Driving Tips for Back-to-School

It's back-to-school time and, for many parents, that means early mornings, new clothes and rushing around to meet the new schedule. Did you know that School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10 times safer than walking to school.

The reality of school bus safety is that more children are hurt outside the bus than inside as passengers. Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, four to seven years old, who are hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus.

For this reason, it is necessary to know the proper laws and procedures for sharing the road safely with school buses:

• Most Provinces have a law making it illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
• School buses use yellow/red/strobe flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop to load or unload children. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus.
• Most Provinces require that traffic in both directions stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a school bus.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is where children are in the most danger of being hit. Stop your car far enough from the bus to allow children the necessary space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking to or from their bus are usually very comfortable with their surroundings. This makes them more likely to take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.
  
  

Before driving the kids around town, parents need to make sure their vehicles are operating safely. These quick tips will help ensure your vehicle is ready to keep up with the kids' busy schedules.

Be sure to take your vehicle in for routine maintenance. Talk with your mechanic and be sure your cars brakes, wheels, tires, tire pressure and suspension are working well.  Don’t forget to also speak with your glass shop to check your wipers, wiper fluid and that you can see clearly through your windshield.  These steps can keep your vehicle on the road, not on the side of it.

Buckle up and make sure your passengers do too. Seat belt use among high school students is lower than among other occupants in passenger vehicles. According to a survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, many teens aren't buckling up, even when adults are driving with them and using belts themselves. Teens often follow by example. The study reported that more than half of teens were more likely to buckle up if the adult who dropped them off at school also wore a seat belt. However, when adult drivers did not use seat belts, only 8% of teens used theirs.

Practice proper car seat safety. Some mothers will be taking preschool children along when they drive older children to and from school. Make sure everyone is using proper seat restraints at all times.

Obey school zone speed limits. Children may not always stay on the sidewalk or within crosswalk lines, so you need to be extra careful. As a lot of morning traffic is comprised of parents driving children to school, so you should also watch out for other vehicles slowing down or suddenly stopping to let children out.

Let's make this a safe year for everyone!

Auto Repair Shops feel 2013 has started as a “Slump”

Almost 100% of the Auto Repair shops surveyed in central and western Nova Scotia, say business is way down and wonder what’s next, according to research from Scotia Auto Glass

The study also revealed 49% of fleet managers postponed or considered postponing fleet maintenance this year because of uncertainty and last year’s mild winter weather. Only 1 in 5 fleet companies increase their vehicle checks during periods of bad weather.

“First I thought it was something wrong with my business but when the auto parts supplier delivery guy is complaining about being “slow” and might be laid off, I had nervous sigh of relief” and “Customers are clutching their wallets and putting service off until the last minute” says a shop owner who requested to be anonymous  

In 2008 coupled the surge of higher fuel prices auto repair shops experienced some growth sighting that car owner could not afford to buy new and choose to repair their car.  By 2011 just two years ago when the safety inspections came due, this was the beginning of the first two year inspection cycle, consumers were forced to repair or replace.  Auto Repair shops experienced growth during that year and expected the same this year.  Many shops have laid guys off until the spring in hopes of the business returning.  New employment insurance rules has everyone scared on what to do next.  Employees need a stable environment to work and feel secure about the next paycheck, while employers need the skilled labour in the near future.

Garage shop owners search for meaning and economic reasons for the “Slump.” RBC Economics report, although American, talks about U.S. new home sales dip in February while consumer confidence plunged in March!  RBC economics Nova Scotia report says employment is up .06% in 2012 and that major Nova Scotia projects like shipbuilding, are not set to occur during 2013.  Further losses of 2,300 jobs in the public sector will keep employment rates at about the same as 2012.

Automotive Glass Shops are equally influenced by market conditions and fall into the same category.  61% of those asked said that they would have any rock chips inspected and or repaired before the next cold snap, however 76.1% of car owners and fleet managers admit they have been putting it off.  

Of the windshields replaced in the first quarter of 2013, 52% ignore their own safety and wait to have the cracked windshield replaced at the time of inspection.  “As we all know, it is the responsibility of both the driver and fleet managers to make sure all vehicles are ready and safe for Nova Scotia driving.” Said Ron Tibert, manager at Scotia Auto Glass

Auto Repair Shop owners feel the market will return during late spring, but just need to hold on until then.

Scotia Auto Glass tips for preparing for Spring

1. If you have a windshield chip, always warm up the cold glass slowly.  Ideally, get it repaired.
2. Replace windshield wipers. We had a harsh winter and the blades get chipped and torn plus they can cause smearing and reduce visibility.
3. Make sure you check your vehicle regularly. Cleaning headlamps, keeping the battery in good condition, checking tires and their tread.
4. Consider a windshield coating protection like AquaShield to help visibility
5. Keep an essential breakdown kit in your trunk, with high-visibility clothing, a flashlight, first-aid etc.

