Driver safety is at the forefront of driver education. You know the importance of wearing your seatbelt, adjusting your mirrors and using your turn signal.
However, you can implement some lesser-known safety measures to ensure you reach your destination every time you get behind the wheel.
1. Use your headlights day and night
State law dictates that you turn your headlights on when driving at night, in the rain and whenever visibility is low. However, it may be beneficial to keep them on whenever the vehicle is in use. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using headlights during the daytime reduces the risk of a car crash by nearly six percent.
2. Choose your music carefully
Music is terrific for soothing your soul, but when you are driving, the effects of your favorite tunes may be a bit too calming. A study found that drivers who listened to music were less reactive to dangers that crossed their paths, such as animals darting in front of the vehicle.
3. Test your emergency brake
Many drivers use their parking brakes sparingly. Especially if you drive a car with an automatic transmission, you may rarely feel the need to engage your emergency brake outside of an actual emergency. However, vehicle components corrode over time, so you should test your brake occasionally to make sure the cables and connections are operable when you need them to be.
You should do everything in your power to avoid a car crash. However, accidents are inevitable, so it is also important to understand traffic law and know your rights.