Observant drivers have less car wrecks than distracted ones. If you don’t want to have an accident, you need to practice these six habits of observant drivers. #6 is a life-saver!
1. Pay attention.
The longer you drive, the more your mind begins to wander.
This is natural. When you get enough practice at a task, it begins to feel like second nature.
However, it’s dangerous to let your brain go on “autopilot.” Never forget the fact that you’re operating a high-speed machine that’s capable of killing or maiming another human being.
According to the National Safety Council, more than 40,000 people died on the road in 2016. That’s the most traffic-related fatalities the U.S. has seen since 2007.
In addition, 4.6 million people got injured, which is a 7% increase (as compared to 2015 stats). Driving is a HUGE responsibility. Please take it seriously!
2. Do not multitask.
People like to brag about how awesome they are at multitasking.
I hate to burst your bubble, but multitasking isn’t real. Don’t take my word for it. More than half a century’s worth of research backs me up (according to Harvard Business Review).
Let’s say you get a text when you’re driving. You look down to type a response. There’s no way to send a text and watch the road simultaneously. Instead, you switch from one task to the other.
This habit can end in disaster. It only takes a second for something to go wrong. What if a driver slams their brakes while you’re staring at your smartphone? You won’t have enough time to react.
At best, you’ll have a fender-bender. It’s no fun to deal with insurance companies or the highway patrol! At worst, your car will get totaled and you’ll end up with an expensive hospital bill. Terrible! Believe me, it’s not worth the risk.
3. Turn your phone off.
Listen: I understand how tempting it is to check your smartphone while driving.
When you have a long commute and there’s nobody in your passenger seat to keep you company, it’s difficult to resist the urge.
The easiest way to prevent this? Get in the habit of turning your phone off and putting it away. Checking your phone is easy to do. Your job is to make it difficult!
After you turn your phone off, place it somewhere that’s inconvenient to reach. That could be a purse, briefcase, or even your backseat. Remove the temptation however you’ve gotta do it.
As it is, the process is too simple. Grab your phone and unlock the screen. Ta-da, entertainment! We want to make the process as complicated as possible. Follow this approach and you’ll have to:
- Wait until it’s safe to take your eyes off the road
- Dig your phone out of whatever nook or cranny it’s in
- Turn the power on and wait a few seconds for it to reboot
Is it even worth all that effort? When you can honestly answer “No,” you’ve officially figured it out. How will you make your boring commute more fun and interesting without a smartphone? Click here for some ideas.
4. Check mirrors regularly.
First: make sure your mirrors are positioned properly. Your car shouldn’t be visible at all.
How’s that going to help you prevent a wreck? You don’t need to see your car. You need to see the cars and other stuff surrounding you!
Adjust your side and rear-view mirrors until your car is just out of sight. If you do it right, there won’t be a blind-spot. You’ll never have to crane your neck again.
Your mirrors can’t do you any good if you don’t remember to check them. Look at your mirrors every minute or so. You’ll be more aware of your surroundings and less likely to have an accident.
5. Look out for potential threats.
Don’t live in your own little world. There is so much happening around you! This applies to life in general and driving specifically.
Be conscious of your environment. If you’re in a neighborhood, watch out for dogs, cats, and kids. If you’re in the city, keep an eye out for potholes and pedestrians.
You know your neighborhood better than me. What are some of the problems that could create a bad situation? Remind yourself of them every time you drive. You’ll identify threats faster!
6. Wait a second before you go.
Unfortunately, people don’t always obey traffic lights. Red means “stop” (but some people interpret it as, “Floor the gas pedal with all of your might!).
Green means “go” (but due to the above point, you shouldn’t hit the gas right away — wait a sec!). One moment is all it takes to prevent being T-boned someday. You’ll thank me later!
Share this article with your friends, because I’m 100% sure they want to prevent car wrecks, too.
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