In The Know

Image credit: digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos

I've been driving for a long time and I started late (around age 25 when I was forced to get a permit because my boyfriends stop chauffeuring me around). Back then, you were driving with fewer cars, less streets, less police, less weather. You just did it. Weather was the only factor in whether I’d drive or take public transportation. These days I drive, ride, reschedule or just miss the activity, I very seldom think about public transportation as an option. I do drive safer and smarter because now I have“experts”, tools and devices to assist me on my journey.

Every time I think about a driving trip, I immediately start with strategies that will make the task more enjoyable. Over the last year, I've found resources that really help. Here’s the short list:
1. Weather – Always look out the window to check weather conditions and visit  www.weather.com. Some days out the window and destination conditions are totally different.

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2. Traffic - LIVE traffic at http://www.tomtom.com/livetraffic/ – knowing the hot spots before I start is always a big thumbs up.

3. Blind spot – My mirrors need to be adjusted every time I re-position my seat, I learned a new/better technique to reduce the blind spots at http://www.cartalk.com/content/avoiding-blind-spot-5

4. Parking –The  ParkMe app on my smartphone is a time saver. I use it when I know parking will be an issue. http://www.techlicious.com/tip/4-apps-that-will-save-you-time/
5. GPS - Gotta know before I go, route & travel time plus I love the click mount, talk and go features on the PNDs .Learn more

Thank You “Experts”: Fox, & Dan & Fred & Jim! (My bloggers at CarTalk, Techlicious, and about.com). Like some folks say, it’s all in who you know! :)