No matter how often or rarely your lifestyle puts you on the road, you need to take safety measures to make sure that you’re safe at all times. While you’ve ideally gone to a driving school and know the basics of road safety, some rules bear reminding. Read on to see some helpful tips you can use to stay safe on the road and enjoy every moment.
Rest Well Before Long Drives
It’s generally important to get plenty of quality sleep in order to function well during the day. In the case of driving, it’s crucial that you rest well before you set out, especially on a long drive. This is because driver fatigue is the cause of around 30% of all accidents involving commercial trucks. That said, never drive while you’re sleepy, because this is simply a recipe for disaster. In this case, you’re better off either calling off the drive altogether or simply finding an alternative to get where you need to go.
Avoid Distractions While Driving
Another tip to keep you safe while you drive is to avoid distractions at all costs. Whether it’s a phone call, or worse, a text message, rest assured that it can wait until you park the car. Distractions while you drive are a leading cause of road accidents, so it’s a good idea to simply turn the phone to silent until you get to your destination. This will keep you safe from the temptations of taking a quick peek at your phone whenever the notification chimes. If you’re driving with kids, remember that they can also be a great distraction if you’re not careful. In this case, make sure they’re in the correct seat and have been buckled up so they stay safe during the trip.
Keep Your Car Well-Maintained
A well-maintained car will generally be safer and easier to drive, and this is why you shouldn’t exceed the manufacturer’s instructions as far as servicing goes. If there are warning lights on your dashboard, it’s a good idea to make the recommended fixes as soon as possible. This is because ignoring them simply opens the door to multiple other fixes that need to be made, something that not only costs you more money down the road but also puts you at risk. The industry of motor vehicle and parts dealers in the United States had a worth of $343.6 billion in 2020 in gross output. This shows that people take pride in maintaining their vehicles, which is important for everyone to do.
Listen to the Weather Forecast
The weather can pose a risk to you while you drive, no matter how seasoned a driver you are. This means that you need to listen to the weather forecast before you drive somewhere. This will help you plan accordingly and thus improve your safety while you’re on the road. You’ll know what to pack and can also make the call of whether to put the trip off altogether. This is important if there’s a chance of severe weather during the time you intend to drive or where you plan to go.
Keep Road Rules in Mind
Finally, make sure that you know all the rules of the road and that you follow them. This is because they exist for a reason, and that reason is to keep drivers safe. Failure to follow them may lead to an accident or get you charged or fined. An estimate is made that less than 1% of all civil lawsuits end up in front of a jury. You may also be able to settle a civil suit brought against you as a result of failure to observe road rules out of court, but you’ll still spend time and money that you wouldn’t have needed to spend otherwise.
Keep these tips in mind and you can improve your lifestyle and safety while on the road. Keep practicing safe driving and you’ll be a good example to others while improving your safety and that of other road users.
