Safe driving is something we probably all claim to practice, but honestly, can it be said that you never make a mistake on the road? It's a fact that mistakes happen, but the ones you make while behind the wheel can cost you your life, let alone that of other road users.
At Snooper, we know you're probably tired of hearing the same old advice when it comes to staying safe on the road. So we've put together this list of tips and common mistakes drivers make that are a little different.
1) Concentration (or lack of) is a killer
According to the Transport Research Laboratory, most drivers only concentrate 25% of their driving time. It's a scary thought and means that three out of four drivers around you are not paying attention at any given moment. Normally drivers do not concentrate because they are distracted by something else.
The research also found that those traveling on business are 40% more likely to be distracted, as the temptation to check email, fiddle with a sat nav, or answer phone calls plays some role in these types of trips.
It is therefore absolutely essential that you do everything you can to maintain concentration or, if you see a distracted driver, keep a safe distance so as not to endanger your life unnecessarily.
2) Techno lovers = bad drivers
All cars are equipped with a stereo and speakers, that goes without saying. But did you know that the music you play them could affect your ability to drive? Whereas we used to think it was safe to assume that the music you listen to doesn't matter as long as you keep your mind on the road. However, research has shown that your choice of genre could make you a worse driver!
Research conducted in Israel and published on New Scientist found that the faster the tempo of the music (between 120 and 140 beats per minute), the more likely a motorist was to run a red light, and so were those drivers more likely to be involved in an accident. 120 and 140 beats per minute is generally the speed of most dance and techno music, so be warned.
3) Your mirror is probably positioned incorrectly
Most of the time you spend driving your car you spend going forward, but it's important to be able to see what's behind you immediately. It's especially important to be able to see what's behind you without taking your eyes off the road any longer than necessary. Where most people seriously fail with their mirror positioning is in the side mirror, with many drivers choosing to position them so that part of the rear of the car is visible. However, you shouldn't actually be able to see your car, and leaving it in that position actually creates an unnecessary blind spot.
Yes, we know it seems obvious, but we were surprised at how many people still don't follow this fairly simple tip.
4) Pay more attention to traffic, less to traffic signs
It may be hard to believe, but some traffic experts actually believe that there are too many road signs, leading drivers to smugly and blindly follow instructions instead of paying attention to the behavior of their passengers. While this may seem far-fetched, there are some examples that could prove this theory. Just think, have you ever seen a car plow through a green light only to collide at an intersection? Yes the light was green so they had the right of way but it might not have been the best time to leave.
It is worth considering….
5) You wait too long to check your tires
Everything works fine in your car until the light comes on, right? While this is usually the case, this in no way means that you should just assume that everything is perfect. The truth is, by the time the low tire pressure warning light comes on on your car's dashboard, you've probably already left it too late.
Drivers should check their tires regularly to avoid accidents and stop immediately if your light comes on. If this happens and the tire looks almost completely flat, do not attempt to ride on it. And if you find that all four tires aren't properly inflated, you'll be much harder to maneuver in an emergency and could even risk your life.
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