Ten Tips Help You Arrive Alive
The following 10 tips really can help you arrive alive.
1. Change how you drive as the weather changes
Changing weather conditions require you to change the way you drive. When it’s foggy, raining, snowing or the roads are icy, slow down so you have more time to react. Plus you should turn your headlights on low when it’s foggy, and if the fog is so thick it’s hard to see, pull off the road as far as you can and wait it out. Turn headlights on when it’s raining, and if your windshield fogs up, turn on the defroster. In snow or ice conditions, ease into your turns and stops.
2. Look left, right, left again
Always know what other drivers are doing before proceeding through intersections. Look left, then right, and then left again before you start moving. Those few seconds of checking and rechecking can help you avoid an accident.
3. Never tailgate
The faster you travel, the more distance you need to safely stop. So never follow the car in front of you too closely. If you can’t see that car’s back tires, you’re way too close. Always try to keep two car lengths in between the car in front and your car. If the driver behind you is too close, move over and let that driver pass.
4. Put your phone away
No talking, no dialing, and definitely no texting while driving! If you need to use a mobile device, pull over and then do so.
5. Don’t drive when tired
Dozing off for a few seconds is all it takes to get in a serious accident. If you’re sleepy, especially if driving at night, pull over someplace safe and give yourself a rest. Until you do, open the windows, tap you feet, sing, and get your blood flowing to help increase alertness. If possible, let someone else drive.
6. Keep your attention on the road, not the kids
Set the ground rules for car behavior early on and enforce them. If the kids drop something or get out of control, pull over to deal with the situation.