It’s true to say that many of us take driving for granted and don’t treat the activity with the respect it deserves. We forget that when driving, we’re travelling at high speeds in what is essentially a metal can on wheels. Sure it’s got comfort and safety features. But it’s also got an engine that could easily turn into quite a powerful bomb and an outer body that’s more vulnerable than it looks. There are a few dangers of the road that you should be aware of. If you know what they are, you can avoid the trouble they will cause.
Image by Craig ONeal
Car Maintenance
We’ll start with a very basic tip, and that’s the importance of keeping your car well maintained. Many people forget that car maintenance isn’t just about aesthetic features and keeping your car clean. You need to check the engine and make sure that it has all the necessary fluids. As well as this, you should be aware of warning signs that there is something wrong with the vehicle. Any peculiar smells without a seen cause or weird noises should be checked immediately by a mechanic. If you don’t do this, then you might overlook something that could be the symptom of a serious issue.
There are a few checks you need to make every time you drive your car. You need to check the wheels have pressure. Do this by giving them a firm, quick kick. If you feel no give, they are fine. If you’re driving at night don’t forget about the lights. A light out on a car could be a serious hazard on a dark road.
Bigger Vehicles
Recently there has been an increased popularity for bigger road users. Whether you’re driving an SUV, 4X4 or truck you need to handle the vehicle responsible. You should not start throwing the weight you have around on the road. This could lead to an accident and then you will need a truck accident lawyer. We should point out the law tends not to favor drivers who have caused an incident due to being unable to handle their vehicle effectively.
Distractions
When we think of distractions while driving we often jump to using a cell phone. What the news stories tends to leave out is that it’s not having the phone that is the distraction. It’s engaging in a conversation. You should be careful about having heated conversations while driving. Getting too involved in discussion could lead you to take your focus off the road at the most inopportune moment. Then you’ll certainly wished you’d left your thoughts on politics until after you came to a stop.
Drink Driving
Is it ever safe to drink and drive a car? While it is legal to drink a little amount of alcohol and drive researchers have never been convinced it’s safe. Our bodies are different and as such react differently to alcohol. If you drive with alcohol in your system, you might not be over the limit but it could still affect your reflex times.
There are a number of dangers when out on the road. But if you are sensible and always obey the law, you can avoid most issues.