Driving and Car Safety Tips You Should Never Ignore #CP

Driving is a thrilling yet potentially dangerous activity that requires perfecting your skills day in and day out to improve your safety. Maybe you closely observed road safety rules when you were acquiring your driver's license but have now started to ignore crucial things like maintenance. Following simple road safety rules can play a big role in reducing the risks of accidents and injuries. Here are the top 4 driving and car safety tips you should never ignore.


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1. Always wear a seat belt

Drivers can be put into three main categories when it comes to the use of seat belts: drivers who ignore their seat belts while cruising around the street, those who buckle their belts before starting their ignition, and drivers who never bother about seat belts.

A seat belt is one critical component of your vehicle that can keep you safe during a crash. They’re designed to help limit crash forces, which means failure to wear them regularly makes you less safe during a crash. Being thrown forward or being ejected from your vehicle can expose you to higher degrees of injuries. The CDC has stated that wearing seat belts is an effective solution to reduce injuries and fatalities when crashes occur. It doesn't matter what type of car you’re using — always remember to buckle up.

2. Avoid things that impact your response time

Your response time can make the difference between steering clear of danger and having a terrible accident. It's a well-known fact that drink-driving is a risky habit as alcohol impairs your thinking and muscle coordination. Driving with high blood alcohol concentration constitutes a punishable driving offence in many countries.

Your best ticket for safe driving is to avoid driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. For instance, marijuana is one controlled substance that affects the brain negatively. It reduces your reaction time and impairs your cognitive function, making driving a looming danger to any road user.

3. Carry out MOT testing and vehicle maintenance

Effective vehicle maintenance practices add up to your safety. Instead of waiting for worst-case scenarios to strike before visiting your mechanic, it’s advisable to schedule periodic maintenance services for your car. Regular servicing will make your car roadworthy. MOT testing is mandatory for UK vehicles as soon as the car reaches 3 years old. When you visit MOT testing garages, they’ll assess your car's safety and roadworthiness in aspects like your exhaust emissions.

4. Respect speed limits and traffic signals

Rather than excessively speeding in speed-controlled regions, take it slow and obey the speed limits. Road safety authorities select speed limits to maximize driver safety and reduce accidents. These restrictions might be in place because there are roadworks taking place and, having found a useful link to a supplier, those carrying out the works have placed traffic cones around the area where this is taking place, so you should be mindful of them and take care not to drive too quickly as you pass those. You may also want to obey traffic lights as much as you can. In general, yellow lights signal drivers to slow down and make a stop, while red lights usually means danger (stop) or don't rush through the intersection. Have the patience to wait for the green light before you accelerate through heavy traffic. Observe road safety rules and make your driving safe amidst the pandemic.

Karl Young

Part-time daddy and lifestyle blogger. Father of 2 boys under 2. Golfer, scare-fan, tea-lover, traveller, squash and poker player. I write on the @HuffPostUK http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/karl-young/

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