If you’ve got an addiction to your phone and have a hard time putting it down, even when you’re driving, you may be putting yourself and other drivers at a higher risk for a car accident. With all of the buzz about texting while driving, most Americans know the dangers of distracted driving.

Luckily, with new technology such as Bluetooth, hands-free and voice-controlled devices, driving with both hands on the wheel is now easier than ever. While using your phone while driving is still not ideal, using a Bluetooth or hands-free device is the first step to reducing your risk for an accident.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will be speaking to Tim Suri, Managing Director at Got2bWireless, a company that sells wireless, hands-free cell phone solutions for your car. Got2bWireless has created voice command and speech-to-text applications for answering calls, responding to email, and sending text messages that allow drivers to stay safer on the road.

If you’ve been looking for the right Bluetooth device for your phone, this is an episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio you won’t want to miss.

[TIP] In many states, drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices while driving. So before you pick up your phone while driving, make sure you check your state’s cell phone laws.

Are you an aggressive driver? Have you experienced road rage more than once in the past few years? If so, you are not alone. American drivers admit that they knowingly drive carelessly or aggressively. [Safedrivingtest.com PDF]

According to studies, differences in personality play a significant role in one’s propensity toward aggressive or dangerous driving.  Stressful situations also increase the probability of aggressive driving.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will talk to Dr. Leon James, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawaii. Dr. James is the head of the Driving Psychology program at the University of Hawaii (Manoa) since 1982 and was recently appointed to the Oahu Traffic Safety Council. Dr. James also runs a website called DrDriving where he provides instructional materials, tests and advice about safe driving habits. Dr. James will be sharing his top tips to help you avoid aggressive driving and stay safe on the road.

According to a 1999 report by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, approximately 56 percent of fatal crashes were a result of reported aggressive driving and according to Dr. James; road rage is a culturally acquired habit as a result of our increasingly stressful and busy lives.

In his congressional testimony to the House of Representatives in 1997, Dr. James argued that the defensive driving philosophy advocated by safety officials and taught in driving schools may actually contribute to aggressive driving rather than helping the problem because defensive driving encourages people to expect the worst from everyone.

Instead, Dr. James advocates for a more cooperative and supportive driving philosophy. To learn more about safe driving tips from Dr. James and his unique perspective on reducing aggressive driving, tune in to this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if cars could speak to other cars and the roads they were driving on? Impossible you say?

Well, this technology may actually be in a car sooner than you think. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Research and Innovative Technology Administration is currently working on a program called IntelliDrive, which is focused on advancing communication between cars and roadway infrastructure to improve the safety and mobility of the U.S. transportation system.

According to the IntelliDrive website, if successfully deployed, IntelliDrive could enhance the safety, mobility and quality of life of all Americans while reducing the environmental impact of surface transportation.

In this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will speak with Kirk Steudel, the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) about driving safety and the use of real-time data on the status on both vehicles to alleviate traffic catastrophe peak periods like rush hour. Steudal has over 20 years of experience at MDOT and can answer questions about IntelliDrive, as well as provide a unique perspective on how your state legislatures can shape your driving experience.

So tune in to Vehicle Vibes radio and join host Marcia Hansen to hear more about driving safety on highways with Kirl Steudel at the Michigan Department of Transportation.

According to the Associated Press survey, 40 percent of women feel they’ve been treated unfairly at a car dealership and one in four women surveyed say they plan on bringing a man along the next time they purchase a car to avoid discrimination.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio,/a>, host Marcia Hansen will be talking to Trish Terranova from WomenBuyCars, a resource dedicated to providing women the information they need to make an informed decision when they are buying and repairing a car. Trish has been in the automotive industry for the 23 years. She is an automotive trainer, consultant and process implementation specialist.

As new car technology improves rapidly, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and finding credible information can be challenging because of the overload of information on the Internet. And once you get to the dealer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by sale people eager to make a sale.

Trish will be able to answer questions you have about finding a reliable dealer, saving money and selecting the best car and accessories. So make sure you tune-in to Vehicle Vibes Radio for a woman’s perspective on stress free ways to purchasing new vehicle.

Meet Team Miller Fisher, America’s female off-road racing team that competed in the 20th anniversary Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morroco in March, and finished in 12th place overall.

The power-duo, Emily Miller and Wendy Fisher, are also known as The U.S. Gazelles. Emily is the driver and Wendy is the navigator. Together, Emily and Wendy were the sole U.S. team in the 20th anniversary Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco from March 13 – 27, 2010.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will speak with Emily and Wendy about their Rallye race and the grueling training process they participated in to prepare for the race. Marcia will also talk with the team about their lives outside of off-road racing. Emily is currently the only woman to “Ironman” the longest off-road race in the U.S. and is a team driver for Rod Hall Racing. Wendy Fisher, is a former U.S. Ski Team member and was recently named one of Freeskier Magazine’s seven most influential women in skiing.

Traditional off-road racing is known as desert racing or “Baja” style racing and is held on government recreational land with tracks between 25 to 50 miles in length. Participants compete in special vehicles modified to withstand the harsh terrain.

Rallye Aicha is a women’s only competition and is often considered more difficult than traditional “Baja” style racing because drivers are not allowed to use GPS or other navigation devices except a compass and a map. Neither binoculars nor cell phones are allowed. The race is won by the competitor who finishes in the shortest distance driven. Although there is no prize money for the winners, proceeds from the race go to support a team of doctors that care for locals throughout the year.

