There are many different rules and regulations in place to reduce the risk of car accidents. However, while you might have passed your driving test, you should always aim to improve your knowledge. By learning the best tips, you can protect yourself, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians while out on the road.
Below we are going to go over just six of the most important rules to follow.
Let’s get started.
Safe distancing
Whether you’re in a car or riding a motorcycle, it’s always important to practise safe distancing between yourself and other drivers. This allows for reaction time and will prevent you from being rear-ended (or rear-ending someone else). Most experts recommend leaving one yard for every one mile per hour of your speed. However, the more, the better. When learning to drive, safe distancing will be assessed in both the theory and practical driving test. Learn more here.
This is especially true when driving around bus and truck drivers. If you think your actions are partially to blame for a truck accident, seek help from an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options. These vehicles are much larger than cars and can be more difficult to manoeuvre, so it’s important to give them plenty of space.
Wearing a seat belt
Wearing a seat belt might seem like one of the most common road safety tips to follow, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t do it. Without wearing one, you’re ten times more likely to die in a car crash. Buckle up, and make sure your passengers do as well. It really can mean the difference between life and death.
Planning ahead
It’s easy to get behind the wheel without a plan but being prepared is certainly a rule everyone should follow. You can do this by observing routes, checking the weather, and locating necessary stops along the way. You’ll not only save time but also reduce the risk of running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.
Checking blind spots
Cars have blind spots, and no matter how confident you are, you need to check them every time (and this doesn’t mean with your mirrors). Physically turn your head to ensure that the coast is clear before turning or changing lanes. Alongside this, you also need to make sure you avoid driving in other vehicles’ blind spots.
Eliminating distractions
Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in the US. When you’re behind the wheel, you want to make sure you eliminate anything that will divert your attention. A few of the most common distractions to watch out for include:
- Mobile phones
- Eating/drinking while driving
- Disruptive passengers
- Adjusting climate or audio controls
If it has involved you in an accident, make sure you contact an injury attorney like the professionals at Lamber Goodnow. They will make the entire paperwork process much less stressful.
Getting rest
Finally, the most important rule to follow when out on the road is to make sure that you get enough rest. If you’re fatigued, you can’t concentrate properly and are a danger to yourself and others. Break up long distances and consider having a second driver handy if you need to recuperate. This will ensure you’re wide awake and ready for travel.
And that’s it! While there are many other road safety tips that you should follow, these are a few of the most important. What do you think? Are there any others you would add to the list?
Featured image: Jaromír Kavan/Unplash
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