When you get the behind the wheel, you have a duty to keep yourself and others safe. There are a number of things that you should never do, so we’re going to take a look at five examples today. Be aware that this list isn’t exhaustive, and there are many other things you need to be aware of. Let’s get started, shall we?
Getting Emotional
We’ve all been in that position where we need to go somewhere, but we don’t feel capable of doing so. We might have just had a massive argument with someone, or we might feel really upset. It’s no coincidence that people ask you if you’re OK to drive after you’ve been in an emotional state. That’s because your brain isn’t ready to get out there on the roads. Your awareness levels will have dropped, and you might make a big mistake because of your state of mind.
Drinking Alcohol
This one’s obvious. It doesn’t matter whether you’re behind the wheel or whether you’re still at home; drinking before driving is a big no-no. You could come back at me with the fact that you’re actually allowed to drink to a limit when you go out! That’s true (in some places), and you might get away with it. But, we’re all different, and while one person might be able to drink, the next person won’t. You can use tools like www.duiauthority.com/blood-alcohol-calculator/ to try and determine this if necessary. Ideally, it’s best to skip alcohol altogether.
Operating Your Phone
This is a growing trend that needs to stop! People seem to think that they can operate their phone while they’re behind the wheel. If you’re desperate to do this, you can buy hands-free kits from http://www.driveblue.com/, although I wouldn’t suggest it. Simply wait until you’ve stopped driving to call or text, or pull over at the nearest location. Taking your mind off the road to stare at your phone could be a pathway to a serious accident. It doesn’t take much to divert your attention and change your life forever.
Programming The Radio
Alright, so I’ll be lenient with this one. You’re allowed to switch the track of your CD or change the station, but don’t go over-the-top. If it’s a case of reaching towards the back of the car to find a new CD, wait until you’ve stopped. Similarly, if you want to program a new radio station from scratch, that’ll require a lot of button pressing. Don’t do that while the car is in motion. If it takes your mind away from the road for a long period of time, it’s not worth it.
Letting Your Mind Wander
It’s easy to let your mind wander when you’re driving, especially if you’re on highways. It’s a long stretch of road that doesn’t really change all that much. However, you need to reiterate to yourself the importance of concentration. If you feel your mind starting to wander, bring it back, or pull over and have a rest. It might just be that you need to recharge your batteries.