Economic Marketing Report

Scotia Auto Glass

www.scotiaauto.com

Best Choice for Windshield Repairs - Glass Insurance

Rock chip only 2 hours old - Look at the detail in the fine cracks

Without comprehensive glass insurance coverage, a cracked windshield can be a costly repair (Ron Tibert – Scotiaauto.com)

Potholes are starting to form, roads are getting bumpy and the temperature fluctuates many times in the day, all contributing to windshields snapping at a weak point like a stone chip.

Spring time brings out the bits of gravel and road pieces, you see scattered on our highways, so traveling too close to the vehicle in front of you is not a good idea. Prevention and being proactive is a great start to being one of those people who never had a windshield replaced in their life.

So what should you do in the case that you get a rock chip?

1. Pull over in a safe place if you can and use our rock chip cover stickers or clear tape to cover the chip to keep it clean. Obviously, do not do this step if the chip is in the critical viewing area. 
2. Lets save your windshield and give our shop a call or send a quote through our website - If you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you maybe covered under your plan and the cost is usually free with no deductible. We have insurance partnerships and computer systems in place to verify coverage and billing for you.

Sometimes the crack can spread seconds after the impact while driving. Quite interesting to see but can be scary and has the driver wondering if the windshield will blow out on them.

If the windshield is cracked you most likely will need to replace it. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be eligible for free replacements, which means absolutely no out of pocket expense to you. Your insurance claim will cover the majority of the cost and we’ll cover the rest. Eligibility is based on your specific auto insurance company.

So what legal action can you do to get your money back?

Experience in the past has suggested that you may just be wasting your time chasing down the vehicle and actually trying to get any settlement. If the rock or object came from an unsecured load you have a better chance of getting help replacing the glass.

So let’s not travel too close to the vehicle ahead of you and we will welcome the warmer days of spring.

Come join us on our facebook page for more tips and ideas to maintain a quality viewing windshield for years to come. (And get a coupon for $5 off your next windshield) http://on.fb.me/15PgUl1 

Visit our website at www.scotiaauto.com 
Contact us at http://http://www.scotiaauto.com/contact.htm/
Lunenburg / Bridgewater 902-543-1956
Halifax / Dartmouth 902-468-5583

Spring Car Care: Windshield Replacement Safety Tips

- Ron Tibert of Scotia Auto Glass

Discovering a cracked windshield or getting a windshield stone chip off the road from that speeding nameless driver passing us, is disturbing to most of us.

A cracked windshield is a safety risk. Besides seatbelts and air bags, most automobile safety experts rank the windshield as one of the top vital safety components in your vehicle today. The windshields key job other than keep bugs out of your teeth is to provide structural strength to the body during “roll over” and to assist in the proper deployment of vehicle airbags. The windshield replacement industry is technically unregulated and most shops use interpreted voluntary standards.

Consumers should ask at least these four questions before their next windshield replacement:

1. Will the sealant hold the windshield in during the deployment of the airbags? You should stay away from butyl tape or silicone products for windshield replacements. OEM Original manufactures seal or other top quality equivalent brands like Dow or Sika should be used.

2. How long does the urethane adhesive need for safe drive away time? Every urethane has a recommended drive away time based on temperature and humidity factors.

3. Will the technician wear nitrile gloves to keep from contaminating the glass? Hand oils and dust can contaminate the edges of the glass, compromising the urethane seal.

4. Will the old urethane seal be removed from the car glass frame? Taking the “short cut” method is not recommended according to the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Council. “Only the full cut method (removing all urethane) should be used for polyurethane retention systems.”

As a bonus, always ask about your warrantee. What if the glass breaks on its own? What if it leaks in a week, 6 months or a year?

These tips should help make the auto glass replacement a better experience.

- Ron Tibert of Scotia Auto Glass

For more information, visit www.scotiaauto.com

Tags: auto glass, autoglass, auto glass safety, windshield repair, glass repair, insurance glass repair, insurance agents, windshield replacement, window repair

Scotia Auto Glass will bring the solution to you

Scotia Auto Glass
Kelly Bent
Our society has turned towards quick fixes. We demand immediate solutions to
problems and obstacles. The downside to most instant solutions is they are
not always sound, leaving us frustrated. So, when a windshield chip or crack
happens who has the time to remain at a garage for up to half a day? No one!
Scotia Auto Glass has been a 100 per cent mobile glass replacement and
repair operation for over 30 years. "We are all about saving time and
money for each client. We don't have long waits and we don't require a minimum
amount of bookings before we will come to an area. If someone needs glass
repair for their vehicle, home, commercial property or boat we are quickly
on the way," explains Ron Tibert, owner and operator of Scotia Auto Glass.
This premium service doesn't come with a premium price tag. The mobile
service is of no extra cost to the customer. "We are all about customer
service and convenience."

