Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Blogs Sponsored Posts 

8 Ways to Stay Safer on the Road

Melissa Thompson

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

No matter how good a driver you think you are, driving can still be dangerous. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to drive safer. And if you follow them, you’ll make the road a little bit safer not just for you, but for the people around you as well.

How to Stay Safer on the Road

These are some of the best tips to follow if you want to drive safer:

  1. Understand and follow the law. First, and perhaps most importantly, understand that laws exist for a reason—to keep you safe. One of the best things you can do is know the laws in your area and follow them. On a basic level, this amounts to understanding the role of traffic signs, stop lights, and lanes, as well as knowing what the speed limit is and where it changes. If you’re operating a commercial vehicle, there are even more rules and regulations to be familiar with; for example, there may be a limit to your carrying capacity, your seating capacity, or the amount of time you can drive continuously without a break. Laws and rules will vary from state to state and from country to country, so wherever you’re driving, make sure you’re familiar with the laws in that specific area.
  2. Maintain your undivided attention on the road. Next, make sure you maintain your undivided attention on the road at all times. If you’re distracted, even for a moment, it could cause you to miss an important development, increasing your risk of getting into an accident. Turn your phone off, or disable notifications. If you have passengers in the car, make sure they’re not going to disturb you. And don’t multitask; eating, putting on makeup, or browsing through your music collection while driving can all be dangerous distractions.
  3. Check your surroundings periodically. Don’t just look ahead (though looking ahead is important). It’s important to check your surroundings periodically; look at your rearview mirror and your sideview mirrors to remain aware of the cars and objects around you. It’s also a good idea to check your blind spots—and it’s vital to do this before passing.
  4. Accommodate inclement weather. Bad weather can instantly make driving more hazardous. In heavy rain, it can be hard to see and harder to control your vehicle. In fog, sight becomes extremely limited. In snow and ice, your vehicle may be much harder to operate. If possible, avoid driving in these problematic conditions altogether. If you must drive, try to increase your following distance, decrease your speed, and turn your headlights on.
  5. Increase your following distance. Generally speaking, it’s not a bad idea to increase your following distance. If the vehicle in front of you is forced to take a sudden action, such as swerving or slamming on the brakes, you’ll need to react quickly if you want to avoid crashing into them. Giving yourself more distance between them will buy you precious time; you’ll have more seconds to react, thereby preventing a crash. Best of all, this costs you nothing, apart from arriving at your destination a second or two later.
  6. Never drive in an altered state of mind. It’s no secret that driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs is extremely dangerous. Alcohol decreases your reaction time, impairs your judgment, and negatively influences your ability to perceive your surroundings. However, it’s also dangerous to drive while heavily fatigued, or when angered to the point of not thinking rationally. You should never drive in an altered, unsafe state of mind.
  7. Avoid dangerous drivers if you see them. Occasionally, you’ll encounter other drivers who disregard the rules of the road. They may speed, pass aggressively, or deliberately antagonize other drivers. If you see people like this on the road, it’s best to avoid them at all costs. Pull over if you have to, and wait for them to pass. Otherwise, they may cause an accident that involves you.
  8. Keep your vehicle maintained. Finally, take the time to inspect, repair, and maintain your vehicle. If your vehicle remains in good condition, it will perform reliably, respond to your inputs, and be less likely to break down unexpectedly. At least twice a year, take your vehicle into a shop for an inspection, and issue repairs as soon as you notice something wrong.

Minimizing the Risk of Injury

Even if you follow all these tips perfectly, there’s a chance you could be involved in an accident. Accordingly, you should take steps to minimize your risk of injury, should an accident occur. For example, you should wear a safety belt at all times and ensure that the airbags in your vehicle are operating correctly.