Many of these accidents happen during rush hour – also known as “all day, every day” in downtown Boston. If you’re traveling in a Boston car rental during your upcoming Beantown trip, stay cool. Yelling, gesturing or tailgating isn’t going to improve your commute.

The following are a few common sense suggestions to help you avoid road rage while traveling around Boston.

1) Don’t Make Assumptions

The first thing to remember is that careless or speeding drivers are NOT out to get you. In fact, most careless drivers aren’t even aware that they’re doing anything wrong. Before you lose your cool, put yourself in the other driver’s seat. Is your driving up to snuff? We all make mistakes, especially when driving an unfamiliar Boston car rental. It’s important to remember this before you react negatively to another driver’s actions.

2) Refuse to Engage

When another Boston car rental driver gives you a dirty look or gestures rudely in your direction, don’t get angry. Instead, ask yourself if you deserved it. If you’re driving skills are subpar, make a mental note and try and avoid making the same mistakes again. It’s important to remember that you can’t control other drivers, but you can control your reaction to them. Don’t let emotions get the best of you – stay calm and follow the rules of the road.

3) Find Your Happy Place

Sure, it sounds a little New Agey, but knowing how to calm yourself down can be a huge asset when attempting to tackle an across town commute. If you’re starting to feel hot under the collar when driving your Boston car rental, stop and take a breath. Roll your shoulders, lighten your grip on the steering wheel and relax. Take time to process your response before immediately jumping into action.

4) Tune Out

Music is a great way to avoid road rage, so start working on your Boston car rental playlist. Relaxing music will help you stay mellow, even in the most frustrating of situations. You should also consider turning off your cell phone (nerve-rattling conversations with your boss or significant other aren’t going to help matters). It’s also a good idea to avoid any aggressive music or engaging in volatile conversations with passengers.

5) Educate Yourself

If you’re constantly feeling frustrated when driving your Boston car rental, seek out some help. Educate yourself on the causes of road rage, and possible treatments. Knowledge is key, after all; road rage is mostly a battle of ignorance. The more knowledge you have, the more enjoyable your commute will be.

Road rage can be caused by a variety of circumstances, events and environments. In many cases, it’s completely normal for you to become defensive when confronted with a frustrating driving experience. Things become dicey when feelings of frustration turn into physical reactions. Getting out of one’s Boston car rental vehicle and throwing a hissy fit certainly isn’t going to improve your commute, so why bother?

When it comes to handling congestion in Beantown, simply prepare for the worst. Leave early, sync up some good music, and enjoy the ride!

First Things First – Safety

The first rule of child proofing your car is to look for hazards. Make sure certain chemicals are out of the child’s reach and that there are no choking hazards present. Next, it’s time to find a car seat that adjusts to your New England car rental. Most car rental companies offer car seat rentals – for more information on car seat rentals from VERC Car Rentals, please call 1-800-696-VERC.

When you pick up your rental car seat, make sure you take the time to read the user’s manual that comes with it. Make sure that the seat is acceptable based on your child’s age, weight, and height. If you’re unfamiliar with the car seat, make sure you stop and ask one of VERC’s New England car rental attendants to provide you with a demo on how to install the seat and use it. Remember, your child seat should always be in the backseat and properly fastened.

Keep ‘Em Occupied

A fussy child can cause quite the distraction in the back of your New England car rental, consequently putting both your lives at risk. The solution? Keep your child occupied with road trip ready toys and activities. From iPods and books to DVD players and stuffed animals, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly distractions out there. Not up on the latest technology? No worries – there are plenty of old fashioned word games and backseat trivia challenges worth playing too. Popular options include “Eating an Alphabet” (participants need to finish the sentence, “I’m so hungry I could eat an…” starting with the letter A), and “Billboard Poetry” which involves creating a rhyming, four-line poem using billboard verbiage.

Limit Loose Objects

Packing your New England car rental for a family vacation can be quite tricky – kind of like fitting together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When arranging your trunk and backseat, take a moment to consider how these items might shift during an accident. Even something as seemingly harmless as a pen can cause serious damage, both to your car rental and your child.

