The importance of safety on the road can never be overstated. Even if you’ve heard these safety tips countless times, a refresher is never a bad thing. After all, simply hearing them again is often all it takes for us to really register the areas in which we may have been slipping. Though we may not like to think about it, just one slip-up could cause harm to our car—or ourselves. As such, we’re taking the time today to go over some basic car safety tips.
1. Don’t Multi-Task
When you’re in a time crunch, you may get into the habit of trying to get a few tasks done during your daily commute, whether it’s eating, switching the song on your phone, or putting on mascara. Multitasking while you’re driving, however, is incredibly dangerous. There’s no way to focus 100% on the road while we’re doing these things, and we can’t afford to compromise our attention. Keep in mind that whatever you have to do can wait until you’ve reached your destination—saving a little time isn’t worth threatening your safety.
2. Keep a Spare Tire on You
It’s important to keep a functional spare tire in your vehicle wherever you go. Many modern cars don’t come with spare tires, but we recommend getting one if you don’t have one. You should also make sure that the tire in question is properly inflated and free of any imperfections. If you don’t currently have a spare tire, familiarize yourself with the options for remedying tire failure.
3. Drive Defensively
Even if you follow all the rules of the road, you can’t control the actions of other drivers. For this reason, you should always be prepared for any situation and keep a careful eye on other drivers. You never know when thinking ahead will help get you out of a sticky situation.
4. Prepare an Emergency Kit
No matter the weather, you should have a kit prepared for any type of emergency. If circumstances ever leave you stranded for a period of time, you’ll be less stressed knowing your car is equipped with the appropriate provisions. We recommend keeping the following items in your car:
- A rain poncho
- Blankets
- A hat and mittens
- Water
- Snacks with protein, such as peanuts
- Hand warmers
- A flashlight with extra batteries
5. Have Roadside Assistance
You can drive in peace knowing you’ll have help should an emergency situation arise. Roadside assistance usually isn’t very expensive, and it will come in handy if you get stranded. A tow can cost hundreds of dollars, but you won’t have to worry about this if you have access to the proper help.
6. Get Regular Checkups
Take your car into the mechanic every six months or so to ensure your car is in proper working order. This may help you diagnose a problem before it becomes severe—and costly as a result. A mechanic will examine the electrical components of your car as well as things such as lights and fluids.
