5 Tips for Safety on the Road

There are more people on the road than ever, and this means more cars to navigate around, more traffic and often less consideration. With this in mind, the best way to have a safe trip on the road is to make safety your first priority. This means not just using your reverse camera and other tools, but focusing on the job at hand at all times, recalling the road rules and getting it right. You can't control what other drivers are doing, but if you are vigilant, well trained and practiced, and aware of your place on the road, you could avoid an accident.

So how can you truly be prepared to drive your vehicle as safely as possible?

1. Know your car 

It might seem obvious, but so many people get into a car and start driving without really investigating the ins and outs if their car, it's tools, or slowly working out how it functions. One of the most important steps you can take towards safety, is knowing your vehicle. This not only means knowing what it does, but how it does it. Before taking it out in heavy traffic or on a long trip, take a test drive. Test how sensitive the breaks are, how fast it reaches speed, how quickly it slows down, and how it handles around corners -- only once you are comfortable with these aspects are you really ready to drive it.

2. Keep everything in check 

While it might not seem a big deal -- a few k's over -- it can be. Make sure your car is regularly serviced. A vehicle that is looked after can make the difference between avoiding an accident and causing one. Take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic, and in addition to servicing, make sure you get any problems looked at regularly.

3. Use the safety technologies fitted to your car 

Newer vehicles are now fitted with a wide range of safety features. Reverse sensors, electronic stability control and anti-lock breaking systems, traction control, and intelligent speed assist are only the start of a long list of features. When you get your new car ensure you read the manual so you know what tools are at your disposal -- and then use them. Manufacturers compete for car sales, and they know safe cars are very attractive to families, so these features have been well researched and included for a reason.

4. Know how to handle the rough conditions 

A lot of the time, people handle rough conditions purely on instinct and reaction -- this is how a situation can go from bad to worse. Taking driver training can enable you to better understand how to handle difficult conditions, and teach you not to overcorrect and make matters worse!

5. Know what effects your driving 

Finally, beyond knowing your vehicle, you also need to understand yourself as a driver. While there is an alcohol limit, your own limit may actually be much lower. Don't drive when under the influence of anything, and make sure your never take the wheel when you are tired or feeling ill.

The History of the Buick Electra 225

The Buick Electra has been in the market for almost a half century. It lasted from 1959 to 1990 providing the needs of its clientele in a full-size premium luxury vehicle which General Motors was able to find the niche for.

It consists of several models in the Electra line such as the Riviera and Electra 225. This car was designed during the times when there was a decline in the automotive sales industry. While some automobile companies would gear towards producing a more compact and energy saving car, the President of General Motors then, Harlow Curtice thought of creating and manufacturing a premium luxury car and decided to produce the street rod called the Electra. Eventually it was replaced in the year 1991 by the new Park Avenue model.

During this time, the street rod Buick Electra's were manufactured as a full-sized premium automobile which was built by the Buick division of General Motors. They abandoned a more traditional design which Buick was known for and started to introduce a sleeker more modern vehicle.

The Electra line shares the same similarities with the Cadillac, it came in a four door sedan, a two door coupe and a two door convertible. Prior to 1959, the top of the line Buick lines were Roadmaster and Limited but when the year 1959 came along, they were renamed the Electra and Electra 225. The 225 resonates the overall length of this street rod which is 225 inches or 5,715 mm thus the term "deuce and a quarter".

The interior of the Electra 225 was something to crave for during those times. As the premium luxury line, they make it a point to be sleeker and up to date with a leather interior which was something a lot of people wanted in their cars. It also had power windows and a power operated top which was ultra modern at the time it came out.

It also had super deluxe wheel covers as well as an outside rear view mirror which added to the modern and sleek new look of convertibles. It had the standard requirement for Buicks such as a padded dashboard, a good power steering system and power brakes among other options.

In the year 1965, all the Buick lines alongside of the Electra featured new styles such as a more slanted headlight look with a chrome square grille and back fins with round tail lights.

The introduction of these new additions and revision in their cars was geared to increase their sales during those times and be more competitive since their competition was gearing towards a more compact concept car. They began to introduce a "contoured style" which provided a more sleek and modern look to their line. During this time, the Buick added new additions to the Electra series to make it more appreciable to its clientele as well as allowing them to competitively catch up with their competition. As the year progressed the sale on the Buick Electra began to sink due to the oil embargo in the 70's. More compact and energy saving street rods started being introduced to the market. As a result they began to downsize the lines in 1985 which is also when they introduced the Park Avenue design, a trimmer version of the Electra series which combined both the sporty yet luxurious feel to it of which the Buick was known for.