 Next time you complain about a speeding ticket, remember that there are much sillier things you could get in trouble for. Here’s a list of some of the weirder traffic violations we’ve heard of at DCH Kay Honda:
- It’s illegal to wear a blindfold while driving in Alabama. It’s dangerous in all states.
- It’s illegal to drive in Alaska with a dog tethered to your roof.
- It’s illegal in Eureka, California to use the road as a bed.
- In Glendale, California, it’s illegal to jump from a car going over 65 mph. It’s also stupid.
- In England, it’s illegal to drive on the right side of the road. Of course they think the U.S. law against driving on the left side of the road is weird.
- In Connecticut, it’s illegal to hunt from a car, even if it’s painted bright orange.
- There’s no driving through playgrounds in Georgia, but it is kind of fun.
- Thirty days in jail await any hooligan who screeches his tires in Derby, Kansas.
- It’s illegal for women to wear a housecoat while driving in California.
- Tourist states like Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and California enforce laws against driving too slow.
- A fine awaits those who allow vehicular molestation by their pets in Kentucky.
- Don’t blare your horn at a restaurant after 9:30 P.M. in Little Rock, Arkansas or you’ll get a side of ticket with that burger.
- Don’t park in front of Dunkin Donuts while in Maine. It won’t be worth the trip.
- Don’t let road rage get the best of you in Rockville, Md. Swearing from a vehicle is a misdemeanor.
- Running into a pedestrian in Sarasota, Florida is only a $78 fine.
- It is illegal to spit from a car or bus in Marietta, Georgia. It is, however, OK to spit from a truck.
- There is no disrobing in your car in Sag Harbor, New York.
- In Dunn, North Carolina, it’s illegal to play in traffic…
- or drive on the sidewalk…
- or drive through a cemetery.
- Do not leave your car door open longer than necessary in Oregon.
- Don’t use your car to prove physical endurance on an Oregon road.
- Hilton Head, South Carolina forbids the storing of trash in your vehicle.
- It’s legal to eat road kill in West Virginia. Yummy!
- Police officers must honk their horn or flash their lights and wait at least three minutes before breaking up any romantic goings-on in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
- You can’t change your clothes in your car in Evanston, Illinois with curtains drawn.
- The ice cream man has been banned in Indianola, Iowa.
- The dead poultry delivery man has been banned on Kansas Avenue in Topeka, Kansas.
- You’ll get fined if your truck leaves a mess in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
- You can’t honk the horn of someone else’s car in University City, Missouri.
- There’s no tree planting in the middle of the street in Blairstown, New Jersey.
- There’s no running out of gas in Youngstown, Ohio.
- It’s illegal to shoot whales from your car in Connecticut.
- There is no rutabaga street planting in Chico, California.
- Spilling your margarita on the street is illegal in Hermosa, California.
- Fancy bike-riders should avoid Galesburg, Illinois.
- Absolutely under no conditions should you throw your Red Ryder into a street in Iowa.
- Benches are not allowed on the street in Reno, Nevada.
- Roller-skaters and cars cannot share the road in Canton, Ohio.
- Assembly members in Georgia cannot be ticketed while the Georgia State Assembly is in session.
- It’s OK to drive on the sidewalk in Oregon…as long as you yield to pedestrians.
- You must give an audible signal while passing a car in Rhode Island.
- It’s illegal to ride a camel in Nevada.
- Don’t ride an ugly horse in Washington.
- You can’t cross the street while walking on your hands in Hartford, Connecticut.
- Some birds actually have the right away on Utah streets.
- It’s illegal to start a car in Denmark if there’s someone under it.
- You can’t drive a car in England unless you’re in the front seat.
- Skateboarders in Florida need a license.
- Moose are forbidden to mate on city streets in Alaska.
