5 Tips For Staying Safe On The Road | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

5 Tips For Staying Safe On The Road

The roads are dangerous.

76
5 Tips For Staying Safe On The Road
Jenny via Jenny On The Spot

Just today, I was driving on Interstate 20, behind a truck. The truck quickly moved into the left lane, revealing a couch not far down the road in my lane. It was less than 100 feet in front of me and I had just enough time to move out of the way. Since the couch was difficult to see, I likely would not have moved out of the way in time had my mom not pointed out the roadblock ahead of me.

Before this ordeal, I had spent over 20 hours driving from my home in New Jersey to my school in Louisiana. Spending this much time on the road, I have learned a thing or two about how to be safe while driving long distances (or driving in general). Don't forget these five tips that will help keep you safe when traveling on these dangerous roads:

1. Always Pay Attention to the Road

You're trying to answer a quick text to a friend? Perhaps you are trying to navigate through a city you have never been to before. Go ahead and pull over while doing anything that would take your eyes off the road for even a couple seconds. Like I mentioned before, I had very little time to move out of the way before I hit the piece of furniture in the middle of the road. Had I glanced down at my phone or my GPS, I could have been in big trouble.

2. Always Go the Speed Limit

The speed limit exists for a reason. If you decide to go above the speed limit, you are putting both yourself and others at risk for an accident. Speed limits ensure that you have enough time if there is an issue on the road. Be sure to take extra care when going through construction zones as there may be construction workers close to the road or machinery that can easily cause accidents if drivers aren't careful.

3. Keep Your Distance from Cars

Tailgating is one of my all-time pet peeves. Even if the car in front of you is not going as fast as you want it to, just pass it or deal with the slowpoke. You never know when a car is going to step on its breaks without a moment's notice. The consequences of tailgating can be devastating (and even deadly). Practice driving a safe distance from the car in front of you by utilizing the two-second rule. For every 5 mph you are traveling, leave one vehicle-length between your car and the car in front of you. For instance, if you are traveling 60 mph, leave about twelve car lengths between your car and the car in front of you.

4. Never Drive When You're Incapacitated

Before getting behind the wheel, ask yourself, am I ready to pay close attention to the road and be fully aware of my surroundings? If the answer is no, maybe, or probably, you're best bet is to ask someone else to drive or not drive at all. Never drive when you have alcohol or drugs in your system. Never drive when you feel too tired. Never drive when you don't feel certain that you can pay close attention to your surroundings.

5. Be Aware of the Weather

Weather is a big reason that people get involved in accidents. In fact, "about 70 percent of the accidental deaths that occur in the wintertime happen in automobiles." Whether it be rain, sleet, or snow, the weather can have a large impact on your safety while on the road. What's even more important is making sure that you take the precautions necessary to keep yourself safe during these dangerous times. Be sure to go slower during harsh weather and pay extra attention to the road to make sure you are not going to find yourself in a disaster.

Be sure to keep these five tips in mind the next time you get behind a wheel. In addition to these tips, here are some more tips that will help prevent an accident. Although there is no surefire way to be accident-free, you can always practice the best precautions for accident prevention and mitigation.

Be safe and don't forget to buckle up!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

127872
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

28824
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

26752
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments