If you’re like most people, your cell phone is always within arm’s reach. But that should never be the case behind the wheel. Distracted driving is dangerous. And now, your phone can remind you of that every time you’re tempted to pick up.
Download these DriveSafeSD approved phone wallpapers, here to make you think twice about using your phone behind the wheel.
Fall is here. The old flannel in your closet is calling your name, and the pumpkin spice lattes are a-flowing. But more importantly, deer are on the move. Because hunting and mating seasons collide, many deer find their way onto highways, into quiet neighborhoods and, sometimes, right in front of your car. It doesn’t help that South Dakotans have one of the highest risks of hitting an animal while driving. Here’s what to do if man and nature collide.
They’re often most active at dawn and dusk.
Signs are placed in areas with high activity.
You can’t avoid what you can’t see.
You’ll have better visibility, and your headlights might frighten or help deter deer.
It’s not enough to only look at the road. Make sure you’re scanning the sides of roads and ditches.
If you have time to react, this may scare the deer out of the road.
It might seem counter intuitive, but turning quickly could cause more damage than hitting the deer. Quickly swerving may cause you to hit oncoming traffic in the other lane or cause your vehicle to roll. Don’t turn a bad situation worse.
So, you hit a deer. Don’t worry, it can happen to any driver. These instructions will help you navigate the aftermath.
As soon as it’s safe, pull your car to the side of the road away from traffic.
Call emergency services in case of injury, to remove the deer and file a report.
Leave the deer alone. It could be dangerous to approach if it’s still alive.
Document the incident. Take photographs if it’s safe to do so.
Don’t assume your vehicle is okay to drive. Look for loose parts, flat tires etc.
Remember the best way to deal with deer is to prepare in advance. Taking preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of colliding with deer while driving.
Our story begins in the quaint town of Sturgis, South Dakota, a place known for its idyllic charm and serenity. But once a year, an enigmatic event unfolds, transforming this town into a nexus of excitement and adventure. A rally so famed its name conjures a million brazen images. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
On your journey toward certain adventure, we’ve come up with three overlooked safety tips for you to consider.
While cruise control is certainly useful on long stretches of highway, it can be dangerous to rely on all the time. Large groups, swerving scenic rides, congested traffic, these all require attentive riding. Our suggestion? Grab the clutch and ride to the rhythm of the road. You’ll thank us later.
Humans are curious creatures often mesmerized by the drama that unfolds in front of them. Whether that be the police cruiser that pulled someone over, a two-car crash or the giant serpent on the side of the road. Resist the urge to stare and keep your focus.
Some say time itself plays tricks on riders during Sturgis week. But don’t let that defeat you. Never ride too tired — drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. There’s plenty of late nights and fun to be had, but just make sure you have enough shut eye before hitting the road. The same goes for drinking. Sturgis is biker heaven and worth celebrating. Just make sure you don’t mix the two. Many motorcycle fatalities at Sturgis are linked to alcohol. Sober up, ride safe.
A happy ending for our tale depends on you! Enjoy your time at Sturgis and stay safe.
Summer’s back in full swing, which means it’s time to break out the sunscreen, use your PTO and go on a trip. It’s also a great time to practice being safe on the road because, of all the seasons, summer is the most dangerous for drivers according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Don’t go cancelling your plans just yet. Instead, follow these dos and don’ts for a summer of safe driving. You’ll be at the beach in no time.
Do you ever find yourself having to decline a call while driving? Are you bored of the typical “Sorry, I can’t talk right now” response? Same — which is why we’ve brought you a How-To guide to customizing a “decline” message that you’ll be excited to use (because driving distracted is never worth a response).
Grab your phone and go into Settings->Phone (iPhone) or Call Settings (Android).
Scroll until you see “Respond with Text” (iPhone) or “Quick Responses” (Android).
Create the most unique, epic and applicable response message you can think of.
If your go-to message is the average “I’m on my way,” then thanks for reading thus far. However, if you’re looking for something that speaks more to you or your situation, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite custom responses.
If you answered “no,” check out our top tips for keeping yourself and your vehicle safe in blustery conditions. If you answered “yes,” use this to refresh your snow-covered driving skills.
