Motor Vehicle Safety: Top 10 Tips
If you want to increase your chances of staying safe on the road, review these safety tips for driving. No matter how skilled of a driver you are, it’s a good idea to reflect on the basics of traffic safety from time to time just to make sure that you are being careful enough to keep yourself – and other drivers and pedestrians – as safe as possible.
Top 10 Safety Tips for Driving
Safety is something that drivers should keep in mind at all times. After all, when you are operating a motorized vehicle, you have a responsibility to do your part to keep the roadways safe for yourself, other drivers, passengers, and others who may be affected by traffic accidents.
- Stay Alert– Actively pay attention to your actions and those of the drivers around you when you are driving.
- Avoid Assumptions– Don’t make the mistake of assuming that other drivers are going to do or what you think they should do.
- Use Turn Signals– While you can’t depend on others always signaling their intentions when driving, you can certainly control whether or not they have realistic expectations for your actions. Always use your turn signals in advance of making a lane change or turning.
- Buckle Up– Wearing your seat belt is an essential safety tip for drivers. Not only are you more likely to get injured in an accident if you aren’t wearing a seat belt, you can also be fined for failing to do so.
- Follow Traffic Signals– Pay close attention to and obey stop signs and traffic lights.
- Respect Yellow Lights– Remember that the intent of a yellow light is to notify drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. A yellow traffic signal should not be viewed as a sign to step on the gas to rush through an intersection before the light turns red.
- Come to a Complete Stop– When you see a stop sign or a red light, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a complete stop, even if you think no other vehicles are coming.
- Do Not Text and Drive– It is never acceptable to send text messages when operating a motor vehicle.
- Obey Speed Limits– When driving, it’s important to stick to the posted speed limit at all times. The restrictions placed on vehicle speed are not established arbitrarily. Rather, they are carefully selected to maximize safety for drivers and for individuals in the homes, businesses, and other organizations in the areas where roadways are located.
- Make Adjustments for Weather-When the weather is less than perfect, such as rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions, use extra precautions when driving and follow guidelines for staying safe in the particular situation you are facing.