The first step with glass repair or replacement is to diagnose the problem.
"A quick email or phone call from a client to one of our trained
technicians gives us the information we need to get the ball rolling on the job and all
our quotes are free. If the client describes a bulls-eye crack, half moon
crack or spider crack we know most often they can be repaired," says
Tibert. "Glass chips can spread very quickly and should be dealt with right away
or they will lead to windshield replacement." Windshield repair and
replacement can be done in the home owners' driveway or garage. "The entire job
usually takes less than and hour and the client can stay in the comfort of their own
home or office." Scotia Auto Glass is also approved by all major insurance
companies. This ensures quick processing of claims and all work comes with a
lifetime warranty. "Our workmanship is guaranteed for as long as you own
your vehicle." Scotia Auto Glass also has access to the largest warehouses
in Canada.  This means the customers don't have long waits for materials.
Safety is of the utmost importance to Scotia Auto Glass. "A windshield is
a key component in the structural integrity of a vehicle. Having a repair done
correctly and quickly is critical to the safety of passengers." Ron and
his technicians are constantly training and upgrading to offer the best
solutions to their customers. "We aren't stumped by a challenge. We always
try to come up with the best solutions to serve the client's needs."
Keep the name Scotia Auto Glass at the top of your to do list. They will be
your saving solution to any glass problem. For more information or to
receive a free quote please visit www.scotiaauto.com

Ms. Kelly Bent
Special Features Writer/Photographer

Insurance Co's, CAA and Scotia Glass in Atlantic Canada are cautioning the public about Spring potholes- http://bit.ly/hHCQE9

Insurance Co's, CAA and Scotia Glass in Atlantic Canada are cautioning the public about Spring potholes- http://bit.ly/hHCQE9

DAILY NEWS Mar 29, 2011 4:45 PM
Spring has arrived - and so have potholes


State Farm in Canada, CAA-Quebec and glass dealers in Atlantic Canada are cautioning the public about one of the traditional rites of Spring — potholes.
Most roadways are built in layers, starting with earth and gravel for drainage and then covered with a layer of asphalt.
Cracks in the asphalt layer cause water to seep into the lower layers, where the water freezes and expands. Some of the underlying dirt and gravel is displaced as a result of the water freezing, leaving a hole when the water eventually melts.
When the asphalt layer over top of these holes collapses, the result is a pothole.

Story continued in link - http://bit.ly/hHCQE9

Broken Windshields, Big Potholes

Increase in cracked windshields as Nova Scotia thaw creates more pot holes

Scotia Auto Glass employees have noticed more customers saying their windshield broke after hitting a pothole, and comment that the costs affect all Nova Scotia Drivers.

Nova Scotia’s spring time thaws seem to create potholes everywhere and force drivers to swerve around or take the impact of driving over the hole. This can cause a chipped windshield to break, making the car unsafe to drive. Halifax’s Q104 has a twitter “call out” to find and photo the biggest potholes in Nova Scotia. (@Q104Halifax)

“HRM would like to advise residents that Municipal Operations crews will be working to patch potholes in the coming days.” - says Halifax website http://www.halifax.ca/snow/ and more information on potholes can be found at http://www.halifax.ca/works/potholes.html

A windshield provides 30% of a car’s structural strength and if damaged by a crack, it requires an immediate replacement. Around one in six car windshields have a chip which can be quickly and easily repaired to make the windshield as good as new, usually at no cost to the vehicle owner.

Ron Tibert, of Scotia Auto Glass says: “Drivers are forced to hit potholes while driving since it is unsafe to jerk the wheel in traffic, and are absorbing an increasing bill for the poor state of some roads. However by getting a chip repaired before it turns into a crack, drivers can protect themselves from an expensive insurance claim and make certain their windshield is as strong as new.”

It is estimated that 80% of Nova Scotia car owners have comprehensive insurance and nearly all insurance companies will cover rock chip repairs for free. Scotia Auto Glass, a company that comes to you, will repair your windshield onsite to further reduce the risk to driver’s vehicles. Deductibles for a cracked windshield average about $250.

Scotia Auto Glass is an exclusive mobile service company that can repair or replace all types of auto glass at client’s home or office. Scotia Auto Glass is insurance approved and recommended by many car dealerships. For service on the South Shore from Hubbards to Liverpool call 902-523-1180 (1-866-543-6001) and for service in HRM call 902-456-5201. You can also get a quote or book online at www.scotiaauto.com

If you have any questions, we are here to help you make auto glass a better experience! Join us on Linkedin, facebook or Twitter for more tips on auto glass.