When it comes to getting behind the wheel, the name of the game is safe driving. Sure, it’s fun driving down a stretch of road at night with your favorite tunes playing on the radio, but cars are dangerous and capable of some destructive results. Being a safe driver isn’t difficult as long as you make a habit of it.
Pay Attention to the Road
The average road is littered with billboards, posters, street signs, and more. While these can potentially be distracting, traffic signs tell you everything you need to know about your surroundings. A no outlet sign can help you from reaching a dead end.
As long as you pay attention to the road, you shouldn’t have much trouble staying safe. Unfortunately, the average driver is under the assumption that nothing will happen on the road, that everything remains static. Don’t allow yourself to succumb to distractions, whether it’s putting on makeup or reading through a textbook for some last minute studying. And please, refrain from even touching your phone when you’re driving.
Don’t Drive Drunk
This is pretty obvious. It’s something we learn from school and public service announcements, and yet, people still do it. Over 30 percent of all auto accident fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers.
Alcohol, even at low levels, causes all sorts of impairments, like reduced reaction time, lowered inhibition, and a lack of coordination. At high levels, alcohol will cause blurred vision. Drunk driving is a crime, and you can go to jail if you’re behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.
Drunk driving is simple to avoid: just don’t do it. There’s nothing wrong with getting some drinks and having a fun time, but if you’re planning on going out for drinks, find an alternative means of travel: public transportation, cabs, or designated drivers. Anything is better than the potentially disastrous consequences of driving while drunk.
So, you feel totally “fine,” right? Well, even if you feel like you’re not going to get into an accident, one wrong move could get you pulled over anyway. A DUI is expensive and creates a giant headache in your life.
Don’t Drive Drowsy
The average person tends to lead a pretty busy life filled with work, family, socializing, and everything in between. It’s pretty easy then to be a bit tired throughout the day, but once tired transitions to exhausted, you may want to consider not getting behind the wheel.
A recent study reported that about 20 percent of all accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor, and it’s easy to predict what might happen if a person falls asleep at the wheel. Even on a straight road, a sleeping driver will eventually drift off the road and potentially crash into any obstacles, from trees to signs to poles to other cars.
To avoid this scenario, get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. Sleep deficits can add up and contribute to your feelings of drowsiness on the road. If you’re feeling drowsy on the road, take action immediately. Have a friend take over or find somewhere to take a break and catch some quick Z’s.
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