When you’re on the road, it is extremely important that you drive safely. Your travel depends on you using common sense and following the laws as you drive. The consequences can be deadly if you don’t do this. However, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of all the important safety tips out there. Are you following these safe driving tips?
1. Wear Your Seatbelt
As soon as you get into your car, you should put on your seatbelt. Don’t drive away without it and don’t start your travel until everybody in the car is buckled in. Between 2016 and 2018, 1,326 people were injured due to not wearing a seatbelt. If you’re in an accident and you aren’t buckled in, your chances of injury or death are much higher than they are when you are safely buckled into your seatbelt. While some people might think seatbelts are annoying, or that they don’t make much difference, you need to put yours on. Otherwise, you could die a preventable death.
2. Maintain Your Car
As a driver, you are responsible for keeping your car in safe driving condition. Do all the required maintenance as it comes up. That way, if you are in an emergency, your car is prepared to respond appropriately. For example, your airbag inflates and deploys within 40 milliseconds of a crash. This is to keep you from hitting your head on the interior of the car during an accident and can keep you from getting severe head injuries. However, if your car isn’t in good shape, your airbag might not reliably deploy when you need it. Make a point of maintaining your car and fixing things quickly when there are repairs needed. Then your car will be ready for most emergencies that happen when you travel.
3. Follow Speed Limits
It can be tempting to drive faster than the speed limit. You might be in a hurry to get somewhere or are just sick of driving. However, speed limits are there for a reason. It is necessary to go slower on certain roadways. Whether it is because of pedestrian traffic or the geography of the road, some places are dangerous to drive quickly in. Plus, speeding increases your chances of being in an accident. In 2019, 17% of the people involved in fatal crashes were speeding. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and follow the speed limit the whole way.
4. Don’t Drive Drunk
You should never drive your car after you’ve been drinking. Even if you think you’re good to drive, drinking impairs your judgment. This means you are very likely not in any shape to drive. When you drink, your judgment is impaired and your reaction times are slower. This will make it more difficult for you to react to things on the road. If you’re going to be drinking, make a plan for how you will get home safely. Whether this means hiring a cab or choosing a designated driver, planning ahead will keep you safe.
5. Put Your Phone Down
It is very easy to get distracted by your phone when you travel. Whether you’re sending a text, talking on the phone, or changing the music, you have to look away from the road. This puts you in danger of getting in an accident. Avoid touching your phone as much as possible when you’re driving. Set everything up ahead of time, then avoid checking messages or answering calls until your car is stopped.
When you drive, you take responsibility for your safety and the safety of those around you. Follow these safe driving tips when you’re on the road in order to get to your destination without trouble!
