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Why driving defensively is important in Puerto Rico
The other advantages of defensive driving
Wrapping up
 

Why driving defensively is important in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is unfortunately notorious for some of the more aggressive drivers around as well as some of the more lenient traffic law enforcement by police. This increases the danger out on the road particularly in places like San Juan where there is much more traffic. Unfortunately, this means you will not always be able to avoid an accident no matter how safely you drive or how focused you are when driving. However, you can greatly decrease the chances of an accident by taking a defensive driving course.

To put this into perspective, Puerto Rico averages about two hundred thousand cars accidents a year. New York City has a very similar average. However, Puerto Rico only has about three million registered drivers whereas New York city has almost four and a half million registered drivers. This means that accidents in Puerto Rico are about thirty percent more frequent per capita than they are in New York city. Now, when you look at defensive driving, you can help bring these odds down, at least for yourself. Overall, drivers who take a defensive driving course are generally about fifty percent less likely to die in a car accident.
 

The other advantages of defensive driving

The primary advantages of defensive driving will always be both increased safety for you and your passengers as well as a lower chance of being involved in an accident. However, you will also receive the benefit of a lower car insurance rate as well as reducing existing points on your license.

As far as the price reduction on your auto insurance premiums, you will likely receive a ten percent reduction for completing a defensive driving course in Puerto Rico. This will save you hundreds of dollars per year. In terms of existing points of your license, typically, taking a defensive driving course can knock one or two points off. This will give you some breathing room in case you ever receive another moving violation in the future and are worried about a potential license suspension.
 

Wrapping up

Taking a defensive driving course in Puerto Rico will have several distinct advantages. These will include increased safety on the road, better peace of mind when driving, lower car insurance premiums and a possible point reduction on your license. However, the increased safety is easily the most valuable benefit. This is especially true in Puerto Rico where driving can be particularly dangerous at times. If you need a vehicle transported to or from Puerto Rico, give our car shipping experts a call at anytime for a free quote at (904) 322-7644.

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What kind of traffic can you expect in Puerto Rico? Where can you expect it?
Rush hour in Puerto Rico
Tips to avoid traffic in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

What kind of traffic can you expect in Puerto Rico? Where can you expect it?

The traffic in Puerto Rico is pretty typical as far as the congestion aspect. The roads are busiest, and most filled during the typical rush hour times. The traffic, as one might also expect, is also at its worst near the most densely populated areas such as San Juan, Bayamón and Carolina.

So, the amount, times and areas for traffic are pretty easily predictable in Puerto Rico. However, the way that traffic operates is quite different than anywhere in the United States. The traffic is much more aggressive here and the rules are enforced much less.

For example, you will see people speeding more frequently. You will also see people routinely drive right through stop signs and red lights. For the most part, the police do not seem to care about these sorts of infractions, so always drive with caution when you are on the road in Puerto Rico.
 

Rush hour in Puerto Rico

Rush hour in Puerto Rico is pretty typical as we have explained with the exception of some of the crazy driving that goes on. Typically, rush hour in Puerto Rico generally lasts from 8 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 6 PM. Remember, people can drive pretty erratically in Puerto Rico, especially during rush hour, so be sure that you drive safely.
 

Tips to avoid traffic in Puerto Rico

• Leave early or late – Try your best to avoid travelling during the rush hour times in the morning and evening. If you can travel to where you are going before or after those times, you will save a considerable amount of time.
• Use an app – When you are driving in Puerto Rico, you can use an app such as Waze to help you avoid any areas with really bad traffic. An app like this has up to date crowd-sourced information and reports from other drivers, so it is the most accurate traffic information that you can get.
• Keep an eye on the traffic and weather – Leading up to the time that you depart for your drive, you should check any traffic and weather reports that you have access to fairly frequently. These will let you know about any major events that could have a considerable effect on your drive time.
• Try to use a bike or motorbike – If you are not going that far, possibly just a few miles. We suggest riding a bike or a scooter. You will have more opportunities to get through and around traffic this way.