Before you brave the snowy roads, grab your lucky penny and stick it in the treads of each tire. If Abe’s eyes have disappeared, you’re in the clear. If you can still see his forehead, it’s time for new tires.
Make sure your tank is at least ¼ full, if not more. When temperatures start to drop, the chances of frozen fuel lines start to rise, so it’s always a good idea to keep enough gas in the tank to ward off any freezing.
We’ve all seen those people, the ones who clear the bare minimum of snow from their windshield. Don’t be like them. Be diligent in scraping all windows of ice and snow, set your heat to “Defrost” mode and make sure you give your vehicle enough time to warm up before you head out.
Snacks? Check. First-aid kit? Check. The tie blanket you made in 6th grade? Double check. Make sure you have the “what if’s” covered by packing an emergency weather kit, especially if you’re traveling from one town to another.
Whether it’s a light dusting or a full-blown blizzard, our best piece of advice is to stay home unless you absolutely must travel. If so, slow down and increase the distance between you and other cars by at least double — you never know how long it will take to stop.
Ah, the dreaded skid. From black ice to high winds, chances of skidding or sliding increase dramatically during winter months. Our top tip? Steer in the direction of the skid. That way, once you’re out of it, you don’t have to make a last-second over correction.
For this tip, we’d like you to imagine a little kid trying to run up a slide. Got it? Now picture the slide as an icy hill and the little kid as your vehicle. What we’re trying to say is avoid stopping while driving up hills as much as possible. Gravity and ice will always win.
As tempting as cruise control is, especially on long drives, using it during icy or snowy weather isn’t the best idea. Using cruise control can mask the loss of traction until it’s too late to correct, so stay alert and in control.
You did it. Now that you’ve reached your destination, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate as a reward for staying safe on less-than ideal roads.
We’ve got a list of holiday-inspired mocktails that yule never forget. Something else to never forget? How dangerous it is to drink and drive. So, snuggle up, grab your glass and get ready to sleigh the (safe and sober) holiday party game.
Serves: 1
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 Cup raspberry flavored sparkling water
Splash of cranberry juice
1-3 Raspberries
This mocktail is easier to make than your Slide-to-Buy Amazon order. Add the first three ingredients in a fancy martini glass, find a stirrer (or small stick) and garnish with raspberries.
Serves: 2-4
The juice of 1 grapefruit
3 12-Oz cans of ginger ale
1/4 Cup simple syrup
Handful of fresh basil
We love a mocktail that can make an appearance at any meal, any party or any time of day. Juice the grapefruit and mix with the ginger ale and simple syrup. Add your ice, basil and grapefruit rind to a champagne flute for the best non-boozy bubbly.
Serves: 1
2 Oz brewed coffee
1/4 Tsp vanilla extract
1/8 Tsp peppermint extract
2 Oz heavy cream
1 Peppermint stick
Instagram-worthy and refreshing? Count us in. Grab your favorite Old-Fashioned glass, fill it with ice, pour in the coffee, and add in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Slowly “float” the heavy cream over the coffee, plop in your peppermint and be on your merry way.
Serves: 3-5
10-12 Quartered apples
1 Quartered pomegranate
1 Quartered orange
1 Cinnamon stick
4 Tbsp maple syrup
There’s nothing better than a warm cup of happiness on a cold winter day. So, let’s get started. Throw everything into a crockpot, add 5-6 cups of water and cook on low for 6-7 hours. (This is when we suggest taking a nap, going sledding or baking cookies.) Strain the mixture, locate your coziest mug and enjoy.
Serves: 2-4
4 Cups of coconut milk
2 Cups of heavy cream
1 1/2 Tbsp powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 Tsp cinnamon
Pinch of coconut flakes
Known as Puerto Rican eggnog, this mocktail is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Mix all ingredients in a blender, refrigerate overnight and serve in the trendy glassware of your choice. Garnish with coconut flakes, cinnamon and holiday wishes.
Nothing makes a rainy day worse than slipping into a spill. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll stay over the handlebars even when you’re under the weather.
Bad weather rides are mentally taxing. Work in some extra stops to give yourself a well-deserved break. At the end of the day, losing 15 minutes here and there is a small price to pay for the rest of your life. And we’ll go to the grave with that.
