Houston-based retired lawyer and philanthropist Franci Neely is a seasoned traveler. She’s on a quest to visit every country on the planet and has created a website to curate her travels. Her photos weave a global tapestry and showcase her experiences, immersing herself in other cultures and making friends across borders. “Everywhere I go has an impact on my life,” says Neely.

She enjoys exploring other areas of the world and learning about the history, culture, and people that call each place home. Throughout her wandering, Franci Neely says she’s gained “a greater understanding of the universal humanity that we share.” She’s also learned that “none of us are strangers if we look at each other in an open, accepting, sharing way, nonjudgmentally. It’s very life-affirming to me to do that.”

Neely’s photography website gives visitors a glimpse of life around the globe. With her favorite Nikon camera, she’s captured life’s beauty and special moments one frame at a time, such as a smiling mother cradling a happy baby and a herd of elephants roaming the African wilderness.

“I don’t care about a travel log that shows landscapes, like, ‘Oh, here I am in front of a waterfall.’ That is not the idea of the website. Instead, it is to visually show that around the world, one can have human connections that are significant, even if you don’t share a single word in common,” Neely explains. “What I really care about [when traveling] is if in some way I can communicate to [the locals] that I care about them.”

That shows through in her photography.

How Franci Neely’s Middle Eastern Travels Affected Her Worldview

Franci Neely has been traveling the globe for decades and has extensively explored the Middle East. She’s traveled to places like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. According to Neely, her journeys to that part of terra firma had a monumental impact on her life, and her conversations with the locals have been priceless. In addition, taking in their rich art and culture further expanded her worldview.

Neely says, “Diverse cultures have opened my eyes and my heart to the majesty of the world. “I want to encourage others to explore and experience that.”

In 2021, she traveled to Iraq and spent time meeting some of the natives and exploring ruins, including a caravanserai, an ancient roadside inn, in the town of Koya in the Kurdish region of Iraq. She also visited the 1,600-year-old St. Matthew’s Monastery in Mount Alfaf, in that section of Iraq.

She says, “I have experienced the rich tapestry of the desert and sea, and the warm and welcoming embrace of the people who live there, who share their stories with me, and whose lives, enriched by their art and culture, enrich and expand my worldview and understanding.”

Purposeful Travel

The list of places Franci Neely has visited includes Mozambique, Angola, Fiji, Israel, Morocco, India, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and England. However, it’s the people she’s met along the way who inspire her with the most meaningful memories.

She says, “Around the world, one can have human connections that are significant even if you don’t share a single word in common. You can see it in the eyes when you make a connection.”

Being receptive to new experiences and cultures makes travel even more worthwhile. Neely states, “I have a lot to learn, and maybe we can teach each other, [or] share with each other.”

She had an extraordinary encounter while visiting a village encircled by rice terraces in the Philippines. The ancestors of the Igorot people carved the rice terraces into the Cordillera Central mountains at approximately 4,900 feet above sea level in Ifugao. While touring the spot, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, Neely formed a longtime friendship. “I met a woman named Virginia, who is now my pen pal. She and I just had this connection. She really doesn’t speak English, so her daughter writes to me on Virginia’s behalf,” says Neely. “Virginia and I just looked at each other, and I felt like she was my sister.”

During a voyage to Batete, Equatorial Guinea, Neely was befriended by a resident of that charming colonial village. His name is Roberto Selso. “Roberto was very happy to share history and a handshake with me. We stood by a 200-year-old home that originally belonged to his grandfather or great-grandfather,” Neely says. “It’s wooden, [and] these structures are vestiges of the colonial history of this country, populated by Portuguese and then Spanish [people].”

Franci Neely was especially taken by the denizens of Cameroon. She says, “They cherish their traditions. Even if some of these people live in the cities, they often travel to the Grassfield kingdoms to practice their traditions.”

