If you’re one of the millions of people that drive to and from work every single day, then you’ll know just how terrible it can get at times. The traffic is often awful, the drive itself is tedious, and you’ll encounter more bad drivers than you can shake a stick at, but, unfortunately, it’s something that has to be done. Although you may have managed to get through each journey without too much trouble so far, there is always the chance that an accident can happen, so it’s vital that you do what you can to decrease the chances of an accident occurring. Here are seven safety tips to bear in mind.
Leave A Little Early
If the traffic is particularly bad, and you’re worried that you’re going to be late for work, then you’re going to make silly and dangerous mistakes that could risk the well-being of you and those around you. Because of this, it’s always sensible to leave a little earlier than you think you need to so that you don’t feel the need to rush. If there is traffic, then this means you’ll be less likely to be late, and if there isn’t, then you have a bit of free time before you have to head into the office.
Maintain Your Car
You may have bought the safest model of car on the market, but if you don’t maintain it properly, then things could still go wrong that put you in danger on the road. It’s vital that you keep up with your car maintenance if you want it to keep running without too many issues. Checking your tire pressure and tread regularly is incredibly important, especially in poor weather, so make sure to do this at least once a month. You can read your car’s manual for maintenance advice.
Adjust Your Mirrors
To increase your chances of staying safe on the road, it’s vital that you’ve got the best vision possible and that you’re aware of your surroundings. To ensure this, you need to adjust your mirrors, so that the edge of your car is in your field of vision. This gives you a much better perspective, as it shows you your position on the road, which helps you to properly gauge distance and avoid bumps.
Choose Sensible Footwear
It’s important that you consider the impact that your shoes could have on your driving before you get behind the wheel. High heels, for example, could catch on pedals or floor mats, which could delay or obstruct acceleration, or, more importantly, braking. You should always wear low-heeled or flat shoes when driving, preferably with some grip on them, and then you can change into your work shoes before heading into the office.
Have A Test Run
Before you start your first day at a new job, it’s always sensible to have a test run of your route to work and see how long it takes to get there with the traffic. This means that you’ll know what to expect when you actually need to be in work so that you don’t get as stressed and frustrated. This will also help you to remember your route so that you don’t have to use a satnav, which might distract you while you’re driving and result in an accident.
Don’t Lose Focus
It’s essential that you remain focused every single time you get behind the wheel, but this is even more important when you’re driving to work, as the roads are so busy. This means that you should avoid texting while you’re driving, or you may find yourself needing a car accident lawyer. You also shouldn’t eat while you’re driving or play with your satnav, as both of these distractions commonly cause accidents too. Your focus should solely be on driving and nothing else.
Keep Your Cool
If anything can distract you from driving, it’s your emotions, and, unfortunately, these can get pretty out of control when you’re stuck in traffic and surrounded by people that seem like they’re trying to cause an accident. In these situations, it’s important that you keep cool, or you’ll start to make dangerous mistakes. Taking a few deep breaths and listening to music often helps, but, if you have to, you should find somewhere to pull over and regain your composure.
Commuting to work is rarely fun, but it shouldn’t be as dangerous as it often is. If you want to make your journey to work a little bit safer, then follow these simple tips.
