6 Essential Safety Tips Every motorist Should Know By Heart
Road accidents are the most common transportation accidents. As a motorist, there are certain safety tips you should know by heart to prevent accidents. We have compiled six of the most important safety tips every motorist should know by heart and adhere to.
- Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the most popular causes of accidents, with approximately 4,637 cases of car accidents resulting from cell phone use in the US alone. Car drivers are often multitasking while driving. They are either on a call, or eating, or having a conversation with passengers. You need to stay focused on the road, so you can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
Needless to say, you have to stay focused while driving and avoid using your cell phone to prevent accidents while driving.
- Be Aware Of Blind Spot
You need to be aware of your blind spots while driving. This is where your rearview and side mirrors come in handy to help you see what’s going on behind your vehicle. You should not even rely on this entirely; turn around to look over your shoulder to ensure you are not missing something undetected by your mirrors. While driving, you should turn your head briefly to check for cars on adjacent lanes before changing lanes. You also need to watch for other driver’s blind spots, so you can keep clear of them as much as possible.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 840,000 blindspot accidents happen in the US every year, leading to 300 deaths.
- Don’t Drive Under The Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a potentially fatal combination; it is, in fact, a criminal offense. According to the national council of alcoholism and drug dependence, about 1 in 3 fatal car accidents are caused by an intoxicated driver. Every year, nearly 13,000 people die as a result of alcohol-related accidents in the US alone and it is important to know what you should do after a car accident in Tampa, Florida if one occurs. Do not drink and drive; if you have had a few drinks, stay off the road for your safety and other road users.
Generally, you should avoid driving under any form of impairment. Whether under the influence of recreational drugs or even drugs that a physician prescribed. You need to stay sharp while driving so you can react properly to the traffic and signs, and other road users.
- Follow Speed Limits
Have it in mind that you should not exceed speed limits. Speed limits are set in place so you can easily control your vehicle while driving. So, going faster than the speed limit can be dangerous for you and other road users, especially if you are a new driver. You should also note that speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions, and driving the speed limit can still be dangerous in inclement weather.
Do not try to replicate what you see in fast action movies. They used professional stunt drivers for those scenes, and it wasn’t in such busy traffic. They probably did everything in a studio, with zero possibilities of road accidents.
- Use Turn Signals Properly
Failure to alert other drivers of your next move while driving can lead to an accident. When you turn on your signals before you make a move, other drivers are given enough time to react. They either slow down, move out of the way, or stop. There’s a signal for when you want to apply the brake when you want to take a turn, and so on. You need to turn on your signals to keep other vehicles informed of your next decision while driving, thereby preventing road accidents.
How To Use Your Turn Signal
- Signal early enough. This is the best way to keep other drivers from trying to pass you.
- Signal continuously. Keep signaling until you have turned completely.
- Turn off your signal after you have turned completely.
- Use the turn signal when you change lanes, and change lanes slowly and smoothly.
- Don’t Tailgate
Ensure to keep enough space between your car and the car in front of you. While driving, you need to keep in mind that the time it takes your car to stop after hitting the brake depends on several factors, including slow reaction time and the speed you were driving at.
So, keeping enough space between your car and car going before you allows enough reaction time to stop your car while avoiding a rear-end collision.
Strictly adhering to these road safety tips will go a long way in preventing accidents, which ensures your safety and other road user’s safety.