Granted, traveling with a child pretty much guarantees that you’ll be traveling with a larger collection of stuff. However, you can still be smart about what you pack, and where in your New England car rental you pack it. Soft toys can be kept in the back seat, but hardcover books or plastic toys should be kept in a suitcase and stowed under the seat or in the trunk.

Set Some Ground Rules

Setting and following rules for car safety are essential, and not just for your children. Everyone in your New England car rental should be made aware of basic road trip rules. The most important rule? The car doesn’t move until everyone is properly buckled in. Not only does this set a good example, but it will also ensure that all occupants are safe during transit. You may also wish to restrict what your children have access to in your New England car rental. Explain to your children that your car rental isn’t a toy, therefore they shouldn’t play with any of the buttons for the door locks or windows. If your child becomes upset during the drive, don’t try to resolve the conflict on the road. Pull over to a safe area and attend to the child.

A child-friendly New England car rental is key when embarking on a family vacation. For more information on how to child-proof your rental, simply consult with one of our rental agents. We’re always happy to help.

Although rare, power steering has been known to fail. The loss of this system can be frightening, if not dangerous. The following steps are designed to help prevent mishap should you ever be faced with a power steering failure.

Step 1) Listen for Problems

If you hear a whining, moaning or shrieking sound when turning your steering wheel, watch out! This could mean that your steering system pump is seriously low on fluid. Contact VERC Car Rentals for a fill up.

Step 2) Pay Attention to How Freely Your Steering Wheel Turns

Normally, you should be able to turn the steering wheel in your Plymouth car rental with relative ease. If you find that it takes a major effort to turn the steering wheel, you power steering could be about to give out.

Step 3) Look for Leaks

The next telltale sign of a power steering problem is a fluid leak. If you notice a stain on the ground under your car when it sits for a long period of time, your power steering line could be punctured. Power steering fluid tends to be red or pink in color.

What to Do if Your Steering Fails

If you suddenly lose control of the steering in your Plymouth car rental, don’t panic. The following steps will help you avoid an accident and safely navigate to the side of the road.

1) Warn Other Drivers

If you suddenly are unable to control the steering in your Plymouth car rental, stay cool and turn on your hazard lights. If you’re traveling at high speeds in heavy traffic, you may wish to honk your horn as well. This will alert drivers around your vehicle that you’re having car problems. It will also improve your chances of having them move out of your way.

2) Move Toward the Side of the Road

This may be tricky. Move as carefully as you can; remember, without power steering, it will be much harder to steer your car.

3) Bring Your Plymouth Car Rental to a Gradual Stop

Slamming on the brakes in your Plymouth car rental could throw your vehicle into a skid. Steering out of a skid without power steering is extremely difficult – in fact, it’s downright impossible in most situations.

It’s worth noting that, if your car’s power steering goes out as a result of an engine stall, your brakes may feel stiffer due to power braking. This may mean that you’ll need to hit the pedal harder and depress it lower than normal.

4) Restart the Vehicle and Check the Handling

While safely on the shoulder, turn off your Plymouth car rental and then turn it back on. Pull forward and test the steering to see if the problem persists. Use a cellular phone to contact VERC Car Rentals and a towing company.

Typically, power steering doesn’t shut off instantaneously. When it fails, turning the wheel will simply become more and more difficult to do. Power steering failure usually happens gradually and gives warning signs before failing completely. However, it is still possible for power steering to fail suddenly and without warning.

If you’re worried about power steering failure, please speak with a VERC Car Rentals technician. Our Plymouth car rentals are keep in pristine condition; as such, a power steering failure is extremely unlikely.

How to Drive Around School Buses

If you see a school bus in your lane coming towards you, pay close attention to what it’s doing. It’s important that you give the bus extra space, so don’t follow to closely in your Quincy car rental. Stay alert, and be prepared to stop suddenly. School buses are constantly stopping to load and unload, so be patient and keep an eye out for precious pedestrian cargo.

It’s important to remember that Quincy car rental drivers are responsible for the safety of any children that are getting on and off of a school bus. With that in mind, here are a couple of important rules to remember when driving around a school bus:

• Never pass a school bus on the right side. This is the side that the children exit from.
• School buses always stop at railroad crossings. Do not try and pass a school bus when it is stopped at a junction.
• School buses travel at relatively slow speeds. Expect to slow down; only pass when the bus driver signals you to go by.
• Pay attention to any stop signs or signals on the bus.

