Everyone knows that driving safely can keep help prevent accidents, and might even be able to lower your insurance premiums. But not everyone knows how to stay safe on the road. If you want to improve your road safety, try implementing some of these tips:

Watch the road

Thousands of accidents each year are caused by drivers not paying attention to their driving. Texting, looking for something in the car seat, looking back and children riding in the car, putting on makeup, and doing anything else other than watching the road is a huge risk. When you are not looking at the road, you have a slower reaction time to potential dangers along the way.

Save the phone calls

Even though you may feel like you are safe while driving and using your phone, it distracts you from driving. Hands-free devices help, but when you concentrate on trying to hear someone on the other end of the phone, you pay less attention to your driving. The same goes for conversations with someone in the car with you. Although it is probably impossible to avoid talking in the road ever, you may want to try cutting down on conversations during traffic, construction, or in rough driving conditions.

Don’t drink and drive

Obviously drinking and driving is a bad idea. Driving drunk is illegal pretty much everywhere, and the consequences are severe if you are caught. In the United States, the blood alcohol level must be below .8. The legal limit may vary depending on what country you are in. The safest course is to prepare alternative transportation methods if you plan to have more than one drink.

Follow the rules of the road

Typically, road rules are there for a reason. Whether it is a speed limit sign, a no-passing zone, or some other road rule, you will stay safer if you follow them. If you try passing in a no-pass zone, for example, you will increase your chances of getting into a collision. If you speed, you may find your car spins out of control on a curve. It is always best to follow road rules. There are there for a reason.

Drive defensively, not aggressively

Some drivers drive aggressively. They may cut in and out of traffic, speed up behind you and flash their lights, or rev their engine at a stop light to challenge you to rage. The best thing to do in these situations is to ignore the issue. Do not get angry back, or try to engage the drive in any way. Try to get out of the driver’s way and continue on yours. This will help reduce your chances of getting into a wreck with that driver or someone else on the road. If you feel the driver is driving extremely unsafe, or is drunk, you can call the road safety hotline and report their driver’s license number.

With a little thoughtfulness, you can cut back on your chances of getting into a wreck on the road. While you remain a safe driver, you make it easy to stay safe and healthy on the road. After all, something like the time you save by running a red light is not worth the cost of repairing your car or paying for expensive medical bills from injuries.

This is a post by Nate Miller. Nate is a huge car and technology enthusiastic, spending most of his time exploring the newest gadgets. He currently writes on behalf of practicepermittest.com

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