28/12/2021
12 TIPS FOR SAFER DRIVING: DEVELOP SAFE HABITS FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Whether you decide to take a driving course or not, there are a few things that everyone can do to learn how to drive more safely. Driving defensively is simply following a few simple traffic and safety rules to help you avoid an accident. I’ve put together a list of 12 things I think are important for all drivers to keep in mind next time you’re on the road.
1. 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚.
A vehicle is an excellent way to travel from one place to another. To keep your car running in top condition, you need to take care of a few things. The most important thing is to get the right maintenance performed at the right time. Not only will this prevent breakdowns and accidents, but it’ll also increase fuel efficiency and help you avoid costly repairs later on.
2. 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙬 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙.
The laws are there for a reason. They are designed to keep you safe and protect other road users. As a driver, it is your responsibility to know the latest laws and safe driving strategies in order to avoid any fines and future mishaps with other drivers.
3. 𝘿𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡.
It's best to rest before driving rather than get behind the wheel when you are exhausted or upset because either state can lead to poor choices that can result in accidents and injury. If you need a break before driving again, pull over and get some rest.
4. 𝘽𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.
Many motorists are killed because they are not paying attention to the road. When you're behind the wheel, your eyes should be constantly scanning the road for potential hazards. The key to safe driving is awareness — the ability to see and react quickly to changes in your surroundings.
5. 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙖 𝙗𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨.
Keep at least 3-4 seconds between your vehicle and the car in front of you. If it gets to a point where you can't see their tires, that's way too close! The goal is to maintain enough space so you have time to react if they have to stop suddenly.
6. 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨.
Keep track of what's happening in all of your mirrors – front, side, and rear. A good rule of thumb is to check them every five seconds or so. That way, if someone is right on your tail, you'll have time to react.
Also, be aware that other drivers have blind spots – usually directly behind them and to their left or right. Be careful not to drive in their blind spot or cut them off. One of the most dangerous spots to be in while driving is not being seen.
7. 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙙.
When you approach a yellow or red light, the temptation to press down hard on your gas pedal may be strong. Don’t do it - that can put both you and other road users at risk. The safest course of action is always to be prepared to stop safely when faced with a yellow or red light.
8. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨.
Not only do unnecessary lane changes increase the risk of an accident, but they can also cause road rage. The general rule is that you should only change lanes when it's safe to do so. Here's how you can help keep yourself safe when changing lanes:
☑️ Make sure that there isn't anyone in the lane that you're turning into before moving over.
☑️ Signal before moving over. Let other drivers know that they need to be aware of your presence because you're about to change lanes.
☑️ Keep an eye on the car in front of you while they're still driving in the lane that they were already in, stay alert for any sudden movements on their part.
9. 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩.
Always be on the lookout for other drivers who may make mistakes. It's easy to assume that everyone else on the road is a skilled driver, but these assumptions can lead to dangerous situations. Be prepared for someone else to make a mistake by slowing down if necessary, keeping an appropriate distance between yourself and the car in front of you, and being ready to react if someone makes an unexpected turn or sudden stop.
10. 𝘽𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.
Intersections are especially dangerous places because there are so many different directions of traffic being shared by drivers who may not be paying attention to what's going on around them.
Try to be aware of your surroundings, sometimes people just don't pay attention. They'll be looking at their music on their phone or at the billboards, and they might not see the light change when they're crossing the street.
Slow down, stop and look both ways. It only takes a few seconds out of your day to be safe.
11. 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙬𝙖𝙮.
Be considerate of others. Not everyone uses the roadway in the same manner as you do. Adjust your speed and behavior depending on the weather and conditions. Stay alert and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles, as well as animals.
12. 𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙.
Your car is a significant investment and you depend on it to get you to work and back. When you insure it, you buy peace of mind that your investment is protected in case of any damage or theft.
For a nominal sum, you can insure your car and avoid the financial stress of an accident.
Peace of mind. 24/7 protection. It’s what insurance is all about.
Driving is a privilege, but it’s also a huge responsibility. If you remember these tips and put safety first, you can help to make the road safer for everyone else who uses it.
-
Road Swag PH is a trusted partner of reputable insurance companies in the Philippines. We provide comprehensive policies for private and commercial vehicles.
Get a FREE QUOTE here:
⬇️⬇️⬇️
bit.ly/RoadSwagPH
