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How to Drive a Car Safely

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Last Updated: September 2, 2020 References Approved

Driving safely is so important -- for you and for other drivers on the road. Start with Step 1 below for some helpful advice on how you can drive responsibly and avoid accidents.

Part 1 of 4:

Behaving Responsibly Behind the Wheel

1. 
   1
   Never drink and drive. Everyone knows that they shouldn't drive after drinking, but it's worth repeating. At minimum, drinking impairs your judgement and slows your reaction time. At worst, it causes blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

   • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the year 2012, 31% of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
   • Any driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is considered to be alcohol-impaired in the eyes of the law and if you are caught, you may be arrested, forced to pay a fine, charged with a DUI and/or sentenced to jail time.^[1]
   • You can easily avoid drink driving by arranging to get a lift home with a designated driver, getting a taxi, taking the bus, or arranging to stay overnight at somebody else's house. Drink driving is never worth the risk.
2. 
   2
   Avoid distractions. Being distracted while driving is a bad idea, as you can't give your full attention to the road and your reaction time becomes slower as a result.

   • Using cell phones while driving -- whether you're making a call, texting or doing something else -- is seriously detrimental in terms of it's effect on your attention to driving. If you need to make a phone call, pull over and stop the car first. In many states, using a cell phone while driving is illegal.
   • Aside from using cell phones, a distraction counts as anything that takes your full attention off the road, whether it's fiddling with the radio, checking or applying make-up, or eating food. All of these things should be avoided.
   • Also be careful when driving with children and pets, as they can be a potential distraction. Make sure children are securely strapped in with seat belts and pets are contained in a pet carrier.
3. 
   3
   Avoid drowsiness. Feeling sleepy behind the wheel is almost, if not just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol, especially at night. In fact, According to a study by Virginia Tech; drowsy drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash.^[2]

   • Driver drowsiness does not necessarily mean falling asleep behind the wheel (though this is highly dangerous), it can also refer to a driver zoning out for just a moment or two -- enough time to cause a serious accident.
   • You can avoid potential drowsiness behind the wheel by always getting a good night's sleep -- eight hours per night, if possible. You should also take frequent breaks while driving (especially if you feel yourself getting tired) to get some fresh air or drink a coffee. Share the driving responsibilities with another driver, if possible.
   • You also need to be very cautious about taking medications which may cause drowsiness. If you are taking a cold medication or antihistamine, always read the warnings on the label.