According to statistics released by the state, around 333 deaths in 2021 resulted from crashes caused by distracted driving. Compared to the past eight years, this is the highest known record in Florida. Over one thousand distracted driving crashes occurred weekly in the United States last year. Over 3,100 people succumbed, and more than 424,000 sustained injuries from accidents caused by distracted driving.

In July 2022, an accident on the exit of Tampa Road killed an uber driver, Tracy Carson, and her passenger, Daniel Whitefield. Tracy Carson was heading to the airport to drop off her passenger, Daniel Whitfield, when a pickup driver trying to retrieve his phone from the floor collided with their car’s rear end.

When Carson picked up Daniel Whitfield at his residence in St. Petersburg that Monday morning, both were strangers. Whitfield was heading to the Tampa International Airport to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. On their way to the airport, they talked about Whitefield’s little child commemorating her first birthday, his copyrighting career, and his recently published first novel. Carson, on the other hand, served in the Air Force in the U.S, and her hobby was traveling the world.

They crossed over the Howard Frankland Bridge at around 7 a.m., but the traffic congestion from the intersecting roads made them stop on the exit ramp. According to a highway patrol officer’s report, the pickup truck rammed into the back side of the Toyota Camry that Carson and Whitfield were driving. Whitfield and Carson succumbed to the injuries.

In the best case scenario after an Uber accident, the parties share insurance information and come out unharmed. However in this case, the estate representatives of the victims have initiated a legal proceeding for the pickup driver and his employer to respond to charges of careless driving. The deadly crash is yet another indication of how distracted driving has taken innocent lives. According to the officer’s report, the pickup driver accepted that the accident occurred when he tried to pick up his phone, which had fallen to the floor while he was driving.

The Life of Daniel Whitfield

Daniel Whitfield, an ambitious man, desired to be a recognized author and have a big family.

He was a Birmingham, England native. In his early days, he loved different things; he performed in musical comedies and Shakespearean plays. He was also a wrestling fan who followed his favorite stars closely.

Upon completing his studies at the University of Nottingham, Whitfield won a scholarship to further his studies at Wisconsin University. He focused on the history of different countries and was an assistant lecturer teaching British history. He had no intention of staying in the United States, but he got an internship here, where he subsequently met his wife, Nena.

Later, he got a job in McLean working for a copywriting and fundraising services company. He married Nena in 2014 and together welcomed their first daughter, Dagny, in 2015. He later welcomed two more children; Zora and Magnolia.

Whitfield launched “Eagle Ascending,” his debut novel, in 2021. It is a thrilling story about a police officer in New York enquiring about a deadly Museum bombing. He would discover later that an infamous Nazi general, his grandfather, was part of the culprits who participated in planning the bombing. Daniel’s second novel will become known next year.

On the morning of the accident, Nena Whitfield waited for the usual text message from his husband that he would send telling him about his progress on the journey. But around that moment, a trooper came to their home to inform her about the demise of her husband.

In a social media post, Nena remembers how her husband would bring her flowers anytime he went to the market. She, in another post, acknowledges she was still grieving and had difficulty accepting the loss of her husband.

The Full Life of Tracy Carson

The tribute to Carson portrayed a person who lived an adventurous life. She was born in Illinois and served her country. After leaving the Force, she got a job in the government, and later became a coffee shop owner. Before moving permanently to St. Petersburg, she visited and lived in various parts of the world.

She was an intelligent, funny, kind, and thoughtful person. She loved outdoor activities; her game was skiing, scuba diving, and skydiving. She viewed life positively and would pass the vibe to people around her. She could start a conversation with people she met. Carson was a mother of three children, and one of her kids was a minor when the representatives initiated the legal proceeding.

Mr. Hientzelmeier’s Tragic Mistake

The day when Ms. Carson was heading to the airport to drop off a passenger, Mr. Howard Hientzelmeier was behind them in a 2021 Dodge Ram truck. Sunroom, a solar cell firm, owned the vehicle Hientzelmeier was driving.

The initial crash report indicated that the driver slammed into Carson’s car, making it spin around and drift to the roadside. The pickup smashed into the back of a Hyundai luxury Sedan, causing a back-end crash involving more than three vehicles.

