• designate a driver.
• call a cab
• stay the night.
• call a friend or family member for a sober ride home.

We’ve all heard this public service announcement time and time again. And yet, statistics show that 50% of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-involved traffic collision in his or her lifetime. In fact, one American life is lost every 22 minutes to a drunk driving accident.

It’s statistics like this that have inspired dozens of states to institute sobriety checkpoints. Also known as DUI checkpoints, these pop-up locations enable law enforcement officers to check drivers for signs of intoxication and/or impairment. Many jurisdictions utilize these checkpoints as part of a larger drunk driving deterrence program .

But not in Wisconsin.

Rent a car in Wisconsin travelers never have to worry about these safety stops because there’s a statue in place in Wisconsin that prohibits them. While 38 states currently utilize checkpoints as a weapon against drunk driving, Wisconsin is one of 12 states that stands behind their ban, even after researchers have concluded that these stops significantly reduce drinking-related crashes. What’s more, survey’s show widespread public acceptance of them.

Is a Change Coming?

Rent a car in Wisconsin travelers could see a change to this law soon though, thanks to Gov. Jim Doyle. Doyle recently came out in favor of making sobriety checkpoints legal in the state. Legislators like Rep. Jeff Smith, an Eau Claire Democrat, have also come out in support of the move.

Even so, these forward-thinking officials have a long way to go before this tupe of law will be recognized. Of the 37 state representatives and senators who’ve taken a stand on sobriety checkpoints, just 11 support the notion of legalizing this tool.

Are Sobriety Checkpoints Worth the Effort?

The simple answer is, yes. If just one life can be saved thanks to an arrest at a checkpoint, that’s enough for most rent a car in Wisconsin travelers to support the program. However, there’s a reluctance by police to use them for two reasons. First, there’s a perception that it takes a lot of manpower and resources. Second, many police officers find checkpoints to be ineffective because they don’t often result in a lot of arrests.

The argument against sobriety checkpoints is simple: staffing stops in hopes that drunk drivers will drive through takes police off the streets, where they could be focusing their efforts on watching for erratic driving and rent a car in Wisconsin speeders.

Sobriety checkpoints also raise issues with civil-liberties. This is because rent a car in Wisconsin motorists are stopped without any probable cause that they’ve violated the law. With that being said, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1990 that sobriety checkpoints are constitutional – turns out the government’s interset in preventing drunken driving outweighs the brief intrusion of privacy.

Sobriety Checkpoints Work

Several studies have shown that sobriety checkpoints that stop rent a car in Wisconsin drivers work – not by generating arrests necessarily, but by keeping drunks from driving in the first place. Since law enforcement officers publicize their checkpoints, word gets out, which causes intoxicated drivers to think twice before they get behind the wheel.

In 2011, the Center for Disease Control reviewed 11 studies on sobriety checkpoints in order to better analyze their effectiveness. The conclusion? Crashes involving alcohol fell by an average of 20% after checkpoints were held.

A number of states have also experienced even-more-impressive reductions based on their own studies. In Georgia, for example, fatal crashes fell after an agressive checkpoint campaign. In Michigan, a state where sobriety checkpoints are banned, local law enforcement launched saturation patrols in search of drunken drivers, an effort which helped to greatly reduce alcohol-related accidents.

Reviewing the Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin

Rent a car in Wisconsin drivers are reminded that it is illegal in Wisconsin for a driver over the age of 21 to operate a vehicle:

• With a blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater;
• While under the influence of an intoxicant;
• With a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood; or
• While under the influence of a controlled substance or any other drug.

A driver is considered to be “under the influence” when:

when his or her ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired. A person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired if he or she is less able to safely control the vehicle because of the consumption of alcohol or controlled substances. This means that if a police officer pulls you over and determines that you are impaired by alcohol and/or any other drug, you could be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of your BAC. – source WisDOT

Penalties for operating a rent a car in Wisconsin vehicle while under the influence range from forfeiture and license revocation to up to six years imprisonment. More serious penalties apply is injury or death results.

Whether or not you support sobriety checkpoints, remember – don’t drink and drive during your upcoming rent a car in Wisconsin vacation. Call a friend, take a cab, or stay the night. Arrive alive!

As such, the State of Wisconsin has published Wisconsin’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). A statewide, comprehensive, data-drive plan, the SHSP provides a synchronized framework for reducing fatalities, injuries, and vehicle crashes. The bulk of the plan reviews 10 high priority safety issues and outlines tasks for their improvement. These include:

1. Improving the design and operation of intersections
2. Reducing speed-related crashes
3. Reducing head-on and cross-median crashes – preventing and mitigating roadway departure crashes
4. Designing safer work zones
5. Reducing alcohol/drug impaired driving
6. Improving driver alertness / reduce driver distractions
7. Improving occupant protection
8. Improving teen driver performance / sustain proficiency in older drivers – ensuring drivers are licensed and competent
9. Improving motorcycle safety
10. Creating more effective safety decision processes – improve incident management / Safe travel in bad weather

These initiative and the strategies outlined within each are designed to support the overall strategic goal of the plan:

By 2013, reduce traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes on Wisconsin roadways by 5% from their rolling 5-year averages.

