In the modern age, hitting the road is an unavoidable part of daily life. Whether your job requires you to work on the road or you will be wading through traffic to get to your destination, it is unlikely that you won’t pass through the vast streets littered with cars, construction, and the like. Make sure you are road-ready so you can safely get to where you want.
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Ensure High Visibility
On days where fog and rain can be a hindrance, or even simply at nighttime, it is crucial to make sure that you are highly visible to other people on the road. You want to give them ample time to be able to see you exactly where you are so that you can avoid accidents.
High-visibility tabards are a great lightweight fabric that isn’t just for construction workers and road repair crews. If you are a nighttime jogger, cyclist, or even motorist, it’s a good idea for you to don this gear to ensure your safety. It won’t hinder your movement and has the necessary visual aspect to protect you.
If you are on a scooter or bicycle, it’s also smart to place high-visibility stickers on these so that other drivers are aware of how much space you are occupying and what you’re riding. This can save you from a lot of accidents that occur from a lack of clear vision.
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Safeguard Your Vehicle
Before hitting the road, make sure your ride is ready. This goes beyond the usual seatbelt and gas checks. Make sure you’ve got working indicators, mirrors, and breaks, and your tires are pumped.
Additionally, if you’re hauling anything, make sure your items are securely fastened so you can avoid damage. Make sure it also doesn’t hinder your ability to maneuver your car, especially if you may pass humps or winding roads. On top of that, it is important to check that your cargo doesn’t cause any trouble for other drivers. Large items can hinder their vision in a problematic way and can even be prone to hitting the ground.
Even the temperature inside counts, as too much heat or cold, can affect your own driving condition. If you can make sure that everything in your vehicle is set to go, map out your route so you can easily go your way with a plan in mind.
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Check Yourself
Make sure you’re ready for the road before you even head out the door. The usual precautions include making sure you are not drunk or experiencing any mobility issues like an injury or such. But you also need to check your awareness and state of mind.
Overstressed and distracted individuals actually cause or get involved in accidents a lot, making up a large percentage of sober traffic accidents. Fatigue is also a major factor, as this makes your senses more delayed and has a tendency to make you sleepier on the road.
Make sure you are centered and focused on driving when you are going out, especially if it’s going to be a long drive. Staying engaged can help you be awake while still alert on the road. This is where music on the radio can help.
