Recent Alaska Shipping News

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Driving behind a snowplow
Safely passing a snowplow
Final word
 

Driving behind a snowplow

Over the winter months in Alaska, there is a good possibility that you will find yourself driving behind a snowplow at some point. When you do, it is extremely important that you stay safe and avoid what could possibly be a dangerous situation. Snowplows will have less focus on the traffic around them as well as less of a field of vision due to the job they are performing as they drive. They will also be moving a lot of snow which can partially move back onto the roadway after being plowed.

That is why you should keep your distance when driving behind a snowplow. In general, the recommendation is that you stay at least fifteen car lengths behind a snowplow when you are driving behind it. This will mean driving the same speed or slower than the plow which will be considerably under the speed limit so, realize your travel time will increase significantly. Finally, you should realize that there will still be patches of snow and ice left on the road after a plow goes over it as it is not possible for a plow to do a completely perfect job in one pass. Thus, you should still expect slippery conditions on the road which has already been plowed.
 

Safely passing a snowplow

It is legal and accepted driving behavior if you need to pass a snowplow. However, it is not the safest thing you can do. Although, we realize you still might need to be somewhere at a certain time even right after a snowstorm. So, if you do pass a snowplow make sure you do so as safely and cautiously as possible.

In order to pass a snowplow correctly and safely you first should only pass when they are not actively plowing snow. You will be able to tell because you will not see snow being thrown off the road to one side or the other of the plow. You should also be sure that the lane next to the snowplow has been cleared of snow before you attempt to pass. Be sure to also give ample signal and that you do not pass too closely or spend too much time in the snowplow’s blind spot when you are passing.
 

Final word

Anytime that you are driving right after inclement winter weather, you need to take it slow and cautiously. This is especially true when you are driving behind a snowplow. You need to allow them to do their job so roads can be cleared in a timely and thorough manner. You should always keep a distance of at least fifteen car lengths behind them. Never pass them when they are actively plowing and if you do pass them when they are not plowing, do so with extra caution.

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Cold weather battery issues
Poor battery connections and other car battery problems
 

Cold weather battery issues

Cold weather in Alaska can cause a range of obstacles for car batteries, leading to various issues that can seriously impede their performance and dependability. In cold weather, several factors contribute to these problems, including decreased battery capacity, heightened internal resistance, and difficulty properly facilitating necessary chemical reactions.

One of the main issues with cold weather and car batteries is reduced capacity. Colder temperatures cause a decrease in the chemical reactions occurring inside the battery, causing in a significant decline in the battery’s overall power output. The electrolyte fluid in the battery expands, slowing down the movement of ions and electrons, which limits the battery’s ability to supply an effective current. As a result, the battery may not be able to provide enough power to start the engine.

Another problem is the rise in internal resistance. Cold weather causes the materials inside the battery to condense, which creates tighter spaces between the components. This tightening raises the internal resistance within the battery, making it harder for electrical current to flow freely. The increased resistance causes a higher voltage drop which reduces the amount of power available to start the car.

In addition, cold weather makes it more challenging for the chemical reactions in the battery to occur efficiently. The chemical reactions required for charging and discharging the battery slow down in cold weather. This lowers the battery’s ability to store and release energy, further impacting its performance.

Moreover, older batteries are particularly prone to frigid weather issues. As a battery gets older, its overall capacity naturally declines, making it more likely that extreme temperatures impact its performance. In the cold, an older battery is more likely to have problems like reduced capacity and increased internal resistance which makes it much more likely the engine will not be able to turn over.

To keep cold weather car battery issues to a minimum, there are actually several things that you can do. Regular battery maintenance is vital, which includes testing the battery’s charge level, keeping the terminals clean, and making sure that the connection is secure. Just prior to starting your car, turn off as many things you can such as the heat, lights or anything else that draws power from the battery. This will reduce the strain on the battery in cold weather. Additionally, using a battery blanket or insulation wrap can help retain heat and protect the battery from extreme cold.
 

Poor battery connections and other car battery problems

Car battery problems can occur for reasons other than cold temperatures. While cold weather is known to significantly worsen battery problems, several other factors can contribute to battery issues at just about any time during the year.