While Wisconsin has one of the best safety records in the United States (in 2009, the fatality rate dipped below 1.0 death per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for the first time ever), officials are determined to bring this number down even further. Any preventable death or Wisconsin car rental accident is one too many.

Transportation Stats for Wisconsin Car Rental Drivers

The following transportation stats were used to inform the SHSP:

• There are 11,774 miles of state and Interstate highways in Wisconsin.
• There are 101,389 miles of locally-owned country, town, and municipal streets in the state.
• There are 108 lightly traveled rural roads designated as part of the state’s Rustic Road System.
• Roughly 10% of all trips in Wisconsin are made by walking or cycling.

Coordinating Safety Across the State

One of the main goals of the plan is to coordinate statewide goals and safety programs with the help of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and a handful of other state and local partners. This coordination is based on the guidance provided in several WisDOT safety planning and program documents. These include the Highway Safety Performance Plan, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.

Highest Priority Issues

Improving the design and operation of intersections is the top priority item in the SHSP. Not surprisingly, this will have a huge impact on Wisconsin car rental drivers and their daily commute.

Strategies associated with this issue include:

• Increasing the number of roundabout installations. There were 98 roundabouts on the State Trunk Highway system and about 50 in the local system as of 2010.
• Begin implementation and installation of J-turns and develop design guidance.
• Install signal head-per-lane at more locations.
• Implement and install flashing yellow arrows at signalized intersections.
• Complete an evaluation and analysis of the Rural Intersection Collision Avoidance System (RICAS). This will include an examination of the feasibility of installations in other locations.

The plan also focuses on reducing speed-related crashes on Wisconsin roadways. According to key performance metrics collected between 2005 and 2009, roughly 19% (22,242) crashes were caused by speed-related infractions. What’s more, 231 deaths resulted from speed-related crashes during that period, which is roughly 34% of all traffic fatalities.

The SHSP hopes to reduce the 5-year rolling average of speed related crashes, injuries and fatal and incapacitating injury by 5% each. In order to do this, the plan recommends increasing the perception of the risk of being ticketed for a speed violation. Wisconsin car rental travelers who suffer from a lead foot should be weary – there’s a good chance you’ll show up on the radar of law enforcement officers thanks to this new push.

Get Your Copy of the Safety Plan

Wisconsin car rental travelers can download a copy of the 2013 Wisconsin Strategic Highway Safety Plan online here. The plan is broken into four sections:

• Part I: Background – Overview of highway safety in Wisconsin, including a look at patterns and trends.
• Part II: Highest Priority Issue Areas – Strategies to address Wisconsin’s most critical highway safety issues.
• Part III: Continuing Safety Issue Areas – Progress and activities in a number of other significant highway safety issues.
• Appendices – SHSP Peer Exchange results and participants, Traffic Safety Council members, and list of acronyms.

Traffic crashes are rarely “accidents.” More often than not, they are avoidable events caused by a single preventable factor or chain of events. More often than not, these factors are human behavior, condition, and reaction. Remember this when driving your Wisconsin car rental.

Although Wisconsin’s traffic fatality rate is at a post-World War II record low, every preventable death that occurs on the roadway’s of the state are unacceptable.

The staff at Mayfair encourages our customers to download a copy of this important safety plan and report. We’re all responsible for maintaining the safety of Wisconsin’s roads.

How do you stay safe when commuting in one of our Wisconsin car rental vehicles? Share your tips below.

While it’s natural to feel anxious, frustrated, and scared in this scenario, it’s important that you keep your wits about you. Despite the stress and confusion, now’s the time when you need to pay attention, stay calm, and make safety-conscious decisions.

Advice From the State Patrol

If you’re ever in the situation where one of our car rentals in Wisconsin breaks down, the State Patrol recommends abiding by the following safety suggestions:

• At the first sign of trouble, don’t panic. Gently remove your foot from the accelerator. It’s important that you don’t brake hard or suddenly – this could cause other motorists and car rentals in Wisconsin to panic behind you, creating the conditions for an accident. Carefully steer your vehicle to the far right-side of the highway, keeping your eye on the trafic around you. It’s important that you use your turn signals to indicate your intensions to other car rentals in Wisconsin. Stop your vehicle as far away from traffic as you can. 
• If you’re traveling on an Interstate or another heavily traveled highway, try and exit the roadway if at all possible. If your vehicle has suffered a flat tire, it’s often wiser to risk damage to one of our car rentals in Wisconsin than to attempt to change the tire on the side of a busy highway.
• If you’re vehicle is too distressed to make it to the next exit, do everything you can to move your car as far to the right as possible. Remain alert to the traffic around you at all times. If you’re going to attempt to change a tire on your own, avoid turning your back to traffic; if you have a passenger with you, ask them to observe traffic and warn you of possible dangers. If you’ve contacted a tow truck to assist you, stay inside your vehicle until help arrives. Keep the doors lock and your safety belts buckled. Use your cellphone to call for help.
• Never assume that other car rentals in Wisconsin can see your vehicle. Instead, try and make your car as visible as possible by turning on the hazard lights. If your vehicle has reflective triangles or flares in the emergency kit make use of them. If it’s dark you can also turn on the interior dome light.
• If a stranger stops to offer assistance, roll down the window slightly to talk to them but don’t open the doors. While it’s up to you whether or not you accept their help, it’s safer to wait for law enforcement or a tow truck driver.
• It’s very dangerous to walk along a busy highway especially during inclement weather. With that being said, if you can safely walk to a gas station or another location to get assistance, exit your vehicle on the right-side, away from traffic, and walk on the right-side of the roadway. If there are guardrails use them as a barrier between you and traffic. Never try to cross multiple lanes highway traffic.