She admires that people in Africa, South America, Central America, large parts of Asia, and countries including Guatemala are mindful of their culture and history. “I happen to have a particular love for Guatemala and the Western Highlands. It’s amazing. So with all the hardship that they have, [and] there’s poverty, [they] just had work to survive,” says Neely. “They are renewed and invigorated and revitalized by their culture and their traditions and their togetherness in a positive way instead of a negative way.”

Sometimes she feels so emotionally connected to, or moved by, an individual that she gives them the clothes right off her back. “There are lots of ways to be caring and giving. [Occasionally] If someone, in particular, touched my heart, I have given them something I was wearing,” Neely says. “That happens when there is a really deep, personal connection without the prior intention of doing so.”

She hopes her experiences will inspire others to venture outside of their comfort zones and visit more remote places. “Go visit the Western Highlands of Guatemala, the Grassland kingdoms of Cameroon, and Upper Mustang in Nepal,” she says. “You’ll find volcanoes, lakes, and fascinating villages like Quetzaltenango in the Guatemalan Highlands; rich tribal rites and ceremonies in the Grassland kingdoms of Cameroon; and traditional Tibetan culture in Upper Mustang.”

For those who can’t embark on such extensive traveling, Neely’s photography website offers a glimpse of how others live around the globe.

1. No place is more prone to car accidents

Drivers may think that if they live in a major metropolitan area, their chances of getting in a wreck are higher because the traffic is worse. Instead, our nation’s suburbs may actually hold the dubious honor of being the most dangerous areas to drive.

2. You can be fined for having an accident

Drivers who are involved in an accident resulting in property damage will be required to pay for the damages. This is true even if you were not the one responsible for the accident. This is part of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (NTCSA), also known as the Vehicle Code.

3. It’s best to be the one at fault

If you’re involved in a car accident, you may take full responsibility for your actions, assuming that the other driver was at fault. However, you should consider this: It is much easier to prove that another person was at fault for an accident than it is for you. That’s why it’s best to look through the other driver’s car and know what damage they were responsible for before your insurance company settles on a final settlement offer.

4. Some car accident long island injuries are never reported

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that as many as 10 million people are injured in car accidents each year, but that only about half of those injuries are ever reported to police. In fact, as many as 25% of those who don’t report these injuries say they did so because they felt ashamed for not being able to keep their vehicles under control.

5. The Long Island Expressway is among the most dangerous roads in the country

The Long Island Expressway, the largest and busiest highway on Long Island, has been ranked as one of the most dangerous roads in the country. The NHTSA gave this road a “Highway Safety Score” of 14 out of 100.

6. It’s a good idea to remove your license plates

Because license plates are a great identifying tool for police, it’s a good idea to remove them from your vehicle when you’re not using it. Some states, such as New York, will fine you if your plates are visible but obscured by snow or sand.

7. Most car accidents happen on Sunday mornings

There are several reasons for this, including the fact that there is more traffic on Sundays than during other times of the week. Also, many people travel more leisurely on Sundays since they tend to have more time available. This means that the chances of a car accident long island are higher, even if you drive at the same speed as you do during other times of the week.

8. You can be fined for not wearing your seat belt

When you’re riding in a motor vehicle, you should always be wearing your seat belt. If you’re not, you will receive three points against your driving record. This is true even if someone else was responsible for the accident, as there’s no way to prove that an unbuckled driver caused an accident.

A Way of Life Revisited

There’s really no going back to the “old days.” Most people wouldn’t want to anyway. There are a lot of good things to be said about modern amenities. But many people still have the desire to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life every now and then. They like to:

• Fish
• Hunt
• Hike
• Camp or Simply Observe Nature

Fishing

Anyone who’s fished will tell you it can be a peaceful experience, punctuated by moments of exhilaration. Whether you dip a cane pole in still water or get out on an open gulf, fishing can be fun. And there is nothing like fresh fish for dinner! But fishing, like hunting or camping, requires the right tools and knowledge. A mentor helps, and the right outfitter for your gear is important, as well.

