When we start driving at first there is an excitement and nervousness that comes with it, we get in the car on our own for the first time and can feel like we’ve entered a new world, no matter how long we were taking lessons. But before long we are happily driving around all over the place, and we have no problem getting on the main roads and traveling at speed. But there are some things we can do to ensure that the time we spend driving is more comfortable.
Not only does this help improve our enjoyment of the drive, but it can also improve the safety of our journey as well. Unfortunately, there are many car accidents every year, and even though we are as careful as possible, the one thing that causes most car accidents is carelessness, and whatever form that takes whether it’s being uncomfortable or making bad decisions such as driving after drinking alcohol, it is nearly always avoidable. So what can we do to ensure a safe, comfortable, and smooth drive when we take to the roads?
CONFIDENCE
Learning to drive can be a nerve-wracking experience for some people, and there are plenty of driving instructors who specialize with people who have high anxiety in the situations, you can take a hypnotherapy course that deals with the exact cause of the anxiety, and many people have found this to be successful in the past. Studies show that practicing relaxation can help you overcome any nervousness in any situation, just knowing exactly how to do this and what works for you, is the key to success.
Once you have passed your driving test there is nobody there to Help correct any of your mistakes, and this can take a while to build up your confidence on. But once you know that you are taking good care, know exactly what you are doing, and have no problems driving safely, you should find your confidence grows which ultimately improves the overall safety of your journeys. This can be a fantastic way to enjoy driving, and turn it into a pleasant experience for all involved.
MAINTENANCE
Maintaining our cars is important because if anything is to go wrong with your vehicle, you will find that you have legal obligations that aren’t being met, maintaining a vehicle not only helps your cast a roadworthy and legal, but it can give you a secure knowledge that nothing is going to go wrong with it at any point. This means that you are a responsible car owner and motorist, and you will significantly reduce any discomfort you may feel during the drive.
Depending on where you live there are rules and regulations about which type of maintenance is essential for your vehicle. But car garages can help point you in the right direction. And investing in the health and overall safety of your car will mean that you improve the length of time That your car will serve you safely. Sometimes the maintenance of your car can negatively impact the comfort you feel during your car journeys because if your power steering isn’t working effectively, or your tracking is off, you will find it more difficult to drive safely and comfortably.
VISION
Making sure that you are able to see a registration plate from a distance is one of the tests in a drivers test, it helps the examiner know that you have good enough vision to drive safely, but once you have passed your test it is up to you to ensure that your vision is clear, which in turn means that you have to keep going for exams and ensuring that you don’t get yourself into any difficulties by not being able to see properly.
This also extends to the vision that you see outside of your windscreen, and it is essential that you always have screen wash and windscreen wipers, that are able to clear any obstructions on your windows. This obviously means you can see potential hazards in plenty of time. Don’t forget to include your mirrors in this, because being able to see what is around you at the same time is important.
It doesn’t take an awful lot of time and effort to keep your windows and mirrors clean, going through a car wash occasionally, or buying a white system that can keep your mirror and windows sparkling, doesn’t cost the Earth, so there is no excuse.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Before even getting in a car every day you should quickly check that your tires are pumped up, that you are able to see clearly, that your oil and petrol levels are good, and that you have no issues with any maintenance. You should also check to see if there are any hazards around the car before you take off, as sometimes we can drive over a pile of nails or something sharp, Without realizing it, and that can cause us issues further down the line.
Also to be comfortable it is a good idea to check that there are no obstructions in your windows, nothing that is likely to roll around your feet, and no electrical items that can cause an obstruction or mechanical fault plugged into your car. This can take just a few seconds every time you get in the car, and even though we tend to rush around a lot, it will significantly reduce the chance of problems or hazards cropping up as you drive.
DISTRACTIONS
Many car accidents are caused because there are distractions for the driver. That is why in many places it is illegal to use your mobile phone whilst driving, it is also important that children are safely strapped into car seats made for their age and size, and that they are kept as quiet as possible to ensure that the driver isn’t distracted to the point where they may make a mistake.
Distractions can be lethal, especially if you add tiredness or stress to the mix. So always make sure that you have everything secured, children are strapped in and happy before you set off, and that you are focused on the task in hand. This means you reduce the chance of a car accident significantly, and again this doesn’t take an awful lot of time to achieve.
INTERIOR
The amount of comfortable furnishings within your car can make a big difference to the overall driving experience, and your state of mind whilst you are driving is always going to improve the outcome of your journey, as long as you are calm, comfortable, and everything is where it should be.
We have visors as standard in many cars that helps prevent the Sun going in your eyes, as well as this we have different seat options with comfort levels, some of us prefer to have a warm car than others, and that we have the ability to have control over these is essential. Whether you have sports bucket seats, luxurious leather seats, or even padded velvet seats in your car is entirely up to you, as long as it is comfortable and sensible for you and your motoring adventures.
TIREDNESS
One of the most important things to remember when driving is that you have to stay alert at all times, which can be difficult if you are tired. There are generally signs on motorways that say to take a break if you are tired because unfortunately many accidents are caused by people falling asleep at the wheel. So always make sure that you get a good nights rest before any long journeys, that you are careful when it comes to your sugar levels so you don’t end up having a slump during the drive, and that you take regular stops along the way if you are taking a journey along A fast road for any length of time.
This one boils down to commonsense, and we all know our own limits, so sticking to these and being as safe as possible will not only improve your comfort levels but will reduce the risk of causing accidents or injuries to anyone else. Maybe looking into sharing the journey with somebody else driving occasionally, or an alternative method of transport if you don’t feel comfortable with the length of driving needed, could be Good ideas and hopefully prevent any mishaps.
Driving comfortably and safely is of course important and the way in which you achieved this is personal to you. But following some of these ideas can help you avoid any disasters, and hopefully prevent ever needing to worry. Ultimately all we can do is be as safe as possible, ensure that everything is checked over carefully when it comes to the car itself and that we are healthy and alert, then the rest is up to other road users and then hopefully following the same rules and guidelines as us. It doesn’t always work that way however, so always keep a close eye on the traffic around you. And of course, always remember to stick to the rules of the road that you are traveling on.
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz
