Road accidents happen, and sometimes they will happen regardless of how well you drive. Whether you have had your license for over 30 years or got it just the other day, there are things that you can do to drive better. There are numerous articles about the top causes of accidents and at the very top of all the lists are distracted driving and tiredness. This article will look at five of the most basic means to avoid these types of accidents on the road.
Rest
Many drivers agree that stopping when tired is important, but it is just as important to start off fresh. This is one of the major causes of road traffic accidents and has specifically affected truckers and long-distance drivers who need to meet timed schedules and are always chasing time. Don’t set off on a trip unless you are well-rested, and then ensure that you stay hydrated and take regular breaks to refresh.
Take breaks
If you’re driving more than 2 hours in a row, then you need to consider stopping to rest for 15 mins for each two-hour stint at the wheel. Either stop every 100 miles or at least once every two hours of driving. Various state regulations insist on having trackers for driving times of HGV drivers and the same principle should be followed by private road users and drivers. The human body can only focus and stay alert for so long without rest, and as such, the rest times and ratios mentioned above should be followed by all.
Keep focused
Being able to keep your focus on the road in front of you is vital. The mantra when driving should be to check the mirrors, check the road and stay focused on what’s in front of you. Being able to make emergency maneuvers to avoid sudden stops, lane changes and more is the idea and keeping focused is the only way to do this. Slow down, look and listen.
Change your dash set up to suit your driving and tech needs
One of the common causes of accidents is reaching for the music or temperature controls and losing control of the wheel for a split second, which can have disastrous consequences. Hence the number of vehicles with steering or voice control for music and maps. There are also various tech additions that many add to the dash that can be distracting. One of the best ways to avoid this is to have a bespoke or updated dash fitted – see the examples at thewireszone.com – as there are a number of custom dashboards that will allow you to replace and redesign some of the buttons and knobs to make them easier and safer to reach. The aim is to avoid distractions and make driving safer.
Keep the vehicle maintained
Having a vehicle that is in good condition is paramount for road safety. The age-old adage is indeed true, and it really doesn’t matter how fast your vehicle can go, what’s important is how fast and how safe it can come to a stop. If the breaks and essential safety components are not in tip-top condition, then none of the above will serve to keep you safe in an emergency. Keep the vehicle maintained, and it could save your life.
Road accidents are common and can have a deadly effect on those involved as well as their families. This article has looked at the most basic issues that you can do today to begin to protect you and those in your vehicle as well as the other road users out there.