Conclusion

Traffic in Puerto Rico can seem worse than it is because of the crazy ways that people sometimes choose to drive. The amount of rush hour traffic is actually pretty typical when compared to most cities in the United States. If you travel between 10 AM and 4 PM, you should not have many issues with traffic beyond delays that are due to accidents or construction work.

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How to use less gas when you are driving
How to drive less
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How to use less gas when you are driving

Current gas prices in Puerto Rico are about a dollar and ten cents per liter ($4.15 a gallon) as of March 15, 2022. As gas prices inevitably continue to rise, you will want to conserve your fuel as much as you possibly can. Thankfully, there are several efficient and easy ways to do so.

The first way to conserve gas while you drive is to do your best to maintain a consistent speed as much as you can. When your speed lowers and increases more often, your engine has to work harder and will need to use more fuel. When you can, use cruise control. Another way to avoid burning up unnecessary amounts of fuel when you drive is to accelerate slowly rather than pressing the pedal into the floor. Again, big changes in speed in just a few moments over-works your engine which eats more gas.

Try to avoid braking when possible because doing so wastes forward motion that you already spent fuel on to achieve. Thus, you should coast to slow down when possible. Finally, try to avoid sitting in traffic if possible. Sitting in traffic with your car running is an obvious waste of gas. Do your best to drive only during less busy times of the day.
 

How to drive less

The most efficient way to save your fuel is to drive less frequently. This obviously is not always possible, but it is something to consider and make your best effort with. With high volumes of traffic at times in areas like San Juan, this can even save you some time in certain situations in addition to saving you money.

The best and most obvious way to accomplish this is to walk and or ride a bike when possible. In areas like San Juan, this will be much easier as everything is much closer together. For longer distances, this likely will not be a possibility. You can also consider taking the bus or, in San Juan, you can take El Tren Urbano which is Puerto Rico’s equivalent to the subway. These options will only cost a couple of bucks and will be considerably cheaper than driving with the current fuel prices.
 

Wrapping up

Gas is quite expensive these days and all signs point to it getting even more expensive. As a result, you will want to avoid wasting as much fuel as possible. You can do so by avoiding excessive and unnecessary acceleration when possible, avoiding traffic as much as you can and by using alternative methods of transportation such as walking or taking the bus if possible.

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The risk of being hit by another vehicle
Legal trouble
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The risk of being hit by another vehicle

Double parking anywhere is never a good idea. This is particularly true in Puerto Rico where traffic can be dense, aggressive and very unpredictable. When you double park, you increase your odds of being hit by another vehicle tremendously. Even if you just double park for five minutes, it is a completely unnecessary risk that you should never take.

The most obvious danger when you double park is that an approaching driver might not see you and can easily rear-end your vehicle. However, when you double park you can also cause traffic to spill over into adjacent oncoming lanes which can easily lead to a head-on collision. It can also cause traffic to move onto sidewalks or other pedestrian areas which can lead to serious injury for pedestrians or cyclists.
 

Legal trouble

On top of the potential risk of causing an accident, you are also greatly impeding traffic when you double park in Puerto Rico. This is obviously very selfish, but it is also illegal. Even though police enforcement of traffic laws is a bit more lax in Puerto Rico, you still might get a ticket with a hefty fine.

In Puerto Rico, if you are caught double-parking which will likely be seen and written up as impeding traffic, you will likely face a face of a hundred or more dollars. In addition, your insurance rates can also be increased depending on if you have any previous moving violations on your driving record. The increase to your insurance can end up costing you a few hundred dollars a year for multiple years, depending on your coverage.

Possibly worst of all, when you are rear-ended when double parked, the typical insurance liability that falls on the driver who hit you from behind, does not apply. So, not only will their insurance not cover your vehicle’s damages, but you might also have to cover their car’s damages.
 

Wrapping up

Double parking is always a selfish and flat-out dumb thing to do, even when it is just for a few minutes. In Puerto Rico, it is even worse due to the high volume of traffic as well as the more haphazard way many people tend to drive. When you double park you are at a much higher risk of getting hit by another car and/or causing an accident. You also might get a costly ticket for impeding traffic which can cause your car insurance rates to increase as well for quite a while.

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Dealing with your mechanic
Prevention
Conclusion
 

Dealing with your mechanic

A large part of saving money on your car’s repair costs will be to find a good mechanic who is trustworthy. The two primary ways to start that process will be to use word of mouth from friends and family and/or to use online reviews on sites like Google and Yelp. If you choose to go only by word of mouth and the person that referred you to a specific mechanic has a long-standing relationship with that mechanic, be sure to mention your relationship to that mechanic when you take your car in.

If you use online reviews, there will be a few things that you should look for. Do not just go by their overall rating, although their rating should be at least a three out of five. Instead, read specific reviews to see if the work that you might also be getting is mentioned in a few reviews. Also, be sure that pricing has been mentioned as fair and that there is no mention of price gouging or up-selling.

Finally, if you are already dealing with a mechanic, watch out for some warning signs that you might be paying too much. First, if you are routinely waiting over a day for more minor repairs, this might be because they are spending too much time looking for other problems that they can charge you for. Also, if they often “upsell” you on additional service, they might be overly concerned with the money they can charge you rather than the quality of service that they are providing.
 

Prevention

The best way to save money on car repairs is by preventing the need for them in the first place. A good and honest mechanic will possibly help, but the real issues with your vehicle will need to be fixed no matter what happens. This will start with getting your car serviced regularly and never ignoring your check engine light or other warning lights on the dashboard. Waiting a bit longer to do something like getting your oil changed may not seem like a big deal but over time this can lead to bigger issues with your engine that will cost you much more in terms of the repairs.

This might seem obvious, but it warrants being mentioned for some drivers out there. Drive safely and cautiously. Some of the most expensive car repairs are due to easily preventable accidents. However, even if you drive aggressively without getting into an accident, this driving style will take its toll on your car as well as its parts and will cost you more money over time. For example, if you are constantly slamming on your breaks due to driving too fast, your brake pads will wear out much more quickly and you will need to get them replaced much more frequently.
 

Conclusion

More often than not, a car repair will cost what it costs, and you will need to pay in order to continue driving that vehicle safely and legally. However, taking your car to a good yet honest mechanic can help you save on the repair costs. Preventing the need for repairs by driving safely and cautiously will go even further in terms of saving you money on potential costly repairs for your vehicle.

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Giving a bike rider space
Other safety precautions near a bicyclist
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Giving a bike rider space

Bike riders have the same right to the road as motor vehicles do. This means that you must yield to them when it is necessary, and you must respect their safety the same way you would another driver. On top of that you have to realize that bicyclists are at a much higher risk of severe injury if they are in an accident or collision with a vehicle. If you hit a bike rider, you will be criminally liable as well as responsible for their medical expenses and you will likely also be sued and lose. It will be extremely costly for you overall.

Thus, making sure any bike riders near you on the road are not in danger due to your driving must be a top priority. The most crucial part of doing so will be to give them the proper space. Anytime you are driving near a bike rider, you must give them at least three feet of space if they are alongside of you. If they are in front of you, you must give them at least three car lengths (depending on your exact speed) of space to ensure complete safety.
 

Other safety precautions near a bicyclist

In addition to giving a cyclist the right amount of space to ensure their safety, there are several other precautions that you must take as well. The first is to reduce your speed a bit in order to allow you more reaction time in case you need to avoid a collision with them. You also must make sure that you only pass them safely while maintaining the three plus feet of space rule. Never drive in or too close to a bike lane. Finally, whenever you are parked and you open your door, always check your mirror and blind spot for an approaching bike rider first.
 

Wrapping up

The same way that you share the road with other drivers, you will legally and literally also share the road with bike riders. It is extremely important for the safety of the cyclists out there as well as for you in terms of avoiding legal and civil trouble, that you make bike rider’s safety extremely important when you are out driving in Puerto Rico. In order to ensure a bike rider’s safety who is riding in close proximity to you give them at least three feet of space when they are next to you, several car lengths if they are in front of you, never drive in a bike lane and always check for approaching cyclists before opening any of your car’s doors.

