If your gonna be distracted, make it musical

Ok, we concede, you people are just not going to put down the cell phones, make-up, laptop, food or whatever it is your doing instead of driving. So, we at Harmony are offering a suggestion, try going back to the good ole car stereo. Yes, that thing with the knobs and dial inserted in your dash. Well, maybe yours is more sophisticated and has a touch screen or talks to you or maybe you just use yours as an ipod auxiliary to vent your tunes through, however you use it use it! Now that you are reacquainted with your dashboard functions we want to know what you are shaking your booty, headbangin', or groovin' to while you are driving. All of which are dangerous to do while driving. (Hey, we are a safe driving promoting company, so we have to point out the dangers)

VH1 has released a list of the ALL-TIME GREATEST DRIVING SONGS, so we will share that with you here:

To put it simply: you're still in the horse and buggy days if your car isn't tricked out with a decent enough stereo to blast your favorite tunes. Whether speeding cross-country, or bopping to Piggly Wiggly for a loaf of bread, the front seat is a much more fun place with music in the air.

Here's a list of VH1's favorite driving tunes, the ones that Rachel Perry and NASCAR kingpin Kevin Harvick's used for inspiration during their recent adventure together.

1. STEPPENWOLF - "Born To Be Wild"
Some say it works best when fishtailing on a long stretch of empty road. There’s something about gunning the engine as John Kay growls that he’s up for "whatever comes our way."

2. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Born to Run"
It's the romance of Bruce’s nothing-left-to-lose lyrics that makes you want to jump behind the wheel, but as those guitars and saxophones pound away, just the cheap thrill of hitting the gas is a valuable rock 'n' roll statement by itself.

3. AC/DC - "Highway To Hell"
Angus and the guys are only interested in forward motion. Pointing themselves toward that flaming cul de sac ("No stop signs/no speed limit," the singer gleefully shouts), they drag you right along with them.

4. SAMMY HAGAR - "I Can’t Drive 55"
Some people have no use for brakes, and as the big beat of Hagar’s highway anthem builds and builds and builds, his defiance of the speed limit becomes more and more appealing. Go ahead and write him up, copper, he don’t care.

5. JOHN MELLENCAMP - "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A."
The singer’s salute to '60s radio was built around a refrain that celebrates Motown, the Brill Building and all the pimple-faced rockers in every American garage band. When you shout along, you’re usually pounding the dashboard.

6. VAN HALEN - "Panama"
More than a few car stereos have been fried blasting this baby, the most sublime union of Eddie Van Halen’s whammy-bar hydraulics and David Lee Roth’s high-test raunch.

7. PRINCE - "Little Red Corvette"
Prince cruises dangerous curves much too fast, turning the heads with that oh-so-sexy intro, killer chorus and a bass line that pops like thighs off plastic upholstery on a sticky summer day.

8. LENNY KRAVITZ - "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Here’s Lenny’s most successful attempt at writing the greatest riff of all time. Who cares which way he wants to go? Just stand on the accelerator and pretend not to notice the police sirens.

9. ZZ TOP - "Legs"
The Texas trio’s boogie has often prompted wild types to test the local land speed records - it’s just the nature of the rhythm, the "drive" if you will.

10. SHERYL CROW - "Every Day is a Winding Road"
Crow’s back-roads blues riff can make even a quick journey to the supermarket in your Ford Escort sound like the Cannonball Run. The philosophical message is also cleverly signposted.

WOW! that takes you back "in the day". Good to know that this music is holding up.
For an interactive list (Clips and Bios) visit VH1.


Do you agree with this list? We want to know so leave your comments and tell us your favorites. We will let you know what you said in a later post.

Now that we have made the suggestion to turn on the tunes, we have to let you know how to do it safely while driving. (Sorry, again we ARE safe driving ambassadors)

1. Keep volume at a level that does not distract you from hearing emergency vehicles, on-coming trains or screeching brakes heading your way! (That one is like the "HOT LIQUID" warning on coffee cups)
2. Keep in mind that not everyone wants to hear your music. Especially if you prefer the foul lyrics of some music. (AND in some cities that can result in an arrest)
3. Do not build/install your stereo without the help of an expert. (Your car catching on fire does not mean your music is "HOT")
4. Do not spend ALL your money on the stereo upgrade (Leave yourself some cash for gas, unless you like to hear your stereo in the driveway)
5. BE CAREFUL shakin' grooving and headbangin'!!!(You could injure yourself or someone else if it is distracting you while driving)

So, go on load up the ipod, buy your favorite bands CD and get out there enjoy yourself, just be mindful your are still driving.

Thanks for reading and think about a book on disc or some other instructional cd while driving. It's a great time to learn something.

Yes officer, I was wrong in doing that.

One minute your cruising down the highway and the next, your the object of every passer-byes curiosity. You have those glaring red and blues behind you and that blinding spot light aimed in your mirrors. So what do you now, at that moment before the officer approaches your window and ask for your license and registration? Well Harmony has decided to help you out by giving some advice on the do's and don'ts of the traffic stop. We start by using a suggestion from a blog called Davidisms.
Davidism #7 – Accept Responsibility: Look, whenever we are caught doing something wrong it seems to upset our day. We spend the entire day nursing and rehearsing how when other people were doing the wrong they weren’t caught, but we were. We don’t spend nearly enough time admitting to our own wrong in the matter. Really, if we would just say, “yep, I did it” then we don’t have to ruin our day and try to convince other people to join our pity party… and frankly people who admit their mistakes look better in the character category.
As a former law officer myself I couldn't agree more. Accepting responsibility for our actions is less stressful than trying to cover for them. If many of you did this, especially when encountering the law, then your character is not in question and a simple acknowledgment of your infraction and verbal warning will satisfy the nice policeman.

In my law enforcement career I encountered many type of people during a traffic stop. The criers, the totally oblivious, the excuse makers, the dumbfounded, and the no-time for this type. I never encountered the guilty, even when the Judge said they were, they just wouldn't admit it. I know, not every person stopped for a traffic infraction, is guilty, but with so many tools to prove you are, it's about 90% fact that you committed a violation. So, how do you make the best of it and keep yourself off the evening news for a confrontation with a taser? Simple! THINK first. Common sense goes a long way to getting you back on your journey. Try these tactics instead of excuses and see if your driving record improves drastically.

1. Pull over as soon as possible and find a safe place for you and the officer to conduct business.
2. Always turn on your hazard lights and at night an interior light to let the officer know you are not a threat.
3. Have the required documentation ready (License and Proof of insurance). Fondling around in a glove box or storage space makes an officer nervous.
4. Be truthful when asked questions about your driving/criminal history. He's gonna know anyway and this is a small test of your character.
5. Use all the courtesies your mother taught you. Pleasant exchanges lessen your chance for a ticket. And remember most of these stops are recorded!
6. Never confront the officer. Being a good listener scores you points.
7. If asked to exit the vehicle do so in a timely and smooth manner. That taser "thingy" really does hurt.
8. Always keep in mind that the officer does not want to be on the side of the anymore than you do. It is very dangerous!
9. Always keep your hands where they can be seen! A nervous cop writes tickets and looks into your background more deeply.
10. Finally, keep your passengers quiet! What they say can hurt you. The smoother the exchange of the stop the sooner you are back on the road.

Now this obviously does not cover every scenario, but these are the basics to keeping you and your driving/criminal record clean. You must also understand that there are policeman that write tickets no matter what. Keeping your cool keeps them from missing dinner and maybe the next time he stops you he will have mercy on you.

Really it's basic human interaction and common courtesy. You have somewhere to be and the police have a job to do. When your paths cross, make it a short and pleasant encounter rather than ending up in the clink for a very silly misunderstanding.


Thanks for reading and remember this? K-I-S-S. Practice it!

NHS Funding: The big secrete in Congress

"Out of gas" is how the latest analysis by the GAO* has described the Highway Trust Fund. Two Senators, Tom Coburn(R-OK) and John McCain(R-AZ) released a report that details how billions of dollars from the fund are not being spent on basic infrastructure. In fact, GAO auditors found that over the last five years, $78 billion in fund receipts have been obligated for "purposes other than construction and maintenance of highways and bridges."

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• McCain & Coburn: Let's Make Roads Safer - by Slashing Safety Money (streetsblog.org)

According to the GAO report, the DOT** allotment that went for purposes other than construction included $2.4 billion to the FMCSA,*** another $754 million went to the operating expenses for safety programs while an additional $161 million went to fund the programs information management. Senator McCain noted that the number of highway bill earmarks "has exploded" and called Congressional spending on pet projects "frivolous." "Congress has wasted billions of dollars on low-priority projects such as bike paths while bridges are in disrepair." Senator Coburn said. "It's inexcusable to continue business as usual when Congress could be supporting priorities that would save lives, save taxpayer funds, create jobs and truly stimulate the economy." " Now Congress wants to bail out the trust fund by saddling future generations with more debt." Senator McCain said. "Doing so is irresponsible." "No one is saying our nation should be without flowers and ferries or bike paths and boat museums." The Senators say in their report. "But today's choices must be about priorities."

* Government Accountability Office
** Dept.of Transportation
*** Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration

WOW! in this economy highway fund spending issues are not what commuters want to hear about. Squabbles in Congress are not new, but this is a serious matter. Highways and bridges in disrepair could be crippling to the economy. What if you could not get to work because of poor highways? would you walk, take public transportation or use one those funded bike paths? Our nations highways need constant repair and with recent stories of bridge collapses funding the upkeep of these structures is a priority.

So, now you want to know where these bad roads are, right? Well, we just happen to have a report released in march by Overdrive, a trucking publication that polls truckers for the latest road "report cards." They are as follows:

10 WORST ROADS BY STATE

1. Louisiana

2. Pennsylvania

3. Michigan

4. California

5. Oklahoma

6. New York

7. Illinois

8. New Jersey

9. Missouri

10. Arkansas

Thanks to our partners at TRUCKING101.biz for sharing this information.

Thanks for reading and remember that pot-hole on your street may not get repaired, unless you do it yourself.