road safety

5 ways to politely decline a drink

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Picture this: you are out with a few friends, coworkers or strangers while you’re out. You’re having a good time. However, you get pushed to take an alcoholic drink, but you don’t want to: how do you say no without offending anyone? Here are 5 ways to say ‘no’ to alcohol.

1. “I don’t drink and drive” OR “I’m driving”: This is a very good response if you are driving. It reinforces the concept of safe driving and shows that you are a responsible individual. This is arguably the best also the perfect job for those who don’t drink-they can hang out with friends, not drink and then take them home. Everyone appreciates a free ride home.

no alcohol today
Don’t drink and drive. Ever

2. “I don’t drink”: Probably the response which requires numerous follow-up questions, but its worth a try. You may wish to decline drinking as you may have taken a religious vow, or you are taking a break from alcohol altogether. Expect to get teased and joked about your sense of fun, and/or masculinity/femininity. That said, be firm and is a good reply as long as you can keep up with the fun activities with your friends.

3.“I have to get up early tomorrow” OR “I’ve got work in the morning”: It’s an interesting reply, as it may prompt a follow-up question (ie: ‘what are you doing tomorrow?’). That said, It’s good as it demonstrates that you don’t permit alcohol to interfere with your daily activities and you have a good head on your shoulders.

limits
Know your limits when it comes to alcohol

4. “I’ve just had one”: It’s a good, easygoing response. This prevents someone from accusing you from being too uptight. This insinuates that you are have boundaries and that you don’t need to drink continuously, but indicates that you could have taken a drink if you wanted.

5. “I’ve had enough to drink”: This is a hugely powerful statement when you drink with a regular crowd. If it’s a new group, they will learn about your tolerance eventually. It’s good to drink responsibly, especially for those who may have problems with alcohol

What are other effective methods you use to drink responsibly? Tell us in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

10 Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

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Motorcycles are quite common in Sri Lanka. In fact, as of October 2014, the Sunday Times reported that they nearly 20,000 new motorcycles were registered between January and October 2014 . However, they are far more susceptible to get involved in vehicle accidents. On that note, we’d like to provide 10 safety tips for all you motorcycle drivers.

1. Wear a helmet: As we have mentioned earlier, not wearing a helmet is pretty dangerous.  Although the situation is still iffy, the court of appeal has allowed individuals to wear helmets until July 2nd.

2. Watch your speed: Don’t speed. Not only is it against the law, the consequences can be far more deadly for a motorcyclist. Travel at a moderate pace, so that you can stop when you need to and always remember to go slow when turning your vehicle.

oncoming traffic
Watch out for potential accidents

3. Wear bright clothing: If you can afford to invest in reflective material, go for it. Otherwise, wear bright coloured clothes when you can. In the same way, pick out a helmet which stands out. A lot of motorists often complain that they don’t see motorbikes, so ensure that you stay visible.

TIP: Avoid wearing shorts or jeans: they provide little protection in the event of a crash. Invest in a decent rain repellent jacket which is breathable and sturdy pants.

4. Look for obstacles: Simple obstacles like potholes often are a little more than an annoyance to most motorists. However, it can be a death trap for motorcyclists. Keep an eye out for sand, slippery roads, and oil spills as they can cause you to lose control of your motorcycle.

5. Look before you move: When you’re drifting into another lane or overtaking a vehicle, ensure that you look. The want to make sure that no other vehicles are in your way which could cause you serious injury.

blind spot
Always look before you make a turn

6. Dont drive when you are tired: As we have suggested before, driving when you’re tired is very dangerous. Whenever possible, don’t drive tired because your reflex need to be much sharper when you’re travelling on a motorcycle. Speaking of reflexes, don’t have mobile phones or speakers on you when riding, as this significantly increases the chances of you getting into an accident.

7. Assume the worst, hope for the best: Experienced motorcyclists often suggest that its best to be prepared for everything. We’re not trying to make you paranoid,  but expect the car in front of you to stop immediately, turn suddenly or open a door when stationary. Anticipate potential hazards and react swiftly.

Don’t wear slippers as they don’t grip very well

8. Leave enough space between vehicles: Ensure that you leave sufficient stopping distance. Yes, while bikes need less space to stop, it’s always better to give yourself more room than to be sorry. Leave even more space when its raining.

