10 tips to stay safe on the roads

Whether you are an established or new driver, road safety is critical at all times, not only to keep you safe, but other motorists and pedestrians too.

Of course, there are countless ways to ensure your safety whilst driving, many of which are legal requirements such as sticking to the speed limit, buckling your seatbelt, not using your mobile phone and never driving under the influence; but what other aspects should you take into consideration when ensuring your journeys are carried out as safely as possible? We take a look below:

Safety tips for motorists

Servicing

Having your car regularly serviced will ensure that any issues are identified and can subsequently be fixed, ultimately making sure that your vehicle continues to be in tip top shape for any journey.

Adapt your car to the changing seasons

There is a big difference between driving in the summer and driving in the winter, with adverse weather to take into account and seasonal traffic to consider, therefore it is vital that you assess our vehicle’s and your journey’s needs depending on the season. Take a look at our blog for preparing your car for the winter months or if you’re looking for summer road trip tips, read our blog here.

Check your tyres

The tread of your tyres and their pressure can make a huge difference to your vehicle’s safety. Ensure that your tread meets legal standards (taking into account weather conditions also) and that your tyre pressure is inflated to the correct PSI for your vehicle’s model.

Check your oil

Often, motorists will leave it to the mechanics to check oil levels during their service; however, this should be checked regularly to ensure it does not go under minimum levels, which could ultimately lead to significant damage to your car.

Know your journey

Whether it’s a short or long journey, understanding where you’re going, and the traffic conditions you will face will significantly increase your safety on the roads. If, for example, you check your journey beforehand and see significant traffic, you can opt for a different route to avoid this and any potential hazards you may come across.

Keep your distance

An obvious but important tip, keep your distance from the car in front at all times. The two-second rule is motoring standard but this should be doubled in adverse weather.

Minimise distractions

Of course, you should never be using your mobile phone behind the wheel, but there are also many other distractions that could risk your safety. Whether it’s eating or drinking, your passengers, changing your music or even sunlight causing a distraction, you should take every necessary precaution to minimise these (i.e. wearing sunglasses in sunny weather).

Ensure your car has all the necessities

There are a number of items that you should carry in your car at all times to help with safety, such as de-icer, a tyre repair kit, torch, blankets, jump cables and much more.

Understand your car dashboard

There are many symbols that can appear on your car’s dashboard that you should be familiar with to ensure your car is safe to drive; this could be a warning to check your oil, engine management, battery alert and much more. Your car’s manual will provide details of each symbol and the action that you should take if they appear.

Know what to do in a breakdown

If your car was to break down on the motorway, would you know what to do? If not, then ensure you become familiar with this crucial information. Take a look at our article on the top five things you should do if your car breaks down.

If you’re looking for more hints and tips on all things motoring, take a look at our dedicated page here.