When you drive regularly, you can forget the safe driving practices you learned in your test years ago. It can be easy to slip into bad habits and forget the dangers of driving. But no one wants to be involved in a car accident (if you are, see these personal injury lawyer near me) and it’s important to be a safety-conscious driver and think of others on the road. So, how can you be a safety-conscious driver?
Know the laws
It can feel like there are a lot of laws to follow when on the road. Whilst some are obvious, like abiding by the speed limit and stopping at traffic lights, other more recent laws include not smoking in a vehicle, wearing a seatbelt and not operating a mobile phone. Generally, these laws are enforced strictly and you could receive a hefty fine if you’re caught out. So, it’s best to remember that the laws are put in place for a reason, and knowing and abiding by them will make you a safer driver. If you’re not sure about some of the laws, do your research.
Abide by the speed limit
Possibly the most important law – and the one that is so often broken – is abiding by the speed limit. Whilst it might be tempting to drive a little faster than you should, especially if you’re running late, the speed limit is put in place for a reason. Certain areas have lower speed limits, such as near schools or city centres and you create a risk to pedestrians and other drivers if you ignore it. So, be safety conscious, and stick to the speed limit.
Check your vehicle
Many accidents happen on the roads when vehicles experience faults and break down. It’s particularly dangerous if your brakes aren’t working properly, because you could crash into another vehicle. So, get into the habit of regularly doing brake tests and make sure you get your annual MOT.
Avoid distractions
Whilst it’s impossible to avoid all distractions when driving and you might want some entertainment on a long journey, there are certain things you can do to be safer. For example, it’s easy to be distracted by a satnav or radio that you need to adjust regularly. So, to be safer, you might want to pull over when it needs adjusting. Likewise, eating and drinking in the car can be distracting. So, make use of service stations and take a break when you want to eat.
Follow the signs
If you’re a regular driver, you’ll know how many road signs there are. But many drivers don’t actually know what they all mean. Whilst drivers must study the road signs and their meanings when they take their driving theory, it can be easy to forget once you start driving. So, to be more safety-conscious, brush up on your road sign knowledge and the appropriate way to respond. You’ll be a safer, more confident driver for it.
