It takes a considerable effort to stay safe and have a pleasant experience whenever you get behind the wheel of a car. By taking proactive measures, you can avoid getting into an accident and sustaining injuries.
Following the realization that more than 30,000 people perish on the roads every year, traffic police departments are out to lower this figure. With the help of stalker radar guns, they are out to crack down on drivers with a lead foot. If you’re a fast driver, you might want to rethink your ways.
Otherwise, you might find yourself on the wrong side of an expensive speeding ticket. Such a card comes with other hidden costs that tally up to thousands of dollars, which is a perfect way to ruin your driving experience. Here are some additional ways to safeguard your driving experience:
Ditch the ten and two rule
Once thought to the epitome of smart and safe driving, the ten and two rule is one of the driving regulations drummed into newly minted drivers. Well, that worked well with the older generation cars, but that was then. The practice has no place in modern vehicles, so you should ditch it pronto.
Steering a modern car with your hand in the 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions can hurt your wrists and arms. They will be in the way of a deploying airbag, and they do tend to deploy forcefully.
You’re better off switching to the three and nine positions as recommended by the National Highway and Safety Administration. Changing to this position creates a more significant gap between your precious limbs. You get to lower the risk of injuries to the hands in the unfortunate event that you come to a jarring stop. Have trouble believing this? Check out footage from the inside of rally drivers. That’s their preferred steering position.
Stay home during the Memorial Day weekend
Before you raise any objections to this suggestion, take a moment and appreciate that this is one of the busiest holidays of the year. Ironically, celebrating the brave military personnel killed in the line of duty comes with a steep price. More than 130 people lose their lives daily during the 3-day weekend, marking it the most dangerous time to be on the road.
That’s what happens when 36 million motorists drive an average of 50 miles to celebrate the first holiday of the year. The alcohol-fueled outdoor parties and barbecues only serve to compound matters. Naturally, clogged highways and excessive alcohol herald a disaster.
Drunk driving is responsible for more than 40 percent of the 400 fatalities reported during your typical three-day memorial weekend. While you might be a conscious driver who doesn’t drink and drive, there’s no guarantee that other road users share your sentiments. If you must travel, try as much to avoid traveling at night to minimize the risks.
It only takes one ugly accident on the road to ruin your life and that of your family. Therefore, you should take all the necessary safety measure while behind the wheel to improve your safety. That would entail refining your driving skills and espousing safe driving habits.
