Every time you get behind the wheel of your car you are operating a piece of heavy machinery with the potential to cause great harm to yourself and those around you. Since you cannot control the actions of others on the road, you need to be able to trust your own driving skills to keep you safe. Whether you have been driving for 10 months or 10 years, there is always room to become a safer driver. Start 2018 off right by learning a few ways to be a safer driver.
Safe Driving Tips
Don’t Drive Tired or Under the Influence
Being alert – not tired, or under the influence is one of the biggest factors in being a safer driver.
Staying alter allows you to react quicker to a potential problem or accident. For example, if the driver in front of you slams on their brakes – if you are impaired you might not react quick enough to avoid a rear-end accident. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and could lead to a fatal accident. Driving while tired has the same effect.
Rest up and sober up before you get into the car. If you are taking long road trips make sure you build time into your driving schedule to stop for food and rest.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Seatbelts save lives.
Under Colorado law, the driver and your front-seat passenger are required to wear a seatbelt. 4,200 lives could be saved each year if the U.S. population all wore seat belts. Studies show that seat belts can reduce injury and death rates by 50%. Not only is wearing your seat belt the law – it is one easy thing you can do to be a safer driver this year.
Minimize Distractions
Keep your eyes on the road by minimizing distractions.
This includes staying off of your phone – texting while driving is one of the leading causes of accidents. Part of staying in control on the road is keeping your eyes on the road and watching out for other drivers. If you are distracted while driving you aren’t focusing on the road and could find yourself caught off-guard in a dangerous situation. When you are behind the wheel driving needs to be your primary task. Minimizing distractions and staying focused will have you anticipate the behavior of other drivers around you.
Observe Weather Conditions
Drive to suit the conditions of the road.
Slippery roads and high winds can make handling your car extra challenging. Any weather conditions that might reduce your vision or ability to maintain control of your car reason to take extra caution.
Here in Colorado weather can change quickly – always be prepared for varying road conditions and have essential supplies in your car in case of emergency. Make sure you have the right tires for the season and know how to get your car unstuck from ice, snow and mud.
Related: How Do I Winterize My Car?
Use Signals and Mirrors
Signals and mirrors are two of your best tools for safe driving.
Use your mirrors to keep track of the traffic behind and around you. Mirrors are especially important for changing lanes or merging onto the highway. Allowing you to see other vehicles and avoid hitting them as you merge.
Your signals allow you to communicate with other drivers. Using your signals when changing lanes, pulling off the road, and turning shows other drivers on the road your intentions and makes your behavior easier to predict.
Don’t Speed
Obey the posted speed limits.
Not only are speeding tickets costly, but speeding creates a higher risk of getting into an accident. The faster the speed of your car the harder it becomes to stay in control and stop quickly.
Some areas may also be low-speed zones – such as school zones, areas with high walking traffic and areas with a lot of intersections. Always observe the speed limit signs as you are driving and be aware of any changes in the speed limit.
Keep Your Car Maintained
Keep a consistent maintenance schedule for your car.
Your local AAMCO Colorado mechanics can help you maintain your vehicle with regular check-ups on your tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels, and more. Don’t ignore any problems with your car, such as a check engine light.
It is especially important to make sure your brakes are maintained. Your car needs brakes that are in good working order for you to be able to stop quickly. If you let your brakes wear down they will be less efficient, creating a potentially unsafe situation where you are unable to stop.
Related: Why You Really Need to Keep Your Brakes Well Maintained
Safe Driving with AAMCO Colorado
At AAMCO Colorado we want you to get where you are going safely. Our mechanics can perform regular tune-ups and run diagnostics to keep your car in good working order and keep you safe on the road.
If you live in the Colorado Front-Range take advantage of our special offers and schedule an appointment for regular car maintenance today.