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5 Safe Driving Tips
Every time you get behind the wheel, you should have safety at the forefront of your mind. It goes without saying that reckless driving is extremely dangerous, and can result in accidents, severe injury, and in worst cases, death. Take the state of Texas for example, whose fatal crashes have gone up by 5.45% this year alone due to careless driving.
While you may not be able to control how everyone else drives, you can definitely control how you drive. Altogether, it is your responsibility to ensure that your driving practices are safe. To that effect, here are five helpful tips to stay safe while you drive.
1. Always wear your seatbelt
The most important safety tip while driving is to always wear your seatbelt. Wearing your seatbelt greatly reduces the chances of you getting hurt or injured in the possible event of an accident. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the use of a seatbelt cuts down the number of severe injuries and death caused by crash accidents by almost half. It is equally important to point out that not wearing a seatbelt while you drive can attract a fine in most countries.
2. Remain alert
When on the road, it is paramount to constantly be in a state of alertness. Be aware of your surroundings as well as all your actions as you drive. In the same way, pay attention to the drivers around you so that you’ll be able to notice if anything is wrong. Ensure that you are not distracted by calls; in fact, it is advisable for you to pull over whenever you want to receive a call.
3. Consider the weather
Driving on a clear and sunny day can feel like you’re coasting by, but it’s a whole different story when the weather isn’t as favorable. When you are driving in the rain, in the midst of a fog or in snowy weather, you should ensure that you’re practicing a little more restraint and precaution. You see, the roads can get more slippery, so you don’t want to speed in conditions like that. Also, using your wiper blades can help you see the road more clearly if the weather is impairing visibility.
4. Obey the traffic lights and signs
The traffic lights on the road are not mere suggestions, and neither are the traffic signs. Running through a red light or driving faster than the speed limit is an offense and can earn you a steep fine. Similarly, pay attention to the yellow light seeing as it’s there to send you a signal to either prepare to slow down before it turns red or to move before it turns green.
5. Be patient
A lot of road accidents are as a result of impatient drivers trying to rush to their destination. The road is not a place to rush. While getting to your destination may be time-sensitive, it is much safer to be patient. After all, the aim is to get to your destination in one piece.
