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Defensive driving, simply put, refers to a set of driving skills that best prepares you to respond to hazards on the road. When most of us think of the term “defense”, we might think of sports or martial arts before driving. However, while most of us might not typically think of defensive driving in these terms, it is absolutely an important form of self-defense. Defensive driving allows you to protect yourself against hazards such as collisions caused by drunk drivers, … Continue reading “What is defensive driving?”

We’ve all been dealing with a climate of heightened risk over the past two years. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to reevaluate the potential hazards involved in pretty much everything we do: from mundane activities such as grocery shopping and pharmacy runs to less frequent excursions like adventures abroad or trips to visit far-flung relatives, we had to completely change how we think about day-to-day dangers. Driving is no exception, so now is a great time for you to start … Continue reading “Defensive driving: now more important than ever”

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise.  Catalytic converters help a car clean its exhaust. They have become a target for theft because catalytic converters contain precious metals like palladium and platinum and the price of these metals has increased in the past several years.   And since 2019, converter theft has risen 1,215%, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an industry group that tracks insurance-related crimes. With this uptick in thefts, we want to remind car owners how to prevent catalytic … Continue reading “Catalytic converter theft: what you need to know to protect yourself”

At Elephant, one of our most important goals is to ensure the safety of our community, especially the roads we drive on every day. One way we strive towards this goal is through our support of Project Yellow Light, a national scholarship competition that was founded by Julie Garner, who lost her teenage son Hunter Garner in a car accident in 2007. The national Hunter Garner Scholarship competition shares our aims to encourage all people, especially teens, to practice safe … Continue reading “Project Yellow Light contest winners send a powerful message to their peers about the dangers of distracted driving.”

Cars are great when they’re running properly, right? But even if you keep your vehicle up to date on oil changes and routine car maintenance, things are bound to pop up that require your attention. And when they do occur, it’s important to know how to respond. Even if you’re not the most mechanically-minded or car-savvy person around, there are some simple fixes that everyone can (and should!) learn. From jump starting a car, to changing a tire, to learning … Continue reading “Common Car Maintenance How Tos”

When you’re thinking of buying a car, nothing may be more reliable than a compact car. They are affordable, great on gas, stylish, and depending on the make and model, could be tried-and-true in performance. Popular models include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, and Hyundai Elantra. This class of cars, one step above subcompact cars and one step below mid-size cars, seats up to four passengers comfortably, though for car buyers on the market, that may not be … Continue reading “Is it safe to drive a compact car?”

Let’s face it, driving can be stressful. Traffic jams, distracted drivers, car trouble: all these factors can lead to a commute that leaves you wanting to pull your hair out. However, the way you react to these stressors can affect you and your fellow motorists’ safety in a major way. Let’s talk about the ways road rage and driving anxiety can be dangerous, and how you can keep these common emotions under control. Aggressive driving and road rage — what … Continue reading “Road rage and driving anxiety”

If the inner workings of automobiles aren’t your strong suit, the title of this article alone might have you wondering: what on earth is a catalytic converter? What does it do? Why would someone want to steal one? If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll answer all the questions above, as well as explain how you can protect yourself from catalytic converter theft. What is a catalytic converter? First and foremost, a … Continue reading “Catalytic converter theft: what you should know”