With life getting more and more chaotic these days, it’s a small wonder you can still get from place to place in a car without encountering some sort of crisis. Even if you’re a really experienced driver, you have to face facts: you still have some chance of getting into an incident on the road. However, there are some road safety tips you can follow to reduce the risk of this occurring. Read on to discover these.

1. Don’t Drive Tired

No, it’s not always possible to say “I’m too tired to drive”. We’ve all been there. But if it can be avoided, you’d best avoid it. Take a break at least every 2 hours if you’re driving long distances. A lot of accidents occur as a result of drivers being drowsy. And a good portion of these accidents involve people driving as part of their job. Should you find yourself in such an unfortunate predicament while on the job, you may need compensation if you’re injured and facing physical and financial hardship. For help with your claim, consider companies like The Personal Injury Lawyers that will help you every step of the way.

2. Be Prepared for All Types of Weather

There will be times you won’t be able to avoid driving in harsh conditions. Just exercise caution. During a cold winter, defrost your windshield, preferably before you start your journey. Your ability to stop quickly is reduced dramatically on a wet surface so drive slower than the speed limit in rainy weather – due to the increase in stopping distance, the 2 second rule is doubled in wet or foggy conditions.

3. Maintain Your Vehicle

Making sure your car and everything in it are in tip-top condition is a must. Your brakes should be checked and adjusted, and your tyre pressure should be good. Replace your windshield wiper blades when they start streaking. Make sure your windshields and windows are clean with no marks – light and vision can be distorted when the sun hits. Check that all your lights are working properly.

4. Discipline Your Children

Many an accident could’ve been avoided if only parents didn’t allow their kids to fidget. Ensure they’re buckled in, and discourage them from getting into scuffles with each other, being rowdy and just generally making distracting noises. If you need to, it’s best to stop the car at the side of the road so you can resolve the situation.

5. Ignore Rude Drivers

It’s ok if people overtake you. ‘Defensive’ driving isn’t just about keeping your position in traffic, but letting others get ahead of you – compromise. We don’t like to be cut off, especially by drivers who seem somewhat impatient, but it’s not worth dwelling on it. These are the drivers you should be avoiding, not competing with on the road. And remember, you too should be patient with other drivers, and not be reckless when it comes to following or overtaking someone.

As you can see, taking measures to prevent an accident is not some complex science. Common sense is an inherent trait, so we just need to tap into it. Be cautious, be courteous, and resist the urge to be ‘bothered’ by drivers who are intent on getting ahead of everyone else.