Waterloo Automotive

When it comes to teenagers, it may seem like they’re nocturnal—always wanting to stay up later and sleep well into the morning (or afternoon). It’s just part of being a kid, and we’ve all been there at some point. But when it comes to teens, a late bedtime can become a problem when school is in session. Whether they go to bed at 10:00 p.m. or 1:00 a.m., the alarm will still go off at 6:00, and it will be up to them to suffer the consequences. Falling Asleep While Driving Unfortunately, part of those consequences can and do involve auto accidents. Already the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers in America, drowsiness only adds fuel to an already burning fire as teenagers stumble out of bed, get behind the wheel and take a dangerous drive with half-open eyes. According to research from Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), teens who average less than eight hours of sleep a night are twice as lik ... read more

What do you after getting involved in your first car accident? A teens first reaction is to freak out and then call their parents. Before you reach for your phone, slow down, take a deep breath and follow these responsible actions. Turn Off Your Vehicle The first thing you should do is put your vehicle into park and turn it off. If your car is sitting in a dangerous location or obstructing traffic then you should move it to the side of the road if possible. However, you should first know if this is legal to do. In some states it is actually illegal to move the vehicle out of the middle of the road after an accident. Make sure that you turn off the ignition. You do not know for certain what damage has been done to the vehicle and leaving it running could potentially result in a fire or further damage. Relax This is easier said then done. You most likely have a lot of adrenaline flowing through your veins at this moment. However ... read more

You can’t just rely on driver’s ed courses when it comes to teenage driving: parent involvement before and after your teen receives their driver’s license is key. In fact, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, teenage drivers whose parents establish driving rules and supportively monitor teenage driving are 50% less likely to get in an accident, 71% less likely to drink and drive, 30% less likely to use their phone while driving, 50% more likely to use their seatbelt, and generally less likely to speed. Give yourself a little peace of mind by following our tips for preventing teenage driving accidents. Tips for Parents: Preventing Teenage Driving AccidentsSupplement Required Teenage Driving Education Depending on where you live, your state will have different requirements for teenage driving education. For example, if you live in St. Louis, MO, your teenage driver will need to complete 40 hours o ... read more

Have you brushed up on your winter driving tips? With November here and December just around the corner, colder weather is sure to move in soon. Especially in St. Louis and other parts of the Midwest, snow and ice storms are a normal part of winter. If you’re new to driving or you have a teenaged driver, now is a good time to familiarize yourself with winter driving tips so that you and your loved ones won’t end up stuck in the cold. Winter Driving Tips for Teens The best way to stay safe in winter weather is to avoid driving altogether. However, this might not be possible for you — so you should still learn these winter driving tips for the times when travel is necessary! Winter Driving Tips: Icy Roads Follow these winter driving tips when you’re on icy roads, and you should avoid accidents: Turn your headlights on to ensure other drivers can see you. When road conditions become icy, slow down ... read more

The weather is cooling off and before you know it, the leaves will be changing color and collecting on the streets. Fall is a time of change, so it is important that your teen is aware of the car safety adjustments they will need to make to stay safe throughout the transition into fall. At Meyer’s Automotive, we care about your teen’s safety. This fall make sure your teen consults our list of fall car safety tips. Leaves There are few things as lovely as the change of trees’ leaves in fall. As a driver, it is important that your teen is aware of the impact leaves can have on driving conditions. If it is rainy and cool outside, leaves can become dangerous road hazards. Wet leaves can make for slippery driving conditions. So, when driving in these conditions, encourage your teen to take extra car safety measures like allowing for additional braking time. Doing so will help your teen come to safer stops and could even help prevent accidents ... read more

Getting a driver’s license is a sign of growing up, when teens experience new freedoms. Many parents would like to be everywhere their teenager is, but unfortunately that’s just not possible. It is possible, however, to monitor what your teen is doing behind the wheel. While some young drivers may feel violated or untrustworthy because of parental tracking, many parents are seeing it as a good and necessary precaution to keep their kids safe behind the wheel. Apps & Technology Find My iPhone
Find My iPhone allows users to track where their iPhone is if it’s lost or stolen. Some parents, however, use it to see exactly where their teen is at all times. With the click of a mouse, you can view the location of the iPhone or other Apple device from a computer or smartphone. MyKey
MyKey, a safety system offered by Ford, gives parents the opportunity to control various features in their teen’s car. One main feature is a maximum speed setting, w

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Driving in the city can be stressful. You may be in an unfamiliar area with more cars, more pedestrians and intense traffic. What to do when you find yourself venturing through the city (your own or a new one)? Have a strategy! Be prepared for your city driving excursion, and you’ll make it to your destination with your car in tact and a relaxed attitude. When you’re getting ready to do more city driving, you’ll need some guidelines to make it easier. That’s why we’ve made this list of city driving tips. City Driving TipsPlan your route
Know where you’re going- including the addresses and phone numbers of each location. Instead of just knowing you’re meeting a friend at a sushi place on Marigold Street for dinner, have the details saved somewhere. Write the address on a piece of paper or save it on your phone so you know that you’re heading to “Crazy Sushi” at 124 Marigold Street. The more details, the better. Avoid r
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Are you ready for prom? Last time we started a list about making prom night fun and memorable. It’s so easy to get stressed out when you’re trying to coordinate a group. Where should you take pictures, where will you get dinner, who is driving, and what will you wear?! This year, don’t get freaked out. We’ve already talked about making a schedule for the day and picking a driver for the night. Check out the rest of our tips for a fun prom night! Check out the first three prom night tips.4. Buckle up
We know you don’t want to wrinkle that handsome tux or beautiful dress, but they will hold up fine! Keep your seat belt on no matter who is driving- it’s worth it. 5. Get Your Car Ready
If you do drive, make sure your car is ready. Give it a thorough check. How are the tires, windshield wiper fluid and oil? Have a mechanic give a chec

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Are you counting down to prom yet? We’re betting that you might have the perfect dress already, and maybe you’ve made plans for after prom. Planning for prom is exciting- it’s not only a fun night, but it’s a clue that the end of the school year is near! Prom can be a fun night that you’ll remember for years, but it can also turn into a horrible memory. Every year, newscasters have to share the details of accidents that took place on prom night. Too many young adults lose their life too early because of prom night excitement. This year, make sure prom is a night you’ll want to remember. Prom night can be stressful- planning who you’ll go with, where you’ll have dinner, and what you’ll all do after the dance. Make it fun from start to finish. If you have a plan, there will be less stress. You’ll be able to focus on having a good time. Here are the first 3 tips for making prom night fun. Our next post will cover the rest! 1. Make a Schedule ... read more

Fresh information hit the news last month when Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) revealed the results of a survey regarding the amount of influence a parent’s driving habits has on the ones of their teenage drivers. According to the survey, which polled 1,700 teens from across the nation, adults are engaging in poor and risky driving habits while their teens are in the car and, in the process, doing more than just putting their families at risk. By engaging in behaviors such as texting, speeding and driving while intoxicated, parents are setting poor examples for their teenage drivers and causing them to follow suit by repeating the actions in nearly equal amounts. Not surprisingly, the most common destructive driving behavior modeled by parents was talking on a cell phone while driving. The second-most repeated offense was speeding, followed by texting, driving without a seatbelt, driving while intoxicated and, finally, drivin ... read more