by Haris Quintana
One of the most important things you can do as a driver is make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay safe on the road. Whether you’ve just passed your test or you’ve been driving for years, keeping both yourself and others safe should be your main priority.
With that in mind, here are 6 ways to stay safe on the road:
1. Ensure Your Car MOT is In Date
In order to keep your car on the road legally, you need to ensure you’re getting it MOT’ed each and every year. Although, at times, it may cost you quite a bit to get your car back on the road, it’s the best way to ensure your car is fit to drive and isn’t in danger of harming you or anyone else.
2. Look After Your Car And Be Responsible
This goes without saying, but often people that own a car don’t take good enough care of it. Ensure you’re sticking to the speed limits, not doing anything stupid and that generally you’re being a responsible person when it comes to driving. All it takes is one small mistake to get into an accident, so ensuring you’re driving safe at all times will help ensure your safety.
3. Make Sure You’re Not Driving Long Hours
Although it may be tempting to drive long hours if you have a long journey ahead of you, legal requirements state that you should be taking a break at least every four hours, especially if you’re a truck driver tranporting a HGV from one place to another. Make sure you plan your route to include as many stops as you can, stopping in places that are manned and safe. Often people will stop at the side of the road, which can be just as dangerous as not stopping if you’re in the dark.
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4. Pack An Emergency Kit In The Trunk Of Your Car
You never know what may happen when you’re out driving, so ensuring you have an emergency kit packed in your trunk will mean you’re prepared for absolutely anything. Your kit should include a flashlight, warm clothes, no perishable food, plenty of water and any tools you may need to get your car back on the road. Whilst it may not be able to get you back on the road every time, your kit should at least be able to keep you safe until assistance arrives.
5. Take Responsibility For Any Passengers In Your Car
Although you may feel as though it’s not your job, any passengers in your car are actually your responsibility. You need to ensure they’re wearing their seatbelts and keeping themselves from distracting you as you drive. Not only will it keep them safe, but it will help keep you safe too.
6. If you’re planning on having a night out on the town with your friends, it goes without saying that drinking and driving is a really bad idea. Consider what many do in differing geographies, like book a party bus from Riverside, TX.
Do you drive often? How do you ensure you’re staying safe on the road? Let me know in the comments section below.
