Driving is a useful skill for just about everyone. It helps you get where you need to go, take other people places and allows you to travel to new destinations. However, driving comes with its risks and responsibilities. Every day people get into accidents, encounter reckless drivers, and face difficult driving conditions. 

To lower the risk of getting in an accident, you should always do your best to drive safely. It’s easy to become overconfident or think that nothing will happen to you. But the reality is that even the most experienced driver can make a mistake or fall into a habit of careless driving. 

The consequences of dangerous driving can be severe. A minor traffic ticket might cost you money, or you may have to go to traffic school to clear your record. But more serious offenses, like a DUI, can come with huge fines, court hearings, suspension of your license, and even jail time. You might have to go through a program of evaluation and education, as sometimes it’s necessary to evaluate the DUI Psychological Factors. In the worst cases, dangerous driving leads to serious injury and loss of life. To avoid the terrible consequences of dangerous driving, it’s every driver’s responsibility to practice safety and defensive driving at all times on the road. 

How can you be a safer driver and avoid getting a ticket or getting into an accident? Here are a few tips to improve your driving and make the road a safer place.

1. Follow basic safety laws.

This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s essential that you are familiar with and always follow traffic laws. These laws were made to keep you and other drivers safe. Here are a few examples of laws that protect everyone on the road:

• Wearing a seatbelt. Buckling up saves lives. But some people are lazy about using their seatbelts. They may think, “I’m only going up the street, what’s the big deal?” That kind of lax attitude can get you in a bad situation. If you’re in an accident and aren’t wearing a seatbelt, you could experience worse injuries. Always be sure to buckle up and make sure all of your passengers use seatbelts as well.
• Speed limits. Speed limits are designed to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. In areas where there’s more pedestrian traffic, speed limits are lower so that drivers have time to respond if someone steps out into the street or a car pulls out of a driveway. There are also special speed limits for school and construction zones. Always pay attention to the speed limit wherever you’re driving and don’t give in to the temptation to speed.
• Traffic lights and signs. Obeying traffic lights and signs keeps traffic flowing smoothly and alerts drivers to potential dangers. Always pay attention to traffic signs to stay safe.

2. Avoid distracted driving. 

Driving requires that you keep your full attention on the road. Distractions can cause you to take your eyes off the road, miss important signs, or worse, a pedestrian walking onto the road. One of the worst distractions is your cell phone. It’s o secret that most people are addicted to their mobile devices to some degree. It’s hard to ignore a notification or an incoming call, but the consequences of looking at your phone while driving can be tragic. Put your phone in the back seat and turn off notifications if you find that it causes you to become distracted. 

3. Don’t drive when you’re stressed, angry, or tired.

Your mood can affect how safely you drive. It’s never a good idea to drive when you’re under a lot of stress or you’re angry. When your mind is on something else, there’s a greater chance that you’ll drive recklessly or get into an accident. It’s better to avoid the risk and wait until you’re in a better state of mind to drive.

It’s also never a good idea to drive when you’re tired. If you find yourself dozing off while on the road, pull over. Take a nap, drink a coffee or energy drink, and wait until you’re feeling fully awake to get back on the road.

4. Learn to drive defensively.

Good drivers drive defensively, not aggressively. This basically means that you do everything in your power to avoid accidents and anticipate what other drivers will do. Defensive drivers scan the road, keep space between themselves and the driver in front of them, and respect other drivers. If you’re not familiar with defensive driving, you can find courses that teach you how to drive defensively. 

While driving is an essential skill, it comes with plenty of risks. Every driver is responsible for driving safely and obeying traffic laws at all times. Follow the tips in this article to become a better driver and stay safe while on the road.