Hunting

There are so many varieties of game it is impossible to more than mention hunting in a general way. But, again, the right skills and tools are vital. If you haven’t hunted or fished much, it’s wise to go a few times with someone who has and knows what they’re doing. The right weapon and training for your particular hunting outing are very important. Familiarity with the safety and general characteristics of any weapon utilized, rifle or handgun, is an absolute necessity. And, really, important as well, is making sure you have all the rest of the gear essential for your outing.

Hiking

One enjoyable aspect of hiking is the opportunity to get a bit off the beaten path. But, like the rest of these outdoor activities, it pays to be prepared. Some training in areas that are closer to civilization is beneficial before you attempt anything grand, like Angels Landing at Zion or Appalachian Trail! Get familiar and comfortable with your gear. A well-built backpack and dependable hydration source are essential. Comfortable hiking shoes are a must. Your level of physical fitness should be equal to the challenge. A First Aid kit is a necessity. So are a compass and a basic survival kit. Weather forecasts should be checked. Someone should be notified where you plan to be and for how long. That might sound trite, but people die out in the wilderness every year.

Camping or Just Observing Nature

This country has a multitude of areas that are still wilderness, thanks to our national parks and wilderness preservation policy. So many of these are worth visiting. Zion National Park is an excellent place to combine outdoor activities and camping. Many other areas, such as Yosemite National Park, are wonderful, as well. When utilizing an unfamiliar or new tent, it should be set up in the backyard or somewhere for a test trial before your trip. All other gear should be tested. Those who have experienced getting out in the great outdoors, whether it’s to hunt or fish or just enjoy a small piece of the wilderness, know how satisfying, peaceful, and just plain fun that can be when you are properly prepared.

The Great Outdoors

Folks today come from ancestors who lived in areas that were wild. They were of hardy stock, self-reliant and independent. Much of their food they either shot or grew themselves. The right weapons and gear were a necessity for many then, and they still are today. Mastering the necessary skills for any outdoor endeavor can be both fun and rewarding. A respected and knowledgeable outfitter such as Hinterland Outfitters can help you make sure you have the equipment you need to enjoy the great outdoors. The rest is up to you. Nature calls!

Marc Swanson, SeaWorld’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that the 2021 Q2 results enhanced the first quarter’s upward-trending financial performance. “Our strong financial performance through the first half of the year underscores both the resilience of our business and our commitment to emerging from this extraordinary environment as an even stronger and more profitable business.”

“During the second quarter, we also generated record Free Cash Flow that further bolsters our already strong balance sheet. Our pricing and product strategies, along with the strong consumer demand environment, continued to drive higher realized pricing and strong guest spending, resulting in record total revenue per capita in the quarter,” Swanson stated.

2021 Q2 Financial Report Highlights

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. reported improvements in key operational metrics during 2021 Q2. These positive results reflected ongoing collaborations between the company’s Board of Directors and the Management Team.

Total Revenue

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. achieved $439.8 million in total revenue throughout 2021 Q2. This record number represented an increase of $421.8 million from 2020 Q2 and $33.8 million (or 8.3%) from 2019 Q2. This higher number resulted primarily from increases in admission per capita and in-park per capita spending figures.

Net Income

The Company reported a record net income of $127.8 million for the quarter. This number reflected an increase of $258.8 million from 2020 Q2. Similarly, SeaWorld’s 2021 Q2 net income was $75.1 million (42.7%) higher than the 2019 Q2 figure.

Adjusted EBITDA

The company’s adjusted EBITDA reached $218.8 million in 2021 Q2. This record figure was $272.7 million higher than the 2020 Q2 number. In comparison to the 2019 Q2 adjusted EBITDA, the 2021 Q2 metric showed an increase of $69.1 million (or 46.2%). These positive outcomes resulted from higher total revenues and a corresponding drop in operating, sales, general, and administrative costs.

Admission per Capita

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s admission per capita saw an increase of 16.5% to $41.87. This higher figure resulted from the company’s successful pricing strategy and the admissions product mix’s net impact. The 2021 Q2 admission per capita increased 18.8% over the 2019 Q2 figure.

