Recent Alaska Shipping News

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The laws regarding red lights in Alaska
The risk of running a red light
Final word
 

The laws regarding red lights in Alaska

It should not come as any surprise that you must always stop at and remain stopped at any red light when you are driving anywhere in the country or world. This obviously includes Alaska. However, sometimes you might not be paying attention and accidentally drive through a red light. Maybe you were trying to clear an intersection while the light was still yellow, and you ended up driving through a red light.

Regardless of the circumstance, you will quite likely be caught, even though the state does not use red-light cameras. When you are caught, there will be penalties. In Alaska, getting a red-light ticket will mean that you will be fined up to a hundred and fifty dollars. However, you will also get four points added to your driver’s license which will likely mean that your insurance premiums will increase by about ten percent for the period of time that the points stay on your license. In Alaska, the points will stay on your license for two years.
 

The risk of running a red light

Running a red light is obviously extremely risky and dangerous. In some circumstances it can be more dangerous than other moving violations such as speeding. People on the sides of the light who have green drive with the assumption that other drivers at or coming to the red lights will stop. The result can be a horrific accident.

Typically, accidents when someone runs a red-light are a type called a T-bone accident where one driver smashes into the side of another’s vehicle which puts the driver or passengers of the vehicle being hit on the side at tremendous risk of injury or death as airbags will do little or nothing to protect them from impact. In the United States, from 2012 through 2017, two people per day were killed by people who did not obey red lights.
 

Final word

Getting a red-light ticket in Alaska will cost you money through fines as well as through increased insurance premiums. If that is not enough reason never to go through a red light in Alaska, you should consider the grave risk you take for yourself, anyone in your car or anyone else on the road when you do so. You could end up causing a T-bone accident in which the risk for injury or death is exceptionally high. Word to the wise, always stop at red lights and stay stopped until they turn green.

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What is a bedliner and what does it do?
How to care for your truck’s bedliner
Final word
 

What is a bedliner and what does it do?

A bedliner is something that protects the bed of a truck from wear, tear and overall damage when you are hauling cargo in the back. Bedliners are considered necessary if you care about the condition of your truck and do any sort of regular or semi-regular hauling.

There are two primary types of bedliners, spray-on and drop-in. A spray-on liner lives up to its name, it is a product or series of products that get sprayed and applied to the bed of your truck. After they dry, they will form a protective seal over the bed of your truck. With a drop-in bedliner, it is a one piece, typically plastic, flat part that gets laid over the bed of your truck in order to protect it from damage and rust.

You are likely wondering, which is better, a spray-on bedliner or drop-in bedliner? Well, they both have their pros and cons. A spray-on liner will always remain in place and will likely do the best job of protecting your truck’s bed. However, it is more expensive and it will also nullify any corrosion warranty you have on the vehicle. You also will not be able to install a spray-on bedliner yourself as the process is too complex.

With a drop-in bedliner you can easily install it yourself, it will protect your corrosion warranty and it will be more affordable. But drop-in bedliners will likely allow some moisture beneath them which will allow a bit of rust. They will also be more likely to allow items to slide around in your truck’s bed more easily as their surfaces tend to be more smooth than spray-on liners.
 

How to care for your truck’s bedliner

Caring for your truck’s bedliner is not difficult at all. You just need to put the effort it regularly. It really just comes down to cleaning it. You should do so any time after you haul something that can get the liner dirty. You can simply clean it by using soap, water and a good brush as well as some thorough scrubbing.

If you end up spilling any chemicals during a haul, do not wait and be sure to clean it immediately. You can take your car to the car wash with a bedliner but inform them if you have a spray-on liner, so they don’t use harmful chemicals. If you have a drop-in liner, take it out before the car wash.
 

Final word

A bedliner is an extremely useful accessory for your truck if you do any sort of regular hauling. It will protect your truck’s bed from damage such as scratches and corrosion such as rust. There are two types of bedliners, spray-on and drop-in. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, which you choose is up to you and your needs. Drop-in liners tend to be cheaper but will allow a bit more corrosion. Finally, you should make sure that you clean your truck’s bedliner regularly to avoid any damage to it.

