How to Make Your Ride Safer
The number of cars on the roads is increasing every day and so is the need for safety measures. Owning a car is much more than just hopping into it and driving off to your destination. Unlike motorbikes (which are smaller in size and provide exponentially greater chances to maneuver in tight spots), cars are difficult to quickly maneuver and require us to use multiple senses simultaneously at all times. Even the most experienced drivers are prone to exhibiting poor judgment and may end up scratching the car against a wall or another vehicle.
Needless to say, driving compels us to practice patience and precaution on a whole new level. Lucky for us, we’re living in an era where dozens of safety gadgets make sure we’re as far from danger when driving as possible. These tips will help make your ride safer, and you’re likely to find at least 2-3 of the following very useful.
Get a Blindspot Warning System
Blindspots are one of the riskiest, and sometimes even fatal maneuvers. Every vehicle has blind spots that make it impossible for you to check what’s on your right, left and even rear. Even if you’re using the side view and rear view mirrors, you may still end up missing these spots. It’s perhaps the riskiest aspect of driving.
Luckily, vehicles now have blindspot alert systems that warn you with an alarm or a flashing light as soon as you start to steer towards an object in your blind spot. This compels you to keep your eyes on the road and helps you navigate the lanes in a much safer way.
Install a Mirror Dash Cam
A mirror dash cam can function as your rear view mirror or be a screen for your rear and front cams. Some mirror dash cams also come with a rotatable 360 degrees camera that can record in instances of 10-15 minutes as soon as there’s movement around your car. You can attach it to your rear view mirror or mount it anywhere on your dashboard. Just make sure that your dash cam isn’t blocking your view of the road in any way or you may be fined for it.
Reinforce Your Windows
Shattered glass can be a major danger to your well-being in case of accidents. In case of a head-on collision, the windscreen may break and broken glass shards may come flying toward you. Luckily, you can eliminate this danger by reinforcing your windows with a glass tint that will prevent the glass from breaking into several small pieces. Not many people opt for this safety step but we suggest that you do!
Consider Anti-Lock Brakes
Newer vehicles have anti-lock brakes but if you still happen to own an old car, you need to see if you can get anti-lock brakes installed at the earliest. Anti-lock brakes, also known as ABS brakes, add excellent stopping power to your vehicle and are ideal for last-second scenarios.
Do a Maintenance Check Before a Long Trip
When you’re headed out for a trip, make sure to have a professional give your car a thorough check-up. Check if the oil or wheels need replacement or a touch-up. Performing these regular maintenance checks helps you be at peace and prevent you from experiencing a breakdown in the middle of a busy highway.
The Takeaway
It goes without saying that we have to practice road safety measures for our well-being and others’, however, we’ve shed some light on relatively newer safety precautions. For instance, installing a mirror dash cam, blindspot warning system or reinforcing your glass windows — many people would rather brush these off. They’re undeniably important and no hassle is worth NOT going through if it helps protect human life.