Jul 26, 2009 1:02 PM Posted by ChristinaLoren In order to make it easy for you to prepare for construction on your travels I have compiled a list of current construction projects and closures seperated by county, along with a detailed description of each project's purpose. If you want to know about construction that is not mentioned here, feel free to send me an email and I will be happy to add it. CLoren@CBS.com Thank you to MDX & FDOT for always keeping us up to date.
Miami-Dade County
SR 874 – Don Shula Expressway
Ramp Closure
The
entrance ramp to northbound SR 874 from westbound SW 104th Street
(Killian Parkway) will be closed for sound barrier wall construction.
The closure will take place daily beginning Monday, January 18 through
Thursday, January 21 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Construction of
an improved entrance ramp, sound barrier wall, barrier wall, lighting
and traffic signal are all underway. To expedite construction, a
complete closure of the entrance ramp is required for an extended
period of time. The entrance ramp will close on Friday, January 22 at
10 a.m. and will remain closed through April 2010 (MDX Project No.
87404).
Detours: Motorists wishing to access northbound SR 874 are advised to follow posted detour signs.
Travel
eastbound on SW 104th Street (Killian Parkway). Turn left on SW 97th
Avenue. Continue on SW 97th Avenue and turn right on SW 88th Street
(Kendall Drive) to access the ramp to northbound SR 874 on the left. As
an alternate route, motorists may travel westbound on SW 104th Street
(Killian Parkway). Turn right on SW 107th Avenue. Continue on SW 107th
Avenue and turn right on SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive). Continue on SW
88th Street (Kendall Drive) to access the ramp to northbound SR 874 on
the left just after SW 97th Avenue; or continue west on SW 104th Street
(Killian Parkway) and turn right on SW 108th Avenue
(East
Perimeter Road). Turn right on SW 100th Street. Turn right on SW 107th
Avenue. Turn left on SW 104th Street (Killian Parkway) to access the
entrance ramp to northbound SR 874.
Ramp Closure
The
exit ramp from southbound SR 874 to northbound SW 107th Avenue will be
closed for bridge construction and temporary barrier wall relocation.
The closure will take place beginning Monday, January 18 through
Friday, January 22 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to
5:30 a.m. (MDX Project No. 87404).
Detour: Motorists wishing to
access northbound SW 107th Avenue should continue on southbound SR 874.
Exit at SW 104th Street (Killian Parkway) and turn left. Turn right on
SW 108th Avenue (East Perimeter Road). Turn right on SW 100th Street
and turn left to access northbound SW 107th Avenue.
Ramp Closure
The
entrance ramp to northbound SR 874 from eastbound SW 104th Street
(Killian Parkway) will be closed for bridge construction. The closure
will take place nightly beginning Monday, January 18 through Friday,
January 22 from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (MDX Project No. 87404).
Detour:
Motorists wishing to access northbound SR 874 are advised to follow
posted detour signs. Turn left on SW 107th Avenue. Continue on SW 107th
Avenue and turn right on SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive). Continue on SW
88th Street (Kendall Drive) to access the ramp to northbound SR 874 on
the left just after SW 97th Avenue.
Mainline Closure
Alternate
lanes on southbound and northbound SR 874 will be closed between the SR
874 toll plaza and SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive) for temporary barrier
wall relocation and bridge construction. The closure will take place
nightly beginning Monday, January 18 through Friday, January 22 from 9
p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (MDX Project No. 87404).
SR 836– Dolphin Expressway
]
Ramp Closure
The exit ramp from eastbound SR 836 to NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) will be closed for asphalt activities. The closure will take place overnight on Sunday, January 17 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (MDX Project No. 83622).
Detour: Motorists wishing to access NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) should continue on eastbound SR 836. Exit at NW 45th Avenue and turn left. Turn left again and re-enter SR 836 heading westbound. Continue on westbound SR 836 to access the exit ramp to NW 57th Avenue (Red Road).
Ramp Closure
The exit ramp from eastbound SR 836 to NW 45th Avenue will be closed for asphalt activities. The closure will take place overnight on Sunday, January 17 and Monday, January 18 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Ramps that are to be used as part of detours for other ramp closures will not be closed at the same time (MDX Project No. 83622).
Detour: Motorists wishing to access NW 45th Avenue should continue on eastbound SR 836. Exit at southbound NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road). Continue on southbound NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road) and turn right on NW 7th Street. Continue on NW 7th Street to access NW 45th Avenue.
