It doesn't matter if you use the car to work or
just on weekends: facing the traffic of the city or the road is something that
always carries some risks. Therefore, one thing that every driver has in common
is the goal of reaching their destination safely and without unforeseen
circumstances.
The demands of traffic in relation to being
attentive, in a good mood and aware of what is around you are not always
recognized correctly by the driver. Istanbul Car Hire with Driver safely
is something that can be the difference between suffering an accident and
avoiding taking risks.
In the case of companies, in particular, it is
essential to pay close attention to this matter. Preserving the integrity of
employees and users of corporate fleets is an obligation and also provides a
significant reduction in expenses with fines, fuel and claims.
With that in mind, here we have made a list with 8
tips on defensive driving so that the driver is able to act more calmly and
safely in his day to day, avoiding headaches and safety problems in general.
Check out!
1) Body
position
Practicing defensive driving means being able to
foresee risky situations and drive your vehicle in a way to avoid them. For
this, the first thing to do is to check if the driving conditions are the most
suitable for you, starting with the position of the body.
Ideally, you should have your arms and legs
slightly bent and your back on the back at an angle close to 90 degrees. It is
important that you feel comfortable and have a clear sense of visibility
through all mirrors.
Extend your arms towards the front of the car. Your
wrist must touch the top of the steering wheel without difficulty, otherwise it
may be necessary to adjust the position of the seat a little forward, thus
avoiding an overload on your spine and providing more agility in maneuvers.
A quick survey of the main injuries caused by
traffic accidents means that anyone will never fail to give proper attention to
posture. Its importance is not just about driving comfort, but it is mainly a
matter of safety.
Being poorly positioned behind the wheel can
disrupt the driver's peripheral vision or even prevent him from performing a
safety maneuver quickly enough.
Posture is something that is often overlooked,
especially in business fleets. Therefore, it is important to make employees
aware of the existing risks and damage to health caused by a long working day
without ergonomic care.
2) Attention
to safety items
Develop the habit of fastening your seat belt as
soon as you enter the vehicle, even before starting the car. Also make sure
that all occupants do the same. Traffic statistics show that this simple action
makes a huge difference to the damage caused by an accident.
Nobody expects to leave the house and suffer a
traffic accident, but prevention is better than cure. Therefore, keep the
safety items in good condition. Belt for all occupants, brakes, spare tire and
warning triangle, for example, must be checked regularly.
In the case of corporate fleets, it is necessary to
include safety items when selecting the best vehicles for your company. By
ensuring the health and safety of drivers, you guarantee better quality of
service and, consequently, financial return for the company.
3) Hand on
the steering wheel and attention to traffic
Always keep your hands on the steering wheel and
avoid taking it off for other things than changing gears. In a moment of risk
it is essential that you are able to maneuver quickly, in order to prevent a
collision or other accidents. Therefore, never use your cell phone or keep
other objects that make it impossible for your hand to properly develop the
activity you are doing.
It is also common for us to use GPS or other
location applications on the smartphone that help us reach our destination. So,
keep in the habit of preparing them before putting the vehicle in motion and
never use your cell phone while driving. The device used to access the GPS,
according to the legislation, must be fixed to the windshield.
Invest in
training
Companies with several drivers should consider
training in defensive driving to develop habits like this, which work in favor
of their safety and well-being.
It is important to keep in mind that the quality of
life of employees involved with a vehicle fleet directly influences the service
provided. In this sense, awareness is an important action as it involves health
and safety issues.
In addition, offering training and implementing a
safer driving culture in a company are practices that bring significant
benefits, starting with the financial side.
A fleet has several factors that generate expenses
for it to be maintained. However, it is possible to work to reduce some of
them. We can quote, for example, the cost of maintaining vehicle damage.
The company needs not only to worry about normal
maintenance costs, but also to repair any damage caused by collisions or
irregular steering, which requires more of the car's mechanics. Do the math and
check how much your company has already spent on this type of repair.
Therefore, awareness is essential. More responsible
and well-trained drivers drive with more caution and safety, providing an
important reduction in fleet maintenance costs.
4) Keep a
safe distance from other vehicles
One of the most common types of accidents is the
rear collision. Usually, it is the result of a driving practice that does not
consider the distance factor between vehicles. This may seem obvious, but many
people believe that they are able to act in time to avoid an accident.
It turns out that when the vehicle in front brakes,
there is a natural response time for the driver of the car behind to notice and
act. So, no matter how good your brake is, it ends up being activated at least
a few hundredths of a second later, which can be the difference between safe
braking and an accident.
So be aware of the distance you must keep from the
vehicle in front. Remember that in the event of an emergency, you will need
enough space to stop your car and avoid a collision.
