Damage to your car is always a nuisance, especially in the case of a rental car. But it can be even worse when it's the result of an accident – particularly when you could have prevented that accident. Common advice is often to drive carefully. However, simply driving carefully isn't enough. In fact, driving too carefully isn't good either. It's about making choices while driving that benefit you and other road users. Confident driving is safe driving.
Therefore, we give you a number below Tips on how to drive safelyThat's how you'll get on the road safely!
Never be rushed
You undoubtedly know it: a driver tailgating you, honking, or simply exhibiting annoying driving behaviour. However irritating it may be: Don't engage with it.. You are endangering yourself and others. It's better to give this driver space or let them pass. They will probably only arrive one minute earlier at their destination – or perhaps not at all.
2. Do not break down unnecessarily
As we've already mentioned, driving carefully isn't the solution. This is because being careful too quickly paired with doubts. This is not safe in traffic; doubt leads to unrest and uncertainty for your fellow road users. Therefore, use your common sense and make a choice based on it. If your choice turns out to be wrong and you miss a turn as a result? So be it. At least you have no risks taken by doubting, which would result in dangerous situations.
3. Check your tyres
Low tyre pressure is not only bad for your fuel consumption, but mainly for the grip you have on the road surface. What can be the consequences? A longer braking distance and a chance Warning: Slippery die is aanzienlijk groter is dan de bedoeling. Tip van ons: controleer de bandenspanning gewoon één keer per maand, dan is er verder niets aan de hand.
4. Adjust everything to your person
Hereby we mean the Adjusting your mirrors and driver's seat. You must always be able to look well in the rearview mirror, as well as the side mirrors. To properly adjust the side mirrors, you can use the rule of thumb that you should be able to see a small piece of the rear door handle. This way, you have the best view of what is happening behind you.
5. No social media while driving
This is a problem of the last few years. WhatsApp, email, Facebook: your messages keep flooding in while you're driving. However, looking at your phone while driving isn't an option and life-threatening. Use your Bluetooth when you want to answer a call – you can connect it to your car radio.
6. Set the navigation in advance
A sat-nav has the same problem as a smartphone: you're looking at a screen and therefore not at the road. Furthermore, entering a GPS system while driving is always a guarantee of stressful moments. Therefore, enter your destination into your sat-nav beforehand and not while you're driving.
7. Do you check the traffic rules?
Haven't driven in a while? Or do you know that you're not as up-to-date with all the traffic rules (traffic rules also change over the years)? Then it might be a good idea to to revise the theory. Also consider a refresher course to brush up on all traffic rules.
8. Ensure you drive defensively
Besides driving responsibly and safely, there's another special way of driving a car: defensive driving. This involves looking ahead in various situations and anticipate what other drivers will do. Preparation is half the battle: also while driving. Adopting a defensive stance prevents a lot.
9. Consider the weather
Each season has different weather conditions. Prepare yourself well for these differences, as they often cause accidents. In winter, you have to take snow and slippery conditions into account; this can mean you lose more time with the Car driving preparations. But also in the Autumn You need to take the weather into account.
10. Enough fuel
Ensure you always have enough fuel in the tank. This will give you extra peace of mind, which you can use when you can't find your way, for example. When you notice you have little fuel left, it is advisable to use our tips so that you run out of petrol.
11. Make sure you are fit
When you are sick or tired, it is not advisable to drive. Also, during the Pregnancy Are there things to consider?.
With these tips, you can go out on the road safely. Also read our tips about Prevention of car theft, so you can start your ride without any problems.
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3 responses
I think most misery comes from people participating in traffic in a stressed and hurried manner. And the social media drivers. Deadly.
Good piece of text, I always tell this to my students too
I also notice that good preparation helps you to go out on the road more safely. I always make sure I'm fit and know how to drive. When I don't know the road, or my navigation isn't set up correctly, I can become hesitant while driving. You don't want that, of course.