When we’re out on the road, it is imperative that we do everything we can to reduce our chances of an accident and keep ourselves and others safe.
You should practice and understand your defensive driving techniques whenever you can and keep watch of when some of these will come in most useful when on the freeway or even in a short street in your suburb.
And of course if you do manage to get in an accident, you’ll need a panel beater or smash repairer for your car. If that’s the case, you’ll want to get multiple quotes to get the best price and websites like DingGo make it super easy.
Let’s look at some tips to prevent this from happening in the first place.
1. Understanding and Reducing Speed
As we all know, speed kills. There are things you can do to reduce your speed such as checking your speedometer periodically.
It is crucial to understand the speed you are travelling at and its potential to cause an accident or reduce your chances of safely stopping in a short period of time.
With that in mind, always be sure that you are limiting your vehicle’s speed to the assigned speed limit, though reduce this speed when the driving conditions demand this. When issues such as fog, rain, smoke, traffic and other problems become apparent, always choose a slow option rather than a fast one.
To add to this, it is important to recognise your vehicle and your dexterity in driving. For those who aren’t too confident behind the wheel, it is important to drive to a speed that suits your ability and your vehicle. That said, slower is better if you’re still learning, or if you’re in a small city street in a large vehicle, for example.
2. Allow Other Drivers to Pass
A second important tip to note is that you shouldn’t feel compelled to drive fast because of vehicles behind you, or if they have cut you off.
One key point to keep in mind is that you should always travel at a speed that you are most comfortable with, and allow others to pass when appropriate. This means maintaining your speed in the current conditions and allow faster, or more confident drivers to overtake.
It is also important to note that you shouldn’t teach other drivers a ‘lesson’ by either slowing down abruptly, cutting them off or by doing anything else erratic. A calm, collected and controlled drive is always the safest and if it means letting others pass, then this is the correct choice to make.
3. Ensure Your Vehicle is Roadworthy
One major point to keep in mind is that your car should always be roadworthy and safe to drive to protect both yourself and others on the road.
If there are loose panels and other issues with your car, you run the risk of these coming off on a major roadway and potentially causing accidents.
4. Don’t Drive in Poor Conditions
When it comes to getting out on the road, it is important to recognise that you are in control of when you leave your home, place of work or anywhere else.
If the weather is unsavoury and downright unsafe, then you should forgo driving entirely and wait until the weather has improved to a level that you deem safe and comfortable driving in. For example, a heavy rain, snow or wind storm is going to be unsafe for all drivers, and so you should forgo driving in these situations.
However, in the times when driving is a must, then it is a good idea to drive as slowly and attentively as possible. This will keep you more in-tune with your environment and give you the chance to drive more carefully and ensure you have less chance of causing an accident.
5. Never Drive Under the Influence
Although there are limits on alcohol consumption and driving, it’s important that you should never drive when under the influence — even if you have had only one or two drinks. The fine for a DUI is hefty and you could even do some jail time.
It is crucial to have a designated driver where you can, and this means you’re able to rely on them to drive whilst sober.
Added to this, if someone is drunk or intoxicated, it is vital never to get in the car with them as the driver. Their ability to drive safely will be majorly reduced, and with that in mind, you’re better off relying on either Uber or a taxi.
6. Always Wear a Seatbelt
There is a good reason that wearing a seatbelt is the law in Australia, and it is important to follow this law at all times.
When it comes to defensive driving and keeping safe on the road, you should always work to put your seatbelt on before leaving your home. Trying to get your seatbelt on while driving opens up the risk for an accident, and so getting your seatbelt on as soon as possible is integral to driving safely.