In-park per Capita Spending

Aggregate in-park per capita spending rose 11.6% to $33.84 over the 2020 Q2 figure. The 2021 result was also 22.7% higher than the 2019 Q2 number. These positive outcomes resulted from higher realized prices and fees and a rise in guest spending. An optimized product mix and new, enhanced, or expanded in-park offerings were also contributing factors. Strong consumer demand continued during the first half of 2021.

Cash Flow from Operations

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. experienced a record $229.7 million cash flow from operations for 2021 Q2. During this period, the company’s Free Cash Flow reached a notable $200 million level.

Executives’ Collaborations Drive Forward Progress

In April 2021, SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson gave an IAAPA Virtual Conference keynote speech. He linked the company’s successful navigation of its 2020-2021 economic challenges to the ongoing collaborations between its Board of Directors and Management Team.

Specifically, Swanson recognized the leadership of Scott Ross, Founder and Managing Partner of Hill Path Capital and Chairman of SeaWorld’s Board of Directors. “Having a large investor on the Board allowed us to align goals and move even more confidently and decisively,” Swanson emphasized.

“That collaboration allowed us to address our operational costs and maximize our financial flexibility, giving us some breathing room to make difficult decisions with some degree of confidence,” he remarked. Strategic decisions included the deferment or elimination of non-essential expenses and substantial decreases in capital spending.

In May 2021, following the release of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s 2021 Q1 earnings, Board Chairman Scott Ross mentioned the executive team’s contributions to the company’s performance. Specifically, he recognized CEO Marc Swanson and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Elizabeth Castro Gulacsy.

SeaWorld Earns Two Awards

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. recently earned two awards for its quality guest experiences. In a 2021 nationwide poll, USA Today’s readers voted SeaWorld Orlando the United States’ Best Amusement Park. Readers named SeaWorld Orlando’s Mako thrill ride as the country’s top rollercoaster.

CEO Marc Swanson acknowledged the awards and recognized the parks’ team members who contribute to SeaWorld’s success. “We are thrilled to receive these awards and proud of the ambassadors in our parks that help deliver amazing guest experiences,” Swanson concluded.

Best Sport Touring Motorcycle Tires

Of all your motorcycle parts, tires are the most important, and they must be designed for your bike’s make. If you have a sport touring motorcycle, you love the sleekness of sports bikes but prefer long-term travel over speed. Also called sports-tourers, these bikes need tires that can handle lots of rain and puddles and that don’t diminish in performance when it gets cold.

The top brands for sport touring motorcycle tires are Kenda, ITP, Michelin, and Dunlop. Each manufacturer includes tires for your front and back wheels in a variety of treads. If you do lots of offroading in your sports-tourer, the Kenda K299 Bear Claw has over 200 five-star reviews. Similarly, the ITP Mud Lite ATP has over 150 five-star reviews, and both models are available for your front and back tires.

Best Motorcycle Tires for the Track

If you prefer racing to cruising through the woods, you need a motorcycle that can withstand the unpaved asphalt of the track. While you can take track tires on residential roads, they have extra grooves to move water out of your way when racing. They also become hot more quickly than regular tires, increasing your grip on the track and decreasing your chances of a wipe-out.

The top brands for track tires are Michelin, Dunlop, Continental, and Shinko. Their wheel and tread shapes have less variety than sports-tourer wheels, but different sizes are available based on your preferences and bike. For a standard track bike, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT and the Dunlop Roadsmart III are your best options for tires.

Best Accessories for Bikes of All Kinds

Once you’ve picked out the best tires for your motorcycle, you’re not done shopping. You also need to get the right motorcycle accessories to keep your bike on the road. Experienced motorcyclists recommend keeping an easy-to-use tire pressure monitor with you, especially during cold weather. Brake light monitors, power supplies, and locks are also critical for keeping your motorcycle in top condition.

