Last Updated: April 10, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: April 10, 2025.
Every single person that gets behind the wheel of a car goes on the road expecting to be safe. But every single day, thousands of crashes happen, and many of these crashes are preventable.
It’s a comfort to know that a car accident lawyer can help if things go wrong, but the best case scenario is knowing how to drive on the road and trusting that everybody else is doing the same. Safe driving is not just about obeying the speed limit, but it’s about being aware, prepared, and mindful of everybody else.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a brand new driver on the road or you have years of experience, we’ve got some smart tips to keep yourself and others safe behind the wheel.
- Get rid of distractions. It takes a second of distraction to cause a serious accident. You do not need to read your text messages while you drive, even when you’re at a red light. If you are using GPS, set your destination before you start moving and keep the volume up so you can hear where you need to go rather than look. Keep any music at a reasonable level, and avoid trying to multitask. If you’re driving with children or pets or friends, make sure that they are secure before you hit the road.
- Take the speed limit seriously. The speed limit is not a suggestion. The legal speed limit is what you should be driving at, with only a few exceptions for slowing down or speeding up. For example, if you are driving an ambulance and you have the lights and sirens on, feel free to speed ahead. They exist for a reason and driving too fast reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Even going just a few mph over the limit can make a big difference in your stopping distance and even impact force. Adjust your speed based on weather and traffic conditions and stay within the posted limits at all times.
- Keep a safe distance behind others. Tailgating is a great way to end up in an accident very quickly. A safe following distance, especially in rain, snow or foggy conditions, needs to be in place and you should be concentrating on that distance as you drive. Giving yourself the appropriate time to react can prevent accidents before they happen at all.
- Don’t get behind the wheel when you’re tired. Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Ideally, you’re smart enough not to get behind the wheel of the car impaired so we’re not going to tell you about that, but when it comes to exhaustion, pull over, take a break, or switch drivers.
- Don’t forget to indicate. It’s such a basic thing to do, but if you want to be a safer driver then you need to use your indicators. Signals let others know your intentions and reduces the chances of surprise lane changes or turns. You should always give people some notice before you turn or make a lane change even if you think nobody else is around, pretend that they are so that you can stay in good practice.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
