Want to improve staying safe on the road? Keep you and your family safe by paying attention to how well you’re driving and how you can improve. No matter how long you have been driving, there are still cautious ways of driving to be reminded of! We at Harris Automotive wanted to give you eight ways to become a better driver. Become a safer driver to prevent accidents, unnecessary repairs, and for the safety of other drivers on the road.
1. Keep your hands on the wheel.
This step is an easy one! Keep your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock. You may have learned this in drivers’ school, and it is still true today. Avoid only using one hand or none. Make sure to have both hands on the wheel at all times because you never know what will happen around you. You may need to steer a certain way unexpectedly, so be ready at all times.
2. Keep your eyes on the road.
This one is a no-brainer. I know your kids and family can be distracting at times; everyone deals with it. But try your best to tune out the distractions and keep your eyes forward on the road. Double scan the road as you turn or back up. It’s better to be overly cautious and to drive a bit slower to avoid accidents.
3. Don’t look at your phone.
This is probably one of the most tempting things to do today, especially in our highly engaged digital world. Fight the urge to answer that text message or even phone call. Though it may be legal to make a phone call, we suggest waiting until you have arrived at your destination to do so. It’s best to stay focused on the road, and that can be hard if you are on the phone.
4. Give drivers plenty of room.
Be safe while also being courteous on the road by allowing a good amount of space between you and other vehicles. If you can see the back of the tires of the car in front of you, you are at a good distance. Try to avoid being on another driver’s tail; it can also be quite rude. We know you may be in a hurry, but it’s better to be safe and not upset another driver on the road.
5. Keep it slow.
That’s right, don’t rush on the road! Keep it slow and take your time at all times, except for medical emergencies. An easy way to allow yourself to drive nice and slow and steady without feeling rushed is by leaving a bit earlier than normal to get from one destination to another. It will give you peace of mind knowing if you come up to unexpected stops, you allowed enough time to get there on time with delays.
6. Don’t ride on your brakes.
Be easy with your brakes. By this, we mean don’t tap your brakes every five seconds. This can be annoying and unsafe to you and other drivers. Find a good distance between you and the driver in front of you, and remain there, only braking when you need to. Make sure to do the same when turning and changing lanes as well!
7. Watch other drivers.
This is one of the top tips we suggest using right away! Sometimes watching other drivers will put you in the safest position as a driver. When you are constantly aware of other drivers around you, you can dodge unwanted situations or accidents. So, keep your eyes peeled for drivers the next time you get on the road!
8. Adjust your mirrors properly.
This can take some time to fully master, especially if you have a new vehicle. Get used to positioning your mirrors along with your seat position. This will allow you to see everything clearly around you and stay safe. Make sure to still check your blind spots when merging! Adjusting your mirrors correctly will give you a view to stay safe and clear on the road with no unwanted accidents.
We hope these eight tips have given you more confidence while driving. Implement these easy steps to improve on the road to stay safe. Talk to your young drivers about them as well! We at Harris Automotive hope to inspire you to become a better driver.