Ramp Closure
The entrance ramp to eastbound SR 836 from northbound NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) will be closed for re-striping activities. The closure will take place overnight on Monday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (MDX Project No. 83622).
Detour: Motorists wishing to access eastbound SR 836 should continue on northbound NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) and enter at westbound SR 836 on the left. Continue on westbound SR 836. Exit at NW 72nd Avenue and turn left. Turn left again to re-enter SR 836 heading eastbound.
Ramp Closure
The entrance ramp to westbound SR 836 from northbound NW 17th Avenue will be closed to perform repairs to existing guardrail. The closure will take place overnight on Tuesday, January 19 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (MDX Maintenance).
Detour: Motorists wishing to access westbound SR 836 should continue on northbound NW 17th Avenue. Perform a U-turn at NW South River Drive to access westbound SR 836.
Mainline Closure
Two right lanes on eastbound SR 836 will be closed between NW 72nd Avenue and NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road) for temporary barrier wall installation. The closure will take place nightly beginning Sunday, January 17 through Saturday, January 23 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (MDX Project No. 83622).
Mainline Closure
The right lane on eastbound SR 836 will be closed over the Miami River between NW 12th Avenue and NW 17th Avenue for maintenance operations. The closure will take place during daytime hours on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday January 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MDX Maintenance).
Mainline Closure
The left lane on eastbound SR 836 will be closed between NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road) and NW 37th Avenue (Douglas Road) to perform repairs to existing guardrails. The closure will take place overnight on Sunday, January 17 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (MDX Maintenance).
Mainline Closure
The left lane on westbound SR 836 will be closed between NW 87th Avenue (Galloway Road) and NW 97th Avenue to perform repairs to the overhead signs. The closure will take place overnight on Monday, January 18 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (MDX Maintenance).
Mainline Closure
The left lane on westbound SR 836 will be closed from NW 107th Avenue to the Florida’s Turnpike to perform repairs to the overhead signs. The closure will take place overnight on Wednesday, January 20 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (MDX Maintenance).
Mainline Closure
The left lane on westbound SR 836 will be closed from just west of the NW 97th Avenue toll plaza to the Florida’s Turnpike to perform repairs to the overhead signs. The closure will take place overnight on Thursday, January 21 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (MDX Maintenance).
SR 112 – Airport Expressway
Ramp Closure
The exit ramp from westbound SR 112 to NW 36th Street will be closed for barrier wall improvements. The closure will take place Friday, January 22 through Saturday, January 23 from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDX Project No. 30019). Detour: Motorists wishing to access NW 36th Street should continue on westbound SR 112 and exit at NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road). Turn left at NW 28th Street. Continue on NW 28th Street and turn left on NW 40th Avenue. Continue on NW 40th Avenue and turn left on NW 29th Street. Turn right on NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road). Continue on NW 42nd Avenue (LeJeune Road) to access NW 36th Street.
Mainline Closure Alternate lanes on westbound SR 112 will be closed between NW 27th Avenue and NW 32nd Avenue for barrier wall improvements. The closure will take place during daytime hours on Monday, January 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and nightly beginning Monday, January 18 through Friday, January 22 from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDX Project No. 30019).
Mainline Closure
Alternate lanes on westbound SR 112 will be closed between NW 21st Street and NW 25th Street for painting activities. The closure will take place daily beginning Sunday, January 17 through Saturday, January 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and again nightly through Friday, January 22 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. On Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 the lanes will be closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (MDX Project No. 400![]() 35). ![]() ![]() 
SR 924 – Gratigny Parkway Mainline Closure Alternate lanes on eastbound and westbound SR 924 will be closed at NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) for bridge joint improvements. The closure will take place overnight on Monday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (MDX Project No. 30016).
Mainline Closure Two right lanes on westbound SR 924 will be closed just west of NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) for utility shelter installation. The closure will take place during daytime hours on Monday, January 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (MDX Project No. 92405). 
TURNPIKE ALL-ELECTRONIC OPEN ROAD TOLLING U.S. 1 TO S.R. 836 (MILEPOST 0-26)
- One or two northbound and/or southbound SunPass-only open road tolling lanes will be closed at the Bird Road toll plaza from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, through Thursday, Jan. 21.