9. Watch your passengers: As a driver, it is your responsibility to take your passenger safe and sound. Don’t give them a broken helmet, and be sure to drive extra carefully as the additional weight will limit your ability to move swiftly and manage tight corners.

10. Don’t wear slippers: Always wear shoes which give you a good grip. Yes, it may be hot and more uncomfortable. However, if you are wearing sandals or slippers, chances are that they can slip off. This is quite dangerous. Furthermore, shoes let you shift gears with little discomfort and ensures that your feet don’t get burnt.

Have any more tips to add to this list? Write them in our comments section. Until then, safe driving!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

The Cops found out that I’ve been drinking and driving. What happens now?

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We get it, it happens. You’ve had a lot to drink and you’ve made a poor decision, you got behind the wheel of your car. Now, you’ve gotten caught by the police. If this is your first time, you’re probably thinking “What’s going to happen now?” Here’s what you should expect.

The Test: If a police officer asks if you’ve been drinking and isn’t satisfied with your answer, you will need to take a breathalyzer test. The key number here is 0.06%. If your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is higher than this amount, OR if you refuse to do the test altogether, you will be deemed drunk.

breathalyzer

The police have decided that I’m drunk, what happens now?

Look into Section 216 of the motor traffic act, which can be read here. It says if the driver is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol the following penalties will apply:

– Stay at the police station to be examined by a government medical officer.

– Be taken to jail before a magistrate

– Depending on the decision, expect to pay a fine between Rs.3500-Rs.7500 and/or jail time of upto 3 months

tow truck towing away a car
Your vehicle will be towed, AND you will have to pay for it

– Suspension of his/her driving license for a period of 12 months

– Have his/her vehicle taken by the police: Although the insurance firm can make these arrangements for you, You will bear the cost of towing your vehicle (between Rs. 10,000-Rs. 20,000 within Colombo) to the police station.

– Have a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) on your permanent record: which could affect your ability to get certain jobs, travel VISA’s, bank loans, get into university, not to mention the social stigma associated with being labelled a drunk driver.

law
The law is pretty clear: don’t drink and drive

 

What about insurance? Your premium amounts won’t get affected in Sri Lanka. However, if there is an accident and you are caught with a DUI, your insurance claim will be rejected.

Let’s recap: A suspended driving license, an impounded vehicle and a fair amount of money gone down the drain. That’s a pretty significant penalty for deciding to get behind the wheel while driving. Plus, we haven’t even gone into what would happen if your vehicle got into an accident, this is what happens when the stakes are lower!

Bottom line: drinking and driving isn’t worth it. Make sure you take appropriate steps to get home safely. 

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

How to: Avoid Potholes & Bounce back from Pothole Damage

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Potholes.

These are probably some of the more annoying aspects of driving. We all get a little annoyed when we hit a pothole since it makes the ride uncomfortable, usually just for a moment. Here. let’s look at the best way to tackle potholes, and how to recognize pothole damage.

 How do I avoid potholes?

1. Beware of Puddles: Given the fact that we’ve have a lot of rain recently, be wary of puddles. Some puddles usually aren’t  very deep, but be careful- the last thing you want to do is to find out the hard way!

pothole
Try to avoid potholes when driving!

2. Keep your eyes on the road: As we have mentioned earlier, Sri Lanka is a country which has a number of road accidents every year. A contributing factor is texting while driving. When you’re driving, be aware of your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for potholes.

3. Take care of your tyres and suspension: Tyres are more likely to get damaged when tyre pressure is low. In a similar way, if your shock absorbers are hit badly as a result of a pothole, your undercarriage becomes more vulnerable to damage.

car suspension
With your Car’s suspension, its whats inside that counts

4. Watch your Need for Speed– If the road you are travelling on has obstacles such as parked vehicles, narrow lanes or potholes, don’t speed. The faster you go, the greater the damage onto your car.

5. Hang on: If you can’t stop yourself from hitting a pothole, grip  your steering wheel tightly to ensure that you maintain control of your vehicle. Don’t brake, just let your car absorb the blow.

I tried everything, but I ended up hitting a pothole! Should I be worried?

It depends. If you encounter the following signs of pothole damage you ought to have your vehicle checked.

1. Alignment problems: Instead of going straight, you know you have problems if your vehicle veers too much to the left or the right. Furthermore, if one of your tyres is more worn out than the other, take a look at your vehicle’s alignment.