What to Do When A School Bus is Stopped

The sheer size of a school bus can make it difficult for a Quincy car rental driver to see around it. It is this lack of visibility that contributes to the vast majority of school bus accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 27 percent of school-aged pedestrians who were killed between 2000 and 2009 were struck by another vehicle on the road.

As such, laws have been enacted in order to protect children when they’re entering or exiting a school bus. These laws dictate that Quincy car rental drivers must stop their vehicle for a school bus; failure to do so will result in a severe financial penalty. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind: whenever you see the bus lights flashing and the stop sign pop out, get ready to stop.

Penalties for Passing a School Bus

The penalty for passing a school bus when the red lights are flashing can be quite steep – and rightfully so. According to Chapter 90 Section 14 of the Massachusetts General Laws,

“[Violations] …shall be punished by a fine of not less than $250; and for a second offense by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000; and for a third or subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000.”

License revocations are also instituted for subsequent offenders.

When Should You Stop?

It is illegal to pass a school bus that is loading or unloading students. Furthermore, it’s important that you always stop your Quincy car rental when the bus is in the process of dropping students off on:

• a public highway
• a multilane road
• a school property

State laws regarding stopping for school buses on divided highways tend to vary. In Massachusetts, Quincy car rental drivers are not required to stop when approaching from the opposite direction on a divided roadway.

Driving a school bus isn’t an easy job, by any stretch of the imagination. By learning to share the road with buses and following Massachusetts’ stopping laws, you can make the bus driver’s job easier and ensure that all of the children on board arrive safe and sound.

Traffic circles tend to confuse and worry drivers. They are rumored to be dangerous accident zones and congested rounds of backed up traffic. Yet traffic circles remain common, and are actually safer than you think. The trick is to know how to use them.

Local Bostonians are used to these circles, but often newcomers and travelers get unnecessary anxiety when navigating these. Traffic circles are more common in Europe than in the United States. At VERC Car Rentals, we don’t only want to lessen your anxiety about Boston rental car rates, but also about driving in unfamiliar areas.

Many drivers may be more used to the modern version of traffic circles, roundabouts, that are often designed better than traffic circles in terms of keeping traffic flow steady. Here are a few tips to keep in mind about navigating these traffic circles when researching Boston rental car rates.

1) Yield upon entering. Your first job entering a traffic circle is to yield to drivers who are already in the circle. If you are traveling within in the circle, in the right lane, you need to yield to cars in the left lane who are exiting the circle. Be observant and cautious.

2) Plan your exit. Before entering, while yielding, decide which exit you will be taking to leave the traffic circle. This will help you figure out which lane you’ll need to drive in and to help you prepare your exit. If you miss your exit the first time around, don’t panic. Simply keep driving around the circle and catch it the next time around. Exiting these may be a stressful event, so let our Boston rental car rates ease your stress this year.

3) Stay in the inside lane. Only switch back to the outside lane when you are preparing your exit. Some traffic circles allow for you to exit from either lane, depending on the amount of exits (for instance, circles with five). In that case, remember that drivers in the right lane must yield to cars exiting from the left lane. In any case, it is important to always clearly signal your intentions with plenty of time in traffic circles. This will create safer traffic flow.

4) Yield to pedestrians. Remember that pedestrians cross these lanes as well. Like any crosswalk or regular city street, pedestrians have the right of way. As there aren’t traffic lights in traffic circles, you’ll need to be aware of possible pedestrians by looking at the sides of the road at all times.

5) Heed signs. Make sure you pay attention to any signs within the traffic circle that may indicate specific laws and regulations for that particular circle. This is particularly important for speed limits.

6) Avoid speeding in the traffic circle. This is particularly important as you are required to yield. Avoid going too slow, as well. This is shown as one of the leading causes of road rage, and the last place you want to deal with this is in a traffic circle.

On days when traffic circles are particularly backed up, it may be necessary to merge. Remain calm, and wait until you find a space in the traffic to merge in. While traffic circles in Boston may be frustrating, VERC’s Boston rental car rates allow you to remain stress free in planning your trip.

For the most affordable Boston rental car rates, reserve with VERC Car Rentals for your trip this year!