- At least one lane in each direction will remain open.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The
Bird Road and Homestead mainline toll plazas and the 17 ramp plazas
located between the U.S. 1 and S.R. 836 interchanges are being upgraded
to allow for all-electronic tolling on this segment of the Turnpike
beginning in early 2011. Cash toll collections will be eliminated
simultaneously at all the toll plazas. Approximate cost: $33 million.
TURNPIKE – MILLING AND RESURFACING PROJECTS (MILEPOST 0-9)
- One northbound
lane and shoulder will be closed on various segments of the Turnpike
between Tallahassee Road/ Southwest 137th Avenue (Exit 6) and
Allapattah Road (Exit 9) from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17,
through Thursday, Jan. 21
- Northbound Turnpike
exit ramp to Allapattah Road/Southwest 112th Avenue – Closed from 10
p.m. to 6 a.m. for three nights — Tuesday, Jan. 20, through Thursday,
Jan 21.
- Detour: Exit
the northbound Turnpike at Biscayne Drive (Exit 5); go east to
Tallahassee Road/Southwest 137th Avenue; go north to Moody
Drive/Southwest 268th Street and then head east to Allapattah
Road/Southwest 112th Avenue.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction
is underway to remove the existing pavement and to resurface and
restripe various segments of the Turnpike: from the U.S. 1 (Exit 1) to
Allapattah Road (Exit 9). The project is scheduled for completion in
the summer of 2010. Approximate cost: $5.5 million.
OKEECHOBEE TOLL PLAZA OPEN ROAD TOLLING AND NW 74TH STREET INTERCHANGE (MILEPOST 32)
- All
SunPass-only open road tolling lanes, either northbound or southbound,
will be closed at Okeechobee toll plaza from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 17, through Thursday, Jan. 21, for asphalt work, drainage
inspections, lighting and maintenance of traffic activities.
- All SunPass traffic will be diverted to the traditional SunPass and cash toll lanes at the plaza.
- All northbound Turnpike traffic will be slowed to approximately 15 mph
from south of Northwest 41st Street to north of the Okeechobee toll
plaza for 20-30 minutes, sometime between 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.
20, and 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21.
- Construction crews will perform repairs on a sign structure that crosses over the northbound traffic lanes.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The
Okeechobee mainline toll plaza will be converted into an open-road
tolling plaza that will allow motorists with SunPass to travel at
highway speeds while their toll is collected via SunPass equipment
overhead ... no gates, no tollbooths. Cash-paying motorists will pull
off the highway onto ramps with traditional tollbooths and then merge
back onto the travel lanes. A new SunPass-only interchange is under
construction at Northwest 74th Street. Construction began in January
2007 and is scheduled for completion in the spring 2010. Approximate
cost: $64.8 million.
BROWARD COUNTY
TURNPIKE WIDENING – GRIFFIN ROAD TO SUNRISE BOULEVARD (MILEPOST 53 to 58)
- One
to two lanes in both directions will be closed periodically on the
Turnpike between Griffin Road (Exit 53) and Sunrise Boulevard (Exit 58)
from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
Local interchanges affected:
- Intermittent
ramp closures at I-595 westbound ramp from the Turnpike between 10 p.m.
and 5 a.m. from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
- Intermittent
ramp closures at Sunrise Blvd’s (Exit 58) southbound off ramp between
10 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Thursday, Jan. 21.
Local road affected:
- Periodic, off peak, nighttime lane closures westbound on Broward Boulevard from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
TURNPIKE WIDENING – SUNRISE BOULEVARD TO ATLANTIC BOULEVARD (MILEPOST 58 to 66)
- One
to two lanes in both directions will be closed periodically on the
Turnpike between Sunrise Boulevard (Exit 58) and Atlantic Boulevard
(Exit 66) from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan.
22.
Local road affected:
- Periodic,
off-peak, nighttime lane closures in both directions on Commercial
Boulevard from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
- Periodic, off-peak, nighttime lane closures in both directions on SR 7 / US 441 from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
- Periodic, off-peak, daytime lane closures in both directions on Lyons Road from Sunday, Jan. 17, through Friday, Jan. 22.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This
project is a multi-million dollar construction program to widen
Florida’s Turnpike in Broward County; an additional travel lane is
being added to both the northbound and southbound directions. There are
three active phases in progress between Griffin Road (Exit 53) and
Atlantic Boulevard (Exit 66). Approximate projects cost: $260 million.