One common issue is battery age and the resulting deterioration. Over time, the chemical reactions inside a battery lower its overall capacity. As a result, the battery may struggle to hold a charge for very long. As a result, it may not be able to deliver sufficient power to start the engine. Regular battery maintenance and replacement when necessary are essential to avoid such problems.

Another potential cause of issues for your car battery is parasitic drains. These drains occur when certain electrical components in the vehicle continue to draw power even when the engine is off. Common culprits include interior lights, infotainment systems, and alarm systems. If left unaddressed, these drains on your battery can gradually deplete the battery’s charge, resulting in an inability to start your engine.

As previously mentioned, extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can negatively impact battery performance. High temperatures speed up chemical reactions within the battery, which causes increased self-discharge and a decreased overall life.

Furthermore, improper battery usage and handling can also lead to problems. For instance, frequently deep-discharging a battery (discharging it to a low level) without fully recharging it can significantly reduce its lifespan. Similarly, overcharging a battery can cause damage. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for battery usage and charging to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

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How to get a wheelchair into a car
Making your passenger safe and comfortable
 

How to get a wheelchair into a car

Some of you may need to drive with someone at some point who usually or always requires the use of a wheelchair. If this is the case, you will need to be able to get their wheelchair into the car without damaging it and/or your vehicle. You also must ensure that the wheelchair will be easy to get out of the vehicle because your passenger will obviously need it again when you arrive at your destination. This is fairly simple but not everyone may know how to do it.

The first thing that you should do is to carefully assist your passenger into the vehicle which we will go further into later in the post. Once you have accomplished that, you will need to get the wheelchair into the car. Even if you are driving a smaller car, that will not be an issue because wheelchairs fold up so that they become essentially flat and compact which will save a ton of space. In order to properly fold up a wheelchair, you should first engage the wheel locks. Once you do that, hold one hand under the back of the seat and the other under the front. Then pull upwards with both hands and the chair will collapse inward AKA fold up. At this point, you can easily fit the wheelchair into your trunk or backseat.
 

Making your passenger safe and comfortable

Making your passenger that uses a wheelchair safe and comfortable in your vehicle will start with how you help them get into the car. This will begin by pushing them in the chair as close as possible to the vehicle passenger seat with the door already open. At this point, some people may be able to get into the car completely unassisted. If they can and that is what they wish to do, your job is done. If they require assistance, ask them what they need help with and then follow their instructions.

If they need full assistance and/or are unable to communicate, you can start assisting them by ensuring the wheelchair is locked in position, the seat in the car is moved back as far as possible and the foot and head rests are moved out of the way. Then, make sure their feet are flat and their legs are bent at a 90-degree angle as this will help you lift them. You should consider using a gait belt as well for this. Do not have them put their arms around you, if possible, ask them to put their hands on the arm rests as you lift and have them push up. Slowly and gently lift and place them in the car. Put their seatbelt on and adjust it and/or the headrest if need be.

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Driving safely and legally through a construction zone
Penalties for unsafe driving in a construction zone
Final word
 

Driving safely and legally through a construction zone

Driving through construction zones in Alaska requires a high level of focus and extra caution to ensure your safety as well as the safety of construction workers nearby. Here are some tips to help you drive safely through a construction zone:

• Reduce your speed: Reduce your speed when you are getting close to a construction zone. Never exceed the posted speed limits and always follow any directions given by construction workers or signs.
• Be ready for anything: Be on the lookout for construction workers and equipment at all times. Pay attention to any changes in road conditions such as uneven pavement or lane shifts.
• Maintain a safe following distance: Leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for sudden stops or changes in traffic flow.
• Follow instructions: Follow any instructions given by construction workers or flaggers. They may be directing traffic or stopping traffic to allow workers or equipment to cross the road.
• Avoid distractions: Put away your phone and avoid any other distractions that could take your attention away from the road and the construction zone.
• Stay in your lane: Don’t change lanes unless necessary, and only do so when it is safe to do so.