What to Do If You’re Stuck in a Live Lane

If your car breaks down in the middle of traffic (a “live lane”) DO NOT stay in it. This is extremely unsafe. Instead, turn on your hazard lights and exit the vehicle when it is safe to do so. If you’re vehicle breaks down in the right lane, climb over the guard rail and wait safely on the other side, away from traffic. If your vehicle breaks down in a left lane, exit the vehicle and stand a ways in front of it. Watch vigilantly for traffic that’s overtaking your vehicle.

How to Help a Stranded Driver

If you see a vehicle broken down on the side of the road and wish to help the driver, be careful! Getting out of a vehicle on the highway is extremely dangerous. If you decide to help, remember the following tips:

• Never exit from the driver’s side. Scoot over to the passenger’s side and exit your vehicle on the shoulder.
• If you’re leaving passenger in your vehicle makes sure they remained securely buckled in.
• Secure the area around the disabled vehicle. Use pylons or emergency markers to let people know that something is wrong.
• If someone is hurt, call 911 immediately – take note of your surroundings and provide a rough estimate of your location using exit signs or other highway markers.

Law enforcement officers routinely patrol most of Wisconsin’s major highways. IF you see one, don’t be afraid to flag them down and ask for assistance. Freeway service patrols also operate on the Beltline in Madison, I-94 in the Milwaukee area, and in some interstate work zones. These are designed specifically to assist motorists in disabled vehicles.

• there is one alcohol related injury or fatal crash on a Wisconsin roadway every 2.3 hours?
• approximately 570 people have died in traffic crashes on average in each of the last five years?
• there were more than 200,000 speeding convictions in Wisconsin in 2010?
• speed related crashes killed 168 people and injured nearly 8,000 more in 2010?

Dangerous driving can often result in disaster. And the worst part? Since most of these traffic crashes are caused by poor behaviors, such as speeding, driving while impaired, and not wearing a seatbelt, almost all of them are preventable.

And even one preventable death is one too many.

In order to raise awareness about traffic safety, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and various community partners have banned together and launched the Zero in Wisconsin campaign. Geared at both local drivers and travelers in Wisconsin car rentals, the Zero in Wisconsin campaign has been designed to demonstrate clearly and intensely how simple changes in a driver’s behaviors and common place habits can help prevent injuries and fatalities on Wisconsin’s roadways.

The vision for the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Safety is zero fatalities. The Zero in Wisconsin campaign supports this goal in a number of measures. Read on to learn how this campaign can help keep you and other travelers in Wisconsin car rentals stay safe on the road.

Make Zero Your Goal

In Wisconsin, someone is killed or injured in a traffic crash every 15 minutes. Protect yourself and other travelers in Wisconsin car rentals by following these tips from the Zero in Wisconsin campaign:

• Watch Your Speed
  Reducing your speed will greatly reduce your chances of being involved in an automobile accident. When you travel at a slower speed, your ability to maintain control of your vehicle improves immensely. Traveling at a slower speed will also enable you to keep more time and distance between you and other vehicles on the road. Final, if you can’t avoid a collision, the speed at which your vehicle is traveling will determine how deadly the impact of the crash will be. The slower you’re moving, the less violent the crash will be.
• Never Drive Under the Influence
  Substances like alcohol, drugs, and some prescription medications can diminish your reaction time. When you’re driving one of our Wisconsin car rentals you need to keep your wits about you; if you’re under the influence of any substance DON’T get behind the wheel of your vehicle.
• Limit Distractions
  Using a cell phone, applying makeup, eating breakfast – these are all distracting activities that can impact your ability to drive safely. Don’t put yourself (or other travelers in Wisconsin car rentals) at risk. Keep your eyes on the road and eliminate any distractions from your vehicle.
• Buckle Up
  Our Wisconsin car rentals come with seatbelts for a reason. A seatbelt will safeguard you against being ejected from a vehicle or thrown around in the event of an accident. Protect yourself and your passengers by insisting that everyone buckle up in your vehicle.

