Car Driving Safety Tips

For many of us, the car has almost become a second home as more Americans find themselves stuck in traffic over 40 hours a week! Besides doing your best to maintain your mode of transportation, here a few tips in driving safety that should be beneficial:




Don't drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These tend to dull your mind and reflexes. Did you know that alcohol is involved in at least half of all fatal crashes?


Keep your mind as well as your eyes exclusively on driving. While driving, don't put on makeup, text message, chat on the cell phone, or eat a meal.


Do not get upset when you encounter a hostile driver. There is no doubt you'll be angry if an obnoxious driver cuts you off, plows through a red light or tailgates. However, dangerous situations are not the time to be competitive or combative.


Beware of falling asleep at the wheel. This results in over 200,000 accidents per year alone. Driving between midnight and seven in the morning is particularly bad. If you are heading off on a long trip, get plenty of rest the night before, wear comfortable clothing, listen to the radio and make frequent stops. If you are experiencing drowsiness, stop at a hotel or motel and get some sleep.


Don't be a 'yellow-light accelerator' or a 'green-light anticipator'. Yellow light accelerators speed through an intersection to beat the red light. Green-light anticipators speed up when they think the light is about to change from red to green. A large number of traffic accidents happen at intersections, and many are due to drivers who second-guess signal changes.


Steer clear of large vehicles like trucks and trailers. Too often your view is blocked. Carefully work your way around them and stay far away (if possible)


Avoid the far left lane except when you need to pass another car. Drivers who like to drive fast usually remain in this lane; insurance company representatives call it the 'death lane.'


Observe all basic driving rules and regulations. Adjust your speed to coincide with weather and traffic conditions.


Wear your seatbelts. This cannot be emphasized enough.
By Kiya Sama