New Solutions to Distracted Driving

We hear about it. We read about it. We preach to our teen drivers about it. Did you know that your risk of a crash is 23.2 times as high if you are texting while driving? Despite all of this, when our cell phone rings while we are going 50 MPH on Route 20, we answer it.

In our defense, the advances in technology have led us to believe that we, along with our friends, family and work associates, must be readily available at all times. Also, the simple act of operating a vehicle seems to have become so mundane in our evolved society that multitasking is the only way for us to feel accomplished when we have reached our destination.

So how can we break our addiction? More technology, of course! The following is a list of websites offering cell phone software which disables your device while your car is in motion: www.cellcontrol.com, www.zoomsafer.com, and www.trysafetyfirst.com

What Happens to my Insurance Rates When I Buy a New Car?

Will my rates go up? The short answer is: it depends. Auto insurance rates are based on many factors including the type, age and cost of auto you drive. One thing you can count on is that cars that have been financed require more insurance. The lender will require that you carry comprehensive and collision coverage - which can mean higher premiums.

A Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Home Improvement

Every year, consumers spend millions of dollars on home improvements. Far too often, unsuspecting homeowners are cheated by home improvement contractors. In 1992, the Home Improvement Law was created to protect consumers and regulate the practices of home improvement contractors.

Remodeling and improving your come can be a huge undertaking. Fortunately, by understanding your rights under the law and taking a few precautions, you can help avoid potential problems. Be sure to plan carefully before investing thousands of dollars into home improvements.

• Interview at least 3 contractors and request a written, detailed estimate.
• Confirm references for each contractor. Check the contractor's complaint history with the Attorney General's Office or Better Business Bureau.
• Always ask for a detailed written contract, even for small projects. It will protect you and help ensure that you and the contractor understand the scope of the job and the price. State law requires that home improvement contracts over $1,000 be in writing.
• Be sure the contractor obtains the building permit.
• By law, the contractor cannot collect more than one-third of the cost of the contract in advance.

For more details about the protections afforded to you through the 1992 Home Improvement Contractor Law, go to mass.gov/consumer/home improvement.