefit gained by more frequent road testing of older drivers.

Studies in Illinois and Indiana failed to support age-based testing, especially when policies were in place to discourage continued licensing by older drivers.

The Illinois study showed no increase in fatal crash rates for drivers aged 69-74 after a road test requirement was dropped. Additionally, they found no benefit gained by road testing those over 81-years-old more frequently.

The toughest challenge for older drivers, their spouses, family members and friends is knowing when someone is no longer a safe driver. The best way to convince someone they are no longer safe is through their own self-realization.

Telling someone they are no longer a responsible, safe driver is likely to be quickly rejected.

AAA has several aids to evaluate older drivers. Some are on-line, such as the Drivers 65+: Check Your Own Performance quiz, and some can be ordered so a driver can privately test their skill level. A complete list of these tools and resources can be found at SeniorDriving.AAA.com.

With the aging of the boomer population, the issue of older drivers and when their mobility should be restricted or removed will be a contentious and hotly debated issue this decade. ​

Published: 6/14/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 12, 2012


THE VILLAGE AT WILD DUNES: A SWEET AND FUN GETAWAY

Only recently has AAA begun to inspect and rate vacation-oriented resort properties that may not have the typical look and feel of a hotel, but offer upscale in-room amenities, full kitchen, living room and ample eating area. Check-in may be off-site.

The hotel classification in AAA’s TourBooks is Condominium.

So a recent visit to the Village at Wild Dunes, located on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina and just across the street from The Boardwalk Inn, both AAA Four Diamond rated, was a chance to experience a home away from home for a weekend with another couple in our two-bedroom, top-floor suite.

Isle of Palms is a lush barrier island roughly 30 minutes from Charleston with 1,600 acres of private homes (some for rent), the Inn and the Village alongside a pristine ocean beach.

The Village, which consists of three buildings with 150 rooms and suites, surrounds a second story plaza that is only an elevator trip away. There is a fine restaurant managed by Chris Harvey, a veteran Wild Dunes employee, called The Lettered Olive, and a deli (Hudson’s Market) where you can buy groceries, ice cream, wine and assorted items to take back to your room.

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The Village at Wild Dunes

The check-in and concierge service are also on the Plaza, along with the Sand & Sea Salon and Spa Services, where the wives had relaxing treatments, one enjoying the Ultimate Stress Relief with a 50-minute warm seashell massage.

The other treatment was Shirodhara. Warm oil drips slowly from a copper vessel above onto the forehead and then is massaged skillfully into the scalp and hair, shoulders and neck – 25 minutes for those who like it quick and oily.

Our room was tastefully furnished with a dining room table for six with extra chairs available. Bedrooms and living rooms had flat-screen TVs.

The kitchen appliances, situated behind a marble counter top, were all GE Profile and included counter level burners, a stove, refrigerator, Cuisinart blender, dishwasher, coffee maker, microwave and toaster. 

The Links Golf Course, one of two, is included in several Best Courses listings and is beautiful with the finishing three holes alongside the ocean, which are only too happy to receive an errant tee shot.

From our oversized open-air balcony, we watched an alligator swim and sun bathe in a fenced pool at the base of the village. The gator attracted sightseers, many of them small children who watched with fascination. So did we.

Valet parking is free for guests and Richard, the manager, is a font of knowledge about where to go and what to see. He also gets your car quickly.

Destination Hotels & Resorts, which owns 30 upscale and luxury hotels, resorts and golf clubs, manages the property. They are the fourth largest independent hospitality management company in the country and clearly know how to pamper guests.

The Village’s attraction clearly is for families and friends traveling together with a common area to gather in or prepare a group meal, a balcony to sit on and enjoy the ocean air, and the service you expect from a Four Diamond rated accommodation.​

Published: 6/12/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 07, 2012


TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN- A GUIDE FOR SUMMER TRIPS

With the arrival of summer, longer departures begin for families taking to the road for vacations and adventure.

One concern, of course, is how the kids will weather the on-road voyage.

