How To Be A Better Driver – Get Back To Basics

The most basic principle to be applied to ensure good driving is knowledge of and obedience to traffic laws. It is not difficult to understand the danger of traveling at an excessive rate of speed in residential areas and school zones. Being a good driver includes care for the safety of pedestrians as well as other drivers. Reviewing the current traffic laws and vehicle safety requirements can serve as a good refresher on many areas of driving likely forgotten. It is not pleasant to be traveling at a high rate of speed and have the vehicle ahead dropping pieces and parts which are now dangerous projectiles that can cause serious damage or even death. Traffic laws perform two basic functions in that they provide a level of management to aid in keeping traffic flowing smoothly, and more importantly driver safety. Traffic is chaotic enough with the traffic laws. Imagine the drive if there were no such management.

Pay attention and be observant while driving. Along with having knowledge of the traffic laws it is just as important to understand the various signs and signals that communicate those laws on streets, roads, and expressways. It is very important to look for indicators or signs that may or may not be permanent. Being attentive to signs and signals is straight forward and simple yet widely unpracticed. Being alert means anticipating the unseen hazards that exist, such as children that might run from between closely parked cars, or the distracted motorist who runs the 4-way stop sign or even a red light. A very commonly overlooked area of attention is the vehicle blind-spot. Practice taking a good, yet quick, physical look over the shoulder before making a lane change.

Avoid distractions both inside and outside the vehicle. Distractions from outside the vehicle happen all the time from every direction, but need to be ignored. Drivers who suddenly slow down, not because of traffic necessarily, but to view an accident or other type of occurrence, can cause or even become an accident. Tempting to the morbid curiosity as it may be, a good driver will ignore such scenes and remain focused on driving. The same principle applies to any type of event that will cause a diversion of attention away from driving. Now distractions from inside the vehicle are not only to be controlled by the driver, they are the driver’s responsibility. Things such as loud excessive noise or items that can distract driver focus or impede safe operation of the vehicle. Passengers must be in safety restraints and loose items safely secured. Items unsecured will continue to travel when the vehicle has to come to an abrupt stop.

Practicing the basic driver safety rules and courtesy, such as using turn signals and maintaining safe following distances all contribute to being a good driver. However, a pleasant demeanor goes a long way to ensure good driving. Remember to be polite and remain calm. The important thing is for everyone to get home safely.