From speeding through traffic lights to outrunning police officers, reckless driving behaviors can skyrocket your risk of falling victim to life-altering vehicle collisions therefore you need to read these safe-driving tips. Wondering if you belong to the club of thrill-seeking and rule-breaking drivers? Consider these textbook reckless choices, including passing on a blind curve, racing other cars, and ignoring railroad barriers. For those with a long-standing history of these driving infractions, it may be time to put your driving habits under a microscope and enroll yourself in Reckless Drivers Anonymous.
While daredevil drivers may shrug off their red-light-running tendencies, these mistakes far too often lead to motor vehicle accidents with potentially devastating consequences. Collisions can take quite a toll on drivers--both emotionally and physically.
For example, victims might suffer from debilitating psychological trauma and sleep disturbances or whiplash and bone fractures. These injuries may require physical therapy and long-term care, resulting in a significant financial commitment. To add insult to injury, a damaged vehicle can have a seismic impact on your wallet, especially if you have to replace the car altogether.
While a vehicle purchase may seem like a one-and-done expense, the hidden costs of buying a car can take a toll on any frugal vehicle owner. With financing charges, state licensing fees, insurance premiums, and maintenance repairs, stretching out your vehicle`s lifespan is a must for the penny-pinching driver.
Those drivers hoping to extend their vehicle`s lifespan should avoid putting themselves in these precarious circumstances by adhering to the following tips.
Take a defensive driving course.
If you want to protect your vehicle and bolster your security, try signing up for a defensive driving class. You`ll brush up on the safest techniques and learn relevant skills, like how to abide by a reasonable following distance and handle fatigue while on the road.
The course will also teach you how to control your car in emergencies and respond to road rage. If you`re on the fence about enrolling in a defensive driving class, consider the long-term benefits of saving driving habits.
Banish distractions
Whether plugging an address into the GPS or stealing a glance at a new message, a driver will run into distractions around every corner. That said, minimizing these safety-threatening gadgets is essential when it comes to driving responsibly and consciously.
Electronic devices like radios and cell phones are the ultimate offenders, especially since they`re difficult to ignore. Eating on the road also poses a threat to your safety by drastically slowing your reaction time. If you want to avoid accidents and injuries, it`s imperative to utilize your full attention whenever you`re in the driver`s seat.
Don`t drink and drive
While driving under the influence is extremely dangerous, it`s more common than you`d think. Thousands of people are killed in drunk driving crashes each year. If you have too much to drink during a night on the town, stepping into the driver`s seat is a deadly mistake.
Try calling a cab, designating a sober driver, or using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Employing one of these safer options might be the most critical decision you ever make.
Slow down
When you`re in a rush, it can be challenging to observe the legal speed limit. Impatience makes it all too enticing to race ahead, switch lanes without signaling, and pass cars just to move up a few spaces.
The ugly truth is that this behavior frequently leads to crashes and collisions. Next time you`re tempted to speed, remember that shaving a few minutes off your drive isn`t worth the risk.
Stay alert
Driving while drowsy is a growing problem in the United States. 20% of surveyed Americans report that they`ve fallen asleep at the wheel sometime during the previous year.
Fortunately, this issue is avoidable as long as you take a few necessary precautions before stepping into your vehicle. Try to log more hours of sleep each night, check to make sure that your medication doesn`t cause drowsiness, and pull over if you start to feel too tired.
Prevent road rage
Feelings of irritation are virtually inevitable during your morning commute. Maybe you`re sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, or perhaps another car cuts you off.
Your frustration might give way to anger and intensify when you`re stuck behind the wheel. Regardless of your trigger, this anger can result in aggressive road rage and lead to tragic accidents. Fend off dire consequences by vowing to be tolerant and forgiving of other drivers.
Respect the rules
While simple and straightforward, this tip is paramount. Adhering to traffic laws is the most effective way to prevent accidents of any kind. Be sure to follow all posted rules whenever you`re driving, including obeying every traffic light you encounter during your trip. Taking these suggestions to heart will not only extend your vehicle`s life but lengthen your own in the process.