Do you know that 99% of traffic accidents are caused by human error? The sad truth is that most drivers continue making the same mistakes on the road due to poor driving habits. Below we have mentioned a refresher course on safe driving practices that can help you avoid serious accidents.
Driving too closely behind someone
It does not matter how long you have been driving - you should always keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front. A general rule of thumb is to keep a three-second distance from the car ahead of you. And if the weather is inclement, think about keeping more distance – this will give you extra time to stop in case your car slide or skid.
Forgetting to use indicators
Turn signals are used to notify other drivers that you are about to change lanes or make a turn. However, after turning or changing lanes, ensure to turn off the turn signal as it can mislead other drivers and cause an accident. If you are applying for truck jobs in Canada, you must practice good driving habits to avoid accidents.
Stopping the car abruptly
Pressing the brake in moving traffic for no good reason is one of the leading causes of accidents. You will be bound to face the consequences if you stop the car without any prior consideration or indication. So, be aware of vehicles behind yours and indicate before taking turns and changing lanes to give other drivers time to react.
Getting angry on the road
People will cut you off, don’t indicate their turns, or do other stupid things on the road, but this doesn’t give you an excuse to get angry. Shouting or gesturing at the driver can escalate the situation to a dangerous level and will not help you anyway. If you find someone driving carelessly, note down the vehicle information and share it with the concerned authorities.
Keeping high beams on
High beams are used when there are no street lights on the road. It is therefore not wise to use them where there is ample light as it can blind the ongoing traffic and distract drivers. Moreover, if you see a headlight or taillight on the road, lower the beam to make the road visible to other drivers.
Adjusting your side and read view mirrors
Everyone is taught to adjust their side and rearview mirrors in driving class, but only a few remember it. It is essential to correct the mirror position as a wrong angle position could lead to a collision with pedestrians and cyclists around you.
Bad seating position
It's not a good idea to drive too comfortably. Sitting too far from the wheel can reduce the driver's reaction time and affect their visibility. It can also cause the driver to fall asleep due to dizziness. So sit up straight and keep your hands on the steering to ensure you stay alert while driving.
Driving while distracted
One of the most prominent road safety concerns is distracted driving. Distractions are classified into three types:
- Visual distraction: In visual distraction, one focuses his eyes away from the road.
- Manual distraction: In manual distraction, one moves his hands away from the wheel.
- Cognitive distraction: In cognitive distraction, someone's mind wanders away from the task.
According to a study, cell phone users are more likely to get into an accident than undistracted drivers. Even if you have an integrated smartphone in your car whose voice recognition feature you use to talk and send messages, you still can get distracted.
Keeping both hands behind the wheel does not guarantee security while you are thinking about delivering an office presentation or talking with your client on the phone. It is best to avoid calling, texting, and eating while driving. For someone applying for truck jobs in Canada- the most important thing is not to get distracted.
Speeding and overtaking
You may be tempted to speed if you are getting late for a meeting, but speeding usually results in a fine or an accident. So keep your car speed within the posted speed limit until you reach your destination. You will risk your life and that of others by speeding on the road. In addition, it becomes more difficult to stop the car at high speed. The problem will be exacerbated by bad weather as it takes longer to stop vehicles on icy roads.
Slow reaction time
Reaction time is the time someone takes to react, for example, stopping when something suddenly comes in front of you, turning a corner or avoiding an accident, etc. Under the influence of drugs and alcohol, someone’s reaction time can decrease while driving. People who take specific prescription medicines for their medical conditions can also have a slower reaction time. Also, with age, our reaction time slows down. Therefore never consume anything that can decrease your reaction time while driving. And always keep a safe distance from the car ahead of you, as we have mentioned before.
No comments:
Post a Comment