Nowadays, manufacturers and car companies are getting out of their way to make cars safer and easier to drive. Not only that, but over the last few decades, private organizations and even the government have made tons of advertisements and commercials about the importance of Safe While Driving on the road.Â
Of course, whether that made us into better and safer drivers is up to debate, but since we’re having fewer road accidents nowadays, we can safely say that those advertisements have done their job greatly. Of course, with the help of technology, the number of accidents continues to go down.Â
Aside from that, all that is left is human error, mainly due to rash decisions. That means that even though you’re driving the safest car that there is, if you’re not careful when you drive, you’re still going to be prone to accidents. With that said, how exactly are you going to keep safe while driving? Here are some tips you might want to know.
Don’t Drive Drunk
One of the most common contributors to road accidents is liquor, specifically drunk driving. Alcohol itself can cause multiple impairments that are important in driving a vehicle. Even at lower blood-alcohol levels, it can still be fatal while on the road. It is even more so at higher levels because it can cause you double or blurred vision, sleepiness, and even loss of consciousness.Â
While these symptoms are normal for a drunk person, they can be dangerous for the person behind the wheel. Drunk driving isn’t just a bad idea, though, because it’s also a crime. In the US, if you’re caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, you’re most probably going to spend the night in jail.Â
Luckily for you, it’s easily avoidable to drive drunk because it’s mostly your choice. That said, if you’re drunk and want to go home, you might as well call a cab or have a friend drive you home.
Don’t Speed
Speed kills, as that one public service campaign says. Unfortunately, while the saying itself is catchy, it’s true. Speeding is still one of the most common, if not the most common, contributors to road accidents. For every mile per hour you drive, your risk of getting into an accident increases, and needless to say, the more miles per hour you drive, the greater the chance of getting into an accident.Â
Sure, you’re probably in a hurry to get to a place you need to be, but getting there late instead of not getting there at all is better, right? For an average drive across your town, driving for at least ten mph is just going to save you a few minutes while increasing your probability of an accident by at least 50%.Â
Some might even think that it’s not fast enough to get into an accident. However, you’ll be probably surprised to know that even with lower speeds, the probability of an accident is still significant to not ignore.
Don’t Drive While You’re Sleepy
If a driver is so tired that they can fall asleep while driving, the results are predictable. Even when you’re on a relatively straight highway, the chances of you getting into an accident while driving sleepy is more than 90%. You’ll be stopped eventually, of course, by road signs, trees, cars, and poles, but surely, nobody wants that.
Also, it’s quite common for people to eventually be drowsy while driving even if they started their drive fully awake. With the lull of the car and the cold breeze, especially when you’re in the countryside, it’s quite hard for you not to feel drowsy. Sure, it might be just a little yawn at first but being full-on drowsy is inevitable.
The solution here is simple. If you didn’t get a complete 8 hours of sleep, then maybe you shouldn’t drive, especially when you’re planning to drive long distances. Failure to get enough sleep will give you a sleep deficit that can make you tired, resulting in inattentiveness on the road, which can ultimately result in an accident. Of course, we all have somewhere to go to, but again, it’s better to be late than never.
Always Wear Your Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives. If worn properly, it can prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle in case of a full stop. Everyone has heard stories of freak accidents that should have been prevented if they only wore their seat belts. Even if these stories are highly exaggerated, seatbelts can indeed prevent you from having undesirable deaths.
Even with a low-speed crash, you can still get thrown away from your seat and send you careening towards the windshield, which can lead to severe head trauma or broken bones at the very least. Sounds scary? If so, buckle up, folks and always check your tires before traveling to avoid ticket for bald tires.
Final Words
There are many ways for a person to keep themselves Safe While Driving. While the points talked about above are universal tips, you will be surprised how many people often forget or straight up ignore these rules. If you’re looking to know more about safe driving, there are a lot of websites out there that can help you, like https://onroad.com.au/. That said, always remember that by following these points, you’re not only protecting yourself but also the lives of your passengers and fellow drivers.