Get the New Zero in Wisconsin Smartphone App

Worried that you’ve had one too many beverages during a night out in Wisconsin? Well, thanks to the Zero in Wisconsin campaign, there’s now a smartphone app available to help travelers in Wisconsin car rentals mitigate a potentially dangerous situation.

Released prior to St. Patrick’s Day this year, the Zero in Wisconsin smartphone app is designed to help motorists prevent drunken driving arrests – or worse, crashes. The “Drive Sober” app includes:

• A blood alcohol estimator
• A designated driver selector
• A function that enables travelers in Wisconsin car rentals to find a safe ride home that uses the phone’s GPS to provide contacts for nearby taxi, mass transit and available designated-driver services
• An impairment goggle feature that shows the physical effects of increased alcohol levels
• Clips from the Zero in Wisconsin TV spots

The app is free to download. Travelers in Wisconsin car rentals can download the app here.

The Power of Zero

Every driver in Wisconsin has the ability to make a difference and improve roadway safety. This is known as “The Power of Zero.” Travelers in Wisconsin car rentals are encouraged to show their power by taking the Power of Zero pledge. At the time of publishing this blog, more than 4,000 Wisconsin drivers had taken the pledge to drive smart and drive safe.

Travelers in Wisconsin car rentals can also sign the pledge in person at one of the upcoming Zero in Wisconsin events:

May

• UMOS Springfest

June

• Juneteenth Celebration
• Greek Fest
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival

July

• St. Patrick’s Festival
• St. Adalbert’s Festival

August

• African World Festival
  Summerfest Grounds – Gospel Fest
  200 N. Harbor Dr.
  8/4/13
• Mexican Fiesta
• Southside National Night Out
• Festival Iglesia Principe de Paz

Dangerous driving behaviors contribute to more than 100,000 fatal, injury and property damage crashes every year. Do your part to keep the streets of Wisconsin safe. Support the Zero in Wisconsin campaign today.

How do you stay safe when driving one of our Wisconsin car rentals? Share your tips in the comments below.

Which leads us to today’s fun car rental fact concerning cruise control. This invaluable feature of modern American car rentals is designed to make your trip as enjoyable as possible, not to mention more efficient and affordable. A must-have feature for those of us who suffer from lead-foot syndrome, cruise control ensures that you travel at a smooth and steady speed. If you’re planning a long distance road trip this summer, you shouldn’t think twice about this useful tool. Instead, contact Mayfair and request one of our cruise control equipped Wisconsin car rentals. Without it, your road trip could turn into a long and tiresome journey.

What Does Cruise Control Do?

While every cruise control system is different, each is equipped with similar functionality. At its most basic, a cruise control system is designed to control the speed of your car. However, most systems also include features to better manage your speed and improve the efficiency of your vehicle. The following are the basic features of most cruise control systems:

• The On/Off Switch
  These buttons are used to engage and disengage your cruise control system. When you tap the “on” button, your car understands that you’re about to engage the system in order to cruise at a specific speed. The “off” button will diengage the cruise control. Some Wisconsin car rentals don’t include these buttons, instead the system automatically turns on when the driver hits a “set” or coast “button” and then disengages when the driver taps the brake.
• The Set/Accel Button
  This button tells the vehicle to maintain the speed at which you are currently driving. As such, if you hit the “set” button when traveling 45 miles per hour, your vehicle will maintain that speed once you remove your foot from the gas pedal. In most cruise control equipped Wisconsin car rentals, tappig the “accel” button will cause the vehicle to speed up by 1 mph.
• The Coast Button
  Holding down the “coast” button will cause your vehicle to gradually slow down, similar to if you took your foot off the gas.
• The Resume Button
  If you recently disengaged the cruise control on your rental by tapping the brake, hitting the “resume” button will cause the car to accelerate back to the most recent speed setting.

Safety First

Cruise control equipped cars also include a number of important safety features. For example, most cruise control systems won’t engage at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hours). What’s more, the cruise control will disengage as soon as you hit the brake pedal.

How Cruise Control Works

The cruise control system in your Wisconsin car rental is managed by a small computer. It connects the throttle control in your vehicles to a series of sensors that adjust and manage your speed. The cruise control in your vehicle adjusts your speed by manipulating the throttle position. The system also monitors the controls so it can tell what the desired speed is and when it needs to disengage.

A well-designed cruise control system will accelerate aggressively to your desired speed in a manner that is smooth and controlled. It won’t overshoot your speed, nor will it fall short. What’s more, it won’t deviate from your speed, no matter how much weight is in the car, or how steep of incline you’re trying to ascend.

When to Use Cruise Control

Cruise control is best activated when you’re driving on a long stretch of road or on the highway. When the road is open and traffic is light, activating your cruise control will help you get to your final destination in a way that’s both comfortable and efficient.

