Yet another important tip for safe driving is not to speed up. Always consider the speed limits, they are not made just for entertainment or restriction of the drivers’ freedom. Driving at a higher than reasonable or allowed speed increases your risks in two ways: first, it shortens your time to react; and second, it results in more energy that is dissipated during a possible traffic accident. These are basic rules of physics you cannot circumvent. Adding up the braking distance to the equation makes things even more complicated. This is particularly important when driving at night when visibility is poorer; drivers are usually tired and lack concentration. Another point that should be made clear is that speeding in the city is completely unnecessary. If you speed up on a boulevard, you may just end up waiting longer at the next traffic lights. This won’t save you time, but may only cause unnecessary stress to all participants on the road. If, otherwise, traffic is moving at a higher speed than you need, keep to the right and out of the way. Whenever possible, give yourself the correct following distance.
The above mentioned rules were to a large extent what is necessary considering safe driving. However, a few words should be said about the use of safety devices. Using seat belts is not a matter of personal choice but of following the law. No doubt, these are the most significant safety devices ever invented.
Before even trying to weigh the pros and cons of wearing a seat belt, keep in mind that the statistics show that seat belts would prevent roughly 50% of deaths and injuries in the event of a car collision. Besides providing impact protection, they absorb crash forces and prevent you from being thrown out of the vehicle. It is true that seat belts wrinkle your clothes and may be a bit uncomfortable, but compared to the safety they offer, these are facts that can be overcome.