You also should invest in tools for your own comfort; riding a motorcycle for hours is challenging without a few luxuries. A USB or wireless charger for your phone allows you to call for help in an emergency and listen to music on the road. Helmet locks let you store your helmet safely on your bike while you stop for food or a bathroom break, and earplugs protect your hearing as you zoom down the freeway.

Maintaining your motorcycle means getting your oil changed, checking your brakes, and replacing or recharging your battery. It also means finding the best tires for the kind of riding you do, whether that’s offroading or track racing. Now that you know the differences between tire models, you’re ready to order your newest set with confidence.

According to a WHO survey back in 2016, around 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and 650 million of them are obese. In 2021, the situation has only worsened and is worsening. 

Up to some extent, modernization can be blamed. People have stopped caring about their bodies, fast instant food everywhere, and excessive exposure to TV and smartphone screens has damaged most of us up to an unfortunate extent.

Being obese or overweight is not a disease itself. Still, it will make you a walking house of diabetes, hypertension, blood pressure fluctuations, heart problems, high cholesterol levels, and much more, which will eventually lead to your downfall somehow someday.

So, what to do now? Is there still anything I can do to avoid such an outcome? What about my office, shall I need to left my work? Shall I need to starve myself with an immense workout? Meds? Relax! We know it sounds pretty confusing for you to understand how to change your lifestyle to reduce your weight. 

So, here are some points that will surely help you out.

• Eating healthy

Whatever you eat becomes part of your body. Think about this, eating unhealthy fast food all the time, seven days a week, and you still think that somehow your body will magically process all this without any internal damage, and you’ll get a perfectly well-maintained body by doing nothing? But it doesn’t work that way.

To keep your body in a healthy physical state, you will need to add veggies and fruits to your regular diet. Humans can’t digest vegetables due to lack of cellulase enzyme, allowing the vegetables to act as a natural cleanser, and fruits provide a significant portion of our vitamin needs.

• Watch only your favorite shows.

Sarah works 9-5 in an office. Sarah is very conscious about her diet, but after getting back home, she starts binge-watching every show with an exciting title on Netflix or cable till she falls asleep late at night and back to the office in the morning. So, will Sarah able to achieve a healthy body through this lifestyle? Definitely no!

It’s a universal fact that you need to work out a bit to burn those extra carbs, but instead, most of us spent our time watching every available show moving towards a healthy lifestyle.

• Start wearing jeans

Wait, what? How can wearing jeans will help me out losing weight? It’s a fantastic yet straightforward technique.

It all depends upon your mental perspective. 99 % of us who have an overweight or obese body will reject the idea of wearing jeans because tight jeans can make your body physique more visible to others. But this can be the driving force behind the change in your lifestyle you always wanted. Take this as a challenge and do something about your unhealthy lifestyle and improve till you’re finally comfortable wearing a nice Denim in public.

• Add some exercise to your routine.

According to experts, only taking care of your diet will not be enough to control your body weight. Always try to do some exercise in the morning or whenever you feel comfortable.

The lack of enough physical activity is undoubtedly a bummer for our body health. When we don’t work out, the fats that were supposed to burnout and provide energy for our physical activities start to accumulate in places like adipose tissues and heart passages, leading to horrible results.

So, it’s always a better idea to work out a little bit to keep your body active and energized, or even a better idea is to join a gym or some workout institution under the supervision of an expert trainer, which will surely be a massive boost for your weight loss journey.

• Keep track of your weight.

Why should I keep track of my weight? Will it even do something that will help me lose weight? I know it sounds not so exciting but trusts me, it works!

Keeping track of your weight is a psychological way to help you stay focused on your weight loss lifestyle. It’s not like you should measure your weight daily; doing it once a week will be enough. With the results being visible to you after a week, this will surely raise your spirits and encourage you to do better and better for the goal you’re soon to achieve.

• Have a good night’s sleep

Sleep is like a charging mode of our body. We may not feel it, but during sleep, our body activity is at its peak. Cells and tissues repair themselves, muscles get relaxed, pores opening and clearing the dust-out, all this and much more happening during sleep.