 When you join thousands of other commuters on the road early in the morning, it’s important that you are in a good state to drive. As the working week takes its toll, it can become harder to stay completely alert at the wheel, but if the road doesn’t have your full attention, then you’re potentially putting yourself and other road users at risk. It’s important to wake up properly before your morning commute and at DCH Kay Honda we’ve got five tips to help you do it.
It takes time to wake up properly, so it should go without saying that you need to allow yourself enough time before your morning commute. Set the alarm with plenty of time to get up and get yourself ready without having to rush around. Avoid that snooze button, too. It can actually make it harder to get up. When the alarm goes off, just get up and get going.
Establishing a morning routine is often a good idea, as it helps your body adjust to the day. Rather than finding endless ways to save time in the evening (and therefore encouraging yourself to stay in bed longer and longer) try and make better use of your time before you set out for a commute. Shower and shave, feed the pets, watch the morning news, make lunch, and sort out your paperwork for the day so that when it’s time to leave, you feel settled and alert. It’s great to give your mind things to focus on before you step behind the wheel.
If you’re a very heavy sleeper, then you may need some extreme methods of waking up. That could include a cool shower, loud music, and a number of different alarms. You may not be popular with other members of the household, but if it’s the only way you can guarantee getting to work on time, then so be it. Many commuters find that a burst of exercise really helps them wake up. Consider going for a morning run or swim (if you can). Even a few exercises at home can start you up for the day too.
Have a healthy breakfast. A breakfast kick starts your metabolism and sets your body up for the rest of the day. Commuting on an empty stomach is likely to make your energy reserves even lower. Avoid heavy, cooked breakfasts which are comprised of foods that are rich in fat and calories. Opt for fresh fruit, cereals, and juice, all of which can boost your vitamins and give you a slow-release of energy that should keep you alert until lunchtime.
Many commuters enjoy a caffeine boost first thing in the morning. Caffeine stimulates your brain and nervous system, making you feel more alert and sharpening your responses. Fresh coffee has a high caffeine content, so a cup of coffee before you hit the road can often help you feel much more awake. Allow some time before you start driving for the caffeine to kick in, and don’t drink too much, or your commute might need to be interrupted by a visit to the bathroom.
As much as you probably dread your daily commute, you should never underestimate the importance of being at your best. Take the time to wake up properly and ensure that you remain safe behind the wheel at all times.
 Many car drivers experience problems with their car battery during the winter. Damp, cold weather can wreak havoc with this critical car part. Many an early morning has been made more stressful by a car battery that doesn’t want to work. However, the warmer summer months are not entirely plain sailing when it comes to your car battery, with the sun and hot temperatures posing challenges. At DCH Kay Honda we have some tips for caring for your car battery during the summer.
Excess heat
The excess heat of summer can cause problems for the car battery. If the car is left in the sun for a long period of time or out on the road, the internal temperature can soar. The excess heat can cause the battery fluid to evaporate, which can damage the internal parts of the battery. If the components fail, the battery could eventually stop working entirely, which could be disastrous for you.
Checking the battery and electrical system
Before the summer starts, ask your service department to check the battery and electrical system. An expert eye may identify problems before they become too serious. While you may need to spend a bit of cash up front, you could easily discover that this is a good investment in the long run. As a general rule, if your car battery is more than three years old, you should have it fully tested to see how much more life there is in it.
Additional Battery Pressure
Even if the battery checks out, it is important to look after it during the summer months to ensure that it works at maximum efficiency. Ensure that you check your battery on a regular basis, and certainly before every long journey. Add distilled water as necessary and make sure that you carry additional distilled water for long journeys. Remember that the battery may be under additional pressure on long journeys. Idling in traffic, air conditioning, and the use of electronic devices such as GPS systems or portable DVD players can all place additional demands on your battery.
Battery Cleanliness
It is also important to keep the battery clean. Excess dust or dirt on the battery can become a conductor which, in turn, can drain battery power. Accumulated corrosion on the battery terminals may insulate the battery and inhibit the flow of current. Both these things can add additional pressure to the battery. You can easily clean the battery and terminals with an old toothbrush. Always clean the battery before the car heats up. Contact our service department for more information.
