Safe driving tips they don’t always teach in driving school

Correctly adjusting your mirrors helps minimise your blind spots. You can reposition your rearview and side mirrors to maximise your view of the road. Before adjusting your mirrors, ensure you’re seated correctly. Position your seat so you can comfortably see the road ahead. 

While in the driver’s seat, position your rearview camera so you can see your entire rear window. Adjust it so you can barely see the car’s interiors. It maximizes your view of the road behind you.

Next, move to the side mirrors. Sit in the driver’s seat and lean your head against the window. Adjust the mirror outwards until you see the lane next to you and a small portion of your vehicle’s rear as a reference point. Then, move your head towards the left until your left ear reaches the middle of the dashboard. From this position, similarly, adjust your left mirror. 

You can also consider adding additional or blind spot mirrors to your side mirrors. They help you gain a better view of the vehicles around you.

Once you adjust your mirrors, you can work on staying out of others’ blind spots. Ensure you maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Adequate distance ensures you remain visible in their mirrors. Whenever you end up in another driver’s blind spot, speed up or slow down to get out of it safely. Avoid using your horn to alert other vehicles to your presence. Instead, drive at a safe distance from them.

Your driving school will teach you how to park safely. However, they may not provide sufficient guidance to help you parallel park easily. Here are some road safety measures to help you parallel park like a pro.

Start by identifying a suitable space. Then, align your rear bumper with that of the vehicle in front of the space. Turn your wheel in the direction of the space. So, if you’re parking on the right-hand side, turn your wheel to the right. Slowly reverse into the space until you are at a 45-degree angle with the pavement. Then, turn your wheel to the left and reverse until you are parallel to the pavement. Adjust your vehicle to maintain an equal distance from the vehicles in front and behind. 

Once you understand the basics, you can work on practicing your skills in empty parking lots. After all, practice makes perfect!

Becoming a safe driver requires you to follow all the road safety rules in India. However, bad weather may prevent you from seeing road signs clearly, making it difficult to drive safely. During heavy rains, your windscreen can get foggy. Use your car’s defogger to direct air directly to your windshield. The cool air helps bring your windshield temperature down to match the temperature outside and reduce fog. If you don’t have a defogger, try adjusting your car’s air conditioning and temperature to reduce the fog on the windscreen. Avoid trying to wipe your windscreen since it means taking a hand off the steering wheel, which can become dangerous. Instead, pull over to wipe the windshield before continuing your journey.

Distracted driving can lead to catastrophic accidents. Avoid texting or answering calls while driving. In emergencies, consider using a hands-free system to answer calls while keeping your hands on the wheel. You can also limit the number of passengers in your vehicle to minimize distractions.

Adjusting your mirrors minimizes your blind spots. However, you should do a quick manual check over your shoulder before merging lanes or turning

Ensure you keep pedestrian crossings free and give way to those on foot. Be extra cautious when driving in areas with high foot traffic.

Become familiar with road and traffic signs. Ensure you understand what they mean and follow traffic rules conscientiously.

Your driving classes provide the essential foundation for safe driving. However, you can build on these skills on the road. While driving, protect yourself, your vehicle and your finances with comprehensive car insurance. Visit the Zuno website to browse our plans, identify the ideal policy for your needs, and customise your coverage with our range of add-ons. You can take the Zuno Driving Quotient Challenge to measure your driving score and get discounts on your premium. Download the Zuno App on your smartphone and register for the challenge. For the next 15 days, the app uses telematics to measure your driving abilities and provides a daily and final score. A high final score will help you get discounts on your Zuno plan. Take the challenge today and save on your premiums with Zuno!

ARN: Zuno/Blog/Safe driving tips they don’t always teach in driving school/11/23/06 

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