It's The Little Things: What Every Driver Needs To Know
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2014, there 214 million licensed drivers and 252 million registered vehicles on the roadways throughout the United States. That is a lot of people and a lot of cars on the road. Especially since in 1960, there were only 87 million licensed drivers and 74 million registered vehicles on the roadways. When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, there are some things to keep in mind so that you and those around you stay safe.
Driving Isn't Bumper Cars
While it is true that bumper cars are a ton of fun, you really can't play bumper cars on the roadways. You should apply the three-second rule when it comes to the car in front of you. This means you need to find a fixated object on the side of the road, like a telephone pole, and when the car in front of you passes that object, count three seconds and that is when your car should be going by the same object. Leaving enough room between your car and the car in front of you allows you enough time to react to sudden changes.
Drive and Nothing Else
In many states these days, there are laws when it comes to cell phones and driving. In fact, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 14 states currently do not allow hand-held cell phone use when driving and 46 states do not allow texting on a cell phone while driving. When you are using your cell phone while driving, you are not paying attention to what is going on around you. It is not just cell phones either since you also shouldn't apply makeup or eat while driving either.
Pull Over When You See Blue Lights
No matter what you see in the movies, when you see blue lights flashing in the back of you, the worst thing you can do is to increase your speed and take off. Instead, you should put your signal light on and pull over safely to the side of the road. Then, turn your car off and roll your window down when the police officer approaches your vehicle.
Always Drive with Your Headlights On
According to the Michigan State Police, if you always drive with your headlights on, you can lessen the risk of being in an auto accident by up to 32%. If you think about it, if your car is lit up you are going to be more visible to other drivers. Even if it is the middle of the afternoon, be sure your headlights are turned on.
Even with all the cars on the roadways today, driving can be a safe and enjoyable environment. All you need to do is follow a few easy tips and you are on your way to stress-free driving. Continue reading more here.