SEVEN SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR SCARY DRIVING SITUATIONS
Using the road in any way requires being careful. Drivers, passengers, passerby, and every other person need to pay attention to their safety. Drivers, in particular, have the responsibility for using the road in a proper manner, after the acquisition of effective driving lessons, with an appropriate vehicle and the required license to drive on the road. Passengers and pedestrians do not need to fulfill specified requirements to use the road.
Notwithstanding how careful a driver can be, there are often some occurrences or situations that could take things out of the driver’s hands. The driver would have to exert extra effort and control of the car to be able to escape the situation or minimize the damage.
Scary driving Situations are many. They include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, tire blowouts, immersion in water, hydroplaning, brake failure amongst many others. Other road users can also cause scary driving. Another careless driver, a stray animal, a child in the middle of the way, an impaired pedestrian and many others may result to scary driving and the need to take the best decisions in split seconds.
One has to take steps, therefore, to minimize the occurrence of scary driving situations as they could put even the best of drivers to failure. Take the following steps to minimize it;
Be an Approved Driver
There is nothing as scary as driving on a major road without having acquired any training in driving. In life, Taking risks could sometimes lead to tremendous successes, but at other times, it could lead to wide-scale disaster. Driving without being trained is a great example of such highly deadly risky activities. First, it puts the driver at the risk of injury or death as he might not even know the most basic controls of the car beyond turning the ignition. This increases the risk of him crashing the car against objects, or worse, other cars and people. Secondly, a driver who loses control of the car is dangerous on any road. A pretest lesson for driving will helpful. Any driver becomes a menace when he cannot control the car anymore, especially if they are basic. This could lead to the loss of lives, damage to the vehicle and damage to other property.
Ensure that you have gotten your driver license, which is a proof you have passed your driving test amongst other requirements.
Have Good Brake Maintenance Practices
Hazards result from a failed brake, and this leads to the inability to stop the car when appropriate or desired. An unstoppable car is scary, and it becomes dangerous if not quickly brought under control. A failed brake is often caused by leaks of hydraulic fluid from the brake lines, which prevents the effects of using the brake pedals to transmit to the wheels. Efficient brake Maintenance Practices includes keeping the brake fluid cylinder full. This makes the pads, rotors, and drums to function properly and last longer. Also ensure to take regular looks at your brake pads, as an irregular appearance could indicate an issue with the braking system.
Having good brake Maintenance Practices, in summary, includes ensuring your brake oil is regularly filled, conduct regular checks on your brake pads and conduct total examinations.
Maintain your Tires Properly.
Tires are essential to a car. Talk about movement, handling, and breaking. It is one of the most pivotal parts of a vehicle as it basically helps the car move, along with other components. Car tires play an essential role in the safety of the passengers in the car, as well as other road users who can be affected by the activities of a car driver.
Maintain your tires properly, and this involves conducting regular checks on your tires. Check if the car is properly inflated and ensure the pressure level is at the recommended levels. If the car is extremely bouncy, it could be overinflated, and if it is underinflated, it could be unresponsive. Ensure that the tires are balanced, as this elongates the lifespan of tires and prevents uneven wear outs. Ensure the wheels align correctly and if possible, rotate car tires regularly.
Generally, ensure that you conduct checks on your tires regularly and before every long trip. You can also have a professional check them.
Be Observant
Paying attention to the road and your driving is very important. A minute of distraction for any reason could lead to dire consequences at times. You could be heading into the wrong lane, be approaching a zebra crossing with excess speed or even be moving into a body of water.
Being observant does not only prevent you from having scary driving situations, but it also helps you to react to them fast. Whether it is an issue that is coming from your car or one that from another driver or road user, being observant helps you to avert danger faster.
Do Not Drive When Drowsy, Sleepy or Under the Influence of Alcohol.
It is similar to driving without paying attention to the road. However, it is worse, because while a person who gets distracted can quickly gain focus and concentrate on driving, a person who is in any of the categories can hardly concentrate until later — driving when Drowsy or sleepy could lead to loss of consciousness, such as falling asleep.
When a person is sleepy in drowsy, the person should rest or sleep till he is fit for driving, or he can pass the driving responsibility to someone else. The same applies to anyone who is under the Influence of alcohol.
Follow Traffic Rules and Regulations.
Speed limits, traffic lights, insistence on the use of seat belts, insistence on the ownership of fire extinguishers amongst others keep traffic and the roads organized and orderly. A disregard for these rules might not have implications such as legal penalties alone. It could lead to scary driving situations.
Maintain your car
A comprehensive check on your car is important. Ensure that you check it regularly and also get a specialist to conduct a full assessment. Some concealed defects could prove to be hazardous.