The consequences of unsafe driving are no joke: in a matter of seconds, or by one wrong move, you can risk your life and the lives of those around you. That’s why it’s essential to remember the basic rules of safe driving at all times, even if you’re an experienced driver who has been on the road for years. As they say, “driving knows no master”.
Here are some safety tips that will keep you from making fatal mistakes and protect you from other drivers’ mistakes:
- Always have your seat belt on.
You never know what might happen, even if it’s a 10-minute ride and you’ve taken this same route a hundred times. having your seat belt on is a no-brainer. Not only you but everyone in the car should have their seatbelts on, including those at the back.
It has been proven that wearing your seatbelt has reduced the risk of losing your life in a vehicle accident by roughly 60%. You want to put ground rules for yourself and anyone who rides with you, such as you won’t start driving unless everyone has their seatbelts on, make sure that seatbelts are adjusted properly, and if there are children, keep them in booster seats with seatbelts of course.
2. Stay focused without any impairment.
Driving safely depends on how correct your decisions are. There are several factors that go into making a decision right away when driving. You need to think about the conditions of the road you’re on, whether there’s construction or not, the speed you’re driving on and the position of your car on the road, following traffic rules, noticing the signs to follow directions while still keeping an eye on the road, staying in your lane, and staying aware of what’s happening around you, etc..… So, long story short, you have many factors to think about.
Because there are many things to think about, you can’t bear any distractions while you’re behind the wheel. Avoid distractions such as talking on the phone (even if it’s an important call) or eating and drinking. You need to stay focused at all times, even if you have mastered your driving skills, because being overly confident and skipping basic driving rules leads to car accidents.
The most important impairment that kills thousands of people every year in car accidents – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even if you believe that you’re in control, you’re most probably not.
Don’t risk it and ride with someone else or order a cab. If you plan on going drinking, plan ahead with one of your friend-group to choose a driver who’s going to stay sober and drive everyone home. Or even better, plan to sleep where the party or drinking is. Even if you manage to drive safely, the consequences of getting caught drinking and driving are huge, and the law is highly fixated on catching those who drink and drive. And if you get involved in a small accident and are suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your insurance company can refuse to offer what you paid for, and you’ll need a DUI lawyer to help you with the case.
“Insurance companies often try to call you and trick you into admitting liability, and having a DUI lawyer to represent you keeps you from saying something that they can hold against you.” Says a Scottsdale DUI lawyer.
3. Don’t drive if you’re not alert.
If you’re feeling under the blues or drowsy, it’s best that you avoid driving until you become alert. That’s because you need to react quickly in certain situations, and if you’re not alert, you might have a slow reaction or no reaction at all.
If you’re planning on driving for a long distance, make sure that you take breaks every two hours, the least. Simply get out of the car, walk around, grab a snack, and then start driving again. Keep the temperature cool in your car if you’re driving in hot weather; that’s because the hot weather can make you feel fatigued.
4. Keep others in consideration
Remember that the road isn’t solely yours. There are other types of vehicles such as trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and even pedestrians. You need to be aware of the different vehicles on the road and their blind spots; for instance, there’s a “no zone” in trucks, which is their blind spot, stay out of it under any circumstance. Remember that bigger vehicles take a longer time to stop when the driver hits the brakes, so try not to stop suddenly in front of a heavy vehicle.
Last Updated on by Laveleena Sharma