Jump to section:
Maximizing visibility
Staying safe
Final word
 

Maximizing visibility

Whenever you drive on a blind curve in Alaska, you will want to do so as cautiously and safely as possible. There could be another vehicle stopped or very slowly moving right up ahead and out of view. There can also be debris or animals right around the curve. The point is that you will not know what waits for you right on the blind side of that curve so you will need to be ready, just in case.

The first thing you will want to do when it comes to safely and properly navigating a blind curve is to maximize your visibility. You can do this by ensuring you always have a clean and de-fogged windshield at all times when driving. If this is not the case, take immediate action to rectify it. Next, you should always be sure to have your headlights on when conditions are even slightly dark out. This includes when it is overcast out.

However, do not drive around a blind curve with your high-beams on because it could momentarily blind oncoming traffic which could lead to a head-on collision. Finally, keep your car as far to the opposite side of the road of the object obstructing your view that the road will safely and legally allow.
 

Staying safe

Staying safe will obviously go further than just maximizing your visibility. You will also need to ensure you take the obvious safety measures that you should always be taking. This will include driving slow and obeying the posted speed limit of the curve, avoiding distractions and keeping both hands on the wheel at all times.

However, you can also turn as little as possible when rounding the curve. Doing so will help you avoid skidding. If you are driving a car with a manual transmission, do not shift gears while navigating the curve. Always be prepared to stop suddenly just in case there is something in the road on the back end of the curve. Finally, never pass another car while driving around a curve, especially a blind one.
 

Final word

Driving around a blind curve comes with a high amount of uncertainty and danger. That danger increases greatly if you do not take the proper safety precautions prior to and while navigating the curve. This includes making sure that your windshield is always clean and defogged, that you drive slowly with your hands on the wheel, you minimize the amount of actual turning and more. If you need a car transported to Alaska and have questions or you would just like a free instant quote, give our vehicle shipping experts a call at (907) 331-3100!

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Credit card skimmers
Other gas pump scams
Final word
 

Credit card skimmers

Anytime that you use your credit card, you should be on the lookout for devices known as skimmers that will steal your credit card information for thieves to use. However, gas pumps are likely the most common place that you will find a credit card skimmer. That is because ATMs and typical point of sales in stores usually have an employee close by who will notice someone doing something suspicious. Thus, it is difficult but not completely impossible to install a skimmer in those locations.

However, at gas stations, there is usually only one employee working at a time. That employee typically works inside behind the counter. The gas pumps are outside, plus there are several of them. This makes installing a skimmer much easier than doing so at most places which makes gas pumps a prime target for these devices. Plus, many gas stations close at night leaving access to the pumps for thieves to go completely unchecked when installing a credit card skimmer device.

The best way to avoid having your card skimmed and your information stolen at the pump is to pay cash as frequently as you can for gas. Otherwise, you should know how to check for skimmers. You can do this by holding and gently trying to move the part where you swipe your card up and down. If it seems loose, it might be a skimmer. Also, check another pump or two, if your credit swipe device does not look the same as the others, this can also indicate a skimmer.
 

Other gas pump scams

There are two other main scams that criminals can commit involving gas pumps. The first is waiting on the other side of the pump and switching your gas nozzle with theirs before you pull up. Then, after you pay, they actually start pumping the gas as you mistakenly think that you are. By the time that you realize that you are not pumping gas they will be gone. So always look up and check that the correct gas line and nozzle is on your side of the pump both before and after you pay.

The other scam is that a criminal can sneak up to your passenger side door and grab your valuables from inside your car as you pump gas. This is due to the fact that many people commonly leave their car unlocked as they pump gas. The obvious way to combat this from happening is to always lock your vehicle as you fill it up.
 

Final word

The gas pump can be an easy place for a thief to rip you off. They can get your credit card information via a skimming device; they can steal from your vehicle, and they even literally steal the gas that you just paid for. Always be on the lookout for these things and do whatever you can to prevent them from happening to you.

Jump to section:
How big is too big when it comes to puddles?
Staying safe when driving through water on the road
Final word
 

How big is too big when it comes to puddles?