Remember that Boston drivers can be pretty aggressive. They tend to ignore yielding laws, regulations on emergency breakdown lanes, they pass on the right, and turn from the wrong lane.

Because of this, it’s usually best to plan your route in advance. Scout out one-way streets while planning your trip to avoid driving the wrong way down one of them. While this can be frustrating, our Massachusetts car rental rates take the stress out of trip planning.

Driving in Circles

Also remember that Boston, being in New England, has a profusion of traffic circles. If you’re unsure of how these work, it would be best to look up the laws regarding these while you research Massachusetts car rental rates. The best thing to remember is to yield as you enter, plan your exit before you drive in, and remain calm. If you miss your exit, keep going around the circle. Avoid speeding in traffic circles.

If you’re used to a gas station at every corner, you’ll need to forget that when going to Boston. Fill up when you see a gas station because you can never be sure when you’ll find another one. Find gas stations in your location while researching Massachusetts car rental rates to be sure you won’t be stranded at the side of the road with an empty tank.

Parking Problems

Parking in Boston is a frustrating experience at best. Most neighborhoods have a residents-only regulation. These usually have a few two-hour visitor’s spaces while others are metered spots that only take quarters. Because of this, you’ll want to carry a handful of quarters at all times, as parking in these metered spots are about $0.25 per 15 minutes with a one to two hour time limit.

Not only is parking infuriating and rare, but as a complete contrast parking-police officers are everywhere and strict. They will jump on the opportunity to ticket your car just minutes after the meter has expired. Watch your time, and make sure you don’t go over the limit if you want to avoid adding a ticket to your Massachusetts car rental rates. Keep in mind, though, that Boston does at least grant free parking after 8 pm at most meters, as well as on Sundays.

Look for lots and garages that are around downtown Boston to avoid the hassle of on-street parking. They can get pricey, but the money you save from getting a ticket is worth it. These lots usually cost around $8 a hour, or $24 for full day parking. Many tourist attractions and restaurants, theaters, and stores will include free parking for a couple of hours, some even boasting valet parking.

Unlike our Massachusetts car rental rates, Boston driving can be cause for anxiety. The roadways are often under construction, or else should be heavily repaired. The two top obstructions to look for are deep potholes and sticking up manhole covers. When this is combined with drivers prone to road rage and aggression, and chaotically planned streets and signage, you’re bound to feel a little nervous driving through Boston. If you go prepared, however, you’re less likely to get excessive stress. Be aware of the conditions and expect it.

In general, the number one rule for driving in Boston when you’re unfamiliar with the streets is preparation. Plan your destination, fill up on gas, and carry a cell phone in case of issues due to road conditions.

For the most inexpensive Massachusetts car rental rates, reserve with VERC Car Rentals today.

However, tickets really aren’t worth it to have on your Boston car rental, and there are few things you will certainly want to avoid. While driving through town in your Boston car rental, look for these things that will help you prevent tickets.

• Check parking signs: These have time limits and restrictions regarding times and days when you may park there. Ignoring these accidentally, while in a rush, may lead to a ticket.
• Look for “No Stopping/Standing” Signs: There may be “taxi stand” signs. You may not park in these either are you can be ticketed for standing in an area that are reserved for taxis. There are often safety reasons for “no stopping/standing” that you should be aware of.
• Be aware of street cleaning regulations: There are areas where you may not park during certain hours on particular days. These are for street cleaners that come at regular scheduled times.
• Heed parking meter rules and regulations: Many have time limits that will cause your Boston car rental to be ticketed should you not obey. Some also have free hours, however. Remember that Sundays and holidays boast free parking.
• Heed parking restrictions in residential zones: There are sometimes permits regarding private parking in these areas. Residents are also not afraid to call the police if your Boston car rental are obstructing their lawn or spot.
• Do not park on sidewalks: Even if your car is only slightly protruding from a driveway, blocking the sidewalk can be a safety hazard for pedestrians.
• Do not obstruct crosswalks and intersections: This is not only dangerous for you, but it can be harmful for other cars and pedestrians. If your Boston car rental breaks down in one of these areas, make sure you alert other drivers as soon as possible to the trouble to prevent a risky situation.
• Be aware of “loading zones”: Often big trucks and transports are pulling into these areas. Not only can you be ticketed for parking here, but you also run the risk of a transport backing up without seeing your Boston car rental. Some places may even tow.
• Pay attention to snow emergencies: Cities differ in regards to this, so check the laws about snow emergencies before traveling. Often, snow emergencies include laws about parking on the street, or on particular sides of the street. In these instances, you’ll need to find a parking lot or parking garage to park your car in. Not only will you avoid a ticket, but you’ll also be in a safer location for your Boston car rental.
• Watch for designated bicycle parking.

