When you’ve been driving for a few years, it can be easy to fall into bad habits – but these bad habits can lead to very serious consequences. The new year is a great time to evaluate all kinds of things in your life, and your driving habits is one of them!
Tips for Safe Driving
You can’t anticipate every possible thing that could go wrong as you drive, and you can’t control how others drive, but you can learn how to drive defensively. Keep these things in mind every time you set out on the road:
- Be focused. It can be easy to let your thoughts wander as you drive, but staying focused is the most important driving safety tip there is. Don’t let yourself get distracted with texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or thinking about that important presentation at work.
- Be aware of the other guy. You never know when someone is going to try to jump into your lane ahead of you or when the person in front of you is going to stop suddenly. Always be ready for the unexpected, and don’t assume that the drivers around you are as safety-conscious as you are.
- Be safe. This includes wearing your seat belt and making sure your car is in good condition, but it also means avoiding driving aggressively. Staying calm when driving (no matter how mad someone makes you), following the speed limit, and maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you allows you to react quickly to others’ bad driving if you have to.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Always keep your eyes moving. Check your mirrors frequently, scan for what is going on ahead of you, and make sure to watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, pets, and debris on the road.
Of course, just because you are driving safely doesn’t mean that everyone else is! If you are in a car accident in the new year, Atlanta attorney Laurie Robbins can help to make sure your rights are protected and can help you fight for compensation. Call today for a free consultation, at 404-252-8117.