By George Hyland
Safety is one of the most important things to focus on when you’re driving, but people often overlook various factors with this. You’ll need to know a few ways to stay safe when driving, but figuring these out can seem complicated.
While some are obvious, they might not be enough to actually keep you safe. Coupled with that are the various things you could do wrong when you’re driving, which could lead to you needing a DUI attorney. You’ll need to make sure you stay as safe as possible from the second you get into the car.
Five top tips stand out with this, as they’ll be vital to keeping you and other drivers safe.
Ways to stay safe when driving: 5 top tips
1. Stay focused
When you’re at the wheel, you’ll need to make sure you’re as focused as possible on driving. That means avoiding any distraction when you’re driving. You could be surprised by how many of these pop up. Phones can be one of the more notable, but you’ll also have to worry about:
- Reaching for something in the car
- Updating a GPS
- Eating
- Looking at things on the side of the road
- Fidgeting with controls
By avoiding these and being focused, you’ll be much safer when driving. It’ll make sure you don’t get into any crashes.
2. Be aware of your surroundings
The difference between an accident happening and not could be measured in fractions of a second. You’ll need to respond appropriately to other vehicles on the road and react accordingly. If the car in front of you comes to a quick stop, for example, you’ll need to too.
You’ll have to be aware of your surroundings to make sure you can do this. You shouldn’t just focus on the car in front of you, however. Check your mirrors regularly, too. The more aware you are of your surroundings, the better you’re able to spot any potential hazards and avoid them.
3. Know the 3-second rule
You’ll need to leave a certain amount of space between you and the car in front of you. First-time drivers can have trouble figuring this out, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s worth following the three second rule when you’re driving. Put simply, this focuses on keeping three seconds worth of distance between you and the car ahead of you.
That gives you enough time to make any adjustments depending on what the car in front of you does. If they slow down, it gives you a chance of slowing down appropriately, for example. It should avoid any accidents popping up because of the car in front of you.
4. Be a defensive driver
One of the more notable ways to stay safe when driving is being a defensive driver. There are more than a few tips and tricks involved in this, with each of the above also playing a role in this. By using them as much as possible, you can minimize the risk of any accidents happening.
It’s also worth having a few defensive driver skills to help with this and follow a few other tips, such as:
- Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation
- Use your car’s safety features
- Don’t drive after drinking or consuming drugs
Once you’re a defensive driver, you’ll be better able to avoid any accidents.
5. Always be prepared
No matter how safe of a driver you are, you mightn’t be able to say the same for other drivers. There’s always a chance you can be in an accident because of someone else. You’ll need to make sure you’re prepared should this ever happen. You’ll have to keep a few things in mind with this, such as:
- Having your ID, insurance, and related documents
- Knowing how to get your vehicle out of danger
- Having some basic first aid training
- Having an insurance app installed to sort out any claims
While it’s likely you wouldn’t end up being in any accidents, it’s not a certainty. The more prepared you are for a worst-case scenario, the better.
Ways to stay safe when driving: Wrapping up
You’ll have to use various ways to stay safe when driving, but some of these can be relatively easy to overlook. You should put some effort into making sure you stay safe, with certain tips and steps being vital to doing so.
Being a defensive driver, always being prepared, being aware of your surroundings, and similar tips can all help. While they could take some time to master, they’re more than worth the effort.