SAFE DRIVING
Staying safe behind the wheel is the golden rule, whether you are just learning to drive or have been on the road for years. At WiseDriving, safety is so important to us that you could even earn a discount for being a safe driver. Or you could end up paying more for your insurance if you are not… but how do you become a safe driver? We are here to help you make our roads a safer place for everyone, as well as get some pennies back in your pocket!
Always look ahead
Though it sounds obvious, looking ahead is one of the best ways to make sure you are prepared for any hazards that might come your way. Do not just look immediately in front of you, look in the distance too – if you can see the cars ahead braking, there might be traffic up ahead. The earlier you spot a potential hazard on the road, the more time you have to react, and the safer you’ll be.
Watch your speed
This goes hand in hand with the top tip above. Sticking to the speed limits is important as it ensures you have plenty of time to react to hazards in the road.
Do not forget the two second rule
Make sure you pay attention to the car in front of you and leave plenty of space between you – two seconds is the minimum gap you should leave between you and another car. This is to make sure that if they brake suddenly, you will be able to stop in time and avoid an accident.
Keep an eye on the weather
The Great British weather is notoriously unpredictable, but it is important to keep an eye on it as weather conditions can affect the stopping distance on your car. It will take longer to stop your car on a wet, snowy, or icy road that it usually does, and it is important to take this into account and give yourself more space between cars.
Do not make assumptions
Never assume that another driver will react in the same way that you might, and an indicator does not necessarily mean that person is turning (for example, it may have been left on by mistake!) So, make sure that you take extra care, if you are not sure, just wait a few extra seconds. Better safe than sorry!
Take regular breaks
Tiredness is one of the leading causes of car accidents! So, make sure that you take regular breaks on long journeys and refuel (yourself as well as your car!).