Winter Emergency Kit: 8 Essentials to Keep in Your Trunk

Categories
Road Safety

While it might be chilly outside right now, the thought of sub-zero temperatures and a blinding blizzard on a remote country road feels like a distant concern. However, winter in this region is unpredictable-a slide off an icy road into the forest or a dead battery is all it takes for your warm cabin to […]

Wildlife on the Road at Night: Should You Slam the Brakes or Swerve?

Categories
Road Safety

October and November mark the peak migration and rutting season for forest wildlife, particularly moose and deer. Driving through forested roads in the dark of autumn, you may suddenly see glowing eyes and a massive silhouette caught in your headlights. You have less than one second to make a life-saving decision. How should you react […]

Jump-Starting Hybrid and Start-Stop Cars in Winter: Safe Methods and Common Mistakes

Categories
358, Road Safety

When the first autumn frosts arrive, owners of modern hybrid cars (Full Hybrid, Plug-in) and Start-Stop vehicles frequently encounter an unpleasant surprise: despite having a large high-voltage traction battery pack, the car fails to switch on ("READY" mode will not light up). The culprit is simply a drained auxiliary 12V battery. Jump-starting these modern high-tech […]

Temperature Dropped Below +7°C? Why Summer Tires Become Hard as Plastic

Categories
Road Safety

Many drivers put off fitting winter tires until the very last moment-often waiting for the first morning snowstorm or the legal deadline. This is a dangerous mistake, as tire effectiveness is not determined by snow, but by ambient air and asphalt temperature. The standard recognized by tire manufacturers worldwide is the +7°C threshold. Here is […]

Wet Autumn Leaves: A Hazard More Slippery Than Black Ice

Categories
Road Safety

As golden autumn sets in, tree leaves quickly transform from vibrant reds and yellows into a wet, brown sludge on our roads. While many drivers view this as just a visual sign of the season, the reality is that wet leaves on asphalt have a coefficient of friction nearly identical to that of black ice. […]

Broken Coil Spring: The Silent Threat to Your Tires

Categories
Road Safety

Driving over a speed bump or executing a sharp turn in the parking lot, you hear a sudden metallic snap-like a heavy piece of metal hitting the pavement. The car leans slightly to one side but continues to roll. Many drivers dismiss this noise, assuming a stone hit the chassis, and continue their daily commute. […]

Driving in Thick Autumn Fog: Proper Use of Fog Lights and Avoiding Dazzle

Categories
Road Safety

During autumn, heavy, impenetrable fog frequently settles over the roads during early morning and late evening hours, especially near rivers and low-lying areas. In these conditions, visibility can drop instantly from 300 metres to a dangerous 20-30 metres. Unfortunately, many drivers do not know how to use their lighting equipment correctly, which often results in […]

Filling Out an Accident Report via App: Stress-Free and Error-Free

Categories
Road Safety

After a minor collision at an intersection or in a car park, many drivers panic, frantically searching the glove box for that long-forgotten paper accident report form and a pen that has long since run dry. Fortunately, the official LTAB OCTA mobile app has been available in Latvia for several years, allowing you to complete […]

How to Correctly Install a Child Car Seat and Ensure Isofix Safety

Categories
Road Safety

With the start of the new school year in September, traffic intensity during morning commutes around schools and nurseries spikes significantly. Unfortunately, this also leads to an increase in minor to moderate traffic accidents. A parent’s most critical task is ensuring their young passengers are as protected as possible. Statistics paint a worrying picture: over […]

Engine Overheating in Summer Traffic: 5 Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Engine

Categories
Road Safety, Roadside Assistance

A hot summer day, city center traffic, or a bridge during rush hour. Traffic is crawling at a snail's pace, the air conditioning is blasting, and suddenly you notice the coolant temperature gauge on your dashboard rapidly approaching the red zone. Moments later, a bright red warning light glows, and suspicious white steam begins to […]

How to Pass Your MOT/Technical Inspection on the First Attempt

Categories
Road Safety

The annual technical inspection can be a source of unnecessary stress for many drivers. Often, receiving a "Grade 2" defect report comes down to minor issues that could have been easily spotted and fixed in just 10 minutes before pulling into the inspection bay. In this guide, we have compiled a set of simple yet […]