2. Tyre damage: If you hit a pothole hard, immediately slow down and pullover. Your tyres don’t necessarily have to blowout at the point of impact. Take a look at possible damage on the sidewalls and rims of the tyres. Severe damage could indicate that a blowout is imminent.

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Check for damage to your tyres and rims

3. Bumpy  Ride: If you hit a pothole and your car’s suspension system gets adversely affected, expect a bumpy ride. The suspension system is made to make your journey smoother. Hitting potholes harder often means that the shock absorption mechanism gets damaged, so please be careful.

4. Difficulty steering: If you can’t control you car when making turns or even simply going straight ahead, could mean that you have issues with your steering wheel.

steering
If you can’t control your car, you’ve got a problem

5. Problems down under: If there is a scratch on the bottom of your vehicle, it may not be a big deal for some people. However, you ought to take a look underneath to ensure that the undercarriage is OK.

6. Call your motor insurance company: If you have a motor insurance policy with HNB General Insurance, you may be eligible for a payment to cover repair costs. To find out more, call our HNB General Insurance hotline on 0114-883-883.

Liked this article? If you did, share & subscribe for more great content. See you next week!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

What Paul Walker’s Death in ‘Fast & the Furious 7’ teaches you about Insurance

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The Fast and the Furious 7 has come to cinemas in Sri Lanka. Although the trailer focused on its usual buildup, nearly all of the attention is focused around the demise of Paul Walker, who was one of the lead actors of the Fast and the Furious franchise.

paul walker
Paul Walker, who played Brian O’Connor in the movie franchise

It was a tragedy when Paul Walker and his passenger Roger Rodas were involved in a car crash. It’s a harsh lesson about the importance of having insurance. Universal pictures claimed for a $50million Key Person Insurance payout. This is to cover various elements such as the loss of a high profile star, cost for getting replacements, production delays, time off taken for cast and crew to recover from the tragic incident etc.

Even in Sri Lanka, there are individuals who work in large companies who apply for key person  insurance or life insurance in order to protect those who are most important to them, just in case.

At this point, we just want to say thank you: Thank you to Paul Walker for his amazing work in the Fast & the Furious franchise, for he has inspired millions around the world to take a look at the glitz & glamour of cars. In a cruel twist of fate, his life was tragically cut short. However, he has lived a life worth living.

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

The Dirty Dozen: The 12 Worst Sri Lankan Driving Habits

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Sri Lanka is notorious for its poor driving. Given the fact that we encounter a high level of road rage, it seemed appropriate that we list out the worst driving habits of our fellow Sri Lankan drivers:

1. Going too slowly…on the highway: Yes, we have highways and that is excellent. However, there are a number of individuals who go too slow-say travelling at 50kmph when the speed is as high as 100kmph. If you are one of those who goes too slowly, move towards the left lane. 

slow lane

2. Driving on the wrong lane: Speaking of lanes, there are too many vehicles which I encounter which travel on the wrong lane. If you are one of them, hear this: The left lane is for slower drivers, while the right lane is for those who want to go faster.

3. Disrespecting road rules: A classic example is disregarding the pedestrian crossing. A lot of drivers don’t stop as they are supposed to. Yes, the drivers will respond saying that pedestrians usually ‘jump from nowhere’, but they are allowed to cross the road using the pedestrian crossing. So be aware.

4. Using Mobiles & driving: As we have mentioned earlier, this is very dangerous, since a moment’s distraction is all that’s necessary in order to cause a collision. If you must take or receive an important call, move your car to the side and take the call.

phone while driving

5. Using the wrong turn signal: One of the most basic things to do, and yet you’ve likely come upon this scenario: drivers who are about to turn left, have their indicators lit up in the other direction (even when they can’t turn right!). While this may be quite amusing to some, it slows down the vehicle behind as it creates uncertainty, because the driver up front seemingly doesn’t appear to know what they are doing.

6. Drifting in and out of lanes: Probably the most annoying on the list. Some drivers cant seem to decide on which lane they want to stay on, and frequently keep changing lanes by swerving to the left or the right. This makes it difficult sometimes as motorists want to drive normally and shouldn’t have to worry about getting involved in a side on collision.

