Driving Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

We all know how important it is to maintain safety on the roads, but there are tips that we often forget or completely ignore. The boss calls when we are getting on the highway, and it’s a moment that could end up in disaster. We get in the car after an all-nighter on a Netflix binge we couldn’t avoid, and something bad could happen. Brush up on these driving tips that will keep your family safe and avoid those calamities.

Brush Up on Defensive Driving

Every year, approximately 4.4 million people sustain injuries from a car accident. Some of these injuries could have been avoided with defensive driving. Defensive driving refers to being proactive and aware while on the road and taking measures to avoid a serious problem.

Turning right into a ditch if you see someone backing up in front of you would be an example of defensive driving. The risk of a problem in the car is still there, but you may minimize it if you avoid the collision right in front of you.

There are courses you can take if you want to become a defensive driver. However, you could also just start practicing thinking like that when you are on the road. All it takes is a little more awareness and thought processing on what the vehicles are doing around you. If you can think ahead a few seconds at home, you can do it while operating a vehicle. It just takes practice.

Examples of this include keeping a two-second cushion between you and other drivers. You don’t always need to wait for an accident to maybe occur, you can be proactive ahead of time. Add a few more seconds if you are in bad weather.

Avoid blind spots or driving around big trucks and tractor-trailers. Take an alternate lane if you can, or drive several seconds behind them.

Always have an escape route, when you can. Stay in the right-hand lane at all times for example, and pulling to the side of the road is always going to be an option.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can mean anything today. It could mean texting and driving, eating and driving, thinking of someone when you’re supposed to be driving. Try not to do any of that.

Find ways to eat and drive safely, even by choosing what you eat with driving in mind. Get a wrap instead of a burger. Don’t hold your coffee while you are driving.

Don’t text and drive. It is illegal because it is dangerous. If you drive a lot, send auto texts, or just wait until you get home. Play road trip games with the family instead.

Anything that has you thinking of anything but what is in front of you will be a distraction. Even speeding can be a distraction because you are thinking of the speeding and not what could happen around you. You won’t be able to pull off safely in the event of a problem if you are going too fast.

Look Before Merging

It is not a secret that we need to look before we merge or change lanes, but we still forget to do it anyway. It is said that trucks that are traveling at the speed of 65 miles per hour need two football fields of road space to stop. If you aren’t looking at how far back the truck is, you may have a problem if you don’t look before you merge.

Keep several seconds of road between you and all drivers around you at all times.

Don’t Drive When Tired

Fatigue is another form of distraction that is illegal in many professions. That’s because it’s bad for your health. Truck drivers are only allowed to work so many hours and must have long breaks in between for rest. Driving while tired could kill you.

If you can avoid driving while tired, you should.

Keep an Eye on Your Windows

When you are driving watch your windows. This will help you to keep an eye on blind spots, but also help you with the way your car is moving. Open windows on a windy day could be dangerous.

Maintain clean windows at all times, and don’t let a windshield crack go too long. A crack that is longer than 12 inches means a windshield will need to be replaced.

Drive Safe

Maintain a safe driving distance and practice defensive driving to keep your family safe on the road. Avoid distractions like texting, fatigue, and speeding. Stay alert and have safer journeys.