While it’s true that accidents do sometimes happen, it’s important to realize that they don’t occur in a vacuum. It’s every driver’s responsibility to put safety first, stay mindful, and do what they can to lower the likelihood of an accident occurring in the first place. June is National Safety Month. Observe it in style by using the following tips to become the safest driver you possibly can be.
1. Always Plan Ahead
Murphy’s Law has a way of really kicking in with a vengeance when you’re already running late. The mornings you oversleep tend to also be the mornings when you not only hit every single red light on the way to the office, but realize you forgot to get gas on the way home the night before as well. Mornings like these are more than just a pain. They also increase the likelihood of having an accident, as they encourage driving at unsafe speeds to make up the difference, as well as driving while distracted. You can avoid this by getting an early start and leaving a little wiggle room in your morning schedule just in case.
2. Stay Alert
Even the best drivers sometimes find themselves getting a little sleepy when they’re behind the wheel, especially during nighttime commutes or long road trips. If this happens to you, resist the urge to simply power through, even if you’re only a few minutes from your destination. Safe drivers know it’s best to pull over and take a quick cat nap instead. If you realize you’re overtired or otherwise not at your most alert for any other reason, it’s even safer to avoid driving at all if you can.
3. Nix the Alcohol
Although most people do realize it’s unsafe to drive when they’re really drunk, far too many drivers still get behind the wheel thinking they’re fine to drive because they’ve only had a couple of drinks with dinner. Always err on the side of caution when it comes to alcohol and never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking, even if you’re positive you’re not too drunk to drive. There’s no such thing as playing it too safe when it comes to your life (or someone else’s), especially when scoring a guaranteed safe ride home is as simple as ordering one via your favorite ride-sharing app.
4. Avoid Distractions
The road deserves your full attention when you’re driving, so always avoid any and all distractions. Insist that any passengers riding with you ride respectfully and quietly. Resist the urge to multi-task, fiddle with the radio, or fumble around with the settings on your air conditioner while you’re actually driving. Put your phone completely out of your sight while you’re driving so it can’t distract you by lighting up, making noise, or tempting you to answer a text on the fly as well. If you absolutely must check your phone, pull over first.
At the end of the day, being a safer driver is all about paying attention to the details and keeping distractions to an absolute minimum when you’re behind the wheel. What will you do this June to make the roads safer places to be?