When Not To Use Your Cruise Control

Just because our Wisconsin car rentals are equipped with cruise control, doesn’t mean you should always depend on it. If the weather is poor, you’re traveling on back roads, or you’re just plain tired, keep your cruise control disengaged. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

The Future of Cruise Control

Car rental companies are constantly innovating in order to provide their customers with unique upgrades and useful features. As such, it’s not surprising that many car manufacturers are now working towards a new adaptive form of cruise control. Imagine, you’re traveling down the freeway in one of our Wisconsin car rentals. You’ve set your cruise control and are comfortably following the vehicle ahead of you. Slowly, you notice that the traffic around you is beginning to speed up. With basic cruise control, you would have to adjust your speed setting manually in order to adapt to this new traffic flow. Adaptive cruise control, on the other hand, allows your car to follow the vehicle in front of you while automatically adjusting your speed to maintain a safe following distance.

Talk about a smart car!

Embark on a safe and efficient road trip today. Book one of our cruise control equipped Wisconsin car rentals today!

Once complete, the new I-94 North/South Freeway will be an entirely modern, easy to navigate, 35-mile stretch of driving enjoyment. In the meantime, Wisconsin rental car travelers are reminded to travel with caution through freeway work zones and construction sites. While the WisDOT is doing everything they can to minimize closures and alleviate congestion, there will likely be times when the freeway moves slowly due to road work. WisDOT asks that you be patient and courteous to other drivers and work crews during these periods.

Why These Updates Are Necessary

The I-94 North/South corridor stretches for 35 miles and currently consists of:

• six primary traffic lanes (three in each directions).
• ramp and auxiliary lanes at selected interchanges.
• seventeen service interchanges, not including the Airport Sur.
• four northbound lanes that slip into east and west directions at the Mitchell Interchange.
• the Airport Sur (WIS 119), which is a four-lane freeway.

The I-94 update came about following a study from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), which recommended a full reconstruction of the corridor between 2009 and 2016.  Since then, the project has advanced through multiple steps, resulting in many updates that are already being enjoy by Wisconsin rental car travelers.

An Overview of the Project

Big changes are coming to the I-94 Freeway this spring, thanks to a laundry list of planned improvements. The project includes updating a number of outdated ramp and interchange designs, including the Mitchell Interchange’s confusing mix of left- and right-hand entrances/exits. Wisconsin rental car travelers will also see changes implemented in order to alleviate the quick merging and weaving that is currently necessary at the 27th Street and airport exits, and at the scissor ramps that cross entering/exiting traffic with frontage road traffic in Racine and Kenosha counties.

Highlights of the project include:

• Expanding capacity from three to four lanes in both directions
• Building consistent inside and outside shoulders
• Constructing a paved median with a concrete safety barrier
• Pushing out frontage roads in Kenosha and Racine counties.

All in all, Wisconsin rental car travelers will see 17 local access interchanges updated, resulting in a greatly improved commute.

Escaping the Concrete Jungle

While the vast majority of the I-94 redesign will focus on pavement and ramps, a portion of the project will look at Community Sensitive Design, or CSD as it’s commonly referred to. This means that the I-94 project will take a community-based approach to transportation improvements, focusing on not just vehicle safety and efficiency, but also paying attention to the environments and communities that flank the freeway.

As such, Wisconsin rental car travelers will see a number of innovative ideas implemented as part of the project. CSD plans for the I-94 corridor include:

• landscaping, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations;
• retaining walls and noise barriers; and
• architectural bridge enhancements in order to reflect the cultural character of the communities they are located in.

Working Together

The I-94 Freeway Project will be a major undertaking for the WisDOT. As such, it requires close collaboration between the Department of Transportation, project engineers and planners, and the Wisconsin community. By working together, the WisDOT hopes to minimize the impacts of construction on Wisconsin rental car travelers and local residents. Goals of the project include:

• Ensuring optimal traffic flow throughout the construction. This includes quickly identifying and remedying conditions that cause traffic congestion.
• Providing up-to-date information on ramp closures, traffic conditions, and construction staging via a number of public outlets.
• Minimizing the impact that construction will have the quality of life of local civilians.
• Maintaining communications with citizens, local government, businesses, and other groups that may be impacted by the project.
• Providing continual updates on the project via public meetings, newsletters, and the project’s website.

What to Look For in Your Wisconsin Rental Car

The WisDOT has created a Transportation Management Plan (TMP) to outline strategies for the proper facilitation, management, operation, and evaluation of work zone traffic safety along I-94. These strategies include:

• Traffic control through the use of:
  • extra signage.
  • reduced speed limits.
  • required off-peak lane closures.
  • feasible alternative routes and detours.
  • temporary roadways to facilitate construction and safe traffic flow.
• Transportation operations that will:
  • coordinate with the Department of Transportations State Traffic Operations Center (STOC).
  • improve intersection capacity on alternate routes.
  • coordinate signal timing for Wisconsin rental car travelers forced to use detours and alternative routes.
  • provide additional crossing guards for schools in the project area
  • coordinate work with adjacent construction areas.
• Incident management that ensures:
  • efficient flow of emergency responder and project personnel during a crisis or emergency situation.
  • coordination with local police and fire departments.
  • dedicated law enforcement in project areas.

