Recent Alaska Shipping News

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The dangers of using your cell phone while driving
Safe and legal alternatives
Final word
 

The dangers of using your cell phone while driving

Using your cell phone to browse the internet or text while you drive is equivalent to shutting your eyes for the same amount of time while you drive. So, if you take ten seconds to read a text, you are driving completely blind for those ten seconds. So much can happen in just one second such as the person in front of you stopping short or a child running out into the street. In short, you are risking an absolute disaster when you use your cell phone while you drive.

One of the main reasons drunk driving is so dangerous is the way that it slows your reaction time. When you use your phone as you drive, your reaction time becomes completely non-existent for the time that you are using it. So, in those moments that your eyes are off the road, your driving could be considered less responsible and safe than a drunk driver.

The official numbers are quite alarming as you might expect. In the United States alone, there were just under ten people killed per day in distracted driving crashes in 2019 for a total of 3,142 deaths that year. In Alaska, you have regular hazards such as snowy and icy roads, frequent animal crossings, poorly lit roads and more. Using your cell phone as you drive while you are here or anywhere else for that matter is an extremely selfish and bad idea.
 

Safe and legal alternatives

Thankfully your options are numerous in terms of the alternatives to using your phone while you drive. The first and most obvious is that you can always pull over somewhere and then you can use your phone in any way that you want and for as long as you please.

You can also choose to enable dictation through your vehicle as long as that comes as an option with the car. For many vehicles made in the last few years, it will be. You will just need to pair your phone with your car and its smart features. It will then allow you to use voice commands in order to have it read texts you receive aloud through your speakers as well as to use your voice to compose texts.

You will also be able to do this through your phone by enabling its assistant feature such as Siri. If you do plan on using your phone hands-free while you drive, you should consider getting a vent mount for your phone which will allow you to always have your phone out and within earshot without having to touch it.
 

Final word

With the exception of hands-free cell phone use, using your phone while you drive is dangerous, selfish and flat out stupid. It is equivalent to momentarily driving blind which puts your chance of reacting to other vehicles, pedestrians or other hazards at zero for the time your eyes are off of the road. Always pull over in order to use your phone or set you phone up so that you can use it completely hands free as you do drive.

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Pick a port
What else to know about Alaska vehicle shipping
Conclusion
 

Pick a port

When you ship your car outside of the continental United States, you will have to pick it up at a port. This includes Alaska because your car will be transported on a ship to Alaska after it reaches the west coast rather than being driven through Canada. Driving through Canada would require crossing the US/Canada border twice and that could cause big delays in overall transit time.

Fortunately, when you ship your car with Alaska Car Transport, you will have several options in terms of the port that you can choose to pick your car up from. You can choose to have your car delivered at the ports at Anchorage, Fairbanks, Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Craig, Kake, Hoonah, Haines, Skagway, Yakutat, Cordova, Thorne Bay, and Valdez. Before you go to get your car at the port, call the port to check the times that they are open. Some ports may be closed for an hour for lunch, and some may require an appointment.
 

What else to know about Alaska vehicle shipping

Other than the fact that you have to pick your car up at the port when you are shipping a car to Alaska, there is not much difference from any other car shipment. You will still need to prepare for the shipment as you typically would by getting the exterior of the car washed and removing any valuables/personal items. You or someone you know would also need to be present for both the pickup and delivery of the vehicle. The price of your shipment will always vary based upon factors such as the distance of the shipment, the time of the year that you choose to ship and fuel cost at the time of the shipment.

However, there are a few additional things that could possibly be different. Your transit time will likely be a day to three days longer than typical shipments due to the transition from ground to sea transit. Also, shipping availability could be more scarce based on inclement weather events in Alaska over the winter. So, be sure you book your shipment as far in advanced as possible.
 

Conclusion

When you ship a car to Alaska, regardless of where you are shipping it from, your vehicle will need to be dropped off at the port. The upside is that you have twenty choices in terms of ports for your car delivery. That includes Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and many more. Your vehicle transport will be pretty similar to typical car shipments other than your car being dropped off at the port and the possibility of a slightly longer transit time due to the ground to sea transfer.

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Getting over to the right lane
Using the off-ramp
Wrapping up
 

Getting over to the right lane

Getting off of a highway in Alaska might seem simple enough but if it is not done correctly, you can easily get into an accident or get a ticket. When you know that you will need to get off of a highway and are within a mile or two of your exit you should get over into the furthest right lane as soon as possible. Never cut across traffic or lanes at the last minute in order to reach your exit. Doing so is extremely dangerous and can land you with a hefty fine.

