Safe Driving Techniques

Whether driving in the city or on long intercity routes, ensuring vehicle safety is essential for reaching your destination safely and comfortably. Maintaining safety requires not only applying proper driving techniques but also ensuring your vehicle is equipped with the right safety tools and accessories. By driving consciously and responsibly, many potential accidents can be prevented. So, what exactly is safe driving, and how can you ensure it?

Safe driving techniques consist of key practices designed to make every trip safer from departure to arrival. These measures can be categorized into two groups: precautions to take before driving and safety rules to follow while driving. In essence, safe driving encompasses the habits, checks, and behaviors that contribute to safety both before and during your journey.

Pre-drive safety checks ensure that your vehicle operates smoothly, safely, and efficiently throughout your journey.

• Check your tire pressure before starting the engine. Make sure your tire pressure levels match the manufacturer’s recommended values. You can find this information either in the tire pressure chart or on the information label located on the inside of the driver’s door in most modern vehicles. In general, the recommended tire pressure for most passenger cars ranges between 32 and 35 psi.
• Do not forget to check your coolant, antifreeze, and engine oil levels as well. At this stage, pay attention to details such as using lime-free water and ensuring the oil level remains between the maximum and minimum marks. If you are planning a long trip, always check the engine oil before setting off.
• For vehicles used by multiple drivers, remember to adjust the mirrors and seat position each time you take the wheel.
• And of course, fastening your seat belt before starting the engine is a non-negotiable rule.
• When your arms are fully extended, your wrists should rest comfortably on top of the steering wheel.
• The distance between the headrest and the back of your head should generally be no more than 7 cm.

If you have completed all the pre-drive safety checks, you are now ready to begin your journey. However, there are also certain rules and methods you should follow while driving to maintain safety on the road:

• First and foremost, always pay close attention to traffic regulations and comply with them, whether driving short or long distances.
• If you are behind the wheel, avoid using your mobile phone or watching videos on the multimedia screen. Keep in mind that using a mobile phone while driving is subject to penalties under traffic law.
• It is also extremely important that passengers do not behave in a way that distracts the driver. If necessary, do not hesitate to remind them.
• To maintain full control of the steering wheel, always keep both hands on it and drive using the correct grip position.
• Do not forget to maintain a safe following distance. As a general rule, if it takes you less than two seconds to reach the same point on the road as the vehicle in front of you, your following distance is too short. In practical terms, the following distance should roughly correspond to half of your vehicle’s speed in meters. For instance, when driving at 90 km/h, the safe distance between two vehicles should be around 45 meters.
• It is also essential to keep your eyes focused on the road ahead at all times. Moreover, as your speed increases, your line of sight should extend further ahead.
• Never neglect to take corners and bends at an appropriate speed.
• Mirror checks should not be limited to lane changes; they must also be performed at regular intervals while driving.
• If the vehicle in front of you suddenly makes an evasive maneuver due to a hazard, you may need to react in the same way.
• It is also beneficial to plan your rest stops in advance, especially for long-distance journeys.

With the growing number of vehicles on the roads—particularly in large cities—along with changing weather conditions and the various risks that can occur in traffic, taking safe driving training courses has become increasingly important. Also referred to as "defensive driving training”, this program helps drivers identify and correct common misconceptions and habits that could lead to unsafe behavior. Safe driving training typically consists of two stages—theoretical and practical—and is generally completed within a single day, lasting approximately six hours in total.

To strengthen your vehicle’s safety features, you can also take advantage of a variety of vehicle safety systems. It is possible to list many different components among these systems:

• ABS: Anti-lock Braking System
• TCS: Traction Control System
• ESP: Electronic Stability Program
• EBD: Electronic Brakeforce Distribution Systems
• Fatigue Detection System
• Parking Sensor
• Lane Keep Assist
• City Brake Support

If you wish, you can access the special vehicle maintenance campaign for Petrol Ofisi Mobil customers by clicking here.