It’s effortless to get in your vehicle every day and go on toย your mundane business, completely forgetting that you’re in a complex, powerful travelling machine that traverses at high speeds! You might do significant harm to your car and yourself if you aren’t attentive and conscious.
Perhaps you were very conscientious about following the laws of the road while your license (and youthful freedom) were on the line, but as you’ve become more comfortable behind the wheel, you’ve become less so. It’s safe to say you’re not alone. However, this is not a reason to disregard important road safety principles.
We can all play a role in helping to avoid accidents and reduce fatalities and injuries by following some simple road safety guidelines and making sure that your car works wonders by choosing a trusted auto parts and accessories supplier like SumaPerformance.
So, however rich driving experience you may have, here are some important safety tips that we could all benefit from a refresher on.
1. Donโt Take Chances, Have A Car Maintenance
Buying a car is one of the most significant purchases anyone can ever make. However, unlike a house, a vehicle may not be considered as an investment. It is thought to be a depreciating asset, meaning that its value decreases with time.
Every time you get in your car and drive it, you add towards its wear and tear. To increase the value of your vehicle, you must be a responsible vehicle owner. Keeping a car in good condition entails more than simply keeping it clean. So, before being a responsible and safe driver, you must be a responsible car owner.
You must ensure that it is in good, roadworthy condition:
Every two weeks, check the water level consistently,
- Assess that the tires are properly inflated at the correct temperature,
- Never allow the gasoline tank to get close to empty,
- Check the necessary components,
- Keep track of when your car’s battery is about to expire,
- Check the rear and side mirrors, and dashboard lights for functionality; and,
- Use ceramic coating spray to protect your car from road elements. Ceramic coating spray is the pinnacle of paint protection for cars. They provide the most comprehensive protection for your paint against scratches, dust, pollutants, acids, and UV rays, and more!
Don’t take any chances if you detect something strange or odd with your car. Bring it to a technician or an auto repair shop as soon as possible.
2. Keep Any Potential Distractions To A Minimum
Although most individuals are aware that they should not look at their mobile phones while driving, they often keep them close by and may glance at them when a message or call comes in.
It may appear that a quick glance is unimportant, but it is a distraction which raises your accident risk. What’s worse, there is also some positive reinforcement going on. If you’ve peeked at your phone while driving a few times and nothing awful has happened, you might think it’s safe.
Crashes are extremely rare, but taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes on the road for even a few secondsโand we know it’s much longer for a phone or textโis extremely dangerous. If you claim you’ve always done it and never had a problem, it’s because you’ve just been lucky.
Have your phone set in driving mode to reduce distractions. When it detects that you’re driving, it’ll deliver an auto-reply to anybody who messages you, informing them that you’re driving. Or, simply put your phone away!
Also, keep in mind that cell phones aren’t the only source of distraction. Children in the vehicle, food in the car, and coffee in the car may all divert your focus away from the road. Take a break and pull over somewhere safe to finish what you need to finish. It’s not a good idea to try it while driving.
3. Be Aware Of Your Blind Spots
Visibility is critical for driver safety and avoiding crashes on the road, especially if you’re driving a huge commercial vehicle with more blind spots than a typical passenger car.
It’s critical to get familiar with all of your car’s possible blind spots, as well as the blind spots of other cars on the road.
Maintaining a minimum of lane changes and monitoring your side and rear view mirrors at least once in every 10 seconds are the most excellent ways to improve safety and alertness.
4. Donโt Take Substances That May Hamper Your Reaction Time
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that drinking affects thinking, reasoning, and muscular coordination, all of which are critical for operating a car safely. It slows response time and makes it more difficult to make safe decisions.
That is why it is unlawful in the United States to drive with a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08. However, most individuals do not consider all of the additional substances that might impair driving. According to the CDC, it has comparable effects on the brain, including decreasing response time and decision-making capacity, weakening coordination, and distorting perception.
Impairment can also be caused by over-the-counter or prescription medications. Benadryl, which appears to be safe and innocuous, might induce drowsiness and impair your driving ability. If the medicine makes you tired, think about whether you want to drive after taking it.
5. Always, Wear Your Seatbelts
Okay, there are three types of drivers in the world; those who fasten before starting the car, those who ignore seat belts when traveling nearby and then wear them on lengthy drives, and those who appear to ignore safety belts entirely (Don’t be this guy).
Seat belts may save lives, therefore we should all try to be the first to use them. In the event of a collision, seat belts secure you in the car and offer you the best chance of surviving the impact forces.
Either being tossed around within the car or being ejected from it are both extremely dangerous possibilities. Wearing seat belts is among the most effective methods to minimize injuries and fatalities in automobile accidents, according to the CDC.
Seat belts are essential in every passing car, not just your own vehicle. If there is a seat belt available, you should use it.