Likewise, avoid getting too close to other cars or
driving alongside trucks and buses. If you need to get past them, do so and
stay away. Long vehicles have more blind spots and their drivers may be tired
and inattentive, so it is important that you ensure a safe distance.
Studies show that, in addition to putting
everyone's safety at risk, disregarding the safety distance between vehicles
results in greater congestion because, as we said, a brake is answered with
delay by the vehicle behind. This creates a domino effect, slowing down traffic
until a traffic jam is created.
5) Keep the
car in good condition
Both for the average user and for professionals,
the health of the vehicle is extremely important so that it is prepared and
responds to your commands at critical moments. Make the revisions in time and
keep an eye on the integrity of items such as tires, brake, suspension and
signal lights.
When an unforeseen event occurs, an emergency
maneuver by the driver will require greater effort from these parts of the car.
For this reason, it is important that drivers are well educated on how to act in these situations and, also,
that the vehicles are in good condition to not let them down. Keeping
up-to-date always avoids mechanical problems that can put the driver and other
people at risk. With the car and driver well prepared, many incidents can be
avoided.
Often the lack of attention or comfort can cause
the driver to fail to comply with certain procedures that are mandatory and
prevent accidents. For example, wearing a seat belt or signaling while driving,
as is the case with the arrow.
Maintenance and servicing always up to date!
Accident prevention first of all involves
preventing unnecessary risks. And this is something that can only be achieved
if your car is in good condition. So take good care of your vehicle with Chauffeur
Services in Istanbul!
As well as always being attentive to changes in the
car's behavior, it is essential to carry out preventive maintenance and keep
the revisions up to date. Some mechanical problems are only noticeable when the
part has already broken. Then it will be too late!
That's what revisions are for. In them, a
specialized professional will replace worn parts and make adjustments to keep
your vehicle in good condition. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention
to preventive maintenance.
Tire calibration and rotation, oil change, checking
the brake and the functioning of the lights are some of the items that should
be part of the driver's routine. In addition to providing savings with
corrective maintenance, they increase the safety of those who use this
transport.
The main characteristic of a defensive direction is
to comply with the legislation, as it already provides possibilities for risk
to safety and adapts, becoming a reference for accident prevention.
Combined with constant attention and vehicles in
good condition, it will get you where you need to go without putting yourself
at risk.
6) Know
traffic laws well
Signage should be used whenever the driver is going
to make a conversion, change lanes or park. Using the arrow is mandatory so
that the vehicles around you are previously aware of your maneuver.
When changing lanes, check first that it is free
and that you will enter a suitable speed and distance in relation to other
vehicles. This habit will make you see and be seen, which is the best way to
avoid sudden maneuvers by everyone in traffic.
And never overtake on the right or in places where
it is not allowed. Don't endanger the lives of people in your car and others
around you. Travel at the allowed speed and through the correct lanes.
Also, stay tuned for changes, such as the new low
beam law. Being updated in relation to the legislation, the driver is taking
care of his own safety and that of everyone in traffic.
Read also: 5
tips for choosing the transfer of your trip
Read also: 7
BENEFITS OF EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT FOR YOUR COMPANY
7) Know your
vehicle well
To adjust your rear-view mirrors well and ensure
good peripheral vision, find out what your car's blind spot is and how to drive
so as not to leave other vehicles out of your field of vision. In addition,
always pay attention to the operation of the accelerator, brake, clutch,
steering wheel, etc.
It is essential to pay attention to small changes
in the behavior of the car to quickly identify the need for repairs. Sudden
changes in functioning can mean some mechanical problem and this can become a
major danger.
Nobody wants to go through the situation of having
a broken part while driving, at the risk of losing control of the car. So, stay
tuned and don't suffer!
8) Invest in
safer driving practices
Every activity requires a certain amount of
practice to be carried out efficiently. Direction is no different. You have to
learn and train a lot to become a good driver.
It turns out that a lot of people believe they have
completely mastered the vehicle and no longer worry about improving their
driving skills. This is, even, a factor very observed in business fleets. The
drivers, having a long experience in the service, believe that there is nothing
to be improved in their direction.
Therefore, it is necessary to invest in training
and even meetings that provide the opportunity to talk openly with everyone.
Often a driver's own experiences can influence others to develop best
practices.
Shifting gears at the right time, keeping your
distance from the vehicle in front, braking in advance and constantly checking
that the mirrors are well aligned are some of the practices that make the
driver more capable of driving safely. Not to mention respecting traffic laws -
especially regarding speed limits.
A driver who practices defensive driving is always
aware of the traffic around him. You need to constantly re-evaluate your own
skills so that traffic is a safer place for everyone.
By following these tips on defensive driving you
will be looking after your health, your employees and those you love.
Therefore, all care is always welcome.
Read also: DISCOVER
THE 3 MAIN PRECAUTIONS WHEN HIRING AN EXECUTIVE DRIVER
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