If you are driving through an area with heavy rain and or flooding, you probably wonder how much water you can get away with driving through. As a general rule of thumb, many passenger cars can lose control and/or stall in just six inches of water. So, if you are driving and you see what might be close to a half foot of water on the road, do whatever you can to avoid driving through it even if that means pulling over for the time being. SUVs and pickups will have a bit more of leeway with this, but it is always your best bet not to tempt fate unless you are driving an amphibious car.
 

Staying safe when driving through water on the road

If you have determined to a certainty that some water on the road ahead is less than six inches deep, you can continue through it, but you will want to do so with the utmost safety. When you do drive through a larger puddle ensure that you do not accelerate through it. You also do not want to brake while you are in it. In short, coast through it. If you are driving a manual transmission vehicle, put your car into a low gear to accomplish this.

When you are driving through the standing water, keep your wheel steady and avoid any swerving. If you do not keep the wheel steady, you could hydroplane. You should try to drive through the center of the water as most roads are a bit more elevated in the center which means the water will be most shallow towards the middle. Finally, test your brakes after you exit the water at a very low speed. If there are any issues, pull over and call for help.
 

Final word

Always do whatever you can to avoid driving through deep standing water. If you have a typical type of passenger car, only six inches of water can cause your car to stall out. If you have determined that a large puddle is less than half a foot deep and you really have no other options, you can cautiously drive through it. You can accomplish that by coasting through it without accelerating or braking and by keeping your wheel steady as you do. Be sure to test your brakes immediately after you do.

Jump to section:
What is the zipper?
Why it is important to respect the zipper technique
Final word
 

What is the zipper?

The “zipper” technique or method, as many people call it, is a civil way of merging and allowing people to merge onto a road or highway with a high density of traffic. Specifically, the zipper technique is when one car already in the lane being merged into allows one car, no more – no less, from the lane or road being merged from to get into the lane in front of them. The car behind them does the same and so on. It is always a one-one trade off.

It is called the “zipper” method because, from above, it resembles the teeth of a zipper. That also helps explains why it is always one car allowed in then the car that let them in continues behind. If one car does not let a car into the lane in question or more than one car merges in front of one car, the “zipper” breaks much like it would on a jacket. When a zipper breaks, it causes a multitude of issues both on a jacket and in traffic.
 

Why it is important to respect the zipper technique

It is important to respect and properly execute the zipper technique because the issues caused by a broken “zipper” of traffic are detrimental to every driver on that road, not just to those who failed to respect the zipper.

The worst and most common issue resulting from one or more drivers not properly participating in the zipper is slower moving traffic. This directly leads to even more congestion and considerably longer travel times. As you can see, everyone suffers, not just those who chose to try to out drive the zipper technique. It can also easily lead to fender benders which will obviously also further worsen a traffic jam. However, not respecting the zipper can easily also lead to road rage which can be extremely dangerous and get out of hand quite quickly.
 

Final word

The zipper method/technique is a fairly simple way of helping to civilly speed up the process of cars merging into a lane with a lot of slow-moving cars already in it. Properly executing this technique will decrease traffic congestion, decrease travel times on that road and will eliminate higher risks of both fender benders as well as road rage incidents. When you need any type of vehicle shipped to or from Alaska, it is as simple as giving our auto transport experts a call anytime at (907) 331-3100.

Jump to:
Where can I go off-road driving in Alaska?
When should I go off-roading in Alaska?
Advice for off-road driving in Alaska
Conclusion
 

Where can I go off-road driving in Alaska?

There are a few great spots that you can try your hand at off-roading in Alaska. They are:

• Knik Glacier Trail – This is one of the best off-roading experiences that you can have in all of Alaska. The trail is fairly difficult to traverse. You should only try to travel on this trail with a jeep or truck that has reliable snow tires. Be careful when crossing rivers because cars have been swept away in the past. There is also a considerable amount of traffic from ATVs, so be cautious.
• Kings River Trail – Kings River Trail is one of the easier off-road trails you can traverse in Alaska. It is almost five miles long and has some renowned fishing. It is not recommended to try this trail when the weather is bad. There are often many ATVs and dirt bikes on this trail as well.
• Bald Mountain Trail – This is one of the more difficult off-road trails to travel in Alaska. The trail includes great valley views. It often gets wet and muddy on the trail so good tires for off-roading will be needed. No camping is allowed here.
• Craigie Creek Road – Known for its wildlife, this trail is moderate in its difficulty. Potential wildlife spotting includes grizzlies and eagles. The trail includes an old mining cabin as well as waterfalls. Dependable off-road tires are recommended for this trip as well.