Penalties for unsafe driving in a construction zone

In Alaska, speeding in a construction zone can result in much higher fines and penalties than if you were caught speeding or driving recklessly elsewhere. The penalties for speeding in a construction zone in Alaska are as follows:

1. For a first offense of speeding in a construction zone, the driver may be fined up to $300.
2. For a second or subsequent offense of speeding in a construction zone within five years, the driver may be fined up to $1,000.
3. In addition to the fines, the driver may also face license suspension, community service, and even imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense.

It’s important to note that these punishments may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the offense and the judgement of the court. To ensure the safety of construction workers and other road users, it’s always best to slow down and follow posted speed limits when driving through construction zones.
 

Final word

Driving unsafely is always a selfish and dangerous act, but when you drive recklessly through a construction zone it is even worse. Construction workers are out there risking their safety in order to get roads repaired so that future traffic delays will be minimal as well as to ensure that your ride will be much smoother. If you are caught speeding through a construction zone in Alaska, you will face very high fines, license revocation, and possibly even jail time or community service.

Jump to section:
The potential for a rear-end collision
How icy and snowy conditions complicate things
Final word
 

The potential for a rear-end collision

When you “stop-short” or slam on your brakes without warning, you greatly decrease the amount of reaction time that any drivers behind you will have to react to you stopping which may render them unable to stop themselves in time. This can easily lead to them colliding with the rear-end of your car. You likely will not be at fault (although you could be if the driver has a running dash cam) but it will still be very inconvenient for you to be unable to drive your car for several days while it gets repaired.

You should always do whatever you can to come to a gradual stop rather than slamming on your brakes. Sometimes, this will be unavoidable, especially in Alaska. For example, if you have an animal such as a deer or moose run out into the road in front of you, you might not have any choice but to stop-short. In terms of gradually braking, you can gently ease into your brake pedal instead of pressing it quick and hard when circumstance will allow it. You should also always remain completely focused on the road ahead of you as well as always keep a safe distance between you and any vehicles in front of you.
 

How icy and snowy conditions complicate things

Snowy and icy conditions, which are a possibility the majority of the year on many of Alaska’s roads, can greatly increase how dangerous it is to stop-short with someone driving behind you. Believe it or not, when roads are icy, it will take you between two and eight times the distance than it normally would to come to a complete stop on dry pavement. In these types of conditions, it is even more critically important that you give yourself extra space to stop as well as to travel at lower speeds.
 

Final word

When you stop-short you greatly increase the chance that someone will hit your car from behind you. In most cases, you will not be held liable for the damage to your car or theirs since they had full view of your vehicle the entire time. However, as a result of being hit from behind, you will likely end up without your car for several days as the necessary repairs are made. In order to keep the potential of having to stop-short as low as possible, you should always pay full attention to the road ahead of you, never drive too closely to any cars ahead of you, keep your speeds low and, in icy or snowy conditions, increase your overall caution even more. Learn about the difference that Alaska Car Transport makes when we ship a vehicle for you!

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Public Transportation
Ride-shares and rentals
Final word
 

Public transportation and green options

When you ship your car to Alaska, you will be without your car for a while. The exact timeframe will depend on several things but the distance of your shipment will be the most important. Overall, car shipments to Alaska can take between 5 and 18 days. If you are shipping a vehicle to Alaska from Seattle, it will typically take 5 or 6 days. If you are shipping a car to Alaska from Miami, Florida it will usually take 16 to 18 days.

If you are shipping your car to Alaska and you will be without a car for a few days or more, you can always make use of the various public transportation options that you will have. You can take local buses for an extremely low price, or you can take a train or subway depending on where exactly you are in the country. In certain cases, such as Alaska itself, there are some options for taking ferries in order to get around.

Using public transportation is an environmentally friendly option but there are also a couple of other green options that you can choose from in order to get from point A to B while your car ships to Alaska. If wherever you typically travel is close enough, you can always decide to walk there. You can also ride a bike if you have one or you can rent one for a fairly low cost.
 

Ride-shares and rentals

You will also have the option of taking a ride somewhere using a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft. In many more populated areas in the country including Alaska, you still have the option of taking a yellow cab. If you decide to go with a ride-share in order to get around in Alaska, you should consider using an app like Obi. Apps like these will compare all ride-share prices along with many taxi prices with current pricing accurate to within a couple of minutes. You will also have the option of jumping from the app to whichever more lowly priced ride-share app that you choose.

