So you’ve got a BMW, and you don’t want to be the next person featured on Reddit’s “Idiots In Cars.” How can you become a better driver? Driving is a skill that we all tend to learn young. Getting that driver’s license and heading out on the road on our own for the first time is something of a rite of passage. While we hone our skills as we get older and spend more time behind the wheel, it’s easy to get trapped by bad habits we picked up while we were still learning. Thankfully, it’s never too late to become a better driver.
Don’t Tailgate — Ever
Tailgating is never a smart idea, no matter who you’re following. Drafting became popular on long trips — using the downdraft from large semi-trucks to reduce the amount of fuel you burn. While it does work, the benefits are negligible, and you’d have to be far too close to stop safely to save any appreciable amount of gas on your trip. Tailgating causes more than 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths every single year.
Be Mindful of Your Speed
We all know what speed limits are and how to follow them, but one thing that driver’s education teachers often neglect to say is that we need to be mindful of road conditions. Driving 75 mph on the interstate is only safe during optimal conditions. During rain, fog or other dangerous weather, meeting the speed limit isn’t safe.
Learn to Identify Dangerous Intersections
Not all intersections are created equal, and some can be more dangerous than others. Learn how to identify and navigate them safely. Frontage roads, roundabouts and intersections with blinking lights can be incredibly dangerous if you’re not careful. Some roundabouts can reduce traffic accidents by up to 82% — but they only work if the drivers navigating them know what they’re doing.
Don’t Weave Through Traffic
No one likes getting stuck behind a slow car or a huge truck that struggles to accelerate, but you need to be smart about changing lanes. Weaving in and out of traffic increases your risk of ending up in an accident. Be careful when you decide to change lanes. Give other drivers a wide berth, move smoothly and don’t travel at high speeds. This isn’t a NASCAR track. There are no winners, but if you lose control and cause a pileup because you were impatient, there will be plenty of losers.
Don’t Drive Drowsy
We all know that driving under the influence is both dangerous and illegal, but we’ll get behind the wheel after pulling an all-nighter or working a double without a second thought. What your driver’s ed teacher neglected to tell you was that drowsy driving is just as dangerous. Being awake for 24 hours slows your reaction times. It’s roughly equivalent to driving with a 0.10 blood alcohol level. For comparison, you’re considered legally drunk in most parts of the country with a 0.08 BAC.
Practice, Practice, Practice
When it comes down to it, the only way you’re going to become a better driver is to get behind the wheel and practice. If you’re worried about dangerous intersections, take the time to navigate them during off-peak hours or at night. Drive safely and focus on honing those skills.