5 Pretty Good Ways To Keep Safe On The Road
Add your own to this list, too.
Most of you are probably better than average drivers. No, I mean it. I bet you’re more observant than many drivers, and you don’t rely so much on all the technology cars are stuffed with. Your car is probably your pride and joy, and you’ll make sure you’re protecting it as much as possible, right? But we sometimes still switch off momentarily, or get distracted by a Porsche going the opposite way.
Road safety organisation GEM Assist has come up with a list of top tips to stay safe. They point out that up to 70 people are killed on Europe’s roads every day. Some of these are common sense, and I understand I might be preaching to the converted, but a little refresh never hurt anyone.
Kids, listen to your geography teacher if they tell you to wear a seatbelt...
Wear a seatbelt
Kind of hard not to, in modern cars. But we might forget how important seat belts are, and go without them for short journeys. With so many distracted drivers sharing the same asphalt as you, you never know when you’ll be shunted by a Ford C-Max. Stupid collisions and incidents are way too common, so make sure you’re safe if you’re unlucky enough to be caught in one.
See that police van? No, it's hiding in a hedge
Know the speed limit
If anyone needs to heed this advice, it’s me. Pretty sure I got caught speeding on Friday by one of those bastard camera vans, as I didn’t slow down enough before coming into a village. It’s always important to know what the speed limit is, because you don’t want to accrue points and get fines and all that. The money is better spent on car parts instead!
"You are feeling very sleeeeeeeeepy"
Eye test
Can you see? If not, driving might not be something you’re very good at. Regular eye tests make sure you’re fit to drive, and that you don’t miss any pedestrians or cyclists that might walk out in front of you.
Stay alert
This isn’t only about staying awake at the wheel – although make sure you get some rest or a triple-shot-skinny-soya-espresso-mocha-choca-latte if you need it – but avoiding the distractions too. Despite being illegal in many countries, it’s baffling how many people still text while driving. Again, I’m sure you don’t need reminding, but playing Snake on your Nokia 3310 could cause a nasty crash.
This Audi is surprisingly far away from you, for once
Courteous driving
GEM says to spare a thought for other drivers and road users, because we could all be a bit more courteous when driving – whether that means not tailgating, getting impatient, driving dangerously or something else. Imagine how much safer and less stressful driving would be if everyone followed GEM’s advice!
Your Turn
As well as these fairly obvious things, I’ll usually turn my lights on when I’m driving in direct sunlight. Sounds silly, but people can be dazzled by the sun and miss things. What other things do you do on the road to stay safe?
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Comments (10)
No tailgating
Are those real? Never seen them, they’re mega!
It's a new advertising campaign to stop tailgating. A Audi should been more appropriate than a space invader.
Spatial awareness goes a long way. Also, if you assume everyone else on the road around you is a maniac, and therefore could pull a stupid manoeuvre at any given time, it helps to keep you alert.
That’s very true. And sometimes you can just tell someone’s about to do something stupid
Something I forgot... stay out of the passing lane if you’re not passing!! Understand the rules of the road before driving. Unfortunately the people who need to hear that are not in this forum.
Definitely. In the UK we get middle lane hoggers on the motorway, so annoying!!
Maintain your car
Don’t over modify your car
Know where you’re going
No headphones
Racing is for the racetrack
Exactly. I feel the list could’ve been much more exhaustive haha. Maintenance and navigation must be two of the most important things of driving, it’s amazing how many people neglect them.