Driving a car requires a lot of attention. Not only do you need to remember all the rules of the road, but you also need to be aware of what’s happening around you.
If you’re a first-time driver, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. But there are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe while you’re on the road.
Safety first
When you are driving your car, safety should be at the forefront of your mind. Advances in vehicle design and technology have made it possible to keep you safe behind the wheel, even when you are traveling at high speeds.
One of the most important ways to stay safe while driving is to avoid distractions. That includes anything that takes your attention away from the road, such as eating, playing with your radio or adjusting your navigation system.
Distractions are a major cause of accidents, so it is essential that all drivers understand how to avoid them. This is especially true of new drivers.
During a driving course, drivers learn how to remove distractions and control their emotions when they are behind the wheel. They also practice defensive driving, which is important because it helps them avoid situations that could result in a traffic accident.
While driving, it is always a good idea to pay attention to what other people are doing on the road. This is because you never know when a driver will suddenly move out of their lane or merge into yours.
In addition, be aware of your surroundings at all times and make sure to use the rearview mirror. This will help you see what is coming up behind you, so that you can avoid collisions.
If you are an employer and your employees drive cars for work, you need to create a safety culture in the workplace. This will prevent accidents, reduce the number of injuries and save your company money on insurance premiums.
Whether you are a trucking or delivery company, a utility business, university staff, or an on-site technician, your employees need to be able to get from point A to point B safely. Establishing a culture of vehicle safety is an easy way to ensure that your company is protected and your employees are happy.
Keep your speed down
Speeding is against the law, wastes gas, and increases your chances of getting into an accident. In addition, it can lead to hefty fines and legal complications.
It’s tempting to go a bit faster when you’re driving, especially if you’re feeling stressed out or haven’t given yourself enough time to get where you’re going. However, you can avoid this by taking it slowly and making sure that you give yourself ample time to reach your destination safely.
Your speed should be based on how comfortable you are in the vehicle and not on how quickly you want to get somewhere. This will ensure that you have enough time to react to changes in the road and weather conditions, while allowing other drivers to safely pass you.
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re not comfortable with your speed, consider using your cruise control or following someone who is driving at a safe and steady pace. Doing so will allow you to keep your eyes on the road and reduce the chances of being distracted by other things, such as listening to music or texting.
Another thing that can help you maintain a consistent speed is to glance down at your speedometer regularly. This will help you make sure that you aren’t drifting from your target speed, and will also give you an opportunity to check the lane lines to see if you’re getting too close or too far behind other cars.
The more you practice your driving, the better at scanning the road ahead will you become. You’ll notice changes in speed more quickly and will be able to respond accordingly. This is especially useful when you’re navigating around curves.
Have an escape route
When you’re driving, be sure to think about how your vehicle might respond in the event of a sudden braking, swerving or even going off the road. This is a smart idea, even for the most careful drivers, as you never know what might happen down the road.
It’s also wise to plan ahead for potential escape routes in case the worst happens and you have to get out of your car on the side of the road. This could be anything from a lane that flattens out or turns uphill, to an open field where you can safely stop.
While it’s a good idea to keep your eyes on the road and give yourself a chance to avoid a collision, you should also be checking your mirrors more often and identifying escape routes if needed. This is especially important if you’re on a highway and you want to be out of the way of a charging car.
Ideally, you’ll have 8 feet of space on either side of your vehicle for an escape route. If you don’t, you’ll need to increase your following distance by a few seconds to make sure that you still have room to maneuver in the event of a sudden emergency.
The most important element of your escape route is that it’s the safest possible thing to do in that scenario. This means it’s the best possible route that you can use to get out of your car and away from danger. This might mean switching lanes, using an alternative street or speeding up. However, if you’re unable to take any of these steps, your safety and that of the people in your vehicle is at risk.
Keep your eyes on the road
Keeping your eyes on the road is a vital part of safe driving. If you can keep your attention focused on the road, you will be able to respond to changing conditions more quickly and avoid a crash.
In addition to looking at the road, you also need to be aware of your surroundings. This includes traffic, other vehicles and external events like construction.
When you’re driving at night, you need to be especially vigilant. Human eyes are not good at seeing in the dark, and the glare from headlights can make it difficult to focus on the road ahead.
To help you keep your eye on the road, you can use your mirrors to scan your surroundings and check for obstacles 20 to 30 seconds before they appear. This will give you a better idea of how close or far away other vehicles are, which can help you stay safe on the road.
You can also look at your speedometer and rearview mirror to make sure you’re not going too fast or too slow. This way, you can be sure to maintain a safe following distance and not cause other drivers to brake too hard or take unnecessary risks.
It’s also important to keep your eye on the road when you are driving a large vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer. This will allow you to maintain a safe following distance so that you can react in time to any changes in weather or speed.
Distracted driving is a major concern for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fact, April is recognized as “Distracted Driving Awareness Month.” It’s especially important to stay focused on your vehicle and on the road when you’re using your cell phone.
Be prepared
When driving, you need to be prepared to keep yourself and other drivers safe. This includes being aware of other cars on the road, paying attention to other drivers’ body language and avoiding distractions.
Taking the time to be prepared can help you avoid a serious accident or emergency situation. Being prepared can also mean keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle to ensure you have everything you need if you’re ever stuck in the car.
The first thing you should do is make sure your vehicle can handle the conditions you’ll be driving in. For example, if you’re going to be driving in snowy or icy weather, consider purchasing all-weather tires to protect your car from the elements.
Another important part of being prepared is making sure your car’s brakes are in good shape. If your brakes feel jumpy or sticky, it could indicate worn pads and rotors. You should also check the smoothness of the brakes and listen for any rattling sounds that might indicate an issue with the brakes.
Always take a few minutes to drive in a variety of traffic situations before hitting the road so you know how your car handles on different roads and highways. Pay close attention to your surroundings, especially around intersections and traffic signals, so you can react quickly in case of a problem.
You should also be familiar with your vehicle’s safety features such as headlights, brake lights and emergency braking systems. Learn how to use them properly and when it’s safe to activate them.
Finally, always stay tuned to weather reports on TV or online so you can prepare for bad weather before you leave the house. This can help you decide whether it’s worth staying home if the weather is threatening to rain or snow.