A great resource to have for your Boston car rental is an app for parking. These help find parking spots and parking garages that will save you time, and in some instances, money.

Avert the hassle by planning in advance! Learn the location of parking garages and lots that are near your location. This could also end up saving you money, as some garages give deals for reserving a spot in advance. You can also find the least expensive one in your area.

For the most reliable Boston car rental options this year, go to VERC Car Rentals vehicle guide!

Don’t forget that horns honking can irritate other drivers as well, leading to road rage. Road rage can be very dangerous so it’s something you should want to entirely avoid when you rent a car in New England.

Also remember that giving a quick toot of your horn is very different than laying on the horn for a long time. It’s often more appropriate to give a quick beep as drivers will know you’re trying to alert them of something, rather than just showing rage.

Do’s:

• Honk for safe driving. This could be used to tell the driver in front of you that the light is green if they have been waiting for too long. This can also be used if another car is driving too close, cuts you off dangerously, or almost hits you.
• To show support. This could be a simple as honking your horn briefly when you walk past a fundraising campaign, a parade, or wedding. These are simple little encouraging beeps that show positive support for a cause.
• If something is wrong with your car. If your breaks have gone out, or you’ve blown a tire or the like, honk your horn to alert other drivers on the road. If something like this happens to you when you rent a car in New England, this will make sure the traffic is aware of an issue and will attempt to get out of your way or help.

Don’ts:

• Don’t use it for rage. This is extremely important. It’s better to call the police for help if the other person’s driving is causing you concern rather than honking your horn, as this could end up making the situation much worse than it was previously. Remember that dangerous cases of road rage often start with excessive honking. You can’t predict the reactions of other drivers.
• To say “hey.” If you drive past your friends or next to another car you know, don’t honk the horn at them to get their attention. This will alarm other drivers, who may think you were honking at them. This could cause them to slam on their breaks, abort their turns, or make another hasty, risky move that could endanger both of you.
• For traffic jams. Don’t honk your horn in traffic because chances are, the other cars really can’t do anything about it anyway. This is redundant and could make the situation worse for everyone else.
• Some cities have horn laws. This means that at certain times of the day in that area, horn honking is illegal unless absolutely necessary. Necessary situations would be those that are for safety. Other than that, make sure that you check horn laws in the region you’ll be travelling in when you rent a car in New England.
• To tell other drivers you don’t like their driving. Unless they are risking your life, it is not necessary for you to tell the driver you don’t like how they drive.

For the best options when you rent a car in New England, contact Verc today!

1. A GPS: While this may seem like the most obvious, it is also one of the most useful. In this day and age, many people are switching to GPSs over maps. It’s safer, more efficient, and just all around handy. Make sure your loved one never has to worry about dealing with the hassle of maps ever again.

2. SmartPhones: If your loved one doesn’t have a SmartPhone already it may be a great idea to get them one. Not only do these phones make hands free text and calling easier, but these also often include GPS apps. As an added bonus, iPhones, Blackberry’s, Androids and other SmartPhones almost always have music storage. This will give them some distraction-free entertainment as they drive their New England car rental to prevent fatigue.

3. Gift Certificates for food and gas or pre-paid credit cards: If your loved one already has everything they need, a little extra money can never hurt. Whether you intend it for coffee, food, or gas, this extra cash can go along way. Try not to limit the driver to specific businesses: you can never be entirely certain what they will come across while traveling in their New England car rental. Things like prepaid credit cards or gift cards for popular chains of restaurants and gas stations are great options.

