Some people love to drive, some people do it because they have to. Very few Americans do not drive or do not want to drive. The point is, almost everyone drives. And we as humans are prone to commit mistakes while on the road. Not everyone can always be super attentive while on the road, but if you are driving, there are certain rules you need to follow.
It doesn’t matter if you are driving with your family in an old Chrysler Pacifica or driving in your new Chrysler 300, you should definitely not do these few things while driving a car. We have made a list; in case you do not forget:
Using the phone while driving
Yes, we are in the 21st century and we are consumed by smartphones. As fun as it might be to talk to your friends while driving your car, or texting your loved ones, it can prove to be fatal. Texting and driving constitute a majority of road accidents these days. When using a phone, you are so distracted by the phone that you do not pay attention to the road and it can lead to fatality. So, never text or call while driving.
Driving under the influence
Well, this is another thing that people know they shouldn’t do, but still, end up doing. As much as you are confident that you are okay to drive after a few shots at your friend’s birthday party, we know you are not okay to drive. Not only will it get you into trouble with the police if caught, but it might also lead to some deadly accident. You might not even realize it, but you may hit other objects or pedestrians and injure them. Be a good citizen and do not drink and drive.
Driving while tired
Driving while being tired or exhausted is also extremely dangerous. While your body is tired, you have slower reaction times and you are basically impaired with the outside world. You might even fall asleep at the wheel. Of course, that will lead to fatal accidents. Always make sure you are well-rested and active while driving a car. Even if you are going on a long trip, make sure to take periodic breaks to not overstress your body.
Speeding
Everyone loves speeding. That is acceptable when you are at a race track or on the Autobahn, but not acceptable when you are cruising through your town. It is the major cause of traffic accidents in the US, according to NHTSA. The faster you go, the faster it will take for your car to stop. In certain situations, that can lead to a crash. Speeding in an intersection will also have a fatal outcome. You may also harm pedestrians. Do not overspeed unless the road is empty or you are going somewhere urgently.
Ignoring the seatbelt
Here is another big no-no. Put your seatbelt on, and you are much safer inside your car than you would have been otherwise, without it. NHTSA states that seatbelts saved 75,000 people between 2004 and 2008. If you are not wearing your seatbelt and a crash occurs, you will go flying out of your car. That wouldn’t be fun, right? A seatbelt keeps you stuck to the seat and makes sure you have proper contact with the airbag in the case of a crash.
Using headphones or earphones
Using headphones can also be fatal, though not always. Listening to music on headphones while driving a car will not allow you to listen to your surroundings. You may also get distracted by the music and not pay your full attention to the road. You might not know how important sound is, while on a busy road. Listen to music on your car’s speakers, if you really want to.
Driving too close to another vehicle
Driving extremely close to another vehicle is called tailgating. You must avoid tailgating. You never know what is going on the road. As a result, you are not aware of when the vehicle ahead of you might slam the brakes. If you are tailgating, and the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops, you won’t have enough time to come to a halt and it would result in a crash. This is why you must always keep a distance of a car or two between the car in front of you and your car.
Driving with the seat too far back
Driving in a comfortable position is pretty relaxing. However, you must avoid driving your car with the seat too far back. In such a situation, there is no guarantee that you can reach the pedals or the wheel quickly enough in the case of a problem. Apart from that, there can also be the need to use lights and wipers quickly. Failure to do so might cause problems.
Not paying attention to your surroundings
When you are driving through a city, IMPROV New Jersey you must always pay close attention to the road in front of you. Also, check the sides. There is no guarantee that a pedestrian might not come in front of your car. This is why you should maintain a speed limit. Other than that, you must also look out for children as they are not always aware of what’s going on. Avoid hitting pedestrians at all costs. People might be careless; you shouldn’t be too. Practicing defensive driving might be old school, but it will always keep you, and other road users safe!
Road rage
We get it. Sometimes, other people can get on our nerves, and it’s tough to control our emotions. However, road rage and aggressive driving contribute to 56% of all fatal car crashes. Not only will it impair you from driving calmly and carefully, but a heated road rage incident can also trigger a heart attack later, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Always try to maintain your cool and drive calmly.
Reckless driving in hostile weather
When the weather turns hostile, such as heavy rain or heavy snowfall, your best bet is to pay close attention to your surroundings and do not overspeed at any cost. Your car might skid out of control and cause an accident not just for you, but also for the other things you might be hitting. When the weather gets rough, you need to get tougher. Always pay close attention to the surroundings, get a feel of the road, and drive accordingly.