7. Reversing onto the main road: If you’ve ever had to park in a shop or restaurant which is on the main road, you know nerve-wracking this feels. You need to reverse and manoeuvre carefully as you do your best to avoid hitting another car, or pedestrian.

8. Inconvenient parking: You need to park somewhere quickly, unfortunately the closest parking spot has been taken in a very poor fashion (see pic below). If this is you, breathe.  We’ve all been there at least once. Please learn how to park in a convenient place and it’ll help everyone.poor parking

9. Too many people in a vehicle: This is more likely to happen if the vehicle is a three-wheeler/tuk tuk or a motorcycle. I understand that people want to save the cost of transportation, but surely that shouldn’t be at the expense of someone’s life?

10. Large vehicles on narrow roads: Narrow ‘side’ roads are frequently used as shortcuts by a number of drivers. However, the moment a large vehicle such as a bus, truck or even a car comes along, there is no way a second vehicle can go through.

no helmets

11. No helmets: This one is for all the motorcyclists who don’t use helmets: it’s a terrible idea. You are risking serious injury if you don’t have one on you and a road accident were to happen. Furthermore, there are children who travel without a helmet: Surely if you are a responsible parent,  keeping your children safe should be a priority.

12. Driving through yellow lights: Rarely a day hour goes by when this does not happen. All types of motorists seem to view the yellow light as ‘go’ and jam their foot on the accelerator. It’s not a safe thing to do, and even though it may cost you a little time in traffic, it’s better to get there late than to not get there at all.

12. Large vehicles on narrow roads: Narrow ‘side’ roads are frequently used as shortcuts by a number of drivers. However, the moment a large vehicle such as a bus, truck or even a car comes along, there is no way a second vehicle can go through.

And there you have it, the 12 worst driving habits of Sri Lankans. Which is the worst of them all? Tell us in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

6 Easy Ways to Protect Your Car and its Valuables from Theft

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Your vehicle is your primary mode of transportation and depending on who you are, may be a significant source of pride in  your life. How terrible would it be to lose your dream vehicle? It can happen in a moment, so be careful. To avoid car theft, use the following common sense steps to keep your vehicle as well as your valuables safe and secure

  • If you are parking, ensure that you park your vehicle in an area which is well-lit, or near a busy area, such as near the entrance/exit of a shop where there are people nearby
  • Lock your doors and windows, even if it’s for a short while
  • Keep your  keys on you at all times. Especially if you are running out to the ATM or grab a quick bite to eat
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Protecting your Vehicle & Your Valuables is Easier than you think
  • Keep valuable items away from prying eyes: Simple enough. If someone sees a laptop, phone’s, camera’s, credit cards or other valuable items in your car unattended, they may be interested in stealing it.
  • Go with your gut: If something looks amiss, such as the location or the people nearby: don’t park your vehicle. Never confront anybody since its not worth it. If you are genuinely concerned about yourself/someone else, stay in your car and call the police.
  • If you haven’t got one already, consider purchasing a car alarm/ security device for your vehicle

Whats the best advice you’d suggest if you want to protect your vehicle and the objects inside? Tell us in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

8 Ways to Drive in Wet Weather

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December usually heralds the season of Christmas trees, families spending time together, numerous parties and last-minute dashes to buy presents. However, it also rains during this particular month. As a result, the roads in Sri Lanka become even more dangerous than they usually are. Nobody wants to get involved in a motor accident, so here are some tips to get to your destination safely.

1. Lights on… to a point: Using your lights allow drivers to increase visibility, and make you more visible to other motorists. Sometimes, you may need to use fog lights as per the situation. Use your best judgement, but please don’t put your lights too high, as it is a significant distraction to other drivers, and is a very dangerous thing to do as the driver may lose sight for a moment and lose control.

2. Pay attention: This means no phones or other distractions. Driving in Sri Lanka is hard enough, but with rain affected roads, the margin of error is even smaller. Make sure that you pay close attention to your surroundings and drive safe.

steering and drive carefully during wet weather
Image Credit: Bigotires

3. Slow and Steady: It’s normal that you want to get your destination quickly, but it’s always better to get there a little late than to not get there at all. On wet roads, make sure you put more braking distance as you need plenty of time to react to the slippery conditions. Besides, slow and steady always wins the race.

4. Use a light touch: Irrespective of whether you are making a turn, steering or hitting the brakes, make sure that you make controlled movements. If your driving is steady, your vehicle will also be steady.

