Whether youโre a newly qualified driver hitting the open road for the first time, or a seasoned veteran whose driving skills have been etched into your muscle memory, safe driving is essential at any stage of life, and accidents can happen at any time, regardless of if you’ve had driving lessons and no matter how long youโve actually been driving for.
Staying safe on the road is essential not only for you but for the safety of others, too, such as fellow drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists, which is why these 4 driving hacks should help you.
Know What to Do in the Event of an Accident
First and foremost, one of the most important driving hacks is staying safe!!! This means knowing what to do should the worst happen. The aim is always to avoid an accident, naturally, but whilst on the road, it may be the case that an accident is not your fault and is caused by others, no matter how safe a driver you are. When this happens, itโs essential to know what to do in order to keep yourself safe and protected.
This includes:
- Knowing who to contact in the event of an accident and ensuring you always have the means of contact, such as locating a public phone or using your cell phone
- Understanding your hazard lights and when to put them on
- Vacating your car and removing yourself to a safe space if possible
Your own safety is paramount, and itโs always possible to contact a personal injury solicitor after the event to claim compensation for an accident which wasnโt your fault.
Understand How to Drive in Certain Conditions
Another one of our top driving hacks is being prepared for anything! It may be that there are certain extreme weather conditions that youโve never had to experience. Perhaps youโre a new driver whose lessons were always during bright and dry days, or maybe you live in a climate that is only accustomed to hot weather. What this means is that if heavy snow or rain hits, you may be very unsure regarding the safest way to drive in these conditions. Not to mention it can be a great cause of anxiety to battle these elements for the first time.
Do your research before a road trip so that youโre prepared in advance. This includes knowing when to slow down, when to keep your distance and how to handle your wheels skidding or slipping on the road.
Plan Your Route
Nothing is more distracting than not knowing where you are or where youโre going. Even with a GPS to assist you, not having a general idea of your route ahead of time means youโre constantly assessing the GPS instead of paying attention to the road.
One of our favorite driving hacks is planning your route! While this may seem obvious to some, for others its now. Planning your stops in a certain order means you can feel more comfortable and confident whilst driving. Itโs also a good idea to learn how to read a road map if your GPS should fail.
Keep Your Distance
Despite how careful you are, other drivers may be very neglectful, and thereโs always the risk that they could veer off without using their turn signal or slam on the brakes without warning. While this is more common sense than driving hacks, be sure to keep enough distance to allow for any eventuality.
