How to Become a Safer Driver
Did you know that the average person drives over 13,000 miles a year? If you have a long commute or you are constantly bringing your children to sports and activities, then that probably isn’t hard for you to believe. The fact is that we are always in our cars, trucks, and on motorcycles zipping around the roadways trying to get from point A to point B, and while driving makes it easy for us to get around, the vehicles we use can be very dangerous if we don’t make it a point to be safe and responsible when behind the wheel.
If it has been a while since you have reviewed the “rules of the road” then we are here to help. In this guide, we will give you tips for how to drive defensively, use technology to your advantage, and how to understand your vehicle and how it operates so you always feel confident when you climb into the driver’s seat.
Defensive Driving Is Key
We have all heard the term defensive driving many times before, but after years on the road, it can be difficult to remember our responsibility when we are behind the wheel. The idea of defensive driving is that you want to take the proper precautions to protect yourself and other drivers by keeping your cool, never driving when you are in a rush, and always thinking before you make your next maneuver.
Rear-end collisions make up 33% of all car accidents, and they often occur because we are following too close to the car ahead of us. Make it a point to stay back at least two car lengths from the vehicle ahead of you so that you have ample time to come to a stop when necessary. In addition to looking at the space between you and the other driver, you should also alternate by looking up further ahead, so you can see a potential stoppage or hazard in the road before it is too late.
It is also important to take advantage of the many mirrors on your car. Every five to eight seconds, look around at your rearview and side-view mirrors so you can have a 360-degree view of your surroundings.
All of these precautions show how important your vision is when you are behind the wheel. You must be able to look around and notice hazards within seconds so you can avoid a potential crash. That is why defensive driving includes taking care of your eyesight. In addition to annual visits to your optometrist, you can also maintain proper eye health by eating fruits and vegetables. Many of these healthy foods, including carrots and spinach, contain important vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin that help to keep our vision clear and strong and prevent potential ailments like macular degeneration. If you drive a lot, then maintaining a healthy diet is important.
Take Advantage Of Technology
A great benefit of living in the 21st century is that technology has grown by leaps and bounds, and in addition to making life more convenient, tech can also help us to be safer drivers. Many car commercials these days boast about the great safety features that they have included in their newest models, so if you are in the market for a new car, then you might buy one that has these perks. Tech to look out for includes lane-keeping alerts and adaptive cruise control, plus automatic braking, accident avoidance systems, and tire-pressure monitors, among others.
However, while taking advantage of technology is important, it is still necessary that you pay attention to the road and the other drivers in the area. Machines are great, but nothing compares to human intelligence and natural instinct.
One of the best ways to become a safer driver is to avoid distractions while you are on the road. In order to maintain full control, you need to have both hands on the wheel at all times. You should never be using your cellphone, music player, or tablet while you are behind the wheel.
If you absolutely must use your tech devices while on the road, then you should make it a point to use hands-free devices. If you can afford it, find a navigation system that responds to voice commands, turn up the volume on your radio using the buttons on your steering wheel, and use a headset rather than putting a phone up to your ear.
Just keep in mind that in order to be as safe as possible, you need to keep your full concentration on the road. So, if you can avoid using your cell phone or playing with the radio during car trips, then do so.
Understand Your Car
In order to be the safest driver possible, you must be one with the road and your vehicle. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a “car person,” it is still important to understand how your car operates and how to keep it in good working condition.
The last thing you want is a mechanical failure or to lose control of your vehicle because you failed to inflate your tires or change your oil. To prevent an unfortunate accident, take your vehicle in for maintenance every six months to a certified mechanic and tell them to check everything, from the PSI of your tires to the amount of windshield wiper fluid you have. Add the costs of oil changes and filter replacements to your budget so you can always afford what you need.
You also need to understand how your car operates under different weather conditions. Even with the best traction, your tires can slip on wet roads when it rains and sleets, so you need to break much earlier than you do on a sunny day. During the winter, when you have to contend with snow and ice, you will want to drop your speed drastically and leave even more room between you and other drivers. Remember that if you ever lose control of your car on an icy road, you should brake gently and direct your car in the direction it is sliding until you come to a complete stop.
In the end, while you can’t control everything that happens out on the road, you can do your part to avoid accidents and get where you’re going safely. Use the tips described here, and you can drive in confidence.
