Safety should always be your concern whether you’re driving alone or with passengers. No matter how much experience you have in driving, it’s always important to review safe driving to remind you that you can never be too cautious. It’s for the good of yourself and other people using the road.
When we talk about driving safely, there are plenty of factors that come in. Each of those factors are key to a safe journey every time you drive.
Remember that there are things that you can’t control when driving such as how other people on the road drive, so it’s better that you take care of the things on your end so you can keep yourself away from harm.
Remind yourself again or if you don’t know some of this stuff yet, it’s time that you learned about them. Here are 8 essential safety tips for all drivers.
1.Perform safety checks
Avoiding the things that could be avoided is a good approach to safe driving. Schedule safety checks of your vehicle so you don’t forget them and so it will later become a part of your routine. Inspect all the essential components and parts of your car to make sure that it is in sound condition before you drive.
Essential car components that you should inspect include the engine, battery, lights, and tires. Routine inspections should be done so you can perform maintenance and replace parts if necessary. For instance, if you find that your tire treads are already worn out, then you can look online and finally buy that tire for sale to have new ones installed.
2.Wear your seatbelt
Buckling up has been tested and proven to be a lifesaver many times over many years. But sadly, a lot of people still tend to forget to do it. That’s why it’s been made a universal rule and in most countries, a mandatory law.
It cannot be emphasized enough that you always need to have your seatbelts on because you don’t know what will happen while you drive and how other people drive may also affect your driving. You’ll also avoid being fined when you comply.
3.Focus
When driving, concentrate on that alone. Your eyes and hands should always be on the wheel and on the road at all times. Keep away from anything that will divert your attention from driving such as your mobile phone. Driving distracted can delay your reaction time which puts yourself and other drivers at risk.
In addition, slow down when you’re not in a hurry because speeding gives you less time to react. Giving yourself enough time to react to any situation that will occur while you drive is crucial to lessen the risks of accidents. Also, avoid picking up items that fall down in your car unless traffic is at a standstill.
You should also rest if you’re feeling tired or weary, particularly if you’ll be driving at night. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of road accidents, and you don’t want to be part of this statistic. Prioritize getting some rest before going back to the road so you’ll have the energy to focus on driving.
4.Drive defensively
Defensive driving methods are things that you can do to prevent accidents from happening. Being aware of your surroundings is an effective way of defensive driving. Stay attentive with what other drivers are doing and expect the unexpected.
Aside from that, you have to be predictable. Stick to what is “normal” so other drivers behind you can likely predict your next actions to maximize safety. You can also practice safe braking distance especially if you’re driving a larger vehicle, e.g. truck. You can do this by keeping a 2-4 second cushion between your vehicle and the one in front of yours.
5.Obey traffic rules
The simplest yet one of the most ignored or overlooked safety driving tips. A lot of drivers mess up on the road because they don’t follow traffic rules. Follow road signs and respect the stoplight to prevent accidents and avoid being pulled over by authorities.
Stop at stop signs, don’t make u-turns where you’re not supposed to, stay in your lane, don’t go over the speed limit, and all the other basic road signs must be followed. They’re there for everyone’s safety and following them is the minimum requirement that you should comply with.
6.Make adjustments for the weather
Use extra precautions when you have to drive during less than perfect weather. Follow guidelines for staying safe in the particular weather condition that you are facing. If not necessary, postpone your travel when the weather is much better.
If you must travel, you should always ensure that you can see where you’re driving. Visibility is essential, particularly when driving during inclement weather. Make sure that your wipers are working and check if your side mirrors are properly aligned so you can see from them clearly.
7.Exercise patience
While time is certainly a valid consideration when driving, safety is more important. Be patient. Don’t rush to get to your destination or you’ll encounter an accident and you’ll even be more delayed.
Wrapping up
Safety should always be your top priority when driving. Practice these safety tips so you don’t have worrisome driving experience on a regular basis.
Here’s to fewer risks and preventing accidents and getting to wherever you need to go, safe and sound.
Rosette has a knack for anything DIY, but not only that, she also knows a lot about manly chores and stuff as she spent her younger years immersed in books about hardware tools, equipment, and tires. As a child, she once dreamed of establishing her own hardware & tire store. Her career options may have changed, but today, she continues to write so passionately about her first love.