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?
The season of cheers is 52 days away and this early, people are thinking of gives to give and parties to go to. It has become a tradition that Christmas parties and social gatherings are apparent and aside from feasting on the various food and menu preparations, you cannot discount the fact that excessive drinking is included in the mix.
So what does this have to do with driving? Well for one, we are all aware that we are constantly warned about drinking and driving. This Christmas season, expect a lot of drinking and driving as well as people hope from one place to another, catching them at the wee hours of the morning. Now as far as drinking is concerned, there is usually no limit to how much you consume. But if you own a car and drive it from one place to another, make sure you don’t overdo it and intoxicate yourself.
A large portion of drivers today experience accidents mainly because they drink too much and commonly find themselves fall asleep behind the wheel while cruising at a certain pace. While the issue of drinking too much cannot be avoided, just make sure you do think rationally. If you feel that you are not fit to drive your vehicle then don’t.
Some take coffee to wake them up while others take short naps. On the road, you can choose to pull over and take a nap to somehow organize your driving sense. It is better to be aware of the road and yourself rather than waking up and finding yourself in the hospital. In fact, some don’t even wake up at all.
Much of the accidents happening in the road today come from defying defensive driving. Just how do you drive defensively anyway? Well for one, distance yourself from the big trucks and trailers to avoid being swerved upon. This aside from the fact that truckers care less of being a responsible driver can lead to your demise, a figure that we see based on news and reports regarding road accidents involving small vehicles and large trucks.
Especially in highways, these large vehicles drive at top speed. While they are given warnings to put emphasis on road safety, sadly it is not the case for majority of them. They are on delivery schedules and once they encounter some delays along the way, expect some fast driving even though they feel that they are driving a large vehicle that is going slow.
Add to the fact that some of them have to drive even if they lack sleep. This is a common case we see in other countries since no truck driver wants to risk losing his job due to untimely deliveries. Some of them try hard to stay awake behind the wheel but at times, dozing off cannot be avoided.
But this is not to generalize. There are drivers who are indeed law abiding but at times, you cannot help but avoid running into the unruly ones. Arguing with them will not help once accidents happen. So if you want to know how to drive defensively against them, avoiding them is the best recourse you can do.
So you are driving and you suddenly find your dashboard signals flashing profusely. For sure that means something and it is not just any electrical malfunction. Chances are one of your signal light bulbs may have run out so you need to replace them. Problem is you are cruising and there is not any chance for you to stop to replace them. Add to the fact that normally, car owners do not stock bulbs since they normally take months to years to wear out. So what do you do?
For one, don’t panic. There are the ancient ways of signaling that you are turning left or right. Hand signals still do the trick. For example, extending your hand to the left if you are going to the left is a good way to let the car following you that you are about to take a left turn.
If you are turning to your right, extend your hand upward and have it point to your right. That way you can avoid any untoward collisions on the road, something that may be your fault if you get into a minor accident.
This is precisely why some states are quite strict about busted taillights. They are meant to inform the driver behind you that you will be making a turn. For people who have not yet been caught, you don’t have to fret. Just use these signals and you will be on your way to safely driving along the road.
When you drive, speed is essential. But it also requires putting your mind on how fast you should drive your car. It is understandable that once you get your hands behind the wheel, the initial notion is to see how fast you can drive and get places in a hurry. However, when you get to long stretch roads like the freeway, it is likewise important to consider the factors of driving.
There are speed limits in most parts of the world when it comes to driving. There are some who could care less. Regardless of what the speed limit is, you don’t really need an officer to tailgate and catch you. If you think about it, it is a matter of being a responsible driver.
You really cannot discount the possibility of driving reckless at times. Especially if you see a road with not much cars around, the tendency is to drive fast, seeing the capacity of your car as far as how powerful it can with reference to your speedometer. But it only takes one obstacle or distraction to cause an accident. In most cases, such an accident can lead to tragedies or even loss of life.
Drivers normally learn their lesson after encountering an accident. To most, they could care less. But the fact of the matter is that driving can be entirely dangerous and apparently it all boils down to how you can discipline yourself when you drive.
Avoid the risks of accidents. It may be a matter of life and death which stems from being an irresponsible driver.
In a nutshell, shying away from cars would normally mean lesser people interested in driving. One of the main points for consideration here is the fact that why drive if you cannot afford to have a car of your own?
Aside from not being able to afford a car, there are other factors to consider. The instability of the oil prices and fuel shortage have become another notable aspect that has to be included. With all problems facing the world today, a person can commute or perhaps hitch a ride with no worries for car maintenance and money for fuel to get to the destination that they want to be. So where does this leave the driving schools who make a living from enrolled students who hope to drive someday?
For sure, these commissioned driving schools will feel the brunt of the economic meltdown just like any other business branch we know of in the world today. While it seems apparent that it is something that people can learn without paying, their existence may reach becoming pointless.
Driving schools are a big help. Especially for people who want to learn how to drive. But considering the factors hitting our economy today, they may as well be affected as well.
The economic sector is indeed walking on pins and needles these days. On what may happen tomorrow or the day after is anybody’s guess. Hopefully though some bright light comes out of it all before businesses are shot down one by one.
