How to Stay Safe on the Road: 8 Important Safe Driving Tips
Written by Team Clearcover
If you own a car, chances are that you’re behind the wheel most days. Whether you’re on your way to work or running errands, driving is just a part of your everyday life. But did you know that getting behind the wheel is likely one of the most dangerous things you do? According to the CDC, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States for people age 1–54.
Safe driving can protect your life by preventing accidents – and if you do get in a crash, it can help prevent major injuries. (Not sure what to do after an accident? Check out our article Filing an Insurance Claim.) Safe driving tips help keep you and others on the road safe. They can also help you save on car insurance, which we’ll cover later on in this article.
But first, here are five driving safety tips to keep in mind next time you’re on the road.
1) Stay Focused and Alert at All Times behind the Wheel
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driver inattention is a factor in almost 60% of at-fault crashes. And while you may feel like you can multitask while driving, studies show that our brains really aren’t that great at doing two things at once. So, if you’re driving down the road trying to eat breakfast and fiddling with the radio all at the same time, you’re putting yourself and others at risk.
When you’re behind the wheel, actively pay attention to the road, your actions, and other drivers around you.
Avoid these distractions while driving:
Using your phone
Eating
Fidgeting with controls
Reaching for something in the car
Rubbernecking (looking at things happening on the side of the road)
Putting on makeup
Passing items to/from kids and/or passengers in the backseat
Updating GPS
These distractions can wait until you’ve stopped driving. Even if you use a built-in infotainment system to complete these tasks, they can still cause you to miss seeing other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In fact, drivers doing some voice tasks via infotainment systems may remain distracted for as long as 27 seconds after finishing a task.
If there’s one thing that’s just as dangerous as distracted driving, it’s drowsy driving.
The CDC notes that people who sleep six to seven hours a night are twice as likely to be involved in a sleep-related crash as those who sleep eight hours or more. People who sleep less than five hours per night increase their risk by four to five times.
Staying alert is essential to safe driving. Don’t drive when you’re sleep-deprived, and recognize the warning signs. If you can feel your eyelids getting heavy, your mind wandering, or find yourself constantly yawning, it’s time to pull off to the side of the road and take a nap. If you absolutely need to be on the road, consider making a stop for coffee and moving around when you feel yourself getting sleepy.
Driving long distances or going on a road trip? Try bringing a partner along for the ride so that you can switch off when you need some shut-eye. Find more road trip tips in our spring break road trip article.
2) Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When you're driving, a split second can mean the difference between a close call and a horrible accident. Be aware of your surroundings. Check your mirrors frequently, and identify potential hazards while you drive by scanning the road ahead. The sooner you notice a risk while driving, the more time you'll have to react and maintain safety.
Even if you’re not distracted while on the road, that doesn't mean the drivers near you are paying as much attention. A 2021 survey from The Zebra found that 52.5% of respondents reported eating while driving. Safe drivers stay focused, knowing that not everyone else is doing the same.
While you’re behind the wheel, keep your eyes on the road.
Here are some tips on being more aware of your surroundings:
Make a note of aggressive or dangerous drivers, and try to avoid being near them.
Be aware of your blindspots and maintain a safe following distance between you and all vehicles near you (especially with larger vehicles like commercial trucks).
Approach hotspots, like busy intersections, with extra caution and slow down when needed. And, of course, keep an eye out for wandering pedestrians, bicycles, and pets that might run onto the road when you least expect it.
Being aware of your surroundings makes you a safe driver for yourself and others.
Minimize any distractions you can while you're driving, including mental ones. Situations may arise that require your focused attention, even on short drives. Take the stress out of your driving routine by planning ahead. Try these preparation tips before you start your ride to have one less thing to worry about while you're driving.
Preparation tips:
Check GPS apps for the best routes.
Check weather reports before leaving.
Check accident reports/traffic conditions.
Put your phone on driving mode.
Set up the entertainment for kids, music, or podcasts before driving.
Have a quick snack or drink, if needed.
Make sure everyone in the car is comfortable.
3) Keep 3-Seconds Worth of Room Between You and Other Drivers
Tailgating, or following other vehicles too closely, is the cause of 32.5% of car accidents, according to the NHTSA. Given the prevalence of this type of accident, paying attention to the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you is key.
Remember, when you're driving, a lot can happen in just a split second. The 3-second rule of driving aims to give you enough time to react to most situations that can happen in front of your vehicle.
You might be wondering, “What exactly is the 3-second rule?”
This “rule” suggests that you always try to keep three seconds worth of room between you and other drivers. Wait for the driver in front of you to pass a road sign or other inanimate object, and then begin counting. Your car should take at least three seconds before passing the same object. If your car passes the object sooner, that means that you’re too close to the car in front of you, and it’s time to slow down. Following the 3-Second Rule can greatly reduce your chances of crashing and/or rear-ending the car in front of you.
While this tip is useful, it mainly applies to ideal driving and weather conditions. If it’s a snowy day, you’re driving a heavy vehicle, or have a car full of people, consider giving yourself a few extra seconds of space. Slow down when the weather is bad, especially if your road visibility is reduced. Learn more about the 3-Second Rule from Drive Safe Online.
