Driving should not be taken lightly. Cars are complicated machines that require your full attention. Want to make the road a safer place? If so, check out these eight simple ways to be a better driver.
1. Relax. Remember that rule in driver’s ed class about placing your hands at 10 and 2? That’s no longer recommended.
It’s better to put your hands at 8 and 4 or 9 and 3. Experiment with both until you figure out which one feels more comfortable. 10 and 2 puts your arms in a vulnerable position. If your airbag ejected, an injury would be very likely. Follow the new guideline to protect yourself.
10 and 2 also creates tension. That’s not good, because relaxed muscles have a faster reaction time.
2. Be kind. Don’t fight over a parking space (walking is good for you!). Let fellow drivers merge when it’s obvious they are struggling.
Be patient with mailmen, school buses, and other slow-moving vehicles. If someone gives you the bird, smile, and wave (it will drive them crazy!).
3. Slow down. People make reckless decisions when they hurry. Give yourself a new goal: “I will be ten minutes early everywhere. “If you can get that habit to stick, you won’t have any reason to rush.
4. Get enough sleep. Drowsy driving is almost as bad as drunk driving… isn’t that a scary thought? Prioritize rest. I’m 100% aware you have a million other things to do but look at it this way.
If you get enough sleep, you’ll have more energy. If you have more energy, you’ll be more efficient. If you’re more efficient, you’ll get more stuff done in less time.
See? It will work itself out. Prove me wrong. I dare you.
5. Adjust your mirrors. Automakers are creating breakthrough technology that could eliminate blind spots. The funny thing? That’s a huge waste of money. You shouldn’t have a blind spot in the first place.
How can that be? Most people don’t know how to adjust their rear-view mirrors correctly. Look in your side mirrors. Can you see your car? If so, scoot them to the left and right until your car disappears.
6. Hide your cellphone. It’s hard to resist texting and driving. That’s because it’s so easy to do. You simply grab your phone and push a button or two. Make that process more complicated. Turn your phone off. Toss it in the backseat, glovebox, or side compartment.
7. Knock it off with the constant braking. If you must tap the brakes every ten seconds, that probably means you’re tail-gating.
Back off. Find a sign in the distance. Start counting when the car in front of you passes. If you pass that same sign before you count to five, you’re too close.
Repeat this process until you are at least five seconds behind. That will give you enough time to react in an emergency. Without a safety net, you could have a fender bender before you even know what happened.
8. Assume everyone else is terrible at driving. Optimism or offensiveness is great, but pessimism or being defensive when driving s better in this case. It’s nice to think most people will make safe driving decisions. They probably won’t.
Don’t put too much faith in traffic lights. “Green” doesn’t mean, “Go right now!” Wait a second. Remember what your mother taught you? Look both ways before you cross the street. Otherwise, you could get t-boned. Don’t risk it.
By incorporating these strategies into your driving routine, you can play a part in fostering safer road conditions for yourself and others. Share these insights with friends and family to promote a culture of safe driving habits within your community.