One of the most dangerous things that many people participate in every day is driving. Not only can you get in a car accident that’s your own fault, but you can be in a car accident that’s entirely someone else’s fault.
Accidents can come about for any number of reasons that you generally have very little control over. Because of this, it’s wise to maintain control over the things you can change to help keep yourself a little safer. To show you how this can be done, here are three tips for staying safe when you’re behind the wheel.
Put Away All Distractions
The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe when you’re driving is to minimize all possible distractions. While there are some things that you’re going to have to allow yourself to look at, like your speedometer and the traffic that’s going on around you, all other distractions should be left to deal with when you’re no longer in motion.
According to Charles Crawford, a contributor to LifeHack.org, one of the biggest distractions drivers face today is from their phones. So while you might think that phone call or text that came in needs your immediate attention, it can’t possibly be more important than your life or the lives of others sharing the road with you.
Keep Your Car In Good Working Order
Aside from car accidents being caused by user error, you can also wind up in a car accident if your vehicle malfunctions for one reason or another.
Because of this, Smarter Travel recommends that you keep your car in good working order and always give it a good mechanical checkup before taking a long road trip. Some of the most problematic areas that you should be sure you scope out before hitting the road include things like the wear and inflation of your tires, your fluid levels, and your brakes. If you don’t know how to check or fix these things on your own, make sure you visit a professional to help you.
Sign Up For Roadside Assistance
A big part of staying safe when you’re on the road is having a plan for if and when something does go wrong.
To help you with this, Lorraine Sommerfeld, a contributor to The Globe and Mail, recommends that you sign up for roadside assistance, either through your car dealer and manufacturer, your car insurance carrier, or some other third-party provider. Then, if you do get into some trouble when you’re driving, you can know exactly who to call for prompt help.
To help you keep yourself and others safe on the road, consider using the tips mentioned above to increase your awareness when you’re behind the wheel.