Here are some tips when traveling by car:

  • Plan your travel pace (stopping every 2-3 hours will benefit driver and passengers.
  • Pack with the children’s ages, interests, and stopping places in mind, include some surprise gifts for the younger ones, plus appropriate in-car snacks and drinks.
  • Consider the children’s interests (and again, ages) and let them pick what interests them, including books, DVD’s (not to use the entire trip but as a treat on longer trips), and travel games found at department stores. But be wary of anything with lots of pieces since they can easily get lost in the car.
  • Finally, consider the trip as part of the vacation, not just an ordeal between points A and B, and convey that attitude to all the passengers, including spouses.

Sometimes, trips are not domestic and not by car.

Here are some general travel tips:

Passports for Children – All U.S. citizens including infants and children must have a valid passport to travel internationally by air.  A passport card can be used for automobile and cruise ship travel to Canada and Mexico from the United States.

Cruising with Children – Cruise lines generally require at least one legal adult (age 21 or higher) to occupy every stateroom to eliminate children cruising alone. This person also needs to be a legal parent or guardian.  Cruise lines also require a notarized letter of authorization if a child is sailing with only one parent, other non-custodial adults, or has a different last name than the responsible legal adult.  

International Solo Parent Travel – When visiting a foreign country – including Mexico and Canada – as a lone adult with a minor child under age 18, additional travel documentation is required.  To help prevent cases of parental abduction and international child trafficking, many countries now require proof of the lone adult’s relationship to the child and the legal right to travel in and out of the country with that child.  In addition to the child’s valid United States passport, and entry visa where required, a letter of permission from the absent parent(s) signed before a notary public is needed. The letter should include a statement of authorization for the child to travel, details of the trip and legal names and contact information for the child and accompanying adult.

Children Flying Solo – Most airlines offer fee-based Unaccompanied Minor programs that facilitate air travel for children without an accompanying adult.  These programs, which vary, provide an affordable travel option to link geographically separated family members with the children they treasure.  Airline Unaccompanied Minor programs, policies and procedures vary.

Child Medical Care Authorization – When a child is traveling without a parent, receiving emergency medical care could be complicated or refused, unless the emergency is deemed life-threatening.  The adult accompanying the child should carry a medical proxy, an original notarized letter from the non-traveling parent(s) granting permission to authorize emergency medical care for the child.  The letter should include the permission statement, child’s health insurance information, social security number and full legal names of the child and accompanying adults.  ​

Published: 6/7/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post




June 05, 2012


2012 AAA CAROLINAS LEGISLATIVE SURVEY – AN ANALYSIS

Every year AAA Carolinas asks in our bimonthly membership publication, GO Magazine, for members’ opinions on a variety of North and South Carolina legislative issues, mostly centering around traffic safety.

Two questions this year specifically for South Carolina residents asked if teenagers should be prohibited from texting while driving (98.16% of respondents said yes) and should motorcycle riders be required to wear helmets (84.74% of respondents said yes.)

All other questions were grouped together for North and South Carolina residents.

A whopping 95% of respondents voted in the last election and 92.36% said gasoline and vehicle registration tax receipts should only be used for the transportation infrastructure. Both NC and SC legislatures have sometimes siphoned money from their state highway trust funds for non-highway purposes.

However, 66.21% were opposed to increasing gasoline taxes to pay for transportation infrastructure needs. Both states are hundreds of millions of dollars behind in what they need to repair or renovate roads and bridges.

Asking if fast-food restaurants should warn motorists while driving about the dangers of eating and drinking, and if hands-free cell phone use while driving should be permitted, found 55% in support of both.

Two-thirds said cameras should be used to enforce speeding and red light laws.

Dating handicapped stickers and issuing fines when expired stickers are used in handicapped spaces garnered support from 89.44% of respondents. Also receiving strong support was issuing tickets for failing to use turn signals when it endangered pedestrians or other motorist – 86.92%.

Member feedback on legislative issues helps guide positions on issues.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with these majorities? ​

Published: 6/5/2012  10:00 AM | 0  Comments | 0  Links to this post