Tips for safe driving on highways with high speed limits
City driving and highway driving are significantly different. In the city, we move at relatively lower speeds and the risk of accidents is low. On the other hand, when driving on highways, the speed can exceed 80 to 100 km/h. Impacts at such speeds can be fatal and therefore the driver cannot afford to be careless while driving on the highway.
Today we're sharing some helpful tips to make highway driving safer for you and your loved ones.
Wear your seat belts
To be honest, in Uzbekistan, we don't pay much attention to the constant wearing of seat belts. But did you know? A motorcycle helmet is as important to the safety of a motorcyclist as a seat belt is to the safety of a driver. By wearing a seat belt, you can prevent injury in low to moderate situations.
Enable Do Not Disturb mode on your mobile phone
Another fact of modern life that is hard to deny is the strong dependence on mobile phones. You can't lose focus while driving at high speed. So if you're a busy person, turn on silent or do not disturb modes to reduce the chance of being distracted by your smartphone's notifications while driving.
Always use a straight line to overtake
Don't join the queue despite the fact that others are not obeying the traffic rules, especially when it comes to overtaking heavy vehicles on the road. Always use the left lane to overtake, as drivers of heavy vehicles have more blind spots and may not see your car when making a sudden turn.
Driving at a safe distance
Another rule of thumb for highway driving is to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. While close driving in city traffic is relatively harmless, it is very dangerous on highways.
Also, make sure your vehicle's tires and brakes are in good condition before hitting the highway. Even a safe distance between vehicles is no guarantee of avoiding a collision if your tires don't have good tread or your brakes are worn out. Using technically superior tires like the Largo helps reduce braking distances on both dry and wet roads.
Do not exceed speed limits
Staying within the speed limits is a surefire way to avoid accidents on the highways. Even if there is no traffic on the highway, driving under the posted limit will help you avoid hitting the animals and wildlife that often roam the roads.
Consider weather conditions
If the weather is bad or about to get bad, driving slowly with your safety lights on will help you stay visible on the road. In bad weather, even driving at the recommended speed on motorways can be dangerous. Therefore, look at the situation with a realistic eye.
If you live in an area with frequent wet weather conditions, use treaded car tires to help prevent the risk of skidding.
Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
A very simple but important reminder, never drive while under the influence of alcohol or any drugs. If you're not fully focused, you're unlikely to make the right decisions down the road. The term driving safety refers not only to your personal safety, but also to the safety of other people on the road. Your carelessness can be fatal for someone else.
So, these are the basics of safe driving on highways. Also, take regular breaks when driving long distances and avoid driving aggressively or racing others.
At ASKO, we always strive to improve the safety of drivers on the road. Follow our blog for more tips on driving safety, car and tire maintenance.