So maybe you have a friend or relative who is STILL completely horrible at driving. Well here's some ideas to help them out, and keep others safe!
Driving Lessons
Short of nominating someone for rehab on Canada's Worst Driver, refresher driving lessons can help correct bad driving habits. Instilling proper technique builds confidence. Many driving schools offer refresher courses.
Parking Sensors
For example, Vancouver-based N-Motion Automotive Products sells the Chinese-made Golden Eye system (four or six sensors) for $150-$300, depending on the application, plus installation if your gift recipient is local. A dashboard display goes from green to red as you near obstacles. Sensors not enough? Canadian Tire offers a wireless colour backup camera for $149.99. It mounts on the licence plate and features night-vision capability, an aid to gauge distances and a 3.5-inch monitor.
Paint Repair Kits
Great for those little door dings they get from parking to close to stuff! Dr. ColorChip offers kits with factory-matched paints that it says can deal with chipped paint and "road rash" in three quick steps that involve no sanding. The kits range from US$39 to US$59, (plus $16.75 shipping to Canada). Canadian Tire has Quixx paint scratch-remover kits for $19.99 that includes a tube of repair polish, finish solution, polishing cloths and sandpaper.
Bluetooth Headset
Some are only $20! With the new cellphone ban possibly starting in January (in New Brunswick) these will be much cheaper than the ticket! A good Bluetooth hands-free, either headset or speakerphone, is an essential tool for the distracted driver for whom no call or text message is unimportant. Research the brands to know what you or they would want!
Auxiliary Lights
Vision is a key factor in safe driving and at night that means good lighting. Consider an upgrade for headlights or adding auxiliary lights. Prices for a pair of H4 halogen replacement bulbs are $70-$100, with auxiliary lighting kits ranging to over $1,000.
Electronic No-Doze
Driver fatigue figures in a lot of accidents and there are devices aimed at keeping your eyes open. The latest is the ASP, for Anti Sleep Pilot, designed in Denmark. The dash-mounted device asks you to perform a simple exercise the first time you use it. Once underway the unit tests your alertness periodically with some touch exercises and your responses help it gauge fatigue and warn you when it's time to pull over for a break.
Traffic Ticket Book
Speeding tickets and other traffic infractions can threaten a driver's licence and boost insurance premiums. So your scofflaw pal might appreciate a copy of Fight Your Ticket, a guide to Canada's traffic-court system, available for $19.99 as an ebook or iBook and $24.99 as a paperback at many bookstores and through online outlets such as Amazon. The authors take you through the steps of the process and possible defences when dealing with potentially expensive traffic transgressions.
Found on MSN Autos
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