When should I go off-roading in Alaska?

It is always best to go off-roading in Alaska during warmer months. During the colder months, roads can easily become impassable, even with the sturdiest trucks, due to snow and ice quite easily.

However, in the warmer months in spring and summer, it is important to check the weather before you head out on one of these trails. This is because rain and wind can cause issues such as flooding and excessive mud on the trails. You can check the weather for a particular trail on this site.
 

Advice for off-road driving in Alaska

The most important things to remember about off-roading in Alaska are that you should always be careful and you should always be prepared for an emergency. Also, be sure to check the trail conditions and weather prior to heading out for the day.

As far as being prepared, make sure you have a spare off-road tire for your vehicle. Also, be sure that you have the right emergency supplies such as extra food and water, an emergency medical kit, a tool kit, gloves and a dependable way to communicate with help if need be such as a satellite phone (cell phones often do not get service in the remote areas on the trails).

You should also lower your tire pressure before you venture out on the trails. Doing so will allow the tires of your car more flexibility when going over an obstacle like rocks. However, you should only do so with caution because lowering your tire pressure too far could end up leading to damage to your tire including a flat tire. An important thing to remember is that you should only let air pressure out of your tires after you get off the highway and you should re-inflate them right after you get off of the trail.

Do not go off-roading alone either. Having a buddy with you is a great way to ensure a good level of safety and fun.

Finally, be sure that you get your car serviced prior to any off-roading that you might be considering. It is important to have the overall condition of your car checked as well as specific things such as fluid levels.
 

Conclusion

Off-roading in Alaska is a great way to experience the excellent nature and terrain that the great state has to offer. You just need to be sure that you are experienced or with someone experienced when you venture out to do so. You also need to be sure that you are in a vehicle that is capable of going off-road.

If you are heading to Alaska and need your off-road vehicle shipped there, Alaska Car Transport can help you out. Just give us a call today at (888) 777-2123.

Jump to section:
What is the Bill of Lading?
What you will need to do with it
Final word
 

What is the Bill of Lading?

When you ship a vehicle, the most important document involved will not be your license or registration. It will be the Bill of Lading which will be proved by your car shipping company. The bill of Lading is a legal transport document distributed by a carrier to a shipper. It is proof of the agreement you have with the auto transport carrier to ship your vehicle.

It is also the title of goods which legally binds the shipper to turn over the car (the goods in this case) to the consignee (car owner). It serves as receipt that the vehicle has been inspected and all pre-existing damage has been noted. It also serves as receipt upon delivery that the vehicle has been received and any new damage that occurred during the shipment has been noted. The occurrence of damage during a shipment is exceptionally rare. This is essentially a formality for insurance purposes.

A bill of lading is not actually a contract. It is evidence of a contract. The contract between someone shipping a vehicle and the carrier is formed when person shipping the car books their shipment with the carrier to transfer the car from point A to B. You won’t receive the bill of lading until your driver arrives to pick up your vehicle. The bill of lading will usually include the following information: Pick-up and delivery locations of the car, vehicle information such as make, model, year, VIN number & mileage, The inspection report regarding the vehicle’s pre-existing condition and damage as well as customer and driver agreement to terms & conditions.
 

What you will need to do with it

You will simply need to sign the Bill of Lading upon pickup. When you sign, it means you agree with all the pre-existing damage noted. You will also need to sign upon delivery. This signature means you recognize the car has been delivered. As you would with any other important document or receipt, be sure that you keep your copy in a safe place just in the rare case you need to reference it or use it in the future.
 

