Safety Driving Tips

I would like to share several tips that could prevent road traffic accident thus saving your lives.

STAY OUT OF THE FAST LANE
By using the center or right lane on multi-lane roads, drivers have more escape routes should a problem suddenly arise that requires quick lane changes or pulling onto the shoulder. Most highway accidents occur in the right lane. Also, drivers are most conspicuous to law enforcement if they are in the right-hand or "fast" lane.

KEEP YOUR EYES SCANNING THE AREA AHEAD OF YOU
Good drivers don't just stare at the car ahead. Rather, they watch the traffic in front of that car as well. This increases your chance of seeing a problem while you still have enough time to react to it.

BEWARE OF BLIND SPOTS
Adjust your side and rearview mirrors to provide one "seamless panoramic scene of the view behind you,". But don't rely solely on them. You should also look directly into the lanes beside you to avoid overlooking something left undetected by the mirrors. Consider, too, the potential blind spots affecting other drivers around you, especially heavy vehicle.

GET 'RACECAR DRIVER CONTROL' OF THE WHEEL
The idea here is to maintain control of the wheel by moving your seat close enough to the steering wheel so that, with your arm outstretched and your back against the seat, your wrist could rest on the top of the wheel. This ensures that your arms won't tire easily and it puts you in the best position to manage last-minute evasive maneuvers.

PLACE YOUR HANDS AT 9 AND 3
"Instead of the lazy, typical way people drive" with one hand at 12 o'clock or both hands at the bottom of the steering wheel, use the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, the editors say. This leads to better vehicle control, especially if you are forced into quick maneuvering to avoid a potential crash.

JUDGE DRIVERS BY THEIR CARS
Cars with body damage or dirty windows could be indicative of an inattentive driver behind the wheel. Also, a car that is drifting in its lane may mean the driver is tired, drunk, or on the phone. Steer clear.

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Get in touch with your inner car. Pay attention to how it reacts in certain situations. Become familiar with the limits of your brakes and tires. How long does it take to stop when you apply maximum pressure? How much grip do your tires have? If you replaced your car's original tires with a cheap set, it's likely that you're reducing braking and handling capability.