Finally, you will also have the option of renting a car while your car is in transit to Alaska. Renting a car tends to be the most expensive option unless you are someone who uses their car for several trips each day at which point using ride-shares/taxis will be the most expensive option. Although it can be costly, renting a car will give you the comfort and convenience of having your own car at your disposal at all times.
 

Final word

When you ship your car to Alaska, you will not have that car for a period of about one to two weeks depending on where you are shipping it from. During that period, you will need to be able to get around if you need to go to work or to the store. Thankfully, you will have a bunch of different options to choose from including taking a bus or train, walking or bicycling, taking a ride-share or taxi, or you can even rent a car. Not all of these options will be available everywhere but at least a few will be. Some options also tend to be more expensive than others such as renting a car.

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Where to park to avoid scratches
How to drive to avoid scratches
Final word
 

Where to park to avoid scratches

No wants to end up with scratches on their car regardless of how they occurred. However, scratches will have the best chance of happening when your car is parked no matter where you are in Alaska. This includes being parked in a parking lot as well as being parked on the street. This makes most sense when you consider that there is no way for you to steer clear of any obstacles that could scratch your car when it is parked and/or you are not even in it.

To minimize the risk of your car being scratched when choosing a place to park it, you should think in terms of minimizing the chances of another car, person or obstacle making contact with your car when it is parked. You can minimize the chances of something or someone making contact with your car when it is parked by using the following tips:

• Do not park under trees or anywhere close to bushes as they have the potential to have branches fall or blow off if the wind happens to pick up.
• If they’re open, always park in an end space because it will eliminate the possibility of your car getting scratched by a car pulling in or out of one of the spaces next to you. This will usually also allow you to park all the way to one side of a space which will decrease the chance of your car getting scratched on the side with a car next to it.
• If you can possibly avoid it, do not park in an area with high amounts of automotive or bicycle traffic. If you park on the side of a busy street, you risk your car being clipped or sideswiped by another vehicle or bike rider.
• If a space looks like it is too tight, then it is too tight to park in without a high risk of your car being scratched.

How to drive to avoid scratches

You can obviously also end up with scratches on your car when you are driving it. Sometimes the scratches could be your fault, other times they might be the fault of another driver, or they might be no one’s fault at all. However, if you drive carefully enough with enough focus on the road ahead, you will be able to avoid the vast majority of scratches to your vehicle.

1. Always stay alert and be on the lookout for things that are sticking out into the path of your car. This includes things like street signs, branches from trees, or anything else that looks like it might have a chance of touching your car as you drive by.
2. Avoid driving anywhere close to other cars that are driving aggressively or erratically. When someone is driving like that, it will be impossible to predict what they will do next, and they will likely not signal when they do.
3. It might seem obvious but never drive through an area that looks like it could be a tight squeeze for your car or that has a very low clearance. It is extremely easy to have your car scratched.

Final word

Ending up with a bad scratch on your car can really impact its appearance negatively and can be very costly to repair. The cost to repair a scratch on your car’s paint in 2023 could be anywhere from $200 to $1000. Avoiding a scratch will be the most cost-effective option as well as the most convenient. To avoid having your car scratched, avoid parking too close to another car, on streets with lots of traffic or near trees and/or bushes. When you are driving, do your best to always drive defensively, keep your eye out for objects that could scratch your car from the side of the road such as tree branches and never drive near anyone who is driving in a reckless manner.

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Statistics about drunk driving
Penalties for driving drunk
Wrapping up
 

Statistics about drunk driving

Drunk driving is the most senseless and irresponsible decision that you can make as a driver. Driving under the influence of alcohol means you are risking the safety and lives of all other drivers out on the road. It is also one of the most avoidable offenses you can commit since there are so many alternate transportation options available to everyone in 2023 primarily including ride-share apps like Uber.
Here are some of the most troubling statistics about drunk driving:

• On average in the US, a person is killed by a drunk driver every hour. That’s about 9,000 deaths due to drunk driving per year.
• Fatalities resulting from drunk driving crashes resulted in almost one third of all traffic related deaths.
• A 2019 survey indicated that more than one in twenty adult aged drivers admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol at least once in the previous year.
• According to the most recent data, drunk driving accounted for 33% of all traffic related fatalities in Alaska.
• The CDC estimated that people drove under the influence almost 150 million times back in 2018.

