Texting While Driving: Is It Really Worth It?

  One of the greatest technological innovations that has evolved is the cell phone.  When first released, they were huge bricks with large antennas; fast forward to present day and they can fit in the palm of your hand.   In the past, being able to place a call from anywhere other than a landline was the ultimate convenience.  Today, people conduct their daily lives from their cell phones, from online banking, to booking trips and keeping up to the second with world news, cell phones and their convenience have become seemingly irreplaceable. 

 

While a cell phone can be a saviour, put in the wrong hands, it can also be as dangerous as a loaded gun.  Texting while driving has claimed too many lives and sadly, even with new legislation, fines and penalties put in place by provincial governments, the number is not shrinking, but growing.  If this seems to be a little bit of a stretch to you, take a look at the statistics:

 

- Canadians send ten million text messages per hour.

 

 

-Text messaging while driving makes a crash 23 times more likely.

 

- Texting drivers' reaction times deteriorate by 35%

 

 

- 82% of teenagers aged 16-17 now own cellphones, and are considered the most at-risk

demographic for texting behind the wheel.

 

-When talking on a mobile phone, drivers are shown to be 18 percent slower to react to brake lights.

 

-Drivers are more cautious while conversing; however, they take 17 percent longer to return to regular speeds after breaking, which, understandably, frustrates following traffic

 

-Drivers talking on mobile phones are responsible for 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries annually.

 

 

-In Canada, 6 people die every day in road crashes with more than 218,000 injuries and  2,900 deaths just since January 1, 2011.

 

 

-One out of 4 car crashes is caused by distracted drivers using a cell phone.

 

 

-Texting while driving is equivalent to drinking 4 beers and then getting behind the wheel.

1 in 5 adult drivers admit to using a cell phone while driving.

 

 

-1 in 2 teens admit to texting or calling while behind the wheel of a car.

 

 

The next time your phone rings while driving, think before you reach for it.  Is that text message really worth your life?  Or worse, worth the life of an innocent stranger?  The Southbank Family is taking the pledge to be phone free while driving. 

Will you join us?

 

 



Debunking The Top Myths About The Car Business

Before you even cross the Southbank Dodge threshold, or any other dealership, you may have some preconceived notions of how a dealership works; while you may be right in some of your assumptions, for the most part, there is much more fiction out there than fact.  The car business has long been plagued with consumer's assumptions towards them and the product they are selling.  Today, we hope to put the top myths of the car business to rest, for good!

Myth #1: 

Profit margins for car dealers on new cars are huge.

Every customer goes into a dealership ready to negotiate.  This is still the case today but it has become a much simpler process. The margins on most cars for dealers are so small that manufacturers themselves are providing cashback incentives, incredibly low interest rates, and in some cases both to help your purchasing decision. Dealers are helping as well by offering vehicle accessories, dealership gift cards, or other incentives to help earn your business. Once you become out client, we would like it keep it that way!

Myth #2: 

Anything for a sale!

Although some dealerships still pay their salespeople a commission, many are turning toward salary scales instead. Either way, the focus for every franchised new car dealer, Southbank included, is on customer satisfaction and building long-term relationships.

Myth #3: 

Servicing your car is more expensive at a dealer.

The reason your dealer may charge more per hour is because their technicians can complete that job in significantly less time. If you took your vehicle elsewhere they may charge less per hour but I’d bet that your final bill will be the same, if not more than if you had gone to your franchised new car dealer. Add in the fact that your dealer is going to be around for a long time, their techs are always up to date on new vehicle technology, and the quality of service you get is top notch, and it’s always a no brainer for me when I get my vehicle serviced.

Myth #4

There is too much turnover in a dealership, I never see the same face twice.

While every employer experiences staffing changes, including dealerships, the myth that turnover is rampant in the car business could not be farther from the truth.  At Southbank, we have a large number of staff who have been loyal to us and our customers for five, ten, fifteen, twenty and yes, even thirty years.   

I hope that we have put some of the most common myths to rest and that you now know the difference between fact and myth!

Keeping Your Investment Squeaky Clean

Whether you treat your car like your baby, or simply treat it as an investment, the fact of the matter is, you need to protect your vehicle.  One of the easiest and most overlooked ways of protecting your vehicle, whether it be a Jeep Wrangler or Dodge Caravan is to keep it squeaky clean!   

