Driving Tips
General Car Safety :
It is important to remember general car safety when you driving, whether you are going on a long journey or just a quick drive. Here are just a few factors you should always be aware about:
You should adjust your car's headrest to a height behind your head, not your neck, this is to minimise whiplash in case you're in an accident.
Make sure your car has fuel in it. Don't ride around with the gauge on empty, who knows where you might get stranded. This may seem silly but believe me you will not be the first person to be stranded after running out of petrol.
It is also very important not to fiddle with the radio while you are driving. It's better to wait until you can pull over and stop because even taking your focus off the road for a few seconds could lead to an accident. Also regarding Radios it is wise not to blast the radio. You might miss hearing a siren or a horn that could warn you of possible trouble.
Passenger Safety:
As well as driver safety, passenger safety should also be your top priority when driving. You should always wear your seat belt and make sure all passengers are buckle up too, also never try to fit more people in the car than you have seatbelts for them to use.
Don't drive with small children or even small teenage friends as passengers in a front seat that has a passenger-side air bag. They should be buckled up in the back seat. Recent transportation studies show that small children may be injured by the air bags even in low impact collisions. (Actually, it's safer not to drive with friends and kids in the car when you're learning to drive. They can be distracting.)
This is just a few ideas for driver and passenger safety, which could even save lives in an event of an accident.
Laws :
Obeyingthe laws and regulations on the road is vital, it is not difficult to concentrate on the road and be aware of the road users around you. Obeying the speed limits is essential, Going too fast gives you less time to stop or react. Excess speed is one of the main causes of teenage accidents. If doesn’t matter if the road is not busy or you are in a rush, anything can happen when you are speeding and your concentration is poor, there is a speed limit for a reason.
The same goes for red lights, even if you don’t see any cars going the other way, the red light shouldn’t be ignored it is very dangerous, another car could be travelling fast the other way and out of sight.
Don't take drugs or drive if you've taken any. Don't ride with anyone who has been using drugs. Even some over the counter drugs can make you drowsy. Check label for warnings. Drugs and Alcohol alike will affect your judgment when driving and is extremely dangerous for you and everyone around.
Don't talk on the car phone, put on make-up, comb your hair, or eat while driving. People who talk on car phones while driving are four times more likely to have an accident. If you need to make a call, pull off the road to a safe spot and park. Any of these and other distractions could cost you and others their lives; no phone call is that important it can wait.
Again these are only a few examples of laws on the road that you need to adhere too for everyone’s safety.
Car maintenance
Keeping your vehicle road worthy and in good condition is a must; general maintenance could also prevent accidents occurring, and can make driving easier for you. Here are a few things to think about:
Make sure your windshield is clean. At sun rise and sun set, light reflecting off your dirty windshield can momentarily blind you from seeing what's going on.
Use good quality tires and make sure they are inflated to the right pressure (check your owner’s manual for what is right for your tires and car).
Maintain your car. Bald tires, a slipping transmission, or a hesitant engine could lead to accidents.
Use headlights during daylight driving, especially on long stretches of desert highway and rural roads to make you more visible to oncoming drivers.
Knowing the roads
Here are a few other tips, about knowing the road, driving behaviors’ and other factors to watch out for.
Use turn signals to indicate your intention to turn or to change lanes. Turn it on to give the cars behind you enough time to react before you take the action. Also, make sure the signals turns off after you've completed the action.
When light turns green, make sure intersection clears before you go.
Don't drive like you own the road; drive like you own the car.
Watch out for potholes, especially after bad weather.
Be on the lookout for motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians.
When driving to a new place, get complete directions before you go. Figure out what exits you need to take beforehand.