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A responsible driver will always look to improve their driving knowledge. It’s the only way to stay as safe as possible on the roads. However, understanding road safety, traffic laws, and your vehicle are just a tiny part. Here are some extra things you can do.
Keep Yourself Educated about Road Safety
Like most things in life, the subject of driving changes and evolves all the time. Cars are constantly advancing, and new science and technology dictate changes to road traffic laws. You may already be licensed to drive a bike or car. Still, you can significantly enhance your responsibility and knowledge with a car or motorcycle practice test. Practice tests are typically based on actual tests you are given when you go for your license and encourage you to learn as much as possible about road safety. This way, you can significantly expand your knowledge.
Practice Good Driving Habits
Over a short period or even a lifetime, you can pick up bad driving habits. Driving experts recommend you practice good habits and unlearn bad ones as much as possible. Bad driving habits include braking late, not using turn signals, and tailgating. These appear relatively harmless but are very dangerous to you, passengers and pedestrians. Take blinkers, for instance; they aren’t just for other cars, but for pedestrians to know if you are turning a corner or not so they can safely cross. Otherwise, you risk hitting someone as they cross the road.
Improve Driving Knowledge by Knowing the Roads
Car accidents happen all over the world. And there are almost 1.5 million deaths on the roads globally. Many of these are caused by intoxication. But a large portion is caused by drivers not paying attention or rubbernecking because they don’t know the roads. Therefore, you must understand the local traffic system where you are driving. For example, Manhattan has a unique alternating one-way system, and many drivers get confused. Or perhaps you lose confidence using the European “roundabout” systems, which can be daunting when busy.
Increase Confidence by Driving More
Of course, you will only improve your skills and knowledge with confidence. And the best way to get confident on the roads is with practice. The more you drive, the better you will get at it, and the less confused or anxious you will become when tackling busy roadways. However, it’s more helpful to start on familiar roads that aren’t quite as busy. For example, begin by using your car to drive to the store or work if you’re employed in the local area. Then, after a week or two, you will get a feel for your car, the roads, and other drivers as your confidence grows each day.
Stay Up to Date with Driving Law Changes
Further brushing up on on-road skills and driving confidence it’s helpful to keep ahead of any legal changes to the road traffic system in your country. One of the main reasons is that road changes aren’t always very well-publicized. For example, the UK is currently undergoing sweeping changes to The Highways Code, such as speed limiters becoming a legal requirement for new cars. There are also towing weight limit changes and fines for parking on pavements. So it is advised that you regularly check in with your governmental departments.
EXTRA: Some Tips to Maximize Safety when Driving
Improving Your driving knowledge and being responsible extends to staying safe on the roads. While road safety is a vast subject. There are some simple but effective things you can do to ensure the safety of everyone, including yourself. These include the following:
- Turn off your phone.
- Stay aware of bad drivers.
- Check the weather before leaving.
- FLOWER check your car.
- Drive at the speed limit.
- Never drive while intoxicated.
- Know where you are going.
Most of these are common sense. But you would be shocked by some of the figures. For instance, in the UK’s region of Yorkshire alone, there are over 1,000 road traffic incidents solely because of bad tire tread. Any one of these is potentially fatal and is entirely avoidable.
Stay Vigilant by Expecting the Unexpected
You can learn everything about the roads, cars and traffic laws. But there’s always the human element. In the words of Albert Einstein: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” It’s a little on the nose, but pretty much as accurate as it gets. No matter how much you learn and how responsible you are, there will always be bad drivers. And it’s helpful to learn to anticipate what another driver will do. Watch for common bad driving habits, and adjust your driving accordingly by leaving space.
Have Your Senses Checked Regularly
Of course, there’s a chance you will become impaired while driving through no fault of your own. While driving is primarily a visual experience, hearing and smell help too. Therefore, you should get your senses checked often. Your eyesight is the most obvious since you need to anticipate the roads and see signs. But you also need to hear for incoming vehicles at speed or smell telltale signs of a failing engine such as burning from low water or oil. It is recommended you get your eyesight and hearing checked every two to three years if you wear glasses or not.
Getting Refresher Lessons Will Improve Driving KnowledgeÂ
It takes around 45 hours of driving lessons for most people before being ready to pass a license test. Yet this is nowhere near enough for a high degree of experience, and more classes with a professional will maximize your skills. While you might be legally licensed to drive, there is no reason why you cannot continue your driving training with an experienced teacher beyond passing. Additionally, it’s helpful to learn advanced driving skills for driving in bad weather, avoiding collisions, and what to do when you lose control of a vehicle for a controlled stop.
Get a Feel for Different Vehicle Types
Upon passing your driving test, it is common for most people to start with a hot hatch or economy vehicle. But you need to know which car is right for you. For example, a hatchback might not be the best type for your driving style, technique, or body type. Therefore, it is recommended that you try other vehicle types to get a feel for how they behave on the road and find your most suitable class. For instance, if you know how an SUV behaves on wet roads, you have a better chance of anticipating any potential hazards before they arise.
Treat Your Car Like the Weapon It Is
Finally, you can all but prevent the most serious of accidents by treating your car with respect. A moving vehicle is a very large, heavy, and fast weapon capable of immense damage. Therefore, you will do yourself and everyone else a massive favor by remembering this. All too often, innocent people are injured and killed when someone loses control of a car because they are trying driving techniques far beyond their ability. These include drag racing, burnouts, and speeding. The only place for this kind of behavior is on the race track, not the public roads.
Summary
Driving is an ongoing skill for the rest of your life. You can help yourself and everyone else by staying up to date with road laws and practicing your skills. However, you should also remain vigilant against bad drivers and always check your car before driving.
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