Driving on the road involves sitting yourself in a small (or large) metal box and hurtling along at high speed, relying on the skill and good sense of complete strangers for your survival! Here are some ways to improve your safety:-
- Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Get the experts on it and keep above the minimum legal requirements.
- In particular check the tires and brakes. These will work together to get you out of trouble when you most need it. When you need to stop is not the time to find out your brakes are worn or your tires have no grip.
- Keep checking the brakes whilst driving, particularly in hilly areas and in the wet.
- Rest. Long roads and long hours are a recipe for disaster. Experienced drivers in particular find driving pretty easy and boring. Sleep is a natural but catastrophic result. Stop at regular intervals, take a walk, have a coffee and go again.
- Enhance your vision. Keep your lights in working order and use them!
- Widen your vision. Keep your mirrors properly adjusted. Work out your blind spots when stationary and invest in some blind spot mirrors. Ensure they are properly and securely fitted and learn what they do and do not give you.
- Watch your speed. You need to be able to stop before you hit the guy in front. Take your time on moving in and out of lanes. This gives those around you a chance to see what you are doing and adjust.
- Plan your route for your vehicle. You may be familiar with the route in a car, but will your motor home get under that bridge or will your motorbike handle the country lane so well?