Try Not to Commit These Common Driving Errors

The frequency of traffic collisions in India is amongst the highest in the world, according to a report revealed by National Crime Records Bureau, more than 135,000 die in the traffic collision in India every year. Failure in maintaining the lane or yielding to the oncoming traffic while turning are considered to be the major causes of collisions on four lane.

No matter how proficient driver you are, but countless red lights, congested roads, never-ending traffic and threat of bad driving can make even the most expert drivers frustrated and even they can end up making mistakes. Avoiding the common mistakes while driving can help you have a safer and enjoyable experience on the road. We present here some important driving tips that must be taken care of to avoid accidents.

1. Give Way to the Vehicles Moving Faster Than You

According to the traffic rules, the right-most lane of the road is the fast lane, and it is used for overtaking. Don't block the faster traffic and shift to the left or slow lane, if you want to drive easy.

2. Avoid Gazing an Accident Site

Many people out of curiosity, people are eager to know the reasons and situation of the accident in case they come across any such mishap on the road. It is the duty and responsibility of police to attend to road accidents. You must pay attention on the road ahead to avoid further mishaps. If you can't avoid the urge to help, then get off the road carefully and then go and help the victims.

3. Honk Only While Warning

Your car horn is meant to warn the other road users of your intentions before you take any action on the road such as taking turns, changing lanes, etc. Persistent and endless honking generates stress and can lead to road rage in the fellow drivers. Also give a short honk instead of a long blast because by blowing the horn you are indicating your presence to the other road users.

4. Drive Cautiously While Driving in the Dark

Driving in dark is a tricky thing and entirely depends on how far you can see ahead. Although the headlamps have got better today but mostly the judgements are based on the distant vision of the driver. Ensure to be safe by driving cautiously so that you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights to avoid crashing or succumbing into any hazard.

5. Avoid Overtaking Just Before Turning Left

Do not try to overtake a slow moving car just before taking a left turn. An act of this kind will force the other driver to brake hard to avoid an accident and put you and your car at a risk of a collision. Wait a little and let the other car move ahead and then turn in at the junction.

6. Avoid Riding the Clutch

Do not drive the car while resting your foot on the clutch pedal, move it away as soon as you have shifted the gear. The partial engagement of clutch with the flywheel, results in premature wear out of the disc, flywheel and the clutch itself.

7. Signal Only Where Necessary

Signalling unnecessarily is not a good idea. Having the indicator or hazard lights switched on uselessly misleads other drivers which in turn leads to errors in their judgement. Although all cars have automatic cancellation system for indicators after turn but it is a good practice to check if they have been switched off after you have taken the turn.

8. Do not Speed Up When Being Overtaken

Do not accelerate if the car behind you has pulled out and is trying to overtake you. Accelerating simultaneously creates an error in the judgement of the other driver and this can be a situation for a potential accident. Instead, you must get off a little to let him overtake safely.

9. Never Block a Crossing

Enter a junction only when you are sure about crossing it completely without stopping in the middle. If the other side of the intersection is clogged, keep patience and let the other end to clear up.

10. Avoid Driving with High Volume of Stereo

Loud music act as a distraction and can insulate the driver from the activities happening on road outside. Consequently, the driver may not be able to hear a warning honk or notice the warning signs on the road. So it is better to play the music at a level of volume that neither distracts you nor isolates you from the world around.

Also Read:

• Car Indicators: Use them Wisely to Communicate on the Road
• How to Reduce High Beam Glare When Driving at Night?
• Safe Driving: Do's and Don'ts