With the rising popularity of navigation systems, travel is easier than ever before. However, it’s important to think about your safety and well-being when you are out and about on the road. This is important considering that In 2018 alone, India reported around 151,000 fatalities due to road accidents.
It’s crucial to practice the basics of safe driving every time you’re on the road. Here’s a list of safe driving and pedestrian tips that may seem obvious, but are most ignored.
Never Drink and Drive
Unfortunately, too many people continue to operate their cars while intoxicated. Drinking and driving is sometimes called driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated. Research shows that impairment begins long before a person reaches the legal limit for drunk driving. When you drink and drive, you’re compromising cognitive ability and responsiveness, which can impair your mental and motor capability.
The only foolproof tip you can take on is avoiding alcohol if you’re driving. Instead of driving, just engage in other entertainment activities, such as watching movies. Alternatively, you can designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins.
Always Wear a Seat Belt
If you’re caught not buckled up, you could be fined or even be sent to jail. But wearing a seat belt is not just the law, it’s also a good idea. During a collision, being buckled up can keep you safe. A seat belt can keep you from banging against parts of your car, such as the door. In fact, wearing a seat belt reduces accident-related injuries by one half.
Passengers who are not wearing seatbelts can very easily be ejected from the vehicle. Crashing through a windshield and onto the street makes surviving a crash unlikely. Therefore, before you purchase a new vehicle, ensure that its seat belts are properly fitted.
Follow Three Second Rule
When you are following a vehicle too closely on the road, you are tailgating. The easiest and quickest way to avoid tailgating is to use the three-second rule. To avoid collisions, keep a safe following distance. Simply leave 3 seconds worth of room between you and the vehicle you are following.
Determining the three-second gap is relatively easy. Choose a fixed point that is even with the car in front of you and count the seconds after the vehicle in front of you crosses it. If it takes you 3 seconds to pass the fixed point, you’re at a safe following distance. If it takes you less than that, then you’re following too close.
Speed Limit
Speed limits are set with the goal of keeping everyone safe. Correctly set speed limits provide a safe speed to protect road users along the roadway. Without speed limits, drivers would be traveling at different rates, which would increase the odds of a car accident.
Speeding is when a person goes over the posted legal limit on roads or highways. An imbalance between road characteristics and the speed limit may cause drivers to engage in speeding. Either way, a driver must control a vehicle’s speed to avoid a collision with other vehicles and pedestrians.
Be Extra Careful in Bad Weather
Driving in bad weather can be one of the most challenging driving situations a driver encounters. And things become even worse when the water mixes with oil and dirt. It’s, therefore, ideal not to travel in heavy rain if you can avoid it. The roads are all slippery, and losing control of the vehicle is very probable. Instead, stay at home and prepare the perfect steak.
If you can’t avoid it, give yourself plenty of time to come to a stop on a rainy highway. Extra precautions might help ease the anxiety associated with driving in the rain. For instance, you will require a particular focus on both visibility and the ability to bring the vehicle to a sudden stop.
Use Pedestrian Crossings
Safe and frequent pedestrian crossings support a walkable environment. Pedestrian crossings may incorporate a raised feature designed to slow the speed of approaching vehicles. At the same time, stop signs may be placed at an intersection immediately after a pedestrian crossing.
However, it would be best if you still exercise caution when using pedestrian crossings. When available, cross between the white painted crosswalk lines. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions, or the road is clear before crossing. Be aware that drivers have differing levels of skill and eyesight in operating motor vehicles. Similarly, take extra care if you have to cross the road on or near a curve.
Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle
Get in the habit of conducting regular vehicle maintenance, and you can avoid costly breakdowns. This can also help ensure your safety, the safety of your passengers, and your fellow drivers.
Regular car maintenance involves a wide variety of projects. Chassis, suspensions, and even some transmissions are lubed for life. But it’s the little things such as checking your tire pressure that make the big difference in the long run. Other things to check are the engine and its oil. Remember that changing your car’s oil every three months is the most important thing you should do to keep your vehicle in good shape.
Takeaway
Today’s vehicles are safer than ever, but that doesn’t mean you should rely on your vehicle’s safety. Safe driving is not only beneficial to the driver but also all other road users. These tips will help you stay safe on the roads.