Life’s hectic pace may cause us to become emotional or angry while driving, but this should never become an outlet for uncontrolled negative feelings.
Be prepared for unexpected situations and drive safely by following these tips: 1. Observe Safe Distance. To stay safe behind the wheel, you must leave enough distance between you and the car ahead in case it slams on its brakes suddenly.
1. Stay Focused
As traffic moves slowly along, it can be easy to become frustrated and lose focus on the task at hand. If this occurs to you, take a deep breath and return your focus to what matters – your task at hand!
Remind yourself to leave at least several seconds of space between yourself and the vehicle ahead to prevent frequent braking and rear-end collisions.
Practice counting to ensure you leave adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you, counting from three up to nine in poor conditions or darkness. When driving during these conditions, double this number.
2. Keep a Safe Distance
The three-second rule is an established best practice for maintaining an appropriate distance between your vehicle and that of the one ahead. Locate a fixed point on the road ahead, such as an overpass or street sign, and count down three seconds when they pass it; if your car passes before that happens then too closely is being followed.
Increase your following distance when driving in poor weather or heavy traffic conditions to allow more time for sudden stops or unanticipated situations on the road. This will allow for quicker reactions.
3. Keep Your Eyes on the Road
Staying aware of your surroundings while driving safely is vital. Be sure to constantly inspect mirrors and blind spots, especially when passing or merging cars, and scan shoulder roads and any potential places where emergency maneuvers might need to take place.
Avoid aggressive drivers by not responding to rude gestures or language, tailgating, or erratic driving behaviors that could escalate their aggression and lead to accidents. Doing so could aggravate them and could even have catastrophic results – leading to potential injuries in an accident situation.
Expect the unexpected. Other drivers could swerve, pass yellow lights unprotected, or make unexpected left turns – things that cannot be controlled; all you can do is prepare for them.
4. Stay in Your Lane
Accidents often result from drivers changing lanes too quickly, leading to accidents. It is crucial that drivers keep a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles and only switch lanes when necessary.
Pay attention to lane markers and road signs, and always signal before changing lanes. Check mirrors and blind spots regularly.
Merging into traffic safely and taking advantage of your vehicle’s lane centering feature are both worthwhile practices, but should never serve as replacements for developing good driving habits.
5. Don’t Brake Abruptly
Drivers need to exercise patience and respect when driving in heavy traffic, with aggressive behaviors such as tailgating or weaving between lanes increasing tensions and increasing the risk of accidents.
Slamming on your brakes should also be avoided to avoid neck and head injuries for passengers in other vehicles. Instead, anticipate slowdowns of vehicles ahead and give yourself a second buffer zone to prevent rear-end collisions. To measure this effect accurately, choose a fixed point on the road – for example a sign – and time how many seconds it takes your car to pass by after it has already done so.
6. Keep Your Head Up
Driving safely in traffic requires having a level head. Stress and impatience can cause snap decisions to be made on the road that could put both yourself and other drivers at risk. If driving under stress becomes unavoidable, try to do it outside rush hour while using real-time traffic apps to stay one step ahead.
Maintain a nutritious diet cut back on caffeine when driving, and learn some breathing techniques to relax and focus.
7. Be Prepared to React
Driving can be an emotionally charged experience for many drivers, whether dealing with personal issues or working long hours in an office environment. Being prepared for anything can ease stress levels greatly and allow drivers to enjoy their journeys uninterrupted.
Be ready for sudden lane changes, pedestrians crossing the street and other motorists acting unpredictably. Intersections are prime spots for accidents; therefore pay extra attention and always double-check your mirrors before turning.
Be courteous on the road to reduce stress and avoid road rage, which is especially crucial in Brooklyn where traffic and delays are a daily reality. Allow other drivers to merge, don’t honk excessively, and signal your intentions regularly – these habits will all go a long way toward helping ensure an easy driving experience!
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Driving in traffic can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. By following some general safe driving tips and practicing caution while on the road, you should be fine.
If driving is making you anxious, asking a trusted friend or family member for a lift could help; or taking an adult driver education class may provide beneficial tips.
Keep this in mind: most accidents are avoidable. Don’t allow others’ poor driving practices to discourage you. Be ready to quickly respond when unexpected events arise and regularly check your mirrors – it only takes seconds of distraction for someone to rear-end your vehicle!
9. Be Patient
Roadway traffic congestion can be an emotionally trying environment for drivers. Some may become impatient or angry and resort to aggressive driving strategies that put everyone’s safety at risk.
Stay calm, remember that you will reach your destination eventually, and take a deep breath before focusing on driving to stay calm during busy traffic periods. Taking deep breaths will help keep stress at bay and focusing on driving will allow for smoother transitions during these challenging moments.
Always ensure you check your mirrors frequently and signal before switching lanes to enable other drivers to anticipate your actions and maintain an appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