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What you need in case you get pulled over
What you need in case you get into an accident
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What you need in case you get pulled over

In general, there are three main documents you will need to keep in your car in case you are pulled over by the police. These documents are your license, registration, and proof of insurance. You should always keep your license on your person as it is your primary form of identification in the United States, and you might need to show it to someone in a situation when you are not driving such as to buy an age restricted product like alcohol for example.

However, you should always keep your registration and proof of insurance in your glove box for quick access in case you are pulled over. It is important to be able to access these documents quickly when you are pulled over because quickly presenting them to the officer can help expedite the time they need to spend at the traffic stop which can lead to them possibly giving you a break on any tickets.
 

What you need in case you get into an accident

On top of your insurance and registration documents, you should really consider keeping a few other things in your glove box. These things will help you in case you are in an accident and/or have car trouble. The first of these things is your car’s owner’s manual. This will provide you valuable information that you will need in case your car is not working as intended.

You should also keep a notepad, pen and camera in your glovebox. These things will be very important in case you are in an accident with another car as they will allow you to document the conditions of the vehicles right after the accident as well as any names, numbers and other important information you might need later. You also may want to consider keeping a phone charger and/or external phone battery to use in case your phone is low on charge when you are in an accident.
 

Wrapping up

Many people use their glove boxes to keep miscellaneous things such as napkins, gloves, CDs glasses etc. That is fine and you should have room for those things but there are much more important items that you should keep handy in your glove box of which you should ensure are always there. This includes your car’s owner’s manual, your registration, your proof of insurance and a camera. These things will allow you to avoid unnecessary tickets if you are pulled over as well as protect you from additional liability in case you are in a car accident.

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The dangers of road rage
How to avoid road rage
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The dangers of road rage

Road rage is an extremely dangerous and unfortunate occurrence, but it is something that happens from time to time. These incidents can lead to property damage (primarily to your vehicle), injury or even death. There will almost always be an opportunity to avoid these situations one way or another, so we recommend that you do what is ever in your power to always do so.

In the last decade, road rage incidents have increased by over five hundred percent and there is no sign of that growth slowing down anytime soon. On average, over a third of road rage incidents involve a firearm. Over thirty people die each year in road rage altercations. Finally, in 2019, four out of five people surveyed admitted they had been involved in a road rage incident in the past year. With all of these horrifying statistics, it is easy to see how crucial it is for your safety and the safety of your passengers that you be able to avoid these incidents.
 

How to avoid road rage

Thankfully there are some extremely effective ways to avoid both experiencing road rage as well as to avoid others who are experiencing road rage. This will start by completely avoiding driving aggressively in any way. This will include not driving over the speed limit, not driving too closely behind anyone else, avoiding changing lanes too quickly and/or without warning/signaling and not using your horn excessively.

You should also make being polite to other drivers a permanent habit. This means doing things like waving people on at an intersection or letting someone in who is attempting to merge into your lane. Another great way to side-step road rage is to train yourself to calm down quickly when someone has done something improper in traffic to you like cut you off or stop short in front of you. One effective technique for this is to take a series of deep breaths and/or pull over until you are calm again. Finally, if you notice someone else driving aggressively near you, do your best to keep your distance from them and always let them pass you with ease, making a point is never worth it when it comes to potential road rage.
 

Wrapping up

Road rage is always completely unnecessary and entirely avoidable. The costs of road rage can be extreme and even grave in nature. In order to avoid any possible road rage incidents, you should drive carefully, without excessive speed, without driving too closely, give proper signal before changing lanes and always be polite to other drivers. If you feel road rage coming on, take some deep breaths or pull over. Finally, if you see someone driving aggressively, stay away from them.

