Road Safety Rules and Common Mistakes

There are a few more rules, which should be mentioned, because drivers tend to forget about them or make mistakes following these rules:
6. Always wear a helmet while driving a two-wheeler. Seems like there should not be any problem with this rule, everybody understands that safety is above all. However, many people think, if they take a short drive to a store or to visit some neighbor, there is no need in helmet. Note, the majority of injuries happen within 2 miles of the people’s homes and if this is the time when helmet was off, the end might be sad.

7. Stay with the speed limit. Although people in a rush prefer to speed and cautious drivers go slowly, it is important to remember that the speed limits were set due to the traffic conditions. Even in the places where the speed limit is not set, it does not mean that there is no such thing. For example, the average speed limit in towns is 35 mph and if it is not specified otherwise, the car should not exceed it.
At the same time the Interstate regulation is 70 mph and it also has the minimum speed of approximately 45-55 mph depending on a state or time of day. Slow vehicles would block the road and cause hazardous situation as much as the fast ones. Going with the flow is the best and safest on any road.
8. Stopping distance depends on the speed. It takes time to notice the hazardous situation or any other emergent reason to stop. It also takes the time to react and press the stop pedal. And finally the vehicle cannot stop as soon as brakes are applied, but needs a few feet. This is the reason while it is especially important to drive slowly in school zones, at busy pedestrian areas and in places where the signs with animals like cattle or deer are placed.

9. Stay away from the vehicle ahead at a distant position. This rule is important for several reasons, but the main one is because a driver can never read the mind and the other driver and know when, where and why will the vehicle ahead of him or her stop. Keeping the auto at a good distance allows having time to react right.
10. Pedestrians have the right of way. It is important at the areas with pedestrian X-ing with zebra markings or other specifically marked places. Any vehicle has to stop and let the pedestrians go. Low speed at these areas is required specifically for this matter. When stopping at such places a driver should stay behind the stop line if there is one or a few feet off of the “zebra” if there is none.
11. Driving under the influence is not acceptable. This concerns alcohol, drugs and everything that might affect driving abilities. First of all, people that take medications do not always pay attention to the warning which might ask them to stay away from driving for certain period of time. The reason is because some medications make people sleepy and less alert than usually, the others affect vision.
Secondly, many people want to “relax” with a can of beer, glass of wine or something alike in the evening time, especially if it is a weekend. After drinking they think that their driving abilities have not changed, but alcohol decreases clearness of vision, lowers the ability to see at night by more than half, reduces side vision, slows reaction and coordination, decreases judgment.
Finally, any intoxicants, marijuana, narcotic drugs and drugs which have stimulating effects on the central nervous system carry people away from reality. Such person cannot be a safe driver, besides, it is proven that they affect judgment, motor functions and seeing in the same way as drinking does.