Final word

It should be no surprise that there will be paperwork involved when you ship your car. Fortunately, the paperwork will essentially begin and end with the Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is a document that you will need to sign both upon pickup and delivery. It will serve as a type of receipt for the auto transport service rendered. It will also serve several other purposes including but not limited to being the title of goods for the vehicle as well as being evidence of the contract between the shipping company and the car owner.

Jump to section:
The dangers of using your phone while you drive
How to legally use your phone hands-free
Final word
 

The dangers of using your phone while you drive

In 2020, over three thousand people died in America because of distracted driving. Not every one of those accidents was because of cell phone use but many were. Using your cell phone while you drive is outrageously dangerous to you, anyone else in your vehicle and every other driver on the road around you. It is very senseless and selfish to use your cell phone while you drive in Alaska or anywhere else in the world.

Research has shown that when you intermittently take your eyes on and off the road to read or write a text as you drive, your reaction time will double. This means it will take you twice as long to react to things like someone stopping short in front of you. If you find that you can barely react in time when someone stops short when you have full focus on the road, you are not alone. Imagine if your reaction time doubles. You would have no chance at avoiding getting into an accident. That example only accounts for those who are checking the road occasionally as they text, not those who flat out ignore the road when they text. In that case reacting to something like a car stopping in front of you becomes completely impossible.
 

How to legally use your phone hands-free

The good news is that you can safely and legally use your cell phone hands-free as you drive in Alaska. Doing so is not too complicated at all either. In order to safely and legally use your cell phone hands-free in Alaska, you have two options. First, you can get a good quality cell-phone mount and enable voice commands, such as voice dialing and speaker phone.

You can also choose to pair your phone to a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth. Some newer cars may even allow you to pair your cell phone to the speaker system. All of this only applies to calls and not texting. In the case of texting, you might be able to pair your phone with a device that can read texts and take dictation from your voice to automatically type responses. However, this is not that reliable and can easily distract your focus even though you are not averting your eyes from the road. Your best bet for using your phone while you drive will be to pull over and do so.
 

Final word

You should never take your eyes off of the road while you drive to use your phone for any reason. You also should never have your phone in your hand as you drive. If you are driving and you absolutely must use your phone, your best bet will always be to pull over in a safe place and do so there. You also have the options of getting a cell-phone mount or pairing your phone with a hands-free device in order to take calls while you drive only. Do not try to text using those options unless you can have your texts read aloud and typed through voice dictation by the device. Even then, never text while driving – it is just not worth the risk.

Jump to section:
Advantages of head-out parking
Disadvantages of head-out parking
Final word
 

Advantages of head-out parking

One of the most difficult parts about parking in a driveway or parking lot can be backing out of the spot when it is time to go. That is because you need to be on the lookout for oncoming cars and pedestrians in both directions while only being able to have your head turned in one direction at a time. That is exactly why many people choose to park head out whenever they have the chance.

The reduction of the risk of hitting another car or a pedestrian is the main advantage of parking head out. Parking that way also reduces the risk of road rage incidents as you have less of a chance of someone beeping if you do not see them when you pull out. Head out parking is also advantageous if you want to save some time as the process of pulling out of the spot will be much quicker than if you had to back out.
 

Disadvantages of head-out parking

Unfortunately, there will also be a couple of disadvantages to head out parking as well. The first is that, in some parking lots, it is against the law to park head out. Thus, you can get a parking ticket which will likely cost you thirty to fifty dollars. Many people question why such a rule would exist and the most reasonable explanation is that head out parking can lead to congestion in a parking lot because backing into a space can take more time than pulling in normally which can hold up cars behind you. Always check for any signs in a parking lot that restrict head out parking before doing so.

That leads us to the other main disadvantage of head out parking. It will be considerably more difficult to get into the space in the first place. This is especially true if the spaces are tight and/or there are lots of other drivers behind you as you back into the parking spot.
 

Final word

Parking head out is preferable for many people in most situations. It makes getting out of a driveway or parking spot much easier and safer. It will also make it take less time. Always be on the lookout in parking lots for signs that say “head in parking only” or something similar because if that is the case and you park head out, you can get a parking ticket as a result. If you need your vehicle transported to or from Alaska, give us a call today for a free quote at (907) 331-3100!