8 Tips for Becoming a Safer Driver

Driving safely is the most important concern for anyone sitting behind the wheel of a car. Safe driving protects you, your passengers, and all other road users, including pedestrians. Here are eight important tips you can use to become a safer driver.

Take a Cautious Approach

It’s generally a good idea to be as cautious as possible when driving. Always assume that the worst could happen, and don’t depend on other drivers to obey the rules of the road. Anticipating the worst-case scenario makes you better prepared to react if those scenarios actually happen. For example, if you’re at a busy intersection and the lights change to red, assume any vehicle approaching the lights will run through them. In this example scenario, being able to predict the worst in a given situation makes you pause before hitting the gas; that second or two of hesitation could make the difference in avoiding a collision.

Focus Only on Driving

Modern drivers have more distractions than ever. From mobile phones buzzing to high-tech satellite navigation systems to driver-assistance alerts, there are many technological (and human) distractions to contend with. It’s vital that, as the driver, you focus only on driving, which means keeping your attention on the road at all times. Multi-tasking while driving a car rapidly decreases your safety on the road. An accident can happen in the blink of an eye, so keep your gaze focused on the road in front of you and on your mirrors to check your surroundings.

Maintain a Safe Distance

You can maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you by remembering the two-second rule. The rule says that you should stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. In normal weather conditions, the two-second rule is an easy way to maintain a safe distance and avoid auto accidents that result from tailgating. It’s vital to note that the two-second rule is not sufficient in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog, or ice on the road. A good rule of thumb is that when the weather is not good, you should double the two-second rule to a four-second rule.

Reduce Speed

Speeding continues to be a leading cause of road accidents. While speeding-related incidents have declined over time, the statistics still show that too many drivers drive at excessive speeds. The speed limit signs along all roads are there to protect you and other road users. It’s important to abide by the signs you see as you drive. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the posted speed-limit signs relate to ideal road conditions. When the weather is bad, use sound judgment and drive under the speed limit. When you drive too fast, you reduce your ability to control the vehicle.

Know the Rules

It’s unwise to treat learning the rules of the road as a one-off task. There’s a very good chance you’ll forget some rules over the course of time. A good way to become a safer driver is to classify yourself as a permanent student of the road.

Regularly review the general safety rules, including what different road markings mean, the different types of roads, the meaning of different signs, and how to safely pass other vehicles. Commit to taking a few hours every six months to read through your state’s traffic laws, and you’ll be surprised at some of the details you’ve forgotten, some of which may save your life.

Take Breaks

Drowsy driving is a significant and avoidable cause of many road accidents in the United States. In such a big country, it’s common for drivers to undertake lengthy journeys, whether for work or a family vacation. Being fully alert makes all the difference in having enough time to react to potential problems versus reacting too late. If you feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop and take a 30-minute to one-hour nap. You’re three times more likely to crash when you feel tired, so make sure you get off the road as soon as fatigue sets in.

It’s worth remembering as well that certain medications can cause driver fatigue. If you have to take medication for any reason, read the label to see if it impacts your ability to drive safely. Some of the main danger signs of drowsy driving are constant yawning, difficulty keeping your eyes open, and drifting from your lane.

Conduct Basic Car Maintenance

An often-overlooked aspect of becoming a safer driver is doing regular basic car maintenance. While you don’t need to have expert-level knowledge of your car and all its mechanics, you should know how to do procedures such as changing the tires. In fact, tires that don’t have the right inflation levels put you at increased risk of an accident.

Other subtle issues that can cause accidents include malfunctioning windshield wipers and broken headlights. These issues may only reveal themselves in certain conditions, such as poor weather or nighttime driving. Your local dealership often has the spare parts needed if you find something isn’t working as it should. Taking reasonable steps to ensure basic maintenance is carried out is an important way to increase road safety.

Be Aware of the Weather

“Road Snow Landscape” used with permission via Pixabay by awhite1776

Last but not least, be aware of the weather conditions and adjust your driving accordingly. When driving through fog, whether during daytime or nighttime, turn on your headlights so other road users can easily spot you — do not turn on your hazards while driving, though.

Thinking about the weather also means thinking about the season. If it’s winter and you live in a part of the country troubled by frequent snowstorms, make sure you take enough warm clothes with you and accelerate gently during any snowfall. Another good safety tip when driving in the snow is to use sunglasses because they reduce the glare from the winter sun.

That wraps up eight tips on becoming a safer driver. Revisit these tips regularly for as a refresher on increasing your safety on the road. If you’re in the market for a new car, check out our new Volkswagen cars for sale at Ike Honda in Marion, Illinois.