Important Safety Tips That Every Driver Should Follow

All drivers should be concerned with staying safe on the road, and there are many tips that can help you do this. Driving is inherently dangerous, but you can minimize the risk by following a few simple tips. The fact is that most people don’t realize just how easy it is to prevent accidents that can lead to severe injuries and costly repairs. This article will teach you how to become a safer driver with minimal effort.

Don’t Get in the Car After Drinking

While it might seem obvious, you should never drink and drive. Even those who have only had a couple of drinks should wait a decent amount of time before getting behind the wheel. Driving while even slightly intoxicated significantly raises your chances of getting into an accident. If you get pulled over by police, you will be facing jail time and some huge fines. If you have been drinking, you can always call a cab or Uber to take you home. If you are out with friends, try to get a ride home with one of them.

Slow Down

Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Going even 10 km/h over the speed limit can increase the chances of an accident by quite a bit. You are also opening yourself up to getting an expensive ticket if you get pulled over. Always observe the posted speed limit so you don’t needlessly put yourself and others in danger. There is no appointment you have to make that is worth getting into an accident because of speeding.

Minimize Distractions

The more distracted you are when driving, the more likely you are to get into an accident. Some of the more common ways that drivers distract themselves is looking at their phone, changing the radio, and smoking a cigarette. All of these things can severely limit your ability to pay attention to what is happening around you. You need 100% of your focus and attention to safely operate your vehicle. All it takes is looking away from the road for a second to hit another car or even a pedestrian.

Get Breakdown Cover

If your car breaks down while you are driving, having breakdown cover can improve the situation a lot. You can get your car fixed up and off the road much faster, which will reduce the chances of something even worse happening. The longer you are stuck on the side of the road, the more likely it is that a passing car will hit you.

Breakdown cover doesn’t cost that much more per month, especially if you use companies like GEM motoring assist and it can help you save a lot of money. You will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that help is just a phone call away in this type of situation. No driver should be without breakdown cover, as it is extremely helpful in many ways.

Buckle Up Every Time

You should instinctively put on your seatbelt when getting in the car. Your belt will help protect you in the event of an accident. Statistically speaking, those who do not wear their safety belts are far more likely to be injured or even killed in a car accident. There is never a good reason not to wear your seat belt while you are driving.

Be Cautious in Severe Weather

If you are driving in severe weather, whether it is pouring rain or sheets of snow, you should be extra cautious. Driving in these weather conditions automatically makes getting into an accident more likely, so you should do everything you can to stay safe. If the road you are driving on is slick or wet, it’s a good idea to slow down at least a little bit.

Distance Yourself from the Car in Front of You

Following the car in front of you too closely is just asking for trouble. Each year thousands of people across the UK are involved in accidents that are due to tailgating. You should ideally leave at least two to three car lengths distance between you and the car in front. This will reduce the chances of an accident if the person in front of you suddenly slams on their brakes. The more distance between you and the other person, the more time you will have to react.

Be a Defensive Driver

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when driving on the open road is to always be defensive, never offensive. This means that you are prepared to react to what other cars are doing instead of causing trouble yourself. Offensive or aggressive driving is extremely dangerous and reckless. If you want to stay safe when you are driving, you should never be the aggressor. Sometimes it is necessary to be assertive on the road, but that’s not the same as being offensive.


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