Penalties for driving drunk

The penalties that someone could receive in Alaska if they are caught driving drunk or cause an accident are justifiably severe. Not only will you face the loss of your driving privileges for an extended period as well as jail time and community service, but you will also suffer big financial consequences as well including sky high insurance premiums.
In Alaska, the penalties for drunk driving are as follows:

1. First drunk driving offense – No less than three days in jail, a $1,500 fine and a three-month long license suspension.
2. Second drunk driving offense – No less than 20 days in jail, a $3,000 fine and a year-long license suspension.
3. Third drunk driving offense – No less than 60 days in jail, a $4,000 fine and a three-year long license suspension.

However, the financial cost might be the worst penalty of all when you are caught driving drunk in Alaska. On top of thousands of dollars in fines, a driver will additionally face a tremendous burden in legal fees if caught driving drunk. On average, legal fees for a DWI defense in 2023 cost approximately $1,500 to $10,000 overall depending on the severity of your particular case. And that is not it. Your insurance premiums will rise as well. When you are convicted driving drunk in Alaska, your car insurance premiums can increase by about 50% or more in some cases. If you pay the average car insurance rate in Alaska of $1,000 per year, that means your rates will increase to $1,500 per year or more if you are caught drunk driving.
 

Wrapping up

Drunk driving is completely awful and should never even be a consideration when you need to get home after a night of drinking. Each year around 9,000 people die in the United States due to drunk driving. On top of possiblly being responsible for someone being injured or dying, you will face severe fines, extremely high insurance premiums, massive legal fees, a long license suspension and jail time if you are caught drunk driving.

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How to maximize visibility
How you can ensure your car is visible
Other ways to stay safe at night when driving in Alaska
Wrapping up
 

How to maximize visibility

Driving at night in Alaska anywhere other than areas like Fairbanks and Anchorage will have a maximum amount of darkness to deal with. In cities such as Fairbanks and Anchorage, there is an abundance of light from many streetlights and buildings all in one condensed area. When you actually get out onto the highways in Alaska, especially the more remote highways such as Dalton Highway, light and visibility will come at a minimum. This is why you will want to maximize your visibility when you are driving at night in Alaska.

Obviously, you will want to ensure that your headlights and high beams are both working before you start driving and that you use each of them at the appropriate times when driving at night. You can also ensure that your windshield has been properly cleaned. If your vehicle’s windshield is dirty, this can directly cause lower visibility and it can indirectly lower visibility as well by causing glare when an oncoming car’s headlights hit your windshield.

Also, ensure that your wiper blades are functioning correctly and that you have enough windshield wiper fluid if needed. Finally, if you need glasses to drive at night or in general, make sure you wear them and that they are clean. To take that a step further, you can also use an anti-glare coating on your glasses to reduce the possibility of glare from occurring at night from other driver’s headlights.
 

How you can ensure your car is visible

Another big part of staying safe as you drive in Alaska at night will be to make sure that your car is as visible as possible to other drivers. If someone cannot see your car, they will not be able to even try to avoid colliding with you.

Other drivers being able to see your car out on the road will also begin with your headlights and high beams both working correctly and being used at the appropriate times. However, you also need to ensure that drivers behind you will be able to see you as well. This means that you will also need to check your taillights and brake lights regularly in order to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If you have a dark colored car, you might want to consider using some reflective tape on the front, sides and back of your car in order to make your car stand out as much as possible as well.

If you need to pull over to the side of the road, keep your car running so that your headlights and taillights remain on without draining the battery. However, you also should turn your hazard lights on as well. Your hazards are not only additional lights that will be on, but they blink which draws extra attention to them.
 

Other ways to stay safe at night when driving in Alaska

If maximizing safety as you drive at night in Alaska is a top priority for you, you should realize that being able to see clearly and being able to be seen is just part of what you should be concerned with. You will also need to heighten your focus as much as possible as well as maximize your potential reaction time. In Alaska, on top of inclement weather conditions there could be hazards in the road such as downed trees or various animals crossing the road such as moose or bears.