Cars have a way of transforming the human personality, especially when a person slips behind the wheel. Nice, normal, relaxed people can transform into monsters that threaten the fabric of society. Wondering how driving changes you? Take this quiz from us at DCH Kay Honda to find out. An answer key at the end will help you interpret your answers.
- You’re on a two-lane road (one lane in each direction) with a double-yellow line in the center. You are behind a driver that is moving at about 20 mph (the speed limit is 45). What do you do?
- Ride up to the car’s bumper while leaning on your horn, flashing your lights, and waving vulgar sign language out your window.
- Pass the car illegally on the left or right to get in front of it and then slow down to about 10 mph to teach that driver a lesson.
- No one says any one person must go the speed limit.
- Establish a safe following distance and set your cruise control to match the speed of the car in front of you and enjoy the scenery.
- You are driving on an interstate highway where the speed limit is 55. How fast are you driving?
- The capabilities of my car and the appearance of flashing blue lights are the only speed limits I know.
- I go 8 mph over the speed limit at all times. If I’m feeling lucky, I’ll jack that up to 15 or 20.
- I will go 55, but I see the speed limit is changing up ahead, so in a few seconds I can lawfully jack up my speed to 65.
- I’m afraid my speedometer reads too fast, so I’ll go about 10 mph slower than the speed limit just to be safe.
- You’re approaching an intersection that has a light that just turned yellow. You’ve stopped for 15 red lights already, so you don’t think you should have to stop again. What do you do?
- Put the pedal to the metal and run it. You must break the cycle to get better luck.
- Use your illegal traffic light changer to give yourself a green light.
- Stop, but complain about how the government is making you late.
- Calmly stop, knowing that you have planned enough travel time so you won’t be late.
- What part of your car do you appreciate the most?
- The gas pedal.
- The nitrous oxide power boost system.
- The all-around airbags.
- The fuel economy rating.
- According to your belief system, who or what makes the roads you travel most dangerous?
- Police.
- Traffic lights.
- People who don’t wear their seatbelt.
- Poorly maintained roads.
- Why did you get your last ticket?
- The cop saw my “Life is Good” bumper sticker and wanted to prove it wrong.
- I was the slowest speeder out there.
- OMG. I had a burnt-out taillight and didn’t even know it! Thank you officer!
- Failure to drive the minimum speed.
If you answered A or B to all six questions, you are an aggressive and irresponsible driver. You should check into a counseling program immediately. If you answered A or B to three or more questions, you are an annoying driver who could lose control at any moment. If you answered A or B to zero to two questions, you are very relaxed and responsible, but you might become a victim of road rage.
 There are many important preparations to make before driving. Checking the tire pressure, oil level, counting the wheels, making sure you have some bottled water handy, and compiling the most awesome driving playlist – the list is endless. But although it’s less obvious, getting a good night’s sleep is also vitally important before you slip behind the wheel in the morning, for several reasons. Read on to learn why from our team at DCH Kay Honda.
Good quality sleep is vital for your health, but it’s also important for driving – the last thing you want to do is to fall asleep at the wheel! Although that’s the most dangerous consequence of driving without the benefit of a good night’s sleep, and can result in a serious accident, tiredness can also cause lapses in concentration. The last thing you want when driving a large chunk of metal and glass down a road full of other vehicles going at high speeds is for your attention to wander.
Morning driving can be challenging at the best of times, with low sun threatening to dazzle motorists, and this does not mix well with the bleary vision of someone who has not had a good night’s sleep. Bleary vision is of course another thing that you don’t need when driving.
Also, bear in mind that you may be more tired than you realize. Although you may not feel that you’re quite exhausted enough to fall asleep at the wheel, tired drivers have been known to slip into ‘micro-sleeps,’ losing consciousness for a fraction of a second at a time. That can be incredibly dangerous when taking into account the tiny amounts of time drivers need in order to react to a sudden threat or obstacle when driving.
