When you drive for your travel, you’re always taking a chance with your safety. Even if you consider yourself to be a great driver, you also have to deal with all the other drivers out there on the road. And because things like road maintenance, weather conditions, the state of your car, and more can contribute to your safety on the road, it’s best that you be prepared to protect the safety of yourself and your family. To help with this, here are three tips for safer travel when you’re using highways or freeways.
Be Aware Of Other’s Blind Spots
Part of being a good, safe driver is being a defensive driver. While you might want to only be concerned with yourself and your car, you have to be aware of what’s going on all around you, including with the other drivers on the road. Because of this, AARP reminds us that we should always be aware of other’s blind spots and do our best to stay out of them. Especially with bigger vehicles, like semi-trucks, you want to ensure that you’re staying away whenever you can so you don’t get into a trucking accident, which could cause a lot of damage to your car and your passengers.
Increase Your Following Distance
When you’re traveling at higher speeds, like you do on highways or freeways, it’s important that you make the necessary adjustments to your following distance. Around town, it’s perfectly fine to be a little closer to the cars in front of you. But according to Jana Rhodes, a contributor to MotoSafety.com, you should be giving the cars in front of you on the highway or freeways at least two to three car lengths of space. It’s much harder to react at these high speeds when you’re too close to the cars around you. By increasing your following distance, you’ll give yourself and others the time needed to avoid potential accidents that otherwise might have occurred.
Use Your Turn Signals
Especially in heavy traffic, it’s crucial that you use your turn signals when on highways or freeways. According to Jason Unrau, a contributor to YourMechanic.com, you should be checking not only the lane right next to you but also two lanes away when applicable. Other cars will also be changing lanes of these types of roadways, and you want to ensure that you’re not about to change lanes at the same time as another car that’s hoping to fill that same space. By using your signal, you’ll be able to make everyone aware of what your plans are and help keep everyone safer.
To help make your road trips safer, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you drive more consciously on highways and freeways.