In order to keep complete focus on driving and the road ahead ensure you do the following:

• Eliminate any distractions such as cell phone use, overly loud music and eating while driving.
• Get enough sleep the night before you drive because if you are too tired, you will be focused on staying awake rather than the road ahead.
• Know your exact route or have directions read to you by an app or passenger. If you need to occasionally take your eyes off the road to peak at a phone or GPS, your focus will not be entirely on driving.

To be able to maximize your reaction time when driving at night, you must:

• Keep extra distance between you and the car in front of you. If someone driving in front of you has to stop short for any reason, having extra space in front of you to complete a stop can save you from getting into an accident.
• Be ready to be surprised. Always keep your hands at ten and two and drive defensively at all times. You never know when you might need to suddenly stop or drive around something.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will dull everything you do, even some basic motor functions such as speaking correctly will be dulled. It will certainly slow your reaction time while driving.

Wrapping up

Driving at night in Alaska can be challenging, as visibility is significantly reduced it can be more difficult to see other vehicles, wildlife crossings, and other obstacles on the road. You need to increase your visibility as much as you can, maximize the ability for other drivers to see you, stay focused on the road and give yourself as much potential reaction time as possible. If you need to transport a car to Alaska from any US state or from Alaska to any US state, our vehicle logistics experts will get the job done, give us a call today for a free quote at (907) 331-3100.

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How easy is it to ship a motorcycle to Alaska?
Alaska motorcycle shipping preparation
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to Alaska?
 

How easy is it to ship a motorcycle to Alaska?

Contrary to what some might believe, shipping a motorcycle to Alaska is actually quite easy and convenient. The process is as simple as booking your shipment, doing a little bit of preparation and being present for both the pickup of your motorcycle, and then picking it up at the port in Alaska. The process will begin with a call to your preferred motorcycle shipping company such as Alaska Car Transport. During the call you will be able to get a shipping quote with an estimated price and transit time. At that point you can ask any questions you might have and then you can choose to lock in and schedule your shipment or you can call back at another time to do so.

Whether you book your shipment during the initial call or in the future, you should then make arrangements so that you will be able to be present for the motorcycle’s pickup. You will need to be available for a window of about two days for the pickup. This is because it is not possible for a motorcycle shipping company to guarantee an exact date/time of pickup.

You should also plan and make any arrangements that you need to in order to be able to pickup your motorcycle at the port. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get your motorcycle shipped any further than the particular port that you have chosen to ship the bike to. Each port will have specific hours when you can pick your motorcycle up, storage charges and documentation requirements, so it is best to call them and verify all of this prior to going there to pickup your motorcycle.
 

Alaska motorcycle shipping preparation

The preparation for your motorcycle transport will also be easy. In fact, you will be able to complete it within a day or two prior to the beginning of your scheduled pickup window. You should start the preparation for your shipment by ensuring that your motorcycle has just about a quarter tank of fuel. It cannot have any more than this because its transportation will require that it be shipped for part of the journey on a cargo ship. It is against fire regulations for any vehicle, including motorcycles, to have more than a quarter tank of fuel when it is aboard one of these ships. However, you will still need a little bit of gas in the bike to operate it once you pick it up from the port in Alaska, otherwise you will need to haul it home yourself. Unfortunately, there are no carriers available to take your bike from the port to your home in Alaska.

Once you ensure that you have about a quarter tank of fuel in the bike, you will need to remove any detachable parts and personal items from the motorcycle. This will include any gloves, sunglasses, helmets or anything else like that. Finally, you will need to get the motorcycle washed or clean it yourself. This will allow your motorcycle transport driver to conduct a mandatory visual inspection for preexisting damage.
 

How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to Alaska?

Overall, the cost of shipping a motorcycle to Alaska will typically cost between $0.30 and $1.20 per mile. This is given in a range because the cost to ship a motorcycle to Alaska will be dependent on several variables that unfortunately cannot be predicted beyond giving you an estimate in the form of a quote. These things include the total distance of your shipment, the time during the year that you are shipping your motorcycle, the traffic along your transit route (if you chose to have your bike picked up from your home) and the weather along your shipping route.