A Brief Guide to Road Safety for Every Driver

The importance of road safety is a subject that drivers must never forget for the devastation it can cause to everyone involved in a car crash can be massive. According to global statistics, there are 1.25 million reckless road driving deaths per year, a global figure treated as a public health crisis.   They also happen to be a significant cause of accidents that takes the lives of 15- to 29-year-olds.

While it’s drilled into the minds of everyone who applies for a driver’s license, road safety is sometimes ignored by careless and reckless drivers. For those who need a refresher and who are about to take driving lessons, here’s a guide that contains road safety rules you must keep in mind while on the road.

Proper Approach To Traffic Laws And Speeding

Traffic and speeding laws are created to protect all drivers on the road to lessen the occurrences of accidents caused by many factors including violating road rules. Listed below are some of the useful points you can learn by heart in your driving journey.

1. If you’re driving alongside larger vehicles, such as trucks, you shouldn’t cut them off and allow them to come to a stop no matter how slow.

Oversized vehicles are believed to have a blind spot located in front of them. Drivers are said to be won’t likely to see any car trying to get past them fast enough because of this impediment. This places them in a dangerous situation because it’s harder for them to maneuver. The move is also unbecoming, especially when other vehicles are close by along the same lane.

Driving safely requires you to have patience so that the truck driver can avoid rear-ending your car. Giving them more space will help prevent accidents.

2. Keep an eye on stop signs and come to a complete stop once you spot a stop signal. Look for pedestrians crossing or other vehicles before proceeding.
3. If you see a school bus displaying a stop sign to its left, you need to stop because school children are crossing the street. Let them finish first before proceeding to continue on your way.
4. Strictly follow posted speed limits. Going past the allowed speed limit within an area will likely cause you to lose control and cause an accident. Not only will you be spending on speeding ticket fines, but it’ll also affect your insurance premium and cause it to skyrocket. You’ll also have to deal with ordered court appearances and the possibility of license suspensions and loss of driving privileges.
5. Park mindfully. Don’t obstruct fire hydrants, handicapped signs, bus stop zones, and other signs for public usage. Be aware that there are also parking places that need permits and that certain spots come with restrictions such as schedules. Hydrants should be accessible, and the proper authorities should organize parking spaces for everyone’s safety. Otherwise, you could suffer penalties or get your car towed away.
6. If you hear a siren’s wails approaching behind you as you’re driving, it’s better to park your car at the side of the road immediately to check if it’s a patrol car or a fire truck.

Basic Driving Tips

Being a responsible driver isn’t just about learning how to stay within your lane. It’s also making sure that you won’t have any problems maneuvering your car until you reach your destination. Owning a vehicle is a responsibility as it carries lives in it. By improving your driving skills, knowing essential car maintenance methods, and using your car’s safety features, it’s said that you’re more likely to have a smooth and safe drive every time.

Do Safety Checks

Begin the inspection of turn signals and front and rear headlamps to ensure they’re in good working order. The lights should be visible from a few yards away. Check the tire pressure to ensure that it’s still somewhere at a safe maximum. Finally, have a look at the underside of your car to see if there are any leaks present.

Wear Your Seatbelt

An essential precautionary measure that even the most experienced drivers are forgetting is wearing a seatbelt every car ride. Some drivers wear them all the time; a few choose only to wear them during long drives, and others ignore their usage altogether.

Per data from official counts, vehicular accidents are still the number one cause of mortality in the United States, ranging from infants to 54-year-olds. Adults and older children are advised to wear seatbelts as it’s still regarded as the most effective way to avoid injuries and deaths during car crashes.

A seatbelt is considered as your first line of defense in the event of an accident. It’ll prevent your body from extreme ejection during a sudden impact, especially if a vehicle hits from the back or the side of the car.

Take Heed Of Weather Changes

You can’t ignore changing weather patterns and still drive the way you do on an ideal sunny day. During cold and rainy months, the road can get wet or muddy depending on its conditions. Likewise, the cold winter months can cause problems to your car engine, or a thick foggy day can obstruct your view of the road.

It’s best to drive carefully and follow road safety guidelines, and secure an emergency number for towing services and a car jumper in your compartment. Or if the weather is just not going to make the drive safe for you, take a rain check and stay at home for the day.

Take Updated Defensive Driving Lessons

You also need to be aware that some irresponsible drivers will be traveling along the road with you. There is no telling what could happen at any time. It’s still best to be prepared when another vehicle starts acting up in the middle of the road. If you have defensive driving skills, you have a bigger chance of surviving or avoiding a crash.

Any driver of all ages will benefit from taking defensive driving courses. You can’t control the actions of other drivers, but you can still improve your driving skills that can eventually save lives. These courses can help you better prepare to react to other motorists, drive at a speed you can control, and learn to yield at intersections, among others.

Avoid Distractions While Driving

Some of the leading causes of car crashes are driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and using mobile phones while driving. Anything that distracts or impairs your focus on the road can lead to devastating injuries, property loss, or even death. Time and time again, heavy punishments come to those who choose to ignore their responsibilities as car drivers.

You should have the willpower to skip over anything that’ll endanger the lives of yourself and your passengers. If you had a drink on an occasion, call for a cab or have a friend drive you home instead. If you’re also driving on a busy road, don’t answer your phone, switch radio stations, or anything that would cause you to look away from the road.

Conclusion

Road safety includes learning the laws and regulations on traffic, following signs, and taking care of your vehicle and yourself. Driving is a responsibility that not everyone will take seriously. While you can’t control what others do, you can do your job to lessen the risk of causing crashes. Always keep traffic and speeding laws in mind, never drive under the influence, and be sure to have your complete focus on the road at all times.