According to the road patrol report, the pickup driver said that his phone had fallen and was attempting to find it when the accident occurred. The record indicates that he drove the truck carelessly and negligently, however, he has not been criminally charged yet because of a traffic homicide investigation currently running.

State officials describe distracted driving as a health problem, and the institution whose duty is to prevent and control the disease has on its social platforms addressed the menace. From 2010 to 2019, more than three thousand people died in accidents resulting from distracted driving.

There have been campaigns by troopers and other bodies mandated with highway behaviors to warn drivers from using their phones while driving. Unless people change their attitudes and behaviors, these tragic accidents are likely to continue.

Almost every passionate driver loves an SUV as it lets them command the road. With plenty of cargo space and the ability to drive anywhere one wants, SUVs are the functional and stylish mode of transportation that is adored by almost all. When it comes to traveling in the snow, proper attention must be given to the tires, which do the bulk of the work. SUV tires for snow are manufactured by many brands, but how do choose them? Let’s find out. 

1. Knowing your tire size 

The first thing an SUV owner should know about the vehicle is its tire size. Normally winter and summer tires should be the same size. To get an accurate size, you can take a look at the sidewall. Purchasing tires that are too big or small, or too narrow or wide will have negative effects on the vehicle’s components as well as fuel efficiency. 

2. Type of roads

This is a crucial factor to consider when choosing winter tires.  Is your SUV traveling on city roads, side roads, or highways? In case you drive a lot, only high-quality winter tires would do the trick. This is especially important for smaller SUVs which tend to skid in poor conditions. If the SUV is driven mostly on city roads, any tire with a good price-quality ratio would suffice. 

3. Visual comparison

One of the best ways to ascertain a tire’s quality is to go to a store and compare them visually. Pay more attention to the different tires available and their grooves, flexibility, and lateral stiffness. Larger grooves tend to provide better traction on winter surfaces, helping the car to displace snow and slush. 

4. Snow vs. ice tires

Many people have confused between snow and ice tires, thinking them to be the same.  However, ice tires are considered superior as they offer excellent traction on snow as well as ice. They are useful for application on highways and dry surfaces. You can opt for normal snow tires if you mainly drive downtown to travel through snow banks. 

5. Handling and braking

Winter tires are considered mandatory in colder seasons as they have a major impact on handling and braking. Normal season tires lose much of their traction and flexibility when temperatures drop.  Choosing specialized winter tires for SUVs will help the vehicle brake more effectively and reliably and provide better turning. 

6. Do not mix and match tires

It is never a good idea to fit tires of different brands on the same vehicle. This can affect your driving and handling, and can also cause premature damage to some parts. It is always recommended to install identical tires of the same brand to avoid extra stress on your vehicle. 

7. Considering tread design

When traveling on icy or snowy roads, a tire’s tread pattern plays an important role. The winter tire you choose must have a raised tread design which should be able to repel snow and ice and reduce contact with the road. Some models also have a large number of incisions in the rubber to stabilize the SUV. 

8. Considering tire composition

Winter tires for SUVs not only have a special tread but also a special composition. These tires normally consist of a softer rubber compound which prevents the tires from getting too hard when temperatures fall. It is radically different from summer tires, which become hard in cooler temperatures, causing reduced handling. 

9. Sipe style

Siping refers to the creation of small slits across the tread of tires. This method is particularly used for winter tires, helping them function properly on icy surfaces and snow-covered roads. With siping, tires get additional edges in the tread which enhances grip. The tires expand and contract to push snow and slush away from the tread. The more siping a tire has, the better it performs on snow and ice. However, the sipe gap should be smaller in size to avoid road noise. The siping should be done in multiple directions to maximize grip when cornering. 

Why should you buy winter tires for SUVs?

Many people make the mistake of overlooking the purchase of tires for snow, especially if they already have all-season tires. Winter tires are ideal for rear-wheel-drive cars. Since these vehicles are powerful, it can be dangerous to travel in snowy conditions without the right type of tires in place. No matter what tire brand you choose, you should choose one with plenty of tread depth for icy conditions. 

