Safe Driving Tips
Important guidelines for driving without accidents
Safety involves taking measures to prevent accidents, injuries, or losses, and ensuring that individuals, communities, or organizations are secure and protected from potential threats. In the context of driving, safety refers to the practices and precautions taken to prevent accidents, injuries, or fatalities while operating a vehicle. This includes following traffic laws, wearing seatbelts, avoiding distractions, and maintaining a safe vehicle. Safety is not a one-time act, rather it’s a habit that everyone of us need to develop and maintain for not just our safety but that of others.
To be Safe, one must follow good practices at all times-
1. Check for all essential documents- license, registration papers, route permits etc.
2. Check your vehicle’s POWER
- P = Petrol
- 0 = Oil
- W = Water
- E = Electricals (signals, brake pads, horn etc)
- R = Rubber (tyre condition, air and spare)
3. In case of cyclist and motor cyclist, take you helmets, and safety googles.
4. Adjust your mirrors
- Lane Discipline: Stay in your designated lane to avoid accidents.
- Ride motorcycles and slow-moving vehicles (like rickshaws and bull carts) in the leftmost lane.
- Drive cars in the second lane from the left.
- Use the right lane only for overtaking.
- Stay Focused: Avoid distractions while driving.
- Refrain from using your mobile phone.
- Avoid zigzag driving.
- Don’t over-speed.
- Speed Limits: Adhere to speed limits for your safety and others.
- City areas: 40 km/h
- Highways: 80 km/h
- Motorways: 100-120 km/h
- Take Breaks: Rest to avoid driver fatigue.
- Take a break every 2 hours to stay alert and refreshed.
- Park your vehicle at a safe place:
- Most left corner of the road
- In parking area
- Avoid parking on inclines or declines
- Switch off the engine
- Use handbrakes
- Lock the vehicle
Seat Belt Myths
Rear seats are safer than front seats- I don’t need a seat belt
FALSE- Wearing a seatbelt is crucial, regardless of where you sit. Research shows that unbuckled rear-seat passengers are at risk of injury or death.
I am only responsible for my seat belt, not my passengers
FALSE- As a driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure all passengers wear their seatbelts. Unrestrained passengers can become projectiles, putting you and others at risk.
No seat belts needed- it’s just 5 minutes away
FALSE – Don’t be complacent on short trips. Many accidents occur close to home, and familiarity can lead to distraction. Buckle up, no matter the distance.
My car has an airbag! No seat belts required.
FALSE- Airbags and seatbelts work together to protect you. Wearing a seatbelt slows you down and keeps you in your seat, while the airbag prevents head movement. Don’t rely solely on airbags – wear your seatbelt.
In case of an emergency, my seat belt will trap me!
FALSE- his myth is debunked. Seatbelts are designed to release even under load. The risk of being trapped in a burning or submerged vehicle is extremely low (less than 1 in 200 incidents).