When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to take precautions. Driving a car can be scary, but with some simple tips, you can improve your skills and keep yourself safe.
Autonomous vehicles, also known as AVs or self-driving cars, are designed to navigate the road with little or no human involvement. But the safety of AVs remains a question mark, and it’s going to take a lot of time before we get to fully autonomous cars.
Safety First
When you drive a car, you need to take your safety seriously. You can do this by following several tips that will help you stay safe on the road.
The first tip is to look ahead while you’re driving. This is important because you can often anticipate potential hazards before they happen.
This can save you time and money because you won’t have to stop suddenly or make hard braking manoeuvres as often.
Be aware of the vehicle in front of you, but also keep an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. This can help you avoid a collision with them, which could be fatal for both.
In addition to being the safest way to get from point A to B, driving a car safely also helps you earn your insurance discounts and keep your wallet sane. Keeping your vehicle in top condition can mean lower maintenance costs and less repair bills in the long run.
Similarly, a smart driver will know when it’s time to slow down, allowing them to avoid accidents in the process. This is especially important when merging or making a turn.
Another smart move is to utilize lane lines, road signs and safety signals to navigate the highway more safely. For example, if you are in the left lane and see a red light in your rear view mirror, use your turn signal to indicate that you want to change lanes.
In the end, the most important thing to remember when you’re behind the wheel is to keep your eyes on the road and your mouth closed. It’s also a good idea to have a good emergency kit ready for your car in case you need it during an accident.
Keep Your Speed Down
Speeding is not only dangerous, but it can also be costly. Speeding reduces your vehicle’s fuel economy and increases your risk of a crash. In addition, if you’re traveling in an area where there are frequent traffic accidents, it’s wise to drive as slowly as possible.
During poor road conditions, such as snow and ice, rain or fog, it’s important to slow down and change lanes. In particular, on curves, you may need to reduce your speed and take turns more slowly to avoid slipping over an edge or spinning out of control.
When driving on highways, pay close attention to warning signs about construction or other road conditions. These signs will often have a speed limit posted, and you should follow them.
Be aware of vehicles that are coming on the highway or into your lane, and watch for cars slowing down to turn onto the highway. It’s also important to keep an eye on traffic lights and signs that may signal you to slow down or change lanes.
If you’re going on a long commute, consider taking public transportation or telecommuting to save time. Having more time to spend with loved ones can also be helpful in making your journey easier and more enjoyable.
Many drivers tend to speed because they want to get to their destination quickly. This is a common mistake that can lead to an accident or even death.
The most effective way to keep your speed down is to use your cruise control. Most modern vehicles come equipped with this feature. Using cruise control is an excellent way to regulate your speed, while also allowing you to focus on the road. Alternatively, you can follow someone who is traveling at a comfortable pace.
Have an Escape Route
An escape route is a path that you can take in case the road is blocked or you are involved in an accident. This is something that you should be thinking about as you drive because it will make sure that you have a safe way to get out of the situation if it becomes necessary.
Having an escape route is especially important when you are driving in a busy road because it will give you the opportunity to see things ahead of you and react sooner. This will help to avoid rear-end collisions with vehicles behind you or sustaining an accident from someone in front of you.
You should also be aware of the safety of the people in your car and ensure that they have an escape route as well. This is particularly true if you are travelling with children or someone with disabilities because they will need to be able to escape safely as well.
Another key thing to remember when you are driving is that you must always look further than you normally do. If you are a careful driver, you will be able to see a lot more than someone else who isn’t as attentive or cautious in their driving habits.
A common mistake people make when they are driving is that they don’t always take the time to plan their route and leave themselves an escape route in case of an emergency. This is a crucial thing to do and should be something that you constantly think about so that it becomes subconsciously a part of your driving habits.
This will help to make sure that you are safe and secure as you drive in every type of condition. It will also help to prevent you from sustaining an accident from other drivers.
Be Mindful of Your Blind Spots
Blind spots are areas of the road that you cannot see when driving. They exist around other cars, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians, and can be very dangerous if you fail to pay attention to them.
When learning to drive, you were probably taught to always check your mirrors and to be mindful of your blind spots. This is not a difficult skill to learn, but it can be easy to forget or let slip.
Despite new technology and safety measures, driving is inherently risky, so it’s important to take the time to be aware of your blind spots while on the road. It is also vital to communicate your intentions with other drivers.
For example, if you are changing lanes or making a turn, use your turn indicators to warn other vehicles about your intentions. This will allow them to slow down or even honk if they cannot see you safely.
Another way to be mindful of your blind spots is to scan ahead as you drive. This can help you avoid collisions and accidents.
You should also look over your shoulder when making lane changes to ensure that you are not in someone else’s blind spot. This is especially important for large vehicles like semi-trucks, which can have very large blind spots.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that blind spot accidents occur in the United States at a rate of 840,000 per year, resulting in over 300 fatalities. By being aware of your blind spots and communicating your intentions to other drivers, you can reduce the number of accidents on the road.
Be Prepared for Unexpected Situations
Driving can be a very dangerous experience, so it’s important to be prepared for unexpected situations. You may run out of gas, your tire may blow out, you could suddenly become sick or even something as simple as an animal wandering onto the road can create a hazardous situation.
One of the best ways to prepare yourself for these unforeseen situations is by driving defensively. You can do this by avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving habits, keeping your eyes on the road, scanning the conditions ahead of you, and maintaining good awareness of other drivers around you.
Having this kind of mindset will make it easier to deal with any mishaps that occur while you’re driving, and will also help you to avoid the escalation of bad situations or unfair moves by other drivers. This is especially true in situations where you’re unfamiliar with the area and may not know what’s happening or who might be doing things differently than you are.
Another way to drive defensively is by anticipating other drivers’ mistakes and being ready to respond to them. This means thinking about what you’re going to do if the other driver misses a stop sign or turns in front of you on a highway.
Then, you can follow at a safe distance and be ready to break at a moment’s notice, so that you’re not left in an unsafe position. You can even be more prepared by taking a defensive driving course, like the ones at Drive Rite Academy in Queens, NY, to learn how to react to various driving scenarios and prevent accidents from occurring.
It’s very common for an unexpected situation to pop up while you’re driving, so it’s important to be prepared and think carefully about what to do if it does happen. The sooner you can react and take control of the situation, the better it will be for you and other drivers on the road.