While most drivers are concerned about how fast they can go, it would be wise to also check how well they can stop. Running out of gas and finding ways to conserve to get to places is one thing but if for some reason you overlook your brakes, you may find yourself on the way to the hospital if you are not careful.
Most people are often told that driving a car also includes maintaining it. Sure you will only be concerned on how well your car may run but at times, you need the usual car maintenance practices as well. This includes tune-ups, oil changes, and brake or clutch lining checks.
Normally, male drivers know this as they are more inclined to make sure that the car they are driving are safe. In fact, a good reason here is how men are enthusiastic about having their own car. This goes as far as making sure that they have the best car to drive so that they will get noticed.
Brakes normally have a longer time to be serviced. But this would depend on how frequent you use your car. While others may not care as long as they function properly, it would be best to have them checked and avoid them from malfunctioning especially if you are in high speed or on the road. That inconvenience may lead as far as claiming lives, a fact that many have already experienced and continue to regret for driving carelessly.
In a recent post, I wrote about how defensive driving can really help you out. But what exactly is defensive driving? Here are some practical tips that you can bear in mind while on the road. These are REAL defensive driving techniques that can keep you in one piece as you travel from point A to point B.
Go with the flow
Say you are on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph. The people in the slow lane are driving at 63 mph, and the people in the fast lane are moving at 70 mph. What should you do? Let’s say that your preferred speed is 65 mph – the limit. Technically, you really should not go beyond the speed limit, so the best choice would be to slow down and go on the slow lane. Your other option would be to speed up and break the law. What you shouldn’t do, really, is stay in the fast lane and hold up traffic by going at 65 mph. This will just frustrate everyone else there and you might even cause an accident.
Anticipate
This is perhaps the most used item in the defensive driver’s arsenal. Anticipate the needs and moves of other drivers in your immediate vicinity. If the car in front of you suddenly brakes, then you can adjust accordingly. If you see a car behind coming up quickly wanting to pass, then you can act accordingly as well.
Know the road
If you are traveling to a new destination, make sure that you have an idea of the road conditions. You can easily do this these days by searching for information on the Internet. It is not that hard to do. Knowing what to expect will help you drive better and safer.
One of the most common phrases that you see in driving web sites and hand books is “defensive driving.” They normally say that defensive driving is the way to go if you really want to be safe on the roads. After all, you can be the best driver in the world but you can never control how other people drive around you. So, the best way to keep yourself safe from the dangers that other people pose is to practice defensive driving.
But does it, really? It seems that I am not the only one who has thought about this idea. As a matter of fact, I just read an article on the same topic over at Auto-Mobi. The article expresses the same sentiments as I do:
Actually, for some, defensive driving is more of practicing safety or paranoid measures when driving. Safety practices are implemented significantly. Thus, there is no denying the fact that indeed, defensive driving really helps drivers get on and survive the intricacies and complexities of driving in the modern turbulent highway.
The author, Mike Pontic, also wrote some practical advantages of defensive driving. These are the points that I think are really important:
• Safer and accident free driving procedures and techniques are instituted. Not only would the highways and roads be made a better place for driving and mobility. There would be less damages and less incidence of accidents and occurrences that often claim lives.
• Protection techniques towards road rage and the practice of speed driving are instituted. In the end, less accidents on the road are observed.
• Responsible and safe highway driving, extreme weather driving and night driving are observed. This means that the skills and safety measures practiced on the road are extended and widened further.
Makes sense, doesn’t it? So why don’t you learn more about defensive driving techniques?
This is not meant to be a pessimistic post. It is only meant to open your eyes to the reality that everyone faces out there while driving on the road.
When you drive, do you trust other drivers to drive well? Do you trust them to do the right things like follow the law and drive carefully? As noble as this kind of attitude may sound, it might not be the best route to take when driving. You see, having this kind of attitude is akin to trusting your life to a stranger.
If you think that everyone around you – all the other drivers – are going to drive wisely and safely and that they are going to obey the law, then it could be that you would become lax and less of a defensive driver. Things could be well and fine until the day that you meet that one driver who is not worthy of that trust. And all it takes is one – then you might end up at the hospital, or worse.
So how do you deal with this? It is simple – when it comes to driving, do not trust anybody. In other words, do not place the responsibility of driving safely in the hands of other people. What you should do instead is to make sure that you drive safely and properly AND always be on the lookout for drivers on the road who may not be practicing the right driving techniques. In this manner, you not only drive the right way but you also protect yourself – and your passengers – from potential danger due to other people’s irresponsibility.
How many times have you heard a motorist say “I never saw him!” after getting into a road accident? I bet that you have heard this excuse so many times you cannot even count. You might have even used this excuse yourself.
Let me tell you this, though, that line just doesn’t cut it. More often than not, when a motorist says he didn’t see the other vehicle, it is a case of not paying enough attention to the road and surroundings. Inattention is actually a general term that can involve one or more of the following:
• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Daydreaming
• Distractions such as texting, talking to the passengers in the car, talking on the mobile phone, etc.
• Fatigue
• Etc.
These things – and more – can cause a driver to be inattentive while on the move. As a driver, your primary responsibility is to be alert and to be able to see an accident coming and be able to avoid it. However, what normally happens is that when you are a seasoned driver, the task becomes automatic, making it highly likely that your mind will wander.
Think about it – as you get in your car later, try to focus only on driving. Think about nothing else. Just look at the road ahead of you, check your side mirrors and rearview mirrors. Think about using the blinkers when changing lanes, and so on. Try and see how long you can keep that up without thinking of any other thing. I bet that you won’t last 5 minutes without thinking of something else.