May 27, 2009 2:45 AM Posted by ChristinaLoren If you are someone trying to cut down on fuel costs, here are some fantastic fuel saving tips that you can implement immediately to start saving money at the pump. Driving your vehicle more efficiently will also make you a safer driver, as taking it easy and avoiding a lead foot will lead to better fuel economy in your vehicle. If we were all to slow it down and drive like proverbial "grannies" we could cut down overall gas consumption in this country significantly. Decreasing overall demand will increase the supply of oil available for sale on the market and prices in turn will come down. In Theory ;) 
Drive Sensibly Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
| Fuel Economy Benefit: | 5-33% | | Equivalent Gasoline Savings: | $0.10-$0.69/gallon | Observe the Speed Limit  While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer. | Fuel Economy Benefit: | 7-23% | | Equivalent Gasoline Savings: | $0.15-$0.48/gallon | Remove Excess Weight  Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
| Fuel Economy Benefit: | 1-2%/100 lbs | | Equivalent Gasoline Savings: | $0.02-$0.04/gallon | Avoid Excessive Idling Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.  Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. Use Overdrive Gears When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear. May 15, 2009 11:32 AM Posted by ChristinaLoren   
Rainy weather interrupted this morning's commute and all of our major north to south highways: I-95, Florida's Turnpike, I-75, & SR-826 saw heavier than normal delays due to accidents. Driving through terrential downpours is not uncommon here in South Florida and it can be intense and terrifying when you completely lose visibility from what feels like a waterfall coming down on your windshield. It is impossible to account for what other drivers do, but there are ways that you can safegaurd yourself to prevent accidents from happening in a sticky situation, even if you are not the driver at fault. Here are some great driving tips to prepare you for our rainy season:
1. Routinely check your tires...
Always check your tires before you hit the road. Make sure you do the following routine maintenance: Keep your tires properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge, door-post, and glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The number listed on the side of the tyre is not the recommended air pressure for your tyre -- it is the maximum air pressure for the tyre. You should check your tyre's air pressure at least once a month. Check the tyre's tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids and aquaplaning.
2. Slow down.
As rain falls, it mixes with grime and oil on the road creating slick conditions perfect for skids. The best way to avoid skidding is to slow down. Driving at a slower pace allows more of the tyre's tread to make contact with the road, which leads to better traction.
3. Know how to recover from a skid.
Skids can happen even to the most cautious drivers. If your car does skid, remember not to slam on the brakes. Do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Instead, apply firm, steady pressure to the brakes and steer the car in the direction of the skid.
4. Keep your distance from the car ahead.
Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls - steering, clutch, brake and accelerator - and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and can easily slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators are working properly. It takes about three times longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads. As more distance is required to brake, it is important not to tailgate. Keep more than two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
5. Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
Avoid using your brakes. Whenever possible, slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator. Turn your headlights on, even in a light rain. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights, you should turn them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.
6. Prepare for your journey.
Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls - steering, clutch, brake and accelerator - and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators are working properly.
7. Learn how to avoid and deal with aquaplaning.
Aquaplaning happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. At this point, your car can be completely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road. To avoid aquaplaning, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain good tread on your tires and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tyre tracks left by the cars in front of you. If you find yourself aquaplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do so gently with light pumping actions. If your car has ABS, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action, when necessary.
8. If the rain becomes too heavy, stop!
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades, allowing an almost continuous sheet of water to flow over the screen. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers.
9. First rains make the road very slippery.
The first rains always make the roads the most difficult to drive on, as the mud and oil on the dry road combines with the water and forms a rather slippery layer. Drivers are likely to experience reduced control, and are cautioned to be extra careful for the first half-hour after it begins to rain.
10. Cloudy weather reduces visibility.
Use extra caution when passing other vehicles.
11. Dry your brakes after driving through standing water.
If you have driven through standing water deep enough to get your brake shoes wet, apply the brakes lightly to dry them.
