The advent of autumn is a great time to revisit driving safety topics. Considering that the first week in October is “Drive Safely to Work Week,” here are four strategies to make your commutes as safe as possible for both you and others you share the road with.
Leaving early is one of the easiest ways to drive more safely to work
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Arrive early
Running late is one of the key reasons why many people speed on their commute to work. Aim to arrive to at your workplace 15-20 minutes before your shift begins.
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Allow extra time
Certain weather conditions might require you to leave your house earlier in the morning. If you live in a region with snowy winters, check the weather regularly so you know whether you’ll need to spend extra time de-icing your driveway and/or de-icing your car the next morning.
Similarly to snow, rain or fog presents another scenario when you’ll want to give yourself more time to drive to work. Driving safely with limited visibility means slowing down.
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Time how long it takes for the car in front to pass an object, to confirm if you’re following a safe distance behind
Photo: Travelers
Give adequate space
Tailgating is the enemy when it comes to safe driving habits. Make sure to leave a generous space between you and the car in front of you. According to Driveandstayalive.com, a good rule of thumb is the “2-second, 4-second, 10-second rule.” In dry weather, keep a distance of 2 seconds between you and the car ahead. In rainy weather, this distance increases to 4 seconds. Icy conditions mean you should give the car in front a distance of 10 seconds.
(Note: You time this distance by watching the vehicle ahead of you pass a stationary object like a lamppost and counting how many seconds until your vehicle passes it.)
Photo: Hershel Venkat Talluri
Minimize distractions
Another tip for driving more safely to work is to know your distractions. Each person is different; what disrupts the attention of one individual might not bother another person. If it’s loud music, turn down the volume when you’re driving.
If it’s texting, hide your phone in your glove box or somewhere out of reach to deter you from giving into temptation. The less distracted you are while driving, the more likely you’ll be to keep your eyes and full attention on the road—that way, everyone stays safe.
With these practical tips, driving safely to your workplace should be a feasible habit to cultivate.
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Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.