10 Tips for Driving Safely on the Roads

When you own a car, you get to enjoy the freedom and convenience of driving wherever you want, whenever you want. Along with this, you also have the responsibility to drive safely for yourself and other road users.

How does one practise safe driving? By reading this article, you’re already taking the first step: educating yourself about how to be a responsible driver. 

Here are ten useful tips you can apply whenever you’re out on the road.

1. Avoid Distractions While Driving

When drivers are distracted, they are more likely to get into an accident. Distractions are not just using your mobile phone for texting or calling but can also be playing loud music while you’re driving.

This can cause longer reaction times, and you might not be able to change your driving speed when you have to, leading to a possible collision with another vehicle.

Another cause of distractions among drivers is relying too much on satellite navigation. Sat navs are there to help drivers.

However, you might not be fully aware of what’s really happening on the road, and this is dangerous.  Take priority over what you’re seeing than what the sat nav tells you. 

2. Maintain a Safe Distance

Having enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you is crucial in making sure you don’t crash into it.

Maintaining a safe distance means you will have sufficient time to react in case something goes wrong.

When the weather is bad, like during heavy rain, fog, or snow, it’s even more important to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. 

3. Keep the Two-second Rule

On good days, make sure that you are at least two seconds away from the car in front. The distance should be doubled when there is low visibility on the road.

This includes driving at night, in light fog, in light rain, or when it’s snowing. If the weather conditions are worse, then be at least eight seconds away from the vehicle in front of you. 

4. Follow Speed Limits

One obvious reason drivers break the speed limit is that they are in a hurry to get to their destination. You can avoid this by giving yourself enough time to plan.

When you allocate time for your journey, there should be sufficient allowance for stopping at traffic lights, being stuck in traffic, and other factors that may affect your schedule. 

And keep up to date with all the changes to the speed limit rules. Check out this and some other changes with our article on five new changes to UK driving laws in 2023.

5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Driving requires you to be attentive and focused. On the road, everything is moving, so you need always to be ready for changes and adapt accordingly.

It's best to keep your eye on what's happening on the road ahead as far as you can see rather than just the vehicle in front!

Make use of your side mirrors and rear-view mirrors to check your immediate surroundings, including behind you, especially before you manoeuvre to overtake, for example.

Observe the light signals or other cars, and don’t forget to use your own whenever you need to change lanes, for example.

Also, look for road signs, traffic lights, speed limit signs, and others so you can anticipate the condition of the road and make the right adjustments. 

6. Check Road Markings

Signs and road markings are vital to the safety of drivers. Road improvements are usually made because of collisions that have happened in that area.

Be alert whenever you see road markings, slow down, and keep a safe distance from the car in front. If the road you’re taking has plenty of road signs, the riskier it is, so be extra careful. 

7. Do Not Use Your Mobile Phone

It is against the law to use your mobile phone while you’re driving. It is a major cause of distraction that could put your life and the lives of other road users at risk.

You are also not allowed to use your phone when your vehicle is not moving, but your engine is running. An exemption to this is if the phone is in hands-free mode.

If you’re caught driving while using your mobile phone, you could be fined, and you will also receive three penalty points on your licence. 

8. Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly

Visit your optician every couple of years to make sure that your eyesight is fine, and you can safely drive without worrying about issues with your vision.

If you need to wear prescription glasses, see to it that you use them whenever you’re behind the wheel.

In case your eyesight has gotten worse and you are no longer able to see clearly while driving, it’s best to surrender your licence and stay safe. 

9. Avoid Driving While Tired

Driving when you’re tired or sleepy is just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you feel tired, try to stop at a cafe and drink a caffeinated beverage to perk you up.

You can also try walking around for about five minutes so you can stretch your legs and get some fresh air. If you’re absolutely exhausted, it might be wise to find a place to take a nap. 

10. Get Your Car Serviced

The condition of your car is important in keeping you safe while driving. Get your car serviced regularly and not just when something’s wrong.

You can do things like changing fluids and checking tyre pressures yourself. However, if you’re not very familiar with checking your car’s engine or changing tyres, find a trusted garage to help you.

Even if you spend some money on it, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that an expert checked and fixed your vehicle.

Learn More About Cars and Driving!

Carmoola has plenty of interesting and informative articles to help you with all things cars, car finance, driving rules, car maintenance, and much more!

Check out our complete guide on everything you need to know about driving in the UK! 😎