With more cars being sold and the rise in heavy traffic congestion, more than 30,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents have been registered every year since the 1970s. The causes range from faulty vehicle parts to impaired driving, and the most unfortunate part is that many of these accidents could’ve been prevented.
Since there is a major car dependence in the world today, with people having to drive to work, take their children to school, and run errands on a regular basis, it’s crucial for all drivers to be responsible when operating a vehicle and be prepared if they run into new situations that they were never prepared for.
No matter how experienced you are as a driver, you must practice safe driving at all times and learn useful defensive driving tips that will get you to your destination as safely as possible.
Since car accidents are a major cause of trauma, stress, expenses, and serious injuries, in this article, we share tips on staying safe on the road.
Keep Up With Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Once you’ve invested in buying a top-quality car, it’s equally as important to properly maintain your vehicle. Before hitting the road, make sure that your vehicle undergoes a thorough inspection at a reputable car workshop.
When your car is taken care of by trained and specialized workshop staff, you’ll feel confident that it gets all the care it deserves with original parts and the right equipment used.
All kinds of challenging weather conditions can appear on the road, and brakes and tires must be double-checked to ensure everything is fixed before putting your foot on the gas pedal. If you operate heavier vehicles like trucks, lighting is essential for road visibility, so make sure to place a remote control spotlight for trucks and provide proper lighting for extreme weather conditions.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the main causes of car collisions. It means that drivers are involved in some other type of activity, in addition to just operating the vehicle. They might be using a mobile phone or other electronic devices while driving, but also tinker with sound or navigation systems and not have their eyes on the road.
Finally, there can be all sorts of other distractions you as a driver indulges in, such as turning your head and talking to passengers in the back seat, eating and drinking, putting on make-up in the rearview mirror, watching a video, messing with the GPS and the like. For this reason, to avoid inattentive driving, it’s best to avoid such behaviors that can lead to a traffic accident.
There are a number of steps to driving safer and more attentively in traffic. Put down your mobile, don’t text, or answer the phone when you’re in the middle of the highway so you can focus on the road without risking your safety and the safety of all other road participants.
Keep a Safe Distance
Failure to keep your distance increases the risk of dangerous situations and serious injuries. The three-second rule is a good rule of thumb for keeping the right distance.
Your reaction time is at best one second, and then the braking distance is added. If the distance is shorter than recommended, you have almost no chance of reacting and stopping. When overtaking, it’s common for cars to lie and push behind a truck, which means that they do not see when it will be free to drive for a safe overtaking.
Even when you’re stopped at a light, to prevent from being plowed into you, make sure to leave space in front of you in case someone behind doesn’t see that you’re stopped. The space in front of your car will ensure that you avoid hitting a car after you’ve been hit.
Always Wear a Seat Belt
The seat belt saves lives, regardless of whether you travel in the front or back seat, in a taxi, or in a bus. So remember to always fasten it before heading out on the road.
A correctly buckled-up seat belt keeps a person in their seat and prevents them from being thrown against the car’s hard inner parts in the event of a collision. A three-point belt that goes from the shoulder over the chest and hip is the most common type of seat belt.
Final Thoughts
Being focused on the road and not getting distracted, regularly maintaining the vehicle, and always keeping a safe distance, is the best way to avoid risky driving. By following these tips, you will always feel prepared behind the wheel and make the ride safer and more comfortable for everyone.