Neglecting sleep results in an imbalance of the natural rhythms and patterns of the body, resulting in a series of illnesses and excessive weight gain.

• Follow the 3-meal plan.

Have you ever heard of a diet plan? Well, here’s the best one you can follow, proven scientifically.

During the 3-meal plan, you eat three whole meals a day to get yourself energized but remember the essential part! Nothing except the three meals. If you feel hungry and ready to take a light snack thinking that it won’t do much, wait for the mealtime and then eat. This is all this fantastic meal plan requires you to do!

• Reduce alcohol consumption

Alcohol can be a massive hindrance in losing weight for many reasons. It is referred to as ’empty calories’ by nutritionists, meaning that it adds to your calorie count but isn’t a source of energy or nutrients at all. 

It can make it harder to lose weight as it contributes to an alcoholic fatty liver, which can slow down your metabolism. The beer belly metaphor everyone’s heard of is no myth either, as alcoholic drinks like beer add to your calories just like sugary drinks, and end up being stored as fat. It is best to quit alcohol consumption or limit it as best as possible if you’re aiming for a smooth weight loss journey. You can always get help from Greenhouse Treatment Center for better results.

Website traffic is one of the best ways to gauge how well your marketing is going. With more traffic comes more opportunities to sell your products or services.

Using a website traffic checker can help you in quite a few ways, too.

Learn How Much Traffic You’re Getting

Traffic is defined by the number of visitors that you get. Depending on the type of business you have, traffic can yield more e-commerce business, more leads, or simply more people learning about who you are.

You can track your traffic by day, by week, or by month. Either way, you’ll want to set benchmarks. Determine how much traffic you have right now. Then, start working on improving your traffic. Use a website traffic checker periodically as a way to measure your progress.

The more traffic you have, the more it’s going to help you.

It’s a good idea to measure your conversion rate – the percentage of people who become customers after visiting. A good landing page will offer a conversion rate of 5% or more. As such, the more traffic you get, the more people you can convert.

Once you know more about how much traffic you have, you can determine where it’s coming from.

• SEO
• Content marketing
• Social media
• Paid media
• Bloggers and influencers

When you know where the traffic is coming from, it allows you to focus on a specific audience. Additionally, you can make location-specific marketing campaigns.

Determine if Marketing Efforts are Working

There are so many ways for you to drive traffic to your website. As you explore different options, you’ll want to see how effective they are.

SEO is one of the most effective ways to drive traffic as it ensures that you’re visible in the search engines. Combine keyword density with impressive content and you can have a recipe for success.

You’ll want to embrace as many channels as possible simply because you might not know where you’re getting your traffic. It could be tutorials on YouTube, posts on Facebook, or even paid ads. With the right tracking tools, you can get the info you need to determine if your marketing efforts are paying off.

Track the Progress of SEO Campaigns

You can run a variety of SEO campaigns. You may want to focus on local SEO and try out a string of short-tail and long-tail keywords. As you play around with SEO tactics, you’ll find that it can lead to more visibility in the search engines.

By using a website traffic checker, you can see how much more traffic you’re getting. If you see an increase in traffic month after month, you know your efforts are paying off.

Of course, SEO is never-ending. The moment you pause is the moment that the competition decides that it can take you. New content and new keyword research are critical to helping you maintain your rank. Further, you’ll want to ensure you’re constantly adding backlinks to help you with ranking in Google and the other major search engines.

Consider How Other Sites are Performing

You should be concerned not only about your site but other sites, too. For example, if you want to obtain backlinks, you’re going to connect with bloggers. You’ll ask them to incorporate your links into their text – and you may even provide them with content for your blog.

There’s no need to connect with just any blog. You need to connect with a blog that has high traffic. By using a website traffic checker, you can confirm that the traffic stats they give you are accurate.

Additionally, you should know how well your competition is doing. Particularly when you want to establish a benchmark, find out the levels of traffic your competition has. If they’re significantly higher than you, it shows that you’ll have to up your game.