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How you can ship a motorcycle to Puerto Rico
Tips for shipping a motorcycle
Wrapping up
 

How you can ship a motorcycle to Puerto Rico

Shipping a motorcycle to Puerto Rico is quite easy. It is pretty similar to shipping a car to Puerto Rico with a few minor differences. You will still need to determine when you need your shipment picked up and delivered and book your shipment several weeks ahead of the pickup date. You will also still need to prepare for your shipment, although this will be a bit easier than preparing a full-size car for shipping. Finally, you will also need to be sure that you will be available to pick up your motorcycle at the port in San Juan.

In terms of how far ahead to schedule your motorcycle shipment, you should do so a month in advance of your desired pick up date. There are fewer carriers available with the ability to ship motorcycles properly and securely, so the more notice you give, the better chance you have of getting your preferred shipping dates. As far as preparation, you will really just need to clean your bike as well as remove any personal items and/or detachable parts because these things will not be covered by the carrier insurance.
 

Tips for shipping a motorcycle

You can take a few extra steps in order to make sure that your Puerto Rican motorcycle shipment goes as smoothly as possible. One such step will be to be completely sure that your bike is in running condition. This will include checking your bike’s fluid levels, the tires and their pressure as well as your battery.

You should also check with your shipping company and ensure that your motorcycle is being shipped in an enclosed carrier when it is being transported on the ground. Enclosed transport offers extra protection for your motorcycle during transport. This might cost a bit extra, but it will be worth it. Finally, you also should be ready to show proper documentation at the San Juan port when you pickup your motorcycle. This will include your license, social security card, excise tax document and your proof of payment of the excise tax.
 

Wrapping up

Shipping a motorcycle to Puerto Rico is just as simple as shipping a vehicle there. There are a few small differences such as the preparation for shipping. Be sure that your motorcycle is in good running condition, and you should also consider shipping in an enclosed carrier. If you need a motorcycle shipped to Puerto Rico, give us a call with any questions or for a free quote anytime at (904) 322-7644.

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The different meanings of flashing your brights
Why it is technically not legal
Wrapping up
 

The different meanings of flashing your brights

If you see someone flash their brights when they pass you on the other side of the road, it could mean one of a few things or it could be that they are flashing their brights at a vehicle that is near you instead. For our purposes, lets assume they are flashing their brights at you.

The most frequent reason that someone flashes their brights at another driver is that the other driver is driving at night with their headlights off. So, the first thing you should check is that your headlights are on. Another reason they might be flashing their brights is that one of your headlights might be out. Pull over and check to see if both your headlights are working as well if someone has flashed their brights at you. A less frequent but definite possible reason for someone flashing their brights in your direction could be that you are driving with your brights on in a situation that does not call for it. Thus, you should also check that your regular headlights are on rather than your own brights.

Sometimes, someone flashing their brights at you might mean that there is a police car up ahead hidden or semi-hidden, trying to catch speeders. So, you should also make sure that you are not exceeding the speed limit as soon as you get brights flashed at you. Finally, if you come to an intersection or road where only one car can pass through and the driver across from you flashes their brights, it means they are giving you the right of way to go first.
 

Why it is technically not legal

There generally are no specific laws that specifically say flashing your brights at another driver is illegal. However, a police officer’s interpretation of the act could make the practice illegal in certain situations. One such situation is if you are caught flashing your brights in order to warn someone of police up ahead of them. This could be considered interfering with the police in some way. You can get a hefty fine in this instance. You might also get pulled over for flashing your brights if an officer deems it as a distraction or an act of aggression. This is extremely rare, but it is possible.
 

Wrapping up

When one driver flashes their brights at another driver, it is almost always some sort of courtesy. They might be letting you know that your headlights are not on at night, that one of your headlights is out, that you are driving with your brights on or that there are police up ahead trying to catch people speeding. So, when someone flashes their brights at you, you should quickly make sure your headlights are on, that your brights are not on, that you do not have a headlight out and that you are not speeding. If you are at an intersection or a narrow two-way road and someone flashes their brights at you, they are giving you the right of way to go first.