 

Most of us do not stop and think about the harsh elements that our vehicles are exposed to during only one week's worth of driving.  Whether it be salt and sand in the winter, or rain and bird droppings in the heat of summer, your vehicle's exterior is exposed to it all and more.  To protect your vehicle and its potential trade in value follow the tips listed below!  They are the easiest and quickest way to protect your baby!

1. Wash your vehicle at least once a week.  This may seem excessive, but if you stop and think about all the elements that your vehicle is exposed to in one week, it will make sense.
2. Always try to park in the shade.  The shade will prevent the sun from bonding any unwanted elements to the paint of your vehicle.
3. Do not forget about the tires and rims!  Most people think about detailing the exterior and interior of the vehicle, but tend to overlook the tires.  Ensure that you take the extra time to get your detailer to clean both the tires and rims, especially the front tires, as this is where the brake dust accumulates. 
4. Wax, wax, wax!  Your vehicle should be waxed at least three to four times a year.  Some vehicle owners believe that the standard factory clear coat will be enough protection for the life of the vehicle.  This is not true.  If you want to be nice to your vehicle and its potential dollar amount upon trade in, spring for a wax job!
5. The inside counts just as much as the outside!  What is the use of having a beautifully detailed exterior when the interior looks like a tornado just went through it?  Ensure that you ask your professional detailer to spruce up the interior of your vehicle.  From the carpets and mats, to the seats and windows.  This is will ensure your vehicle is beautiful from the inside out!

We all take time for some much needed tlc for ourselves.  So book some time for your vehicle's tlc.  You won't just be getting the reward of driving around in a spotless vehicle, but it will payoff in dollars when it comes to trade your baby in and upgrade.   If you have any further detailing questions, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at the Southbank Auto Spa!  They will be glad to help you in any way. 

The "A Team" of the Southbank Auto Spa

The Faces of Southbank Dodge - Meet Norm Haggar

Norm Haggar is a fixture and proud "life" of Southbank.  He is loved by Southbank's long time clientèle and has worked in almost every facet of the dealership.  Today, as fleet and corporate sales manager, he gets the best of both worlds, engaging in the sales process of Southbank, while still loyally serving Southbank's service department customers.  Southbank Blogger recently sat down with Norm to discuss his new role and his hopes for Southbank in the future.

Southbank Blogger: Good afternoon Norm!  Please tell us, exactly how long have you been with Southbank?

Norm Haggar: I have been part of the Southbank Family for 24 years and 307 days.  Not that I am counting!

Southbank Blogger: Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself?  And why you love your job?

Norm Haggar: I am 5'9, hard working and have what I consider to be a very outgoing personality.  I enjoy my job at Southbank because I get to meet new people on a daily basis and guide them through the purchasing process of their new vehicle.  People always leave happy and that in turn makes me happy.

Southbank Blogger: What do you believe is the most important duty of a fleet/corporate manager?

Norm Haggar: My primary focus and goal in my position is to build and maintain customer relations for the sales and service departments.  I keep in contact with all of my customers to make sure they do not forget who I am and the services both I and Southbank can provide.   

Southbank Blogger: What do you believe sets Southbank apart from other dealerships in the Ottawa area?

Norm Haggar: I think the difference begins as soon as a customer walks through the Southbank doors.  Southbank has a laid back, friendly atmosphere.  We laugh, we joke with each other, we are here to get the job done, but with some fun thrown into the mix.  I believe that we treat every customer with honesty and fairness and that is translated to the customer's experience.  Whether you are dealing with the service, parts or sales department, each staff member will go above and beyond to help a customer out.   You cannot find that sort of teamwork in most dealerships these days.  

Southbank Blogger: Norm, what do you hope customers leave Southbank feeling?

Norm Haggar: I hope they leave feeling like they just became part of a new family and feel satisfied with their purchase.  I hope they feel that they dealt with some really nice people and not only got the best possible deal and service out there, but also got to make some friends along the way.  

Southbank Blogger: Last question!  What are three things that you like to communicate to Southbank customers?

Norm Haggar: 1) The entire Southbank staff stands behind everything that we do.  

2) Anyone from Southbank is here to help you.  No matter what department, or job title, the staff of Southbank, myself included are here to serve our customers until they are 100% satisfied. 

3) Southbank really is a family.  I know it sounds corny, but there is a reason I have been here for so long.  There would be no Southbank if not for my co workers.  They make Southbank great.