The I-94 Freeway Project is well on its way to completion. Wisconsin rental car travelers who would like more information on the construction and project progress are encouraged to contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation at the following address:

Southeast Region
141 NW Barstow Street
P.O. Box 798
Waukesha, WI, 53187-0798

Whether you’re in town on business or spending a few days seeing the sights, we want to take this time to send you some Irish cheer to go along with your green beer.

Speaking of green beer, don’t be a lousy leprechaun during your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. If you’re planning to indulge in a Guinness or two (or 12!) leave your Wisconsin rent a car keys at home. Not even the luck of the Irish can keep you safe if you decide to drink and drive today. So call a cab, phone a sober friend, or take a walk – you don’t want your festivities to end at the hospital… or worse.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Drunk Drivers

If you’re out and about today, keep your wits about you when you’re on the roads. Just because you haven’t been drinking, doesn’t mean that some other Wisconsin rent a car driver has made the same choice. If during your commute, you notice a vehicle being operated in a strange manner, be careful! The driver could be under the influence, putting you at risk of an accident.

How to Spot a Drunk Driver

In order to assist Wisconsin rent a car drivers in identifying possible drunk drivers, the Grafton, Massachusetts Police Department offered the following tips as part of their 2012 holiday road safety campaign. While there may not be as much snow on the ground today, this information is still relavent and could help you avoid an accident during your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Protect yourself and your Wisconsin rent a car travelers from drunk drivers by looking for these signs of intoxication among other motorists:

• Quick and uncontrolled acceleration
• Dangerous waving across the road or multiple lanes of traffic
• Drifting onto the shoulder or driving anywhere other than on a designated road
• Almost striking an object, be it a curb or another vehicle
• Signalling that is inconsistent with driving actions
• Delayed response to traffic and traffic signals
• Turning abruptly or illegally
• Driving into opposing traffic or the wrong way down a one way street
• Look for physical signs of intoxication, such as a driver leaning extremely far forward in their seat
• Erratic braking and stopping for no reason
• Straddling the center lane

What to Do if You See A Drunk Driver

If you’re out in your Wisconsin rent a car today and you notice a vehicle that’s exhibiting one or more of the above actions, don’t panic. While it’s important that you maintain a safe distance from this vehicle, it’s equally important that you notify the authorities in order to protect other drivers and pedestrians from a potential accident.

If you witness a vehicle weaving in and out of lanes or traveling in another unsafe manner, remember these important instructions:

1. Stay as far away from the vehicle in question. Remember, if the driver is intoxicated, he or she may make sudden adjustments to their driving, putting you in a dangerous situation.
2. Do not try to pass the vehicle or signal the driver to pull over. Doing so could confuse or spoke the driver, resulting in a collision. Only a trained law enforcement officer should attempt this type of manoeuvre.
3. If you can, take down the license plate number, or have one of your passengers do this for you. It’s also useful to record the make and model of the vehicle, along with any other discerning features (such as a license plate number or any obvious dents or scratches). Do not attempt to do this if it will put you and your passengers at risk.
4. Once you have the necessary information, ask a passenger to call 911 and report the driver. Continue to follow the driver at a safe distance while you passneger is  on the phone with the authorities. Make note of the name of the road you are travelling, the direction in which the intoxicated driver is traveling, as well as any cross streets. If you are the only one in your Wisconsin rent a car, pull over and make the call, again noting you’re current location. Give as complete a description of the vehicle and the manner in which the vehicle was being driven to the emergency operator.

Once you’ve completed these steps it’s time to leave the rest up to the authorities. Remember: it is not your job to stop an intoxicated driver. Your job is to simply contact the authorities and ensure that you and your passengers are safe inside your Wisconsin rent a car.

With that, we bid you a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day celebration. May the luck of the Irish be with you and your Wisconsin rent a car friends today!

The following tips are designed to help you avoid agitation and anger when stuck in a terrible traffic situation during your Wisconsin car rental vacation.

Tip #1 – What’s The Situation?

Being continually aware of your immediate surroundings and your present situation is an important driving  survival tip. When navigating your Wisconsin car rental through heavy traffic, don’t just focus on your own vehicle’s immediate path. Instead, make an effort to pay attention to the vehicles around you, including those that are further ahead of you. Wisconsin car rental travelers should also get in the habit of checking their blindspots regularly in order to avoid dangerous situations.

Having a keen sense of your surroundings is known as situational awareness; the more in-tune you are with your surroundings, the easier it will be for you to avoid an accident.

Tip #2 – Keep Calm and Drive On

As hard as it can be, the best thing you can do when battling traffic congestion is to relax and stay calm. Losing your temper won’t help you get to your destination any quicker. So chill out. Turn on the radio and roll your shoulders – the more frustrated and frenzied you become, the more likely you’ll be to cut off another driver or make a fatal mistake.

