5 Pieces of Road Safety Advice Everyone Should Be Following
Every year, more than 38,000 people die in vehicle crashes in the U.S.
The average American drives almost 11,000 miles a year, amounting to more than 290 hours in their car on the road.
It’s easy to get comfy driving when you do it so often, but that doesn’t mean you should get lax about road safety.
Whether you’re driving a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle, you need to follow some basic road safety practices to avoid the risk of accidents and injuries. Generally, getting involved in a road accident can be daunting and frustrating. The other parties involved may sue you if they find you at fault.
If you’re injured, your life may also change depending on the extent of your injuries. For instance, you may have to stop working for some time to recover and heal from the injuries sustained in an accident. Unfortunately, doing so could mean lost wages and the ability to earn. Due to these circumstances, it’s important to exercise extra caution when driving.
Let’s take a look at five pieces of road safety advice to make sure you and your family get where you’re headed safely.
1. Don’t Drive When You’re Impaired
It should go without saying that you should never, ever drink and drive.
There are quite a few other means of being impaired, though, and just because you haven’t had anything to drink doesn’t mean that you’re safe to drive. Even being tired can change your ability to react and make good decisions.
This applies especially to truckers. This is why any freight broker will have standard operating procedures (SOP) when managing truck driver behavior. Companies in this industry don’t tolerate driving when impaired because such behavior could lead to accidents. In addition, drivers found to be impaired while driving are disqualified from getting workers compensation benefits should they sustain physical injury because of a truck accident.
2. Be Attentive
One of the most important road safety tips for everyone is to be attentive. This goes for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. While out on the road, other drivers, bikers, or walkers can do something unexpected at any time.
When you’re driving a car, you’re in command of a powerful, 3,000-pound object. It’s absolutely necessary that you be completely attentive at all times for your safety and for the safety of everyone around you.
If you’re a truck driver, you should be attentive to vehicles before speeding up or changing lanes to avoid an accident. While truck drivers have a good forward view and big mirrors, serious blind spots exist wherein a smaller vehicle can disappear from sight. These blind spot areas are found directly behind and in front and on both sides—especially on the truck’s right side.
In addition, recreational vehicles and motorhomes also have blind spots. When you’re renting one for your out-of-town vacation, be attentive when driving and learn where the blind spots are. The blind spots of RVs and motorhomes are usually in front, which can pose a significant risk when you’re on a campground where children are around. So, never underestimate a large vehicle. Familiarize yourself with the RV or motorhome and exercise extreme caution every step of the way.
3. Avoid Distractions
Texting or otherwise playing with your phone while driving is a big no-no. While it’s common for people to hold conversations while driving, be careful that you aren’t so engrossed in the conversation that you aren’t paying attention.
4. Obey All Signs and Speed Limits
Speed limits and other road directives exist for reasons. Not only will obeying traffic signs and speed limits ensure that you are driving as safely as possible, but it also makes it far less likely that you’ll get pulled over by the police.
When you think about it, there is very little reason to speed in the first place. Not only are you putting yourself and others at danger, but for most trips you likely aren’t shaving that much time off of your travel time.
5. Avoid Assumptions
Never assume that what other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians are going to do. Driving is an activity that can only be done when you’re on your toes. Never make the assumption that another driver is going to do what you think they should do, and you should expect them to be unpredictable.
For example, if you’re someone who rides their mountain bike on the road, avoid assuming that other motorists can readily see you. Due to a bicycle’s size, many drivers can’t always notice the bikers beside them, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
So, to avoid these unfortunate incidents, you need to help other motorists know you’re around. You can add lights, a bell, or an air horn to your bike. Likewise, if you intend to use your mountain bike on the road more frequently, you may also need to check its agility and maneuverability when choosing the right one. Doing so allows you to pick an e mountain bike with great control to help you stay safe against road accidents.
Road Safety Advice: Driving Should Always Be Taken Seriously
It’s common to drive so often that it becomes something you don’t think much about. It’s important to always keep in mind that it’s vital to take driving seriously and to stay attentive at all times. Familiarizing yourself with the road safety tips mentioned above will ensure that you know how to drive safely.
Did you find this article with road safety advice useful? If so, be sure to check out our blog for more educational and entertaining articles!