Driving a car or any vehicle comes with a lot of responsibility. That’s one of the main reasons why people have to undergo such an extensive series of tests before getting their driver’s license. However, with time, you may not notice that you’ve been developing some driving habits that are not so great nor safe. To help you learn more about driving habits you should adopt, we’ve listed a few key ones down below.
These habits range across your whole driving experience. Starting from when you first get into your car until you start hitting the road. If you’re interested in developing safer driving practices, read on!
Check Your Car First
Before starting up your car, especially before a long road trip, one of the most important things you have to do is to check your car first. Check for what? BLOWBAGETS.
- Battery
- Lights
- Oil
- Water
- Brake
- Air
- Gas
- Engine
- Tire
- Self
This acronym was created by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group. It’s a handy way to remember the parts of your car that you should check before you head out.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Before heading out, make sure you securely fasten your seatbelt. It is one of the most important safety precautions that any driver should keep in mind. Your seatbelt can even be the difference between life and death in case of any accidents. Besides your own seatbelt, if you have loved ones riding with you, ensure that their seatbelts are safely fastened as well.
For those with children, make sure you invest in a sturdy rear-facing car seat from a reputable brand. Read the instruction manual to carefully buckle your child’s car seat in place. A rear-facing car seat is an optimal choice as it can protect the baby’s head and spine in case of any accidents.
Know Your Blind Spots
Another part of your car that you should be checking is your mirrors. If you notice that your car has a lot of blind spots, then it may be a sign that you need to adjust them. For the side mirrors, it is best if you adjust them until you can just barely see the side of your vehicle. For the rearview mirror, adjust it so that it has a full view of your car’s rear side. And lastly, when you’re on the road, be careful when switching lanes or making a turn. Make sure to double-check your surroundings before you do so.
Maintain Your Focus
When you’re on the road, make sure to maintain your focus. This means that you should keep your eyes on the road and not do anything that may distract you. It’s important that you keep both hands on the steering wheel and stay alert. Do not use your phone, do your makeup, or do anything else that would distract you and make you take your eyes off of the road.
Another important thing to take note of is that you should never drive under the influence. Whether you are intoxicated or if you have only had a few glasses of beer, you should not get behind the wheel. Alcohol can slow your senses, which means that you may not be able to react to situations as quickly as you normally would. You could also potentially fall asleep on the wheel, which puts yourself and others around you in danger.
Stay Within the Speed Limit & Follow Road Signs
Another thing to take note of on the road is your speed. Make sure that you are staying within the speed limit found on the road signs around you. Take note that this limit can vary depending on what type of road you are on. For residential and school zones, make sure that you do not go over the speed limit to protect any pedestrians within the area. For highways, make sure that you take into consideration the minimum speed limit to also stay safe.
Make sure that you also follow any road signs such as stop signs or pedxing signs to keep pedestrians on the crosswalks safe.
Key Takeaway
These are just some of the habits that you should remember when driving a car. Once you apply these driving habits that you should adopt, you will be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about your car breaking down or about anything happening down the line.
Before anything else, make sure to check your BLOWBAGETS first. Then, before you go, safely secure your seatbelt as well as those of your passengers. Review your blind spots as well so that you can adjust your mirrors accordingly. Once on the road, maintain your focus, stay within the speed limit, and follow road signs.
Try these habits out on your next trip and see the results for yourself. Don’t forget to buckle up and stay safe!
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