Tip #3 – Review Your Route

Planning to cut across town in the middle of rush hour? Sounds like a recipe for traffic congestion chaos! The easiest way to avoid heavy traffic in your Wisconsin car rental is to stay off the roads during peak traffic periods. Plan to run your errands or complete your longest commute during off hours in order to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic and further frustration.

Tip #4 – Maintain a Safe Driving Distance

Following closely behind another Wisconsin car rental isn’t just rude – it’s dangerous. Maintaining a safe distance between your car and other vehicles on the road will provide you with a cushion of space in case you need to complete an emergency evasive maneuver. As difficult as it might be, resist the temptation to block openings for other vehicles. Yes, you’ve been waiting on the freeway for 45 minutes. However, that’s no excuse to refuse to let a fellow driver into your lane from an on-ramp.

Tip #5 – Pay Attention

This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but think about it for a minute. How often do you “zone out” when you’re behind the wheel of your car? These little lapses of attention can often result in dangerous driving behaviours and further traffic troubles. Actively paying attention to your surroundings will enable you to anticipate slowdowns and back off accordingly.

Tip #6 – Stick to the Through Lane

One of the biggest congestion contributors in Wisconsin has to do with the improper use of merge lanes. More often than not, Wisconsin car rental drivers will stay in the merge lane, instead of moving over and freeing this lane up for additional vehicles. If you’re coming up to an area where merging takes place, be kind and move to the left lane. This will help ensure that traffic continues to move smoothly.

Of course, some Wisconsin car rental drivers take this advice to far and, instead of moving over when traffic warrants, they decide to permanently travel in the furthest left lean. If doing this causes cars to pass you in the right lane, guess what? You’re a part of the problem, not the solution! Use the left lane to pass and to enable other vehicles to merge onto the freeway. When the coast is clear, remember to move back into the right lane so that other faster moving vehicles can safely pass you.

Tip #7 – Expect Slowdowns on City Streets

Congestion is almost always worse on city streets. So prepare for this before you hop into your Wisconsin car rental. If there are multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, choose the center lane for the fastest travel time (chances are the left lane will be clogged with vehicles waiting to make a turn, while the right lane will be obstructed by slow moving public transit vehicles).

Tip #8 – Don’t Gawk

When there’s an accident or a breakdown on the side of the road, remember to resist the urge to slow down or stare at the wreckage. Doing so will cause a domino effect behind your vehicle, slowing down traffic and causing further congestion. Keep your eyes on the road and maintain a safe driving speed when passing an accident. The last thing you want to do is find yourself in a similar situation because you were to distracted to drive carefully!

Traffic congestion doesn’t have to ruin your Wisconsin car rental commute. Keep the avoid tips in mind the next time you’re stuck in traffic in order to ensure a safe and speedy trip.

Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive

This 115-mile route is certainly one to add to your trip.  If you’re looking for areas to stop and engage in activities of the great outdoors, this is the route to take.  While many of these are much more appealing in the spring and summer seasons, you can enjoy picnicking, hiking, camping, biking, swimming, and fishing along this drive in your car rentals Wisconsin.  You’ll also see numerous historic sites along the way.  Shopping and hotels are easy finds through this incredible route as well.

The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive will give you a great view of Wisconsin as it takes you through six counties.  To begin in the north, you’ll start at Elkhart Lake in northern Sheboygan County.  Finish off in Whitewater Lake in southeastern Walworth County.  The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is one of the most popular routes through this landscape.

Rustic Road #33

This fantastic route will give you a view of hallowed nature.  Perched on top of Holy Hill in southeastern Wisconsin, the church spires of the well-known seminary will take your breath away in a winter wonderland.

Next, Rustic Road #33 takes your car rentals Wisconsin through the kettle area.  Here, you’ll find an area strongly run by agriculture, providing a surreal escape from the sights and pollution of the city.

If you’re looking for a view of water, another area of this natural trail will take you by Loew Lake.

Rustic Road #86

If you’re looking for a slightly shorter drive than the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive or the Rustic Road #33, without cutting it too short, this may be the route for your car rentals Wisconsin.  At 7.3 miles, you’ll have access to the Waterville Road, which will let you visit the Ice Age Trail and the Scuppernong Hiking Trail.

This road grants you a gorgeous view of wintery forests and expansive prairies while you wander through the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Rustic Road #10

The shortest one yet, Rustic Road #10 spans only 2.5 miles.  Taking you through Upper and Lower Nashotak Lakes and south by Upper Nemahbin Lake, this is a wondrous sight of natural beauty.  The curving route will give you a view of the Pabst Farms and the few surviving dairy barns to the west.  For a complete surf and turf exploration of this area in your car rentals Wisconsin, this is the road to take.

Look to the north in your car rentals Wisconsin for the red-tiled Nashota House Seminary.  You’ll get a great view of the spires and gables etched into the horizon of this expanse.

What to Look for in the Kettle Moraine

There are a few natural phenomena that you’ll want to look for in the Kettle Moraine.

The first, already mentioned, is the Ice Age Trail.  Traveling through both the major parks in the Kettle Moraine, it stretches 1,100 miles around the Wisconsin Glacier, which was a great mass over the entire area more than 10,000 years ago.