4. Relaxation accessories: After driving all day, it’s nice to wind down and relax. Things like books, deck of cards, MP3 players and iPad or iPods are great. The later two are perfect for those loved ones who enjoy apps and downloadable games. Personalize it. Find an activity that you know will help your loved one wind down after a long day in their New England car rental, whether it’s a movie or a new game for their computer.

5. Helpful accessories: These can be as simple as a reusable water bottle or coffee mug, or a thermos and cooler to help them save money on food. Sunglasses with UV protection, gloves, sunscreen, and emergency kits for their car are great for frequent travelers as well. If your loved one has an iPod, but not a jack for the car, this is a great option as well to negate the need for cds or radio.

6. First Aid Kit: Aspirin, band-aids, or a small first aid kit can be incredibly useful. Many drivers don’t think to bring along first aid kits, but small injuries are impossible to predict. It may be smart to include things like aloe vera and bug spray if they are travelling in the summer for sun burns and bug bites.

7. Car cushions: Whether these are for their neck or back, long trips in the car can get uncomfortable. Maybe even invest in a heating pad for your loved one if you know they get sore after a long day of driving in their New England car rental. There’s nothing better than getting to your destination to lay down with a heating pad on a sore back, to prevent the ache from increasing the next day.

Get inventive! You know your loved one best so personalize the gift to suit their specific needs and desires.

Contact Verc Car Rentals today for the best New England car rental choices!

Directions to Downtown Boston

Traveling in and out of downtown Boston isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are some quick Boston rental car directions to get you on your way:

From the North:

If you’d like to start your downtown experience on Summer Street, Take I-93 headed south. From there, catch the Purchase Street Exit (#23) toward South Station. Hang a right onto Summer Street and you’ll find yourself at Downtown Crossing.

If you’d prefer to start your visit on Washington Street, take the Purchase Street Exit toward South Station. Continue on to Surface Road, hanging a right on Kneeland Street. You’ll see Washington Street up ahead.

From the South:

If you’re coming into town from I-93 North, take the South Station/New Frontage Road Exit (#20). Take a left onto East Berkeley Street and then another right onto Washington. Continue on Washington until you hit the Downtown Crossing.

From the West:

There are two options for Boston rental car travelers coming in from the west end of town:

1. Take the Mass Pike, also known as the I-90 East, exiting at #20 towards Copley Square. Continue straight onto Stuart Street. Follow Stuart until you see Charles. Turn left onto Charles Street, followed by a right onto Boylston Street. You’ll hit Washington Street momentarily. Follow Washington to Downtown Crossing.
2. Take the Mass Pike (I-90-East) exiting at #24A (I-93) toward Concord NH/South Station/Quincy. Turn left onto Kneeland Street. Hang a right when you get to Washington Street in your Boston rental car.

A Note About Downtown Crossing

Boston rental car drivers should be aware that the heart of the Downtown Business District is home to the Downtown Crossing pedestrian-zone. Non-commercial vehicles are prohibited from driving in this area, so make sure you’re aware of parking options in the vicinity.

Places to Park Your Boston Rental Car

Travelers will find a number of conveniently located parking garages and lots around the Downtown Boston Business District. These include:

• 1 Lincoln Street Garage
  88 Kingston Street, 617-737-4031
• 101 Arch Street Garage
  84 Hawley Street, 617-723-1488
• 33 Arch Street Garage
  33 Hawley Street, 617-204-9268
• 75-101 Federal Street Garage
  101 Federal Street, 617-737-0237
• 99 Summer Street Garage
  22 Kingston Street, 617-439-3606
• Central Parking / West Street
  17 West Street, 617-542-1549

Boston rental car travelers can find more information on parking in Downtown Boston on the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District website.

Downtown Boston has a little something for everyone. Home to more than 300 independent jewelers and over 200 retailers, Downtown Boston is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs or spoil a friend. Specialty stores like Bromfield Camera, Brattle Book Shop and Windsor Button complement an array of flagship department stores, including Macy’s, H&M and DSW.

Whether you’re looking to make a quick purchase or spend a relaxing afternoon strolling the promenade, Downtown Boston is the place to be!

Boston rental car travelers will enjoy exploring the Theatre District, Ladder District, Downtown Crossing and Financial District during their visit to the city’s downtown. Don’t forget to check out this detailed map before parking your Boston rental car and hitting the street!