You should always be researching to improve your position and understand what’s happening with your traffic. Once you gain plenty of traffic regularly, you can start to focus on conversion rates.

When you boost both your traffic and your conversion, it can make it easier for you to achieve considerable growth. All you have to do is utilize the right tools to manage the process.

It’s easy to fixate on your list of wants when buying a used car. Equally important, however, is knowing what to look out for when shopping for a used vehicle. 

Here are some things to avoid when buying a used car. 

Focusing Too Much on Monthly Payments

It makes really good sense to take a careful look at the estimated monthly payment of a used car. Getting to see an estimated monthly payment allows you to easily tell if a used car will fit into your overall budget. But there’s more to consider here than just the monthly payment alone. 

A low payment can simply be due to the fact a loan is stretched out over a longer period of time, which will actually make it so you end up paying more for the vehicle due to interest. This is particularly important to consider with used cars because loans tend to come with substantial interest rates. Furthermore, if the car is quite old, you might end up having to continue paying a loan even after you’re no longer able to drive the car. This can actually hurt you financially in the long term. 

While the calculated monthly payment is definitely something to consider, it’s essential to think about it on a deeper level before pulling the trigger on buying a used car. 

Not Test-Driving and Vetting the Vehicle

Many people think it’s ill-advised to buy clothes without trying them on first. You can’t know if something fits right if you haven’t worn it. If we take this same idea and apply it to used cars, it should make perfect sense why you don’t necessarily want to buy one without taking it for a test drive.

When it comes to used cars, you’re never going to be able to have a total guarantee of the quality of the vehicle. When shopping online, the more reliable used car sites are going to have vehicle history reports and vet sellers. However, even if the party selling the car is honest and has good intentions, that doesn’t ensure the car is going to be right for you. 

Test-driving a vehicle allows you to do a few important things. First, you’ll get to just get a feel for the car itself. If you’re uncomfortable or don’t like how it drives in a short test period, you’re probably not going to like it for years to come. Additionally, a test drive is when you get to get an idea for the condition of the vehicle. If it’s making weird noises, or there are a bunch of lights popping up on the dashboard, there’s a good chance the vehicle has some issues hidden under the surface. 

Thinking You Can Identify All Issues

Following up on the previous point, it’s a major mistake to think you’ll be able to identify all issues with a used car on your own. Unless you’re a mechanic, you’ll want to have one look at any used car before you buy it, even if you trust the seller. There can be many issues hidden under the surface that would never occur to someone who doesn’t see them all the time. 

Obsessing Over Insignificant Details

Of course you want to get a used car with all your desired features and paint color. At the same time, these things aren’t going to be as essential as whether the car is mechanically sound. While it’s worth sifting through options to get close to your ideal, the perfect car doesn’t really exist for anyone. Therefore, you should focus first on the big picture things in a used car, such as overall mileage, fuel efficiency, whether it has been in accidents, or if there are impending repairs, rather than minor things like spoilers and heated seats. 

Vehicles with Known Problems

One of the major benefits of buying a used car instead of a new one is you can avoid vehicles that ended up having chronic issues due to how they were designed or built. While a few minor defects might not be the end of the world, others are certainly worth avoiding. For instance, vehicles affected by the Volkswagen clean diesel scandal might be worth avoiding, even if they’ve been retrofitted to actually comply with standards. It can often be more complicated and costly to repair used cars that have issues such as this. 

Ultimately, you want buying a car to be an exciting experience. While this can and should be the case, you should temper some of the enthusiasm with prudence. Following these tips can help you do just that. 

Operating a motorcycle requires a special set of skills, both physical and mental. Motorcycles are less visible than larger vehicles, and are less stable when road conditions turn poor. Motorcyclists then must be very alert and aware of what’s happening around them at all times.

Unfortunately, even the most conscientious motorcyclist can become a victim to an accident. Often, these accidents are the result of other drivers who are not paying attention or are driving recklessly. The reality of motorcycle accident facts and statistics may be alarming to readers who are not familiar with this type of accident.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The number of motorcycle accidents and their causes may be alarming to many readers. Still, it is important for anyone who uses the roadway to understand how and why these accidents occur, and take steps to prevent them.

