How Observant Are You While Driving?

There is no doubt that there are plenty of things that can distract us when we are driving. While we should certainly not be using mobile phones or other similar devices when we are on the road, these aren’t the only distractions that can pose a threat.

For example you can never quite be sure about what other drivers will do, which is why preventative measures are a good idea. Such measures include keeping your distance from other vehicles (as this will give you more time to react), keeping your speed down for the same reason, and staying alert to what is happening all around you.

When you first pass your test and start driving on your own you make a conscious effort to remember everything you have been taught. Mirror, signal, manoeuvre will be running through your head with every move you make. But after a while you start to get more relaxed in your driving – and that can lead to an accident if you are not careful.

That’s why it is a good idea to go on driving refresher courses every now and again, just to make sure you aren’t slipping into bad habits. Sadly, not many drivers do this; yet it is quite possible that if more of us did make the effort to brush up on our skills there would be fewer accidents on the road than there are at present. Perhaps in future we might even be required to re-sit the driving test every few years to check that we can still do what is required of us.

We can also improve our confidence and driving skills by choosing a car that we feel comfortable driving. It’s sometimes tempting to choose a larger car than we really need, but you should always make sure you feel safe driving it and not feel that it is too big for you.

You can certainly reduce your chances of having an accident while driving – whether it is your fault or someone else’s – by thinking ahead. The more observant you are about your surroundings the less likely it is that you will make a mistake or fail to notice someone else having problems – either of which could cause an accident.

For example if you are out in the countryside you might think that you are safer away from all the traffic. But there are a myriad of hazards awaiting you – a tractor coming out of a field and leaving mud all over the road can increase your chances of skidding if you aren’t paying proper attention, or a farm animal wandering on the road, just around a blind bend for example.

Finally, if you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident that isn’t your fault and you are injured, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible. If for example you make a whiplash claim you will need evidence to prove your case and back up your claim. However, prevention is better than cure, so staying alert behind the wheel is the best way to stay accident-free.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.