Safe Driving Tips
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 personalised premium for being a safe driver. You could also end up paying more for your insurance if you are not… but how do you become a safe driver? We are here to try and help you make our roads a safer place for everyone, and we may even be able to put some pennies back in your pocket!
Always look ahead
This goes hand in hand with the top tip above. Sticking to the speed limit is important as it ensures you have plenty of time to react to hazards in the road. Remember, you do not always need to meet the maximum speed limit. If there is a tight bend coming up on a 40mph road, take it more slowly to make sure you can see round the bend before accelerating again. It is a speed limit, not a target.
Pay attention to what is going on around you
Put your hazard perception into practice by keeping tabs on what is going on around you. That way, you will be ready to react if anything becomes a hazard. You should also make sure you keep an eye on other cars around you and keep plenty of distance between yourself and others. All these things increase the time you’ll have to react if you need to.
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.
Easy does it
Accelerating and braking gradually is another way to not only stay safe on the road, but also increase your fuel efficiency! Taking things slowly means you have more time to react to hazards in the road, pedestrians, or other vehicles not quite behaving as you would expect.
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 how much stopping distance you should leave between you and the car ahead. It will take longer to stop your car on a wet, snowy, or icy road than it usually does, and it is important to take this into account and give yourself more space between cars. Plus, heavy vehicles (such as lorries) create spray when driving in the wet, which can affect your visibility.
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!
Check your car regularly
Car maintenance is super important and helps to make sure that your car does not break down. Simple things like checking your oil, wiper fluid, engine coolant and keeping an eye on your fuel gauge can help to avoid a dangerous motorway breakdown.
Be aware of distractions (and how to avoid them)
The most common distractions for young drivers are phones, loud music, and even passengers. So, try to make sure you put your phone away when you are behind the wheel. If you need it for maps, you can get a phone stand for your windscreen to help keep it out of reach (and out of temptation). If you have just passed your test, drive with a smaller number of passengers to start with and make sure you let them know to keep the noise down to help you concentrate.
Take regular breaks
Tiredness is one of the biggest causes of car accidents on our roads, so make sure that you’re fuelled up as well as your car! You would not set off with an empty tank, so grab something to eat and a drink for the road – maybe a coffee. Stop at regular intervals to have a break and stretch your legs too.