One of the things my dad always told me: if I wanted to drive, I have to always be calm, cool, and collected. Back in the day, I was a very angry young adult that had the tendency to throw F-bombs and PIs in loud volumes, so my dad never allowed me behind the wheel.
Years later, I can imagine why! Driving around in the streets of the Philippines, especially Metro Manila, can drive anyone mad with anger, and that can lead to road rage, which leads to, well, car "accidents." These sorts of accidents don’t always enjoy car insurance coverage, so it’s always best to avoid getting angry while on the road.
That’s just but one tip or advice if you want to drive safely around the Metro or if you’re planning to go on a long road trip for the weekend: keep a calm, cool, and collected attitude on the road.
Some friends of mine turn to just doing loud commentary on how bad driving is on the roads of EDSA, C-5, and Commonwealth while they drive down these roads instead of rolling down their windows and dropping loud F-bombs. Some even manage to find their inner Zen while driving— an amazing feat, really!
But what other tips are there besides keeping a cool head to drive safely on road trips?
1. Stay Healthy
Yes, stay fit and healthy! Avoid driving when you feel a headache coming up, if you have a bad stomach, or if you’ve just taken medicine that can make you drowsy. Regular medical check-ups to make sure your eyesight is road safe is also a good idea: you need to keep your eyes on the road, after all!
2. Stay Alert
Always keep your eye on the road. Check your mirrors: side view and rear view, to see oncoming vehicles from behind you. Don't forget to use signals when turning. If you think you're too tired to drive, don't! Same if you're feeling sick or sleepy.
When I go to road trips with friends, there always has to be someone awake to chat with the designated driver, so he doesn’t fall asleep. You need to stay alert and your reflexes fast since you need them while driving. Definitely avoid driving when you’ve just had one too many beers—that’s driving under the influence, and is punishable by law.
3. Plan Ahead
Always plan the route you're taking beforehand. Check traffic sites to see which roads are blocked or congested so you can avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere for hours. This will only stress and tire you out, making you uncomfortable during the drive.
4. Go Hands-Free
And by Hands-Free, we don’t mean hands-free on the wheel! Put your devices on hands-free mode. Install a phone dock on your car’s dashboard so you can easily utilise the voice functions of your phone. Phone docks can also help you greatly if you have a GPS app or a social traffic app like Waze to help you avoid heavy traffic. Going hands-free means you will have less distractions while driving, and you can keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.
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