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Despite the fact that road accidents are on the rise, there are still plenty of ways to avoid becoming a statistic and needing to call on our car recovery service.
Here are 10 tips to help you stay safe on the roads and perhaps avoid a breakdown.
Be A Better Driver With Our Team’s Suggestions
1) The first tip is to check your tyre pressure at least once a month. This ensures that your tyres remain inflated to the correct pressures and helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear. If you notice that one or more of your tyres are low, make sure you inflate to the proper pressure before driving. Remember also that the correct pressure for, say, 2 passengers is different for a full car with some luggage thrown in!
2) Next, always drive within your speed limit. Driving regularly at high speeds increases your chances of being involved in an accident. While travelling below the posted speed limit may not seem like a risk, it could still pose other dangers, such as increased exposure to speeding cars and hazards along the roadway. Also, driving faster than the posted speed limit does little to improve fuel economy. It will also increase your chances of being cited for speeding which could result in points added to your license.
3) Always pay attention to your surroundings when driving. When driving through unfamiliar areas, try to maintain a routine awareness of traffic signals, road signs, construction zones, pedestrian crossings, and other vehicles around you. In addition, make sure to stay alert while driving during rush hour. Being distracted by cell phones, eating, reading, or performing tasks behind the wheel can be fatal.
4) Never text and drive. Text messaging has become a common distraction among drivers. According to a recent driving survey, over 50 per cent of drivers admit to sending or receiving texts while they’re behind the wheel. These distractions can lead to errors in judgement and cause crashes. Needless to say, with such a high imp[act rate, using the mobile in your hand while driving is an offence in the UK.
5) Keep your eyes open while driving. Avoid staring at your phone, GPS, music player, or any other device while behind the wheel. Distractions can seriously affect your ability to drive safely while staring at your phone reduces your peripheral vision, making it harder to spot obstacles or other road hazards. Rather, you should focus on keeping your eyes on the road ahead – the unexpected can happen at any moment.
6) It should go without saying but don’t drink alcohol while driving. Drinking is dangerous for everyone, especially those who are intoxicated. Alcohol affects judgment and reaction times, making it difficult to handle complex situations that can arise i. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair decision-making skills, coordination, and perception.
7) Wear seat belts. Seat belts play a vital role in protecting both passengers and drivers from serious injuries. By wearing a belt, you significantly decrease your chances of suffering severe bodily harm or dying in a crash.
8) Be cautious when parking at night. Many vehicle crashes occur at night because there are fewer streetlights and less visibility. Nighttime driving requires extra caution so slow down, apply steady pressure to the accelerator pedal and ensure that the brake system is working as it should.
9) Use headlights. Headlights are essential tools for safe driving conditions at night. Turn on your lights whenever feasible, whether it’s day or night, especially in bad weather. A well-lit road or motorway makes it easier for others to see you and enables them to better assess your actions when driving.
10) Drive defensively. Defensive driving is a behaviour that involves taking precautions to protect against accidents, such as slowing down and reducing driver error. This includes avoiding risky behaviour when behind the wheel, such as texting and drinking and following the rules of the road. Remember also – slow down when approaching intersections, pedestrian crossings, school zones, rail tracks/crossings and sharp bends in the road.
Concluding thoughts
So, there are our tips to be a better driver when out on the road. More importantly, these suggestions may well help you avoid accidents. Although towing is our business, we’d rather not see road users in challenging situations, at night, in bad weather and more. Use our tips to help improve your driving skills and road awareness.