4) Schedule Regular Oil Changes & Car Maintenance
While safe driving habits are essential to staying safe on the road, the vehicle you're driving also plays a large role. A well-maintained car is a safe car.
Keeping up with your car maintenance is essential to keeping yourself and others safe on the road, especially when 12-13% of crashes are caused by vehicle malfunctions. While this number might not seem that high, your own car maintenance practices can play a big part in keeping you from becoming a part of this statistic.
Overheated engines, cracked windshields, and worn-down tires can make your car dangerous to drive. Be sure to keep your windshield clean and regularly inspect your car. You may need to replace your car’s oil, tires, windshield wipers, or battery. Perform routine inspections every year, and don’t ignore your car’s check engine light. If your car is giving you an alert or any indication that there’s something wrong with it, be sure to take it to the shop as quickly as possible.
By keeping up with your car’s maintenance, you’re taking preventative action so you can fix things before they become an issue or potentially cause an incident. Taking care of your car makes you a safer driver and is a key component of preventing avoidable accidents.
5) Learn How to Be a Defensive Driver
One of the best ways to avoid an accident is being a defensive driver. Defensive driving is all about being aware of your surroundings and taking precautions in case another driver isn't paying attention.
Many of the safe driving tips shared earlier can help you be a more defensive driver, but defensive driving is also a mindset. To be a defensive driver, you need to constantly be thinking about the other drivers around you and what they might do. Like a game of chess, watch and anticipate their actions so you can be prepared for any bad moves they might make.
Defensive driving includes skills that all drivers should know and practice. These skills can help you avoid accidents and make you a better driver overall. If you want to brush up on your defensive driving skills, the National Safety Council offers an online defensive driving training course.
Here are a few defensive driving tips that are important to keep in mind:
Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation. If you see trouble ahead, it's best to change your route.
Always utilize your car’s safety features to the best extent possible. This includes things like seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and airbags.
Always wear your seat belts—this one bears repeating. According to the NHTSA, seat belt use in passenger vehicles can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45% and reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%. Remember, wearing your seat belt isn’t just for you—it protects the safety of the other passengers in your car as well.
Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Every day, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 52 minutes. Taking protective measures can make your driving safer for everyone.
When on the road, avoid assumptions and do not depend on other drivers to keep you safe.
You should always plan your movements for the worst-case scenario. This also means keeping your speed down and planning ahead to avoid having to rush to your destination. Learn how to practice patience with yourself and other drivers. Accidents are more likely to happen when there is an impatient driver that’s in a rush to get to their destination. While time constraints are important to consider while you’re on the road, safety is king. So be patient, plan ahead, and remember that you’re sharing the road with others.
6) Avoid Speeding
When the open road is calling your name, it can be tempting to want to press down a little harder on that pedal. As easy as it is to accidentally go a bit over the limit or dismiss a little speeding as not being a real safety threat, it's definitely something to pay attention to. According to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 26% of all fatal crashes in 2019.
Speeding reduces your reaction time and makes it harder to control your car. The faster you're going, the harder your brakes have to work to slow your vehicle, and the risk factors compound upon themselves. In poor weather conditions, speeding can be even more dangerous, demanding even greater effort and performance from your brakes.
7) Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Seat belts are one of the most important safety features in your car. Not only do seat belts save lives, but they can also minimize injuries in a crash. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatality by 45% and serious injury by 50%.
Always wear your seat belt—it's the law in many states, and it could save your life.
8) Use Extreme Caution While Switching Lanes
Lane changes are one of the most common maneuvers drivers make, but they're also among the most dangerous. Data collected over a seven-year period shows that 17% of severe crashes were the result of sudden lane changes.
When changing lanes, always use your turn signal to let other drivers know your intentions. Then, do a shoulder check to make sure no one is in your blind spot. When you're driving in traffic, be extra cautious of other drivers who may not be paying attention, or those who may be attempting to enter the same lane as you from the other side. If someone is tailgating you, don't speed up or make sudden lane changes. Instead, take an extra second after putting your signal on before moving over.
Will Safe Driving Impact My Car Insurance Prices?
Safe driving will not only keep you protected on the road but can save you money on car insurance as well. Maintaining a safe driving record is one of the factors in getting lower insurance rates. In fact, some insurance companies offer safe driver discounts to those with clean driving records (a record with no accidents or tickets). Some insurance companies may even offer discounts or reduced rates to individuals that take an approved defensive driving course. Of course, these discounts all depend on your company and the state you live in, so be sure to do your research and talk to your insurance provider to see if they offer these markdowns.
Go With Insurance That Has Your Back.
Clearcover offers discounts for taking safe driver courses in select states. Aside from these discounts, we always do whatever we can to find you the lowest rate possible, while still getting you awesome coverage. And with our award-winning mobile app, we make it easy to access secure proof of insurance, file claims, get paid faster on eligible claims, and more, right from the palm of your hand.
Take control of your coverage and see what you can save today.
