Safe Driving 101: Top 5 Tips for Road Safety
Posted By: Greg T. | Date Posted: Apr 02, 2019
Most of us drive daily. Unfortunately, not all of us practice safe driving every time we’re in a vehicle. From talking on a cell phone to speeding to not wearing a seat belt, everything from little distractions to not following the law can lead to big accidents.
Keep yourself and everyone else on the road with you safe when you’re behind the wheel. Make safe driving your top priority every day!
Here are GoAuto’s top 5 safe driving tips:
1. Don’t Drive While Impaired or Distracted
Impaired driving includes driving while intoxicated as well as driving while distracted. Any condition that makes you unable to give the road your full attention compromises your safety.
Make sure you never drive after consuming alcohol. If you plan on drinking, always have a designated driver. If you find yourself in a situation without a designated driver on a night out, arrange for a driving service to take you home safely. Services like these are easily available through your cell phone and the benefits of receiving a safe ride outweigh the price.
Even though it’s not as blatantly dangerous as drunk driving, it is also unsafe to drive while you are exhausted. Avoid driving after taking medication that cause drowsiness and be sure that you are alert enough to drive before getting behind the wheel.
One of the most common unsafe driving conditions is distracted driving. Most people don’t think before they pick up the phone, touch up their makeup, eat, or even listen to loud music while behind the wheel. This type of distracted driving often leads to accidents. Texting, in particular, makes an accident 23x more likely to occur while driving.
In today's busy world it's tempting to multi-task. Remember that your chances of arriving to your destination safely are much higher when you keep your eyes on the road at all times. The next time you're tempted to multi-task and drive, ask yourself, "Is that text or sandwich worth my life?"
2. Don’t Drive Aggressively
Aggressive drivers make the road unsafe for everyone. Don’t be aggressive when you’re behind the wheel of a car to avoid accidents and conflicts with other drivers.
Speeding is the leading cause of vehicle collisions worldwide. Always give yourself plenty of time to get to your destinations and maintain a safe speed.
Be courteous to the other drivers around you and always give them enough time to be aware of what you are doing on the road. Use your blinker to signal lane changes and turns with enough time for other drivers to react if necessary.
Always drive defensively especially if you are close to an aggressive driver. It’s better to maintain a safe distance from other cars that are speeding and not obeying traffic laws. Staying out of the way of aggressive drivers will allow you to avoid an accident.
3. Wear Your Seatbelt
Many of us still remember when it was perfectly acceptable to hop in the car and not buckle our seatbelt. Now, however, riding in a car without a seatbelt is against the law for a good reason. Seatbelts have been proven to save lives during crashes and should always be worn for your protection.
Never ride in a car without a seatbelt and make sure that everyone riding with you is buckled up as well.
4. Be Wary of Weather Conditions
Fog, snow, heavy rain, and wind can lead to decreased visibility and serious accidents. Always take caution while driving in harsh weather conditions. Drive slow enough to maintain control of your vehicle and make sure you leave enough stopping distance between yourself and the vehicles around you.
If weather conditions are too extreme and you feel unsafe on the road, pull over in a safe area until they improve.
5. Take Care of Your Car
Properly maintaining your car can help prevent accidents due to mechanical issues. Always have your car inspected on time and resolve any mechanical issues with your vehicle as soon as you are able.
Check to make sure your tires have the correct pressure and all pressure gauges are working. Tires with uneven pressures can lead to a blowout on the road.
Make sure that your fluids are at the proper levels and check for leaks often. Check that your windshield wipers work effectively as well so you are not caught off-guard in inclement weather.
Also, check that your lights and signals are working properly to maintain good visibility on the road and the ability to communicate with other drivers.