Good, safe and responsible driving is an obligation for everyone on the road. That is the serious part. The easy part is if you apply simple rules and techniques, it can become second nature. This not only helps you avoid mistakes but also avoid being the victim of other’s mistakes. Here we try to give you simple methods to avoid problems and be ready for those unexpected surprises.
We also have a section on Teen/First time driver advice for parents. How to approach the education of a new driver, what can be done to make it less stressful for both the teacher and driver and information about helping student drivers with ADHD.
If you are an experienced driver this can be a refresher…and honestly…we all can use it. If you are new driver this gives you the common sense methods to stay out of trouble until while learning as well as developing good techniques that once learned, become easy habits.
• Stay away from a mad driver. Anger clouds judgment…for any driver.
• In slow traffic, make sure that you pay full attention on the road and do not keep too close to the car in front of you. Keep at least a car length when in crawling traffic.
• At an intersection, when the light turns green in your favor, do not speed off immediately. Instead check to see whether any car runs the red light from the side road. Do a full turn of the head and a quick 1,2,3 count before proceeding.
• Concentrate on the road, look frequently at your rear view and side view mirrors to ensure you know the traffic around your car. You may need to change lane if the car in front of you suddenly stop, but before you change lane make sure you know whether there is any car or oncoming cars on the lanes beside you. Being aware of your surroundings can prevent being surprised.
• Do not use the mobile phone, if you really have to use one, attach a hands-free kit. It is a fact that using a cell while driving is comparable to alcohol impaired driving in accident frequency.
• Experience is the best teacher. Nothing can replace time behind the wheel and for a new driver, nothing is better than a lot of time practicing with an experienced driver in the passenger seat. Approaching driving like a professional gives you the edge and professionals take what they do seriously.
• Tires are important for providing control of the car especially in wet weather conditions. Check the tires every two weeks when the tires are cold. Wearing at the center of the tire indicates over-inflation whereas wearing at the outer rim indicates under-inflation.
Handy Tips To Make Driving Enjoyable
• It is better to get to your destination in one piece than never at all. Going fast really only makes a difference of just a few minutes in most cases and yet your chances of getting into an accident increases 17% for every five miles over the speed limit.
• Do not squeeze in more people than the number of seat belts there are.
• Buckle up your seat belts and ensure that both the front and rear seat passengers buckle up theirs too.
• Turn your head and check the blind side of your car to the lane that you are attempting to filter to. This is the MOST forgotten trick to avoiding accidents while changing lanes!
• If you drink, go public i.e. take a cab or the public transport or have your sober friends drive you back. If for no reason other than the enormous cost and humiliation a DUI brings.
• If you are stressed or tired, drive to the road shoulder or a car park and take a breather or a nap first. Being tired is one of the leading causes of single car accidents.
• Keep a pair of sunglass in the car compartment in case of direct strong sunlight. A pair or reading glasses are good too if you usually need them for close up viewing.
• Never play music so loud that you cannot hear the environment. Someone may honk at you to warn you about something. Do not wear headphones while driving!
• Do not overrun red lights. You never know when someone is “timing” the light on the green side.
• Keep cool, if the driver behind keeps too close to your car indicating that he wants to overtake you, let him do so. Think positive, he may have a valid reason to be in a hurry. In any case, you have better things to think about while driving then the car behind you pressuring you.
• Keep your glove compartment stocked with a local street directory, flashlight and car owner's manual.
• Keep an emergency kit comprising a reflective triangle, first aid kit, gloves, jumper cables, tool kit, cloth, water etc. in your car. The most common reasons for car breakdown are flat tires and batteries.
• In case of breakdown, move your car to the side of the road and put up the necessary signage for e.g., the reflective triangle, giving ample notice to any oncoming car. If you intend to change your tire, make sure you are not in the way of oncoming cars.
• To keep safe from air bags, wear the seat belt and sit so that one's breastbone is at least 20 cm from where the air bags puffs out. Never put a child in the front seat, if this cannot be avoided, place your biggest child in front and slide the seat as far back as possible.
• A child safety seat is the first choice for the child sitting on the back seat. Make sure you get the right size for your child.
Source ; http://www.guidetosafedriving.com/
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