Drive On The Job? Here’s How to Lower Your Risks

If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of time on the road for work. And while it’s great to be productive, it can also be dangerous. That’s why we want to share some safety tips with you.

Let’s take a look at the latest vehicle safety features, how to handle bad weather, and what to do if you encounter a distracted driver.

Notable Vehicle Safety Features

There are a lot of vehicle safety features available these days, and it can be tough to keep up with all of them.

But if you’re looking to buy a new car or upgrade your current vehicle, here are some features to look for:

Blind spot monitoring: This feature uses sensors to detect when another vehicle is in your blind spot and will alert you with a warning light or sound.
Rear cross traffic alert: This feature is similar to blind spot monitoring, but it detects vehicles approaching from the sides when you’re backing up.
Adaptive cruise control: This feature automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Lane-keeping assist: This feature uses sensors to detect when your vehicle is veering out of its lane and will provide a warning or even help steer the vehicle back into the lane.
Automatic emergency braking: This feature can sense when a collision is about to happen and will automatically apply the brakes to help avoid or minimize the impact.

These are just a few of the many vehicle safety features available on the market today. You may also want to look into extending your car’s warranty.

Do some research to find out which ones are available on the models you’re interested in and test them before making a purchase.

Safest 2022 Vehicles on the Road Today

When it comes to vehicle safety, not all cars are created equal. Here are some of the safest 2022 vehicles on the road, according to Consumer Reports:

Small Cars: A small car is perfect for city driving and can be easy on the wallet. Of course, the smaller your vehicle, the less visible you will be to other drivers.

Some of the safest small cars of 2022 include:

Honda Civic Hatchback, sedan
Honda Insight
Mazda 3 Hatchback, Sedan
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Midsized Cars: If you have a family or frequently haul around cargo, you’ll want to consider a midsized vehicle. These cars offer more space and visibility than smaller cars.

Some of the safest midsized cars of 2022 include:

Honda Accord
Kia K5
Nissan Altima
Nissan Maxima
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Toyota Camry

Small SUVs: Small SUVs are a great option if you’re looking for something that’s more versatile than a sedan but not as bulky as a full-sized SUV.

Some of the safest small SUVs of 2022 include:

Chevrolet Trailblazer
Ford Bronco Sport
Hyundai Tucson
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-30
Mitsubishi Outlander built after June 2021
Nissan Rogue
Volvo C40 Recharge
Volvo XC40
Volvo XC40 Recharge

Midsized SUVs: Midsized SUVs offer the best of both worlds when it comes to size and functionality. They’re big enough to accommodate families and cargo, but not so big that they’re difficult to drive or park.

Safe midsized SUVs include:

Ford Explorer
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Santa Fe (built after July 2021)
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Murano
Subaru Ascent
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen ID.4

Large SUVs and Minivans: If you need a vehicle that can seat seven or eight people, you’ll want to consider a large SUV or minivan.

Some of these include:

Audi E-Tron
Audi E-Tron Sportback
Chrysler Pacifica
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna

These are just a few of the many safe vehicle options available to you.

Driving Safely in Bad Weather

If you live in an area with bad weather, you know how challenging it can be to drive in it.

But there are some things you can do to make the experience a little safer and less stressful:

Slow down: This one is pretty obvious, but it’s worth repeating. When the roads are slick, it takes longer to stop or turn, so you need to give yourself extra time.
Turn on your lights: Even if it’s not raining or snowing, fog can reduce visibility. So it’s always a good idea to have your headlights and taillights turned on.
Avoid distractions: It can be tempting to check your phone or change the radio station when you’re driving in bad weather, but it’s important to stay focused.
Don’t tailgate: Again, it takes longer to stop in bad weather, so give yourself and the vehicle in front of you some extra space by increasing your following distance.
Watch for ice: Black ice can be especially dangerous because it’s hard to see. If you start to skid, don’t panic. Instead, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction opposite to the skid (if your car is rotating to the right, turn left).

Driving in bad weather can be tricky, but if you use caution and give yourself extra time, you’ll greatly reduce the likelihood of a fatal accident.

Dealing With Distracted Drivers Through Passive Driving

We’ve all been there: You’re driving along and the person in front of you is swerving, tailgating, or driving erratically. It’s frustrating, but it’s important to stay calm and not let yourself get angry.

According to the CDC Injury Center, “over 3,100 people were killed and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019.” So it’s important to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and know how to deal with it if you encounter it.

Passive Driving Tactics

The best thing to do is to give yourself some space and try not to engage with the driver. If you can, try to get out of the way and let them pass.

If they’re tailgating you, don’t brake suddenly or make any sudden moves. Just slow down gradually until they can safely pass.

Dealing with distracted drivers can be frustrating, but remember to stay calm and use common sense. You’ll get to where you’re going eventually.

Ready to stay safe on the road?

No matter if you’re a self-employed taxi driver, a trucker, or a rideshare professional, If you spend a lot of time on the road, it’s important to be as safe as possible.

Luckily, there are a lot of vehicle safety features available to help you out. And if you’re driving in bad weather, just remember to take it slow and be extra cautious.