Conclusion

No two SUV models are created equal, which makes choosing the right winter tires even more important. Whether it’s a compact SUV or a larger one, considering factors such as tire size, type, and lifestyle come into play. Fortunately, there are multiple choices available for your SUV tire preferences whatever your needs are. 

NASCAR betting has surged in popularity in recent years, and races at these five top tracks are the most compelling on the circuit. 

Massachusetts Sports Betting has been legalized and will soon be operational in the Commonwealth. Kansas recently launched legal sports betting, and Ohio will be up and running on January 1, 2023.

For bettors in all three states, make sure to wager on events at these tracks to enhance your viewing of NASCAR races. 

NASCAR’s Top-5 Most Exciting Racetracks

Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR is different from other sports in the fact that its biggest race — the Daytona 500 — is the first event of the season. Daytona also hosts a night race during the July 4 holiday weekend.

Daytona is a 2.5-mile superspeedway where restrictor plates are used to slow cars down and prevent airborne wrecks. Restrictor-plate racing tasks teammates to work together in an aerodynamic draft. 

This type of racing often produces “The Big One” with multiple cars wrecking at the same time. It also produces some fantastic finishes. 

This year, rookie driver Austin Cindric used drafting help from Penske teammate Ryan Blaney to beat Bubba Wallace by .036 seconds at the finish line.  

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega is the second of two superspeedways on the NASCAR circuit. The same brand of restrictor-plate racing is used to produce some harrowing wrecks and tight finishes at this 2.66-mile track in Alabama.

I was traveling with the NASCAR circus in 2000 when Dale Earnhardt Sr. won what would be his final Cup race at Talladega. Earnhardt craftily moved from 17th-place with four laps left to win in thrilling fashion. Check it out here:

Earnhardt died early the next year after a last-lap wreck in the Daytona 500. NASCAR redoubled its efforts to create safer racing conditions at restrictor-plate tracks. It’s one of the many racing legacies left behind by Earnhardt.       

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol’s a little half-mile bullring located in the Tennessee mountains, and it’s historically put on some of the best short-track shows in NASCAR history. Bristol’s night race is a true spectacle in this Coliseum-like complex. Tempers often flare at Bristol, as they did at the finish of last year’s night race.

Watkins Glen International

We go from a short track to a road course for more excitement on the NASCAR circuit. Watkins Glen hosts its annual Cup race during the summer in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. 

Dig this last-lap excitement from arguably the best-ever finish at the Glen in 2012. 

Darlington Raceway 

Darlington is quintessential NASCAR. It’s known as “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” The annual Labor Day weekend race is one of the most anticipated night races of the season. Here are some of the best finishes in the Southern 500 at Darlington.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdu3npzJTRI

Are you struggling to find a good, free VPN that still works with Netflix? You’re not alone. A lot of VPNs have been blocked by Netflix in recent years. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested several different VPNs and found six that still work flawlessly with Netflix. So whether you’re looking to get Japanese Netflix in Australia or just want to keep your data safe online, we have something for you. Read on to learn more!

1. ExpressVPN 

ExpressVPN offers a vast network comprising 3,000 servers spread over 94 nations. You can use it to access 20+ Netflix collections, including Netflix Japan, France, Australia, UK, US, and many more. 

This implies that you won’t have trouble locating a dependable server for Netflix streaming. ExpressVPN is among the few virtual private networks (VPNs) that work in limiting countries like China, allowing you to watch Netflix practically from anywhere in the world.

You get unrestricted data usage and extremely high speeds to view Netflix uninterrupted. The average ExpressVPN speed on servers in Australia, the UK, and the US is 67.8 Mbps. Without pausing, you may watch all your favorite Netflix programs in one sitting.

Various hardware and systems, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Smart TVs, routers, Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, are compatible with ExpressVPN.

You can stream Netflix using ExpressVPN MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) on devices that do not support VPNs. You can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN without lag or buffering. You should only log into your VPN account and paste a supplied code into the network settings of your smart TV.

ExpressVPN is far superior to any free VPN for Netflix streaming, although it isn’t free. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee is included, so you may risk-free test out all of ExpressVPN’s premium features. If you’re unhappy with it, getting a refund is simple.

