If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re researching how to improve your driving skills. Driving is a routine behaviour for most seasoned drivers, and once we get behind the wheel, it doesn’t require a lot of thinking on our part. As a result, it makes sense that we should all form safe driving habits to make the highways safer for all users.
While improved safety is the consequence of good driving habits, there are additional advantages, such as ensuring that your car is in excellent operating condition and avoiding costly repairs.
If you want to be a great driver, start by creating a list of excellent driving habits. Here are some pointers for being an excellent driver.
1.) Focus, focus, focus
Being hyper-focused is a must. Avoid allowing your thoughts to stray; if you’re thinking about your meeting with your boss or preparing your grocery list, you’re not paying attention. Keep your hands on the wheel and look forward while driving to avoid distractions such as texting, checking social media, adjusting the radio settings, or engaging in excessive conversation with passengers.
2.) Follow the speed limit
A good place to begin if you want to learn how to be a safe driver is to follow the posted speed limits. It’s important to pay attention to the posted speed limits and make sure you don’t go over them. Also, keep in mind that the maximum speed limit isn’t a suggested one. Adjust your driving technique based on time of day, traffic flow, as well as weather and road conditions. If you’re approaching a school zone or a residential street, be aware of the speed restrictions and drive carefully.
3.) Remember to perform regular maintenance.
This is one of our all-time favourite tips for being a safe driver from Fix Auto. Make sure you maintain your car on a regular basis to ensure it lasts and to prevent costly repairs in the future. Check, or have a professional check, your automobile’s fluids, including oil, transmission fluid, brake and power steering fluid, and coolant to make sure they’re at the right level. In the long run, ensuring that they are at the correct fluid level will result in improved fuel efficiency while avoiding expensive repairs. It also implies always keeping your tires properly inflated. This cannot be stressed enough, given that underinflated tires cause 660 highway fatalities and 33,000 injuries every year. Check the pressure in your tires and tread, and rotate them on a regular basis. Now is the time to develop good driving habits for your vehicle, so you’ll reap the benefits later on.
4.) Make it a habit to check for blind spots.
This should be at the top of your good driving habits list. It’s critical to look in all directions after reviewing your rearview and side mirrors. Turning one’s head to ensure that no vehicles or pedestrians approach is part of this procedure. Keep an eye out for small cars and motorbikes, which tend to change lanes a lot and are difficult to detect. Make sure you use your turn signals to signal your intention before checking for blind spots and preparing to switch lanes.
Checking your blind spots may seem inconvenient, but it is the most effective approach to avoid a collision with another vehicle or motorcycle.
5.) Be nice
That may seem obvious, but the fact is, aggressive driving and road rage are becoming more common, and you never know who’s in the other car and what they are capable of. It’s therefore preferable to practice compassion and avoid conflict with other drivers if possible. Be nice to everyone, even if someone cuts you off or irritates you. Whatever you do, don’t get angry, because if you respond, it will only get worse.
It’s not only a good idea to practice safe driving behaviours. It helps your car last longer and avoids fender benders and expensive repairs. While it’s vital to practice safe driving behaviour, it’s also critical to avoid poor driving habits. Texting or checking messages while you’re behind the wheel is a terrible driving habit you should try to eliminate.
Now that you know how to be a safe driver, get out there and practice. The goal is to establish consistent and safe driving habits, which you can then repeat every time you get in the vehicle until it becomes routine.
What else? Keep your attention on the road. Don’t exceed the speed limit or take stupid risks, and keep an eye out for blind spots. Maintain your automobile on a regular basis and in good operating order. Finally, be considerate of other drivers. You can’t influence other motorists, but you do have power over your own driving actions.