It can be rather exciting getting your hands on the keys of your first car. Or just the same feeling you feel when you have saved or managed to buy the car of your dreams. However, along with car ownership and all the costs involved with that, you also have some responsibilities as a driver. Sometimes we can be so distracted with the convenience of having a car to use for things like your commute or visiting new places, but what about the other factors involved with driving and car ownership?
A little reindeer for some of the main responsibilities can help you to not only be a safe drive but enables you to feel confident that your car is roadworthy. The more responsibility you take for your actions on the road and your behaviors, the more things can become safer in the future. With that in mind, here are some of your other key responsibilities as a driver.
NOT TO FLEE THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT
One big, perhaps not so obvious thing to never do is to flee the scene of an accident. It may have taken you by surprise to hit another car, a motorbike or a cyclist, but in all circumstances whether it isn’t or is your fault, you must stop and be present at the scene to speak with law enforcement, medical staff or to at least swap details with other parties and witnesses involved. However, on the flip side, if you are the person not at fault, and you find yourself in an accident where someone hasn’t stopped, you still have rights to obtain loss for the accident and even any injuries you wanted. This is when a lawyer could really help you out. Accidents are never pleasant to be part of, whether you were at fault or not, but don’t make things harder on yourself. Remain at the scene to ensure that the duty of care has been followed.
TO ENSURE YOUR CAR IS ROADWORTHY
It is your responsibility only to ensure that your car is legally roadworthy. That means you have sufficient fuel in the car for it to run, that your oil and water levels are topped up, and, most importantly, that you have the legal tyre tread depth on the tyres. So many people can be stopped innocently and face prosecution for things like that, even when bulbs are out in indicators and brake lights as it puts other drivers at risk. So make sure you regularly check your car to ensure it is legally roadworthy. One other thing to mention is that roadworthy cars don’t always necessarily mean the car itself, but that it is insured.
KEEPING SAFE DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Another factor to consider would be different times of the year. The winter especially can be tough for drivers, and your car can feel the effects of icy roads, grit that has been used to keep the roads safe, and also rain and storms. Keeping safe on the road is essential, so it might be that you change up your car tyres for winter, or look at investing in some winter essentials. Things like deicer, a scraper, chains for your tyres if you live in specifically cold areas that get a lot of snow. The more you factor in the weather, the better things can be. Another thing could be where you park up at night. Is your car exposed to icy conditions. It could be parking in a garage or covering up the windscreen to protect from ice could be the answer during the coldest months of the year.
MAKING SURE YOU AHERE TO ROAD REGULATIONS
It is your responsibility also to ensure that you drive on the road as safely as possible, which means adhering to road regulations such as speed limits, pedestrian crossings and traffic light systems. These things have been put in place for a reason to ensure the safety of you as a driver, pedestrians and passengers you have in the car.
PASSENGERS LIVES ARE IN YOUR HANDS
On the subject of passengers, it is important to remember that when a passenger gets into your car and you are behind the wheel, that technically their life is now in your hands. The safety of your driving is paramount to ensure that you do not put those people at risk.
Let’s hope that this has reminded you of some of the basic responsibilities we can often forget, not just as a new driver but someone who has been out on the road for some time.
Photo Credit: Honda