12. Don't drive while fatigued.
Stop at least every couple of hours or every hundred miles to rest. Feb 13, 2009 1:49 PM Posted by ChristinaLoren Feb 12, 2009 4:43 PM Posted by ChristinaLoren
Feb 26, 2009 This video shows just how fast the Smart Car can take off. The undersized auto accelerates like a jack rabbit because it's so light. I really like that about this car, It can travel at speeds of 90mph+. I still have some reservations about driving on the highway due to minor blindspot issues, but overall I have enjoyed this experience and really do like the Smart Car. If you are a good driver you can handle this vehicle in any driving situation.  "SMARVETTE"
"SMARBORGHINI"
"SMORSCHE" . . . and the original picture that was photoshopped. Feb 19, 2009 You may have seen these pictures of new model Smart Cars, unfortunately they are fakes. I will admit, I was pretty excited picturing myself cruising down Ocean Drive in a "Smarborghini." February 11, 2009
Most of the time, driving around South Florida in the Smart Car is quite fun. People generally smile and wave at me while I'm behind the wheel, and since I am friendly myself, I will happily wave back. In a safe area, I'll even "toot toot" the horn as people pass by.Today, however,a dark cloud of uncertainty followed me around in the Smart Car. It was then that I had to question these friendly antics and replace them with an unnerving sense of doubt. A man in a truck pulled up along side me on the Palmetto and waved. I smiled and waved back as usual, but after that I just coundn't shake him. He proceeded to get behind me and followed me all the way to my exit. So, as you may imagine, I was hoping that we just so "happend" to be headed in the same direction. At this point my antenna went up and I became leary of the impending situation. While approaching the first stoplight on 8th St. I was able to zip around and he wound up stopped in front of me. Just when I thought I was out of the woods,he get's out of his car, walks over to me and taps on my driver's side window. Shakily I rolled it down and he told me in a friendly tone, that he was following me because it appeared as if my wheel was about to fall off and he wanted to fix it. I told him I would follow him, but when he turned, I just kept on going. This whole situation startled me to my core and although I wanted to, I did not trust him. As I continued driving I was on edge thinking there could be a a real problem with the tire. I decided to take a chance and cautiously made my way to a safe destination. When I arrived, I checked the tire, it was in perfect condition.
This woman likes the horn as much as I do. February 10, 2009
Filled up with gas for the first time. Ten days into the test run, so not too bad considering that I drive all over South Florida on a weekly basis. So how much to fill 'er up? With an eight gallon tank, premium gas a must . . . $17.50. Pretty good when you consider the long term savings. So let's do the math. Of course, gas prices are always changing, but for argument sake, let's say gas prices are set at a fixed cost. At $17.50 per tank, re-fueling every ten days, I would spend an average of $638.75 per year on gas. Here's the breakdown: Since there are 365 days in a year I would have to fill up 36.5 times at an average price of $17.50 per tank. So 36.5 fillups x $17.50 per tank = $638.75 per year on gas. Now, let's try it with my 1994 V6 Lexus, which costs about $44.00 every ten days per tank. 36.5 x $44.00= $1606.00. Almost a $1000 savings in gas each year. Pretty amazing when you look at it like that! Guess it makes sense as to why these cars are so popular in Europe where in Paris, for instance, gas can get as expensive as $8.75 per gallon of regular.  February 7, 2009
Today I had an opportunity to do weather, live from Tropical Park with South Florida's "bravest." The 2nd Annual Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Expo was a blast. Of course I had to make an entrance, so I rolled into the park in the Smart Car, top dropped, with "Bad To The Bone" blaring out of the speakers. With heads already turned, mouths dropped when I parked on the highest hill in park. The car fit so perfectly perched on this hill that people were walking up to it as though it were it's own exhibit. February 2, 2009
I took the Smart Car on the highway for the first time today; I-95 to be specific and it was a little nerve racking to say the least. Getting onto the highway was by far the scariest even though there was no congestion at the time. Cars were zoooming by me, even in the slow lane. Merging into the center lane was a breeze but the initial uncertainty of not knowing what to expect from this little convertible, had me on edge...especially at 60mph. When all was said and done, it was not that bad. Thankfully I arrived at my destination in one piece. At least I now know what it will feel like next time I'm on the highway.
Likes so far: The car sits up high, so you are at eye level with trucks and have great windshield visibility. Great gas mileage. Beeping the horn is exhilirating because the sound suits the car so well. I like seeing people smile and laugh so I must admit, the attention is fun. Air conditioner, heater, stereo with MP3 capabilities, seat warmers and fog lights all work great. The headlights are very bright and really give great night perspective. Dislikes so far: Blindspot issues. Not in the Smart Car itself, but the vehicle is so small that it's easy for others to miss you. Engine is a three cylinder with a small transmission so as car is shifting gears it is noticeable at first. | |
