The five factors of safe driving are:
Experience: Driving is all about adjusting to the always-changing, unpredictable nature of the road. So, safe drivers are drivers who have some experience in handling the variety of unusual situations that can occur when driving. (That's not to suggest that inexperienced drivers aren't safe; but experience does introduce an extra degree of safety).
Focus: Driving provides a steady stream of input for the driver. So, safe drivers are drivers who can focus on the task of driving and can ignore irrelevant distractions.
Equipment: Driving requires a car that performs as expected to help you get from point A to point B. So, safe drivers are drivers who operate cars that work.
Environment: Driving doesn't happen in a vacuum; it takes place in an environment (on a specific road, in specific weather, at a specific time of day, etc.). So, safe drivers are those who can correctly interpret the appropriate driving style needed and can adjust their driving to it.
Discipline: Driving is a complicated process of control and speed. So, safe drivers are those who have the discipline to adjust their driving according to the changing conditions, and who operate their vehicle legally.
How would you rate your skills in these five areas?
- Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of how well you manage each of these five factors.
- Now here's the more challenging rating: Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of how much you actually perform safely. (Lots of people will give themselves high scores in discipline, for example, but may not actually follow through).
Next, think about how you can improve each of these 5 areas.
- Experience: Improving experience is just a matter of more time behind the wheel. If you don't drive as often as a spouse, offer to drive instead. You may not love driving but the experience will help you become a safer driver.
- Focus: Turn down the radio; turn off your cellphone; and set-and-forget the climate controls; put down your coffee; put down your sandwich; ask the kids to be quiet.
- Equipment: When was the last time you had your car in for a tune-up and inspection? If it's been a while, remember that each passing day, your deteriorating car contributes a little more to unsafe driving.
- Environment: Learn to drive in bad weather; and more importantly, learn when not to drive!
- Discipline: Review your driving habits (especially your bad habits) and try to drive with a little more care.
Following these five factors won't completely eliminate collisions, but they will dramatically reduce the ones that are caused by you (and they can prepare you more effectively for collisions caused by others).
If you do get into a collision, your friendly neighborhood Boyd Autobody & Glass is there to help! Bring your car in for a fast, high-quality, professional collision repair.
