5 Tips for Driver Safety in 2019
Cars are like a double edged sword, they can bring you places faster without any of the wait like with buses, but they can also turn into 2-ton death machines if it is not used right. This is where we bring you 5 useful tips for your safety on the road.
1. Look left and right... then left again
One of the first things we were taught while learning how to drive is to look to our left then to our right when crossing. Although doing this keeps us safe from an accident it is not infallible. Sometimes this method is not fast enough and a car may be coming while you are looking to your right. This is why you should recheck your left side in case a car suddenly appears.
2. Gently take pressure off the anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock brakes are great at stopping during an emergency situation, but they may not be all that great in some situations like trying not to hit a vehicle or object close to us while we are going at a high speed. This is because the car will not stop completely and will instead slow down gradually until it stops. To optimize our emergency stop you should fully brake like you normally would. You should then hear or feel the anti-lock brakes at work. You will then take pressure off the brakes and then press on the brakes again. This makes sure you come at a complete stop and while preventing whiplash.
3. Do not wrap your thumbs around the wheel
Also known as “skier’s thumb” it is the habit of wrapping your thumb around the wheel while driving. If you get into a collision it will literally break your two thumbs. I need not remind
4. Always have your two hands on the wheel
I see many experienced drivers drive with their left hand while their other arm rests. Although many do this should you too? Compared to driving with two hands on the wheel, it makes sure you have full control and balance over your car especially during sharp turns and emergencies.
5. Make sure your seatbelt is tight enough
Almost everyone knows to put on their seatbelt in order to be safe in a moving vehicle, but many may not know that it should be secured tightly. Always make sure that it is tight enough because it likely will not keep you in your seat in an accident like your car rolling over.