A major danger of driving when tired is that people don’t acknowledge that their wakefulness will have an impact on their performance. Someone driving while suffering from a dreadful hangover is likely to compensate with sunglasses. Someone driving while nauseous is likely to compensate by driving slowly and defensively, aware they’re not on top form. However, drivers who get behind the wheel on little or no sleep think they’ll be fine if they just grab a coffee on the road, and that’s incredibly dangerous, for all the reasons mentioned above.
No matter how long you have been driving, and however comfortable and confident you feel behind the wheel, driving a car is a complex task which requires your full attention. There’s little point in maintaining the car itself and neglecting your own state so that you become a danger to yourself and other motorists. So before driving, always try to ensure you get a good night’s sleep (some people require less than the traditional eight hours, but that’s a good start) so that you take to the road feeling as rested as possible.
 When you pay a fee at a toll booth, you might wonder where your money is going. If you do, you are not alone. Although the assessment and use of tolls varies among cities and states, toll money does a lot to help motorists like you and your community. Read on to learn more from our team at DCH Kay Honda.
Road and Bridge Maintenance
Highways and bridges cost a lot to build, and toll funds can help alleviate these costs. However, motorists longing for a toll-free commute after construction will ultimately be disappointed. The expenses of operating highway infrastructure continue even after the receipt of sufficient funds to pay for them.
Salaries
Toll roads and bridges require many hands to stay safe, clean, and beautiful. These hands, however, usually come with the body of a skilled person who also needs to earn a living. Therefore, every time you hand over your hard-earned dollars at a toll booth, you can take pride in the fact that you are helping to support your friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.
Debt
States often lack the financial resources to pay for major highway projects, so they allow toll authorities to issue debt in the form of bonds. Experts analyze the amount of debt, the amount of traffic, and payment due dates to determine the amount of a toll. If traffic volumes meet projections, the tolls pay for the projects. If not, states often must use tax money to compensate for the shortfalls.
Bureaucracy
People at every level of government involve themselves with roads and bridges and help decide how to spend toll revenue. Connecticut is one state where a longtime controversy over tolls continues to rage. Toll proponents say the state needs extra revenue to keep gasoline taxes low and to fund important highway improvements in the state. Opponents say people do not like tolls and that tolls could cause economic losses.
 Car covers are available in a variety of different materials and are intended to protect both the exterior and the interior of your car from external pollutants and damage. Car paintwork is surprisingly vulnerable, and a car cover can protect the paintwork from the elements and from minor damage like grit or salt on the road. Read on to discover why we at DCH Kay Honda suggest you consider using a car cover this season.
Protecting the condition of your car will protect its re-sale value and will ensure that it remains in attractive condition as long as possible. Buyers of pre-owned cars often desire for the vehicle’s bodywork to be in very good condition, but even if you don’t want to sell the car in the future, the cost of repair work can be significant and is worth avoiding.
Unfortunately, car covers can be frustratingly difficult and time-consuming to fit onto your car, leading many drivers to question just how important it is to have one and how often it needs to be used. Ideally, the cover should be in place whenever the car is not in use because this will maximize the benefits of its protective capabilities. However, it’s worth acknowledging that this is not practical for all car drivers. There are a number of considerations when deciding whether to use a car cover or not.
The location of your car when not in use is very important. If you are in an area where there are lots of birds (for example, on the coast) or where your car is stored under a tree, then you should use the cover as often as possible. Bird poop, sap, and other material from trees can seriously damage your paintwork, and a car cover will offer good protection against this. If your car is parked on a very busy road, then a cover could protect the paintwork from damage caused by grit or stones flicked up from the road surface.
