5 Ways to Become a Better Driver
Chinese New Year is coming up soon, and based on past year road statistics in Malaysia, traffic related accidents and deaths when balik kampung just keep rising. Today, we’re here to give you a few tips on how you can become a better driver immediately.
1. Keep to the speed limits
Image from: Just Read Online
There is a reason why the speed limit exists. It’s to make sure that everyone drives safely at an acceptable speed instead of speeding down the highway at 160 km/h when the limit is 80 km/h. Speeding only increases the possibility of an accident or getting a saman. It’s dangerous for you and the people around you, so it’s definitely a safer alternative to just drive within the speed limits.
2. Don’t get distracted
Image from: Hype Malaysia
Driving requires you to keep full focus on the roads, so don’t start fiddling with the things around you. Texting while driving is among the worst of these offences, and talking on the phone while driving has been said to be more dangerous than driving intoxicated. Some of the other dangerous things you can do include searching items stuck between the corners of the car seat and eating while driving.
3. Prevent blind spots
Image from: Aceable
Blind spots are exactly as described; they leave drivers blind to oncoming traffic from the left and the right before switching lanes. One of the worst scenarios on the road is getting into an accident due to the blind spots when driving. It is suggested that adjusting the side mirrors far enough outwards that the viewing angle just overlaps the vision in the cabin’s rear view mirror could prevent these blind-spot mishaps.
4. Keep your hands on the wheel
Image from: Shutterstock
If you’ve been to driving class, one of the most important things is to keep both hands on the wheel, preferably at the 10 and 2 positions. It may look cool to be driving with one hand on the wheel while your other hand is propped up against your window in those classic emo styles, but it’s also dangerous in the case of an emergency in which you need to swerve to avoid an accident, for example. You can go for the 9 and 3 hand positions, due to the introduction of airbags. This is more ergonomic to hold, it is less straining on the arms should you be driving for long hours. Remember that power is nothing without control.
5. Improve your parking
Image from: TW White and Sons
Parking may be one of the most important core aspects in your driving life. It helps that you know exactly how to do your regular parallel, reverse and forward parking. Here, we have a handy little infographic on how you can park like a pro:
That’s it. 5 simple ways to become a better driver, and a better person on the roads. Keep safe as you travel back to your kampungs this CNY. Happy CNY from all of us at TOC!