As a driver, you have the power to make a difference. You can save lives and protect others by making smart choices on the road. It’s important for everyone on the road—regardless of age or experience—to understand that driving is a privilege and not a right. That said, there are many ways for you as an individual to become a better, safe driver:
Pay attention to the road.
You may be thinking, “I already know how to drive!” When we’re behind the wheel, it’s natural for us to get into autopilot mode and start daydreaming or focusing on something other than the road. If you want to become a responsible driver, however, you’ll need to stay focused on driving at all times.
Never take your eyes off what’s going on around you. The last thing anyone wants is for someone else’s negligence behind the wheel to lead them into an accident or cause another driver harm (which could also end up hurting their own family).
As soon as your eyes leave their normal position while driving—like when checking an incoming text message or making sure there are no more gas stations within 50 miles—you’re putting yourself at risk of crashing into another car or running off the road due to distraction from whatever caught your eye in the first place. Don’t do that!
Practice defensive driving.
Defensive driving means being aware of the road and other drivers. Always watch for hazards, be prepared to react, and stay alert while you drive. To practice defensive driving, watch the road ahead of you—and keep your eyes on it even when another driver has made an error or is behaving unsafely.
Use your mirrors regularly (at least every 10 seconds) to check for vehicles in your blind spots. Be extra careful if visibility is low (e.g., at night or during inclement weather), as other drivers may not be able to see you either! Check your headlight function regularly; broken headlights can make it more difficult for others to see you, which could lead to dangerous situations on the road!
Understand the risks of distracted driving and enforce a no-tolerance policy for yourself and anyone else in the car.
Understanding the risks of distracted driving and enforcing a no-tolerance policy for yourself and anyone else in the car is one way to become a responsible driver. According to AAA, distractions can include texting, eating, talking on the phone, etc. Distractions are a factor in more than 3 million car accidents yearly, and they’re especially deadly when car with driver use their phones while driving.
Make sure you’re properly licensed.
There are a few things that you need to get right before you can consider yourself a responsible driver. Ensuring that you have a valid license when you drive. Having one means that the government has given their blessing for you to use public roads and highways as long as it’s safe for everyone involved; without one, they would have nothing else to say about your ability to operate motor vehicles—and since driving is an inherently dangerous activity, this makes sense!
Use a seat belt at all times.
Use a seat belt at all times. Seat belts save lives and can be your car’s most effective safety device. You’re more likely to suffer serious injury or death if you’re involved in an accident and do not wear a seat belt. Understand how the front of your car works before getting behind the wheel for the first time. There are many different kinds of vehicles on the roads today, so you must understand how each one works before driving it! You don’t want to scratch up your new ride because you need to know how much pressure is needed when turning left/right or accelerating/decelerating!
Drive for the conditions you are faced with.
You are responsible for your safety. You must drive cautiously, even if the other drivers around you do not. Turn on your lights and slow down if it is raining or snowing. When driving in fog, use extra caution and take it easy on the gas pedal because you may not be able to see far ahead of you.
Follow speed limits and don’t deviate from them, even if others are speeding around you.
Follow speed limits and don’t deviate from them, even if others are speeding around you. Speed limits are there for a reason. They are not set in stone and can change depending on road conditions, but they are based on law enforcement’s best judgment of what is safe for private chauffeur service and pedestrians. Follow speed limits to protect yourself, other drivers, and pedestrians!
Check your car’s windows, tires, and other equipment before driving it.
Ensure your car’s windows are clean and the windshield wipers aren’t worn out or cracked. Check the air pressure in your tires by using a tire gauge. If it is low, don’t ignore it—you can get a flat tire if they’re not at least at its recommended level!
Take a minute to inspect all of your lights: headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals work? Is there anything that could be obstructing them? You want those things clear so people can see you on the road!
Make sure that all safety equipment is working properly, too: seatbelts (check for tears), mirrors (make sure they don’t need adjustment), and seat position (shouldn’t be so far back that you’re slouching).
Observe every traffic sign and signal as though it were in place just for you.
Observe every traffic sign and signal as though it were in place just for you.
Obey the speed limit. Pay close attention to right-of-way rules, such as who has the right-of-way at an intersection or a stop sign. Observe road conditions and traffic around you including other drivers’ actions so that you can make informed decisions about how best to proceed safely in each situation.
You can become a responsible driver!
Be prepared to be a responsible, safe driver. Avoid distractions (phone calls, texting, etc.) while driving. Take time to learn about the road rules and how they apply to you as a driver.
Conclusion
Practicing these tips daily is the best way to become a responsible driver. You can start by writing down all the things you want to do as a safe driver and then working on them one at a time. So, if you want to be more aware of what’s happening around you while driving, focus on how much attention you pay when stopped at an intersection or turning onto another road. If avoiding distractions is important, keep your cell phone out of reach while driving or keep yourself from getting bored while stuck in traffic!