Regardless of how confident you might feel behind the wheel, it only takes one wrong decision or a split-second mistake for an accident to happen. Increasing driver safety is about more than just following the road rules. We’ve provided a few tips to reduce your chances of getting into trouble while driving.
Attentiveness
Safe drivers focus on everything they can control, as well as what’s happening around them. It’s important to scan your surroundings and see what’s ahead of you at all times. Anticipating a crash can make the difference between crashing and staying safe.
Remember that driving tired, intoxicated or distracted will reduce your attentiveness and affect your ability to make split-second decisions. It is vital to avoid these to become a safe driver.
Know Your Route
If you haven’t got a GPS handy, always have your route planned before you start driving. Confusion about where you’re going will make you lose focus and create more room for error. If you’re driving through in an unfamiliar area, slowing down a little will help you drive with more confidence.
Buffer Zones
If you’ve never had to break suddenly before, it’s impossible to know how long it takes your vehicle to come to a complete stop. When it comes to buffer zones, it’s better to be safe than sorry! As a rule of thumb, try to keep 2 seconds behind the car in front of you and extend your buffer zone at higher speeds, in wet conditions or if you’re towing a trailer or caravan.
Purchasing A Safe Car
When it comes to car safety, not all cars are equal. If you want to make sure you’re as safe as possible while driving, invest in a car with a high Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) Safety Rating. The ANCAP Safety Rating puts cars through crash testing to find out how safe a vehicle is in comparison to others. It also judges your car on its safety features and safety assist technologies.
Visit the ANCAP Safety Rating website and find out how safe your vehicle is!
Tyre Maintenance
If you don’t properly look after your tyres, purchasing a safer car means nothing. Worn or under-inflated tyres can cause loss of traction and reduce the time it takes your vehicle to come to a complete stop.
You should be completing regular tyre maintenance inspections which include:
- Ensuring your tyre tread is at least 1.5mm deep
- Checking tyre pressure (check the owner’s manual for the recommended reading)
- Looking out for any cuts, bumps or bulges
For more information, see our guide to keeping your tyres in shape.
If you need some help with your tyre maintenance, we’ve found some Burnett mechanics who will be happy to help!
Burnett Tyre Service & Mechanical
Address: 130 Lamb St, Murgon, QLD
Phone: (07) 4168 1700
If you’re looking for a mechanic who goes the extra mile, you can’t go past Burnett Tyre Service & Mechanical. They have a range of services, including:
- Tyre safety inspections
- Motor vehicle inspection & testing
- Wheel alignment
Burnett Tyre Service & Mechanical can perform a tyre safety inspection for your vehicle and they stock quality tyres from leading brands. They also specialise in brake and clutch services, window tinting, emergency breakdown repairs and more! For more information, visit the Burnett Tyre Service & Mechanical’s Localsearch Business Profile.
Address: 124 Lamb St, Murgon, QLD
Phone: (07) 4168 1668
Whether you’re after a routine service, or need a major repair, the hardworking team at Murgon Tyre & Auto can get the job done quickly and at an affordable price. Their services include:
- Supply tyres, wheels & rims
- Motor servicing & repairs
- Wheel alignments
Murgon Tyre & Auto can check your vehicle’s performance issues, as well as fix any tyre, brake, suspension and clutch issues. Call the reliable mechanics at Murgon Tyre & Auto for your next service. For more information, visit the Murgon Tyre & Auto Localsearch Business Profile.