First: we recommend wearing gloves 24/7. But they’re even more important in the rain. A slick grip is a quick trip to the business end of the blacktop. So show your gear some love and guard your grip
The first 30 minutes of rain are the most dangerous. This is when the water mixes with any oil on the road, making a slippery situation even worse. Wait out the first little bit or ride even more careful and you’ll be a lot better off.
Easier said than done, right? A soggy cruise is tough enough without making it tougher on yourself. When you tense up, activating your animal fight or flight muscles, you absorb all the little moves your bike makes that much more. So breathe deep. Take it easy. Wear high-viz gear, stay smooth and you can ride confident even when the weather goes south.
Fall is the perfect time of year for brisk rides, breathtaking scenery – and deer leaping into the road to ruin everything.
Deer tend to be more active in the fall due to breeding season, searching for food and having hunters on their tails. And with more deer on the move, that means more potential for one to cross your path while riding or driving. Here’s how you can stay safe.
Always gear up with a full-face helmet, leathers, boots and safety gear to protect yourself in the event of a crash. You can’t control the path of a deer, but you can control how you protect yourself.
You never know when you’ll need to test the limits of your bike in an emergency. Before you ride, make sure your bike is maintained and your brakes are in good condition. See our maintenance videos for some quick tips to make sure your motorcycle’s ready
Deer are most active at sunrise and sunset, after and before they bed down for the night. Due to the angle of the sun, these times can also be tricky for riders and limit your visibility to motorists on the road. Try to keep your rides during peak daylight hours.
Stay alert of your surroundings, noting deer crossing signs and places you may have seen deer before. Scan the roadway repeatedly, making sure to watch shoulders and brush. And don’t limit your efforts to just highways and rural roads – deer can make an appearance anywhere, even in town.
Besides watching for deer crossing signs, there are other ways to identify hot spots for deer. Animals love edge habitat, so use caution around standing corn fields, treelines, orchards, prairie grasses and hedgerows.
Deer travel in packs, so if you spot one, always expect more.
If you’re on a multi-lane road, riding in the center lane is safest, as it gives you more space (and reaction time) on either side. Ride with your headlights on to help illuminate hazards.
If you’re riding in a group, spread out so a sudden tap on the brakes won’t affect your fellow riders. The same goes for other cars on the road. And make sure you obey posted speed limits. Slowing down will give you more stopping distance and reaction time should a deer surprise you.
If you see a deer in the road, use your horn in one long, sustained blast to scare it away.
Avoiding a crash with a deer (or any animal) should always start with wearing the right gear, riding defensively and taking steps toward prevention. By being informed and prepared, you can be safer this fall and all year long.
The beauty of living life on two wheels? You have the freedom to pick up and ride whenever the open road calls. But before you answer, make sure you have everything you need properly packed.
Yes, there’s a difference between tying an old duffle to your bike and properly securing a bag built for motorcycles. And it’s a big one — your safety.
Not quite sure the right way to pack your motorcycle? Follow these tips for a good starting point. Properly packing for a ride may take a little more planning, but which would you rather save: time or your life?
Leave the random packing gear at home. Old gym bags, tarps you found in your garage, etc. won’t withstand rough roads or high winds. Avoid being a safety hazard and get bags, saddlebags and luggage racks specifically designed for riding. Then attach the gear with cords, straps and bungees made for motorcycles so you don’t risk damaging your bike.
Your motorcycle is not meant to carry your life’s possessions. Be practical: only bring what’s necessary and what will fit. Always check the weight limit of your bike and luggage racks to make sure you’re not over. Trying to overload your motorcycle can result in slower stopping times, trouble balancing and, ultimately, a crash.
It’s important to adjust your motorcycle’s suspension and tire pressure to account for the extra weight you packed. Check your rider manual for specific instructions and guidelines. When you pack your bike, keep the load close to the center of gravity and balance the weight evenly on either side to avoid leaning. If you’re riding alone, pack your bags in the passenger seat instead of the luggage rack to ensure your bike stays balanced.
Remember to be conscious of the extra load your motorcycle is supporting. Adjust your stopping time and riding style, because what your bike can handle will change based on how much you’re carrying. Ride like the wind, but ride safely.