Data from 2018 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows the following statistics about motorcycle accidents:

• There were 4,985 fatalities among motorcyclists
• This number accounts for a 5% decrease in motorcyclist fatalities
• Motorcyclists were 27 times more likely to be killed than drivers of other vehicles
• 28% of motorcycle riders who were killed were intoxicated at the time of the accident
• There were 82,000 injuries in motorcycle accidents
• The annual cost of motorcycle fatalities is more than $1 billion

These numbers represent people who died or lost a loved one in a tragic accident, many of which could have been prevented.

Facts about Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles do not have the same amount of protection as passenger vehicles. Therefore, when a crash happens, there is an increased risk of injury or death. The most common factors that cause motorcycle accidents include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Drivers turning left without looking for motorcycles
• Unsafe lane changes
• Sudden stops

Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to poor weather and roadway conditions and roadway hazards. Motorcycles can easily wreck when there are potholes, slippery surfaces, or even leaves on the road. Some accidents are also the result of mechanical defects or faulty motorcycle parts.

But not all motorcycle accidents have to end so tragically. In fact, the NHTSA and other government agencies estimate that if more motorcyclists wore helmets, less would die in motorcycle accidents.

Wearing a helmet decreases the risk of death in a motorcycle accident by 37%. It reduces the risk of serious head injury by 69%. Sadly, even though hundreds of lives could be saved by more consistent helmet use, many states refuse to adopt mandatory helmet laws.

Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, The Dixon Firm, PC wants to hear from you. Our motorcycle accident attorneys understand the nature and severity of these accidents, and we can help you get maximum compensation.

By working with an auto accident lawyer in Atlanta, you can get the compensation that you need for your injuries, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. You don’t have to allow the recklessness of others to wreck your life.

What the Most Trusted Car Batteries Are

Given the significant variation in battery sizes and performance from year to year, it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint just one make or model of a battery that is “best.” Moreover, even those that come highly recommended may perform poorly in your particular vehicle. Ideally, you should check your car’s manual or refer to a fit guide before shopping for a car battery.

All that being said, there are some features of a battery that make it better than others. If you’re in the market for a trusted vehicle battery, check the following:

•     Age: Look for a battery that is less than six months old. If you can find one that is three months or younger, even better.
•      Warranties: Car batteries with extended warranties typically offer optimal performance. Try to get a battery with a longer-than-average free replacement period.
•     Type: Compare the pros and cons of a lead-acid battery and an absorbed glass mat one.
•      Fit: The battery you choose should fit exactly and have terminals in the correct place.
•      Reserve Capacity: Average batteries offer 1.5 hours of power after the charging system fails (which may happen if, say, you accidentally leave your headlights on). Higher performing batteries offer two hours.
•      Battery Life: Opt for a battery with a high battery life score.

How to Replace Your Honda CRV Battery

When your 2016 Honda CRV battery dies on you, the first thing you need to do is locate it. It should be easily accessible on either side of your vehicle’s frame. Identify the battery terminals and disconnect them, beginning with the negative. Remove the old battery and install the new one. Reconnect first the positive terminal and then the negative. Use a wrench to tighten the clamps, close the hood and then test the battery by starting your car. Don’t forget to dispose of your old battery properly and in a responsible way.

Maintaining Your New Battery

You can save yourself significant time, money and hassle by taking steps to extend the life of your new battery. Some tips for doing so include limiting short rides, as short rides prevent your battery from fully charging; remembering to turn off all lights when exiting the vehicle; checking and tightening your battery terminals regularly; cleaning the terminals regularly to prevent corrosion; limiting AC, radio and the use of other functions when idling; and maintaining your vehicle as a whole.

Routine maintenance can go a long way toward preserving the life of your battery. When your battery does fail, however, shop for a new one from a reputable auto parts store.