5. To the Left, to the left: Since you’re driving slow (see Tip 3), move to far left and allow other vehicles to overtake you. Its annoying to have drivers who don’t know how to use lanes properly, much more so during slippery driving conditions.

hydroplaning, driving in floods, driving in rain, driving in wet weather
Image credit: Roaddriver

6. Beware of water: Seems obvious, but avoid water whenever you can. Driving through water can harm your engine and brakes. A good rule of thumb to observe: if the water level is higher than the bottom of your doors, don’t drive through. Worst case scenario, you may need to take another route, but that’s always better than having your vehicle get stuck as it pours outside.

7. Demist the front and back windscreen: It’s very simple, use your heater so that you have maximum visibility when you are on slippery roads.

8. If possible, leave more time for your journey: This will allow you to relax and drive slower, while allowing you to take account for potential traffic jams.

Any tips you would like to add to our list? Tell us in the comments section!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

Attention! This car is powered by human brainwaves

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Pay Attention

The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) of Western Australia has introduced the worlds first Attention powered car. Did you pay attention to the announcement?

Attention powered car
Image credit: RAC

How it works

Using brainwaves, the driver wears a headset while driving. The headset measures brain activity in real-time and monitors if the driver is focused by measuring the following criteria; engagement, excitement, fatigue, head movement rate and distraction. If the driver loses focus due to say, a sudden text message on their mobile phone and tries to take a sneak peek,  the device will detect that the driver has lost focus, and ‘reacts’ by slowing down the vehicle. As discussed earlier,  hands free technology doesn’t help minimize risk, so going along this particular route may be a step in the right direction.

Headset
The Headset. Image Credit: CNET

The Car slows down if at least one of these 3 things happen:

1. You switch tasks. i.e. your attention goes from the road to the radio.2. Your neural activity dips, or your blink and eye scan rate slows significantly i.e. you’re zoning out or fatigued.

3. The in-built Gyroscope detects that you’ve significantly turned your head away from the road.

International appeal?

Just like Sri Lanka, road safety is an issue around the world, with inattentive driving causing upto 12% of all motor accidents in Western Australia. Granted, the vehicle doesn’t look to be something which average motorists would buy-its highly unlikely that motorists would be inclined to wear a headset every time they go behind the wheel. Its a great tool to fight driver distraction but the results of these findings could be implemented in another way, say by creating an alarm which alerts motorists that they aren’t paying attention.

We are very excited about this technology. However, we want your thoughts. Tell us what you think in the comments!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.

Sources

Find out More: Inattention, For The Better. [Accessed 13th November 2014].

Find out More: RAC’s Attention Powered Car, For The Better. [Accessed 13th November 2014].

VIDEO: Amila Nadeeshani’s Automobile Accident

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amila nadeeshani
Amila Nadeeshani gets into an ‘accident’

The accident:

In my last post, I wrote about how we built trust via social media. Today, I’d like to show our latest Youtube video, which has already had over 17000 views (see below). In case you haven’t heard, Sri Lankan actress/singer/entrepreneur Amila Nadeeshani met with an ‘accident’ two weeks ago. Fortunately, she is covered by HNB Assurance.

Positive engagement: From crash to claim settlement

As an organization known for its positive engagement with its customers, we made this video to illustrate how policyholders of HNB Assurance (represented by Ms. Nadeeshani) can breathe easy after a road accident. Look at our employees in the video: the staff member at the call center, the assessor and the garage mechanic. We make dealing with a road accident- from crash to claim settlement, a hassle free experience.

‘What kind of advertising is this?’

This is NOT conventional advertising. These are new methods used by individuals and organizations to raise brand awareness. Think of videos which have gone viral: Gangam Style by PSY, ‘First Kiss’ by clothing company Wren, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Emma Watson’s UN speech and ‘Happy’ by Pharell Williams, which has led to countless spinoffs such as the one by MAS Linea Aqua. These videos are the future.

So sit back, relax and shake away your Monday blues. This is the first of many videos we are already conjuring. If you like it, do us a favour and leave a comment, or share this among your friends- especially those who would enjoy watching this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=328GlTN5tUU

Update: As of Jan 2nd, the number of views has risen to 29000. Thanks for your views!

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Disclaimer: The views shared in this blog are based on the macro economic conditions & industry status quo as per the time of publishing.