Jul 12, 2021

Driving Tips to Help Keep Your Family Safe

Driving makes getting from place to place a lot easier. Sadly, though as much as driving is convenient, the world of driving has its own challenges. Let's look at safety on the road and some of the precautions you can take in order to minimize potential harm to your family members.

Follow All Traffic Laws

Each year, there are approximately six million car accidents in the United States. The science of driving on the road together with other fellow motorists can only be fully functional and plausible when there is a universal rule set that everyone adheres to. The importance of road laws cannot be overemphasized, and people should take them seriously to keep everyone on the road safe.

Plan The Driving Route You Are Going To Use Before You Leave The House

This sounds simplistic, but being well-prepared psychologically by choosing the best route to use will limit frustration and reduce the urge to rush through traffic. This will allow you to have a calm and collected mind, thereby aiding your judgment while on the road. Rushing through traffic as a fellow road user leads to very sloppy mistakes, which normally agitate other road users, triggering a lapse of concentration and thereby causing road accidents. Do your best to stay focused on the road and to do away with all forms of distraction.

Watch The Weather Forecast

Studies have revealed that, in the United States, about 21% of all motor vehicle crashes are as a result of driving in unfavorable weather conditions. In general, it is strongly advised for road users to desist from driving if the weather conditions are unfavorable. Though in some cases regulations will vary from state to state in accordance with the road safety measures that have been set. Bad weather will always have many variables that the driver will generally find difficult to work around or navigate through safely. With that said, do your best to stay informed on the weather conditions by tuning into weather forecasts via creditable media sources.

Do Not Drive While Heavily Medicated Or While Intoxicated

Most medications used to treat illness induce drowsiness, which results in one's judgment being clouded. Poor judgment leads to bad decisions and bad decisions, more often than not, lead to car crashes. On days when you are feeling unwell, ask someone else to drive, call an Uber, or take some time to heal. This will protect you, your loved ones, and other road users. The same goes with driving under the influence of alcohol. It slows your reflexes and briefly reduces your thinking capacity, making it difficult to operate and drive your car safely.

Be Aware Of Other Vehicles On The Road

Did you know that semi engines in comparison to regular car engines are up to six times larger, in terms of both size and weight? Semi-vehicles are important to look out for because they are a combination of both a tractor and a trailer. It is important to leave a reasonable amount of space between your vehicle and the semi-vehicle, in case there is an awkward occurrence and you need to hit the emergency brakes. The extra room and prompt reaction will prevent the respective vehicles from colliding.

As law-abiding citizens, be vigilant in adhering to the road laws that have been put in place. Respectfully implore fellow road users who seize to do so to change their ways. Follow these tips when it comes to preparing you and your family for all you will encounter while on the road. Then, you will be safe!

Devin is a writer and an avid reader. When she isn't lost in a book or writing, she's busy in the kitchen trying to perfect her slow cooker recipes. You can find her poetry published in The Adirondack Review and Cartridge Lit.

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