Simple Ways to Keep Your Driving Safe

It is nearly spring and as spring breaks come up, the weather warms and vacation time rolls around, more and more people will be on the road. With that, it is time to practice extra caution, not only in the way you drive but also in watching others and their driving. Taking a these few tips into consideration and making them a part of your daily driving can help protect you, your family and those around you. They include:



1. Never Insist on The Right of Way - If you and another driver encounter a situation where both of you have the right of way or maybe even you do but the other driver is challenging you, yield to that person. Always remember that the goal is to get home safely. Try to put your irritation and ego in check and let the person go first.

2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Drivers are multitasking these days while driving. Whether they are talking on the phone, eating, texting or even applying makeup, they can be a danger to you. To protect yourself and your vehicle, always be alert to what other drivers are doing. Scan the road constantly, both ahead of you and behind you. Also follow the 'two-second-plus-rule' that allows a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you.

3. Slow Down - We are all in a hurry to get where we are going and yet there is nothing more dangerous than rushing. Slow down and obey traffic laws. Don't run red lights nor zip quickly in and out of lanes.

4. Learn To Drive Again - This may sound crazy but most of us learned how to drive when we were sixteen. Could we possibly still remember all the rules to driving? You would be surprised what rules you thought you knew but were violating. Taking a defensive driving course can be very helpful in ensuring you are driving as safely as possible and potentially prevent you from getting a ticket or in an accident.

5. If Tired, Rest - Many accidents are caused by drivers who are drowsy. Statistics show that tired drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, be sure to stop and rest frequently and refresh. Get out of your car, stretch your legs, feel the fresh air on your face, look at something different besides miles of highway before you. Giving your brain something else to do and think about will help you become more focused.

6. Watch Those Blind Spots - Every driver has blind spots, yet do you know where yours are or potentially theirs? To protect yourself from blind spots, don't change lanes without turning and looking for other vehicles both in your mirrors and by turning your head. Signal when changing lanes in case you miss something. If you have an idea of where your blind spots are then you know where the other vehicles are, therefore, don't drive in their blindspots if you can help it.

By practicing defensive driving and being alert as much as possible, you will be surprised in how near misses, stay near misses and don't become collisions.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.