{"id":637,"date":"2022-04-01T16:05:08","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T16:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=637"},"modified":"2025-05-02T23:41:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T23:41:12","slug":"8-safe-driving-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/driving-safety\/8-safe-driving-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Safe Driving Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How Can I Stay Safe on the Road?<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Following some basic <\/span>driving safety tips<\/span><\/b>\u202fcould help you\u202fdrive more safely\u202fand <\/span>reduce your risk of an automobile accident<\/span><\/i>. In reality, we know car accidents will happen. But you can help curb the frequency and severity of them by playing your part in making the roads safer. The very reason we call them automobile \u201caccidents\u201d is because most of them are preventable.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what can you do to increase your level of\u202fsafety on the road? Read through this list of important and simple road safety tips. They not only will help prevent you from getting into a collision, but they also could save your life and potentially some you money if you don\u2019t have to file a <\/span>car insurance<\/span><\/a> claim after a wreck.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Get Plenty of Rest<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You are the safest driver you can be when you are energized and alert. To ensure a\u202fsafe drive, be sure that you had a good night\u2019s rest and have eaten (but not too much) before hitting the road. Drowsiness and fatigue can affect your alertness and reaction time, which could easily lead to a collision.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you start to feel tired or have trouble staying awake while on the road, pull over to a safe place or a designated rest area to park and take a quick nap. If it\u2019s been a while since you have eaten, make a stop for a snack or a meal. Better yet, keep a stash of healthy snacks in your car to help keep your energy up. These little things can make a big difference in your driving ability.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Focus on the Drive<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Distracted driving\u202fis one of the primary causes of auto accidents.\u202fAccording to a <\/span>2019 distracted driving campaign<\/span><\/a> by the National Highway Safety Administration, over 3,000 people were killed in 2019 due to an accident caused by\u202fdistracted driving. Having the music on too loud, talking on a cell phone, or\u202ftexting and driving\u202fcan distract you from the sights and sounds around you. A couple seconds of distraction is all it takes for you to get into a nasty wreck. And texting while driving is illegal in 48 states.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you listen to music or podcasts as you drive, keep the volume low enough so you can hear all the traffic around you. This way you can hear car horns, sirens, and other auditory warnings around you as you drive.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is best to not talk on the phone at all while driving since you need both hands on the wheel and your attention on the road. However, if you must use a cell phone while driving, there are\u202fhands-free\u202foptions out there that allow you talk on the phone through your car\u2019s speakers. While some people drive with a\u202fBluetooth headset\u202fon, there are many laws that specify that only one ear can be covered or outright make it illegal to wear anything that covers both ears while behind the wheel, depending on state law. Regardless of legality, your safest option is to let any and all calls go to voicemail until you are parked.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, more and more people are getting into accidents because they are<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>texting while driving. While this problem continues to grow every year, the solution is simple.<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>Texting and driving<\/span><\/a> accidents\u202fcan be prevented by just waiting. If you get a text while you are on the road, ignore it until your drive has completed. If you think it is an emergency, drive over to the nearest parking area to park and address it. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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3. Master Defensive Driving<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being a defensive driver can help you avoid mistakes while on the road. The basic idea of defensive driving is to anticipate dangerous situations and assume potential mistakes being made by other drivers. It\u2019s preparing for anything and assuming the worst as you drive, making you take less unnecessary risks.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some basic\u202fdefensive driving tips\u202finclude:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n