Many drivers pick up bad habits over the years of driving. However, it’s so important to have and maintain good habits while driving to make our roads safer places to be.
At AXA, we’re committed to helping drivers become better and safer on the road. We’ve compiled a list of useful tips that you can start incorporating into your driving habits every time you get into your car to ensure that you have a safe journey.
1. Know your car
Knowing your car and understanding its functionalities is extremely important so you’re able to respond to different situations on the road in a timely manner. In addition to this, knowing your car so that you can operate it smoothly will improve the way you drive and help you to avoid unnecessary maintenance e.g. if you ride your clutch you could burn it out or wear it down and need to replace it.
You should also know whether your car is equipped with ABS brakes or any other driving aids that you might need while driving. You should be aware of these aids and know how they work so you can leverage them if they’re needed while you’re driving.
2. General car maintenance
It’s important to ensure that your car is maintained well and undergoes an annual service. In addition to the annual service of your car, you should be aware of the condition of your tyres, the level of your oil, coolant and windscreen washer fluid. You should always ensure that you have a sufficient amount of these to complete your journey - they are especially important to check if you are going on a long journey.
In the months coming up to the winter season, you should ensure that your car is winter-ready. Checking your tyres, battery, wiper blades and lights will help you to ensure that your car is ready for the winter weather ahead.
3. Road conditions
It’s important to be prepared for the specific road conditions that you may encounter on your journey. For example, icy, foggy or sunny weather could impact road conditions, so it’s important that you know how to react and adjust your driving accordingly.
If the roads are icy you should only complete your journey if it is completely necessary. If you do need to drive in icy conditions, you can check out our article on "Things to know when driving on icy roads" to help you navigate your journey on icy roads and know what to do if your car slides.
Foggy conditions result in low visibility and you will need to slow down to ensure you are safe and have enough time to react. You will also need to know when it is appropriate to turn on your fog lights, which are designed to shine down, lighting up the road beneath the fog, to ensure that you can see the road ahead. They will also ensure that cars behind you can see you. It’s important to remember to turn them off once visibility is no longer an issue, as drivers can be prosecuted for inappropriate use of fog lights.
The last road condition we will cover is if there is a low sun in the sky. This can cause a glare on the road and result in visibility issues. So, you should always ensure that you have sunglasses ready when you’re going on a journey at a time when the sun could be low in the sky. In addition to this, when conditions are poor, you should always slow down so you have more time to react.
4. Adjust your mirrors
Before starting your journey, you should adjust your mirrors to ensure you can see everything clearly and as needed. Firstly, ensure that your seat is adjusted to the correct position so you’re comfortable and then you can begin adjusting your mirrors.
For your side mirrors, you should adjust them so that you can slightly see the side of the back of your vehicle in your mirror. This allows you to use the back of your vehicle as a reference point and will give you a view of the areas to the side and behind your vehicle.
For your rear-view mirror, you should adjust it so you can see out through the middle of your rear windshield without moving your head.
5. Safe stopping distance
It’s important to always keep a safe stopping distance between your car and the car in front so you can ensure that you have enough time to slow down and stop your car safely.
Tailgating someone causes a risk of collision because you would be too close to the car in front if they stall or roll back. Tailgating can also cause the driver stress and could result in them making a mistake and causing an accident. So, you should always give people space on the road and allow enough space between cars to ensure that you can safely come to a stop.
6. Headlights
It’s important to ensure that you turn your headlights on when they are needed so you can see the cars and the road in front of you. When turning on your headlights, your taillights will also turn on which will allow the traffic behind you to see you.
If you’re on a stretch of unlit road you can turn on your high-beam lights. However, it’s important to be mindful of oncoming traffic when you have these on because you should turn them off when other drivers are passing so that you don’t dazzle their eyes and impact their vision.
7. Use your indicators
It’s important to always use your indicators to alert other road users that you intend to change direction or position on the road.
Once you have completed your turn or changed lane, your indicator should automatically turn off, but if it doesn’t it’s important to turn it off as soon as possible so other road users don’t think that you’re turning again!
8. Stay aware of your surroundings
While on the road you should always stay aware of your surroundings and stay alert for potential hazards. Staying alert will ensure that you can react in time and avoid any car accidents.
It’s important to check your blind spots when you are turning your car or merging lanes, you need to be aware of cyclists coming up on your inside.
9. Be patient
You should aim to remain calm and patient when driving so you have a clear mind and can stay concentrated on the road. Being a patient driver will make you a happier and better driver!
Avoid getting angry and impatient when driving as road rage can be dangerous and result in you being stressed.
Remaining patient while driving is important as it will make the roads a safer place for everyone.
10. Always have insurance for your car
Even when you implement all of these good habits when you’re driving, you never know what could happen on the road, so it’s important to always insure your car to protect your potential losses as a result of an accident as well as your liabilities in respect of other road users and property owners.
AXA offers different car insurance policies to suit a range of drivers’ needs, so you can choose between a Third Party Only, Third Party Fire & Theft or Comprehensive policy. We also offer optional extras that you can add to your car insurance policy to tailor your cover to suit your needs.
