Ishraq A.
Hashmi
When
everything is going smoothly, driving seems easy. You sit in the driver's seat,
start the car, hit the road, and reach your destination. But a small mistake
can change the whole picture in seconds.
There
are some habits while driving that are very common and seemingly harmless.
Sleepiness, lack of concentration, driving too close to a car, or getting angry
at another driver may not seem dangerous at the time, but even a few seconds of
error on the road can make a big difference.
Let's
see what 12 things you should always avoid while driving.
1.
Don't drive when you are extremely tired or sleepy
Extreme
fatigue can seriously affect your driving ability. When you are sleepy, your
reactions slow down, your attention wanders, and it becomes difficult to make
quick decisions.
The
most dangerous thing is that a tired driver often thinks that he can drive
“just a few more kilometers.”
If
you are having trouble keeping your eyes open, yawning frequently, or losing
concentration, stop and rest in a safe place. It is better to arrive late than
never to arrive at your destination.
2.
Do not exceed the speed limit
As
speed increases, the dangerous consequences of a minor mistake can increase.
The
faster you are driving, the less time you have to brake or react to a sudden
situation. A pedestrian may suddenly appear, the vehicle in front may suddenly
stop, or an obstacle may appear on the road.
Also,
remember that injuries can be more serious in a high-speed accident.
Do
not drive faster just because the road is empty. Road speed limits are set to
take into account curves, intersections, pedestrians, other vehicles, and
sudden hazards.
Drive
at a speed that allows you to maintain full control of your vehicle.
3.
Don’t wear shoes that interfere with pedal control
The
dangers of barefoot driving are often talked about, but the real issue is how
easily you can control the pedals with your feet.
Loose
sandals, too-big shoes, slippery shoes, or high-heeled shoes can make it
difficult to use the brakes and accelerator.
Before
you drive, make sure your feet can reach the pedals comfortably and that there
are no objects under them.
It’s
simple: Your shoes shouldn’t be an added hazard while driving.
4.
Don’t let anger dominate your driving
Someone
suddenly overtakes you. Another driver doesn’t give way. Or a motorcycle
suddenly pulls in front of your vehicle.
All
of these things can be annoying, of course, but reacting in anger can turn a
minor problem into a dangerous situation.
Don’t
chase a driver, don’t intentionally try to block the road, don’t honk your horn
in anger, and don’t try to “teach” someone a lesson.
You
can’t control other people’s driving, but you can control your own reactions.
Sometimes
the best response to bad driving is to distance yourself and keep moving toward
your destination.
5.
Don’t drive without a seat belt
It
only takes a few seconds to put on a seat belt, but it’s one of the easiest
things you can do to keep everyone in the car safe.
Seat
belts aren’t just for the driver. All passengers in the car, where available,
should wear them.
Airbags
are not a substitute for seat belts. Modern vehicle safety systems are designed
so that seat belts and airbags work together.
So
make it a habit to fasten your seat belt before you drive.
6.
Don't completely isolate yourself from the sounds around you
Music
can make a long drive enjoyable, but it can be dangerous if you're listening to
music so loud that you can't hear the sounds around you.
It's
also not a good idea to use headphones while driving, as it can make it
difficult to hear horns, emergency vehicles, approaching motorcycles, or other
important sounds.
If
you're listening to music or navigation, don't turn the volume up so loud that
you're blinded by the traffic noise around you.
7.
Don't drive fast or dangerously in bad weather
Rain,
fog, snow, strong winds, dust, and low visibility can suddenly change the road
conditions.
This
is a time to be cautious, not to show off your vehicle's power.
Even
if your vehicle has four-wheel drive or advanced safety technology, you still
need to slow down and keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front.
Slow
down, use proper lights, avoid sudden braking or turning, and take special care
on standing water or slippery roads. Good driving means adapting to the road
conditions.
8.
Don’t use your phone while driving
A
mobile phone can take your attention off the road in a matter of seconds.
It
may take a few seconds to read a message, reply to it, check social media or
change a video, but the car is constantly moving.
It
is better to put the phone aside before starting the journey. If you need to
make a phone call, send a message or change a setting, stop the car in a safe
place and then do it.
Avoid
conversations or activities that divide your mental attention too much, even
when using hands-free technology.
No
notification is more important than the situation in front of you on the road.
9.
Don’t drive too close to another vehicle
Trailing
too close to another vehicle will not help you reach your destination faster.
Instead, you will reduce the necessary safety distance for yourself.
If
the vehicle in front brakes suddenly, you should have enough time and space to
react.
Keep
a reasonable distance and increase this distance even more at high speeds, at
night or in bad weather.
If
a car is coming too close to you, don't try to teach it a lesson by slamming on
the brakes. If it's safe, let it pass.
It's
safer to create distance than to create conflict.
10.
Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or any drug that affects your
ability
Alcohol,
drugs, and some medications can affect your judgment, concentration, physical
coordination, and reaction time.
The
danger is that a person may think they are capable of driving when in fact
their ability is significantly impaired.
If
you have been drinking or using anything that can affect your driving, don't
take the risk. Get home by another means, ask someone you trust to drive, or
wait until you are fully capable of driving.
Deciding
to drive while intoxicated can put not only your own life at risk, but also the
lives of others on the road.
11.
Don't turn your car into a dressing room
Doing
makeup, shaving, eating, searching for something in your bag, or adjusting your
clothes while driving can distract you from the road.
A
sudden change in traffic requires a few moments of attention. Even if the car
is moving slowly, this minor distraction can lead to an accident.
If
you need to fix your appearance, eat, or look for something, park your car in a
safe place and do it later.
Do
not try to complete tasks that you could not complete before leaving the house
while driving.
12.
Don't move your seat so far back that it becomes difficult to control the car
Few
people pay attention to how important their seat position is while driving.
If
the seat is too far back, it can be difficult to reach the pedals and you won't
be able to react quickly if a sudden situation arises. It can also be difficult
to use other vehicle controls, such as indicators, lights, or windshield
wipers.
Before
driving, adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so that you can
comfortably reach the pedals and use all the necessary vehicle controls easily.
You
shouldn’t have to lean forward, move your body unnecessarily, or change your
position to reach something to drive.
Safe
driving is actually good habits
Most
dangerous driving mistakes don’t start with a sudden big decision. They often
start with a simple thought:
“I
just saw this message.”
“I’ll
get there faster if I drive a little faster.”
“I’m
tired, but I just have to walk a little further.”
“I
need to tell him I’m in a hurry, I’ll walk closer to him.”
These
small mistakes of a few seconds can change your whole day, if not your whole
life.
The
goal of good driving is not to prove how fast you can drive or how confident
you are as a driver. The main goal is to stay alert, have full control of the
vehicle, and have enough time and space to deal with unexpected situations.
A
safe driver is not someone who never encounters danger.
A
safe driver is someone who has the appropriate distance, time, and attention to
react to danger when it arises.
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