Buzz
The thrill of cruising down the open road—it's an invigorating sensation. However, if you're a novice driver, you might experience some jitters about taking control of the wheel. Fear not. Although accidents can happen to anyone, there are precautionary measures you can take to drive safely and minimize the risk.
Procedures
Strap on your seatbelt.
Secure yourself for safety. Seatbelts play a crucial role in ensuring safe travels. Before hitting the road, fasten your seatbelt and ensure all passengers in the vehicle do the same. If there are any youngsters aboard, verify that they're properly secured as well.
- In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that seatbelts saved nearly 15,000 lives.
Adhere to the speed limit.
It's not just a legal requirement—it's for your safety. Higher speeds make it harder to control your vehicle and react swiftly in case you need to avoid an accident. Speed limits are established to enhance road safety. Keep a lookout for posted signs and ensure you adhere to the speed limit.
Stay vigilant and keep your focus on the road.
All it takes is 3 seconds of distraction to lead to an accident. Distracted or inattentive drivers are the primary causes of car accidents. Nearly 80% of accidents occur within 3 seconds of becoming distracted. Maintain concentration on the road at all times to be able to react promptly and evade potential accidents. If you're feeling drowsy or tired, pull over to grab a cup of coffee or rest until you're sufficiently alert to continue driving.
Adopt the 3-4 second rule to maintain a safe distance.
Maintain a distance of 3-4 seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead. The area where accidents are most likely to occur is right in front of you. Select a stationary object like a traffic sign, wait for the vehicle ahead to pass it, and then count how long it takes for you to pass it. Utilize this rule to ensure you maintain sufficient distance to stop safely and avoid accidents.
- In adverse conditions such as rain and fog, or when driving at night or trailing a large truck, increase your following distance by an extra second.
Be vigilant of other drivers.
Don't expect other drivers to drive flawlessly or be courteous. While you should be courteous to other drivers, always stay aware of them. Never assume that they can see you or will yield to you when turning or changing lanes. By anticipating that other drivers may make mistakes, you'll be better prepared to react when they do.
Stay aware of motorcycles and bicycles.
Exercise extra caution when they're in close proximity to your vehicle. Use your turn signals to indicate your intentions if you're planning to turn or slow down. Additionally, add an extra second of following distance when behind motorcycles. This provides you with additional time to decelerate if you suddenly need to stop.
Signal your intentions with your turn signals whenever you make a turn or change lanes.
Provide advance notice to other drivers. Turn signals indicate to surrounding vehicles that you intend to change lanes or make a turn. This allows them to prepare to slow down or yield to you. Prioritize courtesy and safety by always using your turn signal before merging or decelerating to make a turn.
- In certain locations, neglecting to use your turn signal could result in a traffic citation.
Adjust your speed to merge into a lane.
Spot a gap between vehicles and avoid reducing your speed. Activate your turn signal and accelerate until you reach the gap. Utilize your mirrors and check your blind spot to ensure the gap is clear. Then, transition your vehicle into the lane and maintain your speed.
Utilize the left lane for overtaking.
Change lanes and accelerate to pass slower vehicles. Activate your turn signal, wait for a gap to clear the lane, and transition into the left lane. Increase your speed to overtake the vehicle, activate your turn signal again, wait for another gap, and then merge back into the right lane. Reserve the left lane solely for passing purposes.
Check your mirrors and blind spots.
Stay vigilant for potential blind spots. Every vehicle has areas that are not visible in their mirrors. Prior to changing lanes or reversing, check your surroundings to avoid accidental collisions.
Pull over if you need to retrieve something.
Avoid reaching behind you while driving. Apart from using phones, reaching for objects is another major cause of distracted driving. Instead of attempting to retrieve something, take a moment to pull over safely and retrieve it.
Keep your phone out of reach.
Eliminate the urge to check it. Phones pose the biggest distraction while driving. Even a momentary glance at your phone can divert your attention from the road, potentially leading to an accident. Store your phone in your bag or center console while driving to prevent its use. Alternatively, activate the “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications while driving.
- Wait until you reach your destination or pull over to check your phone. It can wait!
Avoid driving under the influence.
Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in severe accidents. If you've consumed alcohol, prioritize safety by allowing someone else to drive. If no one else is available, hail a taxi or utilize a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
- If you're impaired or intoxicated, refrain from driving altogether. Seek alternative transportation options instead.
Maintain your vehicle regularly.
Regular maintenance ensures the safe operation of your vehicle. Monitor your tire pressure and tread depth, ensure adequate fluid levels, and verify the functionality of your battery. Adhere to the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual to uphold the safety and performance of your vehicle.
Useful Tips
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If you need to navigate while driving, pull over safely to search for directions.
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If you have a passenger, enlist their help with music and navigation, allowing you to concentrate on driving.
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Vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking can significantly reduce avoidable accidents. However, these systems do not replace driver intervention in emergencies. Inclement weather or poor maintenance can compromise the functionality of such systems.
Caution
- Avoid driving in hazardous conditions such as severe storms or icy roads.
