Safety Tips While Driving to Keep you Secure

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road accidents have been among the leading causes of death. Most of these accidents are in low and middle-income countries. In most circumstances, the causes of these accidents are factors that can be prevented. For those driving, it is your responsibility to mind your safety and that of other road users. Many families have lost their breadwinners through road accidents. The impact of this is that these families have been pushed into unexpected poverty. Therefore, it is imperative to be mindful of your safety and that of other people knowing that there are people who depend on you. As a result, we have compiled a list of safety tips while driving to keep you and your loved ones secure.

The following are the safety tips while driving:

• Always drive when sober
• Do not drive while distracted
• Maintain road speed limits
• Ensure to have enough sleep before driving
• Do not operate your phone
• Observe the right of way
• Always fasten your seat belt
• Maintain your car regularly
• Be mindful of your blindspot
• Do not drive in the blindspot of other users

1. Always Drive When Sober

Drinking is not a bad habit, although, do not drive under the influence of alcohol. In most cases, when drunk, a person does not operate under his or her normal senses. Therefore, when drunk, a person is in the position of making misinformed decisions. When on the road, many things can happen within a blink of an eye. As a result, as a driver, you should always be keen and alert. Your judgment should be adequate so that you can make the right decisions in case of an unexpected occurrence. Therefore, always ensure you are sober before sitting behind the wheel.

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2. Do Not Drive while Distracted

We live in a dynamic world where many things take place. In this case, there are challenges people go through that, in turn, lead to stress. Stress is a dangerous factor when driving. The chances of a person being involved in an accident when stressed are very high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one factor that leads to frustrations and stress is family issues. Most men found stressed on the road revealed that they had family issues with their wives. Therefore, not driving when distracted is among the best tips for staying safe while driving.

3. Maintain Road Speed Limits

Countries have different speed limits. These limits are essential as they are determined after careful consideration of the road’s states and the weather in the country. The speed limit is determined to ensure a safe stoppage in case of an issue on the road. However, many people are not aware of the limit; thus, they end up exceeding it. This is dangerous for you and other road users. Speeding has been established to be the leading killer, especially among young drivers. Therefore, as a good driver, advise your teens that keeping up with other vehicles in traffic is not an offense. Moreover, keeping the speed limit will save you from unnecessary traffic fines.

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4. Ensure to have Enough Sleep Before Driving

Many drivers are not aware that driving while sleepy is dangerous than driving when drunk. You might be smart enough not to drive while drunk but fail in terms of not having enough sleep. Sleepiness impairs the attention of a person due to the exhausted brain. When sleepy, your memory is not functioning in the right manner; as a result, your coordination ability will not operate as is expected. According to World Health Organization data, an estimated 15 percent of road accidents result from tired drivers. Therefore, having enough sleep is among the crucial safety tips while driving.

5. Don not Operate Your Phone

In this modern world, communication technology has been important for people. However, as the bible says, there is time for everything. Therefore, there is time for driving and for using your phone. From my experience, operating the phone while driving may seem easy. However, this is not always the case; the phone leads to physical, visual, and cognitive distractions. As a result, this leads to unsafe driving, which, in turn, increases the chances of an accident. Therefore, before starting the journey, if you are a passenger, ensure that your driver has switched off his phone. Additionally, the phone should be placed out of the reach of the driver.

6. Observe the Right of Way

Observing the right of way is one of the safe driving practices because one cause of crashes is failing to give way. Some drivers fail to give way when they see a vehicle in a hurry. The other driver, who is in a hurry, might be wrong, but it is better to give way and save your life than competing. Some people are natural bullies on the road. Therefore, this should not put you in a state of competing with such people. You will end up losing your life, breaking your car, or becoming impaired.

7. Always Fasten Your Seat Belt

Seat belts are life-saving features in cars. Although a seat belt appears insignificant for many people, its importance is realized in case of a crash. I have witnessed an accident where a vehicle collided with a bus. The car driver survived the crash as all his passengers died due to the collision’s impact. The driver had his seat belt on; therefore, he remained trapped on the seat. Thus, for your safety on the road, ensure to fasten your seat belt.

8. Maintain Your Car Regularly

If your car has to stay in good condition, it is your responsibility to invest in it. Defective vehicles have led to many injuries and road accidents. A good car should not be smoky, have fault tires or unfunctional lights, or have unchanged oil. When buying a car, there are guidelines for its maintenance to keep it safe. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain your car regularly so that it can serve you better. Regularly maintaining the vehicle is among the road safety tips for the public that are ignored.

9. Be Mindful of Your Blindspot

Side and rear mirrors are critical for any driver. An instructor informed me that as a driver, you should be aware of your car’s state all around. This is done through these mirrors. You should check your blind spot before merging with other traffic, during a three-point turn, before changing lanes, and turning in the direction of another car. This tip will save you and your vehicle.

10. Do not Drive in the Blindspot of Other Users

The final among the tips for staying safe while driving is being considerate of others’ space. When driving besides, behind, or close to another car, there are chances that the other driver will not notice. As a result, it is advisable to be mindful of the blind spot of other drivers.

Finally, always remember that the choices you make behind the wheel have significant consequences. Therefore, always be careful by minding your safety and that of other road users. If you liked this guide on safety tips while driving, please feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on the social media icons below.