6 Rules To Follow To Stay Safe In Traffic

There are many dangers when driving with other traffic, and it’s important to be aware of them in order to stay safe. Here are six rules to follow that will help you stay safe while driving.

1. Avoid Drinking When Driving

This should be a no-brainer, but far too many people still drink and drive. Recent drunk driving statistics put DUI among the top five reasons for fatal crashes. Not only is drunk driving illegal in most places, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. If you’ve been drinking, even just a little bit, don’t get behind the wheel. Alcohol slows down your reflexes and makes it harder to focus on the road, so always be sure to grab a sober ride home if you’ve been drinking. If you intend to go for a drink, call a cab after you have been intoxicated or bring along a sober friend as your designated driver when you go home. Basically, if you don’t follow this advice, well, you’ll probably get caught by police in no time and you’ll then need to hire a DUI attorney. So it really is in your best interest to just obey the law, because you’re putting yourself and so many other people in danger too.

2. Obey The Speed Limit

This is a rule that should always be followed, no matter where you are driving. Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents and traffic fatalities, so it’s important to always stick to the posted speed limit. Not only will this help keep you safe, but it can also prevent you from receiving a ticket.

3. Drive Defensively

Driving defensively is a rule to always follow for being safe in traffic. It means paying attention to your surroundings and other drivers, as well as following the rules of the road.

It can be easy to get distracted while driving, but it’s important to stay focused on the task at hand. If you’re ever in doubt about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Here are several things to follow to always be on the defensive when driving:

• Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware of what’s going on around you at all times. This includes other vehicles, pedestrians, and any potential hazards on the road.

• Follow the rules of the road. Obey all traffic laws and signs to avoid getting into an accident. Signal when you’re turning, yield to oncoming traffic, and always use your turn signals.

• Don’t tailgate. Tailgating is when you follow another vehicle too closely. If they have to brake suddenly, you could rear-end them and cause an accident. Instead, leave a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you.

• Watch out for aggressive drivers. If someone is driving erratically or cutting you off in traffic, don’t engage with them. Just let them go and don’t let their bad driving ruin your day.

• Always use your turn signal. This is a basic rule of driving, but it is one that is often overlooked. Using your turn signal lets other drivers know what you are doing and helps to prevent accidents.

• Lastly, watch out for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. These road users are more vulnerable than cars, so it’s important to give them extra space and be aware of their whereabouts at all times.

4. Wear Your Seatbelt

One of the most important rules to follow for always being safe in traffic is to wear your seatbelt. Again, this seems like common sense, but so many people still don’t do it. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe while driving. Seatbelts are designed to keep you secure in your seat in the event of a collision, and they can help prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle. It is estimated that seatbelts save over 13,000 lives every year, so make sure you and everyone in your vehicle are buckled up before hitting the road. 

5. Yield The Right-of-Way

This is probably the most important rule to follow when driving. By yielding the right-of-way, you allow other drivers to go first, which can help avoid accidents. You should always yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn and yield to pedestrians who are crossing the street.

When in doubt, always yield the right-of-way to other vehicles or pedestrians. This rule is especially important at intersections, where accidents can easily happen if someone doesn’t yield.

6. Use Caution In Bad Weather

Driving in bad weather can be very dangerous. Bad weather can make driving conditions more difficult and hazardous. Rain and snow can make it difficult to see, and ice can make it hard to stop or turn. If possible, avoid driving in severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or ice. If you must venture out in bad weather, be sure to drive slowly and carefully.

These are just a few of the many rules that should be followed in order to stay safe on the road. By following these simple tips, you can help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.