Quick Tips to Be a Better Driver in 2018
Traffic safety should always be something you’re thinking about. After all, that’s how you stay safe in the first place. In addition to the tried and true safety tips, such as always checking your blind spot (even if your car has blind spot safety features) and looking both ways before crossing an intersection, here are a few additional safety tips to help you avoid accidents and injuries.
Put Away Your Phone
Come on, guys and gals. You’re not fooling anyone. We know you’re on your cell phones whenever you think it’s “safe,” and it’s time you come to grips with the fact that it’s never safe to use your phone on the road. What is so important that you can’t wait to text someone back? Is your sister excited about a new place she ate at for lunch? Does your friend need help to pick out a new TV? If it’s a true emergency, pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot.
Avoid Self-Hypnosis
Look, we’ve all done it. You’re happily driving along and before you know it, you’ve arrived at your destination with no real recollection as to how you got there. You don’t remember most of the lights, nor the majority of the traffic. Perhaps you vaguely recall slowing down for a traffic light, but that’s it. This phenomenon is often referred to as self-hypnosis, which is a special type of zoning out where you’re basically on autopilot. The best way to avoid this is to not let your mind wander about other stressors or distractions in your life. Focus on the task at hand to stay alert at all times.
Slow Down
Saying that today’s world is fast-paced is an understatement, to say the least. In large part due to technology, human beings have begun to expect things to happen right away, and that means we want to get where we’re going at a quicker pace than before. Add to that the fact that new vehicle technologies (EVs that barely make a sound, quieter cabins, and transmissions that you don’t feel shift) can make it seem like you’re traveling slower than you actually are, and you have the perfect recipe for an accident. Pay attention to your speed limit and slow down to avoid the danger that comes with driving too fast.
Check GPS Ahead of Time
Even if you’re going to a destination you’ve visited a hundred times, it’s always a good idea to use your GPS as a way to check for accidents. There are also apps you can download that will alert you of any incidents that are on your route. Avoiding existing accidents – and secondary accidents caused by rubberneckers – is always a good plan of action whenever possible. Find a new route and go that way instead!
Choose a Different Route
Even if you’ve checked your normal route and it seems clear, it’s often a good idea to switch it up every now and then. A new route can make you more alert to traffic hazards and more cognizant of the traffic signage and flow on your altered route. This is also a great way to avoid the previously mentioned “self-hypnosis” phenomenon.
If you integrate these tips into your daily driving routine, you’ll improve your chances to arrive safely at your destination. You can’t stop all traffic accident, however, and Mintz Law Firm is standing by to help you in your hour of need. Reach out to our attorneys, and we’ll be on your side.