Driving to work or the grocery store might be something you do every day. So it starts feeling like a routine, and you pay less attention to it. But you can never be too careful. In the US alone, there’s an average of six million car accidents per year.
When you’re behind the wheel, safety should always be your top priority. Though some car accidents are unforeseen and uncontrollable, there are a lot of things you can do to protect yourself and your passengers. Here are some tips to ensure your safety while driving a vehicle.
Avoid multi-tasking
It’s common for people to experience rushed mornings, especially when there is a lot on their plate, or they’re running late for work. It almost looks normal to see people eating in their cars, texting, or taking calls from their bosses or clients. But these things take our attention away from driving, so we’re less alert and attentive behind the wheel.
Every day, more than nine people’s lives are taken due to distracted driving. Make sure you’re solely focused on navigating your vehicle. Don’t pick up anything that will serve as a distraction. Your hands should be on the wheel at all times, your ears should be watching out for signals, and your eyes should be focused on the road and peripherals. Road accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so it’s important to stay alert.
Be wary of other vehicles
Sometimes, the cause of a car accident is someone else’s negligence. The actions of other motorists are things that you cannot control. But what you can do is to be alert and watch out for bad driving behaviors. Also, don’t get too close to the car in front of you and maintain a distance of one car at all times. That means you should be at least two seconds away from the vehicle in front of you instead of driving from bumper to bumper.
Inspect your vehicle before leaving
If you drive your car every day, it’s easy to neglect to check it before hitting the road. But there are a lot of accidents that can be attributed to the misfunctioning of brakes and other gears. It only takes a minute to check on your brakes, seats, steering wheel, mirrors, tires, and windshield repair issues. But this short time can ensure your safety on the road.
Obey the speed limit
Reckless driving accounts for 33% of vehicular deaths each year. No matter how late you are to work, make sure you obey traffic signs and speed limits. Remember that those regulations are there for your safety, so don’t neglect them. A better solution is to adjust your schedule and leave the house earlier every morning, so you’re not in a rush.
Always wear your seatbelts
Wearing your seatbelt is the most basic driving safety rule. But it’s surprisingly the most neglected. Seatbelts are made to keep you in place in case of strong collision, reducing the impact and preventing you from being ejected. Buckling up will make a world’s difference in keeping you safe on the road. You should know that this simple act saved 14,955 lives in 2017.
There’s nothing new about these driving safety tips. In fact, they’re the basics that we’ve heard about time and time again. But many people still neglect them. Simply being obedient to safety rules will go a long way in protecting you when driving your vehicle.
