Staying Safe on the Road
Driving can be a daunting task even for those that have been doing it for years. While we all may consider ourselves to be good drivers, most of the time it’s the other people on the road that we have to be wary of. You’ve seen them. You may have even shouted at them while waving your fist in the air as they’ve done something dangerous or illegal in their car around you. One of the best ways to ensure your own safety while driving is to become a defensive driver. One of the first steps to becoming a defensive driver is to understand what is considered to be unsafe. Once you know that, it will become much easier to identify unsafe drivers and help keep you safe on the road.
Keeping your eyes open for some of these unsafe driving habits when driving will ensure you arrive home safe and sound.
Dangerous Driving Habits
Although smartphones have made our lives easier in some aspects, they have also made them more dangerous in others. It’s unfortunate how many times we turn on the TV or read in a newspaper how someone has been involved in an accident because they were texting while driving. Some of these accidents may allow the texter to walk away unscathed while the person they hit may end up hurt or even worse. No matter who is injured, it could have all been avoided by not texting while driving.
When someone is texting while driving, they’re taking their eyes off the road for an extended period of time while also using their hands to input their message. Taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road even for a second has been shown to have potentially fatal consequences. In fact, texting while driving has been banned in 44 states for all drivers. However, it’s usually the novice drivers that don’t conform to this and these are definitely the ones you need to keep your eye out for.
Another thing to look out for when driving is someone that may be distracted by their kids in the backseat. They definitely aren’t trying to be dangerous drivers, but even a few seconds spent looking over their shoulder is enough to send their car into the wrong lane.
Tips for Safer Driving
Now that you know what to avoid when driving, it should be easier to determine what you should and shouldn’t do when you’re behind the wheel. If you have a phone call come through or a text message, it should wait until you’ve reached your destination. In the event that it is an emergency and must be acknowledged or answered immediately, you should pull over to the side of the road before doing so. This will ensure you’re able to keep your focus where it belongs, which is on the road.
If you’re a parent and have found yourself guilty of looking over your shoulder at your kids behind you while driving, it’s time to end that habit immediately. For infants in a rear-facing car seat, you can hang a mirror on the headrest of the seat they’re in so you can quickly glance back to check on them without physically turning around. As mentioned above, in the event of an emergency, you should always pull to the side so you’re not trying to tend to a crying child while driving.
No matter what, you should always wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes on the road. A few quick glances to the side and rearview mirrors will be sufficient to keeping you aware of your surroundings without taking too much focus off of your safe driving. In the event you may have work to do or you’re otherwise unable to place the required focus on the road, you can always reserve a car service. This way you’re able to ride in the back while letting a professional handle the driving, allowing you to work on an assignment, take phone calls, or get some rest before a big presentation. No matter what you do, you should never forget just how important safe driving is for not just yourself, but everyone else on the road as well.
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