We’ve all heard the words “drive safe” when grabbing our keys and heading for the door. Of course we’re not hitting 90 on the highway and making lefts on red but there are many other factors that can cause accidents. While these factors may not seem like a big deal at the time, they are the ones that cause the greatest number of accidents on the roads today. Every time you find yourself behind the wheel, traveling out of the state or down the street, make sure you’re keeping these tips in mind:
- Stay alert When driving, make sure you are always observing your surroundings. By zoning out, your response time is going to decrease and it will also decrease your awareness. You should not be behind the wheel if you’re tired. Those who drive while drowsy are twice as likely to be involved in an accident than those who are awake and alert. If you do find your eyes drooping while your on the road, pull off somewhere and take a nap or make a pit stop for caffeine.
- Avoid distractions When driving, your attention should always be on the road ahead of you. It is so common to drive past another vehicle that may be swerving in and out of lanes or slowing down and speeding back up. While passing them, you’re most likely going to witness them eating, using their phone, checking on kids or maybe even trying to apply make-up! These cause for very distracted driving and if you put two of these drivers within a close enough proximity to each other, there is going to be a high chance of an accident. Stopping off for five or ten minutes is well worth a later arrival time if it means keeping your car intact and the people inside it safe.
- Create a buffer zone Tailgating is never the answer. As frustrated as you may get with a left lane driver who is not hitting the speed limit, tailgating them is just going to increase your chance of an accident. Be patient and keep enough space ahead of you in case the car has to stop short, you will still have enough time to stop without plowing into the back of their car. Accidents happen all the time and 9 times out of 10, none of the drivers involved saw it coming.
- Keep your hands on the wheel Whether your reaching for the bag of chips on the passenger seat or your dancing along to the music, there is never a time where a driver should take their hands of the wheel. Your tire could hit something you didn’t see or you may need to swerve out of the way of something, if your hands aren’t on the wheel, you will not be able to control the outcome of this situation.
- Adapt to weather conditions With fog, you’re going to want to drive at a slower rate than you normally would considering visibility is low so you may not see something in your way or the lines on the road. With rain or ice, you will want to be more cautious around turns, start making your stops way in advance and keeping it slow. With a bright, shining sun you will want to make sure you always keep sunglasses in the car and put the visors down.
- Communicate with others Signals should never be ignored. Any time you’re changing your position on the road, communicate with those around you and let them know what direction you’re headed. You can also use hand signals to show others where you plan on moving to. Also, giving a quick “Thank You” wave will not only show the other driver your appreciation but it will decrease the likelihood of creating an aggressive driver if they felt you may have cut them off.
- Don’t expect others to communicate with you Always be defensive while driving.If you notice a driver around you that is driving erratically, drifting, changing lanes without signaling or one who can’t keep a steady speed, keep as much space as you can between your vehicle and their’s until you feel you can safely pass them.
The next time mom tells you to “Drive Safe” realize that she is referencing these tips to be smart, alert and defensive when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Accidents don’t just affect you and your safety, it affects those around you who also have loved ones. As safety is most important, accidents are also going to cause a large amount of money to fix between insurance, repair bills or a purchase of a new car.
