10 basic skills every responsible & safe driver should possess in India

These are some of the most crucial aspects that I believe come with having a social obligation while sitting in the driver's seat of a car.

BHPian inner_roadster recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Driving comes with social responsibility because it involves operating a vehicle in a shared environment where the actions of a driver can directly affect the safety and well-being of others. A responsible driving includes driving safely, adhering to the traffic rules and regulations and understanding how to drive appropriately to avoid accidents. In most circumstances, a human aspect plays a larger role in a road accident than a technical failure of the vehicle. The most common reason for such road accident are drunken driving, over speeding, violating the traffic rules and reckless driving.

So driving being a social responsibility, we need work on some of the most fundamental aspects to improve our driving style. I am sharing with you some common aspects of driving skill that we all know but sometimes overlook because of our casual approach.

1. We need to put safety first. I think this should be the main responsibility of every driver. We need to ensure the safety of not only everyone in the vehicle but also others around the vehicle, including other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

2. Safe driving is not only my responsibility but also figuring out the behaviors of the other drivers on the road. Acquiring this skill is time-consuming and I believe its comes with experience and patience.

3. Never drink and drive because alcohol impairs brain capabilities and reduces thinking and reasoning abilities, both of which are necessary for safe driving.

4. Driver exhaustion and tiredness play a role in accidents. Therefore, I never go overdrive beyond 500-600 KM on a day and make sure to take breaks at regular intervals while driving long distances.

5. We must avoid distractions when driving. The most common distractions while driving are using a cell phone to make calls, navigate maps while driving, text messages, or browse social media and music apps. The ideal practice is to first park the car in a safe place and configure and complete all the settings of these commonly utilized apps so that there is no distraction while driving.

6. We must be courteous on the road because it costs nothing, even if we are in a rush. We need to give cyclists and pedestrians ample of time to cross the road. We must ensure that we do not block the crossing and turning junctions in traffic signals, which may disrupt traffic flow.

7. Parking the car in the appropriate location is also an important component of being a responsible driver. We must ensure that parking our cars does not obstruct the entry or movement of other pedestrians, cyclists, or bikers. We need to park properly in order to end our journey well.

8. Unnecessary Honking- We must avoid unnecessary honking of horns on the road. This is a widespread problem that causes frustration and pain for those on the road and in neighboring areas. Honking should not be used to convey our annoyance with someone's behavior, greet someone we know, scare animals, or hurry up other road users. I believe that superfluous honking should be prohibited by enforcing stronger regulations and penalties.

9. Avoid use of use of high beams of headlight when not needed. High beams are intended to improve visibility in low-light settings; however, misuse of them can make other drivers uncomfortable and increase the risk of accidents. We should use high beam only when traveling in rural areas where there is little to no traffic.

10. Getting to know your car right - A good driver should be familiar with all of the car's equipment and functions, as well as how to operate them. He should know how and when to utilize the hazard and fog lights correctly. Good driving involves being aware of when to switch on your headlights and how to use the main beam safely, as well as how to change gears and control your steering. How to react with the steering wheel in an emergency.

These are some of the most crucial aspects that I believe come with having a social obligation while sitting in the driver's seat of a car. To make this post more relevant and helpful, I would request the other members of our forum to add a few more pertinent points.

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