Whether you are an off-road racing fanatic or are just interested in hearing an incredibly empowering story of two women who represented the U.S. in the challenging Rallye Aicha des Gazelles race, this Vehicle Vibes Radio episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Everyone knows that buckling up can save lives, but have you ever thought about how to protect your pet in your car? According to national safety statistics, the number of pets traveling in cars is at an all-time high and most of these pets travel unrestrained, putting them at considerable risk in the event of an accident.

While we don’t always think about buckling up our pets in the car, an unrestrained animal can be a serious safety hazard. Unrestrained pets can distract drivers and cause accidents, and in the event of a crash, an animal that is not properly restrained can become a flying projectile. At 30 miles per hour, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will talk to Christina Selter, the founder of Bark Buckle UP, an organization that promotes awareness and education for pet travel safety. Whether you are in a car, RV, motorcycle or on a boat, Selter will share some insight into the importance of pet safety while traveling and steps you can take to keep both you and your pet safe on the road.

Proper restraints can not only protect your pet in the event of an accident, they can also keep your pet from becoming a distraction and prevent them from escaping through an open door or window. While cats and small dogs can travel in a pet carrier, you can also purchase special seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats and harnesses to protect your pet.

So if you have a pet, tune in to this episode of Vibes Radio to learn more about how you can keep your beloved Fido safe on the road.

It is common knowledge that using your phone while driving and taking your hands off the wheel increases your risk for an accident. But, in some cases, avoiding distractions completely can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, with advancements in car technology, you may be able to minimize the amount of time spent without both hands on the wheel.

Introducing, Ford SYNC , Ford’s new in-car connectivity system that allows drivers to operate MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones by the sound of their voice. On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will speak with Andrew Sarkisian and Amy Matinac from Ford about the new SYNC technology and how it can help drivers stay safe on the road. Currently SYNC is available standard on all 2010 Lincoln models and select 2010 Ford and Mercury models.

SYNC Features include:
- SYNC Mobile: make calls, browse contacts, and listen to your text messages
- SYNC Music: control your MP3 player with the sound of your voice
- SYNC Info: receive turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic and news and more
- SYNC Safety: automatically connects to a 911 operator when airbags are deployed

Sarkisian is Ford’s safety strategy manager was also part of a team that launched Ford’s MyKey technology. Both Sarkisian and Matinac have a tremendous amount of experience in the auto industry and will be able to provide useful insights into how to keep you and your family safe on the road.

So tune into this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio and learn more about Ford and Ford SYNC.

Most people don’t understand the attachment bikers feel to their motorcycles until they become a rider themselves. The feeling of the wind in your hair and the adrenaline rush of a roaring engine as you ride your bike down the road, is a feeling that is hard to forget.

While motorcycling was once associated with the fiery days of the Hell’s Angels, these days, riding a motorcycle has become a lot more popular, especially with women. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council , women riders now represent 12 percent of new motorcycle purchasers and 23 percent of all motorcyclists.

But owning a bike comes with increased responsibility. According to the Insurance Information Institute , motorcycle fatalities have been climbing, reaching 5,290 in 2008 and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bikers are 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants in a crash and nine times more likely to  be injured.

While these numbers are startling, there is a lot you can do to keep yourself safe on your ride. On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will be talking with Leslie Prevish from Harley-Davidson about motorcycle safety. She’ll also be talking to Harley-Davidson about their Daytona Bike Week, a week of events, showcases and activities for bikers across the country.

If you’re a biker, this is an episode that you definitely don’t want to miss!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to spend a year driving around in a car? Meet Jane Devin, a writer who is spending 2010 on the road, reporting and writing about her adventures on her blog, Finding My America.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will talk with Jane about her journey across America and the interesting experiences she has had so far. Jane started her journey with a mission to find “what lies the in between spaces…to know that inspiration is still alive” and to discover herself. Jane will share her stories about the people she has met, places she has traveled to as well as some useful road trip tips.

Since the beginning of her road-trip, on October 12, 2009, in a red pick-up truck Jane has been driven through quite a few states including Louisiana, Texas and Georgia. She is currently on her way from Minnesota to Michigan in a sedan.

Whether you’re an avid road tripper or have just always wanted to take a road trip, be sure to tune in to this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio to hear Jane’s fascinating story about her 365-day road trip.

If you’ve ever taken a road trip, you’ve probably stopped a rest area to take a break. While many of these places look the same, the history and design of rest areas on America’s highways are much deeper than bathrooms and picnic tables.

On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, host Marcia Hansen will speak with Joanna Dowling from Rest Area History, a website dedicated to documenting the unique and significant history of rest areas. According to the site, rest areas have shaped the American experience of road trips since the 1950s.

Rest stops, also known as safety rest areas (SRAs), were constructed for safety reasons as off-road emergency and short-term stopping spaces for motorists. Many of these rest stops look alike because they were designed around a central architectural theme to reflect picnic and information shelters as well as toilet buildings.

Although the Federal Aid Highway Act created a system of formally designed primary highways in 1921, a standard for rest areas was not developed until 1958. Before then, roadside parks were created along highways to give drivers a break. By 1972, there were over 1,200 rest areas on America’s interstate highways.

Rest Area History is a great resource for historical information about the development of rest stops. It has a section dedicated to the architecture of rest stops in every state. While many of the rest stops look the same, there are definitely unique features that set rest stops from different regions apart from each other.
So, if you’ve ever wondered about the significance of the rest stops you drive by or are planning on taking a road trip soon, you’ll definitely want to catch this episode of Vehicle Vibes radio to learn more about America’s rest stops.