If you’re going to the Ice Age Trail in the summer, you’ll be able to find shelters and camp spots in the various parks for your camping trip in your car rentals Wisconsin.

The two main parks you’ll want to look for are the Southern Unit, which is located by Whitewater, and the Northern Unit, which is located north of West Bend.  Of course, there are various smaller parks along the way.

What is the Kettle Moraine?

The Kettle Moraine is a land mass left by glaciers.  These left hills and depressions that were fortunate for contemporary adventurers.

These areas provide gorgeous trails for both hiking and mountain biking.  In the winter, when you’ll be traveling, make sure to bring your cross-country skis.  These trails create a gorgeous winter adventure for avid skiers.

Lodging in Kettle Moraine

You have options when you travel through the Kettle Moraine in the winter.  If you want to avoid camping in the snow and cold, look for one of the cabins along the way.  These little lodgings will give you the authentic wilderness feel without freezing in the great outdoors.

Cabins range from little cottages for couples, or a pair of travelers to four-bedroom rentals.  Four Seasons also offers a lodging for those who want to fish on the 91-acre Crooked Lake, either on the banks or in one of their 12-foot boats.

For the most enjoyable trip through the Kettle Moraine, rent your MayFair Car Rentals Wisconsin vehicle today.

Visibility is Key in Your Car Rental Wisconsin Vehicle

It’s best to keep your headlights on in order to remain visible to snow plows.  This is particularly true if you’re traveling in adverse weather or heavy snow.

If you can see the driver’s mirrors, this means you are more likely visible to the driver of the plow.

You must also be aware of the fact that snowplows do not have as good conditions for sight as your car rental Wisconsin does.  The bulkiness of the plow severely decreases the driver’s line of vision, as well as creating larger and more numerous blind spots.  The driver may not be able to see your vehicle coming up behind them, and likely won’t see your attempts to pass.  It’s best to avoid passing, anyway, as you will be more likely to be in a collision.

Watch for Whiteout Conditions

Passing a snowplow can cause whiteout conditions for you, which will completely blind you to the road.  The snow, ice, salt, and debris that billows up around the plow creates a total cloud that is dangerous to drive through.  For this reason, don’t pass a snowplow.  Also, driving conditions for your car rental Wisconsin in front of a snow plow are worse, because the roads have yet to be cleared.

If you absolutely must pass the plow, never pass on the right.  Snow and ice will be released on the right side of the plow, which will make this a dangerous area for you to drive through.  Watch, also, the blades.  Give them as much room as you can.

Keep a Good Following Distance

If you follow too close to the snowplow, you risk rear-ending the vehicle.  This is due to the fact that snowplows can stop, reverse, exit, or turn at any time, and they do so often.  If conditions are bad enough for a snowplow, then they are likely going to be bad enough to make it difficult for you to stop quickly to account for these unexpected changes.

The other benefit of keeping a good distance is avoiding the debris that may fly up from the back of the plow.  Something that doesn’t affect a snowplow’s exterior could certainly affect your car rental’s health.  Keeping a distance will allow you to watch for objects and ice chunks that may fly from beneath the bottom of the snowplow.

You should try to leave six to eight car lengths between your vehicle and the plow.

Don’t Follow Two Plows

The risk of enduring a whiteout from one plow is enough that adding one more can severely increase your chances of collision.  It’s likely that you’ll find a team of plows that have been sent out in order to clear the roads in a timelier manner than one could do alone.  When this happens, try to avoid getting in between two plows. You may have to pull over or take another road to do this but it greatly increases your safety in your car rental Wisconsin.

Yield and Take Caution

Whenever you can, yield to a snowplow.  Because of their size and their importance in clearing the roads, it is important that you give them the right of way.  This will also make the roads clearer for you.

When a snowplow traveling in the opposite direction is coming toward you, move as far right as you safely can and be cautious.  Give lots of space in between the plow’s blade and your car rental Wisconsin.

Be Patient

Snowplows, particularly in residential areas, will drive much slower than the speed limit.  While on highways their speed can increase significantly, you must still expect them to travel more slowly than the general traffic.

Try not to get impatient and rush by the plow, and remember that they are traveling that slowly in order to do a better job clearing the roads for you.  Traveling at these speeds is safer for both your car rental Wisconsin and the snowplow.

Prepare for the Conditions

Clear your car rental Wisconsin fully before setting out.  Make sure windows, headlights, and taillights are all clear.  Make sure there isn’t any ice chunks trapped in the curves and ruts of your vehicle.

Know what you’re getting into.  Check road conditions before you leave, and give yourself enough time to get there if the roads are icy.  If you know the roads are bad, you’ll know to expect snowplows, and you can adjust your driving accordingly.  Understand the limits of your car rental Wisconsin, especially the required stop times.

Are you ready to book your car rental Wisconsin?  Contact Mayfair Rent-A-Car to reserve your vehicle.