Road Safety Tips for New Denver Drivers
Whether you’re a new driver or new to Colorado entirely, it’s important to stay safe on the road. And if you aren’t familiar with the mountain roads in this area, you may have a little bit of learning to do. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Here are a few driving safety tips to follow if you’re new to the Denver area.
Drive Within the Speed Limit
While this driving tip might seem a little bit obvious, it’s especially important if you’re traversing the mountain roads of Colorado. Normal speed limits may be reduced due to inclement weather and conditions can change quickly while you’re on the road. Almost 86% of drivers believe it’s safe to drive 10 miles over the speed limit. They’re wrong. Driving above the legal speed limit is a surefire way to cause or contribute to a car accident while you’re on the road. If conditions are icy, driving above the speed limit could mean your car spins out and ends up in a ditch, or worse. When you want to be as safe as possible, driving within the speed limit is one of the simplest steps you can take to ensure you arrive at your destination unharmed. If you’re unsure what the speed limit is in some areas, don’t hesitate to do a little bit of research! Having limited knowledge beforehand is better than no knowledge at all.
Avoid Tailgating at All Costs
It doesn’t matter how late you are for that appointment. Tailgating is not only dangerous for you, but it’s also dangerous for other drivers on the road with you. If you’re following too closely, you could risk rear-ending the car in front of you and causing a chain reaction of fender benders while you’re at the wheel. It’s especially important to avoid tailgating while you’re on mountain roads. As we covered earlier, conditions can change quickly there! And when almost 1.8% of drivers admit to driving after having too much to drink, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles is that much more important. Not sure what constitutes a safe distance? When it comes to being on the road, a safe distance between your car and the next driver on the road is about two car-lengths. Keeping this distance will ensure you have a cushion in case the driver in front of you makes a sudden stop or turn.
Keep Your Car Well-Maintained
Millions of dollars worth of essential car maintenance goes unperformed every year. Don’t let your car be one of the vehicles that goes without necessary routine maintenance! When winter is nearing, take the time to put snow tires on. If you’re due for an oil change, don’t put it off. Performing small maintenance tasks on a regular basis can save you from having a big disaster while you’re actually on the road. In addition, make sure you’re investing in repairs before little issues explode into larger ones. Take windshield cracks, for example. While windshield cracks longer than 12 inches require glass replacement, there’s no reason for you to let a crack in your windshield get that big in the first place. If you notice that something is wrong with your vehicle, don’t wait to fix it. Taking care of your repair needs as soon as possible could mean the difference between safe driving and disaster on the road.
Driving in a new area for the first time can be a little bit nerve-wracking. Fortunately, following these very simple safe driving tips (and making sure to find an insurer for your auto insurance) can make a big difference. Regardless of where you started, welcome to Colorado! Drive safely.