If your car is often left in direct sunlight for any period of time, then a cover will prevent fading of the paintwork and damage to the interior. Leather and plastic upholstery can fade and crack under direct sunlight, and a cover will prevent direct light from causing this kind of damage. It will also help keep the interior of the car cooler, which may subsequently make it more comfortable to drive.
Car covers can also reduce the risk of theft, as they can prevent a would-be thief from quickly accessing the vehicle. A car cover can be a good deterrent if you own an expensive, luxury car, or if you need to leave the vehicle in a secluded location. The age or model of your vehicle may also be a consideration. If you have a classic car, for example, then it is often much more expensive to repair the bodywork, so it’s best to opt for covering it.
It also is worth using a cover whenever your car is not going to be used for a period of time. The cover will prevent dust from building up on the car and blowing into the moving parts. The cover can protect from damp and rainfall in a similar manner and will offer some protection against extreme temperatures.
While car covers may be unwieldy to fit and difficult to store, they are an extremely useful aid in protecting your car and maintaining its condition. Use them as often as possible, particularly when the circumstances put your car at greater risk for damage.
 Cabin air filtration is quite easily the most easily forgotten auto maintenance item in passenger cars. Since their introduction in roughly the early 1990s, more and more cars are equipped with cabin air filters – from a sub-compact to a full-sized luxury car, nearly all cars available in North America now come equipped with them and thus there’s a pretty good chance your car is equipped with one, and a fair to middling chance that it needs replacement. Read on for the details from DCH Kay Honda.
Cabin air filters tend to be buried deep within the dashboard of your vehicle, where the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system are located. They are usually about the size of a standard sized sheet of computer paper, and can vary in terms of material, most common being a cellulose mesh. The cabin air filter is responsible for removing particulate from the air, which can include a whole litany of things you don’t want to be breathing; diesel exhaust, rubber particles, pollen, dust and general air pollution among other things. Since the air entering the car through the heating and air conditioning system has to pass through the cabin air filter, the filter can get clogged quite quickly depending on environmental conditions, and a clogged cabin air filter drastically reduces the overall effectiveness of your HVAC system as it struggles to get air flow that a clean cabin air filter would provide.
Other excellent reasons to change your cabin air filter, besides better circulation, include fresher smelling air and fewer allergens entering the cabin. Many cabin air filters accumulate leaves and other debris that your car winds up ingesting which can lead to musty or stale odors. Ultimately, switching out your cabin air is a small expense that keeps you from inadvertently sneezing months later.
As your cabin air filter is “out of sight, out of mind”, it’s definitely a good idea to get in the habit of having it inspected and replaced regularly. What are the right intervals for you? Talk to our service department about where (and how much) you drive, and they’ll be able to suggest how often your cabin air filter should be replaced or inspected. It’s a small and affordable maintenance item that will ensure you have many miles of driving comfort ahead.
 Kids grow up pretty fast. One minute they’re playing with toy cars, and then, before you know it, they’re ready to take their first driving lessons. Learning to drive is a big deal to many teens because they see the chance to get behind the wheel as the first sign that they’re becoming an adult. For parents, it’s not so straightforward. If your teen wants to drive, the first question you may ask is where you can help them learn safely and without any interference. If you want to help your child on his or her way to that all-important license, this simple guide from DCH Kay Honda will help you learn about the best places for your teen to practice driving.
Many parking lots offer large, open spaces where your teen can practice driving for a good period of time. Choose parking lots that have good lighting, and where there are very few obstacles that a new driver might accidentally collide with. Remember that you are helping your teen learn on private land, which means that you need to make sure there is no risk of damage to property or vehicles. The best thing about many parking lots is that they have lots of clear markings, and wide, easy turns for new drivers to navigate. A parking lot is perfect to help your teen practice all the basic skills, and to learn how the car handles.
Make sure that you pick an appropriate time of day, particularly when your teen is taking his or her first lessons. Clearly, busy periods, when there are lots of other people or drivers around, will not make a good practice spot. Conversely, your teen may feel nervous about learning to drive when it is dark, so an early morning visit could offer the best compromise.