That is how easy it is to be inattentive while driving. But you and I know that paying attention can save your life and the lives of others. So, as you hit the road, do try to focus on your task. Leave your woolgathering or texting or whatever for later.
The hazard lights of our car would normally be turned on only if your are driving in emergencies. But the thing is, how do you classify emergencies?
There are various types of emergencies, the most common of which is health-related. But lately, thanks to some weird weather, rains often pour at will and may reach a point where you no longer see what is in front and behind you. Turning on your headlights and park lights would be great but the thing is, it may not be enough to warn other cars and drivers on the road.
Hazard lights would be of great use in this area. Just its blinking is often a good sign for warning for you and people who have a hard time seeing the road and the cars at the back and in front of you. While many are fine with park lights, drivers today who find themselves in the middle of the road would do well to turn on their hazard light before they continue or even park when the weather is totally non-cooperative.
Accidents during storms can be higher in frequency. In fact, sometimes you cannot blame others for running into you. But the best you can do is forewarn them that there are other drivers and cars around and if accidents cannot be avoided, at least damages can be held to a minimum such as scratches or slight dents. As far as the driver is concerned, just pray that he has buckled up in cases of impact.
Driving along the streets especially in traffic can lead to arguments and often encounters that can suddenly look ugly. Drivers go as far as coming to blows while others pull out their guns in cases where they feel that they were beaten to instances like being first or being cut when driving around in the streets. But one thing you should ask for yourself, what do you get out of all of this road rage once everything has been done? Does it make you a better driver or better yet a better person?
This can also be typified as the power tripping driver. Many people who hold key positions in the government or perhaps are granted a license for carrying firearms make them all the more unreasonable drivers, wanting to be the superior person wherever they may be. These instances have resulted in some tragedies and have gone as far as claiming people’s lives or ruining their reputations. Sad as it may, it is all because of lack of courtesy and respect for emotions that drivers cannot contain when they are on the road.
There is no doubt that a lot of us have had our share in terms of encountering such instances. There is no doubt that such outrages will lead to nowhere. The real challenge of driving is not just about how well you drive your car but also about how focused you are on the road. Losing that may very well be a signal to just hire a driver or avoid driving a car to avoid the inconveniences.
Have you ever considered counting the number of dents and scratches you have on your car? Apparently you can use these marks as features in determining just how good of a driver you really are. Of course, scratches and dents can be accidents caused when your car is parked but for sure, you will know which ones were done by you due to your driving.
This is not to say that the perfect driver is free from such minor accidents. The fact remains that to measure how well defensive and well-schooled drivers are can be seen from the vehicle that they drive. Some dents occur from reckless driving such as backing or parking in tight situations while others occur when you are on the road when you are driving too close for comfort.
In reality, no driver wants to be seen in a car full of dents and scratches. But these are marks that will haunt you, regardless if you are driving a brand new car or not. The number of times you have to bring your car to the shop will likewise vary as normally, these would become a habit if you don’t do something to improve your driving skills.
A good driver is a disciplined driver. He or she knows how to avoid even the minor accidents. If dents and scratches can be fixed then the same goes for bad driving skills. If a driver is willing, he can really improve on it if he chooses to do so.
For most drivers today, getting a ticket for allegedly erratic or reckless driving can be a pain. Outside that of having a mark on your driver’s license, it can also be a pain as far as trying to retain a clean slate in instances where you have to pay for tickets and fines for irresponsible driving.
So how does one avoid the tickets? Well for one, go back to the driving basics and avoid the risks if you already know you will get into trouble. Speeding, beating the red light, swerving or the simple busted tail lights are normally the main causes of being given a ticket. With that in mind, you just have to wonder if drivers either ignored them when they were taking up driving lessons or plainly don’t care.
Do not take these violations personally. They are mean to protect and save anyone from accidents and the pedestrians as well. They were not placed for other reasons and this is something that both old and new drivers should carefully ponder on. They may not seem important for now but they are main factors in responsible driving today.
Do not be daring nor dare to cross the lines of being adventurous. These are normally the issues that have to be addressed and most drivers learn only after they have done it. Curiosity killed the cat as they say and the same curiosity may kill the person behind the wheel if he is not careful.
If you haven’t heard yet, transportation authorities based in the Philippines have implemented a speed limit in key roads of the metropolis to put a stop on the spate of accidents that have been occurring lately. This is perhaps to cover up the boo-boo made by one Metro Manila Development Authority Chief who months back said that “There is no Speed Limit”, paving the way for more reckless drivers and accidents at that. So while that is covered, now we hear the bus companies complaining that they may cause traffic. So what?
Given a choice, would you choose traffic or accidents? It is no secret that the same bus operators are also responsible for the accidents and it is they too who have been ignoring speed limits. You would think they were driving smaller vehicles that could ride above 100 KPH! If they slow down, the matter that they re concerned about is the number of trips that they can finish in a day which will surely be diminished. But if they were as careful and law abiding in the first place, would this speed limit be lowered at 40 KPH?
The last request was to make it at 60 KPH. But seeing the bulk of these buses, that is fast for a large vehicle. And to think that Manila is packed with lots of pedestrians and private cars, they can still do a lot of harm.
So as far as the speed limit goes, it is a good move. Safety comes first and the bottom-line is that regardless of the speed you are driving, you will get to your point of destination anyway right?