In order to do this safely and legally you must put your right turn signal on for a few moments prior to merging into the next lane. Before you merge, turn your head over you right shoulder and quickly check your blind spot for any vehicles that you will not be able to see with your mirrors. Once the coast is clear and you have properly signaled, merge into the lane directly to the right of you. Continue this process until you are in the furthest right lane.
 

Using the off-ramp

Once you come to your exit, you will need to use an “off-ramp” in order to arrive at the next road or highway. With off-ramps, the purpose is to slow down in order to meet the speed of traffic on the upcoming road. So, you will likely need to slow down ten or more miles per hour. There should be posted speed limits for the off-ramp prior to entering it as well as along it. At the end off the off-ramp there will almost always be a stop sign or traffic light so make sure that you make the appropriate and legal stop if necessary.
 

Wrapping up

Off-ramps are extremely useful and important because they act as an intermediary between a highway and road where traffic speeds are considerably different. This directly decreases danger and increases safety for everyone. Be sure to change lanes legally by signaling correctly and to check your blind sport before you do. Always be sure to obey all posted speed limits on off-ramps and on all roads and highways. If you need a car shipped to Alaska, Alaska Car Transport can easily get the job done. Just give us a call today at (907) 331-3100!

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Driving with glasses
Tips for getting the most out of your-glasses as you drive
Final word
 

Driving with glasses

If you do not wear glasses and go to the DMV for your license renewal, you could be blindsided if you have trouble with the eye test. You might then be legally required to wear corrective glasses while you drive. If that is the case, you will then need to see the eye doctor who will make the determination of whether you need glasses for driving.

Most people who need glasses for driving will only need them for driving at night. This is because, in general, the lower amount of light at night will put more strain on your eyes. When you already have issues with your eyes, this strain can prevent you from being able to momentarily see an obstacle. The reflection from lights off of other vehicles and the road can also cause eye issues to become problematic while driving at night. Some people may even feel they need glasses while driving during the day so they can read signs much more easily and/or if they have issues regarding vision and distance.
 

Tips for getting the most out of your-glasses as you drive

If you are someone who wears glasses when they drive, there are a few easy things that you can do in order to get the most out of your glasses and vision. First, you should avoid any sort of thick frames if you are getting new glasses for driving. Thick frames can partially block your peripheral view which is not ideal for driving.

You should also avoid any glasses that have tinted lenses if you are driving at night. The tint in the lens will lower visibility which will partially defeat the purpose of using the glasses in the first place. Also, if glare or the reflection of lights and/or headlights gives you any trouble, you should talk to your optometrist about the possibility of getting an anti-reflective lens coating which will go a long way to combating this issue by letting more light pass through your lenses thus cutting down on the glare.
 

Final word

Having to use glasses for driving is no big deal. It is estimated that more than 6 out of every ten people needs glasses for something like reading or driving. However, it is a big deal that you always wear them when you need to while driving. If you do not, it could easily be the reason you get into an accident. If you get into an accident without your corrective lenses on, your insurance will likely increase as a result.

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Precautions to take before changing lanes
What to do as you change lanes
Final word
 

Precautions to take before changing lanes

In order to safely and properly change lanes when you are driving in Alaska, the process must begin before you even start changing lanes in the first place. Prior changing lanes, you must turn on your signal. This comes first because it is critically important to alert other drivers before you do anything. You also must make sure that you give other drivers more than enough time to react to your signal. So, putting your signal on first then completing the next steps before you change lanes will give other drivers those few moments of notice they need.

Once your signal is on you should check for other cars in your mirrors. This might seem extremely obvious, but many people forget to do it. However, it is not the last thing you need to do before you start changing lanes. The last thing you need to do before you actually start changing lanes is to check your blind spot on the correlating side of your car. Doing so will allow you to be absolutely certain it is safe to change lanes.
 

What to do as you change lanes

The most important thing you must do as you are changing lanes is to stay alert. If you hear a car horn a you are changing lanes you should take notice and react. More often than not this means you missed a car in your blind spot, and you must retreat into your original lane (as long as that is still safe). You also should keep your head facing forward but intermittent attention on your rearview and sideview mirrors to check for any aggressive drivers coming up behind you. Finally, until you are completely and safely in your new lane, do not shut off your blinker.
 

Final word

Changing lanes will not be a dangerous task as long as you take all of the steps necessary to ensure you do it safely. Signal before you start changing lanes, check your mirrors, check your blind spot and always stay alert. Try not to change lanes too frequently in a short period, especially in an attempt to simply arrive somewhere faster. If you need a vehicle of any kind transported to or from Alaska at anytime during the year, you can always get an instant quote by picking up the phone and calling us at (907) 331-3100.

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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.

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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.

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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.