Becoming a Better, Safer, More Educated Driver

Every time you start your engine, you begin operating a very dangerous piece of machinery. Millions of people die in traffic accidents every year, which is why you should always be doing all that you can in order to become a better and more educated driver. It doesn’t really matter if you’ve been driving for a month or 50 years, there is always room for improvement. Even if you think you’re a great driver and have never gotten into an accident before, the techniques you learn today may end up saving your life.

Progressive Braking

In order to ensure your safety on the road, you will need to master the art of progressive braking. This means that you should start with slightly applying pressure to the brakes, slowly increase the pressure, and finish light. This will allow other drivers to notice what you’re doing, which will help them react accordingly. Not to mention that progressive braking puts less wear and tear not only on your brakes, but your tires as well. On top of that, you will also be saving fuel by braking progressively.

Deal with Distractions

You should never let anything distract you from what’s happening on the road. Keeping your eyes off the road for even a second can lead to a fatal accident. One of the most common ways drivers get distracted is when they get a text message. A lot of people instantly want to read it or even respond while driving, which drastically increases the risk of a crash.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to place your phone in the glove box before you start your car. It’s also recommended that you set the radio and sat-nav before you start driving. This way, you’ll be able to minimize distractions and stay focused on the road.

Look Ahead

Looking further down the road will allow you to predict any dangerous situations and reduce the risk of a collision. You shouldn’t only observe the vehicle that’s directly in front of you. Instead, you should look ahead, think about everything that can happen, and be prepared to react if any sudden changes start occurring. Looking ahead will allow you to remain safe even when other drivers are careless.

Avoid Tailgating

If you’re too close to the vehicle in front of you while driving, then you’re tailgating that vehicle. This can cause serious problems on the road, and can even antagonize the driver in front, which can in turn lead to road rage. Keep in mind that most drivers are somewhat concerned when vehicles are too close behind them. Because of this, they may change the way they drive just to avoid being tailgated.

Take a Driving Course

One of the best ways to become a better driver is to learn techniques from trained professionals. After all, you will need to constantly learn more about driving in order to improve your skills.

Drive in All Weather

A good driver can get behind the wheel no matter the weather conditions. In order to become a better driver, you will need to be ready to get into your vehicle even when it’s raining and snowing.

Avoid Weaving

You probably won’t achieve much by weaving in and out of lanes. After all, you won’t get anywhere faster if all lanes are moving at the same speed. Keep in mind that weaving is known to cause traffic jams, since every time you change lanes, the person behind you will have to increase the gap between your rear bumper and their front bumper. Not only that, but the all the other drivers behind them will have to do this as well. By weaving, you will be putting your safety and the safety of other drivers at risk.