Driving safely is something that you should never take for granted. All over the world daily, numerous accidents are happening due to careless and reckless driving, which can be avoided. These accidents have led to deaths, destruction of properties, irreversible injuries as well as others which certainly can be avoided by just being safe and responsible on the road. Driving is not all about only being able to move the car from point A to B but is being considerate of the fact that you are not alone on the road. It would help if you cared for other drivers, pedestrians as well as cyclists who are also moving with you on the road.
There are several safety tips you can adhere to while driving to care and respect other road users. They include
1. Do not drink and drive
Drunk driving is one of the most irresponsible things you can engage in. Why drink and drive, yet you will have impaired judgment? If you need to stay safe while driving, avoid the alcohol, and instead be patient till you get home. It would help if you had a sober mind to make a judgment as you drive, which will certainly do you good. If you certainly need to drink, you can consider several options to avoid driving. The first option is to have a friend or a family member who will be your designated driver for the day. They should show their care and love by merely not taking alcohol and drive you home safely. Secondly, you can always take a cab back instead of driving drunk. There are various cab companies at your dispose which you can conveniently order for on your phone.
2. Drive at the right speed
As you are on the road, you need to ensure that you adhere to safe speed limits. Over speeding is a significant cause of accidents to be secure, you need to take it slow on the road. Please do not rush the gas pedal because, at the end of it all, it's better to arrive late than dead. As you drive, read though the speed limit signs so that you can comply with it. Driving slowly also guarantees you that you do not get traffic tickets, which can lead to your driving license being revoked.
3. Drive with little disruptions
While driving, you need to keep your mind to the road and not on other things such as your phone, eating, putting on make-up. It would help if you concentrated on your driving so that you can stay safe and be sure of where you are headed to. Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times and your eyes on the road so that you can drive with minimum disruptions. The moment you concentrate on other issues, you are not only putting yourself in danger but also those on the road because you are likely to veer off.
4. Always check your car status before you hit the road
Before you start your drive, the first thing you need to do is take a look through your car status. Check on your breaks, lights, gas, and wipers to ensure that they are functioning well. A car works with coordination of various parts, and thus all should be in sync. The moment one component is not performing well, you are in great danger because you do not know what lies ahead. Let's take an example of your wipers. According to Turbolts.com, it’s one of the most overlooked car repairs. If it happens to rain while you are on the road, yet your driver side wiper is not working, you will certainly not have a clear vision of what is ahead, and thus you can cause an accident. Be a driver who is responsible enough to check through the car before driving to stay safe and also care for the others on the road.
5. Overtake safely and do not overlap
As a driver who has gone through driving lessons, you are taught to overtake only when the road is clear ahead and, thus, do not take this for granted. Once you get the chance to pass, engage your gas pedal harder and overtake only when you are sure the incoming vehicle is at a safe distance, or there is none. Do not overtake at blind-spots such as corners because you cannot see what lies ahead, and thus it's not safe for you. Be patient when you want to overtake and only overtake on clear stretches. Another common mistake of careless mistakes made by drivers is overlapping. It simply means overtaking on the wrong side, which is quite dangerous. Overlapping can also lead to you getting a traffic ticket because of it’s an offense in its self. Be smart and use the road responsibly and overtake on the right side when it's safe.
6. Keep a safe distance
While on the road, as a smart and safe driving tip, you need a distance between you and the car ahead. It helps you stay safe and avoid hitting the vehicle ahead once they were to halt at an emergency. While driving, remember you need to realize that you do not know about the status of other drivers, and thus you do not know what they are capable of doing while on the road or their car condition. Be cautious at all times and keep a safe distance because so that you prevent the inevitable.
7. Don’t drive when tired
Before you drive, you need to ensure that you had previously had enough sleep. Drowsy driving is quite common today and has led to several accidents. You need to realize that once you get on the driver's seat, start the engine and hit the road, yet you had not slept enough, you can sleep off due to fatigue and put you and those on board in great danger. If you get drowsy due to long-distance driving, always look for a place you can veer off and take a nap like a motel. You can also switch roles with a passenger on board who is a certified driver to assist in the long drive and rest as he or she drives. This will guarantee you arrive at your destination safely.