2. Avira Phantom VPN

Installing, utilizing, and accessing Netflix with Avira Phantom’s mobile apps couldn’t be simpler, and you have full access to its server network. However, using a Mac or Windows device, the VPN will only allow you to connect to the nearest location. 

Although its speeds are slower than those of ExpressVPN, using its US servers will still provide you with good speeds which are adequate for HD streaming. You can use it on as many devices as possible because it supports unlimited device connections with only 500MB of data per month.

The premium subscription of Avira Phantom, which offers unlimited data, live support, and additional security features, also comes with a 7-day free trial. Aside from the meager 500MB of monthly data, a free user is not permitted to use live help. But you can discover solutions to frequently asked questions in its helpful online knowledge base.

3. hide.me

Hide.me will provide consistent speeds so you may stream your preferred programs without buffering. The server’s speed will never be below 24.5 Mbps, regardless of how far it is from your location. Although it doesn’t give unlimited data like CyberGhost or ExpressVPN, it allows you to watch in HD for roughly 5 hours with 10GB of data each month.

Even though the free plan of hide.me doesn’t support streaming, 4 Netflix libraries will still be unblocked. The servers are in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Canada (East & West).

However, hide.me only allows one device to be connected simultaneously. You cannot reach this limit without making several accounts because you must register to utilize them as the free plan does not allow you to configure it on your router.

Its customer service is available around-the-clock, which is extremely uncommon with free VPNs. Additionally, hide.me provides a comprehensive knowledge section with simple setup instructions.

4. CyberGhost

With the help of servers designed particularly for the platform, CyberGhost enables its customers to unblock Netflix. It has an extensive server network with 8,935 servers spread over 91 nations. With its streaming-optimized servers, you can use it to access more than 15 Netflix libraries, including those from the US, the UK, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and Sweden.

Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth make it perfect for uninterrupted Netflix streaming. Even if ExpressVPN is faster, it still provides outstanding speeds. Although the program from CyberGhost is simple to use, it cannot be utilized in China due to a ban.

While not entirely free, CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee that allows you to use it risk-free. In case you’re dissatisfied, you can always request a refund. They also have a fantastic customer service team that always quickly answers your inquiries.

5. ProtonVPN

You can stream for as long as you’d like with ProtonVPN since it’s among the few free VPNs that deliver unlimited data. You won’t experience annoyances during your favorite movie viewing because ProtonVPN’s 100+ free servers – in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US – all have respectable speeds. You can watch your preferred shows in HD thanks to the quick speeds.

ProtonVPN allows users with Linux, Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and routers to use it for free. This implies that even though you only have access to one device, you may still use a router to stream free Netflix on all your devices.

Using the app is simple on both mobile and desktop devices. The fantastic thing with ProtonVPN is that you can view the load on each server, saving you time from having to look for the fastest one. Furthermore, there are no ads at all with the ProtonVPN software. This is a huge advantage because most free VPNs contain endless adverts.

One drawback is that, in contrast to other free VPNs on our list, ProtonVPN’s free servers exclusively unblock Netflix Originals. There is a ton of helpful information in the knowledge base; however, support can only be reached by email.

6.  TunnelBear

Contrary to most free VPNs, this one provides unlimited free access to all servers. Finding a trustworthy server is made simpler due to the decrease in crowding. It gives you access to libraries from more than five Netflix countries, including France, Canada, the UK, and the US.

At least with close servers, it offers sufficient speeds for Netflix streaming. You may, however, stream Netflix in SD.

With only one click, you may establish a connection to a server, and TunnelBear is available for all popular OS systems to download. If you’re unfamiliar with VPNs, the user-friendly interface from TunnelBear is excellent.

The free plan only offers 500MB per month, which is only enough for 30 minutes of SD video – which is highly disappointing. Additionally, they provide a helpful customer service staff who will always help you if needed.

Conclusion

A VPN is the perfect solution if you’re looking for a way to watch your favorite shows and movies from any country. Netflix isn’t the only one that can use a VPN. All of the VPNs on our list are still working with Netflix so that you can stream without worry. Have you tried using a VPN to watch Netflix? Which one was your favorite?