When you’ve been a licensed driver for years, driving might start to feel like second nature. You may not actively think about best practices when it comes to cautious driving. But no matter how experienced you are, safety refreshers are always helpful.
Here are six key safe driving tips you may have forgotten about:
- Merging from an on-ramp: When you’re merging onto a highway from an acceleration ramp, you must yield to vehicles in the right lane. Typically, cars will move over to make room for merging vehicles. But when they don’t, remember that they have the right of way.
- Adjusting your mirrors: You should adjust your rear-view mirrors every time you get into your vehicle. This will ensure that you see as much as possible. And this is especially important if you share your vehicle with other drivers.
- Reacting to hydroplaning: Hydroplaning is very scary, and it may be your instinct to hit your brakes if it happens. Instead, you should remove your foot from the gas and steer in a straight line. Avoid overcorrecting.
- Stopping at a four-way stop: Most people know that the first car to stop at a four-way intersection has the right of way. But if you stop at the same time as another car, who goes first? In these situations, the car to the right goes first.
- Braking safely: You should start braking about 200 feet before you approach a stoplight or stop sign. Not only does this reduce the wear on your brakes, but it gives drivers behind you plenty of time to slow down.
- Maintaining your brakes and tires: As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your brake pads every 12,000 miles and your brake fluid every 25,000 miles. You should also regularly check your tire pressure and alignment.
Driving comes with risks, but there are steps you can take to mitigate danger. By following these tips, you can do your part to keep the road safe for all drivers.