Some driving safety tips are fairly basic. You probably already know it’s important to obey the speed limit, maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and others, etc.
That said, there are also other safe driving tips that are easy to overlook. The following are some of the more noteworthy. Keep them in mind to minimize the risk to yourself (and other drivers on the road);
Easily-Overlooked Safe Driving Tips You Need to Know About
Check for Blind Spots
Depending on the model of car you own, your vehicle may have some blind spots. It’s important to check for them. Knowing where your blind spots are will help you better determine how to make safe driving choices on highways.
Be Honest About Your Road Rage
Statistics indicate a very large percentage of car accidents are the result of road rage. Yes, it can be extremely frustrating when you feel another driver isn’t operating their vehicle properly. However, allowing your frustration to affect your own decisions behind the wheel will only make an already dangerous situation even worse.
Many people experience road rage. You shouldn’t necessarily feel ashamed of yourself if you’re one of those people. Instead, you should honestly assess whether you’re prone to road rage. If you are, decide what you can do to get control of your feelings when frustration arises.
Give Yourself a Break
This point is particularly important to keep in mind if you’re the type of driver who often takes long trips. Driving defensively and actively monitoring your surroundings can be draining. You may become tired behind the wheel sooner than you would have expected. Thus, if you know you’ll be driving for a long time, plan your trip early, making sure you identify opportunities to take breaks when you need them.
Keep Your Windshield Clean
Cleaning your windshield on a regular basis doesn’t merely improve your car’s appearance. It can also optimize your ability to see what’s in front of you on the road. Many drivers don’t realize just how much a dirty windshield can obscure their view. By keeping yours clean, you’ll be more likely to notice obstructions and other dangers early, giving you better opportunities to avoid them.
Adjust Your Headrest the Right Way
Just as many drivers fail to realize how important a clean windshield is, plenty of other drivers also don’t know the headrest absolutely should not be used to support their necks. It’s called a headrest for a reason. It should support your head. While your goal is to avoid accidents in any way possible, if you do get involved in a collision, having your headrest properly adjusted will guard against whiplash.
Plan Ahead
Are you driving your car because you’re heading to an important appointment? If so, make sure you schedule your day so you can leave early. Too many drivers get into accidents because they’re in a rush.
Once again, practicing safe driving isn’t just about protecting yourself. You also have a responsibility to protect other drivers. These tips will help you do so.
