How To Be a Safe Driver

By Veselina Dzhingarova

Vehicle accidents claim thousands of lives each year. Traffic laws are set in place to keep drivers safe, but these laws are not always followed. To stay safe on the road, it is important to follow all traffic laws, but there are also a few other ways to reduce the chances of causing or being involved in an accident. Here are three things you should always practice to be a safe driver.

Eliminate Distractions

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents. There are many things that could distract you while driving, including the ones listed below.

• The radio
• Cell phones
• Social media
• Passengers
• Texting

While you will never be able to eliminate all potential distractions, you can minimize them. Put your cell phone away while driving so you will not be tempted to check or respond to text messages while you are behind the wheel. Leave the radio on one station instead of channel surfing so you can find a song you enjoy. When navigating hazardous conditions or heavy traffic, you may want to ask your passengers to be quiet until conditions improve. Reducing the number of distractions you have, you can improve your ability to focus on the road.

Watch Out for Other Drivers

When you’re driving, you have to watch other drivers as much as you need to focus on your own actions. Even if you are following all traffic laws, there is no guarantee that other drivers will. To be a safe driver, you should stay vigilant every time you’re on the road. Before proceeding through an intersection, double check to ensure that no cars are running the stoplight or stop sign. Let speeding drivers pass you and make sure there is plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

You also need to watch out for unexpected obstacles. Deer, bicyclists, people walking and pets all present potential hazards. By staying focused on the road, you can anticipate these problems in time to avoid them.

Slow Down

Speeding is one of the most common factors in vehicle accidents that result in fatalities. Not only does this include driving over the posted speed limit, but driving too fast when the road is wet and slippery can also cause problems. Before driving, you should anticipate how long it will take you to get to your destination. Take into consideration to weather conditions and time of day so you can anticipate traffic.

Once you know approximately how long your drive will take you, make sure you leave in plenty of time so you are not tempted to speed. By giving yourself plenty of time, you can slow down to a speed that is appropriate for conditions and reduce the risk of causing an accident.

Driving can be extremely dangerous if safety precautions are not taken. It should never be done recklessly, but it is not enough for you to simply obey all traffic laws. If you implement these three practices every time you get behind the wheel, you can make yourself a better, safer driver.

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