10 Tips for Becoming a Safer Driver

Many factors go into being a safe driver. Oftentimes, it only takes one weak point to lead to danger on the road. Check out these 10 tips from Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth to make sure you’re being the safest driver you can be.

Stay Focused

An important part of staying safe on the road is paying attention to said road. Always keep your focus on the road ahead when you’re operating your vehicle. Don’t look down at your phone. Try not to look at anything on the side of the road for too long, such as billboards or accidents. A moment of distraction is all it takes to put you in a compromising position.

Eliminate Distractions

Though eliminating distractions could be included under staying focused, we think it deserves its own section. Eliminate anything that can potentially take your eyes or attention off the road. Try not to let passengers distract you. If you’re riding with kids and need to attend to them, find a place to stop before dealing with any problems.

Do Not Speed

Many of us are guilty of driving within the gray area above a posted speed limit. If you have a personal policy of going anywhere from a couple to 10 mph over the speed limit, consider getting rid of it. Driving faster does not save as much time as you might think. And when you think about the tradeoff for that insignificant amount of time saved versus the added danger of driving faster and the possibility of getting a ticket, it’s simply not worth it.

Make Space

Leave enough space between you and the vehicle ahead to give yourself enough time to react in the event of a surprise. You want to give yourself enough room that if the vehicle in front of you slammed its brakes, you could stop or react in time. The faster you’re traveling, the more space you should add to your following distance. 

A good rule of thumb is to leave a 3-second gap between you and the car in front of you. You can do this by choosing a stationary object in front of the vehicle ahead, waiting until that vehicle passes the object, and counting how many seconds it takes you to pass that object.

Do Not Trust Other Drivers

Even if you’re being a safe driver, it’s dangerous to think that everyone else is doing the same. Practice defensive driving techniques and situational awareness everywhere you go in your car. Don’t assume that drivers won’t run through red lights, will engage their turn signals when appropriate, or will make good decisions. It’s not necessarily taking on a negative view of the world — it’s simply being prepared for the worst situations if ever they should come.

Stay Calm

Aggression rarely helps drivers, and road rage never helps anything. Panicked drivers are dangerous drivers. If you’re in the habit of losing your cool when you’re on the road, whether it’s from anger or anxiety, you’re also losing your focus on the road. Try to remain calm while you’re operating a vehicle. If you need to, practice meditative breathing techniques to stay in control of yourself. If you need to take a break to cool off, let yourself do so.

Do Not Drive Drowsy

Speaking of taking a break — driving while you’re drowsy is a notoriously dangerous thing to do. Nearly one-fourth of fatal car crashes are due to drowsy drivers. If you feel yourself getting tired but need to get to your destination, make a stop to walk around or get a cup of coffee. If you’re sleepy, try to end your drive as soon as possible to get some rest.

Do Not Brake During a Tire Blowout

If you experience a tire blowout while you’re driving, it’s important to already know how to react. Try not to brake too hard when one of your tires blow, as this can cause you to lose control of your car and cause more damage to your tires. Instead, let your vehicle slow down as slowly and naturally as possible. Try to drive your vehicle in a straight line while bringing yourself to a stop in a safe area. Try to keep both hands on the wheel. The idea is to maintain complete control while your vehicle’s safety is compromised.

Pack Emergency Supplies

Making sure you have what you need in the event of an emergency is something you should do before you turn the key in the ignition. Always have the supplies you need to change a blown tire or at the very least patch it. If you’re taking a long trim, be sure to pack water, snacks, medicine, and a first aid kit just in case something happens along the way. If you’re driving through cold weather, pack a blanket and extra clothes. It’s always better to have an emergency kit and not need it than need it and not have it.

Do Not Drink and Drive

You’ve heard it a thousand times already, and for good reason: Do not drink and drive. No list of safe driving habits would be complete without a mention of this very unsafe practice. Avoid mixing alcoholic beverages with driving at all costs. Even having a couple of drinks can make you lose focus and lower your reaction times and should be avoided. If you have more than that, just don’t drive. Over 10,000 people met an untimely end in 2019 alone due to drunk driving. Don’t become a part of that number.

These are just a handful of tips you can implement to make yourself a safer driver. Our team at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth wants you to stay on the road stress-free so that you can continue exploring your cities and taking on your adventures. If you have another tip or trick to boost your safety on the road, be sure to let us know so we can share it with all of Texas and beyond.