subject: Tips on Safe Driving [print this page] What is the most dangerous hazard on the roads today? Is it drunk drivers? Is it faulty brakes or other equipment? Perhaps it is debris in the road? With the growing awareness concerning distracted driving, perhaps it is call phones, texting, or other forms of distraction. No matter what it is you see as the most dangerous hazard on the road, there are always steps you can take to help avoid them.
You can better prepare yourself for emergency situations on the road by following some helpful tips on driving safe. These tips will not only help you directly, but if you share them with others, it will make them safer drivers as well. This helps all of us on the road.
The first tip is to pay attention. Your ability to perceive threats to your vehicle and to determine the best course of action, is your first line of defense in any emergency situation on the road. If you are distracted by a cell phone, or an MP3 player, or any number of things in the vehicle that diverts your attention from driving, then you put yourself at a higher risk of having a collision. Certain studies, done by the University of Utah, have shown that even the distraction of texting or talking on a hand held cell phone can increase your chances of a collision by 400 percent! So, obviously, keeping your eyes on the road is the first step.
The second tip is to drive with a preventative mindset. Never assume that the vehicle in front of you is going to do what you expect it to do. People do unexpected things on the roads everyday. For example, let us say that you are at an intersection, wishing to turn right from a red light. You notice the car coming from your left has his blinker on to turn right onto your current street, which would allow you enough time to turn right into the intersection. Do not assume that this car will turn. They could realize at the last minute that they need to go straight and fail to turn. If you've pulled out into the intersection and they are not following tip number one, then you've just entered into a collision. Instead, watch the behavior of the car, make sure they will turn. I usually wait until they have slowed down enough for the turn, that even if I pulled out into the intersection, they would not be a threat to my vehicle.
The third tip is to make sure your vehicle is where it needs to be at all times. Even with paying attention to the vehicles around us, we can still forget to check our own vehicle! Make sure that you are staying in your lane and that you have ample time to move into a different lane, should you need to turn or exit the interstate. A great way to do this is to make sure your speed is reasonable and your distance from other vehicles will give you ample time to stop if necessary.
I hope you find these tips helpful and that they change how you think about driving. Try taking these tips and ideas of your own to a driving community online, such as your local auto safety club, your favorite car or truck forum, and sites like Collision Guard. Be sure to share these ideas with your friends and family as well. If we all start talking about how to be better drivers, we will all find the roads a much safer place to be.