Once your teen has developed more confidence, you can start to take him or her out on the road for more lessons. Clearly, it’s very important to choose quiet roads, where there is very little traffic, until your son or daughter gains a little more confidence. Make sure that you have a list of the skills that you want to teach during each lesson. At this stage, you should focus on visibility, coming to a full stop, driving around curves, driving uphill and other basic types of navigation. Confirm with your teen that they are ready to move on, before you start to drive on busier roads.
Choose busier roads for lessons when you are happy that your child has a good grasp of basic driving skills. On roads and highways, your teen can learn to change lanes, merge into traffic, and cope with the sequence of events at traffic lights. At this stage, you may also want to add in some more complex concepts. For example, take your teen for a lesson at night, when he or she must contend with the reduced visibility. A lesson in wet or very sunny conditions will also help test your teen’s skills, and you can use a variety of different scenarios to help improve learning.
Many parents choose to send their teens on a driver’s education course. A professional driving instructor can offer intensive teaching, and will normally have access to private facilities, where your teen can learn a variety of skills. These courses are not always cheap, but they are a good option for parents who are busy, or for people who live in a very busy neighborhood, where lessons on the road are almost impossible.
If you want to make sure that your kids turn into competent, reliable drivers, it’s important to give them the best possible instruction. Think about the best way to help your children learn to drive, and help keep them safe on the road.
 Winter’s finally over and you’re itching for a vacation. These springtime road trip suggestions from our team at DCH Kay Honda should scratch that itch.
Columbia River Highway. Although wild flowers like the purple Columbia Kitten Tails start blooming in late March, there’s plenty to see and do along the Columbia River all spring, and the later in the spring it gets, the warmer it will be. Highlights along the Columbia River Highway include incredible waterfalls, such as Multnomah Falls, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, and Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest peak at over 11,000 feet.
Palm Springs, California. If the Great Northwest is still a little too far and a little too cold for your spring desires, head south to the desert resort town of Palm Springs. Although there’s an airport nearby, you might find a drive through the Mojave desert from L.A. or Las Vegas a little more pleasant. Outdoor activities abound in the spring. They include Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Canyons, the Coachella Valley Preserve and world-class golf. Palm Springs is best to visit in early to mid-spring. Once the calendar hits May, temperatures soar and you’ll be longing for winter, although the area’s spas are pleasant year round.
The California Coast. Perhaps you prefer ocean over desert. Pick up California’s Pacific Coast Highway in San Francisco and head south, but don’t be in a hurry. The PCH passes through numerous California beach communities all the way down to San Diego. If you want to hit the ocean, and you will because it looks awfully inviting as you’re driving down the coast, throw on a wet suit if you’re north of L.A. and enjoy the waves, the sun, and the laid back atmosphere of the California Coast.
The Carolinas. Whether you prefer the grandeur of the Blue Ridge or Smokey Mountains, wild Atlantic beaches, tiny fishing villages, or historical landmarks, your road trip through the Carolinas can include Asheville, North Carolina, a blend of mountain town and Southern charm with more than 30 art galleries, numerous shops and restaurants and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains; the outer banks, a series of barrier islands stretching over 200 miles; Wilmington, home to blocks of historic buildings and a thriving movie scene; and down into South Carolina where Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand await.
The Tennessee Mountains. Any road trip that involves the Smokey Mountains is bound to make getting there as much fun as arriving. You can start at Knoxville, about 30 miles from Smokey Mountain National Park. Feel free to step out of the car and enjoy a cruise along the Tennessee River. If you feel like a round of golf, head south to Crossville, a small country town surrounded by beauty. You can continue south to Nashville, but you may want to take a detour into Smokey Mountain National Park, where beautiful scenery and outdoor wonder awaits.
Looks like it’s time to get that car tuned up and out on the road this spring! Visit our service department to get your car road-trip ready this season.
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